Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2011 with funding from
IVIedia History Digital Library
http://www.archive.org/details/filmdailyvolume55152newy
Scanned from the collection of
Karl Thiede
Coordinated by the
Media History Digital Library
www.mediahistoryproject.org
Funded by an anonymous donation
in memory of Carolyn Hauer
(THE
:SfeHEWSPAPER
oiTfilmdom
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 1
Thursday, January 2, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Non-Theatrical Producers to Attend Conference
HAYS W INSIST ONIBRAMSON SUff| TRIAL
24 Columbia ^^tures Now Set for '30 Production
Bad Sound
-is synchronized murder
=By JACK ALICOATE^^^=
OF late we have received sd
many letters from exhibitors
in various stages of irrita-
tion, heated resentment, ire and
constant unrest that we have come
at least to the temporary conclusion
that- thev are entitled to speedy re-
lief and consideration, now that
tl J talkers are with us permanent-
ly, from the exchange man that
sends them prints and records unfit
for use. Talking pictures are a
little bit of hotsy totsy for the ex-
hibitor when they are clicking
mechanically and everything is
running O.K. but, when in place
of oi-dinary even projection you
have a constant rain storm on the
screen and instead of pleasing
voices and tuneful melody you get
from the loud speaker a symphony
of squeaks, scratches and air pock-
ets, the effect upon the customer
regarding his future and continued
patronage is apt to be most dis-
couraging for the exhibitor.
The indictment before us that con-
fronts the exchangeman aforemen-
tioned is rather long and consists of
several counts. Here are a few: Oily
prints^Scratched prints — Prints out
of sink — Poor patches — Broken
sprocket holes — Old and worn out
records, and divers and sundry other
abuses too numerous to mention.
The above is inserted as hearsay evi-
dence merely as a matter of record.
Seriously, here is a situation that
no doubt is a grave problem to nine
out of ten small town houses. It is
a big enough thought to deserve the
immediate attention and considera-
tion of every sales manager and su-
pervising exchange executive in the
business. In former days an old
print was bad enough but under the
new order of things bad sound from
either print or records is nothing
short of synchronized murder.
1.
ictures Now in Work
t Columbia Studio —
Preparing Others
Two roadshow pictures, one from
a David Belasco stage play and the
other a Jack Holt starring vehicle,
"Hell's Island," head the list of 24
features already scheduled for pro-
duction by Columbia in 1930. Four
of the pictures now are in work,
while an equal number awaits cast-
(Contitiued on Page 6)
"Weekly Film Review"
Sold to Associated Pub.
Atlanta — "Weekly Film Review"
has been consolidated with "Ex-
hibitors' Tribune" as the Southeast-
ern unit of Associated Publications,
Inc. Anna Aiken Patterson, founder
of "Weekly Film Review," continues
with that publication in an editorial
capacity.
DEPT. OF COMMERCE TO
HOLD CONFAB ON FEB. 1
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Final arrangements
have been completed for a confer-
ence of leading producers and dis-
tributors of industrial and education-
al films to take place here Feb. 1,
under the auspices of the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce,
(Continued on Page 6)
Civil Service Examinations
for Universal Chiefs
Branch managers and head book-
ers of Universal will be given writ-
ten and oral examinations, of the
civil service type, to determine their
fitness for promotion, it is announced
(Continued on Page 6)
66
By Special Arrangement
JflEIEAVNiDlHIEAlP"
Br WILL M. HATS
Just Published — A Brief History of Motion
Pictures and the Development of Sound.
T J-*^ Will Appear In Serial Form
EVERY DAY IN THE FILM DAILY
STARTING NEXT MONDAY
A Daily Feature of Universal Interest to Every-
one In or Out of Pictures — Don't Miss It!
C. C. Pettijohn Replies to
Actions Seeking
$1,300,000
The Hays office will insist on trial
of the suit filed Tuesday by Ivan
Abramson and the Graphic Film
Corp. against 47 corporations and
individuals in the motion picture in-
dustry, said C. C. Pettijohn, general
counsel of the Hays organization.
In the Abramson action, brought
against 13 major companies, five im-
portant executives, Film Boards of
(Continued on Page 6)
72 DEAD, 150 il
IN SCOTLAND FIRE PANIC
Paisley, Scotland (By Cable) —
Seventy-two are known to be dead
and about ISO injured in a fire panic
at the Glen Cinema Tuesday. Most
of the victims were children. The
fire started in the projection room
but did very little damage, the heavy
casualties being mostly due to a wild
rush from the balcony to the main
floor.
IT'29
MAY REAC|$15,000,000
Earnings of Paramount for the
fourth quarter of the fiscal year 1929
are estabUshed at about $5,500,000,
which is approximately 100 per cent
greater than the net for the cor-
responding peritod of 1928 when the
(Continued on Page o)
Proposed K. C. Padlock
Ordinance is Killed
Kansas City — Proposed padlock
ordinance to prohibit indecent shows
has been defeated. It was believed
that the measure was too drastic
because it would repeal the present
license ordinance and subsequently
close local theaters.. Officials felt
that the present ordinance and state
laws are sufficient to regulate mat-
ters.
Vol il No. 1 , Jbmiii January 2, 1930 . Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE .
: Editor and Publishir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at lt)50 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1929) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y.. under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
tree) United Sutes outside of Greater New
Vork $1U.UU one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4730 4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
1 Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
FrieUrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cuiematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cuur-des-Noues, 19.
NEW V ;...RKET
.UCkUA. . ..-.SpAY)
,,«,■ i*>* Close bales
.m. Seat. U^ 17H '.m 1.800
■v-n. ^m. U'i. .. 1^ 16H '7 ^ 600
, . ; -t^ -.oK jgu ,9J4 300
= "7^ 500
^2 41,500
20Ji ....
„ p.a. 79 J^ 79/3 79/2 200
loews Inc. 43^ 42^ 43 2,400
do pfd. WW (6/2) 87 87 87 100
*do pfd. xw (6}4) 86 ....
M-G-M pfd 23J4 23/, 23^ 00
Para F-L 51 49K 51 8,300
Pathe Exch 3 2^ 3 200
do "A" 5J4 5 5/, 200
KK-O 20J4 19 20 14,500
•Univ. Pict. pfd 34J4 ....
Warner Bros. .... 41 40 40-^ 13,500
dJo pfd 37 34J4 37 300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 63H .•••
•Columbia Pets .... 26>4 ....
Fox Thea. "A" .. 5J4 5H 5}4 4,100
Gen. Thea. Equ. .. 27H 275i 27^ 200
♦Intern. Proj 30 ....
*Loew do deb rts. • 13 ....
Loew Inc. war .. 3J4 3K 3'A 100
•Nat. Scr. Ser ISJi
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 27K ....
•Paramount new 28 ....
•Univ. Pict 9>4 ....
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 75J^ 74 JS 75 H 700
♦Loew 6s 41ww 102}i ....
♦do 6s 41 x-war 92}^ ....
Paramount 6s 47 .. 96Ji 96 96 1,200
♦Par. By. 5^s 51 100^ .....
Pathe 73 37 38 34H 38 1,300
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City ft
154 Crescent St. it
STIUwell 7940 J.t
if
I Eastman Films |
T. £♦ Brulatour, Inc. \l
Chicago
Hollywood
... . 6700 Santa Monica j>
1727 Indiana Ave. gj^j M
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121
^J^SBg^
DAILV
Thursday, January 2, 1930
SAYS MEXICO TO BE 12
P. C. WIRED IN 6 MONTHS
More than 12 per cent of theaters
in Mexico will be showing sound
pictures within the next six months,
says George Pezet, Mexican sales
representative for Pathe Internation-
al Corp., now in New York. "There
are about 500 theaters in Mexico,
and of this number only 35 are wired.
Four months ago only one house was
wired in Mexico City whereas today
21 have sound equipment. Eight
houses in Mexico City are equipped
with Pacent, five with RCA Photo-
phone, three with W. E., one with
DeForest and others have various
systems. In the Interior five have
RCA and the rest are either DeFor-
est or Pacent," declared Pezet.
Visugraphic Volume of
Business Increases
An increase of 80 per cent over
1928 in total volume of business was
recorded by Visugraphic Pictures,
Inc., New York, for the fiscal year
ending Dec. 31, 1929, according to
the annual report to be presented to
Its directorate today by Edward F.
Stevenson, president.
The statement shows that the sur-
plus earnings in 1929 were invested
in the building and equipping of a
modern sound and recording studio,
the development of portable sound
apparatus and for the expansion of
the company's branches in Boston
and Philadelphia.
Irving Rossheim Joins
Thilly* Brokerage Firm
Irving Rossheim, former president
of First National and the Stanley
Co., has joined the Philadelphia
brokerage firm of Newburger, Hen-
derson & Loeb as a general partner.
Rossheim remains an active director
of the board of Warner Bros.
"Sally" For Boston Jan. 24
Boston — Plans already are under
way for the opening of First Na-
tional's "Sally" at the Publix, Wash-
ington St., Olympia and Uptown the-
aters Jan. 24.
Sargent at Strand
Waterville, Me. — George W. Sar-
gent now is manager of the Strand
here. He was last at the Haines.
COAST ENCINEERS PLAN
TO STUDY DEVELOPMENTS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Ten meetings, run-
ning through 1930, have been plan-
ned by the Pacific Coast Section of
the Society of M. P. Engineers for
the purpose of studying the latest
developments in the industry. The
first discussion, already held at the
California Institute of Technology in
Pasadena, was devoted to light and
color, and there will be further talks
on color, wide film, laboratory pro-
cedure, stereoscopic depth and tele-
vision.
Canada Government Row
Stops Sunday Premiere
Ottawa — A clash occurred between
the Dominion Government and the
Ontario Government here recently
when the Ontario officials re-
fused to issue a permit for the show-
ing of "The Arctic Patrol," five-reel
picture made by the Dominion Gov-
ernment on a Sunday at the Ava-
lon. Cancellation of the theater and
operators' license was threatened,
according to a notice pasted on the
Avalon's doors. About 1,000 per-
sons were awaiting the opening of
the house. Back of the incident is
trouble involving Blue Laws en-
forcement.
Karl Freund Perfecting
Color Process in N. Y.
Karl Freund, who photographed
"Variety," "Metropolis" and "The
Last Laugh," is perfecting a new
color system, using the Paramount
Long Island studio for his experi-
mental work. The process is known
as the Keller-Dorian color system
and is said to bq the first to use the
primary colors. Freund intends to
make a color film entitled "New
York."
First German Talker Arrives
The first German talker feature,
"Because I Love You" produced by
Aafa Film Co. at the Tobis studios
in Tempelhof, Germany, has arrived
in New York and will be released by
American General Film Co. after the
first of the year. The cast includes
Mady Christians, Hans Stuwe and
Karl Platen. Music is by Ed May.
Let Us Solve Your Frohlems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan.
Opening of "No, No, Nanette" at
Mark Strand, New York City.
AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount
Hotel, New York City.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume ac-
tivity.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Jan.
Feb. 7
Gourdeau in N. Y.
E. R. Gourdeau, managing direc-
tor of Australasian Films, (East),
now in New York, has received a
cable announcing the first installa-
tion of RCA Photophone in Java in
Sourabarga. Talking pictures are
getting across successfully, he says.
AD -VANCE -AD
"I can say that your trailer service
has been very satisfactory."
— Glendale TIteater
Glenwood, Ark.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatret
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
"WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
\CASOmOM
INCORPORATED
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YOPK
Phone: Wisconsin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES.CEN.MCR.
1930 comes in
a LION!
RAMON NOVARRO in
DEVIL MAY CARE
Thrilling Musical Romance S. R. O. at
$2 Astor, N. Y. "The Pagan" was a
winner, but wait till they see this !
CHARLES KING
BESSIE LOVE in
CHASING RAINBOWS
The "Broadway Melody" pair click
again in another road-show'Size audi-
ence hit! With Technicolor.
DUNCAN SISTERS in
ITS A GREAT LIFE
A grand show of loves, lau^s, tears
and Well songs. With Technicolor.
NORMA SHEARER in
THEIR OWN DESIRE
It's got the class of "Mrs. Cheyney"
plus a box office quality that Norma
gave you in "His Secretary." Sure-fire!
WILLIAM HAINES in
NAVY BLUES
All the fun of Bill Haines combined
with the strongest dramatic love story
he's ever had !
VAN & SCHENCK in
THEY LEARNED
ABOUT WOMEN
These Big Time headliners in a thrill-
ing romance of the baseball wQrld.
How these boys sing! A natural !
And More Big Ones on the Way!
Happy METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER New Year
DAILY
Thxirsday, January 2, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
PAUL STEIN
engagement with Max
Reinhardt in Berlin
A British Plea for Product
To Keep Unwired Houses Open
WHAT strikes the big men of
the industry as a matter of
secondary importance, the sup-
ply of siLent pictures for the
houses which are not yet wired,
is actually, to the halls concern-
ed, a question of life or death.
The big circuit houses and the
leading kinemas throughout the
country are running talkies;
those of the next rank of impor-
tance are installing equipment
as quickly as ever they can.
What remains? A tremendous
number of small houses which
have not the slightest prospect
of being able to afford the ex-
pense of a high-class equipment.
What we have to recognize is
that these halls are really en-
titled to continue. Their pro-
prietors form the majority of the
C.E.A. membership, and they
are essentially the people who
need its protection most. Until
they can be provided with sound
installations of good quality and
low price they must run on si-
lent films.
"Kinematograph Weekly,"
London
Screen Has Gained, Not Lost,
By the Addition of Sound
THE vast majority of intelli-
gent observers, who go to
the movies regularly and appre-
ciate them, will now cheerfully
concede that not only has the
screen lost nothing by the ad-
dition of sound but it has gained
a great deal and stands to gain a
great deal more. Hollywood has
had to work terrifically hard to
achieve this recognition, and be
it said that Hollywood has work-
ed with thoroughly unexpected
and uncharacteristic intelligence.
Robert E. Sherwood in
"New York Evening Post"
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
You know, a good number of years ago if some fellow made
a name for himself in a big way or other, the community
or other generally named a cigar, a street or avenue after the
dear fellow — but in these modern times it's different. Fannie
Brice, in the U. A. "Be Yourself," pitches Otto Kahn the berry
in the form of labelling a soHg after him, titled "Is Something
the Matter With Otto Kahn?" Monte Blue and Joe E.
Brown, two of Hollywood's favorite sons, are still lingering
around Jimmy Walker's city
4> * * •
Again she is going to blossom forth, but not on the screen
this time, Marilyn Miller, that gorgeous morsel, will attend the
premiere of F. N.'s "No, No, Nanette" at the Strand, tomorrow.
Vina Delmar has been corraled by Warners to write
originals for Vitaphone specials and will shortly shove off for
the Coast
* * • *
Two Mack Sennett comedies are playing on Broadway with
indefinite run pictures, "Scotch" with Bevan and Clyde is at
the Geo. M. Cohan with "Blaze O'Glory" and "Uppercut
O'Brien" with Andy Clyde and Harry Gribbon is doing its
stuff with "Party Girl" at the Gaiety Harold J. Mirisch,
formerly with the Warner home office, has been transferred to
the Metropolitan division under Harry L. Charnas, general man-
ager. Mirisch will work on booking for Warner houses
* • • •
Eddie Dowling, whose second picture, "Blaze O'Glory" is
the attraction at the Geo. M. Cohan, is one of Rhode Island's
favorite sons. Little Rhody, the smallest state in this great
big land of ours, hasn't fallen down on the job of producing
actin' material, providing Geo. M. Cohan, Ruth Clifford, Jane
Winton, Kate Price, Rae Samuels, etc., etc
* • • •
One of the snappiest house organizations which Uncle Sam's
mailmen bring into our office with regularity is "Now," edited
by Eddy Eckles, with K W. Calvin as ye associate ed. Frank
Whitbeck, director of advertising for West Coast Theaters,
whose publication it is, keeps a watchful eye over the works.
* * * *
George K. Arthur has left St. Louis and now is on the last
lap of a vaudeville tour upon completion of which he is sched-
uled to trek to Europe. The dashing George last appeared in
M-G-M's "Chasing Rainbows."
* * * *
Word penetrates Times Square from Paramount's Long
Island studio that "He Was Her Man" is the new title given
Gilda Gray's two-reel talker produced as "Frankie and Johnny."
Dudley Murphy did the megaphoning Harry Green, who
plays the title role in "The Kibitzer," will send his voice over
the ether via the Columbia system Saturday night during the
Paramount-Publix hour
* 4' « 4i
BET YOU COULDN'T GUESS WHAT COMPANY GAR-
NERED THE BIGGEST YEARLY NET?
THE FINANCIAL SECTION OF THE FORTHCOMING
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK HAS THE DOPE.
JANUARY 2-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who today are celebrating tiieir
birthdays
Walter Futter
D. W. Griffith
W. Ray Johnston
Allene Ray
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALr
FRANK WILSTACH has garner-
ed his ninth annual crop of the
best similes of the year and shoots
us an advance copy. Frank gets as
great a kick out of collecting 'em as
everybody does in reading 'em. And
that's our simile for enjoyment. Now
tear into a few pips culled from his
"Dictionary of Similes," and get your
share of enjoyments.
* * *
About as safe as leaving your wife
in the Navy Yard — Fred Allen.
As happy as an old maid being
held for ransom. — Anon.
Innocent as a bee on a paper
flower. — Arthur (Bugs) Baer.
No more use than a Roxy pass
at the Paramount theater — Jack Ali-
coate
Final as a period. — Louis Monta
Bell.
As superfluous as a shooting gal-
lery in Chicago. — Ibid.
Busting along with all the speed
of a spavined snail. — Kenneth Camp-
bell.
Overworked as a floorwalker's in-
dex finger. — I. Elinson.
Shut up as tight as a tabloid col-
umnist at five a. m. — F. P. Adams.
Dull as an illustrated lecture on
Barnacle Breeding. — Pere Lorentz.
Married people have labels . . .
just like a trunk on a railway that
belongs to somebody. — D. H. Law-
rence.
As futile as skywriting in Pitts-
burgh.— Life.
He made a clatter like a shower
of feathers. — O. O. Mclntyre.
Disconcerting as a cross-eyed mud-
dle-winker.— Sidney Munde.
Cheerful an' uncomplainin' as a
California grape farmer. — Abe Mar-
tin.
Meek as a glass-eyed wooly lamb.
• — Don Marquis.
She is thin enough to do hand-
springs in a flute. — Edward Schack-
ner.
About as happy as a toothless
guest at a peanut brittle party. —
Raymond S. Tompkins.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Herbert Hoover's American Re-
lief organization film, "Starvation"
to open Jan. 9 in New York.
C. B. Price, Inc., secures Ameri-
can distribution of German subma-
rine film.
A. S. Black to build new Portland,
Me., house.
Mary Marsh Allen, prominent
English actress, arrives in New York.
Effective January 1, 1930
WEEKLY FILM REVIEW
of Atlanta, Georgia
is consolidated with
EXHIBITORS' TRIBUNE
of Atlanta, Georgia
as the Southeastern Unit of
Associated Publications, Inc*
Anna Aiken Patterson,
founder of the Weekly Film Review,
will continue in an editorial
capacity with this unit.
ASSOCIATED PUBLICATIONS, INC
National in Scope '^m Local in Service
FILM TRADE TOPICS, San Francisco; MOTION PICTURE TIMES, Dallas; MOVIE AGE, Minneapolis; THE REEL JOURNAL,
Kansas City; MOTION PICTURE DIGEST, Chicago; MICHIGAN FILM REVIEW, Detroit; EXHIBITORS' FORUM, Pitts-
burgh; THE OHIO SHOWMAN, Cleveland; NEW ENGLAND FILM NEWS, Boston; EXHIBITORS' TRIBUNE, Atlanta.
"EACH IN ITS FIELD — THE EXHIBITOR'S HOME PAPER"
THE
-SBim
DAILY
Thursday, January 2, 1930
It's PublixAve. Nozv
Portland, Ore. — In honor of
Publix Theaters, property
owners here have petitioned
the Portland City Council to
change the name of Main St.
and Broadway, where the
Publix theater stands, to Pub-
lix Ave. The move for a
change came about when a
complaint was registered that
the present name typified an
idea of a small town village
street.
DEPT. OF COMMERCE TO
HOLD CONFAB ON FEB. I
(.Continued from Page 1)
according to E. I. Way, of the mo-
tion picture section of the Dept. of
Commerce. Among the problems to
come up for discussion are: coopera-
tive sales efforts, sound pictures, in-
dustrial advertising and production
policies.
At present there are more than
375 companies in this country using
or producing and distributing non-
theatrical pictures, either for adver-
tising of educational purposes, ac-
cording to Way.
Civil Service Examinations
for Universal Chiefs
(Continued from Page 1)
by Carl Laemmle. The written test
will be sent to each exchange man-
ager and booking chief for comple-
tion, after which the papers are to
be returned to Lou B. Metzger.
Oral examinations then will be
conducted at the home office by an
examining board composed of Metz-
ger and other high officials of the
company. Average of the combined
tests will constitute the promotion
rating of each man.
Bids Taken for Philly House
Philadelphia — Bids have been
taken for the new 4,000-seat theater
Samuel Shapiro is building at Alle-
gheny and Kensington Aves. The
estimated cost of the structure is
$650,000. The house will be named
Midway.
Rosenthal at Duluth House
Duluth, Minn. — M. Rosenthal has
been appointed manager of the Ly-
ceum, a Publix house. Before com-
ing to this city Rosenthal managed
theaters for the past IS years in the
East where he also conducted a vau-
deville booking agency.
Warner Revises Plans
Ridgewood, N. J. — Construction on
new Warner theater to be built here
has temporarily been held up due to
a revision of plans which are being
made by the company's architects.
Install Phonofilm at Aberdeen
Aberdeen, Miss. — DeForest Pho-
nofilm has been installed at the Tem-
ple here, according to Manager El-
kin.
Hays Organization to Insist
on Ivan Abramson Suit Trial
(Continued
Trade and the Hays office, damages
amounting to $1,300,000 are sought.
Allegation is made that the "lead-
ing producers in this country en-
gaged the services of William H.
Hays for the purpose of organizing
the Motion Picture Producers &
Distributors of America, Inc., and
the various Film Boards of Trade.
for the unlawful purposes of destroy-
ing competition of the independent
producers and of monopolizing for
their own benefit the exhibition of
motion pictures." The plaintiff al-
leges that members of the Hays or-
ganization control "not less than 95
per .cent of all picture production in
the United States and supply 22,000
theaters" with product.
from Page 1)
The Pettijohn statement, replying
to the action, in part, follows:
"The allegations in the complaint are so
ludicrous that notice of the filing of the
suit would be taken if it was not for the
interesting fact that Senator Smith W.
Brookhart appears as trial counsel. In all
of his agitations against the orderly conduct
of the motion picture industry the Senator
has professed that his interest was to en-
courage wholesome entertainment.
"The issue is clean-cut — shall exhibitors
of the country be encouraged or required to
show pictures of the kind Mr. Abramson
produced or shall they not? This associa-
tion and exhibitors' associations and all the
responsible factors of the industry are against
it. We welcome the showdown.
"Whatever misfortune and cessation of
importance has come to Mr. Abramson in the
motion picture industry has come entirely
through the type of picture which he per-
sistently produced and offered for exhibition."
24 Columbia Features Already
Set for Production in 1930
(Continued
ing or a chance to begin shooting,
and several more are in preparation.
Only one, "Mexicali Rose," is ready
for release, while "Murder on the
Roof" is in the cutting room.
Following is the list as it now
stands, with additions to be made in
the course of the vear:
A David Belasco stage drama with a well-
known woman star, directed by Frank R.
Capra. Now being adapted.
Jack Holt in "Hell's Island." directed by
Frank R. Capra. Preparing to go in work.
Three specials starring Evelyn Brent. First
storv being written.
"The Melody Man" (Technicolor sequen-
ces), by Herbert Fields. T.orenz Hart and
Richard Rodcers; with William Collier, Jr.,
Alice D.TV. John St. Polis; directed by R.
William Neil. Practically completed.
"For the Love o'l.il," from Liberty Mag
a?ine's cover serial; with Johnnv Arthur.
Sallv Star. Lee Kohlmar, John T. Murray
and Vivian Oakland; directed by Victor Heer-
man. In work.
"Murder on the Roof." from the mysterv
serial in Liberty, with Porothv Revier. Mar-
"Jiret Livintrston, Raymond Hatton. William
V. Monc. Virginia Brown Faire; directed bv
<^eorge B. Seitz. In cutting room.
from Page 1)
"Sweethearts on Parade," based on the
popular song.
"The Squealer," from the Broadway stage
play.
"Mexicali Rose," with Barbara Stanwyck.
Sam Hardy and Arthur Rankin; directed by
Erie C. Kenton. Ready for release.
"Vengeance," drama of Belgian Congo.
with Jack Holt, Dorothy Revier, Philip
Strange; directed by Archie Mayo. Almost
finished.
"Last of the Lone Wolf," by Louis Joseph
Vance.
"Borrowed Love," from the play by Bide
Dudley.
"Ladies Must Play," marriage drama.
"Jazz Daughters".
"Sisters." starring Molly O'Day and Sally
O'Neil. Story in work.
"The Black Sheep," melodrama of an
exiled youth. Going in work.
"Paris Nights," drama with singing and
dancing background.
"Prince of Diamonds," by Gene Markey
Storv in work.
"Temptation," social drama.
"Private Property," triangle drama. Ready
for shooting.
"Around the Corner," drama of New
York: directed by Karl Brown and A. H.
Van Buren.
"Personality." with a popular woman star.
Bert Naus at Granada;
Other Puhlix Chansfes
IVert Cnnst Bnreau, THE FTTM DAILY
San Francisco — Bert F. Naus, man-
^£rer of the Rialto, Portland. Ore..
now is manadng the Granada here
for Publix. Jack Gault. former otib-
1'Vitv and advertising director of the
Rialto, has been apnointed manager
of the house with Max Shane, for-
merly of the Paramount in Los Ang-
eles, assuming Gault's former duties.
Richmond Biiou Opens With W.E.
Richmond — Paramount's "The Vir-
srinian" inaugurated the talker policv
at the Bijou which was recentlv
equipped with Western Electric ap-
paratus. Georfire Kitzmiller, for-
merly of Norfolk, is manager.
Saturday Change for Caoitol, Va.
Richmond— Ivan I. Rosenbaum,
manager of the Capitol here an-
nounces the bill hereafter will open
on Saturdavs instead of Mondays,
as previously.
Abe Markowitz I.«aves
RKO's 'Frisco Exchange
We^t Con^. Bureau, THE FIT.M DAILY
San Francisco — Abe Markowitz
manaeer of the RKO exchanere here
has resigned and William G. Wolf
formerly of Denver, has replaced
him.
Loew's Festival Tieuo
Loew's Inc. has lined up about 25
Chambers of Commerce to and in
celebration of "Loew's January Fes-
tival." Tie-ups with Chambers and
nierch-THts have been made in Svra-
(-tise. Rochester, Reading. Davton
Fvansville. Jamaica, Bronklvn.
Bronx. Jersey Citv. Houston, Mem-
phis and other cities.
Talk-A-Phone for Three Houses
Clpveland, Tex. — In addition to
the Palace here and Rex. Madison-
ville, the Colonial at Clarksville.
Tevns, has been equipped with Talk-
A-Phone sound apparatus. All three
houses opened with sound pictures
Christmas Dav.
IT'29Ei
MAY REflCIU15,000,000
(Continued from Page 1)
net income of $2,727,318 represented
the best fourth quarter's earnings in
the history of the company, accord-
ing to the Wall St. News, in a state-
ment from Los Angeles credited to
Adolph Zukor. The company's earn-
ings for the entire year of 1929 should
exceed $15,000,000 which compares
with $8,713,063 in 1928 and $8,057,-
998 for 1927, continued the publica-
tion. At this rate earnings of over
$15,000,000 would be equal to over
$5.65 a share on 2,647,326 shares of
common stock outstanding on Sept.
30 last, or $2.65 a share in excess of
the current $3 annual dividend rate.
Films to be Discussed
at Rollins College Talks
Winter Park, Fla. — The role that
motion pictures play in public opin-
ion is considered to be of such im-
portance by officials of Rollins Insti-
tute here that a round table discus-
sion on the subject will take place
throughout the week of Jan. 6 when
the college will hold its second an-
nual institute of statesmanship.
Among those listed to participate in
this discussion are: Huston Thomp-
son, formerly with the Federal Trade
Commission, as chairman; Carl Mil-
hken, of the Hays organization, Ab-
ram F. Myers, head of Allied States
Ass'n and Dr. William Sheafe Chase,
of the International Reform Federa-
tion.
In discussing pictures, "The Role
of the Movie in Public Opinion" will
focus attention on the coming influ-
ence of the cinema in public opinion
and the question of its control and
direction.
Rippard Gets Richmond House
Richmond — W. H. Rippard of
Washington, has completed arrange-
ments to take over the management
of the Echo theater at Farmville. The
house formerly was owned by the
community.
Eddie Wright at Harlingen House
Harlingen, Tex. — T. B. Noble, dis-
trict manager of Publix, has appoint-
ed Eddie Wright, former manager at
Welasco, Tex., manager of the Ar-
cadia, succeeding Jack Pickens.
W. E. For Wilmington House
Wilmington, Del. — Western Elec-
tric sound apparatus has been in-
stalled at the Park here, according
to Joseph De Terio, manager.
Bonner Manager at Midland, Tex.
Midland, Tex. — John S. Bonner
now is manager of the Yucca which
recently opened here.
Publix Gets Portland House
Portland, Me. — The Strand has
been taken over by Publix, accord-
ing to an announcement.
Harry Stone at Fox Butte House
Butte, Mont. — Harry Stone is
manager of the new Fox house here.
there is no mystery about advertis-
ing ^ many of our greatest business
enterprises have been built upon
its foundation ^ successful adver-
tising is simply a question of dean,
honesty eye arresting copy placed in
those mediums that are read by the
greatest number able to buy that
ivhich you have to sell ic in the mo-
tion picture industry the film daily
reaches ninety percent of the buying
poiver of a great business that spends
millions every month ^ that's ivhy
this publication is proving itself
every day a profitable advertising
medium for those ivho use its col-
umns regularly -k ask anyone of
importance in the industry ivhether
or not he reads the film daily
regularly * a test ivill tell *
"UgfM
MMmmar
says
LZuinn Maitin
h, NY. World
"HELL'S HEROES
is the hardest-hitting melodrama . . . that has come this
way since the talking films have been with us . . . first
rate entertainment." — Quinn Martin, N. Y. World.
"HELL'S HEROES
is the most impressive picture to be played at the Colony
since this house turned talkie. ... It brings a lump to the
throat and a tear to the eye. . . . The Colony should house
it for at least several weeks." — Irene Thirer, N. Y.
Daily News.
"HELL'S HEROES
is an interesting and realistic bit of characterization." —
N. Y. Times.
"HELL'S HEROES
PETER B. KYNE'S first storv in
sound. With Charles Bickford,
Raymond Hatton, Fred Kohler,
Fritzi Ridgeway. Directed by
William Wyler. Presented by
CARL LAEMMLE
is a dandy drama. . . . Charles Bickford's performance
stands out brilliantly." — Bland Johaneson, N. Y. Daily
Mirror.
"HELL'S HEROES
takes its place with the best films of the month . . . done
with an extraordinarily impressive and sincere dignity.
. . . Director William Wyler's understanding and thrill-
ing treatment of the story holds one absorbed. . . .
There's nothing conventional about this . . . don't miss
it!" — Rose Pelswick, N. Y. Evening Journal.
"HELL'S HEROES i
is a thrilling talkie . . . excellent version of Peter B.
Kyne's story, 'The Three Godfathers.' The important
members of the cast are Charles Bickford, Fred Kohler
and Raymond Hatton . . . each excels in his own particu-
lar sequence." — Regina Crewe, N. Y. American.
"HELL'S HEROES
has something new and original in its method of telling
a story in dialogue set entirely out of doors. . . . For the
picture connoisseur, this is one to see!" — Marguerite
Tazelaar, N. Y. Herald-Tribune.
PICTURES— NOT PROMISES/
GREATER UNIVERSALIS NEW SELLING SEASON STARTS NO^^^?
iTHE
o/^FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL, LI No. 2
Friday, January 3, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Western Electric Will Appeal German Injunction
FILM ^CKS REU-^LY STEADYJN 1929
Six Roadshows Among Tiffany's Output for 1930
A Cinema Opera
— and other comment
==iBy JACK ALICOATB==
MASCAGNI, best known as
the composer of "Cavalleri
Rusticana" has just an-
nounced from Rome that his fu-
ture efforts will be directed toward
the writing of an operatic score
exclusively for the cinema. It was
only recently that the maestro first
heard the talkers in Paris and im-
mediately became impressed with
the possibilities of this internation-
al medium for quickly reaching
masses. This is but another straw
indicating rather definitely in which
direction the amusement wind is
blowing. Nothing can now stop
the invention of sound from re-
volutionizing the art, industry or
business of amusing the peoples of
the world.
Stepping Out
Once more the industry steps right
up into the front row to be counted
along with the press and radio as an
important influence on the minds,
habits and sentiments of a collective
nation. Several representative pic-
ture folk including Gov. Carl Milliken
and Abram Myers have been invited
by Rollins Institute of Winter Park,
Florida to attend its second annual
institute of statesmanship and sit
'round the table for the pow wow on
"The Role of the Movie in Public
Opinion." Next to the Williamstown
conference each Spring this is prob-
ably the most formidable annual
forum for the discussion of world's
problems and public opinion in Amer-
ica. A fine and dignified tribute to
(Cimtinued on Page 2)
Six Features Completed
and Similar Number
in Work
Six roadshows, "Journey's End,"
"Resurrection," "Mamba," "The Lost
Zeppelin," "Party Girl" and a South
Sea Technicolor talker, top the pro-
duction schedule of Tiffany for 1930,
it is announced by Executive Vice-
President Grant L. Cook. In addi-
(C(mtinued on Page 2)
2,000 tiBfranchise
4
More than 2,000 Tiffany franchises
have been signed to date, Oscar Han-
son, general sales manager, announc-
ed yesterday. The Tiffany plan was
launched by Grant L. Cook and Han-
son at a meeting held in Chicago
last August in conjunction with Al-
lied States.
Edwin Carewe Cancels
Negotiations with Pathe
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Edwin Carewe has
discontinued negotiations with Pathe
to become production chief of that
organization and will shortly an-
nounce another affiliation.
Trend of Amusement Shares Last Year Was
Favorable by Comparison
Motion picture stocks gave a relatively good account of themselves in
1929, according to financial statistics of the year as compared to other lines
of business. Although film shares, like all others, joined in the collapse dur-
ing the latter part of the year, they came through the period very creditably
considering the additional bearish
factors that descended on this group
as a result of several unfortunate
factors not applying to the industry
in general. Despite this fact, the av-
erage depreciation in motion picture
stocks was less than the decrease in
such basic industries as foods, auto-
mobiles, motor equipment, rubber,
(.Continued on Page 7)
Delays Chain Plan
Montreal — Delay in the es-
tablishment of the N. L. Na-
thanson chain is attributed to
its sponsors awaiting the court
decision expected Jan. 17 in
the dispute with Famous Play-
ers Canadian. The case pend-
ing involves possession of an
important downtown theater
site here.
RAPEE JOINS WARNERS
AS MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Erno Rapee, for the past 12 years
associated with Roxy as orchestra
leader, has been signed by War-
ner Bros, as general musical direc-
tor at its Coast studios. Jack War-
ner announces. He leaves for the
Coast in about two weeks. Joseph
Littau, identified with the Roxy for
some time, succeeds him in his post
there.
German Sound Group Scores
in Patent Infringement Suit
MCDONALD WITH FUHER
AS GENERAL MANAGER
Charles McDonald, recently re-
signed as vice-president and general
(Continued on Page 2)
Western Electric will appeal the
decision of a Berlin court in which
a permanent injunction is granted
Klangfilm Tobis restraining the
American concern's apparatus in Ger-
many, it was stated by W. E. in New
York yesterday. The decision eman-
ates from a patents infringement
{Continued on Page 2)
HAWKS AND NINE OTHERS
KILLED IN 'PLANE CRASH
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Ten members of a
Fox company shooting an air se-
quence over the Pacific were killed
when two planes crashed into each
other late yersterday. The dead are
Kenneth Hawks, director; Ross
Cook, pilot; George Eastman, cam-
eraman; Ben Frankel, assistant cam-
(Continued on Page 2)
Fox Situation
Fox Film stock dropped to
a new low of $17 a share on
the Stock Exchange yesterday
in response to the threatened
action in receivership announc-
ed by Stanley Lazarus, coun-
sel of Class A stockholders.
To date, while there is no ques-
tion of the Fox situation being
complicated, no change of im-
portance has been made in
management, directorate or
personnel. This in reply to
hourly rumors, mostly un-
founded, drifting up and down
the big street.
u
SEE and HEAR
jy by Will H. Hays— Starts Next Mon^
day and runs every day in serial form
in The Film Daily ~ Don*t Miss It
THE
DAILY
VgLLINo.2 Friday, January 3,1930 Price5C«nts
JOHNW. ALICOATE'
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Ahcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary -Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy. Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, IVIB,
at the post-office at New York,^ N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of p'^eater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, JS.OU, J
months! $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscr.fiers
should remit with ofder Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650
Broadway, New York N. Y Ph°"= C"-=''
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: F.lmday,
New York. Hollywood, California --Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. Lendon-Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin-Karl Wolffsohn, L'chtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans-P. A. Harl^
La Ciiiematographie Francaise, Rue <Je la
tour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*ctr Fm''lnd.":: i6?i V(>n l^Ji "iW
•Keith A-O
*do pfd • ••"•
Loew's, Inc 45 J4 42/8
*do pfd. WW (6J4)
♦do pfd. xw (6J4) .... ••••
M-U-M pfd 23/, 23/,
20 Ji
79/2
42%
87
86
23^
500
^--fT-.:::::si^ 48^ 49^
2?i 2%
5 5/«
19 20
30
Pathe Exch. 3
do "A" 5!4
R-K-O 21
'Univ. Pict. pfd ----
Warner Bros. ... 4^ 38^8 40
do pfd 36/, 36/, 36/,
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
Bal. & Katz 65 65 65
Columbia Pets. .. 25 J« 25 2\n
Fox Thea. "A" .. SJ4 2Vi 3
27
2Vi
26
26
.... 25
13K 13}4
ZYi 3fi
.... 15H
.... 27 J4
28
9/,
Gen. Thea. Equ.
•intern. Proj •
Loew do deb. rts. 13J4
Loew's Inc. war.. iH
•Nat. Scr. Ser
•Nat. Thea. Sue,
•Paramount new
"^"'"new^'Vork "bond 'market
•Keith A-O 6s 46 75}|
•Loew 6s 41ww 10^>5
•do 6s 41 x-war 92}^
•Paramount 6s 47 96
•Par. By. 5/2S 51 100^
•Pathe 7s 37 38
•LAST price quoted
100
7,200
400
400
17,200
7,566
200
100
700
3,800
800
*i66
100
♦ •♦♦♦.♦♦.••.♦♦.•♦.•♦.♦♦.••.••.^MJ.J
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City j'{
154 Crescent St. ft
STIllwell 7940 $
A Cinema Opera
^ — and other jiiomment
(Continued from Page 1)
this industry of universal understand-
ing and unlimited opportunities for
moulding public opinion.
Long Distance Competition
Impresario Pyle and his trans-
contmental runners, the indehnite
waltzing contest and the six day bi-
cycle race now have competition and
trom nowhere else than withm this
lil' ol' industry itself. On Tuesday the
Kialto, showing "The Virginian" (Free
ad; opened up at nine in the morning
and stayed open continuously until
1 hursday morning at three A. M. Al-
most two full days without a let up.
irorty-two hours of picture without
a breathing spell on the screen and
only enough time out to change
crews. Wonder if the experiment
leally paid? i'robably did for Mons.
ivatz IS rather canny about such things
and usually knows whereot ne speaKs
oetore putting his merry O. K. on
such a venture. At any rate if it did
iiotning else it probably established
a record for continuous performance
on Broadway.
Six Roadshows Among
Tiffany's 1930 Output
(Continued from Page 1)
tion to this half dozen, 20 features
already have been definitely marked
on the production program, witn
others to be included later. Of the
entire list, six are completed and the
same number are nearly completed
or in work. The schedule as it now
stands is as follows:
"Journey's End," talker version of the
Stage hit, with Colin Clive of the London
tiicater cast; directed by James Whale. Prac-
tically finished. "Party Girl," with Douglas
Fairbanks, Jr. "Resurrection," musical and
talker version of the Tolstoi novel, with Wil-
liam Collier, Jr. In work. "Mamba," Tech-
nicolor talker, with Jean Hersholt, Eleanor
Boardman, Halph Forbes. Practically fin-
isned. "The Lost Zeppelin," with Conway
Xeaile, Virginia Valli, Kicardo Cortez. A
South Sea island Technicolor talker. Mae
Murray in "Peacock Alley," with George
ilarraud. Completod. "Tnoopers Three,"
story of U. S. Cavalry, with Rex Lease, Dor-
othy Gulliver, Slim Sura'nerville. Practically
completed. "Painted Faces," featuring Joe
E. Brown as a circus clo-wn. Completed^ Leo
Carillo in "Mister Antonio," with Virginia
Valli. Completed. "High Treason," drama
of the future. Completed. "Sunny Days,"
musical college story. "The Medicine Man,"
talker based on the Broadway stage play.
"Love Waltz," Viennese musical romance,
with Mae Murray. "Love, Life and Laugh-
ter," love drama. "Luxury Girl," modem
drama. "Left Over Ladies," by Ursula Par-
rott. "Satin Straps," from Maysie Greig's
stcry. "Senor Manana," from the novel by
Stuart Page Graham, with Leo Carrillo. "Pa-
per Profits," from the magazine story ot
the same name. "Cyclone Hickey," story of
a pugilist by A. P. Younger. Leo Carrillo
in "My Brudder Sylvest." "Lasca," from
the poem of the same name. "Mareea-Ma-
ria" from the novel by Sophie Kerr. "Cheat
the Boys," by A. P. Younger, fraturing
Alice Montague. "The Torrent," by Lang-
don McCormick.
% T. E. Brulatour, Inc. %
Chicago Hollywood j-j
, ,. . 6700 Santa Monica ♦•♦
1727 Indiana Ave. gj^,^ *^X
Hollywood 4121 {'j
CAlumet 2691
;:«u»»u»»i?
|(ooler-)^ire
Revolutlonires Air Conditions
Summer and Winter
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
W. E. WILL APPEAL
(Continued from Page 1)
suit brought by the German group.
The injunction is based on an ac-
tion instituted by Telefunken Corp.
against National Film Verleik, oper-
ator of the Gloria Palast, Berlin the-
ater, using W. E. equipment. The
action apparently clears the field for
holders of other patents.
At the W. E. office it was pointed
out that the decision is an oral one
and that no statement would be
forthcoming until a written copy has
been received. It was asserted that
this is the only instance when an in-
junction against the company's pat-
ents has been sustained.
In commenting on the German in-
junction General Talking Pictures
stated that patents of Klangfilm To-
bis have been pooled in Associated
Sound Film Industries, Ltd., of Eng-
land, which also owns the DeForest
patents. It was further pointed out
that M. A. Schlesinger, president of
General Talking Pictures, is a direc-
tor of the English company and I.
W. Schlesinger is chairman of its
directors
Budapest Court Suspends
Action Against W. E.
Western Electric has been advised
by cable that the infringement ac-
tion against the Western Electric
equipped Forum Theater in Buda-
pest, has been suspended by order
of the Upper Court until the nullity
action is decided.
HAWKS AND NINE OTHERS
KILLED IN 'PLANE (,Ri\bH
(Continutd from Page 1)
eraman and husband of Mary Astor;
Max Gold, assistant director; Tom
Harris, property man; Hank Jo-
hannes, property man; Otto Jordon,
assistant cameraman; Hallock Rouse,
pilot; Conrad Wells, cameraman. A
third plane, carrying Warner Baxter,
a double and Capt. Horace Turner,
pilot, escaped damage. Three of the
10 bodies had been recovered up to
late last night. The story being
filmed was Elinor Glyn's "Such Men
Are Dangerous."
Friday, January 3, 1930
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Opening of "No, No, Nanette" at
Mark Strand, New York City.
Jan. 9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount
Hotel, New York City.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume ac-
tivity.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
?eb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
MCDONALD WITH EUTIER
AS GENERAL MANAGER
(Continued from Page 1)
manager of Van Buren Corp., has
become associated with the Futter
enterprises in the same executive
capacity, Walter Futter, president of
Wafilms and Futter Productions,
Inc., announced yesterday before
leaving for the Coast. "During the
past week we have signed contracts
with Sono Art-World Wide for na-
tional distribution of the six-reel
feature 'Fighting for the Fatherland'
and with Columbia for international
distribution of a seven-reel super fea-
ture as well as a series of 26 curiosi-
ties. McDonald is further negotiat-
ing for distribution of 13 two-reelers.
McDonald and I will alternate be-
tween New York and Hollywood
where production activities will be
centered at the Columbia studios,"
Futter said.
The company has leased larger
quarters on the top floor of 729 7th
.A.ve. which they will occupy as soon
as extensive alterations are com-
pleted.
WANTED
Bookkeeper — expert in handling ac-
counting on Road Show Film Attrac-
tions.
Give complete details in letter. Replies
held confidential.
BOX K-190 c-o Film Daily
1650 Broadway New Yoric City
WEISS brothers;
Deforest Phonofilm Studios
Two Large Stages fully equipped with every modern device
essential to the proper recording of Talking Pictures
Specially Constructed Sets which permit the handling of every
type of production with facility and ease .
REIVTAL--$500. PER DAY
WEISS BROTHERS'
Deforest Phonofilm Studios
318 East 48th Street, New York City
Phone: Vanderbilt 7340-7341-8157-3754
«*EASILY THE BEST
PICTURE OF TRE
YEART-Liberty
Magazine
{SUPREME BOX OFFICE
GIFT TO PARAMOIJNT'S
NEW SHOW WORLD OF 1930
"Barnum was Wrong — This is
the Greatest Show on Earth."
Says M. P. News
Copy of Telegram Received from Mr. Frank Sardino, Syracuse
Syracuse, N. Y., Dec. 19
S. E, Morris, Vice-Pres.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc.
321 W. 44th St., New York
Perfectly clear that Show of Shows is greatest
picture in History. Strand Theatre absolutely
inadequate to accommodate Public Demand. I
have following Theatres — Empire 1800 Seats.
Syracuse 2200 Seats. Brighton 1800 Seats.
All are DeLuxe Houses on Salina Street. Will
play picture simultaneous run as Strand on
percentage. Your own terms. Four houses at
once will provide record gross and sensa-
tional publicity in Picture History.
FRANK SARDINO, Empire Theatre
M
singin' in '^S
The bath Tob
2^
"It'owr Love Is All That I Crave"
*^Singin^ In The Bathtub"
"The Only Song I A'noiv" ^^Just An Hour of Love''''
Publibhcd by M. Wilinark & Sons
"V'iiaphone!' is ihc i-fgislered Irade-iuark of .The Vitaphone Corporation designating ils products
Sntirely Bn
Technicolor
Irene
Bordoni
Copy of Our Reply
New York, N. Y., Dec. 19
Delighted know Show of Shows in your opin-
ion most outstanding picture history industry.
Demand prints this attraction such that even
with two laboratories working twenty -four
hours each day it is utterly impossible for us
to supply present commitments or national
demand. Appreciate your constructive pro-
posal play this production three houses Syra-
cuse together with Strand Theatre Day and
Date. But regret our inability to take advan
ta^ge of it. Regards.
^ ^ S. E. MORRIS
*•
Jf *
^%^
Richard
Barthetmess
VOlJ'L,L IVEVER K]\OW THE CAPACITY OF YOUR THEATRE
UIITIE \OV PEAY "SHOW OF SHO^VS"
THE
DAILV
Friday, January 3, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Small Theaters Best Suited
For Presentation of Talkers
TTERBERT COREY, daily
newspaper columnist, recent-
ly made the following prophecy:
"The day of the big movie
houses is over. The talkies
have killed them." And he con-
tinued, "Think it over. A talkie
in a cathedral is a mess. Such
tremendous volume is required
that sensitive persons wither and
go away to the speak-easies.
Whereas in a small house the
tone production can be con-
trolled until it becomes a pure
delight." There's a heap of en-
couragement in those words for
tlie small theater owner, who
has a natural advantage to begin
with when he gets ready to
wire for sound.
Ben Shlyen,
Associated Publications
Canned Music Will Bring About
Universal Artistic Education
THE traditional concert stage,
as we have enjoyed it in the
past is doomed. The advent of
the sound film is an established
fact and film music is going to
substitute for individual musi-
cal artists in the immediate fu-
ture. There is no escape from
that, regardless of whether the
average musician wants it or
not. This is an evolutionary
move which everyone has to ac-
cept, as it is in its essentials a
means of universal artistic edu-
cation. The poorer classes who
had no chances to pay high con-
cert admission prices will have
by this new turn of things an
opportunity to hear an opera or
a musical comedy, a symphony
concert or a celebrated virtuoso
for fifty cents or even less.
Dimitri Tiomkin in "Today"
e
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
HANK LINET
piano player in a
nickelodeon
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
IJARRY BUXBAUM, address Fox, believes his lad Jack,
age nine, holds the world's record for seeing "The Cock-Eyed
World." The youngster has gazed at this Raoul Walsh pro-
duction seven times and still is looking for more showings.
Herbert Rawlinson got a great big hand from the
critical newspaper boys and gals when he opened in "City
Haul" the other night. Herb plays a mayor, no less
* * * *
P. A. Parsons, who left his desk at Pathe the other day,
was head man at a party given by the home office crew. As
a parting shot P. A. was presented with a small wagon load
of fishing tackle. Send us some Cod, will ya, P. A.?
Ben Disraeli is again back in England. At Bradford, a small
provincial town, the picture was given a try-out and clicked,
thus proving Ben's stuff still goes there Well, they drop-
ped the 'Mark,' no not in Germany, but the Warners cut off
the front label of its both Strand houses in N. Y. and Bklyn.
* * * *
RKOs scenario editor in the east, Kay Brown, is dash-
ing through final consideration of a number of scripts before
making her cross-country trip to Hollywood today. Kay,
they say, is the youngest scenario editor in the biz You
know, some pictures are so good that they have 'em standing
five deep outside. Well, Maurice Chevalier in Paramount's
"Love Parade" is taking care of standees. They've built an
extra row of seats on the mezzanine at the Criterion for the
gang
Yes, we knew he couldn't hold out, but at that, bet it's
going to be some act. Abraham (Burney) Bernstein, of Pub-
lix, and Lillian Joan Straus recently got that way sufficiently
to let it go down in ink that they're engaged
Sylvia Kossach is celebrating her first year spent in writ-
ing press books for Columbia — if people do celebrate such an-
niversaries Roxy undoubtedly is happy over the fact
that "Christina" drew a line which extended 'way pass the
Cathedral towards Sixth Ave. before noon yesterday
HOW MANY WIRED HOUSES ARE THERE IN THE
COUNTRY?
Complete information on wired theaters throughout the world
is but one of the many features of the forthcoming
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 3-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who today are celebrating l4ieir
birthdays
Paul Benjamin
Marion Davies
Eddie Gribbon
George B. Seitz
Howard Truesdell
Anna May Wong
Dorothy Arzner
Herbert Brenon
Fred Evans
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALT
EDDIE QUILLAN, one of the few
picture stars who does not take
himself too seriouslj', airmails us his
impressions of a typical start of a
typical day for the poor moom pit-
chur actor. Eddie quipps as follows:
He wakes up at 8 a.m. and dis-
locates jaw with a prodigious yawn.
Crawls out on the wrong side of
the bed.
Nearly freezes to death dressing in
the cold, damp morning air. (Query:
Is it possible that the air is ever cold
and damp in Hollywood?)
Gets shirt on outside of suspenders.
Loses collar button under dresser.
Is forced to shave with a dull blade.
Realizes that he has but 20 min-
utes to make the studio by 9 o'clock.
Gulps down hot coffee, burns
mouth, and gets most of the fluid
down his wind-pipe.
Rushes out to automobile and
spends ten minutes trying to start it.
En route to studio, runs out of gas.
Tramps one-half mile to filling sta-
tion.
Finally arrives at studio and spends
five minutes looking for a place to
park.
Enters studio and learns the call
has been changed from 9:00 to 10:30.
Is taken to an asylum in a straight-
jacket and labeled 12929 with a long-
term contract.
* + *
Remember When —
Jack Fuld, handling the publicit\-
on the murder thriller, "Jim the Pen-
man," put it over as a fashion show?
Jack grabbed an advance story from
the press book telling all about the
costumes worn in the British story,
and opened in Boston by selling
Filene & Son, the department store,
the idea of a fashion show. They
featured a big display window, and
said the picture was "the greatest
fashion show that ever visited Bos-
ton." And the picture went over big
— just that way.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Balaban & Katz secure Chicago
First National franchise from Jones,
Linick and Schaefer.
Morris Kohn succeeds Arthur
Kane as president of Realart.
S.
Marcus Loew reported seeking to
purchase Metro.
♦ ♦ *
Oliver Morosco entering produc-
tion with six imits now formed.
Friday, January 3, 1930
f-^E^
DAILY
i*^
{Amusement Issues Were
Relatively Steady in 1929
{Continued from Page 1)
leather, chain stores, mail order and
others.
The 1929 market crash undoubted-
ly killed what might have been a bull
movement in film stocks as a result
of the sensational success of talkers.
Earnings of these companies have
shown sizable increases over the
preceding year, and the prospects for
continued increase have been favor-
able.
Another pertinent highlight is that
the stock of Paramount, which leads
the film issues in turnover for the
year with a total of 7,875,350 shares,
came out with a net loss of only 4
points, while National Theater Sup-
ply gained nearly 34 points, an ap-
preciation of more than 500 per cent.
Details of the year, reflecting a
stability in film stocks that stacks up
very favorably alongside other major
industries, are contained in the fol-
lowing tables:
1928
High Low
45 27^
29^4 23
194}^ 163
, 132^4 123H
109 100
U9Vi 72
Div.
in $
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
—I 1929-
Sales High Date Low
51'/.
isvz
160
75 K
77
49 Vi
1105^
9'i-'A
21Vi
14^
56fi
15
34
SIK
69M
,100
24J4
5
47K
2
8H
34Ji
35
91K
Am. Seating Co 211300 41 J4 Mar. IS 17
2 Con. Film Ind. Inc.. 201400 25^ Sept. 30 10
2 Con. Film Ind.Inc.pf 375500 30^4 Apr. '
8 Eastman Kodak 839275 264^ Oct.
6 Eastman Kodak pf.. 3090 128 Mar.
8 First Nat. Pic.lstpf.. 9110 11654 June 25 104Ji
4 Fox Film "A". . .4052180 105^ Sept. 24 19}^
— Keith-Albee lOrph 51700 46 J^ Jan.
7 Keith-Albee- Orph pf. 43275 138 Jan.
3J4 Loew's Inc 2502500 84^ Feb.
6K Loew's Inc. pf 40900 11*J4 Jan.
6J4 Loew's Inc. pf.ex.w. 10300 95 Mar
1.89 Metro-Goldwyn pf... 49500 27 Feb.
— Mot. Pic. Cap 462800 60J4 June 21 12}^
3 Para. Famous Lasky .7875350 75;^ Oct. 15 35
— Patbe Exchange 2079700 14^ Jan. 9 2J^
— Pathe Exchange"A" 379400 30 Jan. 9 4J^
— Radio-Keith Orph. .6343100 46Ji Jan. 4 12
— Stanley Co. of Am.. 58200 45 May 20 20
8 Univer. Pict. Istpf.. 8550 91 Jan. 2 28
WarnerBros. Pict. .3776100 64^ A,ug. 20 30
22 2SJ4
30 15H
8 150
9 117
15/,
5 70
27 32
31 80
19 80Ji
25 21'4
S7K SIK 2.20 War. Bros. Pict. pf.. 359500 59^^ Jan.
Date
Dec. 30
Oct. 30
Oct. 29
Nov. 13
Nov. 7
Jan. 2
Dec. 30
Nov. 14
Nov. 14
Oct. 30
Oct. 29
Nov. 14
Oct. 29
Jan. 8
Oct. 29
Dec. 19
Dec. 20
Oct. 29
Nov. 14
Dec. 4
Nov. 13
Oct. 30
Net
Last chge.
nVi—\iV%
17
19J4— 6
\vly2— 5/3
126 ■
116^ + 12^
22 —71%
2054—24/2
79/— 491^
43 —20/
87 —15^
86
23/— 1
15-1-5
51—4
3—8/
5/— 20ft
20 —24/
32 —10
33^-59%
40/
37 —liVA,
1928
High Low
CURB MARKET
2/
19/
7
40 Ji
7
60 3
17/ —
2/
13/
Bal. & Katz vtc 9400
Fox Theaters "A" 2969100
— Gen. Theater Eq 1850900
— Griffith D. W 15300
— int. Project New 478200
— Loew's inc. deb rts 56600
— Loew's Inc. war 15200
1.60 Nat. Screen Co 112200
— Nat. Theater Sup 448000
— Tr-Lux DLPSA 1271200
— Univ. Pictures 19050
— Univ. Pict. pf rts 3200
High Low Last chge.
88% 60 63Ji— 14/
5
37^8
66/
4/
64
49/
14/
35/
45/
24
29
2%
5/— 29J4
24 27H
1 m-F /
19% 25
7J4 13 —13
2 3/
6 15%
7 42 -f33J4
3 4—1%
8/ 9/— 18/
High Low
1101 85/ Keith B. F. 6s
STOCK EXCHANGE BONDS,
(000 omitted)
Sales High
46 523 97
jUS/ 105K Loew's Inc. 6s 1941 3075 124
(102/ 99 Loew's Inc 6s '41 ex war 2231 100/
^03Ji 100 Paramount B'way 5/s '51 1353 103
101 98% Para-Famojs Lasky 6s '47 3140 lOOii
86% 50 Patlie Ex. inc. 7s 1937 I97O 84
Low
74/
96
88
97
91/
29/
Last
75/-
102/-
92/-
100%-
96 -
38 ■
-1928
High Low
06/ 94 Am. Seating 6s 1936..
— — Warner Bros. Pic. 6s
CURB BONDS
(000 Omitted)
Sales High
839 97/
583 106
Low
66
Last
67/-
Net
chge.
-18/
-12%
- 7%
- 1%
- 3/
-41/
Net
chge.
-27/
OVER THE COUNTER
Roxy Theater com.
do pf "A"
Technicolor Inc. .
High
Bid
• 5J4
. 30
. 70/
Low Closing
Bid Bid Asked
1/ 2 2/
16/ 17 19
9 43 45
S Tiffany Signs Lindlar
for Special Exploitation
In accordance with the promise
made by General Sales Manager Os-
:ar R. Hanson when Tiffany's fran-
chise plan was worked out, Walter
P. Lindlar has been signed by this
:ompany to head a special exploita-
lon department just formed to co-
operate with exhibitors during 1930,
t IS announced by A. L. Selig, di-^
-ector of advertising and publicity,
-.indlar for seven years was in charge
)f exploitation for First National and
or three years was assistant man-
Sam Spring Joins R-K-0
As Counsel Advisor
Sam Spring, formerly with First
National and more recently asso-
ciated with a Wall St. firm, has joined
R-K-O as counsel and assistant to B.
B. Kahane, general counsel.
ager of exploitation for Paramount.
The purpose of the new depart-
ment will be to provide detailed ad-
vertising and exploitation on the six
roadshow productions and other fea-
ture releases by Tiffany.
^^^f
" m
ml
' \ t,,|, Vrrr ( f^"^ 1
,1 ' r.rr rrrr rr"^ f"^ '^'
.'irrrr rrrr fir
H.
r ^ r- HOT r- - V r ,. f rn-nrr
HLM CENTER BLDG.
44"^" ST. 9TH AVENUE ^^"^^ ^'^'
over 84% rented
Designed fori
the film Indus-
try
74 windows to
a floor
3 street front-
ages
Near "L" and
subway sta-
tions
Fireproof
vaults
Projection and
Inspection
Rooms
Unequalled
shipping facili-
ties
Exceptiorial-
ly low insur-
ance rates
MANY
MORE AT-
TRACTIVE
FEATURES
AT NO
MORE
RENTAL
ONLY 16% LEFT
THIS building was erected
with one purpose in view —
to supply the safest — most con-
venient— best equipped building
for the Film Industry that
brains could create and money
could build.
There is no other building like
it — so don't delay in making ap-
plication.
When the remaining space is
leased there isn't any more like
it — anywhere, at any price.
GROSS & BROWN COMPANY
AGENT
270 MADISON AVE. Tel. Caledonia 7000
Call at the building or send for illustrated booklet
FILM CENTER, Inc.
Owners and Builders
ABE, N. ADELSON, President
TONIGHT Cor LONG RUK
at NEW YORK STRAND
TURNED TOLEDO
TOPSY TURVY
IN TEST TRYOUT
"We expect at least two and
a half weeks run" writes John i
F. Kumlerof Pantheon,Toledo '
^
7
i
ALEXANDER GRAY - BERNICE CLAIRE
LOUISE FAZENDA - ZASU PITTS
LUCIEN LiniEFIELD - LILYAN TASHAAAN
BERT ROACH MILDRED HARRIS
Directed by Clarence Badger
Adopted from mvilcol cemcdy by Frank Mandd, Otto Horboch, VIncont Yevmoni and Emil Nyitroy
♦ ♦ ♦
"Much better than one can
possibly imagine" To Wo s/a</e
"Fast -moving sequences
which pack a lot of laughs'^
Toledo News Bee
"Guaranteed to provoke
constant hilarity" Toledo Times
HIT-AFTER-HIT-AFTER-HIT FROM
"Sally" "Paris" "Son of the Gods" "Song of the Flame" "Bride of the Regiment'
FIRST N ATION ALl
VOL. LI No. 3
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Price 25 Cents
44
MOST IMPRESSIVE PICTURE''
"Hell's Heroes" is most impres-
sive picture played at Colony
since this house turned talkie,
says Irene Thirer, N. Y. Daily
News .... "Superbly carried out
brings a lump to the throat
and a tear to the eye."
"Hardest-hitting melodrama. . .
first rate entertainment," says
Quinn Martin, N. Y. World.
"Something new and original in
telling a story in dialogue set
entirely out of doors. This is one
to see." — Marguerite Tazelaar,
N. Y. Tribune.
"Interesting and realistic." —
Mordaunt Hall in N. Y. Times.
"Fine Film. . .ably acted and di-
rected."—N. Y. Telegram.
"Thrilling film fare. . .audiences
liking the picture." — N. Y.
American. •-
With Charles Bickford,
Raymond Hatton, Fred
Kohler, Fritzi Ridgeway.
Directed by William Wy-
ler. Presented by
CARL LAEMMLE.
GREATER UNIVERSAL'S NEW SELLING SEASON STARTS NOV^?
A BRIEF HISTORY
OF MOTION PICTURES
AND THE DEVELOP-
MENT OF SOUND-
JUST PUBLISHED
By Special Arrangement
ff
SEE AND (HEAR-
By WILL H. HAYS
President of the Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America, Inc.
will appear in serial form
Every Dav in the Film Dailv
Starting Tomorrow
A DAILY FEATURE OF
UNIVERSAL INTEREST
TO EVERYBODY IN
AND OUT OF THE
BUSINESS
tV Rare Vote of Confidened
REVIEWS in unprecedented numbers have appeared in trade
papers, magazines and newspapers, during the Fall and Winter
months, on Mack Sennett Talking Comedies. You could read
every line of every one of them and find no dissenting voice raised
in criticism. Nothing but praise! A rare vote of confidence — prob-
ably without equal in motion picture history!
MACK SENNETT
iOMEDlES
"THE GOLFERS"
A "pippin" . . . Entertainment all the way through.
— Canadian Moving Picture Digest
Will make you giggle whether or not you know anything ahout
>the game. - — Life
The large golfing fraternity and any number of others who
don't know anything about this popular game will simply "eat"
this pieture up. — Motion Picture Netvs.
Supreme entertainment, intensely amusing both to golfers and
to those who never stepped on a green.
— Arthur James, Exhibitors Daily Revietv and Motion Pictures
Today.
A delightful outdoor event which scored heavily because it
never became technical.
— Harold Heffernan, Detroit News
''A HOLLYWOOD STAR"
Sennett continues on the upgrade. "A Hollywood Star" is un-
usually funny. — W. Ward Marsh, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Exceedingly funny. • — Boston Globe.
A mighty funny comedy. — New York Daily News.
They don't come often enough like this one. . . . Grab this
one. — Motion Picture Neivs.
Worth a prominent spot on any bill. ■ — Film Daily.
A pip of a satirical Mack Sennett comedy.
— Los Angeles Examiner.
Here is a really funny picture. It's Mack Sennett back in his
splendid form and up to new tricks at one and the same time.
— Screenland.
THE SPICE OFTHE PROGRAM'
^^CLANCY AT THE BAT"
A corker. — Motion Picture Netvs.
It can't miss. — Film Spectator.
A thoroughly enjoyable baseball comedy. . . . Plenty of laughs
all along the line, concluding with a comedy finish that is a
smash. Worth strong billing. — Film Daily.
The funniest show to reach town as a talking film this week.
... I think Gribbon and Clyde are comics, in their own field,
of the first rank. — Quinn Martin, New York World.
^^THE NEW HALFBACK"
Solidly packed with laughs. ... A picture you cannot afford
to overlook. • — Zit's.
(Jood enough to get top billing. — Exhibitors Herald-World.
Spot this as a "special" on your program, and you'll have no
kickbacks. It will goal 'em for championship laughs.
- — Film Daily.
Mack Sennett almost reaches the pinnacle of his career in this.
— Associated Publications.
An even greater laughgetter than "Clancy At the Bat" ....
This comedy, played with even the weakest feature, will make
the program a complete success. — Billboard.
"UPPERCUT O'BRIEN"
It has enough for two or three oldfashioned comedies. — ZiCs.
One of the funniest prize-ring themes ever screened.
— Film Daily.
(iribbon and Clyde are at the moment turning out some of the
best comedies on the market. Any exhibitor that plays these
and the other Educational shorts at this time is doing his
patrons a great favor. ■ — Billboard.
A wow comedy. . . . Educational has a knockout of a two-reel
comedy here. . . . Go the limit and promise a lot. It will lift
any show right out of the average class.
— Motion Picture News.
EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES, Inc., e. w. ha mmons. Preside
i,>r . u-;n Tt n
1
iTHE
h/'fUMVOH
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
OL. LI No. 3
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Tri-State Exhibitors Set to Fight Mississippi Tax
ISSUES^FIREPROOF SMN EDICT INPHILLY
Universal Production List for 1930 to Exceed 40
1 Features Completed, 5
in Work and 23 Being
Prepared
With about 40 pictures definitely
et, 11 of them already completed,
ive in work and 23 being prepared,
Jniversal's production schedule for
930 starts out as the most elaborate
n its history. Never before, at the
)eginning of the year, has the com-
>any had so many pictures on its
)roduction program. All of these
{Continued on Page 3)
OCHICAGOliSSOLD
TO BIRD MATERS, INC.
Chicago— Trustee's equity in 10
neighborhood theaters, formerly
known as the National Playhouses
group, has been sold to Bird Thea-
ters, Inc., it is announced by the
Chicago Title & Trust Co., receiver
of the National chain. Sam Howard,
local attorney, is trustee.
Sistrom, Block Leave
Pathe Studio Personnel
•Vest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Readjustment of the
Pathe studio lineup has resulted in
he departure of William Sistrom,
general manager, and Ralph Block,
associate producers, among other
changes. Sistrom's contract expired
the first of the year. Other shifts in
personnel are expected.
EXHIBS PLAN
UNAEFILIATED ASS'N
Chicago — An unaffiliated associa-
tion is planned by a group of 40 in-
dependent exhibitors who met at the
Stevens Hotel recently here to dis-
cuss the proposed organization. Simon
Herr, who is understood to be slated
tor the post of legal advisor, said that
a temporary committee has been ap-
(Continued on Page i)
WARNER-STANLEY CHAIN
ALL SOUND BY FEB. 1
Philadelphia — All houses in the
Warner-Stanley chain will be equip-
ped for sound policies by Feb. 1,
when the Savoy and Family, on
Market St., join the talker list. The
Princess, also silent at present, will
be either closed or placed on the
real estate market, it is understood.
Miss., Ark. and Tenn. Showmen
Seek to Defeat Proposed Levy
Court Reserves Decision
in Greenewalt Color Suit
Wilmington, Del. — After hearing
the final argument in the color pat-
ent suit of Mrs. Mary Hallock
Greenewalt against the Stanley Co.,
(.Continued on Page 16)
Hale Elected Head of
Winnipeg Projectionists
Winnipeg — William Hale has been
elected president of the American
Projectionists Society, which recent-
ly organized here for the purpose of
(.Continued on Page 16)
CEO.E.DEMBOW BECOMES
VICE-PRES. OF TWO FIRMS
George F. Dembow, formerly Mid-
dle Atlantic division manager for
M-G-M, is now vice president of the
Arctic Nu-Air Corp. and Kooler
Aire Engineering Corp., with offices
,n the Paramount Bldg. He has
been connected with the picture busi-
ness for the last 17 years, 11 of
which were spent with Fox.
Jackson, Miss. — M. A. Lightman,
president of the M.P.T.O.A., and R.
X. Williams, Jr., of the M.P.T.O. of
Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee,
are lining up the forces of the tri-
state organization to fight the theater
tax proposed for this state. Although
the bill has not been fully drawn nor
the amount of levy definitely determ-
ined, it is understood the tax will
amount to 10 per cent. The exhibitor
leaders have sent out pleas to show-
men urging them to employ every
means of creating public sentiment
against the tax before the legislature
meets Tuesday.
Impressing Wall Street
Motion Picture Shares Established Excellent Reputation in 1929
Market — Average Depreciation Less Than Stock of
Basic American Industries
By ARTHUR W. EDDY
MOTION picture issues established an excellent reputation for them-
selves in the Wall St. sector during 1929. A checkup at the close of the
year indicates that film stocks comparatively made an enviable showing,
weathering the market collapse of several months ago far better than stock
of many important companies engaged in vital American industries. Much
to th^ credit of the industry's stability is the fact that average depreciation
of film shares was less than the decrease in the stock of various basic indus-
tries. The industry's financial foundation is growing firmer and firmer.
The street of profits and losses (mostly the latter, some people say)
should find interesting and illuminating reading in the estimate that Para-
(.Continued on Page 16)
Fire Chief Gives Theaters
Two Weeks to Comply
with Order
Philadelphia — Local theaters com-
ing under the jurisdiction of Fire
Marshal James O. Mulhern have been
ordered to install fireproof sound
screens within the next two weeks or
face a closing edict, in accordance
with a city ordinance. It is said that
if the safety official's threat is carried
out practically all picture houses in
this city will go dark.
Film men feel that the drastic move
is unwarranted inasmuch as the num-
ber of fires originating from an in-
flammable screen is comparatively
negligible, and also because it is ob-
viously impossible to perfect and in-
stall the required screen in the short
period allowed.
Indianapolis to Enforce
Smoking Law in Booths
Indianapolis — Strict enforcement
of the state law against smoking in
projection booths will be launched
by the local fire prevention bureau,
following a conference with the
board of safety at which it was
brought out that 11 fires in booths
occurred in the last year.
"No, No, Nanette"
A 1930 model "No, No,
Nanette" displayed itself at the
Strand Friday evening to the
genuine enjoyment of a pre-
miere audience. Commercial-
ly, it's sure-fire from neighbor-
hood to de luxe house. The
story of this musical farce is
familiar but basically excellent
comedy, splendidly enacted.
First National has given it
elaborate production, including
color sequences. The wride
screen was brought into use at
the opening in the theater
scenes. "No, No, Nanette"
has got b. o. "It."
Eddy
D^m^
Sunday, January 5, 1930
B°B g—gar™*™
* ■'JV^^AHDWEEKLY
I FILM DIGEST
VaLLINo.S Jgiday. JaDianfS.U30 Price 25 Cents
ISBN V. ALISOATE
EDITOR AND PUDLJSHEI
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. Ea-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of (Jreater New
York $10,00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
municutions to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Kenter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Coiir-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sale«
Am. Seat 18 17H 18 200
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 16'A iS'A 16/8 300
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 18j4 18 18% 1,200
*East. Kodak ^78% ....
Fox Fm. "A" .... 22)4 16!4 21 2,811
Keith A-O 20'/i ....
•do pfd 79'A ....
Loew's, Inc 45 43 44 1,700
*do pfd. WW (6J4) 87 ....
•do pfd. xw (ej/i) 86
MGM pfd 24 24 24 200
Para. F-L 51 '4 495^ 50 J^ 6,300
Pathe Exch 3'A 2J4 3 3,000
do "A" 6 5 6 700
R-K-O 2054 19J4 20}i 8,100
•Univ. Pict. pfd 30 ....
Warner Bros 4\H 39Ji 40^24,700
•do pfd 3654
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columia Pets 25^
Fox Thea. "A" .. 5^ 3 S 24,800
Gen. Thea. Equ. ..26 25 25 1,100
•Intern. Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts. 13K 1354 1354 100
•Loew's Inc. war 3^ ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser 155^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 2754
•Paramount new 28 ....
•Univ. Pict 954
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 75 75 75 50
Loew 6s 41ww ..102 102 102 20
do 6s 41 x-war . 92 92 92 10
Paramount 6s 47 . 98^ 98 9854 50
•Par. By. S'As 51 38
Pathe 7s 37 36 36 36 20
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
Ct
New York Long IiUnd City y
1S40 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ^
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 8
if
if
if
I
Eastman Films g
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. %
Chicago
Hollywood
.--» T J- » . 6700 Santa Monica fj
1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j ♦.♦
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 fj
t:
— INDEX
IMPRESSING WALL STREET, An editiryial by Arthur W. Eddy 1
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 4
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair 4
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 6
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly 6
TIM EL Y TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions 6
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files 6
THEIR FIRST JOBS 6
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. DaXy, Jr. 6
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 6
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast News by Telegraph 11
-A LITTLE FROM LOTS," bn Ralph Wilk n
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 12-13
PRESENTATIONS, by Herbert S. Berg 14
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Don C. Gillette 14
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by WiUiam Ornstein 15
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of Week's News 16
T> pT7TT?tAr C
Ix. JC V 1
1> VV >J
PAGE
PAGE
BLAZE 0' GLORY .
12
PARTY GIRL
...12
HOT FOR PARIS . . .
13
PAINTED ANGEL
...12
LAUGHING LADY .
13
PARTING OF THE TRAIL
...12
OH YEAH
12
THE MIGHTY
...12
ONE HYSTERICAL'.
-^/GHr...l2
WASTED LOVE
...12
; SHORT
SUBJECTS
SOUND .'.
. ... 13 fltirf 16
SILENT
...16
Jesse L. Williams' Novel
for Henry Kings' Next
"They Still Fall in Love," novel
by Jesse Lynch Williams, who won
the Pulitzer prize in 1917 for his
play, "Why Marry?" has been
bought for the next Henry King-
Inspiration Pictures talker for United
Artists. Clarke Silvernail and N.
Brewster Morse will do the dialogue
and continuity. They will accom-
pany Henry King to the Coist as
soon as he has finished editing "Hell
Harbor" in New York.
Joe Fisher in Hospital
Joe Fisher, Singapore exhibitor,
who has been in New York for the
last several weeks buying equipment
and pictures for his new Capitol, is
in the Park West Hospital under-
going treatment for pleurisy. He was
to have sailed for home Saturday.
Columbia Signs Joe Cook
Columbia has obtained the screen
rights to "Rain or Shine," stage
musical, and signed the star of the
production, Joe Cook, to appear in
the talker version.
4,212 W.E. Installations;
3,181 in United States
The total number of installations
of W. E. systems now numbers 4,212,
the company states. Of this number
3,181 are in the United States, 177 in
Canada, 59 in Latin America, 2iX
in the Far East and 564 in European
countries. The figures exclude 157
review room installations that have
been made in the United States.
"Hit the Deck" Jan. 14
Radio Pictures' "Hit the Deck" will
open at the Earl Carroll January 14tli.
Many of the scenes are done in Tech-
nicolor.
"Disraeli" In 11th Week
"Disraeli" is entering its 11th week
on Broadway.
nTTiTJT
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHEN YOU CO TO BUY
^aasi
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
II1CORPOKATKD
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
ANDY
WRIGHT
says
That 193 0 has
brought him the ex-
clusive services of
S. JOHN PARK
WHO WILL BE THE RANK-
ING YOUNG AUTHOR OF
THE YEAR THAT HE IS
DOING HIS NEW TRAG-
EDY OF THE South ti-
tled
"COLOR BLIND"
on Broadway
— that his former suc-
cess
"PHILADELPHIA"
is doing capacity busi-
ness in Chicago — also —
That he will do
"Cease Firing"
the musical romance of
the A. E. F. as a Summer
Show on a side street of
Broadway.
he suggests —
That barry burke — that
great publix texan — sell
his diamond lapel pin for
a new toupe before com-
ing to Broadway again —
and —
thanks Paul Gerard.
Smith for his help —
Andy Wright, Inc.
1560 Broadway, New York, N.Y.
Bryant 2361 Cable Wrightbook
PAILV
The Industry's
Date Book
9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount
Hotel, New York City.
n 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" at
the Earl Carroll.
n. IS Warner Coast studio to resume ac-
tivity.
n 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
,b 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producers
at Washington, D. C.
eb 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
.b 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
,ne2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
/IcCormick to Join P-F-L
to Handle Bow Pictures?
,,, Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles - John McCormick,
,rmerly producer for First National,
reported to have joined Paramount
, handle production on Clara Bow
ictures. If the deal is completed
,s also likely Colleen Moore will
Mu the company.
Efforts towards a confirmation of
le report regarding John McCor-
iick joining Paramount proved un-
vailable here.
ntkin Appointed Story
i:ditor for Equitable Corp.
Professor Walter B. Pitkin, of the
i^olumbia University School of Jour-
kalism, has been engaged by Equit-
ble Pictures Corp. as eastern story
Editor, according to an announce-
liient by George B. Stout, president
')f the company which will produce
!>roduct for release through Motion
ipicture Congress. Pitkin will make
I Lis headquarters in New York.
Higher Theater License
Proposed in Racine, Wis.
i Racine, Wis.— Increase in the the-
[iter license fee, at present $150, to
?750 annually for theaters charging
■nore than 35 cents admission is pro-
I'ided in an amendment to the gen-
eral code introduced at a meeting
|if the city council.
! —
Chicago Exhibs Plan
Unaffiliated Association
(.Continued from Page 1)
pointed to formulate plans and poli-
ties. Ex-Judge Emanuel Eller is
^mentioned as the possible head of the
new body.
Universal Production List
for 1 930 to Exceed Forty
(Continued ft
features are sound and all-dialogue,
and each has a silent version. Ad-
ditions to the schedule will be made
during the year, as stories are pur-
chased and new talent signed.
The list now stands as follows:
Pictures Completed
"Hell's Herues," from the story, "Three
GoJTailieis," hy Peter B. Kyne, featuring
Charles Bickford, Raymond Hattcn and Fred
Kohler; directed by William Wyler.
"Night Ride," based on Henry La Cossitt's
story, "Deadline at Dawn," starring Joseph
Schildkraut; directed by John S. Robertson.
"Parade of the West," starring Ken May-
iiard; directed by Harry J. Brown.
"The CUrnax," from the stage play by
Edward Locke, starring Jean Hersholt; di-
rected by Renaiid Hoffman.
"The Mounted Stranger," starring Hoot
ii'ilison, story by Herbert Henry Knibbs.
"Undertow," starring Mary Nolan, based
on tlie ' story, "Ropes," by Wilbur Daniel
Steele; directed by Harry Pollard.
"J-ucky Larkin," starring Ken Maynard,
story by Marion Jackson; directed by Harry
J. Brown.
"Embarrassing Moments," starring Regi-
nald Denny; directed by William J. Craft.
"The Devil's Pit," a Maori folk story of
New Zealand by Lew Collins. Natives of
Maori tribe in cast.
"Dames Ahoy," starring Glenn Tryon,
story by Sherman Lowe; directed by William
J. Craft.
"Courtin' Wildcats," starring Hoot Gib-
son; directed by Jerome Storm; story by
William Dudley Pelley.
Pictures in Work
"All Quiet on the Western Front," from
ihe novel by Erich Maria Remarque; directed
iiy Lewis Milestone, with Louis Wolheim,
I ewis Ayres and John Wray.
Paul Whiteman in John Murray Ander-
son's "King of Jazz," in Technicolor, with
John Boles, William Kent, Grace Hayes,
Jeanette LofI and Stanley Smith, Laura La
Plante, Mary Nolan, Joseph Schildkraut, Ken
Maynard, Hoot Gibson, Glenn Tryon, Kath-"
ryn Crawford.
"La Marseillaise," story by Houston
Branch, original music by Charles Wakefield
om Page 1)
Cadman, starring Laura La Plante and John
Boles; directed by Paul Fejos.
"Cohens and Kellys" in Scotland." star-
ring George Sidney and Charlie Murray,
story by Sherman Webb; directed by William
J. Craft.
"The College Racketeer," featuring James
Murray and Kathryn Crawford, story by
Lambert Hillyer; directed by Reginald Bar-
ker.
Pictures Preparing
"Serenade," starring John Boles, original
story and music to be written by Konrad
Bercovici.
"The Singing Caballero," by Houston
Branch for John Boles. John S. Robertson
will direct.
"Barbary Coast," by Winnifred Reeve and
Tom Keed, starring Mary Nolan.
"The Little Accident," from the stage play,
starring Glenn Tryon. Based on Floyd Dell's
novel, "The Unmarried Father."
"Sloonlight Madness," starring John Boles.
"Czar of Broadway," the story by Gene
Towne. ■*
"Sincerity," the novel by John Erskine.
"The Week End Girl," starring Laura La
Plante, story by Harry Segall.
"The Song of Passion," starring John
Boles.
"What Men Want," story by Warner Fa-
bian, all-star with Mary Nolan.
"The Fighting Legion," starring Ken May-
nard.
"Kettle Creek," starring Ken Maynard.
"Songs of the Saddle," starring Ken May-
nard.
"Hidden Valley," starring Ken Maynard.
"Rodeo Days," starring Hoot Gibson.
"Ace Rider," starring Hoot Gibson.
"Montana Kid," starring Hoot Gibson.
"Scrub Oak," starring Hoot Gibson.
The following Universal successes, released
as silents in previous years, will be entirely
remade with sound and dialogue:
"The Storm," Langdon McCormick's stage
play, originally released in 1922.
"The Flirt," Booth Tarkington's story,
first released in 1923.
"Lasca," from the Frank Desprez poem,
first"'feleased in 1919.
"The Signal Tower," Wadsworth Camp's
story," original release in 1924.
"The Virgin of Stamboul," by H. H. Van
Loan, first released in 1920.
I Famous Canadian Buys Site
Vancouver, B. C. — Famous Players
Canadian Corp. has purchased the
site at Broadway and Branville St.,
for the erection of a theater to cost
[about $400,000.
Gem, White River, Reopens
I White River, S. D.— The Gem has
i reopened after making repairs to
imeet with the requirements of the
I Fire Dept.. J. C. Langston is man-
ager.
Quebec Exhibs Stirred
by Police Sunday Ban
Montreal — Police action against
patrons of the Elite, Granby, Quebec,
for attending a Sunday show has
caused a stir among exhibitors of
the province, owners had agreed with
the Quebec Provincial Govt, to en-
force the law barring juveniles from
moving picture theaters, and, in re-
turn, granting that there would be
no disturbance of Sunday perform-
ances.
Pathe Service Pins
New Orleans — Half of the em-
ployees of the local Pathe exchange
are possessors of Pathe service pins,
which are given in recognition of
long service with the company.
New Strand Manager
Lansing, Mich. — M. Hayes has
succeeded C. W. Bedel as manager
of the Strand here.
Professor Hits Producers
for Bad English in Talkers
Contrasting radio broadcasters with
talking motion pictures. Professor
Francis Powell of the Dept. of Spok-
en English of the Smith College, said
that film producers show no disposi-
tion to realize their responsibility to
the public to train their actors for
correct speech. Professor Powell
contends that "it is the producers'
responsibility to see that their actors
have good speech, for as the players
talk, so their audiences react."
$770,000 Middletown House
Middletown, O. — ' Announcement
has been made that a $770,000 the-
ater and office building will be erect-
ed here.
Shea's Seneca Shortly
Buffalo — The new Shea Seneca,
seating 2,500, will be opened by
Michael Shea shortly, according to
an announcement from the circuit.
Lyric, Runge, Sold
Runge, Texas — The Lyric has been
purchased by S. I. Lopez.
Fairbankses Return Home
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Mary Pickford and
Douglas Fairbanks yesterday return-
ed to their home after a four months'
world tour.
Sound Hits Smokers
Portland, Ore. — Upon rec-
ommendation of the fire mar-
shal, smoking in the balconies
of the Portland and Rialto may
be abolished because the glass
cages built around the smok-
ing sections are no longer feas-
ible with the installation of
sound.
Tone-0-Graph Secured by
Herrell in Southern Zone
Love B. Herrell of Atlanta, Ga.,
has been appointed distributor by
North American Sound and Talking
Picture Equipment Corp. for its
Tone-O-Graph reproducing devices,
in the five Southern States includ-
ing, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi and Tennessee. Herrell, who
is Secretary of the South Eastern
Theater Owners of America, has
been connected with the industry for
many years.
Kutinsky Wins Sunday
Shows for Westwood
Westwood, N. J. — Sunday movies
will begin today, as a result of
a special election held here. The
Sunday issue originally was defeated
when it came up at election two
years ago, but the persistence of
Morris Kutinsky, now Fox N. J. dis-
trict manager, in forcing the issue
resulted in a successful turn of
events. The result was 1800 against
600.
Theater Manager Arrested
in Scotland Fire Tragedy
Paisley, Scotland — Manager Char-
les Dorward, of the Glen Cinema,
where 70 children died in a fire panic,
has been arrested and charged with
culpable homicide.
Miller Back at Buffalo
as Universal Manager
Buffalo — Dave Miller has returned
here as manager of the Universal
exchange, replacing Al Herman, who
is to be transferred to another
branch. Miller was last manager of
the New York exchange for the com-
pany.
Albany House to Pass
Albany — Pine Hills Theater will
be replaced by an apartment house,
according to Harry Lazarus of
Kingston, owner.
Milwaukee House Opens
Milwaukee — The Radio, 25th and
Fond du Lac, reopened Jan. 1 under
the management of Harry Perlewitz.
He formerly owned and operated the
Savoy of this city.
Columbia's New Press Sheet
Press sheets of magazine propor-
tions are being issued by Columbia
on the company's short subject re-
leases.
Imperial Changes Policy
Ottawa — Ray Tubman, manager of
the Imperial, has instituted a new
policy at the house with long run
features taking the place of former
split-week change.
THE
-S&^
DAILY
Sunday, January 5, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
EXTRA PRODUCTION MAKES
P-E-L ENLARGE STUDIO
Under the pressure of greatly in-
creased production plans, the Para-
mount Long Island studio is being
gradually enlarged. The recent re-
modeling of the Long Island labora-
tory makes it possible to handle more
than 1,000,000 feet of film a day,
making it the largest film laboratory
in the world.
In addition to the remodeling of
the studio proper, a large annex was
added to the old building, during the
past year, in which the new carpenter
shops and generating plant are in-
stalled. Two buildings across the
street from the studio are now being
made over to house the Publix or-
ganization and the technical research
department, respectively.
The fact that Publix stage presenta-
tion acts are now being filmed at the
Long Island studio has resulted in
a decided increase in the number of
short subjects produced. According
to John Fingerlin, Executive Man-
ager, 14 talking feature pictures and
eighty-five one and two reel short
subjects have been produced during
the past fifteen months. Plans for
the new season call for approximately
the same number of feature pictures
plus short subjects expected to total
close to 200 releases.
Two of the many
good notices on
my latest re
lease
through
RKO
^
LOUIS BROCK
PRODUCER OF W XIHWHILE SHORTS
220 W. 42nd ST., N. Y. C.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
RAY COZINE is getting to be
known as the "international" di-
rector, at the Paramount studio. Hav-
ing completed "The Rondalla Usandi-
aga," entirely in Spanish, Cozine, with
the aid of a translate,, made "The
Golden Kimono," entirely in Japanese,
the following day.
* * *
Elizabeth North, who recently
joined Paramount's writing staff,
is recovering from an attack of ap-
Tpendidtis at the Algonquin Hotel.
Miss North is the image of her
mother, Carrington North, Pathe's
story chieftain, who is always on
the "war path" for new picture ma-
terial.
0 * if
Ruth Breton, who, at eighteen,
claims to have been playing the violin
for over fifteen years, recently com-
pleted a Vitaphone Variety at the
Warner Studio, assisted by Rodolfo
Hoyos, baritone.
♦ * *
Perhaps the most realistic New
Year's eve celebration ever filmed
is included in "Broadway's Like-
That," a Vitaphone Variety, direct-
ed by Arthur Hurley.
The reason why this scene is so
realistic may be explained by the
fact that it was made last Tuesday
evening, as the ivhistles tvere blow-
ing at m,idnight.
Earle Gilbert, Charlie Williams
and Kitty Kelly all appear in "Hot
Bridge," which begins tomorrow at
the Radio- Victor studio. It's a
Louis Brock production with Mark
Sandrich directing.
Stewart Erwin heads the support-
ing cast of "Dangerous Nan Mc-
Grew," the next feature production
to be started at the Paramount
Long Island studio, with Helen
Kane in the title role.
Tuesday was a busy day for Ben
Bernie and his orchestra. After mak-
ing a Vitaphone Variety at Warner
Bros studio in Flatbush, Ben and
his boys had to hurry away to ap-
pear at the opening of the new War-
ner-owned Beacon theater.
PHIL ARMAND
(Formerly urith learner Brothtrt)
Chief cameraman
American Sound Recording
Corp.
Home: Times Square Hotel
RUTH ETTING appeared at War-
ners studio last week in a Vita-
phone Variety entitled, "Broadway Is
Like That," which was directed by
Arthur Hurley. Humphrey Bogart,
Mary Phillips and Joan Blondell ap-
peared in support.
Something of a record has been
established by Ernest Fegte, art di-
rector at the Radio-Victor studio,
who has designed 150 sets during
the past nine months of production.
The transition from a soft spoken
young woman of culture to a gruff,
mustached soldier of the trenches,
is made quite easily by Jane Dillon,
male impersonator, who has just
completed a Vitaphone Variety un-
der the direction of Edmund Joseph.
Monta Bell, accompanied by Mr.
and Mrs. Allan Dwan, was among
the celebrities noticed at the recent
opening of "Wake Up and Dream,"
at the Apollo theater.
W'alter Brooks, who recently com-
pleted "The Beauty Spot" at the
Radio-Victor studio, rushed produc-
tion so that his crew would finish up
to allow ample time for their New
Year's Eve celebration. Bob Car-
ney and Doris Dawson are featured.
Fred Ryle, nmke-up artist at the
Fox-Case studios here, has just re-
turned from a visit to his family,
'ivay doum in Georgia.
The popular Broadway team of
Clayton, Jackson and Durante did a
turn of cavorting their antics before
the cameras at the Paramount, As-
toria studios recently when they
played with Helen Morgan and
Charles Ruggles in "Road House
Nights."
The spirit of good fellowship and
cheer held forth at the various
studios on the afternoon before
Christmas. The Eastern Vitaphone
studios held two parties, one given
by Ed DuPar and Ray Foster, cam-
eramen, and another by Murray
Roth, director-in-chief.
Noel Francis in Pathe Comedy
Noel Francis, the latest Ziegfeld
beauty to be lured to Hollywood,
completed the lead in "Her Hired
Husband," for Pathe, before leaving
New York. This Harry Delmar com-
edy, which also includes Harry Mc-
Naughton in the cast, will be released
next week.
ARTCLASS PLANNINO TO
PRODUCEJM ABROAD
Weiss Brothers, producers of Art-
class Pictures, announce that they
will make an all-talking picture in
England, with a British cast of actors.'
Max Weiss has made reservation
on the "Bremen," sailing Jan. 10. He
will be accompanied by Irwin Willatt,
who recently completed direction of
"Pleasant Sins," an Artclass produc-j
tion. !
Both men have been studying thei
work of various English players with
a view to signing them while abroad.
It is probable that they will use the
DeForest Studio in London for pro-
ducing.
Foreign Language Shorts
Are Planned by Brock
Upon starting his second year of
production in the East, Louis Brockj
announces that he will make a series'
of foreign language subjects in addi-
tion to his regular schedule. Brock,
who produced the "Ginsberg" series
and other comedies for RKO, spenti
12 years in the foreign sales end of
the business and speaks five
languages.
"Roadhouse Nights" Fina"
Title of Ben Hecht Story
"Roadhouse Nights" has been se
lected as the final title for the origina.
Ben Hecht story recently filmed at
the Paramount Long Island studit'
under the working title of "The Rivei
Inn."
This talking production directed b>
Hobart Henley features Helen Mor-
gan, Charles Ruggles, Fred Kohlei'
and the comedy trio, Clayton, Jack i
son and Durante, who make their
screen debut in this picture. :[
___ St. Clair Here to Direct
Mai St.. Clair has arrived here
from Hollywood to direct Helen
Kane in "Dangerous Nan McGrew,"
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios. Production is scheduled to be-
gin Jan. IS.
American Sound to Resume
The American Sound Recording
Studios expect to resume production
within the next 10 days. Definitely'
scheduled is a short subject featuring;
Rene Caron and another one of the
"Schoolday Frolics'' series.
By Special Arrangement
Ii
*'SEE AND HEAR"
BY
WILL H. UWS
Just Published — A Brief History of Motion
'
Pictures and the Development of Sound
Will Appear
In Serial Form
Every Day in the Film Daily
1
Starting To-Morrow
j
1
;
i
i
i
"See and Hear" by Will Hays is really a splen-
did little book. It is small enough to read in
an evening. Interesting enough to put aside
an evening for that purpose and important
enough for every man and woman in the busi-
ness, who takes the industry seriously, to
spend a couple of hours between its covers.
JACK ALICOATE.
A Daily Feature ol Universal Interest
THE
DAIty
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Distributors' Troubles Small
Compared to Those of Exhibitor
WITHIN our brief six months
as an exhibitor we've en-
countered more disappointments,
more hardships, more handicaps,
and more blighting experiences
than fell to our lot during the sev-
en years we spent in exchanges.
Xow we know that the irregu-
larities which upset all depart-
ments, until they could be cor-
rected, were but trivial incidents
in an otherwise well-ordered
regime.
Anna Aiken Patterson in
"Weekly Film Review"
« * «
Advocates Book Editions
Of Talking Pictures
IT occurs to me that the first
great milestone in that ad-
vance will be reached when the
scenario and dialogue of a film
are published and offered in
bookshops for purchase by the
public. Students of the drama
and devotees of the theater now
find published plays highly de-
sirable, and it is surely probable
that, far in the future, there will
be available for students of cine-
matic art libraries of published
scenarios rather than only the
collections of forgotten negatives
in obscure vaults.
James Gow in
"Neiv York World"
* * *
Talkers Will Bring Broadway
Shows and Casts To the Road
I'VE gone talkie because in the
future I seo Broadway shows
with Broadway casts, exactly as
presented in New York, put into
jtalkie form and shown to the
•smaller communities. It is all
-part of the development of the
stage, a development to arouse
new interest in the spoken drama
and to revive attention to the
much-abused "road."
George M. Cohan in
"N. Y. American"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
EDWARD CRONJAGER
machinist's helper
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
A GERMAN beer garden, a la Hoboken, has been installed
at the Fifth Ave. Playhouse in connection with the run of
"The Royal Box," all-German talker which came into existence
at the Warner Bros, plant at Brooklyn some months ago
And from Baltimore issues the allegation that a theater in that
town sports a sign like this: "Now Playing — 'Hollywood Revue'
— with the original Broadway cast intact from the Astor The-
ater." You can believe that or not
* * * *
Eddie Klein, who presidents the Ampas as well as exports
pitchers, is mighty enthusiastic over "The Mask," starring Dun-
can Renaldo, and is not afraid to say so Herbert Hoey
of the Edward Small Co. is resigning his position to take over
the motion picture department of the Max Hart agency, eflfec-
tive Jan. 15
* * * *
Thirteen of the Duncan dancers, (we didn't count 'em, per-
sonally) were claimed to have attended yesterday's matinee at
the Capitol as the guest of Yasha Bunchuk, conductor of the
Grand Orchestra. After giving the fans a break the girls are
said to sail shortly for Europe Pauline Frederick in "The
Sacred Flame," copped considerable glory in the current issue
of The National Board of Review Magazine Charles G.
Garfield, manager of the Warner BeacoUj has been granted an
indefinite leave of absence due to illness
* * * *
Stuart Krvvin will shortly hit Xew York and it will be the
first time he ever gazed upon the wonders of Manhattan. Can
you imagine what the lad would say if Whalen got his crew
out for the usual welcome stufT? Stuart is scheduled to get in
line with Helen Kane in her next film Jack Cohn. Co-
lumbia's treasurer, is back in the States again, returning from
the first vacation in 22 years
it if * ^
Andy Wright, has signed Samuel John Park under an ex-
clusive management contract to cover all his writings. Park is
the author of the satire on crime "Philadelphia" which ran
at the Mansfield, N. Y., and now is at the Playhouse, Chi-
cago "General Crack" is still continuing its great stuff
at the Warner and it looks as though John will be on Broad-
way for a long time
* « * «
Horace Heidt and his Californians have climaxed a long
series of engagements with the signing of a 10 weeks' contract
at Monte Carlo. Means a big thing to the boy, as only two
other orchestras ever played there, they being Ted Lewis and
Paul Whiteman George Harvey gave his poisonal view-
on advertising in a recent issue of the Warner Club News
* * ♦ *
There's hardly a showman in the business that don't get stuck
occasionally on: what stunt chi' I use? Rep'ete in every way
and with an abundance of new material is the exploit-o-gram
section of the
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
JANUARY 4-5-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days:
lanuary 4th
Sam Dembow
Isaac Blumenthal
January Sth
Jack Ackroyd George Magrill
J. Stuart Blackton Edward Sutherland
David Lee
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
WARREN NOLAN, doing his big
blurb act for United Artists,
sends his press patter out on a sheet
headed: "Inforrnation from Warren
Nolan of United Artists." You will
note that Warren's name comes first,
which shows he is a genooine pub-
licity palpitator. One of his latest
manuscripts is titled: "Verily A
Handful."
* * *
Glancing casually through this
beautifully prepared two-page con-
tribution from this rising young au-
thor, we decided not to return it with
the usual rejection slip we editors
are so fond of using. Here is a manu-
script that has real literary merit,
not only because of its flowing lim-
pid style, but for its substapce and
content. His story is based on fact.
And would you believe it, Mr. Nolan
takes as his theme an actual picture
now in production by United Art-
ists. * * * And in a casual style that
grips you with the power of a Theo-
dore Dreiser novel, he tells us all
about "Bride 66." That strikes us
as a much better title than "Verily
A Handful." The latter is okay on
a book cover, but think of all the
electric bulbs the exhibitor will save
on his marquee with "Bride 66."
* * *
We don't want to spoil your en-
joyment of the completed work, but
it vAll do no harm to mention that
it tells of a certain Arthur Hani-
merstein producing his first film, all-
talk-sing-color, with Paul Stein di-
recting, Rudolph Friml music, and
Lois Md'an actually singing. In-
deed, Mr. Hammerstein states that
her voice is worthy of grand opera.
This kolyutn should really appear as
an adverti^ng page. We suggest to /
Mr. Nolan that he pass the thought
along to Mr. Bnice Gallup, adver-
tising manager. * * * But we still
maintain the manuscript has liter-
ari) merit.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Marcus Loew gets control of Met-
ro; Richard A. Rowland to remain
as president
* « «
Loew to build theater and office
building in Chicago in association
with Jones, Linick and Schaefer.
* « *
United States Photoplay Corp. of-
fering stock for sale to exhibitors.
* * «
McKinley, Inc., gets Delaware
charter; company capitalized at
$300,000.
I
TECHNICOLOR has
been adopted as
standard for motion
pictures in color by
such distinguished
producers as:
Paramount
Warner Brothers
First National
Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer
United Artists
Radio
Universal
Tiffany
MARILYN MILLER
in "Sally"
(First National)
nicoior
/s natural color
A year ago it was SOUND that brought big
business to the box-office. Today it is COLOR.
And Color means Technicolor.
The whole world is unanimous as to Techni-
color. The greatest producers are making pic-
tures in Technicolor as fast as Technicolor's
cameras and laboratories can turn outthe prints.
Technicolor assures the same amazing repro-
duction of colors, whether the sound is on film
or disk. All sound systems look alike to Tech-
nicolor.
Technicolor is the only process that gives
perfect color values throughout the life of the
film. Technicolor film is coated on only one
side. It has no back to scratch. The emulsion
is harder than that of black and white film
and the fourth run theatre gives its patrons the
same gorgeous color effects that bring unre-
strained praise from the critics at the New York
and Hollywood premieres.
TECHNICOLOR Is A Box - Office Name.
Advertise It!
r
Technicolor is a
r^rlwgle box-office name.
Advertise it . . . Tlie line.
' 'It's in TECHNICOLOR,"
is today as important
in your advertising as
that other superlative
box-office phrase, "All
Talking" . . . You can
E guarantee any picture
^hat is photographed
lin TECHNICOLOR. The
Bgreat producers use it
i for the best. ▼ T ▼ T
*~fechnicolor i=._,
// natural color. .
i browght the world to lift
$34,500 for
THE most elaborate, the most effec-
tive magazine advertisement that
the motion picture industry has ever
produced opens Technicolor's amazing
national advertising campaign.
Three pages in full color— at $11,500
per page — yy^ill startle and intrigue
Saturday Evening Post readers of the
January nth issue. On the news-stands
Thursday, January 9th.
Fifteen million readers will be think-
ing and talking Technicolor.
Fifteen million persons will be looking
for motion pictures in Technicolor.
Two weeks later— $34,500 more for
space in the SATURDAY EVENING POST.
The issue of January 25th will carry
three more pages in full color.
nice
or
I HE great producers ha
spoken! Technicolor for their finest, their
most ambitious pictures. Poramount! First
Notional! Warner Brothers! Universal'
Radio! United Artists! Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer!
i hundred productions all v |^J
Technfcolor
// natural color
one Advertisement
That's just the beginning. Throughout
the year SATURDAY EVENING POST will
"sell" Technicolor regularly to your
patrons, creating a steadily increasing
demand — making Technicolor an irre-
sistible box-office name.
In the motion picture fan magazines,
too. Full color in-PHOTOPLAY, MOTION
Picture Magazine, Motion Picture
Classic, Picture Play, Screenland,
Screen Book, Screen Secrets and
Film Fun.
Ten million more readers — every
month — learning about Technicolor —
twenty-five million in all— ready to go to
your box-office with the money in their
hand when you announce "It's in Tech-
nicolor."
I
/S
ura
color
r
nicoior
X
/J natural color
SOME OF THE PRODUCTIONS IN TECHNICOLOR
BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT, with Vivienne
Segal (First National); DEVIL MAY CARE,
starring Ramon Novarro (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer); DIXIANA, with Bebe Daniels
(Radio Pictures); GENERAL CRACK, star-
ring John Barrymore (Warner Bros.);
GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN GIRL, with
Mary Eaton. Eddie Cantor, Helen Morgan
and Rudy Vallee in revue scenes (Para-
mount); GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY,
with Winnie Lightner, Conway Tearle,
Ann Pennington and Nick Lucas (Warner
Bros.); GOLDEN DAWN, with Walter
Woolf and Vivienne Segal (Warner Bros.);
HIT THE DECK, with Jack Ookie and Polly
Walker (Radio); HOLD EVERYTHING, with
Winnie Lightner, Georges Carpentier and
Joe E. Brown (Warner Bros.); IT'S A GREAT
LIFE, starring the Duncan Sisters (Metro-
Goldwyn -Mayer); LORD BYRON OF
BROADWAY, with Charles Kaley and
Etheiind Terry (Metro-Goldwyn -Mayer);
MAMBA, with Eleanor Boardman, Ralph
Forbes and Jean Hersholt (Tiffany);
MAMMY, starring Al Jolson (Warner Bros.);
NO, NO, NANNETTE, with Bernice Claire
and Alexander Gray (First National);
PARIS, starring Irene Bordoni (First
National); POINTED HEELS, with William
Powell and Helen Kane(Paramount);RADIO
RAMBLERS, with Bert Wheeler, Robert Wooisey
and Dorothy Lee (Radio); RIO RITA, with Bebe
Daniels, John Boles, Bert Wheeler and Robert
Wooisey (Radio); HAPPY DAYS, with Bessie
Love and Charles King (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer); SHOW GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD, with
Alice White (First National); SHOW OF
SHOWS, with 77 stars (Warner Bros.); SON
OF THE GODS, starring Richard Barthelmess
(First National); SONG OF THE FLAME, with
Bernice Claire and Alexander Gray (First
National); THE KING OF JAZZ, starring Paul
Whiteman (Universal); PARAMOUNT ON
PARADE, all-star revue (Paramount); THE
ROGUE SONG, with Lawrence Tibbett and
Catherine Dale Owen(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer);
THE VAGABOND KING, starring Dennis King,
with Jeanette MacDonald (Paramount);
UNDER A TEXAS MOON, with Frank Fay, Noah
Beery, Myrna Loy (Warner Bros.).
From The Vagabond King,
Starring DENNIS KING,
withJEANETTEMACDON-
ALD (Paramount).
TECHNICOLOR Inc.
NEW YORK
BOSTON
HOLLYWOOD
DAlLYv Sunday, January^ 5, 19.
1930
%>&f^^JaUfU^
Metropolitan Closes Biggest Year
Sound Facilities Now Available for Five Companies — P-F-L to Make "Spoilers" With Bancroft in Lead
*'U" Starts Cohens and Kellys Film — Haskell for Warner Varieties — Wilk's Paragraphs and Other News
18 FEATURES, 66 SHORTS
PRODUCED DURING 1929
With a total of 18 all-talking fea-
tures and 66 short subjects filmed to
date, Metropolitan Sound studios
have just closed the first year of
production since Western Electric
i recording equipment was installed.
^According to arrangements made by
the various producers leasing studio
facilities, it is understood that this
number of features will be increased
•Iduring 1930.
; Christie's "The Carnation Kid,"
.with Douglas MacLean, was the first
'talking feature completed at the stu-
I dio a little over a year ago, and since
that time several productions have
Ibeen recorded there, notably, "Wel-
I I come Danger"; "Hell's Angels," on
which interiors have been completed
all in dialogue; "The Rainbow Man";
"The Great Gabbo," and others.
All of the Christie two-reel talk-
ing plays for Paramount, as well as
the abqye features, were recorded at
this studio with Western Electric
sound-on-film and disc. There are
now three complete sound channels
operating simultaneously for interior
recording, besides the portable equip-
ments which are frequently used, so
that as many as five companies may
be filming at once in the studios or
on location.
Bruce Completes 4 More
I Wilderness Novelties
Four single reel novelty pictures,
filmed with dialogue and music in
I scenic spots of the West have been
completed by Robert C. Bruce Pro-
ductions, and will be delivered to
Paramount. They are: "Salt Water
Ballads," "Wanderlust," "Hill Billy
Harmony," and "Voices of Lonely
Men." This group of releases
makes 10 of the series of 12 being
filmed for Paramount.
"His Womjin" Started
Production has begun on First Na-
tional's "His Woman" with William
Beaudine directing. Betty Compson,
' William Boyd, DeWitt Jennings,
Williaxji Janney and Gino Corrado
are in the cast.
Mack Sennett Signs 2 Golfers
Walter Hagen and Leo Diegel
have been signed for parts in Mack
Sennett's new comedy "The Golf-
ers."
Universal Holds Helen Wright
Following satisfactory work in her
first picture, Universal has re-en-
gaged Helen Wright, former stage
singer and dancer.
A Little from "Lots ' '
By RALPH WILK
JANET MacLEOD, film comedi-
enne, has returned from an ex-
tended visit to Europe. She visited
several studios while in Paris, and
was offered many screen roles ow-
ing to her ability to speak French
fluently.
* ♦ ♦
Joseph Franklin Poland, vet-
eran supervisor and writer, has been
signed by M-G-M, to write dialogue
and adaptation. Poland recently re-
turned from Honolulu after com-
pleting his contract at Pathe.
* * *
Edward I. Luddy and Ar-
thur Lake comprised an ideal
team, the former as director
and young Lake as the star.
They made several successful
pictures together. Luddy is
known for the human interest
touches he weaves into his pic-
tures.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Grace Hayes
learning to play "concentration";
Arthur Hammerstein, Paul L. Stein
and Horace Jackson conferring at
United Artists; Myron Selznick and
George Volck visiting United Art-
ists on business.
JOSEPH MONCURE MARCH
who worte "The Wild Party"
and "The Set-Up," has been signed
to a three year contract by Howari
Hughes as writer, director and supe.
visor. He will do four pictures ;
year for Hughes and will be loane
to other companies between pictures.
He has been loaned to Paramount t
adapt and dialogue "Civilian Clothes,"
which will star Gary Cooper.
* * *
Harry Coffey, veteran state-
right operator, is all smiles
these days. He is handling
"The Talk-Back," a voice re-
cording device that can be at-
tached to any phonograph.
Saw Taylor is believed to have
established a record while on his
European trip, iriasmuch as he did
not study conditions abroad, did not
find any stars and saw only one pic-
ture—and that was "The Taming of
the Shrew," which he directed. He
attended the London premiere of the
picture and following its initial
shoiving was guest of honor at a
dinner tendered him by English
critics arid playwrights.
"U" starts Production on
Fourth Cohen, Kellys Film
Production has started at Univer-
sal on "Cohens and Kellys in Scot-
land" the fourth of the series fea-
turing George Sidney and Charlie
Murray under the direction of Wil-
liam J. Craft. Other members of
the cast consist of Vera Gordon,
Kate Price, E. J. Radcliffe, William
Colvin and Lloyd Whitlock.
Fazenda in "Bearded Lady"
Louise Fazenda has been given the
leading role in "The Bearded Lady"
the Paramount-Christie talker. This
is the fourth comedy in which Miss
Fazenda has been starred in for the
group. Her other films were: "Hot
Lemonade," "Faro Nell, or In Old
California" and "So This Is Paris
Green."
Alice White on Vacation
Alice White, First National fea-
ture player now is enjoying a two
week's vacation before returning to
start work on "Sweet Mamma." She
recently completed "Show Girl in
Hollywood" for First National.
Jack Haskell to Direct
Vitaphone Varieties
Jack Haskell, dance director now
under contract for Warner Bros., has
been assigned to stage and direct
a special group of technicolor Vita-
phone Varieties. "Evolution of the
Dance" is to be Haskell's first and in
addition to being filmed entirely in
technicolor, the picture will contain
several specialty dances.
Selected for Columbia Lead
Sally Starr and Johnny Arthur
have been selected by Columbia for
the leading roles in "For the Love
O'Lil."
Educational Signs Holmes
Taylor Holmes has been signed
by Educational for a featured role
in "Dad Knows Best," a new Edu-
cational-Jack White talking comedy.
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy*'
P-F-L BUYS "SPOILERS"
EOR GEORGE BANCROFT
Paramount has purchased the talk-
ing picture rights to "The Spoilers,"
Rex Beach's story of Alaska, which
will be produced with George Ban-
croft in the leading role under the
direction of Edwin Carewe. The
picture will be put in production
early in March.
Monte Blue Starts Jan. 15
W'hen the Warner Studios begin
activity Jan. 15, "Those Who Dance"
will be among pictures to go into
production. Monte Blue is the itar.
THE
lUs popuUtf hcMCalry and you /••! wX h
Thara't an acinocphcr* o/ cordial wab
whldi marlu tha dlffaranca batwaaa i
HoUrwood Plaxa and ordinary botaU.
Toof rooB, too, ha* that addad i
of diatinctlon. Plcturat on tha wall,
•tnffad furaltura, a floor lamp and rai
lamp . . . tfaaia ara but a faw of tha faalaaa*
that aiaka yon faal at homa.
PIS'a Whiatla Dlnlns Sarvlca Inraraa *•
bMt ef food. Tharafora, whan you ara naai
'■ L«a Ansalaa ba rara to Invaatlsata.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
V«B> acraat at Hollywood Boula*««4
MOLLT^VOOD CALIFOR^aA
THE
12
sJ5^
PAILV
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Eddie Bowling in
"Blaze O' Glory"
(All-Talker)
Sono Art Time, 1 hr., 30 mins.
ONLY FAIR PROGRAM PIC-
TURE. MOSTLY HOKUM TIED
UP WITH THE WAR AND
POST-WAR PERIOD. ACTING
A HIGHLIGHT.
Comedy-drama with songs. The
story is for the most part dull and
lacking in continuity. It rambles
about the Broadway star who enlists
to serve in the World War, goes
through the usual war stuff and re-
turns to the U. S. A. suffering from
a gassing. He kills a man whom he
believes is making love to his wife.
The yarn is told from a court room
where Dowling is on trial on a mur-
der charge and after a series of cut-
backs, the jury decides that he isn't
legally guilty. The best thing in the
picture is the acting of Henry Wal-
thall, clever Frankie Darro, the work
of its star, Eddie Dowling, and Betty
Compson. As far as the music goes,
it's moderately good. The picture's
biggest draw will be in the neigh-
borhoods.
Cast: Eddie Dowling. littty Compsou,
Ferdinand-Schuman-Hi'inck, Frankie Darro,
Henry B. Waltliall, William Davidson, Eddie
Conrad, Frank Sabani and the Rounders.
Directors, Renaud Hoffman and George J.
Crone ; Author, Thomas Boyd ; Adaptor,
Renaud Hoffman ; Dialoguer, Henry Mc-
Carthy ; Cameraman, Harry Jackson ; Monitor
Man, Ben Harper; Editor, Artlnir Hoffsmith.
Direction, weak. Photography, good.
Eddy
George Bancroft in
"The Mighty"
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
BOX OFFICE PLUS. SMASH-
ING ENTERTAINMENT ABOUT
A GUNMAN WHO REFORMS
INTO A WAR AND CIVIC
HERO. TALKER SCREEN AT
ITS BEST.
Between John Cromwell's masterly
direction, superb acting of Bancroft,
Miss Ralston and others, and efficient
work in every department, this is an
all-around triumph. Story is of a
fighting fool gunman who has to be
knocked down and dragged into the
war, from which he emerges a ma-
jor and hero; then is inducted into
public service as police chief, cleans
the town of criminal gangs and wins
a nice girl for himself. The best
stage technique has been combined
with the finest in picture art to make
it a powerful tale, skillfully knitted
together, with tense dramatic punch-
es frequently giving way to biting
humor like the crack of a whip. Every
spoken word and every foot of film
is made to count. Dialogue record-
ing is among the finest yet. A pic-
ture to rave about.
Cast: Ci-orgc liancioft, Ksthtrr Ralston,
Warner Oland, Raymond Hatton, O. I'.
Heggie, Morgan Farley, Dorothy Revier,
Charles Fellon, E. H. Calvert, John Crom-
well.
Director, jolin Cromwell; Author, Robert
N'. Lee; Adaptors. William Slavens, McXutt
Grover ; Dialoguer, Same ; Editor, George
Nichols Jones, Jr.; Cameraman, J. Roy Hunt;
Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Direction, the best. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
"Party Girl"
loith Dougkis Fairbanks, Jr.
(All-Talker)
Tiffany Time, 1 hr., 7 mins,
FAIR MOB APPEAL STUFF.
SEMI-SENSATIONAL JAMBO-
REE ABOUT GALS WHO HIRE
OUT AS HOSTESSES AT BUSI-
NESS MEN'S PARTIES.
Comedy-drama of the jazz type.
According to the authors of this opus,
big-time salesmanship nowadays is
accomplished by throwing snappy
girl parties which place the prospec-
tive customers in the right mood to
,sign heavily on the dotted line. By
bringing out the moral ramifications
of the system, the picture has open-
ings for some pretty good exploita-
tion. This together with the box-
office title should succeed in baiting
the mob, particularly those who have
a yen for the flaming youth brand of
entertainment. A fairly neat love
episode runs through the story, with
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. and Jeanette
Loff as the heart team, and the names
of these popular players ought to help
the draw.
Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.. Jeanette Lolf.
Judith Barrie. Marie Prcvost. John St. Polis,
Lucien Prival, Sammy Blum, Harry North-
rup, .Mmeda Fowler, Hal Price, Charles
Giblyn. Sidney D'Albrook, Florence Dudley.
Director, Victor Halperin; Authors, Monte
K;itterjohn, Victor Halperin ; Adaptor, Monte
Katterjohn; Dialoguers, George Draney, Vic-
tor Halperin. Monte Katterjohn ; Editor, Rus-
sell Schoengarth ; Cameramen. Henry Cron-
jager, Robert Newhard ; Monitor Men, Roy
Clayton, Alfred Granich, Ben Harper.
Direction, snappy. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
JaTnes Gleason in
"Oh, Yeah!"
with Robert Armstrong, Patricia
Carou, Zasu Pitts
(All-Talker)
Pathe Time, 1 hr., 16 mina.
GENERALLY SATISFYING
COMEDY WITH GLEASON
AND ARMSTRONG CONTINU-
OUSLY DIVERTING AS A PAIR
OF WISECRACKING RAIL-
ROAD WORKMEN.
Comedy of two tramp railroad
trainmen who become smitten by a
feminine timekeeper and a waitress
in a tank town. One of the boys
(.\rmstrong) totes a mandolin as his
sole piece of baggage and knows how
to troubador with the instrument in
accompaniment to a pleasing vocal
ditty. Most of the footage is de-
voted to repartee between Arm-
strong, as a slow-wit, and his pal
Gleason, the ever-ready wisecracker.
Considering the slimness of the ma-
terial, Tay Garnett did a mighty
good directorial job, succeeding pret-
ty \yell in making the proceedings
continuously diverting and putting a
dramatic punch in the finish through-
out the medium of a runaway box-
car. Has fairly general appeal.
Cast: James Gleason, Robert .Armstrong.
I'atrici^ Caron. Zasu I'itts, Bud Fine, Frank
Hagney, Harry Tyler, I'aul Hurst.
Director, Tay Garnett; Author, A. W.
.Somerville; Adaptor, Tay Garnett; Dialogurs,
Tay Garnett, James Gleason; Editor, Claude
Berkeley; Cameraman. Arthur Mi.ler; Moni-
tor Men, Karl .\. Walcott Hal Stine.
Direction, good. Photography, satisfactory.
Gillette
Reginald Denny in
"One Hysterical Night"
(All-Talker)
Universal Time. 1 hr.
SATISFYING COMEDY FOR
THE GENERAL RUN OF
HOUSES, DENNY, AS NAPO-
LEON, DISPORTING IN A SAN-
ITARIUM FILLED WITH
NUTS.
Comedy based on an idea somewtiat
off the beaten path. Denny, in the
role of a prospective heir to millions,
is railroaded into a bug house by
some relatives who want the dough
for themselves. Denny is made to be-
lieve that he is attending a masquer-
ade party and is cautioned to stick
to his role of Napoleon. There be-
ing no "Josephine" among the in-
mates of the booby hatch, it is up to
the doctor's pretty assistant to as-
sume this part. She does so think-
ing the newcomer really cuckoo, and
he in turn, upon realizing that he has
been tricked, figures her out for a
daffydil. Humorous situations are
plentiful and the action, despite its
absurdity, is held very nicely in a
comedy vein, which speaks well for
the director.
Cast: Reginald Denny, Nora Lane, E. J.
Radcliffe. Henry Otto. Joyzellc. Fritz Fcld,
Jules Cowles. Flin .Sommerville, Rolfe Sedans,
D. R. C. Hatswell. Walter Brennon, Henry
Herbert.
Director, William James Craft; Author,
Reginald Denny ; Adaptors. Earl Snell, Regin-
ald Denny ; Dialoguers. same ; Editor, Not
listed; Monitor Man. C. Roy Hunter; Camera-
man, .Arthur Todd.
Direction, Good. Photography. Good.
Gillette
"Painted Angel"
with Billie Dove, Edmund Lowe
(All-Talker)
First Nat'l Time, 1 hr., 11 nuns.
NOT FOR FAMILY TRADE.
SNAPPY NIGHT CLUB STORY
WITH PLENTY OF SEXY AT-
MOSPHERE BUT A SLIM
STORY.
Drama of night club life. Billie
Dove appears as a cabaret hostess,
and she is in love with Edmund
Lowe, but he thinks she has fallen
hard for a rich and elderly patron of
the club. With this misunderstanding
as the basis, a slim plot is built up
that holds little interest, for it is too
obvious. Most of the footage is de-
voted to some really gorgeous set-
tings and fancy costume numl)ers
with the dancing girlies. Several spe-
cialty acts are dragged in to help out,
so that the whole affair seems to
have been designed with the idea of
giving the customers in the hinter-
land an idea of how the big town
makes whoopee in its night life. Sev-
eral near-undressing scenes are jam-
med in quite obviously for the sexy
kick.
Cast: Billie Dove. Edmund Lowe, J. Far-
rell McDonald. Cissy Fitzgerald. George Mac-
Farlane, Nellie Bly Baker, Will Stanton, Sliep
Camp, Norman Selby.
Director, Millard Webb; Author, From the
story Iiv Fannie Hurst; Adaptor. Bradley
King ; Dialoguer, Bradley King ; Eklitor, Not
Listed ; Cameraman, John Seitz ; Monitor
Man, Not Listed.
Harrower
Bob Custer in
"The Parting of the
Trails"
(Silent)
Sj/ndicatc Time, 1 hr., 5 mins.
HAS PLENTY OF ACTION.
BREEZY WESTERN WITH BOB
CUSTER PULLING THE GOOD
OLD HEROICS IN A WAY TO
PLEASE THE FANS.
Western. The veteran combination
i>t Director ^IcGowan, storywriter
.Sally Winters and Bob Custer star-
ring, put this over in a way that will
please the western fans. 'The plot is
well handled, and works up to a
peppy climax. Nothing particularly
new, but the direction oi J. I'. Mc-
(lowan keeps it moving all the way,
and the hard working Bob Custer
is in evidence most of the time with
his riding and fighting, and that's
what the fans like. .\s a roving cow-
hoy he meets up with a pal. and they
join forces with a wealthy Easterner
who has the inevitable pretty
daughter. The rustler gang kidnap
the millionaire for ransom but with
the help of the girl. Bob Custer does
the big rescue act and everything
works out to a thrill finish in regula-
tion western style. Vivian Bay. the
girl, is unusually good looking as
western heroines go.
Cast; Bob Custer. Bobby Dunn, Henry
Roc|iuniove. George A. Miller, Tommy Ray.
Vivi.in Bay.
Director, J. P. McGowan; Author, Sally
WmUi-is ; Scenarist, the same; Editor. Not
Listed ; Titler. Not Listed ; Cameraman. Hap
Depcw.
Direction, snappy. Photograp^'v. clear.
Harrower
"Wasted Love"
with Anna May Wong
(SUent)
Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
JUST A FILLER. FOR UN-
WIRED HOUSES. INDIFFER-
ENT FOREIGN PRODUCTION
HOLDS LITTLE INTEREST
OUTSIDE OF THE ATTRAC-
TIVE MISS WONG.
Drama. An English production
made in Germany by Richard Eich-
berg. This is a very flimsy produc-
tion from all angles^, and has noth-
ing to recommend it outside of the
appearance of Anna May Wong in
the principal role. Miss Wong's per-
sonal cha^m is always in evidence
whenever she appears, and she suc-
ceeds in making the weak offering
passably interesting. The plot is
slight and the theme hackneyed. The
directorial treatment is ordinary, and
it moves along very mechanically.
Even in the days of the silent film it
would have been classed as a weak
sister. It is the story of a down-
and-out vaudevillian who befriends
the little waif, and she in turn in-
spires him to get back in his stride
and resume his knife-throwing act.
The usual complications develop in
the u.sual manner. Rates daily
change schedule, and a filler for un-
wired houses.
Cast: .-\nna May Wong, Mary Kid. Henry
George.
Director, Richard Eichberg; Author. Not
Listed; Scenarist, Not Listed; Edito:. .\. i
Listed; Titler, .\ot Listed; Cameraman, N. :
Listed.
Direction, pnor Photography, spotty.
Harrower
THE
Sunday, January 5, 1930
j2^
DAILV
13
"Hot For Paris"
Imth Victor McLaglen, Fiji Dorsay,
• El Brendel
1 (All-Talker)
iFox Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
I WORTHY BOX OFFICE SE-
QUEL TO "COCK EYED
WORLD" WITH ELEMENTS OF
APPEAL FOR PULLING THE
SAME TRADE.
Robust comedy of a lusty sailor on
'ehore leave in France. Has the ear-
marks of a thoroughbred right from
the start, and stacks up strong as a
!follow-up to "The Cock Eyed World."
I McLaglen, without rival opposition,
wades through the picture as a heavy
I woman-killer who falls for a chic
icabaret queen (Miss Dorsay). Bren-
idel tags along as his sidekick and
feeds in the comedy. For incidental
action, there are two distinguished
'gentlement chasing the sailor from
I place to place. He thinks they are
[after him for breaking jail some years
[before, but they actually are trying to
present the sailor with a million bucks
I won by him in a racetrack lottery,
land they don't catch up with him till
the end of the picture. Full-strength
entertainment, directed with a punch.
Bound to click far and wide.
j Cast: Victor McLaglen, Fifi Dorsay, El
1 Brendel, Polly Moran, Lennox Pawle, August
Tollaire, George Fawcett, Charles Jude'.s,
Kddie Dillon, Rosita Marstini, Agostino Bor-
: gato, Yola D'Avril, Anita Murray, Dave
I Valles.
Director, Raoul Walsh; Author, same;
I Adaptor, Charles McGuirk; Dialoguer, Wil-
I Ham K. Wei's ; Editor, Jack Dennis ; Camera-
man, Charles Van Enger; Monitor Man,
' George Leverett.
Direction, Great. Photography, Fine.
Gillette
"The Laughing Lady"
with Ruth Chatterton, Clive Brook
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 14 mins.
CLASS PRODUCTION WITH
POWERFULLY DRAMATIC
STORY FINELY DIRECTED
AND ACTED. FIRST-RUN
QUALITY.
Drama of society life. This pic-
ture seems strong enough to go in on
an extended run, although it was
booked for a week at the Paramount
in New York. It has everything.
Ruth Chatterton does top notch
work. Clive Brook divides the hon-
ors with her. Credits go to author,
director and dialoguers for one of the
most entertaining program pictures
seen for some time. Classy sets and
tensely dramatic story niake it a
natural for the women everywhere.
Sutro's stage play proved ideal ma-
terial for the screen. Supporting cast
from the stage was cleverly selected.
The story is that of the wife of a
banker who divorces her on purely
circumstantial evidence, and the law-
yer who flayed her reputation at the
trial later falls in love with her.
Cast: Ruth Chatterton, Clive Brook. Dan
Healy. Nat Pendleton, Raymond Walburn.
Dorothy Hall, Hedda Harrigan, Lillian B.
Tonge, Marguerite St. John, Herbert Druce,
Alice Hegeman, JerKing, Helen Hawley,
Betty Bartiey.
Director, Victor Schertzinger; Author, Al-
fred Siitro; Adaptors, Bartlett Cormack,
Arthur Richman; Dialoguers, the same; Edi-
tor, Emma Hill ; Cameraman, George Folsey ;
Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, excellent. Photography, the best.
narrower
Short Subject Reviews
SOUND
"The Voice of Hollywood"
Tiffany Time, 10 mins.
Interesting
More or less informal views of
Bobby Vernon, Julian Eltinge, Paul
W'hiteman being initiated into the
Hollywood Breakfast Club, Mack
Sennett, Anita Page, Julia Faye and
other screen personalities, with Rich-
ard Dix as announcer. Interesting
to fans generally.
"Mickey's Big Moment"
RKO Time, 20 mins.
Fine Juvenile Comedy
A Larry Darmour "Mickey (Him-
self) McGuire" comedy, with a host
of clever youngsters and some adults
putting over a couple rounds of satis-
fying entertainment. Some good slap-
stick by the adults and a barn cabaret
by the kids topped off by a travesty
on the balcony scenei with little
Romeo doing his stuff to a colored
Juliet. Lots of laughs, plus a few
screams. Will please anywhere.
"Dance of the Paper Dolls"
Vitaphone Time, 11 mins.
Delightful
About 40 smart tots singing, danc-
ing and making merry in an unusu-
ally delightful and entertaining man-
ner. Made additionally charming by
being in color. Fine direction by Roy
Mack. A choice dessert on any bill.
"Wild Waves"
Celebrity Productions Time, 7 mins,
Mickey as Life Saver
"Mickey Mouse" is at his best as a
life saver in this Walt Disney car-
toon, which is made additionally fun-
ny by the antics of singing seals,
dancing penguins, baritone sea lions
and other amazing creations of the
moving cartoon kingdom. Actually
great.
"The Haunted House"
Celebrity Productions Time, 7 mins.
Fine Comic
The "creeper" idea, as the title im-
plies, injected into a "Mickey Mouse"
comic, with the usual storm, light-
ning ghosts, dancing skeletons, etc.
Also a flash simulation of Al Jolson,
produced by a black-and-white char-
acter silhouette, with a sinmltaneous
cry of "Mammy," that is a knockout.
"The Unwritten Law"
International Photoplay
Dist. Co. Time, 29 mins.
Decidedly Meller
Melodrama of love-crazed peasant
who kills the husband of his former
sweetheart and is in turn killed by
her. Produced in England with actors
speaking in decidedly British dialect.
Rosalinde Fuller, of New York stage,
has leading feminine role. Sinclair
Hill directed.
"Land O' Lee"
Castle Films Time, 11 mins.
Travelogue in Color
Series of pictorial shots in color
embracing historical and other locales
of the South, the Mississippi, New
Orleans, Cuba, Panama, Florida, etc.,
put together so that a practical trave-
logue results. Unusually good photog-
raphy enhances the interesting scenes.
"The Moon Bride's Wedding"
Paramount Time, 10 mins.
Good Indian Whoopee
U. S. Indian Band, which has been
scoring in vaudeville, in a particular-
ly entertaining program of music,
singing, dancing and general whoopee.
Good music, good voices and general
snappiness of presentation.
"The Fatal Forceps"
Paramount Time, 18 mins.
Robust Comedy
Ford Sterling starred as a dentist,
driven to distraction by a saxophone
player, who later calls for dental at-
tention— and then the fun begins. Bert
Roach is the sax pest. Will King and
Natalie Joyce also in the cast, and
William Watson directed. Real ro-
bust comedy of the type that made
Sterling popular years ago.
Horace Heidt
and His Californians
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Snappy Number
Horace Heidt and his orchestra
will set any audience swaying and
humming with their peppy, rendition;
of a group of popular tunes. If the
customers want their music light and
fast, they ought to find enough tc
please them in this one. The gang
plays with genuine abandon such
numbers as "Tiger Rag," "Painting
the Clouds with Sunshine," "Carnival
of Venice" and "I'll Never Ask for
More." The customers, however
will ask for more.
"Before the Bar"
Vitaphone Time, 9 mins.
Corking Vaudeville
A snappy vaudeville skit presented
by Hurst and Vogt. Opens with
some effective patter, then the boys
go into their standby bit wherein one
of them stands directly behind the
other and the front lad does a law-
yer spiel while his rear support ges-
ticulates with his hands to suit the
words. A scream for theaters thai
have never played this bit.
Oswald in
"Ozzie of the Circus"
Good Circus Cartoon
A synchronized cartoon in which
Oswald runs the gamut of amusing
antics in a circus setting. Plenty of
odd tricks by the strangely-shaped
animals. Fills the bill very nicely.
Seven minutes.
"The Trumpeter"
Pathe Time, 10 mins.
Mild Entertainment
A flock of stock and studio war
shots tied up with James Stanley,
vocalist, comprise this subject, which
is mild entertainment. Stanley's
voice is the best thing in the pic-
ture. Oscar Lund directed for Van
Buren.
"Scotch"
Educational Time, 12 mins.
Swell Comedy
Mack Sennett has turned out a
swell comedy knockout in this one —
a picture that ought to make 'em
lau_gh anywhere. The story con-
cerns a newly-wed couple, whose
relatives move in on them directly
after the wedding ceremony an^
make their lives miserable. Andy
Clyde and Billy Bevan are the com-
ics— and how. The cast includes Ad-
die McPhail, Ernie Wood and Bert
Swor. Dialogue, recorded by RCA
Photophone, is by John A. Waldron
and others.
"Who's Who"
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Silly But Funny
Harry Lang and Bernice Haley,
vaudeville headliners, squeezing a lot
of fun out of jumbled pronouns
"What's his name?" "That's it."
"Well, what is it?" "But I'm telling
you — Watt." Sounds familiar, no
doubt. It's been in the repertoire of
the vaudeville stage these many years.
Notwithstanding, it still manages to
call forth loud guffaws. There can
be no surer laugh-getter. With
Harry and Bernice doing it on the
audible screen, it sounds more ludi-
crous than ever.
"Springtime"
Columbia Time, 6 mins.
Good Cartoon
A Disney cartoon on the theme of
the Mendelssohn music. Frogs, birds,
trees, flowers, etc., are made to cavort
in harmony with the famous melody
and its variations. A good comic of
its kind.
"Revival Day"
Vitaphone Time, 9 mins.
Good Negro Humor
"Slim" Timblin, popular blackface
comic of the stage, featured in the
role of a colored parson conducting a
religious session in a way that keeps
the risibles of the audience in action
most of the time. Will click any-
where.
"Ave Maria"
Vitaphone Time, 4 mins.
Artistic
An artistic rendition by the noted
opera star, Frances Alda, of one of
her most popular numbers, sung in
an appropriate cloister setting. Mme.
Alda's voice records beautifully.
(Continued on Page 16)
THE
■I
14
■^m
DAILV
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Presentations
I By HERBERT S. BERG i
HOULIN ROUGE SEHING
IS HIGHLIGHT AT ROXY
In keeping with the screen feature,
"Hot For Paris," the current stage
bill at the Roxy has a French flavor
and is highlighted by a colorful Mou-
lin Rouge set, with gala signs, elec-
trically studded windmill paddles in
action and appropriate inhabitants. In
front of this setting is presented a
most diverting group of dances-
Apache, Russian, Spanish and what-
not— as well as some pleasant sing-
ing- . ,
Cortez and Helene, m a terpsichor-
ean travesty, cop the honors with
their ingenuiously funny routine. Dor-
othy and Harry Dixon do the Apache
bit with gusto. Then there are two
nifty colored steppers, Keene and
RufRn. The other artists in this
"Bon Soir Paree" number include
Viola Philo, Angelita Loyo, Youry
Yourlo, M. Vodnoy, the Roxy chorus
and ballet corps and Markert's Roxy-
ettes. Another interesting luminous
effect by A. Strobl climaxes the scene.
The first part of the stage program
is a series of divertissements, open-
ing with "Friese Antique," a white
statuary scene with the figures do-
ing garland dances and the Patricia
Bowman-Leonide Massine team con-
tributing a few pleasing p^rations.
This is followed by "Miserere," sung
before a prison gate, with the voices
of Viola Philo, David Drollet and the
Roxy Male Chorus doing the operatic
bit full justice. Then comes "Le Re-
veille," the scene being an immense
pink bed enfolding the Markert Roxy-
ettes. Lillian La Tonge, in alarm
clock costume, wakes up the gang and
they go into a fancy pyjama dance
for a fluffy finish. An organ specialty,
with Lew White, C. A. J. Parmentier
and George Epstein playing the three
consoles simultaneously, also is on the
program.
Publix Buys Aztec, San Antonio
San Antonio — Publix has bought
the Aztec, local de luxe house, from
William Epstein. It is announced
that in the deal the New State will
be added to the list of local talker
houses.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions tor
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Perm. 3580
RUDY VALLEE IN ORIENTAL
SEHING AT PARAMOiT
Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut
Yankees are the big splash in C. A.
Niggemeyer's musical revue at the
Paramount. Styled "Streets of Bom-
bay," it is one of the classiest stage
shows the Paramount has had in
many weeks. The scene is a street
in Bombay, with a wide staircase in
the foreground. Dancing girls in
Oriental costumes do a number, fol-
lowed by a fine atmospheric bit with
a snake dancer. She emerges from
a basket, and twines and weaves her
way across the floor to the accom-
paniment of weird music till finally
she overcomes the charmer. A class
act that rates a headline.
Rudy Vallee sang three numbers,
the best of these being "Sweeter
Than Sweet." He was on for only
a small part of the time, but the
fans seemed satisfied. He was fol-
lowed by a stair dance with mixed
ensemble. A beautiful dance num-
ber was done to "On the Road to
Mandalay." Comedy was supplied
in large gobs by fat John.'v Perkins
as the visiting American out for a
good time with the girls. He had
some good chatter that went over
strong. Pasquali Brothers were three
fast acrobats with some whirlwind
turns and falls. Dave Gould's Girls
and Boys had some good routines with
colorful costume changes. Looked
as if some real dough was spent on
this unit.
Fox in Centralis
Centralia, Wash. — Plans are being
drawn for the construction of a new
house here to cost in the neighbor-
hood of $200,000, it has been an-
nounced b^ R. E. Charles, resident
manager for Fox Theaters. Con-
struction is expected to start shortly.
Southern Amusement Takes Lease
Atlanta — Southern Amusement
Corp. has secured a lease on the new
theater to be built here at Peach-
tree Rd., the total rental amounting
to $65,400. The house is expected to
be completed by March 1, and will
have a seating capacity of 1,000.
O'Brien Plans House
Renfrew, Ont. — Arrangements
hav« been made by M. J. O'Brien,
millionaire theater owner, for the
erection of a house to be equipped
for audiens. The house is expected
to be ready June 1.
Huit Succeedi Lanagan
Longvicw, Texas — D. H. Hust,
formerly of Beaumont, has been ap-
pointed successor of W. A. Lanagan
at the Rembert. Lanagan recently
was made city manager of East
Texas Theaters.
Foreign Markets
By DON C. GILLETTE
m CHANGES SOUGHT
BY LATVIAN EXHIBITORS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Two changes of
great importance to the exhibitor in
Latvia, await the approval of Parlia-
ment before they become effective
shortly, it is anounced by the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce.
One change provides that the govern-
ment shall have no regulation over
local news events shown at local the-
aters, and the second proposes elimin-
ation of other forms of entertainment
than the showing of films on the
ground that they create unfair compe-
tition for picture theaters.
German Newspaper Selects
Best Productions of 1929
Berlin — In completing its poll for
the best group of pictures shown in
Germany during the past year, Der
Deutsche, local newspaper, announced
the following: "New Gentlemen,"
"Hallelujah," "The Singing Fool,"
"Riz Palue," "The Living Corpse,"
"Lonesome," "Storm Over Asia,"
"Love Parade," and "Atlantic."
To Make German Bi-Lingual
Berlin. — Imperial Film Co. has
rented space in an English studio
where they will start production
shortly of a bi-lingual talker in Eng-
lish and German. Elizabeth Bergner
will be starred, and the feature will
be directed by Dr. Paul Czinner.
Betty Balfour 111
London — Betty Balfour was taken
ill with influenza while making "Raise
the Roof." This picture will be fin-
i.'^hed without the star, who completed
her part in the film.
Filmophone in Scotland
Edinburgh — With the wiring of
Pringle's Palace in this city, Filmo-
phone has made its first installation
in Scotland.
Wilton Appointed
Ireland — Harry Wilton has been
appointed to represent Edibell in this
territorj'.
Melotone Installed
Dartford — The Rialto here has in-
stalled Melotone sound equipment.
Greco New Musical Director
Manchester — Bernard Greco has
succeeded Albert Dunlop as musical
director of the Ardwick Empire here.
Lawrence Returns to Paris
Paris — L. L. Lawrence, M-G-M di-
rector in Europe, has returned after
a lonp visit to the United States.
3,500 Seater in Birmingham
Birmingham, England — A film the-
ater seating 3,500 will be built here
by Alf Levy of Liverpool.
ELECTRO VOX TO MAKE
SERIES OE SOUND SHORTS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Electro Vox, sound-
on-film manufacturers, a French firm,
is now preparing to make a series of
Sound shorts on Spanish themes, it
is announced by the M. P. Division
of the Dept. of Commerce. The series
will be made in collaboration with the
company's agents in Spain and
Portugal.
Pittaluga Is Planning
Multi-Linguals in Italy
London (By Cable) — Production
of Anglo-Italian and multi-lingual
pictures in Italy is planned by Sig-
ner Pittaluga, head of the leading
film company in Italy, who has been
here negotiating for British and
American features in Italian and six
multi-linguals at the Cinaes' studios.
Pittaluga has been negotiating al-
liances with leading continental pro-
ducers for joint talker production
and has effected an agreement with
S. Juan Verdaguer, head of a Span-
ish company, with other affiliations
expected to follow. As a result, An-
glo-Italian talkers are likely to be
made in both Rome and Elstree.
The Italian film chief plans to visit
New York in about a month.
Klangfilm to Manufacture
New Small Sound Machine
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Because there is an
urgent need for cheaper priced sound
machines in Germany, Klangfilm has
announced its intentions to manufac-
ture a device designed for smaller
theaters, according to the M. P. Di-
vision of the Dept. of Commerce.
Increases Capital
Paris — The Society Anonyme des
Establissements Gaumont is raising
its capital from 12,000,000 to 24,000,-
000 francs by the issue of 100,000
"A" shares of 100 francs at 215 francs
and 20,000 "B" shares at par.
Color for "All's Button"
London — Some of the special se-
quences in "Alf's Button" will be
made in color. The picture is in pro-
duction at the Gaumont studios.
Riciimount Pictures
723 7th Ave. |nc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAN. Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
tives for Rayart Pi;tures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICH PICSOC. Pans
Cable Address: DEEJAY. London
Cable Address: RICH PIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the
best in Motion Picttiret
1
THT
Sunday, January 5, 1930
DAILY
15
Theater Equipment
By WILLIAM ORtfSTBIM ,
DOWSER CO.PUTTING OUT
SHUHER CONTROL DEVICE
In addition to other product, Dow-
ser Manufacturing Corp. of New
York is featuring a device known as
an "Automatic Shutter Control" and
la "3 wire circuit" foot switch. The
foot switch, it is claimed, enables the
projectionist to make the simplest in-
stallation requiring only three wires,
for any number of changeovers in-
stalled on the projector.
The entire switch mechanism is
mounted on a panel with contacts
sufficient to carry more current than
\vill be necessary. The panel has
binding posts to which wires may
be fastened, thereby eliminating
soldering and spice boxes.
The automatic shutter control
jives projectionists easy control of
ooth machines and at the same time
assures a continuous show with in-
vfisible changeover, thus reducing fire
lazards, in the event of a break in
film. Another feature of the product
is the fact that the company furnish-
es coils for the different types of
:urrent used, namely 110 volts AC
and DC and 220 Volt AC and DC.
New Arc "Choke Circuit"
Devised by Templeman
Paris — Invention of the "choke cir-
;:uit," whereby arc lamps can be
^silenced for use in talking pictures,
;ias been made by Stanley C. Temple-
nan, chief engineer of Gaumont. The
ntroduction of the new arc "choke"
will eliminate expensive purchases of
;ncadescent lighting and re-wiring
bften causing delay in production, it
's claimed.
Tone-O-Graph in Youngstown
Youngstown — The Rialto, Joe
Trunk's house, has Tone-O-Graph in-
.talled, as well as the Uptown, owned
jy the same exhibitor.
Sound at Victory, Tacoma
I Tacoma — Whitney Merwin has in-
stalled Monarch film and disc ma-
chines in his Victory.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
ProfessionaJ Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuoacHBys
▼▼ UO West 32''St,Ncw XorK.My ••
Phone Penna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
I U. S. and Canada Agents (or Debrie
Instructions on Threading
Projectors for Sound Pictures
Instructions on proper threading
of projectors for exhibition of sound
pictures, as featured in "Now,"
house organ of Fox West Coast cir-
cuit, is herewith outlined by R. C.
McCullogh, the circuit's sound ex-
pert. The article contains many use-
ful tips to showmen.
Great care must be exercised in threading
the projector for film reproduction — other-
wise, lack of sjmchronism will be the re-
sult. First of all, see that the sound-track
mask, at the aperture, is in position. When
threading a Simplex Projector for film re
production, thread in the usual manner, with
the exception that the loop between the In-
termittent sprocket and lower sprocket should
be such that the film just comes in line with
the edge of the mechanism. For Powers anu
Motiograph Projector mechanisms, allow a
two-finger loop between the intermittent and
lower sprocket.
There should be a length of 19 1/3 frames
or lAYi" between the center of the projector
aperture and the light gate aperture in the
reproducing mechanism. In threading from
the projector mechanism lower sprocket to
the sprocket of reproducing mechanism al
ways allow the slack of two sprocket holes.
During a recent visit to a theater, I
noticed a very bad flutter on one sound pro
jector, which absolutely ruined the reproduc
tion. Neither the management nor the pro-
jectionists were aware of the fact. Upon
investigation, I found that the couplings on
the 705-A shaft, which drives the Movietone
mechanism on the Western Electric Univer
sal Base, had become loose, and, after tight-
ening same, the flutter was eliminated.
Every theater with sound equipment has
experienced the replacement of the 555-W
Western Electric Receiver, and there has al-
ways been a question as to just what was
the nature of the trouble, and why the unit
ceased to function. Gun shots, cannon shots,
bombs, blasting, and other effects produced
with increased volume have been the cause
of replacing many receiver units. Audio
current circulates through the actuating coil,
interacted with a steady magnetic field, forc-
ing the diaphragm in and out. This coil is
mounted rigidly on the diaphragm, and the
diaphragm is corrugated between the coil and
the clamped edge to prevent resonance.
However, I have found that the internal
connections, connected to L No. 1 and L
LOEW BUILDING 1540 BROADWAY
TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK
LOEW BUILDING PENN AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
No. 2 of the speech circuit, break ofl at the
terminal, which leaves the speech circuit open.
High-voltage filter condensors are capable
of holding a charge for a considerable length
of time. It is possible, while checking over
the amplifier and component parts, that you
will receive a severe shock from one of the
condensors. A simple method of avoiding
such shocks is to make it a practice to al-
ways discharge such condensors before han-
dling them. To eliminate the possibility of
shocks, take a screwdriver, or any other
metal conductor, and short both terminals,
which will discharge the condenser.
The management of one theater complained
because the volume on disc was so much
louder than film reproduction on both pro
jcctors. Of course, we assumed that at this
day of sound picture success that every pro
jectionist took active interest in securing
knowledge about sound equipment, and also
we do not expect to find equipment generally
neglected.
However, in this particular instance, ]
found both exciter lamps very dirty, and
not focused properly — besides, oil had com
pletely covered the front lens of the Movie
tone Lens Assembly.
There is positively no excuse for these
conditions to exist. If the reading on the
.Synchronous motor control box meter does
not stay within specified limits, check the
projector mechanism immediately, and alsg
the working parts of the driving attachment
Excessive friction at some point in the
mechanism will cause the meter reading to
read high on AC, or too low on DC. See
J. W.ERECH 18 ELECTED
HEAD OF RCA RADIOTRON
Schenectady — T. W. Freeh, of
Cleveland, vice-president of General
Electric, has been elected president
of the newly formed RCA Radiotron
Co., makers of special tubes for
sound machines. Other officers are
George C. Osborn, general sales man-
ager of the Edison lamp division, and
W. T. L. Cogger, in charge of vac-
uum tube department of the lamp
works at Harrison, N. J., have re-
signed from General Electric to be-
come associated with the new com-
pany as vice-presidents.
that the projector working parts are lubricated
It regular intervals.
One of the most important items to check
-in disc reproduction is the condition of the
records. If the record is all right, and the
needle jumps the groove, check the repro-
ducer to see that it is tracking properly. On
many occasions the reproducer has been found
to be dragging on the record. Under these
conditions, try a new needle, and, if trouble
is persistent, block up reproducer arm by in-
serting small piece of rubber eraser between
under side of arm at rear end and pivot
ase, so as to raise reproducer clear of record
nd allow it to swing freely by itself.
No unsightly
Perforations
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain,
and natural tone quality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalitc Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically omd chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
\r<i])C!a.llte
SoimdScroeii
TV First Screen Scientifically Perfected for Soiiml Pictures
Beaded Screen Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Poroua bnt not perforated
Atfrovti by EUetrietd Rt-
starch Producit, Witttru
Eltciric Co., Inc.. omd tthtr
makers of Sound Equi^mtnt.
ViTt Proof
Non Inflosunable
16
fj^^
DAILY
Sunday, January 5, 1930
Impressing Wall Street
(Continued from Page 1)
mount's earnings for 1929 may exceed
$15,000,000. That's a note for your
financial memory book.
Monday : Probing into the future
The Film Daily canvasses important
executives in every phase of the busi-
ness to get their opinions as to what's
on the cards for 1930. Generally
speaking, the forecasts are highly
optimistic in tone. Highlights of the
year will be further development of
sound and color is the concensus of
opinion With producers pri-
marily interested, at the moment, in
sound and color, wide film is tem-
porarily placed on the shelf as far as
commercial use goes. The industry
at present has enough problems to
battle with without this one. In
the meanwhile, however, the major
companies are quietly experiment-
ing
Tuesday: Sound installations
abroad are gradually gaining momen-
tum, indicates figures supplied by C.
J. North, chief of the Motion Picture
Division of the Dept. of Commerce.
Despite the obstacle presented by the
multiplicity of languages spoken,
countries on the other side of the
oceans now have 1,800 houses wired.
Naturally enough, theaters in Eng-
lish-speaking lead the list. Wiring
of theaters is bound to go forward
with increased rapidity in 1930 with
the public appetite sharpened for dia-
logue pictures and production plans
made for multi-lingual pictures to
satisfy it In these days, try
and write a column without constant-
ly referring to sound — or color.
From William F. Canavan, head of
the stagehands and operators' union
and an official of whom organized
labor may well be proud, says that
sound pictures have provided about
4,000 new jobs for projectionists.
Great for the operators but a head-
ache for the men trying to keep the
overhead near the ground
Thursday: Ivan Abramson, who
has been mixed up in the picture in-
dustry for some years back, focuses
a $1,300,000 action against 47 corpor-
ations and individuals alleging mon-
opoly, etc. The Hays office comes
back strong with a statement that
it will insist on a trial of the action. .
Universal announces that
branch managers and head bookers
will be given examinations of the
civil service type to determine their
fitness for promotion. A mighty sen-
sible idea Sound continues to
pump up company grosses. Follow-
ing Warner estimates which promise
earnings of approximately $17,000,000
for 1929, come Paramount figures
compiled by the "Wall St. News," to
the effect that its intake may exceed
^15,000,000
Friday: Western Electric receives
a setback abroad through a perman-
ent injunction granted to Klangfilm
Tobis. The American reproducing
device outfit, however, is not inclined
to take the count lying down. An
appeal will be taken to a higher Ger-
man court in an attempt to have the
order vacated. W. E. has been suc-
cessful in killing an injunction in sev-
eral other European countries
Inauguration of the Canadian battle
of theater giants has been postponed.
Work of establishing the chain spon-
sored by N. L. Nathanson will mark
time until the theater site dispute in
Montreal is settled between his or-
ganization and Famous Players Can-
adian Warner Bros, further
build the musical end of their busines'-
by engaging Erno Rapee as general
nusical director. The man who rom-
oosed the music for "My Diane" and
"Charmaine" is an asset for any or-
<2fanization.
Today: More exhibition grief
looms in Mississippi where a theater
tax is in prospect. But the Light-
man-Williams combination, not to
mention other agencies, are at work
on this problem Philadelphia
exhibs are confronted by a fire de-
partment edict compelling them to in-
stall firenroof screens within two
weeks. If they fail, or are un-
able to comply with this order, their
houses mav be closed.
Two Applications Heard
Minneapolis — R-K-O has made ap-
plications for a license to conduct
vaudeville at the Seventh St., which
has been closed for two years. Other
applications include the proposal to
reopen the old Gaiety by R. L. Orthy
of Milwaukee who said he planned
to show pictures in the house.
Changes Opening Policy
Lynn, Mass. — With a view of
keeping the Mark Strand in line
with business policies, Managing Di-
rector John J. Scanlon has intro-
duced a new policy of changing
opening day of the week's show to
Saturday instead of Sunday. Split
week programs opening on Satur-
days will run through to Tuesday
and give way to an entirely new
show on Wednesday to extend to
Friday evening.
Grand, Pullman, Closes
Pullman, Wash. — Because it would
not pay to convert the house into a
"talker" and due to unprofitable op-
eration as a silent house, the Grand,
one of the oldest theaters in this
town has been compelled to close
its doors.
J. H. Murphy Made Office Mgr.
Philadelphia — James H. Murphy,
formerly Western Division play-date
manager, has been made office man-
ager of the local Universal exchange,
succeeding Gus Kohtz, resigned.
Dewees Leases Pantages
Vancouver, B. C. — The Pantages
has been leased to U. P. Dewees,
owner of the Strand. The name of
the house will be changed when it
reopens with a new policy.
REGAL BUYS RIGHTS TO
VAN 6UREN SONG FILMS
Regal Films of Canada have con-
tracted with the Van Buren Corp.
to distribute all the company's song
subjects in the Dominion of Canada,
Amedee J. Van Buren, president, an-
nounces. L. Ernest Ouimet, Van
Buren special representative, will
tour all the provinces in Canada in
a special sales campaign
Court Reserves Decision
in Greenewalt Color Suit
(Continued from Page 1)
the U. S. District Court reserved de-
cision on the request of Frank R.
Busser, Philadelphia attorney for
Mrs. Greenewalt, for a permanent
injunction. Litigation is based on
the plaintiff's released patent for the
association of color with music to
produce an emotional or esthetic ef-
fect. Defendants claim the idea has
been used for ages.
Short Subjects
(Continued from Page 13)
SOUND
"The Prince of Wails"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
Good Blackface
Amusing burnt-cork monolog by
Mel Klee. Follows the usual lines
of gags and songs finish, but is good
all the way and should prove a sat-
isfactory number in any house.
'On the Levee"
Columbia
Time, 7 mins.
Fine Negro Singing
Jules Bledsoe, noted Negro singer,
is featured in this Southern locale
number, devoted mostly to three
numbers by himself, with an ensem-
ble of colored confreres contributing
a few chords. Bledsoe has a power-
ful good voice of the type that usu-
ally is applauded anywhere. Basil
Smith directed.
SILENT
"Outdoor Sports"
Universal Time, 21 mins.
Rip-Roaring
A Sid Savior comedy that is a sure
laugh-provoker. Plenty of good clean
fun. Wifey is making a dress for
auntie. She uses hubby as a dress-
maker's dummy, thereby keeping him
from keeping a bridge engagement.
He gets his chance to escape when
auntie comes to try on the dress.
Donning her clothes, he steals out
of the house. Imagine for yourself
the complications that follow. Final-
ly he manages to get rid of his fem-
inine apparel but not before the cus-
tomers have laughed themselves sore.
Week's Headlines
Monday
Sound and color seen as highlights of 1930
by leaders of the industry, who also view
the coming year as the most prosperous
one in its history.
Producers are marking time on wide film
pictures, waiting until color and sound are
digested by the public.
Fifteen of 27 yejt to come now in produc-
tion at Fox studios for 1929-30 release
program.
Will H. Hays in a report on conditions says
that more expansion is planned by the film
industry in 1930.
Tuesday
C. J. North, chief of the Motion Picture Di- \
vision, Dept. of Commerce, estimates that '
1,800 foreign houses are now wired. '
About 4,000 new projectionists have been i
added since the advent of sound, William
F. Canavan, president of the I.A.T.S.E. 1
& M.P.O. states, also adding that talkers i
have cut union troubles over contracts.
M O-M has 29 releases definitely set for
1930 with the addition of "The Circle,"
Good News" and "The Shooting of Dan
McGrew" to the schedule.
(Heanings from the conference of provincial
censors held in Toronto show that no Fed-
eral censorship is planned in Canada.
Thursday
F-Iays to insist on trial of the suit brought
by Ivan Abramson against 47 corporations
and individuals.
Non-theatrical producers will attend the con-
ference to he held in Washington, D. C,
by the Dept. of Commerce on Feb. 1.
Twenty-four Columbia features set for 1930
production, with four now in work and
others being prepared.
Earnings of Paramount for 1929 are expected
In reach $15,000,000. The company's fourth
quarter figure is established at $5,500,000,
which is approximately 100 per cent greater
than the net for similar period last year.
Friday
Film stocks relatively steady in 1929 as com'
pared with preceding year. Depreciation
in picture issues was less than the decrease
in other basic industries.
Western Electric will appeal German in-
junction in which Klangfilm Tobis scored
in the patent infringement suit.
Six roadshows among Tiffany's output for;
1930; six features completed and similar!
number in work at the Coast studios.
Tiffany signs 2,000 franchise holders in fout
months.
Erno Rapee joins Warner Bros, as musicaij i
director. .i
Today
Issue fireproof screen edit in Philly.
Universal production list for 1930 to ex-|
ceed 40. ]
Tri-State exhibitors set to fight Mississippi tax-.
Hale Elected Head of
Winnipeg Projectionists
(Continued from Page 1)
schooling themselves in the sound
projection field. Joseph Cooper has
been named secretary while E. W.
Ross was made treasurer. Meetings
are being held bi-monthly.
To Build in Martinsburg
Martinsburg, W. Va. — Warners
will build a new 3,500-seat theater
here within 18 months, it was learned
here. H. A. Doman, manager of the
Apollo, a link in the Warner chain,
stated that the company contem-
plated building a theater but no site
had yet been selected.
Fox Liberty Sign
Herkimer, N. Y.— The Fox Lib-
erty has erected a new electric sign
in front of the theater.
9J<f\lHf>OH
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
/OL. LI No. 4
Monday, January 6, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Aaron Saperstein Heads New 111. Unaffiliated Unit
ESTIMATE 57,000 THEATERS IN~WORLD
20 Warner Specials in First Six Months of 1930
Short Thoughts
— on long subjects
=^By JACK ALICOATE^=
"HOSE WHO are devoting time
nd attention to the matter say that
le medium sized and semi-intimate
ouse is so far superior to the large
iiper-theater in the matter of sound
eproduction that the present era
lay see the end of the six thousand
eat house.
low THAT the year end festivi-
es have been wrapped up and put
ack on the shelf for future refer-
nce it's about time for the Kent
onference of S-S-5 dimension to
rting into action. Both Allied and
I.P.T.O.A. seem optimistic, so,
lere you are but where are you?
* * *
ARL LAEMMLE has just been
iiade a fellow of the Royal Society
|f Arts in London. This is a dis-
hiction that has been conferred up-
n but few Americans. Carl Laem-
ile has been an outstanding exam-
le of "What's right with the Indus-
y" ever since his first store show.
o honor can be too great for his
.St achievements.
;• ONSENSUS OF opinion of theater
]wners from many sections of the
Ctuntry is that features could well
■ , pford to be trimmed a bit so as to
.five more time for balancing pro-
: pms with short subjects. The his-
i)ri^ of every branch of the show
jLisiness is that varied programs are
lie safest. Pictures are no excep-
, |0n to the rule.
ROFESSOR POWELL of Smith
ollege makes it known in plain and
iimistakable language that the talk-
s are no aid whatsoever to the uni-
;rsal use of good speech. Of course
this, as in all other matters, the
3od professor is entitled to his opin-
n. Perhaps the next assistant to
ke his place alongside of the direc-
ir will be the professor of spoken
nglish.
FOR ONE YEAR BY RKO
Herbert Brenon, who recently
completed "The Case of Sergennt
Grischa" for RKO, has been giv< a a
year's contract by this compan; . it
is announced by Joseph L Schni'
Brenon is now on his way to
Coast where he will work in
operation with William Le Bare ■
aECT DAVID SARNOFF
PRESIDENTfRCACORP.
David Sarnoff has been elected
president of the Radio Corp. of
America, succeeding James G. Har-
bord, who becomes chairman of the
board of directors in place of Owen
D. Young, who has been named
chairman of a new executive commit-
tee. As vice president and general
(.CotUinued on Page 4)
tpimpsonIppoInied
')s't general manager
Appointment of L. E. Thompson
of R-K-O as assistant general man-
.'g.r of theater operations was
announced Saturday by Joseph
^Itinkett. Thompson will be con-
'i man for Plunkett a. id also in
■ irge of rehabilitation of the na-
i-.uiial chain.
150 Independent Exhibitors
Enroll; 50 More Expected
OPERATORS' m\m
Respective committees of the E :
hibitors' Ass'n of Chicago and tl
International Alliance of Motir
Picture Operators, Local No. 11
(Continued an Page 8)
Chicago — The unafifiliated exhibi-
tor organization formed at a meeting
here recently will be state-wide in
^.ccpe and will be known as the
Illinois Independent Theater Owners,
Inc. Permanent officers have been
elected as follows: Aaron Saperstein,
.'resident; Fred Gilford, vice presi-
'■^nt Sam Halper, secretary, and Sid
li ■, treasurer. Ex-Judge Emanuel
(Continued on Page 2)
**JrlEIEA^.li iniEAIP
««
DT wi^.e.
fiATJ-
Starts To-Day As A > >l In The Film Daily
Figure Investment in
World Industry at
$4,000,000,000
Geneva — Motion picture theaters
throughout the world approximate
57,000, according to a survey made
by the International Labour Office,
which also estimates that capital in-
vested in the world film industry ag-
gregates $4,000,000,000. Half of this
total is invested in American com-
panies. Investment in the British
industry represents $350,000,000.
Of the 57,000 picture houses, 25,-
000 are in Germany and 4,000 in
England, says the Labour Office.
Estimate is made that American the-
aters can accommodate 100,000,000
persons weekly.
R-K-0 ACQOIRES QUIMBY
CHAIN AT FORT WAYNE
Chicago — R-K-O has acquired the
Quimby chain of three houses at
Fort Wayne. Henry Kaufman on
Jan. 12 becomes general manager of
tjie group, it is announced by Nat
J. Blumberg, divisional manager for
R-K-O. He succeeds M. Marcus.
Comprising the chain are the Palace,
Emboyd and Jefferson.
Ask Legislative Inquiry
Into Storage of Films
Albany- — A legislative inquiry into
the manufacture and storage of films
in New York City has been asked by
Leon Leighton, of the Bar Ass'n.
Republican leaders, to whom the de-
mand has been made, are consider-
ing the matter but have no state-
ment to make at this time.
Frances Dade, Newcomer,
to Be Starred by Goldwyn
Frances Dade, stage actress with
no picture experience, has been
signed for five years by Samuel
Goldwyn and \vill first appear as
Ronald Colman's leading woman in
"Raffles."
THE
DAILV
Monday, January 6, 193(
VoL II No. 4 Monday, January 6, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Fi.ms and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St , W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 19 IS'A 19 200
Con. Fm. Ind 16yi le/g 16/. 200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 19 187/8 19 400
East. Kodak 179^4 178K 178^ 200
Fom Fm. "A" .... 23/g 21/8 22 40,400
♦Keith A-0 2054 ••••
♦do pfd 79/a
Loew's, Inc 44H 43 Ji 44^ 200
*do pfd. WW (6J4) 87
*do pfd. xw (6}4) •-• 86
*M-G-M pfd 24
Para. F-L 50^ SO SOS/g 6,900
Pathe Exch ZH ZYa 27A 100
do "A" .5/2 S/i 5/2 200
R-K-O 20J4 20 20J4 1,200
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 30
Warner Bros 40% 40'4 40?^ 2,200
♦do pfd 36ya
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65 ....
•Columia Pets 25%
Fox Thea. "A" .. SJi 5 5 5.200
Gen. Thea. Equ. ..27 26 26 300
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
♦Loew do deb rts 13^ ....
♦Loew's Inc. war 3Ji ....
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 15Ji
♦Nat. Thea. S..p 27}4
♦Paramount new 28 ....
♦Univ. Pict 9!/2
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-0 6s 46 75
♦Loew 6s 41ww 102 ....
♦do 6s 41 x-war 92 ....
Paramount 6s 47 .. 98^ 98^ 98/ 130
Para. By. 5/2s51 .100^ lOOJi 100% 20
♦Patha 7s37 36
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
.♦:•::•::•:«:•::•::•::•:«:•::•:«««««:•:«:•::•::•:««%>
h i.i
ft New York Long Island City ♦{
ft 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. y
ft BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
ft ft
§ 1-^
I Eastman Films i
ft y
i{ L E. Brulatour, Inc. Ij
ft *^ M
\i I
H Chicago Hollywood .'j
» -«_ T J. » . 6700 Santa Monica ♦>
».♦ 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j *.♦
ft CAlumet 2691 Hollywood 4121 §
K •♦•♦♦••♦•♦ ♦♦.•♦.♦♦.♦•-•♦.♦•.•♦♦.♦•.♦•.'•♦Af It*/ — ---*"■-"■--«-
The Broadway Parade
THERE are no changes in the long-run schedule along Broadway this week.
Only one added starter, that being First National's "No, No, Nanette" at the
Strand, which opened Friday with its inauguration of a long-run policy.
Pictura Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"Rio Rita" RKO Globe Oct. 6
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov. 19
"General Crack" .Warners Warners Dec. 3
"The Virginian" Paramount Rialto Dec. 21
"Devil May Care" M-G-M Astor Dec. 22
"Sally" First National Winter Garden. . . .Dec. 23
"The Mighty" Paramount Rivoli Dec. 28
"Seven Keys to Baldpate" RKO Earl Carroll Dec. 25
"Blaze O' Glory". Sono-Art Cohan Dec. 30
"Party Girl" TilTany Gaiety Dec. 30
"No, No, Nanette" First National. . . . Strand Jan. 3
AARON SAPERSTEIN HEADS
NEW ILL. EXHIBITOR UN
(Continued from Page 1)
Eller and Simon Herr will act
legal advisers.
With about ISO independents al
ready enrolled, it is declared, at leas
50 more members are expected. E
timate is made that 90 per cent o
Chicago independents have signed up.
The roster includes the Coston chain
of 24 houses.
WEST COAST PROMOTIONS
X
. AWMlVMH^pallV, iTZ
issociation of color with music to
produce an emotional or esthetic ef-
ect. Defendants claim the idea has
)een used for ages.
Short Subjects
(Cont\»ued from Page 13)
SOUND
42 Houses Installing '
New Type Photophone
Forty-two houses in various partb
of the country are installing the new
Type G model RCA Photophone, it
is announced by General Sales Man-
ager Sydney E. Abel. Distribution
of the device, which is designed ex-
pressly for houses of small seating
capacity, began about 10 days ago.
Universal Pays Off
Six Per Cent Notes
Universal has paid off its outstand-
ing issue of $2,500,000 in 6 per cent
notes, floated two and a half years
ago for maturity on Jan. 1, 1930.
Funds for retiring the obligation w?re
supplied by the company without
further public financing. ,
Rauh Joins Warners'
Eastern Writing Staff
Stanley E. Rauh has been signed
as a staff writer for Warner Bros,
to do originals and special material
for Vitaphone Varieties. He is co-
author of such revues as the "Music
Box," Earl Carroll's "Vanities" and
others. He has also written vaude-
ville sketches for Victor Moore, Sally
Ward, Harry Connelly and many
other headliners.
London Alhambra Goes Talker
London (By Cable) — British Inter-
national Pictures are taking over the
Alhambra, one of the oldest music
halls in England, and putting in a
talker policy, with "Atlantic," British
production, as the first offering.
"The Prince of Wails"
-i^IlClS, XlldUC LiCetdUlttr
George Fors 'the, chief usher at the
California, r^med treasurer at the
Granada; Bei- Naus, former manager
of the Portl; id Rialto, to be house
manager of . le California, assisting
Nat Holt; E A. Foster, added to
the Granada )ublicity staff.
Ray Moon Resigns from
Universal in Detroit
Detroit — Ray Moon, local manager
for Universal, has resigned, and has
accepted another position in this ter-
ritory.
Fire Destroys Wis. House
/.niery. Wis. — -Fire destroyed the
Gem here recently. O. H. Stein-
dorff was manager. The theater will
not be rebuilt.
Star, Monessen, Shows Talkers
Monessen, Pa. — With Westen
Klectric installed at the Star, talk
ing pictures have made their l)o\
here.
To Build in Pearisburg, Va.
Pearisburg, Va. — A coiiibinatioi
theater and apartment building is t
be erected here by Mrs. Frank B
Miller.
Lasky in Mexico City
Mexico City — Jesse L. Lasky is
here on a short vacation with his son.
House Renovated
Massillon, O. — Renovations at the
Lincoln have been completed, ac-
cording to manager Albert E. Met-
calf.
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramoun
Hotel, New York City.
Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" j
the Earl Carroll.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume k
tiyity.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athleti
Club, Hotel Commodore, Ne
York City.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical produce;
at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Cathol
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Will Evans Now Head of
New Film Preservative C(
London — Will Evans, joint manaj
ing director of Gaumont-British an
". C. T., has been named chairma
of the recently formed Developmei
of Industries, Ltd., which is to d
velop a process for the coating !
films and kindred materials. Ass
ciated with Evans are J. Lever and'
Jooper. J. F. Parsons is secretary.
New Engineers' Journal
to Be Printed Monthl
Following the first issue of tl
new Journal of the Society of M. '.
Engineers in the early part of Ja:
uary, the publication will be put o
monthly in place of the semi-annu
Transactions formerly published 1
the Society.
Cancel Reproducer Order
IVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAll
Washington — Plans for the wirii
of the newest and largest theater
Berne, Switzerland have been c
celed, according to advices from t
.\L P. Division of the Dept. of Cos
merce. Prohibitive cost of the soif.
.iiachine necessitated the change
plans, which, incidentally leaves t.,
city with only one sound theat*
Only American sound films have be
shown at the exclusive sound hou
in Berne, it is reported.
Lehar to Write Swanson Talker
Berlin (By Cable)— Franz Leh
composer of "Merry Widow" ai
other famous operettas, has been pe
suaded by Gloria Swanson's husban
the Marquis de la Falaise, to wri
a musical score for a talker in whii
Miss Swanson will appear.
Talkers for Washburn
Washburn, Wis. — The Rex will i
stall sound equipment, according
C. Mitchell, manager.
Collinge Doing Script
Pierre Collinge is doing the ada
tation, continuity and dialogue *
"Dangerous Nan McGrew," whi
will be produced by Paramount
the Long Island studio with Hel
Kane starred.
The Cream of Short Length Features. Gor-
geous, Glamorous Tabloid Singing, Dancing
Musical Entertainments. Singing Stars, Com-
edy Stars, beauty Choruses. Lavishly pro-
duced in full Natural Color (Technicolor.)
echnicolor
Musical
SOUTH SEA
PEARL"
Gaston Glass,
Charlotte Mer-
riaiD. Native danc-
ing in the South
Seas — crooning
native melodies —
native women —
all in beautiiul
color. Directed
by Roy Mack.
**THE
SULTAN'S
JESTER"
Technicolor flash
with Edward Lan-
kow.Roger Davis.
Joyzelle. famous
Oriental dancer,
Randall Adagio
Four, and gor-
geous harem girls.
Singing, Dancing.
Directed by Ro^
Mack.
"THE
MILITARY
POST"
Rdberto Guzman
singing "La Gol-
ondrina" and "La
Luz de la Luna".
Pictiuesque cos-
tumes and settings
of early Caliiomia
days. Entirely in
Technicolor.
HOLIDAY IN
STORYLAND"
with the Vita-
phone kiddies. An
all Technicolor
musical fantasy in-
troducing cele-
brated characters
of storyland. Sing-
ing, Talking,
Dancing. Direct-
ed by Roy Mack.
Ik
'*i
♦
wm^s
.r^ ^;
W\
>~
m
Tks
^>p^
'■'
Pm
L<:^
1^^
^:
^^K 1
ml
;„*ivsv
1
afef
'^POOR
LITTLE
BUTTERFLY
a fantasy of old
Japan entirely in
Natural color
(Technicolor).
Smart, modern,
beautifully cos-
tumed ch<
Singing, Dancing.
Directed by Roy
Mack.
CONTRARY
MARY"
THE
•s^m
DAILV
Monday, January 6, 1930
K.
ELECT DAVID 8ARN0FF
PRE81DENT0[RCA CORP.
(Cemtinued from Page 1)
manager of RCA for several years
past, Sarnofif has been active execu-
tive in developing and co-ordinating
the world-wide activities of the cor-
poration and its various subsidiaries,
including lately the R-K-O theaters,
Radio Pictures, RCA Photophone
and Radio-Victor.
New Cutting Department
an Economy at Warners
Negative economy has been
brought about by Warner Bros, with
establishment of a new department
at its Eastern studio in charge of
William Starr. The department uses
a process whereby dialogue is elimi-
nated from features and replaced
with titles in the language of what-
ever country desired. This does away
with the necessity of making silent
versions on various Vitaphone fea-
tures.
Garrick Changes Management
Winnipeg, Manitoba— The Garrick,
owned by syndicate of local resi-
dents, has been acquired by Henry
A. Morton under a five year lease.
Big Springs House Robbed
Big Springs, Texas.— The Ritz here
was recently robbed when a lone ban-
dit held up the cashier and made his
escape with $100.
Kuykendall Wires School
Columbus, Miss.— This city is to
have its second sound theater when
E. L. Kuykendall, owner of the State
wires the house shortly. The Prin-
cess, owned by the same exhibitor,
was wired some time ago.
Jordan Managing in Wis.
Carcadia, Wis.— Bert Jordan has
taken over the management of the
Strand, and has installed sound
equipment.
i Brin's Appelton House Opened
' Appelton, Wis. — The Brin was
opened last week by L. K. Brip
Enterprises, Inc. L. K. Brin, presi-
dent. Henry Goldenberg, secretary
and Stanley Brown, general manager,
were present at the opening.
Fire in Pitts. House
Pittsburgh, Pa.— A fire which
started in the projection room of
the Palace did a damage of $500. Al-
though there were patrons in the
house at the time no one was in-
jured.
Coast Wire Service
}lollywood Happenings
14 Directors Engaged by
Columbia for New Product
Columbia has augmented its di-
rectorial staff and now has 14 direc-
tors engaged for production on the
company's forthcoming program. In-
cluded in the list are: George B.
Seitz, Earle C. Kenton, Frank R.
Capra, Ira Hards, Patterson McNutt,
Phil Rosen, R. William Neill, John
P. McCarthy, Frank Strayer, George
Archainbaud, Archie Mayo, Victor
Heerman, Karl Brown and A. E.
Van Buren.
Marguerite Padula for "Dixiana"
Marguerite Padula, singer, has
been signed for one of the principal
roles in "Dixiana," first wide screen
production by Radio Pictures. Miss
Padula already has appeared in
RKO's "Hit the Deck," playing the
same role she filled in the Chicago
stage version.
Fox Title Changed
"Fast Workers" now is perman-
ently titled "Hollywood Nights." It's
a Fox production directed by Frank
Strayer with Lola Lane, Joseph
Wagstaff, Frank Richardson, Dixie
Lee, Walter Catlett, Sharon Lynn
and Ilka Chase.
Robson Student Director
William N. Robson has been
named a student director by Para-
mount.
A Little
from
'Lots"
Exhibitors
Daily Heminder
Mi» By RALPH WILK ^^
HoUynvood
WHEN George O'Brien, Rex Bell
Edward Marin, Ad Schaumer
and Max Gold go into a huddle the
subject is usually basketball.
« * *
Joseph Jackson is believed to
have hung up a writing record dur-
ing 1929. He wrote the dialogue
for 19 features and three shorts
He also wrote "Be Yourself," ar
original, which served as a starring
vehicle for Fannie Brice. "The Sing
ing Fool," "Mammy" and "Say I'
With Songs," starring Al Jolsov
were among the pictures for which
he fashioned the dialogue.
* ♦ *
Grace Hayes is busy at Uni-
versal, where she is working
in "The King of Jazz" revue,
starring Paul Whiteman. The
singing comedienne has long
been a vaudeville and revue
favorite.
Hersholt for Vitaphone Operetta
Jean Hersholt has been signed by
Warners for a prominent role in the
first operetta written directly for the
screen. The title is "Viennese
Nights" and is the work of Oscar
Hammerstein II and Sigmund Rom-
berg. .A.lan Crosland will direct.
A good time to
join that Civic
Club. Get friend-
ly with the busi-
ness men whose
friendship mean
something.
Monday, January 6, 1930
William Wolf Managing
RKO Branch in 'Frisco
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco — William G. Wolf,
formerly of Denver, has replaced
.A.l)e Markowitz as manager of the
local RKO exchange. Markowitz
resigned, and has not announced his
new connection.
Paquin Buys Fifth Theater
Hull, Quebec — Donat Paquin lia^
purchased his fifth theater with the
taking over of the Regent, Gatineau.
Quebec. The exhibitor has three
houses in this city and one in Ot-
tawa. The Regent will be reopened
shortly.
N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Los Angeles — Max B. DuPont
Vitacolor Corp. has filed suit against
Multicolor Films, Inc.; Binocular
Stereoscopic Film Co., and several
individuals alleging that the defend-
ants have infringed a patent held by
the plaintiffs relating to coloring of
photographic images. Preliminary
and permanent injunctions are
sought as well as an accounting of
past profits.
O'Brien Improved
Pembroke, Ont. — The O'Brien has
been enlarged, remodeled, wired and
improved.
Johnson at Janesville, Wis.
Janesville, Wis. — The Myers re-
opened under the management of
Joseph Johnson.
Select Installs Sound
Mineola, Texas — Sound has been
installed at the Select.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — John Kirby, lo-
cal representative for Paramount, has
been transferred to the Philadelphia
exchange to take over work formerly
done by Mike Landow, who has
joined Louis Appell in York.
New York
TheWagnerian Opera-Tone Co. has
been formed and has entered into an
agreement with Melodv Productions,
Inc., for filming the works of Rich-
ard Wagner at its New York stu-
dios. Translations are being arrang-
ed for presentation in English.
Troy — Oscar G. Horowich has
leasing the Astor from William
T. Shyne and will reopen the house
for the first time in many years.
Sound will be installed.
Jamaica — John Jacobs, who for-
merly managed the Fairmount in
Philadelphia, is now with the R-K-O
Rand here.
Foreign
Sydney — Two changes have been
n'.ade in the Union Theaters' organi-
sation. Harry Strachan, recently in
cliarge of the vaudeville department,
now is assistant manager of the State,
succeeding E. Halls, Ferg B. Mason
has been placed in charge of the
Crystal Palace following his transfer
from U. T. houses in Tasmania.
Four Kipp Installations
Dallas — Kipp sound equipment is
now installed at the Palace, Loving.
N. M.: Queen, Crosby ton; Palace,
Grapevine and Princess at Vassalc,
Texas.
Machines for Every School
Cleveland — .Although there arc
about 30 motion picture machines in
local schools, R. G. Jones, superin-
tendaiit of schools, has promised tlic
installation of a machine in ever\
building very soon.
Luton House Opens
London — The Alma Super Kinema,
owned by Leicester Square Estates,
Ltd., of which Sir Walter Gibbons
is chairman, and Adney Gibbons
managing director, has opened al
Luton. Western Electric and Mag-
nascope have been installed.
Rio de Janerio — The Roy Chandler
Co. has just sold to *he Federal Govt,
of Brazil stage and house lighting
equipment for the new theater being
built by the government.
Johnson at Neillsville, Wis.
Neillsville, Wis. — C. L. Johnson
has been appointed manager of the
.'Kdler here.
Sound for Colby House
Colby, Wis. — The Badger has re-
opened following the installation of
sound eciuipment.
National, Cleveland, Goes Sound
Cleveland — Tone-O-Graph has
been installed at the National, E. 55th
-St., owned by Sam Barck.
THE
Monday, January 6, 1930
-.ggg^
DAILV
««SEE A^D HEAR
•' A Brief History of Motion Pictures
and the Development of Sound
95
Chapter" I
1
The Genesis of the Motion Picture
/^NE stands on a high mountain and sees long lines of men, tvotnen,
\J and children moving slowly forzvard. They come from every-
where. They are rosy-cheeked girls from the farms, and their paler-
faced sisters from the cities tvhose feet ache from long hours of stand-
ing behind bargain counters. There are plow hoys, and sons of mil-
lionaires, and boys with the sallow cheeks of the tenements. There are
old zvomen with hands reddened and coarsened by work, and with
eves grown listless zvith long zvaiting. There are old men who hobble
oil crooked sticks, and children zmth the flash of the sun's gold in their
hair and the happy laughter of innocence in their voices. There are
the schoolboy, and the savant, and the man of no learning at all. There
arc men and women of every race and of every tongue, moving slowly
forzvard, seeking something, seeking, searching, yearning — asking for
a place to dream. All about them is the roar of the cities, the confused,
jangling noises of life that is hurried, rushed, propelled forzvard at a
breathless speed. Every minute of every hour of every day they come
— millions of them. And over and above thetn, and in front of them,
attracting them on, offering that which they desire, are billions of
flicftering sliadozvs — the motion picture. Who shall estimate its im-
portance? Who shall attempt to say what it memis to the world?
have given thought and research and
study to the motion picture for itself
in its broader aspects. That is nat-
ure enough. In parallel, most of u
want to experience and enjoy health
but we are not on the whole vastlv
interested in physiology. But if wc
are to realize what the motion pic
ture is and endeavor to think about
it intelligently, we must give some
heed to its inner facts. No superficial
judgment of the motion picture haf
ever proved correct. Excellent rea
sons can be found for even its most
bizarre manifestations, if one can see
the screen from a broad angle, broad
enough to take in all the facts.
Civilization follows the tools. The
motion picture is the newest, and
maybe the best, tool or instrument
of the art of expression — and expres
sion is the all of art. By art, mar
lives the fullness of life. Art is hi'
triumph and release from all limita
tions of time and place and every
manner of awkward fact. Art give
him many lives by vicarious living.
No one can fairly draw the line'
that bound art, science, industry and
religion from each other. Our civ
ilization is a bl'-nding of them all
The motion picture is at once thei-
product and servant.
You can turn to the writings o'
the scholars and the exhibits of thf
museums and trace there the entire
cenealogy of the art and industrv o'
the motion picture as a tool. Yor
will find interesting evidence that the
roots of the motion picture run bacV
into the unrecorded beginnings o''
human consciousness.
The motion picture is the epitome
of civilization and the quintessence of
what we mean by "America."
Those are bold, maybe challenging
words; but I believe that the motion
picture's own story, its history and
its proper achievements and antici-
pations are warrant enough.
Civilization may be said to be made
up of four vital components: indus-
try, science, art and religion. The
motion picture will, upon examina-
tion, be found significantly to derive
from and partake of the functions of
all these.
Let us set it down immediately:
the motion picture is a great social
necessity, an integral part of human
life in the whole civilized world. The
thoughtful man can have no patience
with those who would casually
pigeonhole "the movies" with the
ephemeral and passing whims that
flutter through the current of amuse-
ments. We have had the motion pic-
ture now these three decades, de
veloping and exploring its destin}
through the ordeals of experience and
demonstrating increasingly its fun-
damental values of service.
It is painfully true that not many
certainly not enough, people know
the motion picture institution. A
great many persons know the fame
of screen personalities, a great man>
have marveled at the swift prosper
ity of the industry as evidencecl \v
some spectacular careers, a vast pub
lie patronizes the screen for its prod
ucts, but exceedingly few indeed, and
some of them decidedly prejudiced
By-^3^.^vCy
Acknowledgment is made to
Doubleday-Doran for permis-
sion to reprint portions of a
chapter on motion pictures
which appeared in "A Century
of Industrial Progress" issued
by The American Institute.
It is a fascinating progression that
has brought us the motion picture as
the newest and best way of telling
things, the most direct route alike to
the emotions and the intelligence. It
began with pantomime, with by-
paths into the spoken word, and
evolved into drawing, pictography
and alphabets and written language,
with other by-paths into sculpture
and painting, and with paralleling
evolutions of dance and song and
ritual and pageantry and lastly
drama. Expression ramified into ap:
parently divergent arts as tools de-
veloped. All this development wa5
merely toward better ways of telling
things, more effective drives into the
consciousness of the audience. The
motion picture stands in direct line
of descent and it is as definitely the
offspring and descendant of the first
primitive effort to re-create events for
others by telling in word and ges-
ture, as the motor car is the descen-
dant of the first ox-cart that creaked
over the Aryan plain.
There will be little space indeed
to tell any such a complex storv here
but an examination into the histor'
of the motion picture will amaze on^
with the array of savants and priest^,
and preachers and painters and sci-
entists and magicians who have vital-
ly figured in its evolution.
Expression means making the
other man feel what you feel, see
what you see. That is all that any
of the arts are for, whether the ex-
pression is in marble or paint or
stage drama or printer's ink. Let w-
nut it down that the motion picturp
is the new, and possibly final, iiistru-
ment of doing it and doing it more
perfectly than it was ever done be-
fore.
We have arrived at the motion
picture just about as early as it was
possible to evolve it as a new tool
from the older tools developed ahead
of it. It had to wait on mechanics,
optics and chemistry. It came, as
so many others of the great new ne-
cessities of the new life of our era
came, on the wave of American in-
vention, and like all other great in-
ventions it has its debts to the cen-
turies of European endeavor that
have gone before.
And let me pause a moment to say
here that there are special reasons
perhaps why America should have
given birth and prosperous nurture
to the motion picture as a world art.
America is in a very literal sense the
world-state. All races, all creeds, all
the manners of men that exist on the
globe, are to be found here — work-
ing, sharing and developing side by
side in a reasonable degree of under-
standing and friendship, more friend-
ship among greater diversities of
tribes and men than all the previous
history of the world discloses. Amer-
ica's people do not speak of them-
selves primarily as Germans, Eng-
lishmen, Greeks or Frenchmen; as
Catholics, Hebrews, Protestants, but
as Americans. Ours is probably the
least uniform of all nations in the
sense that France is French and
Russia, Russian. But it is, at the
same time, the greatest single unity
among all nations, because America
represents a harmony of diversified
interests, all of which blend as do the
pieces in an orchestra into one deep-
toned symphony. Is it not possible
that this very quality of harmonized
diversities enabled America to ex-
press itself to the world by the cre-
ation and the development of the
world's most universal method of ex-
pression— the motion picture? The
nation required a method of univer-
sal expression. The motion picture
is that method.
{Continued Tomorrozv)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
TO-MORROW
Second Installment
of
Chapter I
WEDNESDAY
Chapter II
"An Industry's
Early Days"
Don't Miss This Interesting
and Instructive Series
EVERY DAY
IN THE FILM DAILY
THE
■^^
DAILV
Monday, January 6, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Modern Director Must Have
An Eye for Color Effects
A KNOWLEDGE of color and
an eye for it is just as vital
to a director of motion pictures
in black-and-white photography
as it is to one directing an all-
color picture. Color harmonies
and color clashes play a vital
part in the psychology of a pic-
ture. They can be used to soft-
en moods or make them severe.
They can be used to arouse an
emotional clash in the spectator
or key him up to nervous excite-
ment.
Ray Enright, Director
Extra Precautions Are Urged
For the Prevention of Fires
THERE is an old saying about
locking the door after some-
one had stolen the horse. Let's
not wait until we have had bad
fires to check up our fire pre-
vention apparatus. Extinguish-
ers should be inspected and test-
ed regularly. Exits should be
kept clear at all times. On var-
ious occasions we have seen exits
jammed with scenery and other
back stage paraphernalia. Every
precaution possible should be
made, the cost is not great as
against the loss occasioned by
fire. The recent fire in Los Ang-
eles and New York should stand
as vivid reminders that fires will
happen. Check over your entire
theater today and see where a
costly fire is just waiting a
chance to put you out of busi-
ness. Heavily draped and padd-
ed sound houses add extra fire
hazards, see that these drapes
are protected or are of flame
proof material. Above all, pro-
tect your customers and yourself.
Insurance is all right; but is a
poor excuse for carelessness.
Motion Picture Record,
Seattle
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
WILLIAM WELLMAN
French army
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
ALEXANDER GRAY made another bow on Broadway the
other night at the premiere of "No, No, Nanette," the lad
previously having shown himself before the gang at the opening
of "Sally," this his first chance. Alice Terry and Rex Ingram
have returned to Nice from Cannes and the Riviera and will start
production on "Rio Grande" Ingram's first all talker
* ♦ * »
Michael Mindlin, director of the Fifth Ave. Playhouse, was
honored by a letter from Mayor Walker commending him for
the introduction of his new policy of showing talkers in languages
other than English. "The Royal Box" with Alexander Moissi
and Camilla Horn, produced entirely in German, is current at
the theater
In the current issue of The Nation, the Newsreel Theater
was given mention on the honor roll for 1929 under the heading
of drama. "The Newsreel Theater, for the establishment of a
unique institution where one may enjoy the talkie-newspaper
without waiting for the end of somebody's super-feature," con-
tinued the mag
David Drollet, tenor, contributes some good work to the
Roxy presentation with the rendering of "Miserere" from "II
Trovatore," which he sings with Viola Philo. David began his
musical career at the musical centers of Europe. During the
war he served with the French army It seems Johnny
Hines landed a healthy bank roll in the market recently and is
just rolling along
* * * *
Up at the Colony they thought so well of "Hell's Heroes,"
the Peter B. Kyne story, that the film is being held over for a
second week. Understand, Moran & Mack, George Bancroft
Gary Cooper, Mary Brian, Jack Oakie, Skeets Gallagher, James
Hall and a gang of others gave the boys from U. of Pittsburgh
football team the glad mit before the big game with the Coast
team. What good did it do them?
* ♦ * ♦
Gus Shy, comedian of "Good News" and "The New Moon."
has been signed by M-G-M, giving the company full option on
his service for an extended period. Wonder how long that is?
Well, in addition to appearing in "Good News" for M-G-M, Gus,
it is whispered may take a crack at directing, staging dances
or writing dialogue and adaptations
* ♦ ♦ *
The first Spanish version of an American two reel comedy,
"Ladrones," will be shown tomorrow at Loew's 116th St., N. Y.
This is the first of a series of Spanish and French comedies now
being prepared at the Hal Roach studios for M-G-M. The
English version of the same film, "Ladrones," now is being
shown at the Astor, N. Y Muchos Gracias.
* ♦ ♦ *
What do you know about the technical detail of the various
color processes now being used in production?
The forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK con-
tains a comprehensive outline of the major processes now being
used.
JANUARY 6-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Phyllis Haver
Ruth Hiatt
Tom Mix
Fred Niblo
Ludwig Berger
Joy M. Schreck
Loretta Young
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
ANOTHER squawk from a dis-
illusioned reader of this kolyum.
Seems that a lotta guys read the
western side of this page every morn,
and take it seriously. On that spell-
ing contest we stated that you could
make bets and pick up some easy
dough from folks who thought they
were experts on the dictionary. And
doggone if this cuckoo Justin Her-
man, news editor of the Emanuel-
Goodwin sheets, doesn't bet his
stenog five berries. Well, any bird
who makes bets with his secretary
deserves to lose. Besides, gambling
around a business office undermines
the morale and creates a contretemps
($7 word for Tough Spot) that no
guy should get into with his stenog.
* * * Here's Justin's yowl:
Dear Phil: What a fine p- -i
are! You publish a list of ten words
in your punk colyum — tip your read-
ers off that "if you want to make
some easy money just bet one of
these 'expert' spellers that he won't
get more than 50% correct. It's a
cinch bet."
Oh, yeah?
Thinkink I'll make some easy coin,
I take the matter up with our Miss
I Georgia Yeager (you oughta give
this little girl a hand) who pounds
the typewriter in our office, and bet
her five bucks she can't spell half
of your list correctly.
She not only spelled six out of the
en correctly, but she questions the
spelling of "sacriligious," claiming
that it should be "sacrilegious." I
don't know. I never laid claim to be
a speller. All I know is that I'm out
five bucks.
Dear Georgia: Now that we've
trimmed that boss of yours, don't I
get part of the loot? Will drop in
soon. Phil.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Arthur M. Brillant leaves Para-
mount to join International Film Co.
Marcus Loew, David Bernstein
and Nicholas M. Schenck principal
stockholders in 83rd St. Theater
Corp.
Edwin Frazee forms Frazee Film
Prod.; plans to build Coast studio.
Community Amusement Co. capi-
talized at $200,000 is formed at To-
ledo.
VALUE
there must
be something
to the age old
thought that
reader inter-
est in a publi-
cation brings
results to the
advertiser
for the film
.mM 4fM - -'M I
Theaters is "the imminence of three
talker developments: color, depth and
the much-discussed wide-film, not
combined." This is the substance of
(Continued on Page 2)
Milwaukee Rejects Motion
to Abolish Censorship
Milwaukee — Censorship will con-
tinue in this city as a result of the
City Council appropriating the sum
of $2,300 for the motion picture com-
mission. A motion denying this ex-
penditure was killed by a vote of 6
to 2.
.-r K
ments announced include Marion ti
Folsom, to be assistant treasurer
Dr. Albert K. Chapman, productioj
manager; Myron Hayes, assistarl
manager of camera works; C. j|
Van Niel and H. L. Stearn, assistan
comptrollers.
New Officers Appointed
for RCA-Victor Compan;
E. K. MacEwan has been appoint
ed secretary of RCA-Victor Co. Ino
according to E. E. Shumaker, presi
dent. Other changes of officers i
(Coniinited on Page 4)
Market Condition is Factor
in Delaying Equity Effort^
— Greater activitv on the nart of ni
at any time
in its history*
THE
j^^
DAILV
Monday, January 6, 1930
OPERATORS' CONTRACT
(Continued from Page 1)
have opened negotiations for renewal
of working contracts which expire
Jan. 11. Representing exhibitors are:
Emil Stern, John Balaban, James
Coston, Jack Miller, Ludwig Siegel,
Sidney Meyers, Mort Singer, V. T.
Lynch, and Clarence E. Beck. The
projectionists' committee include
Thomas E. Maloy, Frank H. Clif-
ford, Thomas J. Reynolds, HU John-
son, and James Sloneker.
On behalf of exhibitors, Jack Mil-
ler has presented the following writ-
ten demands:
1. On account of scale of wages being so
high, fractions of hours in overtime should
he figured in quarters, not half hours.
2. Upon observation, a large majority of
exhibitors find that the operators have plenty
of time during the operation of a show to
take care of batteries, and the overtime charge
for this should be eliminated.
3. Some observations show that where
"film only" machines are used, that one opera-
tor is sufficient.
4. When engineers are called for inspec-
tions, there is absolutely nothing f.r two
operators to do, and one man only is needed
to be with engineer.
5. Our present working agreement calls
for "that when a man is called for inspec-
tion, such as above mentioned, he should be
paid from the time of call until show time."
Our new conditions make this impossible, and
we believe that once a week one operator
should be on call and paid for as many hours
as are used in this inspection.
6. The efficiency of the permit men in our
theaters is a great deal less tha". the efficiency
of the old time operators in the majority of
cases and we believe that the scale of wages
for permit men should be at least $15.00 less
than the card men.
7. When the scale for the small down-
town houses was made, the theaters were first
run houses and the best theaters in town.
This condition is entirely changed now and
there must be an adjustment for the scale of
wages in these theaters .
'Ihe projectionists' committee, in turn, pre-
sented their demands, which follow;
1. Operators to work six days a week, and
get paid on seven day basis.
2. An additional operator in every de luxe
house in Chicago.
3. Operators must be paid for one-half
hour when they come early to prepare shows.
Some difficulty was met when Miller and
the operators' committee found that on ac-
count of the formation of the new independent
organization of exhibitors, by Aaron Saper-
stein and ex-Judge EUer, the exact status of
both organizations was difficult to figure out.
The entire matter was held over to the next
meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 7, in
the meantime, the Miller organization has dis-
patched telegrams to nearly all of their mem-
bers asking them "whether they wented the
[iresent association to negotiate for them or
not." It is understood the new organization,
Illinois Theater Owners, Inc., would attempt
to negotiate for their members, many of them
who have bolted the Miller organization.
It is on account of the seeming muddled con-
dition of the membership lists that the wires
were telegraphed to all members by Miller,
asking them to openly align themselves with
either his organization or the new inde-
pendents' association.
Europe is Going Slow on
Talkers, Joe Brandt Says
Talkers face a much different situa-
tion in Europe than they do in
America, with the foreign countries
proceeding more slowly and conser-
vatively in an effort to adjust them-
selves to the new conditions, accord-
ing to Joe Brandt, president of
Columbia, who recently returned
from abroad.
"l^ack of population and limited distribu-
tion are impediments to the general adoption
of audible films," Brandt says. "As tar as
Great Britain is concerned, although the
British trade was at the outset skeptical ot
the permanency of the talking innovation, the
British exhibitors and producers lost no time
to take advantage of the new development and
place their orders for both recording and
reproducing equipment for immediate installa-
tion.
"As to the public approval of the talking
picture, the British public have taken tc it as
Keenly as the American public, and exhibitors
appreciate that never in the history of the
Ousiness have they taken in such phenomenal
grosses as they have on the talking pictures.
"While at the moment England is not
equipping as fast as the United States, never-
theless the orders are in and I look for ^
material increase in the number of wireu
theaters within the next few months.
"With regard to the producing activities
in England, the British International, Max-
well's organization, has equipped its studios
with KCA equipment and has done some very
good recording. British Dominions, Herbert
Wilcox company, up to the time I left was
the only studio equipped with Western Elec-
tric equipment. British Gaumont has been
successfully recording on British Acoustics.
"The Gainsborough organization, of which
Michael Balcon is the managing director has
set out to make a number of pictures this year
and from all appearances the exhibitors in
Lireat Britain will have no trouble in seeming
the number of necessary talking pictures to
meet the quota.
"The situation in France is a bit more com-
plicated than that of Great Britain. The
most progressive organization in France for
the development of reproduction and recording
of sound is the establishment of Jacques Haik.
"Pathe Nathan was equipping their studio.
The producers of France contemplate that
they will, as soon as they can get proper
studio installations, produce as many French
talking pictures within a period of eighteen
months as they did during a year's period
when they were making silents.
'The installation of machines in France
has been held back considerably because of
the indecision as to the proper system to in-
stall.
"The situation in Germany is rather chaotic
due to the suits that are pending and the
injunctions that have been granted against
American devices.
"Austria is in a very peculiar position,
l>ecause geographically Austria cannot afford
10 make talking pictures. Its market is very
restricted and even during the silent days
Austria was not able to show a very big
profit on any pictures that were made at home,
installations have been very slow and many
lawsuits have been started to restrain those
exhibitors who wanted to install American
machines.
"in Italy there has been a more progressive
state of mind among exhibitors as far as
installation of machines are concerned. In
the principal cities there have been a great
many installations and showing of pictures.
"The other countries such as Hungary and
ihe Balkans are apparently going very slow
on the matter of installations, as they realize
that they cannot produce in their own country
p.ctures in which their native tongue is used.
"Kussia seems to be going ahead on the
basis of a definite program to manufacture
talking pictures.
"i^rom my talk with several representa-
tives of circuits in the Far East, it seems as
if those countries, particularly India, Aus
cralia and Africa are going ahead in a big
way to develop the talking picture phase oi
the business and are installing machines
rapidly. Japan also installed machines m the
Key cities and already several of the Ameri-
ran talking pictures have been shown in these
cities."
Amplitone for Bklyn., House
The new 1930 Royal Amplitone
sound device is being installed at the
Van Buren in Brooklyn. The house
is scheduled to open tomorrow with
Herman Lightston, manager.
Morgan With Red Seal
Milwaukee — Mark Morgan is again
manager of the Red Seal exchange
here.
Twenty Warner Specials in
First Six Months of 1930
(Continued from Page 1)
..^.., II. «»vivaiii\jii iw app<.aiiiig 111 vjv-iuu xwwa lUl iVJ.-\_J-lVl, VjrUb,
it is whispered may take a crack at directing, staging dances
or writing dialogue and adaptations
tf -^ ■^ *
The first Spanish version of an American two reel comedy,
"Ladrones," will be shown tomorrow at Loew's 116th St., N. Y.
This is the first of a series of Spanish and French comedies now
being prepared at the Hal Roach studios for M-G-M. The
English version of the same film, "Ladrones," now is being
shown at the Astor, N. Y Muchos Gracias.
4: * * *
What do you know about the technical detail of the various
color processes now being used in production?
The forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK con-
tains a comprehensive outline of the major processes now being
used.
JANUARY 6-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Devil May Care"
Beacon — "Second Choice"
Cameo — "The Man from the Restaurant"
Capitol — "The Hollywood Revue"
Carnegie — "The Farmer's Wife"
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Hell's Heroes"
Criterion — "The Love Parade"
Earl Carroll — "Seven Keys to Baldpate"
Fifth Ave.— "The Royal Box"
Fifty-fifth St.— "Throw of the Dice"
FUm Guild— "The Golem"
Gaiety — "Party Girl"
Globe— "Rio Rita"
George M. Cohan — "Blaze O' Glory"
Hippodrome — "The Racketeer"
Loew's New York — Monday, "Welcome Dan-
ger" ; Tuesday, "The Girl from Wool-
worths"; Wednesday, "South Sea Rose,"
"Around the World with the Graf Zeppe-
lin"; Thursday, "The Mysterious Island";
Friday, "His First Command"
Strand — "No, No, Nanette"
Paramount — "The Laughing Lady"
Rialto — "The Virginian "
Rivoli — "The Mighty"
Roxy — "Hot for Paris"
Warners — "General Crack"
Winter Garden — "Sally"
FIRST NEWSREEL THEATER
OPENING IN CLEVELAND
Cleveland — Inauguration of tliei
first newsreel house here is expected !
to take place shortly when Wallace
Elliott will open the Princess with
this policy. The house will be man-
aged by James Elliott.
Petrovitch in Int'nat'l Talker
Berlin — The Greenbaum Film Co.
plans to produce an international
talking film in France in which Ivan
Petrovitch will star, Herr Millakow-
ski, head of the company announces.
Al-'lakowski intends to collaborate '
with a French producing company in
the making of the film.
Vogel Transferred
Cleveland — Eugene Vogel has been
transferred to the local M-G-M ex-
change from Detroit.
Rivoli Reopens
New Haven — The Rivoli, after
complete renovations, has reopened
with sound pictures.
De Vos at Erin Theater
Menasha, Wis. — Jack De Vos, man-
ager of the Brin here, has been ap-
pointed manager of the new Brin
house at Appelton, Wis., which
opened last week.
All-India Film Finished
Sydney— "A Throw of the Dice,"
an all-Indian picture, has been com-
pleted by British Instructional and
will soon be readv for release.
Hester Gets Danville Property
Danville, Va. — J. C. Hester has
succeeded Leo P. Garner as man-
ager of the properties of Danville
Theaters, Inc., according to an an-
nouncement by Garner.
Sound for San Saba Ritz
Sr"" Saba, Texas — Sound has been
.installed at the Ritz.
Exhibitor Not Guilty
Jacksonville, Texas — Clifford
ter recently tried here on a ch .jr New Corpus - Christi House
of operating his theater on Sur iav^j Corpus Christi, Texas — The new
was found not guilty. R ^•- R has opened here.
Loftsgordon at Madison
Madison, Wis.^ — The Eastwood
been opened here in charge of ]
man Loftsgordon.
Lantex Installs Sound
no, Texas — After remodeling
istallation of sound, the Lantex
pened.
iTHE
^/'FILMDOM
ALL THE MEWS
ALL THE TIME
70L. LI No .5
Tuesday, January 7, 1930
Price 5 Cents
See Better Basis for Equity -Producers Conferences
BILL PROPOSES GOVTCONTROL oF FILMS
20 Already Lined Up for 1930 Production by RKO
The "Wide-ies"
— present a problem
'^^^By JACK ALICOATE^=
SOUND came, was heard and
conquered and is now just
as important a part of this
great art, business or industry as
Hollywood, the Roxy Theater or
Tammany Young. Along came
color, was pleasing to the eye,
helped generally to make a bright
sequence brighter and has moved
in bag and baggage to be with us,
like our poor relations, until death
us do part. And now we have an-
other strapping big youngster
knocking at the gates, affection-
ately christened the "Wide-ies."
They have already presented their
calling card, shown their wares,
and been more or less enthusiasti-
cally received. And therein, afore-
mentioned and to wit, lies the
tiduble. There is not only one
wide film but several. Each of
different genealogy and all of de-
cidedly different proportions.
Trouble Ahead
Before it reaches the stage of actual
warfare someone should place the
wide film problem before the Su-
preme Court of the United States, the
League of Nations or Nathan Bur-
kan. To the best of our knowledge
and belief this obviously simple prob-
lem is now further from settlement
and standardization than when it
started. Here we have Paramount
with Magnafilm, Fox with Grandeur,
RCA with the Spoor-Berggren
method and Warner Brothers with
still another and yet unnamed proc-
ess, all of different size and all using
different equipment.
A Tower of Babel
The difficulty presents to most film-
folk concerned a sort of Tower of
Babel problem with most everyone
interested asking why some sort of
(.Continued on Page 2)
Plans Call for Numerous
Additions to List in
Next Few Months
Twenty pictures already are on
the production calendar of RKO for
1930, and according to present plans
numerous additions to the list will
be made in the next few months.
Two of the principal features sched-
uled to go in work this year,
"Dixiana" and "Radio Revels," be-
long to the 1931 release year. On
(Continued on Page 4)
TALKER DMOPMENTS
INFWEXPANSION
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — "Another phase of
future possibilities" that has influ-
enced expansion plans of West Coast
Theaters is "the imminence of three
talker developments: color, depth and
the much-discussed wide-film, not
combined." This is the substance of
(Continued on Page 2)
Milwaukee Rejects Motion
to Abolish Censorship
Milwaukee — Censorship will con-
tinue in this city as a result of the
City Council appropriating the sum
of $2,300 for the motion picture com-
mission. A motion denying this ex-
penditure was killed by a vote of 6
to 2.
Hunt ''Fire" Joker
Ottawa — Manager Joseph
Paquin of the Francis is offer-
ing $100 reward for arrest of
the alleged joker who almost
caused a stampede by yelling
"Fire!" while 1,500 persons
were watching a performance.
Quick action of employees in
manning the exits averted a
probable panic.
8TUBER flSS'T VICE-PRES.
Rochester, N. Y. — Adolph Stuber,
manager of the Eastman Kodak
camera works, has been made assist-
ant vice president of the company,
with his activities centered in the
sales department. Other appoint-
ments announced include Marion B.
Folsom, to be assistant treasurer;
Dr. Albert K. Chapman, production
manager; Myron Haj'es, assistant
manager of camera works; C. J.
Van Niel and H. L. Stearn, assistant
comptrollers.
New Officers Appointed
for RCA-Victor Company
E. K. MacEwan has been appoint-
ed secretary of RCA-Victor Co. Inc.,
according to E. E. Shumaker, presi-
dent. Other changes of officers in
(Continued on Page 4)
Market Condition is Factor
in Delaying Equity Efforts
SAYSONLYIOP.CABROAD
UNDERSTANDO.S.TALKER$
Less than 10 per cent of the thea-
ter patrons in foreign countries un-
derstand English well enough to un-
derstand the plot of American talkers,
(Continued on Page 2)
Greater activity on the part of pic-
ture companies in backing stage
plays is expected to exercise an im-
portant influence in the situation
when the Actors' Equity resumes its
efforts for a uniform contract in the
film industry, it is learned by THE
FILM DAILY. Unfavorable con-
dition of the stock market in the last
few months is said to have been one
of the chief factors in delaying fur-
(Continued on Page 4)
Censorship of Industry,
However, Not Asked
by Lankf ord
Washington Bureau, of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Creation of a Dept.
of Public Welfare to control mo-
tion pictures and radio is proposed
in a bill introduced in the House
yesterday by Congressman Lankford
of Georgia.
The proposed department would
prepare such films as might be re-
quired by the Government and would
furnish suitable pictures to schools,
churches and lodges. No censorship
over the industry, however, is con-
templated in the bill.
$l.flOO,OfWYEAR
ESTIMATEHY COLUMBIA
Based on the $227,000 reported for
the first quarter, Columbia Pictures
estimates that its net earnings for
the current fiscal year, ending June
30, will be not less than $1,000,000,
equivalent to $9.25 on the common
(Continued on Page 3)
Another Tax Reduction
is Expected in Ontario
Toronto — With the Ontario gov-
ernment announcing a big surplus for
1929, exhibitors in this province are
(Continued on Page 3)
SEE aod HEAR'
From the Volume
Just Published
b> Will H.Hays
Is Now Running
Serially
EVERY DAY
in
The FILM DAILY
DAILY
Tuesday, January 7, 1930
TiL II No. 5 Tuesday, January 7, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1050 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and !■ ilm
Folks Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday^
New York. Hollywood, California — Kalph
VVilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St, W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolflfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
F'riedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
I.a Cinematographic Francaise, Kue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 21/. 20 21 SOU
Om. Fm. IiKl. ... \m 16/. 16/. 20u
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 20 19/ 20 400
Fast Kodak 178/ 176 17o 300
Fox Fm -A" ... 23/4 20/ 22/115,400
Keith A-O 20/ ....
,lo nfd '5'-
Locw^s inc 44'4 44/ 44/ 1,.300
<lo pfd. WW (6/) II
t^'^^. ''^'.^ 23/ / -100
Para FL 51 49/ 51 3,300
^X Exch 3 27/s 3 1,000
do "A" 5/ 5/ 5/ 100
RK-O 2m 19-^ 2\H 6,000
*Univ Pict. pfd 30 ....
\V.-,rner Bros .... 41/ 40/ 41^8 8,600
■do pfd 36/ ....
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
■]!al. & Katz 65 ....
Columbia Pets 23'/8 ....
lox Thea. "A" . S/g 4/ = 18,500
lien. Thea. Equ. . 27 27 27 200
Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do del), rts 13/4 ••••
Loew-s inc. war .. 3J4 354 3M 100
Nat. Scr. Ser IS^/s ....
*Nat. Thea. Sup 27 !4
•Univ. Pict 9/
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
■Keith A-O 6s 46 75 ....
I. now 6s 41ww ..102Ji 102 102 40
■do 6s 41 xwar 92 ....
Paramount 6s 47 .. 99 98/ 98/ l-'O
I'ar By. 5/s SLlOlJi 101 101 40
I'-ithc 7s 37 .... 40 39J^ 40 60
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
The "Wide-ies"
— present a problem
(Conlinued from Page 1)
amicable settlement or compromise
cannot be reached between the com-
panies themselves that would work
out mutually of benefit to everybody.
No one will question the fact that
wide film is practical, an improve-
ment and may soon go into universal
use. Its size and equipment should by
all means be standardized so that it
would not be hampered with the
growing pains incidental to the com-
ing of sound and color.
TALKER DEVELOPMENTS
INFLUENCE EXPANSION
(Continued from Page 1)
a statement made by Harold B.
Franklin, president of the circuit, in
announcing additional construction
plans which embrace nine more
cities, now totaling 23.
New sites announced are in the
following cities: Stockton, Cal.,
Phoenix, Spokane, Billings, La
Grand, Kansas City, Denver, Oak-
land and Santa Barbara. Franklin
says that November and December
just past were the best the chain has
ever experienced.
New York Long Island City
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940
Eastman Films
J. E, Brulatour, Inc.
Bigger Strides in 1930
for Talkers, Ross Says
Bigger strides than those already
made by sound and talking pictures
are predicted for 1930 by C. J. Ross,
executive vice president of RCA
Photophone. The principal factors
on which he bases this greater prog-
ress are: Better picture production,
belter sound recording, better repro-
ducing equipment and better servic-
ing.
Films Revolutionizing Education
Schenectady — Revolutionizing of
education by talking films is pre-
dicted by John Winthrop Hammond,
of General Electric, who declares that
the combination of voice and picture
cannot be beat when it comes to
imparting knowledge to students.
Hollywood K
6700 Santa Monica K
Blvd. W
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 j^
.•♦♦•♦••♦••#♦'»•*•♦•••'♦♦*♦•'•♦•♦♦••♦♦•♦♦••«•♦•♦♦♦♦♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦
Canadian Billposting Firm Sold
.Ottawa — The E. L. Ruddy Adver-
tising Co., big Canadian billposting
firm, has been sold for $1,000,000 by
its founder, E. L. Ruddy, who is re-
tiring. N. L. Nathanson is said to
have an interest in the company.
SAYSONLYIOP.CABROAD
UNDERSTAND U.S.TALKERS
{Continued from Page 1)
according to J. P. Ryan, special rep-
resentative for Fox, just returned to
New York after three years in Eu-
rope, where he reorganized the com-
pany's branches in France, Belgium,
Switzerland, Italy, Sweden and Hol-
land. The most satisfactory way to
translate the dialogue into the Ian-
gauge of the country, Ryan says, is
to superimpose the titles on the film.
In this way the action is not inter-
rupted, as in the case of an inserted
title. Ryan will remain in New York
indefinitely.
Columbia Sells Product
to South American Firm
Columbia announces the sale of
its Prosperity Group and a batch of
short subjects to the Industries Re-
unitas F. Matarazzo of Brazil. The
South American company' has han-
dled Columbia product for several
Theater Changes Hands
Trout Creek, Mich. — The Trout
Creek has been purchased by Jimmy
Richards from D. A. Kaooker.
Kooler-y^ire
Summer Pre-Cooling
Winter Ventilating
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
J. P. Kennedy Signs Lehar
to Score "Queen Kelly"
Joseph P. Kennedy has signed
Franz Lehar, of "The Merry Wid-
ow" fame, to compose the music for
Gloria Swanson's all-color operetta,
"Queen Kelly." Lehar will not visit
the United States as he is working
on the score in Berlin, and as it is
completed instalments will be ship-
ped to this country.
Seidelman Sails
J. H. Seidelman, assistant man-
ager of Paramount's foreign dept.,
has sailed on the S. S. Carillo for
Cuba, Jamaica and Panama, where
he expects to spend three weeks on
business.
First Spanish Film
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
W'ashington — The first sound pic-
ture ever produced in Spain has been
completed and is now ready for re-
lease, according to the M. P. Division
of the Dept. of Commerce.
Edwin Justus Mayer in N. Y.
Edwin Justus Mayer, playwright
under contract to M-G-M, has ar-
rived in New York where he at-
tended the opening of "Children of
Darkness," his new play at the Bilt-
more, yesterday.
Attention
Executives
An experienced theater execu-
tive now Gen. Mgr. five houses
desires change. Formerly pub-
licity Dir. four house circuit.
For a result getting man for
your organization, wire or
write
Box 0183
c/o FILM DAILY
1650 B'way. N. Y. C.
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 9 AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount
Hotel, New 'Sfork City.
Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" at
the Earl Carroll
Jan. IS Warner Coast studio to resume ae-
tiyity.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athlatic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producen
at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Attendance Record Set
by New Fox in Atlanta
Atlanta — A local attendance record
has been set by the new Fox, which
drew 51,113 in its first four days, it
is stated. "Salute" was the screen
offering and Fanchon & Marco's .
"Beach Nights" was on the stage.
Last week, with "They Had to See
Paris" and F. & M.'s "Contrasts,"
attendance topped 70,000. The house
seats 4,504 and has a 30-piece sym-
phony orchestra directed by Enrico
Leide, a 2S-piece singing chorus and
12 local ballet girls. Scale is 15 to
75 cents. R. T. (Rockey) Newton
is division manager for Fox in this
territory, working under supervision
of Harold B. Franklin.
New Tiffany Manager Changes
Cleveland — Mark Goldman has re-
signed as manager of the Tiffany
exchange to assume new duties with
the company. Allen Moritz, Tiffany
branch manager in Pittsburgh has
been transferred here to succeed
Goldman, and Jack Horn of the
Pittsburgh Tiffany sales force has
been elevated to manager of the ex-
change.
Fire Tragedy Case Postponed
Hearing of the case against Henry
F. Lalley and John C. Flinn, Pathe
officials, was postponed yesterday by
magistrate Simpson in Tombs Court.
Adjustment was taken because of
Lalley being in St. Petersburg, Fla.,
where his father died last Friday.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatret
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
I i
THE
Tuesday, January 7, 1930
-^^
DAILV
$1,000,000 rOR YEAR
i I E8TIMATEHY COLUMBIA
(Continued from Page 1)
stock after dividends of $3 on the
preferred. This is an increase of
about 100 per cent over the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1929, when $551,-
000 was earned. Common stock of
Columbia was listed on the Curb last
spring at around $31. It reached a
high of 38K and a low of 16'/4 last
year, closing at 26'/^, with an un-
usually small net loss compared to
the outcome of other issues as a re-
sult of the market crash.
Bilmarjac Seat Lights
Have Many New Features
In addition to its easy installation,
Bilmarjac seat lights, manufactured
by the Bilmarjac Corp. of New York,
has proven its feasibility in the Roxy
theater in New York, where it is
claimed, to have eUminated the pos-
sibility of patrons falling or tripping
in the aisles and also has reduced the
insurance rates for the house.
The Bilmarjac light is attached to
each row of seats and when occu-
pied the lights is automatically out.
These lights have demonstrated their
usefulness in cases of seats being
located on stairs where besides act-
ing as signal lights they also showed
ushers and patrons where vacant
i seats were located.
George Garvin with RCA
Photophone in Washington
I Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
I Washington — George Garvin, who
I has been connected with the indus-
try for a number of years, has been
, appointed district manager for RCA
j Photophone in this territory.
Another Tax Reduction
is Expected in Ontario
(Continued from Page 1)
looking for a further reduction in the
' amusement tax, as promised some
, time ago, when the legislature re-
opens Feb. 5.
i ■ ■
Bushell Returns
London — Anthony Bushell, who
played in "Disraeli," which was made
in Hollywood, has returned here for
two months under provision of the
immigration laws. He will return to
Hollywood to resume work when the
period has expired.
Sound for Virginia House
Petersburg, Va. — Sound equip-
ment has been installed at the Cen-
tury here, according to H. Ruben,
manager.
Eaco Being Improved
Farmville, Va. — Improvements are
being made at the Eaco without in-
terruption of performances.
Talkers For Wellsville, O.
Wellsville, O. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Liberty, under the management of
Messrs. Vogel and Henthorn.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Cleveland — R. Ravenscroft is doub-
ling for Andrew Sharick as Univer-
sal publicity and exploitation chiei
in this territory, while Sharick i:
temporarily managing the Rialto the-
ater, Washington, D. C.
Toledo — The Sylvan has been com-
pletely renovated and sound installed.
Hiett Ward is managing the house.
Cleveland — J. J. Harwood has in-
-.talled W. E. at tlie Lexington.
Dothan, Ala. — Construction for the
new $35,000 theater which is to be
erected at North Foster St., is ex-
pected to start soon.
Elkhorn, Wis. — The Sprague has
reopened with sound eciuipment. Dan
Kellisher is manager.
Cross Plains, Texas — The Liberty
has reopened after having been
altered.
Waynesboro, Va. — Although the
Cavalier and Wayne have sound in-
stalled, organ recitals have not been
abandoned. Waynesboro Theaters
Corp. is the owners.
New York
Ten more theaters have been
equipped with Tone-O-Graph sound
apparatus, according to North Amer-
ican Sound and Talking Picture
Equipment Corp. of New York.
These installations were made in the
past week and include houses in New
York, Pa., Conn., and South Carolina.
RCA sound equipment has been in-
stalled in the Ohashi, Ohashi, and
Odeon-Za, Yokohama, Japan, accord-
ing to a cable received by the com-
pany's home office in New York.
The Teatro Rodriguez, iMexico,
opened with RCA Photophone re-
cently, it is announced by iRCA.
Foreign
Neubabelsberg — Cast for the new
Eniil Jannings picture, "The Blue
Angel," has been completed. Marlene
Dietrich, Kurt Gerron, Roas Valetti,
and Hans Albers will work under
direction of Joseph Sternberg. Erich
Pommer will supervise.
Shanghai — Ralph Myerson has been
appointed assistant general manager
of Peacock Alotion Picture Corp.,
which operates the chief exchanges
here. He will take charge of the
sound department for the company,
as well as act as general executive.
London — Ivor Montagu has re-
signed as chairman of the Council of
ihe Film Society. Edmund Dulac has
been elected to his place.
Berlin — Philipp Zimmer, formerly
head of the Ufa circuit, has been
made manager of Emelka in central
Germany.
London — Sydney Bernstein, well-
known exhibitor, has resigned as one
of the executives of C.E.A.
Operators Enjoined from
Issuing 'Unfair' Handbills
Buffalo— Operators of the Genesee
and Rivoli, who have been on strike
since their demands for an increase in
kalary and an additional man in each
booth were denied, 'have been en-
joined by Judge George A. Larkin
from handing out cards to patrons
stating that the houses were unsafe.
Although exhibitors sought an in-
junction preventing pickets near the
theaters, it was denied.
10 More for Wonderphone
Cleveland — Wonderphone, disc and
film sound reproducer manufactured
by Film Sound Corp., has been in-
'stalled in the following theaters of
this territory: Orpheum, Xenia, Prin-
cess, Wheeling, West Va., Strand,
Bellefontaine; Mt. Pleasant, Quincy,
Penn Square, Cleveland; Metropoli-
tan, Beechview, Shiloh, Pittsburgh,
and Apollo, Apollo, Pa.
Redecorating Richmond House
Richmond, Va. — In addition to new
sound equipment the Capitol here has
been recarpeted and redecorated
under the management of Ivan L.
Rosenbaum.
Talkers for Norfolk House
Norfolk, Va. — Sound picture pro-
gram was recently inaugurated at the
Chadwick here with the showing of
"The Sophomore." Western Electric
sound apparatus is used.
Traube Gets Tone-O-Graph
Cleveland — Tone-O-Graph, Sound
and Talking Pictures Corp., is han-
dled in the northern Ohio territory
through Rube Traube, who has re-
cently opened an office in 213 Film
Exchange Bldg.
MILLION
readers of Lib-
erty Magazine
were thrilled by
this great mys-
tery story. NOW
Murder
ON THE Roof
is a Columbia Picture!
With DOROTHY REVIER, RAYMOND H ATTON and MARGARET LIVINGSTON. Directed by GEORGE B. SEITZ
DAILY
Tuesday, January 7, 1930
DAny UPS vnocu meah ooluos foc suowmen
"The Cameraman"
(M-G-M)
A cut-out consisted of a figure of
Buster Keaton, cut from the 24 sheet
and pasted on compo-board. It rep-
resented Keaton cranking his cam-
era. The arm of the cut-out was
hinged and worked by a motor which
made the cut out figure grind a cam-
era, and from the camera ran a strip
of film from which was lettering
about the picture. — C. Irvin, Majes-
tic, Bloomington, 111.
"The Letter"
(Paramount)
A preview on the Sunday previous
to opening netted many written ex-
pressions from the most prominent
townspeople. Their opinions were
mounted on a cut-out — each opinion
in a different color and then the cut-
out was placed in the lobby from
Monday through Thursday. — R.
Darman, Florida, St. Petersburg, Fla.
"The Flying Fleet"
(M-G-M)
Tied up with the Cleveland Press
for contest on "Flying Fleet" for
best answers on aviation terms, of-
fering free round trip airplane flight
to Detroit and return for first prize,
and one way trip to Detroit for see-
on prize, with inspection tour of the
Ford Detroit factory, and 12 prizes
of free theater tickets. — Allen, Cleve-
land.
"Redskin"
(Paramount)
Telegrams were sent to the two
local colleges as well as the women's
college in a neighboring town. A spe-
cial train brought 1,000 students from
the neighborhood town to Macon for
a special lecture. Heralds were dis-
tributed to these students before get-
ting on the train with the result that
many of them extended their stay
in Macon to see the Dix picture. —
Montague Salmon, Rialto, Macon,
Ga.
"Forbidden Hours"
(M-G-M)
A "Critics' Contest" was publicized
in the Eugene Guard. Contestants
were invited to write a review of
"Forbidden Hours" for which ticket
prizes were awarded the winners.
Herewith is opening announcement
of the contest: "Today's the day
when all Eugene will have the op-
portunity to vie for honors in the
'Critics' Contest', and win the thea-
ter pass good for one month's ad-
mission."— C. H. McDonald, Heilig,
Eugene, Ore.
"Wolf of Wall Street"
(Paramount)
A blackboard and ticker was in
the center of outer lobby and placed
on top of a small platform. A man.
presumably one of the ushers, could
be seen reading the tape and then
listing the figures in chalk on the
blackboard. — L. I. Bearg, Scollay
Square, Boston.
See Better Basis for Future
Equity-Producers Conferences
(Continued
ther conferences between Equity
and the producers.
Upon being queried in the matter,
Frank Gillmore, president of Equity,
said that although no negotiations
are in progress at present, the ac-
tors' group has every reason to hope
that the film producers and Equity
will get together within a short time
and work out an arrangement of mu-
tual advantage.
Equity has a basic agreement with
the organized legitimate managers of
New York whereby it is impossible
for picture companies to sponsor
Broadway stage showings unless
Equity casts are employed. With
Warner Bros, financing at least two
New York stage productions, others
from Page 1)
being sponsored by M-G-M, Para-
mount for years having been behind
the Frohman offerings, and with Ar-
thur Hammerstein, Florenz Ziegfeld,
Jed Harris, George M. Cohan,
Schwab and Mandel and various
other important legitimate names
very likely being linked with picture
companies in their future stage ac-
tivities, it is considered inevitable
that the film interests in due course
will deal with Equity in a big way.
As a consequence, Gillmore feels, the
picture people may find themselves
sufficiently satisfied with the Equity
shop as it operates in the legitimate
field that they will want it estab-
lished in the film industry.
Twenty Already Lined Up
for 1930 Production by RKO
(Continued
the program, as it stands at this
time, are:
"Case of Sergeant Grischa," star-
ring Chester Morris and Betty Comp-
son, with Alec B. Francis, Paul Mc-
Allister, Jean Hersholt, Leyland
Hodgson; directed by Herbert Bren-
on. Now being edited.
"Hit the Deck," musical in color
based on the stage production; with
Jack Oakie and Polly Walker; direct-
ed by Luther Reed. World premiere
Jan. 14 at Earl Carroll, New York.
"Second Wife," with Conrad Nagel,
Lila Lee, Mary Carr, Freddie Burke
Frederick, Hugh Huntley; directed
by Russell Mack. Release Feb. 9.
"Girl of the Port," from the story
by John Russell, with Sally O'Neil,
Mitchell Lewis, Duke Kahanamoku,
Donald MacKenzie; directed by Bert
Glennon.
"Love Comes Along," starring
Bebe Daniels, with Lloyd Hughes,
Ned Sparks, Montagu Love, Alma
from Page 1)
Tell, Lionel Barrymore; directed by
Rupert Julian.
"Seven Keys To Baldpate," star-
ling Richard Dix; directed by Regin-
ald Barker. Now showing at Earl
Carroll, New York.
"Dixiana," musical with score by
Harry Tierney, who did "Rio Rita."
For 1931 release.
"Radio Revels," musical with Berl
Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Jobyna
Howland; music by Bert Kalmar and
Harry Ruby; directed by Paul
Sloane. For 1931 release.
Star pictures, with titles not yet
set: Rod La Rocque, Bebe Daniels,
Betty Compson and Richard Dix.
Five other pictures, not yet titled,
are also definitely planned.
Silent versions will be provided for
"Case of Sergeant Grischa," "Seven
Keys To Baldpate." "Love Comes
Along," "Girl of the Port," Rod La
Rocque No. 2 and others to be an-
nounced.
New Officers Appointed
for RCA-Victor Company
(Continued from Page 1)
the organization make Francis S.
Kane and Walter H. Hunt assistant
secretaries, Paul G. McCollum, as-
sistant comptroller and Robert P.
Alexander, Eugene F. Haines and
Cornelius G. Terwilliger assistant
treasurers.
Sound For Eaton House
Eaton, O. — R.C.A. sound equip-
ment has been installed in the Star
theater, and with the change of pol-
icy from silent to sound, Manager
S. L. James has also introduced the
policy of showing daily matinees in
addition to the regular evening per-
formances.
Filming "Juno and Paycock"
London — Sean O'Casey's play,
"Juno and the Paycock," is being
made into a picture by British In-
ternational.
Guy Wonders Appointed
Fox Divisional Manager
Atlantic City — Guy L. Wonders, at
one time manager of the Rivoli, Balti-
more and recently manager of the
Stanley theaters here, has gone to St.
Louis to act as Fox Divisional man-
ager in that territory.
W. E. For Ironton, O. House
Ironton, O. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Lyric, operated by the Iron City
Amusement Co., which controls the
Marlow and Eastern theaters in ad-
dition to the Lyric. All are wired
for sound.
New Producing Co. Formed
London — M. J. Wilson, head of
Alpha Film Co., has announced the
formation of a new producing unit
to be known as Wilmar Productions,
the directors of which are M. J. Wil-
son, Claude Marx and Sascha Geneen.
m ANNOUNCES SIXTEEN
OE 1930-31 PRODUCTIONS
Sixteen productions on the Fox re-
lease schedule for 1930-1931 are an-
nounced by Winfield R. Sheehan.
The pictures are as follows: "The
Oregon Trail," directed by Raoul
Walsh; "Common Clay," directed by
Victor Fleming; Janet Gaynor in
"Liliom," directed by Frank Borz-
age Jack London's "'The Sea Wolf,"
produced by John Ford; Mark
Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee at
King Arthur's Court," produced by
David Butler; six adaptations of
novels, including "Basquerie," by
Eleanor Mercein: "The Mad Song,"
by Mabel Wagnalls; "The Last of the
Duanes," by Zane Grey; "The County
Chairman," by George Ade; "The
Painted Lady," by Larry Evans;
"The Country Beyond," by James
Oliver Curwood; four adaptations of
stage plays, namely, "The Man Who
Came Back," "The Fatal Wedding,"
"The Yellow Ticket," "The Dancers";
several European dramatic and musi-
cal productions, the first to be Bea-
trice Lillie and an English cast in
"The London Revue," staged by Has-
sard Short.
The John McCormack picture, cost-
ing around a million, was finished
last week. Nine new pictures to com-
plete the current season's program
have been placed in production. These
will be followed this month by five
more, which completes the 1929-30
schedule.
Sheehan will remain in New York
about two weeks.
New RCA For Cuyahoga Falls
Cuyahoga Falls, O. — The Alhambra,
owned and operated by the Washing-
ton circuit of Cleveland is having
the RCA type G equipment installed.
This is the first Type G installation
in this territory.
Rapee Lauded at Final
Broadcast from Roxy's
Tribute was paid to Erno Rapee by
"Roxy," last evening on the occasion
of the concert master's final Monday
evening concert, over Station WJZ,
from the Roxy Theater.
The entire first half of the program
consisted of Rapee's compositions.
Vocal renditions of three of his theme
song numbers: "Charmaine," "Little
Mother" and "Angela Mia," were
given by the artists who first intro-
duced them. These singers were
Gladys Rice, Douglas Stanbury and
Jimmy Melton, respectively.
Erno Rapee leaves for the Coast
on January IS to become musical di-
rector for Warner Bros.
Jackson with General Talking
C. D. Jackson has been appointed
by Pete Woodhull to represent Gen-
eral Talking Pictures out of the Ok-
lahoma City office of the company.
Oliver Device For Washington, D.C.
IVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington, D. C. — An Oliver re-
producer has been installed in the
Criterion theater under the super-
vision of E. E. Oliver.
THE
'uesday, January 7, 1930
-a^m
DAILV
'*SEE AND HEAR" By ^THZ^^^
% Vasdnatmg and Interesting Word
Picture of the Development of
Silent and Sound Pictures
Chapter I — Continued
The Genesis of the Motion Picture
pHOMAS A. EDISON'S de-
sire to give eyes to his pho-
lograph is primarily responsible
ior the motion picture camera
xs we know it today, according
to Terry Ramsaye, historian of
the motion picture.^ Edison was
at work, toward the close of the
last century, on numerous in-
ventions, but most of his inter-
est was centered on the talking
machine with which he had
startled the entire world a short
time before. William Kennedy
Laurie Dickson, a young Eng-
lishman, who had traveled thou-
sands of miles in order to asso-
ciate himself with the Wizard
of Menlo Park, was working for
Edison and mysterious "goings
on" were to be noticed in Room
Five of the plant at West
Orange.
Conscious scientific endeavor, first
as a study of the nature of appear-
ances of motion, and later of the
synthesis of appearances of motion
began with the studies of Peter Mark
Roget, the same whose name appear
on the classic and authoritative
Roget's "Thesaurus," first aid to
word mongers, who was in 1824 sec-
retary of the Royal Society in Great
Britain. After him came many ex-
perimenters, notably Joseph Antoine
Ferdinand Plateau of Ghent, and Si-
mon Ritter von Stampfer of Vienna,
and later Lieutena,nt Baron Franz
von Uchatius of Vienna and Emi'
Reynaud of France. While the3'
studied motion, others, notably Louis
Jacques Mande Daguerre and Sir
John Herschel and others, pursued
the chemistry which gave us photog-
raphy.
Out of labors started by Roget'f
studies came a machine which finalh
* A Million and One Nights.
WILL H. HAYS
became the familiar toy called Zee
trope, using hand-drawn pictures
Then, seemingly unrelated, came a
method of recording motion photo
graphically, evolved for Leland Stan
ford's race horse studies in Califor
nia, by John D. Isaacs and operate
by Eadweard Muybridge about 1880
Jean Louis Meissonier, famou
French artist, applied the Isaacs-
Muybridge pictures to the Uchatiu
projecting Zoetrope and attained a
crude limited sort of motion pictun
dependent on glass plates. It was
only a tantalizing beginning.
Edison abandoned all precedent
when he set to work in 1887, anc
early in 1888 we find the first effori
toward the modern motion picture
being made in the Edison studios re-
cording the antics of Fred Ott, a
mechanic, as the first actor, on ?
cylinder like that of an old Edison
phonograph.
Years later, Ott told of that first
performance before a motion picture
camera. Repeated by Terry Ram-
saye, it is:
"I had a white cloth wound around
me and then a little belt to tie it in
around the waist so as not to make
it too baggy. I looked like a bal-
loon. After I was ready, I made a
monkey of myself and the camera
was turned."
Mr. Ramsaye speaks of the first
picture as "The Follies of 1888." "It
was a slapstick comedy staged in a
solemn laboratory," he adds with a
chuckle.
But the Edison cylinder picture
machine, built in simulation of the
phonograph, was no adequate solu-
tion of the problem. Edison decided
he wanted to feed the photo-mate-
rial into the camera, and the subse-
quent pictures into a viewing ma-
chine, on a belt, like cartridges into
a machine gun. He was looking for
a flexible material to carry the pic-
tures.
Now up in Rochester, George
Eastman, who had invented the ko-
dak, had a similar problem for wha
he called "roller photography." Edi-
son was trying strips of collodion
varnish when he heard that Eastman
had arrived at a perfected material —
for the kodak. Edison sent Dickson
to Rochester for a sample.
That first order for film for the
motion picture is still in Eastman's
files at Rochester. With it went a
postal money order for $2.50 in pay-
ment for a strip one inch wide and
about fifty feet long. That test strip
worked.
Imagine the thrill of that occasion.
George Eastman's product had met
and fitted Thomas Edisf^n's product.
The motion picture Iiad come into
being. And out of their union was
to come the new and great motio-
picture which has since flowered in
to the world's great single source o
amusement.
Edison moved on rapidly now in
his studio, which because of its re
semblance in color to a police <->-
trol wagon, was known as The
Black Maria. He was still thinking
in terms of eyes for the phonograph
But the moving picture was develop-
ing of its own accord. Annie Oak-
ley; Sandow, the strong man; Buf-
falo Bill; dancers in Hoyt's "Milk
White Flag," which was a Broadway
success in those days; Ruth St. Deni^
were being induced to lend their tal-
ents to the moving picture, being
recorded in single rolls of film fifty
feet long for use in peep show ma-
chines which were now to appear as
a forerunner of the moving picture.
The first of the peep shows wa'
opened at 1155 Broadway, New York
City, on April 14, 1894.
As the motion picture began to
develop into something like regular
form and use, the makers of pictures
began to consider ways and means o'
getting popular pictures — a formula
on which they are still constantly
engaged. They recognized very
early that plenty of action was need-
ed and as prize fighting offered ac-
tion and at the same time had a
popular appeal, they turned to the
prize fights of the day for filming
purposes. James J. Corbett, heavy-
weight champion of the world, ap-
peared before the camera. He be-
came the first motion picture actor
under contract. Later "Gentleman
Jim" came back to the moving pic-
tures but many gallons of water
had flowed under the bridge between
his first and second entrances into
motion pictures.
Carmencita, a dancer of current
popularity, and Annabclle Moore,
who was a reigning favorite in the
music halls of New York in the last
years of the nineteenth century, also
found their way into the new world
of make-believe that was to be found
in the peep shows of the country.
An industry began to show signs of
existence.
The public, expressing itself as
usual through business, demanded a
screen machine, a device which
"would liberate the motion picture
from the peep show. Mr. Edison
was not enthusiastic about this, al-
though he had done some research
and might readily have solved the
problems of projection at once. He
had been experimentally projecting
since 1889.
{Continued Tomorrotv)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
TO MORROW
Chapter II
"An Industry's
Early Days"
The romantic and epochal be-
ginnings of an amazing new
venture.
Recalling names of pioneers
who laid the foundation for an
industrial colossus.
You Are Missing Some'
thing If You Don*t
Read This Story
EVERY DAY
IN
THE FILM DAILY
—JXI^
DAILV
Tuesday, January 7, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
^€) —
Say Talkers Will Bring Back
Legitimate Theater Patrons
THERE are numberless thou-
sands of the youth of the
land who have never witnessed a
legitimate production — who have
grown up with the idea that the
motion picture was the ultimate
and onl}' expression for the
drama.
Then came the talkies. And
the talkies will bring them back
to us. Already those youngsters
are being shown a bit of Shake-
speare by Doug and Mary —
they're getting another glimpse
of John Barrymore as "Hamlet"
and from such a start these talk-
ies will show their audiences that
there is something better and that
while the first medium of the
silent picture and the second
medium of the talking pictures
were good enough in their way,
there is a third and greater and
finer medium waiting for them.
Johyi Golden in
"N. Y. American"
Speech on the Screen Is
Gradually Finding Its Place
OBVIOUSLY, there is a sharp
difference between dialogue
on the stage and dialogue on the
screen, and the principles of the
latter have not yeti been success-
fully evolved. In one respect
progress is being made; the
screen dialogue writers are
learning condensation and ters-
ness. They are finding that
words are better not spoken
on the screen merely because
they are prettj' or colorful.
Speech on the screen is taking its
proper second place to action and
we have fewer movies that are
dreary and verbose transcripts of
stage plays
Clifford Brooke in
"N. Y. World"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
MAX GOOSMANN
clerk in book store
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M, Daly, Jr.
SIDNEY SKOLSKY, who has given many a pitcher a good
titling job, is colymning for the "Daily News," the busy HI'
publication for which Irene Thirer movie critics Pete
Woodhull, officially known as R. F. WoodhuU, is again living
out of a suitcase while touring Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit.
Louisville. Indianapolis, Memphis and way stations. Col E. P.
Hawkins, also of General Talking Pictures, is also a traveler to
Detroit, K. C, Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, etc
* * * *
Frederick H. Knocke, president of Medal Film Co., is again
busy at his desk following a trip to Cuba Not so long
ago Director Arthur Hurley at Warner Bros. Eastern workshop
made a test of Alexander Gray for First National, who had him
in mind for the male lead in "Sally." To fill out the test busi-
ness he brought along Bernice Claire, who played with him in
"The Desert Song." And First National liked the lil' girl so
much they gave her a contract, too, and she's
"No, No, Nanette."
gii
sensation in
Lewis Warner, executive of M. Witmark & Sons, will leave
New York tomorrow for Pinehurst to spend a short vacation.
Yeh, we know a lotta guys that also have the yen to go places.
Take Harry J. TakifT for instance
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford are to make a spe-
cial motion picture for television broadcast, according to an
item from Kemper Radio Corp. The picture is scheduled to
be transmitted by the Farnsworth Television System at a pub-
lic demonstration to be held some time this month at San Fran-
cisco Erno Rapee will leave for the Warner Coast studio
on Jan. 15
Jean Hersholt, now swings out in big style and gives his army
of friends a real treat. This fellow has a voice and a singing
one at that. In fact so musical that Warners (cant keep 'em
out of print) have nailed him for one of the roles in "Viennese
Nights," Hammerstein-Roniberg operetta For a trip to
F^urope for 25 cents, hike over to witness a few of the scenes
at the Embassy where numerous European centres are shown
in all their splendor
Lorin (Buddy) Raker, Lambs' club habitue and who recently
appeared in "End of the W'orld" for Pathe short subject pur-
poses, is set to bag and liaggage to the Coast for a picture
Maurice Chevalier will yodel into the ether Thursday nite from
-Station WABC. David Mendoza, who formerly twirled a baton
at the Capitol but who now is connected with the Paramount
musical department at the Long Island studio, will conduct the
accompanying orchestra Bryan Foy, who is the head man
at the Coast in the Warner Bros, short subject outfit, is vaca-
tioning at Havana, which makes us envious
JANUARY 7-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
^^^^^^^^^^^^*
! Kenneth Thomson Adolph Zukor
Ernest L. Robbins
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL U. DALT
THOSE SIMILES of Frank J.
W^ilstach of ye Hays hossif we
printed went pretty good, so with
your kind permission, ladies and lad-
dies, here is another batch:
Sour as a Quaker who has inher-
ited a chain of speakeasies. — William
Bolitho.
As obvious as a flapper's garters
in a subway car. — Leon Blumenfeld.
Kisses like a cold buttercake flap-
ping against your cheek. — Dorothy
Dix.
Swept the country like raccoon
coats. — John S. Cohen, Jr.
He was short as a traffic cop's an-
swer.— Ted Cook.
As unlikely as the Smith Brothers
indorsing Old Golds. — I. Elinson.
Dull as a New York speakeasy.—
St. John Ervine.
Smelling like the traveling bag of
a dry congressman just returning
from an official visit to a wet coun-
try.— Edward D. Foster.
Easy as analyzing a bowl of chow
mein.— Merritt S. Franken.
Living in the Ritz section of the
Bronx is like sitting in a box in
Loew's theater. — Milt Gros.s.
.'\s modest as a suicide leaping
from the fourth floor of the Wool-
worth building. — Douglas Gilbert.
Bringing a new column to New
York is like bringing a flivver to
Detroit.— Robert Garland.
♦ *
Yeah — on that last one. And most
column-flivvers are just that. They
are like these funny college flivvers
— all chalked up imth a lotta wise-
cracks from other kolyumists. And
that goes for this kolyum. Yours
thievingly, Phil.
Add to Spelling Bee list: Sesqui-
pedalian. Triliteralism.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Three million involved in Loew-
Metro deal.
* * *
Robertson-Cole takes over Hall-
mark exchanges.
* * *
Theda Bara to appear in stage pro-
duction for AI Woods.
* * *
First National officials claim pro-
ducers force films containing adver-
tising on exhibitors.
reliability
the coining year
book Mrill con-
tain four hun-
dred pages of ad-
vertising from
five hundred in-
dividual adver-
tisers '•'•'• a rather
vital reflection
of ^vhat the busi-
ness department
of motion pic-
tures thinks of
the universal
recognition, re-
liability, "world
"Wide distribu-
tion and year
round advertis-
ing value of this
publication. '•'•'•
THE
s2E^
DAILV
Tuesday, January 7, 1930
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
SHOULD you happen to visit the
Russian Embassy in Washington,
you would doubtless be shown a se-
ries of paintings executed by none
other than Frank Cambria, who, after
many years of creating spectacular
presentation acts, is now bringing
new ideas to the screen in the form
of musical shorts. Cambria, who is
directing at the Paramount Long
Island studios, is, besides his other
talents, a sculptor of note.
Walter Strenge, upon completing
the camera work on "The Campus
Vamp," made at the Radio-Victor
studio with Olive Shea featured,
got busy at once on "The Beauty
Spot," made at the same sttidio,
with Ted Pahle assisting.
Katherine Brush, author of "Young
Man of Manhattan," paid a visit to
the Paramount Long Island studio
as the guest of Monta Bell. While
there. Miss Brush conferred with
Robert Presnell, who is now busily
engaged in writing the screen ver-
sion of the story.
Jerry Prushone, script girl at the
Warner Vitaphone studio, felt
flattered upon being asked to take
part in a short until Arthur Hurley,
the director, explained that with all
due respect for her good looks, what
really attracted him was the red
leather coat she happened to be
wearing.
Hobart Henley, director of "The
Big Pond," has about decided to
bring hip boots and a rain coat on
the set with him since much of the
action requires water scenes, all of
which are being shot in the big tank
erected for the Venetian Canal se-
quence.
New Publix Broadcasts
Inauguration of a series of radio
programs from Paramount every
Tuesday night will begin Jan. 14,
when the Brooklyn Paramount broad-
casts its show over WABC on a na-
tional Columbia hook-up. Each pres-
entation will last 30 minutes and will
be under the direction of Louis A.
Witten, toastmaster and master of
ceremonies for the new "Publix
Radio-vue" hour.
De Forest Installs 7
Seven new theaters have been add-
ed to the installation list of De For-
est sound devices. They are Garden,
Canton, 111.; Ventnor, Atlantic City;
Ritz, Crescent, Okla. ; Victory, Salt-
ville, Va. ; Illinois, Ottawa, 111.; Schu-
bert, Gooding, Idaho, and Hiawatha,
Denver Colo.
New Building for Vitagraph
Minneapolis — 'Plans for the con-
struction of a five-story film exchange
building to cost between $200,000 and
$250,000 have been announced by the
Vitagraph, Inc.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
La Cossitt Working on
Three "U" Assignments
Henry La Cossitt is busy on three
assignments at the Universal stu-
dios. He is assisting Houston
Branch on John Boles' next picture,
'The Singing Caballero," and also
aiding Charles Logue on "Murder in
the Air," in addition to completing
his own story, "The Net."
"All the King's Men"
Now "Second Wife"
"Second Wife" will be the release
title for RKO's screen production
of the stage play, "All the King's
Men," adapted by Bert Glennon from
the play by Fulton Oursler. The
cast includes Lila Lee, Conrad Na-
gel, Mary Carr, Hugh Huntley and
Freddie Burke Frederick. Russell
Mack will direct.
Billie Dove's Next to Start
Billie Dove's next starring vehicle,
"Other Men's Wives," will go into
production at the Burbank Studio
within the next week under direc-
.lon of Clarence Badger, Sidney
Blackmer and Clive Brook already
have been cast.
"Signal Tower" as Talker
"The Signal Tower," released as a
silent in 1924 with Virginia Valli as
the star, will be remade as a talker
by Universal, which has just bought
the dialogue rights.
Mary Astor in Bancroft Film
Mary Astor has been signed by
Paramount to appear opposite George
Bancroft in "Ladies Love Brutes''
which will be directed by Rowland
V. Lee.
Two Added to "Bright Lights"
Jean Bary and Edmund Breese
have been added to First National's
"Bright Lights" now being directed
by Michael Curtiz. Others in the
cast are Frank Fay, Noah Beery,
James Murray, Inez Courtney, Eddie
Nugent, Daphne Pollard and Tom
Dugan.
"Viennese" Starts Sono
Filming on "Viennese Nights" will
begin in about another week at the
Warner studios with J. L. Warner
n charge of production. The oper
etta is the work of Oscar Hammer
stein II and Sigmund Romberg,
Alan Crosland will direct.
Estabrook Joins Fox
Howard Estabrook, who has writ-
ten material for Paramount and
Pathe, is now associated with Fox.
Melford Going to Labrador
George Melford is leaving for La-
brador to make a sea story by Gar-
rett Fort for Labrador Productions.
A Little
from **Lots"
^iiaa^ By RALPH WILK ^i^
Hollywood
TTOWARD EMMETT ROGERS'
■'•■■• dialogue for "Bad One" was so
well liked at U. A. that he was
engaged to furnish the dialogue fot
eight United Artists pictures. He is
now working on "Sea Dogs," while
"Smilin' Through" will be his seconc
assignment under his new agree-
ment.
* * *
Loaded down with quail, wild
ducks, geese of various descriptions
and other wild game, Glenn Tryon
has returned from a hunting trip
He spent two weeks in an almost
uninhabitable section of Netv Mex-
ico.
* * ♦
Larry Ceballos, who has
staged dance numbers for sev-
eral Warner Bros, and First
National pictures, lost no time
swinging into action when he
returned from New York.
While East he directed the
dances and ensembles for "Fif-
ty Million Frenchmen," which
is playing on Broadway. Lar-
ry's first new assignment here
was "Bright Lights," for which
he will direct several dance
numbers.
« * «
Our Passing Show: Edward H
Griffith motoring to the Metropoli
tan studio; Max Shagrin conferring
with Hal Wallis and Graham Baker
at First National; Albert Conti ant
Claude Allister chatting at Fox.
* * *
James Tinling is busy at Fox. He
has been with the organization for
several years and among the picture
he has directed were "The Exalted
Flapper" and "True Heaven." He
worked in various branches of pro-
duction before becoming a director.
* * *
Daniel B. Clark holds the record
for having photographed more fea-
tures at a single studio than any
other cameraman. He has been with
Fox for 10 years and during that
time has guided the camera on 73
pictures. He is also an all-around
athlete, with basketball and boxing
his favorite sports. He held four
boxing championships while in the
army. He played independeyrt bask-
etball in Nevada and semi-profes-
sional baseball in Los Angeles.
Broekman's Contract Renewed
Contract of David Broekman, mus-
ical director, has been renewed by
Universal. He now is scoring "La
Marseillaise."
To Play in "Golden Calf"
Frank Albertson has been engaged
by Fox for "The Golden Calf."
Filmophone Making Many
Scottish Installations
Edinburgh — In addition to instal-
lation of its device at the Pringle's,
Palace, Filmophone is reported to be
making several sound installations at'
other houses, including the Beacon,
Cinema, Smethwick; the Tyesley
Cinema, Birmingham; the Empire
Cinema, Swadlincote, and the Empire
at Smethwick.
Warners Plan Series of
Regional Sales Meetings
A series of sales meetings for the
staffs of Warner Bros, and the Vita-
phone Corp. has been announced by
Sam E. Morris, vice president of
Warners. The first meeting is
scheduled to start in about ten days
and will be presided over by C. C. j
Ezell, general sales manager of War-
ners and Paul Swift, general sales
manager of Vitaphone.
Pathe's Spanish Talker Ready
Pathe's first foreign talker, a Span-
ish version of "Her Private Affair,"
starring Ann Harding, has been con'i-
pleted and is being shipped to Latin- I
.'America and Spain for immediate re-1
lease. !
Three Records Broken
George Bancroft in "The Mighty".
broke the Rivoli record last weekl
when the picture drew $17,000, and;
"Pointed Heels," playing at the Para-i
mount theaters in Brooklyn and New
York likewise came through with a
new record at both houses, according
to Paramount.
Manhattan Managers Dined
Managers and their assistants of
the Manhattan Playhouses, Inc., were
tendered a dinner last night at the
Great Central Palace, Clinton St., by
Benj. Sherman, president and J. H.
Steinman, general manager.
Eliminating One Hull House
Hull, Quebec — Donat Paquin, own-
r of the Capital, Laurier and Eden,
will convert the first-named house
into a store and apartment building.
The Laurier has been wired by West-
ern Electric.
r/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 6
Wednesday, January 8, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Academy Pas sino^n Merit Awards Nominations
RIOT OTjm^is ^ FOR 1930 Product
\29 Listed for Production by Sono Art- World Wide
The Ten Best
— Pictures of 1929
=^By JACK ALICOATE^
lour hit songs!
klinl
thtiller!
EVERYBODY'S doing it.
Over three hundred of the
foremost critics, editors and
reviewers representing the most
powerful newspapers, magazines
ind fan and trade publications have
already cast their vote and sent in
their selections of the TEN BEST
PICTURES of 1929 to the Film
Daily. Here is an annual ballot
that is truly representative of cri-
tical America. In the past few
iyears this "Ten Best" idea has
'grown into a national institution.
Started in 1922
It was back in 1922 that this an-
nual event was started by this pub-
lication. The idea caught on quickly
and soon many motion picture edi-
tors of daily newspapers were annu-
ally conducting a ballot for their read-
ers with immediate and enthusiastic
response. Now there is hardly a
critic of note in the country that does
not send in his or her vote to this
publication for final tabulation. These
individual selections appear in the
publications of each respective critic.
When the result of the poll is an-
nounced by The Film Daily simul-
taneously all over the country, many
give considerable space to this fea-
ture of universal interest, usually
again naming their own selections
alongside of the consensus of opin-
ion of all.
Votes Now Being Counted
The final check-up will be ready
in about three weeks. In all, about
four hundred writers, the cream of
critical America, will take part in
the voting. They will represent over
twenty-five millions of readers. Film
Daily's Ten Best Ballot is an annual
nation-wide news event given due
recognition by most publications and
second to none, in point of interest,
in the industry.
{Continued on fage 8)
rORECASTPATHE EARNINGS
FOR 1929AT$6,000,000
Earnings of Pathe Exchange, Inc.
for the year ended 1929 are expected
to reach approximately $6,000,000 af-
ter all charges, depreciation and de-
ducting from cost of sales amounts
transferred from special reserve and
from surplus to absorb excess costs
of sales over normal costs as esti-
mated by the management, accord-
(Continued on Page 8)
Ralph Block Joins Fox
Coast Staff as Writer
H'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Ralph Block, film pro-
duction executive until recently with
Pathe has been signed as a writer
by Fox. His first assignment is to
(Continued on Page 8)
Fox Pulling Through
Without Outside Aid
It looks now like most of
the Fox rumors were a tem-
pest in a teapot. Latest infor-
mation of those close to the
situation reveal an amicable
working of the trusteeship and
a decided clearing up of the
situation with each new day.
Officials of the Eastman
Company emphatically denied
yesterday the report that the
Eastman outfit had anything
to do with the refinancing of
either of the Fox companies.
SEEK EXTENSION or 1929
QUOTA LAW IN AUSTRIA
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Continuance of the
1929 quota regulations until March
31, in Austria, now is being discussed
by representatives of the Government
trade, producers, studio own-
(Continued on Page 2)
Pathe Continues Eastern
Production at Fort Lee
All uncompleted films of Pathe,
scheduled for production in the East,
will be immediately put in production
at the Metropolitan Studios at Fort
(Continued on Page 2)
Achievements in Production to
be Listed by Academy Soon
Warners Purchase Land in
N. Y. for Music Building
Warner Bros, have purchased 25,-
000 square feet of land on West S4th
Street between 11th and 12th Avenues
for the erection of a 10-story building
which will house its music subsidiar-
ies. Fifteen thousand square feet of
the property faces a park on West
54th St., while the additional land
fronts West 55th St.
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Boards of judges ot
the Academy of M. P. Arts and
Sciences are now passing on nomina-
tions for merit awards for the year
ended July 31, 1929, and will an-
nounce them shortly. Seven awards
will be conferred as follows for
achievements in various phases of
aroduction: actor, director, writer,
(.Continued on Page 8)
Kalmus Foresees Death of
Black and White Film
Within Two Years
Color looms large as the big techni-
cal development in pictures for 1930.
While production leaders agree that
it is destined to play an increasingly-
important part in the future, Dr. Her-
bert T. Kalmus, president of Techni-
color, goes as far as to declare that
"within two years the black and white
motion picture will be as out of date
as the silent picture is today."
One indication of the impetus to be
given color is the launching of Tech-
(Continued on Page 8)
ACTORS' EQUITY WINS
AGENCY LICENSE SUIT
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Refusal of the Su-
preme Court to grant the request of
William Edelsten for a review of his
case against the Actors' Equity Ass'n,
is a victory for the latter in its cam-
paign to require the licensing of cast-
ing agents by Equity and to use dis-
ciplinary measures against members
of the association accepting employ-
ment from anyone not holding an
Equity permit.
The high court refused to pass on
the validity of Equity's resolutions re-
garding casting agents and personal
representatives.
!$EE and HEAR'
From the Volume
Just Published
&>^ Will H.Hays
Is Noiv Running
Serially
EVERY DAY
in
The FILM DAILY
THE
Wednesday, January 8, 1930
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor iDd PiiUishir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary -Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, iyi»,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months* $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk. 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredraan, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris-P. A. Harle
La Cinematographic Francaise, Kue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
SEEK EXTENSION 0n929
QUOTA LAWIN AUSTRIA
(Continued from Page 1)
ers, artists, directors, employees and
labor organizations, according to the
M. P. Division of the Dept. of Coni-
merce. Proposal of temporarily
maintaining the Contingent Quota
of 1929 was made to the Government
Film Commission because of the fact
that it is as yet impossible to deter-
mine either the amount of produc-
tion or of import for the next year.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sale*
Am Seat 20/^ 20}4 20/^ 100
Con. Fm Ind. .. 16% 167/. 167^ 100
*Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. .... .... 20 . . . .
East Kodak 176'A 176 176!/8 200
Fox Fm. "A" ..23/. 21/. 22^49,000
♦Keith A-O •■•• 20!4 ..-■
do nfd 91 85 91 1,300
Loew's'i;; 46J/4 44'^ 46^ L^OO
do pfd. WW (6/2) 86 86 86 100
♦do pfd. xw (eyi) 80 •■••
P^ra^-L^"-.. •.:•.: Sm SO- 51!4 UOO
Pathe Exch 3/, 2% 3/, 1,300
do "A" 6^ SVi 654 500
KK-O 24^ 21 23J4129,200
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 30 ....
Warner Bros 427/, 40^ 42|4 5,900
do pfd 36H 36J4 36}^ 100
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets ■ 25% . . . .
Fox Thea. "A" .. S'A 5^ S/g 2,300
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 30 }i 28/. 29/. 1,100
♦Intern. Proj 25
♦Loew do deb. rts 13'/4 .■•■
Loew's Inc. war .. 3^ 3/8 S/s 200
Nat. Scr. Ser. ... 16 IS/s 15/8 200
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 27"/^
•Univ. Pict 9/.
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 76 76 76 40
Loew 6s 41ww ..102 102 102 10
do 6s 41 x-war.. 9^ 91^4 9^ 20
Paramount 6s 47 . . 99 98'4 99 80
Par. By. SJ^s 51.101 lOOJi 101 110
Pathe 7s 37 44/. 39j4 44/. 520
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
ft New York Long Island City ff
« 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. «
§ BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 «
(} ft
ft ft
I Eastman Films |
ft ft
ft ]. E. Brulatour, Inc. H
y '' ft
ft ft
II ft
h Chicago Hollywood .>
ft .,.., T J- A . 6700 Santa Monica ♦>
^ 1727 Indiana Ave. gj^j ♦.♦
ft CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 ♦■{
Mogler Murder Remains
Unsolved in St. Louis
St. Louis — After spending almost
three weeks in hearing evidence in
the murder of State Senator Joseph
B. Mogler, president of the St. Louis
PJxhibitors' League, the coroner's jury
finally returned an open verdict. The
murder which was believed perpetrat-
ed by thieves after week-end receipts
of Mogler's three houses in the safe
at the Mogler, goes down on the list
of unsolved crimes in St. Louis.
Pathe Continues Eastern
Production at Fort Lee
{Continued from Page 1)
Lee, N. J., according to George Orth,
manager of Metropolitan. The studio
was recently equipped with sound
stages under the supervision of the
Johns-Manville Co.
Figure Johns-Manville
Earnings at About $8.75
Earnings of $8.75 or more a share
currently is reported by Johns-Man-
ville, manufacturer of asbestos prod-
ucts. The report also shows an in-
crease of about 30 per cent in sales
over 1928, with a corresponding gain
in profits.
Bodies of Hawks, Harris
Are Recovered by Diver
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Bodies of Kenneth
Hawks and Tom Harris, who died
last Thursday in a wreck of two
planes making a picture air sequence
near Santa Monica, were recovered
by a diver yesterday. Efforts are con-
tinuing to locate five other bodies
missing from the wreck.
SUNDAY BALLET AT ROXY
BRINGS BLUE LAW SUIT
A ballet number presented at the
Roxy on Sunday, Jan. 20, 1929, has
just resulted in the filing of a suit by
the city against the theater for $500,
which is the amount of the penalty
for violating an old Blue Law ordi-
nance against the Sunday performance
of "tragedy, comedy, ballet, opera,
farce, Negro minstrelsy and dancing."
The New York Sabbath Committee,
■acting through its attorney, Powell
Crichton, instigated the action.
Numerous fines of the same nature
.ire imposed each year, Crichton says,
but they apply mostly to vaudeville,
burlesque and other classes of the-
aters giving stage shows. This is
one of the first cases where a picture
house has been involved.
Loaded down with quail, wiiu
kncks, geese of vai'ious descriptions
^and other wild game, Glenn Try on
has returned from a hunting trip
He spent two weeks in an almost
j uninhabitable section of Ne^v Mex-
ico.
1 ♦ » ♦
Larry Ceballos, who has
staged dance numbers for sev-
eral Warner Bros, and First
National pictures, lost no time
swinging into action when he
. returned from New York.
Oycmng ^a^artlli JUiiiA^obi^
Film at Cohan Jan. 20
Talking Picture Epics will open
"Across the World with Mr. and Mrs.
Martin Johnson" at the George M.
Cohan Jan. 20 for a run of three or
four weeks, Frank Wilson announces.
J. Leo Meehan directed part of the
picture at RCA-Victor studio.
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 9
Jan. 14
Jan. IS
Jan. 20
Jan. 25
Feb. 1
Feb. 7
Feb. 19
June 2-7
Free Film for Shut-ins
A billion feet of film will be given
gratis by the industry in 1930 for
the entertainment of 500,000 shut-ins
throughout the U. S. and Canada, it
is announced following approval of
recommendations by Louis Nizer,
secretary of the New York Film
Board of Trade; Bonnie Long, sec-
retary of the Albany Board, and Em-
ma Abplanalp, secretary of the Buf-
falo Board.
Fire Damage at $125,000
Hammond, Ind. — Fire at the Gar-
den did damage estimated at $125,-
000.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
DiCOIIPOBATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
AMPA Luncheon at the Paramount
Hotel, New York City.
Premiere of "Hit the Deck" at
the Earl Carroll.
Warner Coast studio to resume mc-
tiyity.
Opening of "Across the World
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin John-
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
Meeting of non-theatrical producers
at Washington, D. C.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Aster, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Louis Stevens in New York
Louis Stevens has arrived in New
York from the Coast where he com-
pleted several continuities for Pathe.
He is scheduled to produce a play on
Broadway soon.
P-F-L Domestic Rentals Up
Receipts from domestic film rentals
of Paramount for the week ended Jan.
4 were 45 per cent ahead of the cor-
responding week a year ago, the com-
pany reports.
Pathe News in Silent Form
Silent editions of Pathe News will
be served to exhibitors as in the past,
states Phil Reisman, general sales
manager of Pathe.
)l<
M-G-M Field Auditors Meet
M-G-M field auditors yesterday
held the first of a series of meetings
at the Astor. A. F. Cummings, gen-
eral manager of exchange operations,
presided.
AD -VANCE- AD
"I have been using another service
for many years but I like your service
much better and irrespective of a con-
tract I intend to use your trailer ser-
vice as long as I am in the film
business."
— Beranada Theater
Portland, Ore.
WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
[powFiiM
£ABORAT0Ri&
INCORPORATED *
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YOPK
Phone: WlSconiin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES. CEN.MCR.
GOOD TO THE
LAST DROP!
Broadway's new $2 favorite. Thrills!
Romance! Novarro of "Pagan Love
Song" fame now sings four hit songs!
Directed by Sidney Franklin!
Your public is waiting for the "Broadway-
Melody" team! Another laugh and song
thriller!
Imitations only prove that the screen's
first Revue is best of all. It's still "Singin'
in the Rain" to profits]
Mobs storm Capitol, N. Y. continuing
success record of De Mille's first spectacu-
lar Talkie! Box-office Dynamite!
Box-office names! In a rousing comedy-
drama of the baseball world. They sing
—and the public flocks in !
What a drama this talkie is! Unbridled
passions of youth ! Exquisite production !
Slorma at her most beautiful best!
A scream ! Bill Haines funnier than ever.
As a gob he'll win your folks again. A
love story that's got audience power !
Still smacking the records wherever it
plays. Greta sets audiences afire with this
thrilling drama of love.
M-G-M signed these happy singers again
because your folks will want them again
and again. It's great!
Her first Talkie! And one of the greatest
pictures of all time. We predict it now!
You'll agree later! Clarence Brown di-
rected it!
The most dbtinguished talkie drama of
the past year. Texas exhib.W. J. Cheshcr,
writes: "Patrons enthusiastic." North or
South, a winner!
Beautiful, untamed Joan Crawford in her
first talkie is sensational. "Chant of the
Jungle" is just one hit song.
METRO - GOWmSYH - MAYER
TKe Cream in Your Coffee
5bMiltlJi^^k#^
■-^
WORLDS PREMIERE
AT FAYS CARLTON
THEATRE, PROVIDENCE.
SMASHES BOX OFFICE
RECORDS TO ~ -
SMITHEREENS
'^
"*■'.'.
, ,\ts Third
tteVdOv|^^\°VV
T-,eme«dous
Opened ^^ZoVv^^ Vt
atre, Vf„ Business-
Capacity B
^ . the Maie*-
''*' hundred Mce
^FoUo^v.
.^
From the s\
for ten yeai
\
K
Windsor Picture Plays, Inc.
Suite 1010—729 Seventh Ave., New York
Bryant 6782-6783
Henry Ginsberg - Weiss Brothers
■^%.
ABOYANDGIRLINLOYE-R
.I-
Tt" 5?«o^g.
<r-!-
i^'n
-fv»-i'»~"»
"^iiiMHHik.
JKBORK (HIID
it success that shattered all legitimate theatre records from coast to coast
i now surpassing that record-breaking achievement as an All-Talker.
^
V
^
For Road Show Percentage Terms and Complete In-
formation We Suggest You — ^Write —
Wire — 'Phone — or See
\^^
^^
GETTING EVERYTHING ELSE
THE
DAILV
Wednesday, January 8, 193i
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— o—
Talkers Survive Jokes
Directed Against Them
IN a recent interview Anita
Loos said that ever since she
ceased to vvrork for the movies
she has Hked them and has been
"a fan, a rabid movie fan." She
said also that she was "simply
crazy about the talkies."
The belief that the talkies are a
faltering experiment in which you
can't tell the heroine's voice from
the detective's and that the "th"
sound features every dialogue is
already old enough to be wrong
for anyone who has really fol-
lowed them. But it continues to
be material for cartoonists, funny-
strip artists, and smart magazine
writers. It is from these sources
that the intelligentsia conclude
that anyone who enjoys them suf-
fers from defective hearing or un-
cultured tastes.
"Baltimore Sun"
* * *
Salesmen Should Not Knock
The Other Fellow's Product
THE salesman who deludes
himself into the belief that
he can sell by knocking every
other brand of film, puts a low
estimate on the exhibitor's intel-
ligence. What he should realize
is that the showman today
knows considerably more than
he does about motion picture val-
ues; that the showman's sources
of information are not obscured
by the home-office selling talk
that is everlastingly drummed
into a salesman's ears; that the
showman's screen wisdom is
based on actual audience-experi-
ence, not on the theories so
blythely evolved by executives,
who must placate super-execu-
tives 10,000 miles removed from
Australian affairs.
The real salesmen — and there
are all too few of them — under-
stand the value of a good word
for the other chap's product, and
not quite so much blah about his
own. A little modesty frequent-
ly has a wonderful reaction.
"Everyone's"
Sydney
■
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
HYATT DAAB
office boy for
Standard Oil Co.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr,
COINCIDENT with the institution of the Universal Newsreel,
featuring the talking reporter, at the Strand in New York
and Brooklyn and the new Beacor^ on upper Broadway, Graham
McNamee, famous ether announcer, will make poisonal appear-
ances at all three theaters. Graham, who is one of the air's
premier word-slingers, is, as you probably know, the unseen and
talkative reporter The Beacon, latest Manhattan addi-
tion to the Warner chain, is affording excellent treatment to its
patrons via Manager John Byrne, who knows his exhibition stuff.
Prior to taking charge of this house he did a similar job at
Montclair, New Jersey, for Warners
* * * *
Add Frank Wilstach's similes (maybe) : As unpopular as
a pair of squeaky shoes in a sound studio. If that's not new,
why . . . er . . sue us Arline de Haas, who is a mighty
diligent postcarder, sends her latest from the Fiji Islands.
Arline was formerly head publicity woman at Warner Bros.
Eastern workshop. And Townsend Walsh, big publicity fel-
low, sends a card from Sicilia
* * * 4>
Hal Rodner is back in New York after arranging for
branches which Continental Theater Accessories, Inc., will open
soon in St. Louis and Los Angeles John Eberson, the-
ater 'architect de luxe, has returned to Manhattan labors after
a brief vacation in Florida D. A. Doran is in town lin-
ing up new story material for Columbia.
* * * *
Frank Price, Jr., manager of the Rivoli, Baltimore, has been
appointed chairman of the entertainment committee of the Ad-
vertising Club of Baltimore. Big spread is scheduled at Lord
Baltimore Hotel for Feb. IS for "ad" fellows "The De
Forest Sound Track" is the name of the monthly house organ
issued by Gordon Rowley, who represents General Talking at
Cleveland Streamers were printed on records manufac-
tured by Brunswick Co. featuring the song numbers of First
National's "Sally"" now holding forth in N. Y
* * ♦ *
Nancy Carroll, Paramount star, will spend a few weeks'
vacation down in Honolulu Is there anybody in New
York unaware of the fact that "Party Girl" is at the Gaiety?
Well, you can't blame Al Selig. The lad put over a splendid
campaign for this Tiffany jewel Sol Wurtzel of Fox here-
after will present Paul Muni as a young romantic lover
For the first time in his life John McCormack has had the expe-
rience of singing to an audience paid to listen. Of course it
was for the Fox Movietone production now being completed at
the Coast
4c « * *
Nick Grinde, M-G-M director, is said to have copped con-
siderable space in the Jan 11 issue of the "Saturday Evening
Post" His article deals with the problems of the talking pro-
ducer Tom Adrian Cracraft, American scenic artist, will
arrive in New York tomorrow aboard the Bremen Here's
that "it" again. United Artists word jugglers credit Harry Rich-
man with "The Voice With It," and, of course, it's for U. A. in
"Puttin' on the Ritz."
JANUARY 8-HANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Larry Darmour
Nelly Savage
James Farley
Matt Moore
Alexander Gray
Joe Weil
-AND
THATS
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
JUST TO see if all the scholar;
have been following the class les
sons in motion pictures, teacher wil
now ask a few simple questions:
What is a cineogn'aph?
A cineograph is a kineograph.
What is a kineograph?
A kineograph is a motion picture
such as shown by the kinetoscope.
What is a kinetoscope?
A kinetoscope is a device by means
of which the pictures taken by the
kinetograph are produced in such a
way as to duplicate the movements
of the original.
What is a kinetograph? some
bright pupil asks.
Oh, that's just another name for
a motion picture camera. These are
the old fashioned terms they used to
use when Dad was a boy. In those
days he said to Ma: "Let's go see a
kineograph at the Nickelodeon."
And Ma replied: "No, Pa. The
kinetoscopist at the Nikelodeon is an
old sweetheart of mine, and if he
sees me setting there with you he'll
make the kineograph jump and
flicker."
Well, at that, kinetoscopist is as
highfalutin' a title as the present-day
"projectionist."
* * *
Parts That Stand Out
We nominate Fifi Dor say for her\
work in Fox's "Hot for Paris."
Those eyes! Can she use 'em? Oh,
boy. And those beautiful centrifugal
movements of the waist line. Shel
dances. She sings. She makes oo- \
la-la. She's a wow. A pip. Ga see
her and then write your own ad-
jectives. We've exhausted ours.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
C. B. Price claims duping of offi-
cial German submarine picture.
* * *
Al Kaufman reported entering pro-
duction as independent producer.
Sam Goldwyn purchases
rights to "Officer 666."
screen
THE
/ednesday. January 8, 1930
DAILV
*SEE AND HEAR" By ^THS^^^
rhe Development of Motion Pictures
! from Their Beginning to the Present
Chapter II
)S START C
An Industry*
jilEANWHILE, a secret race
I'* Probably the first to project
jvas the late Major Woodville
•racy, from Virginia, who opene(y~ ^t tt\iy'W*^i'i^'m> <
Broadway in May of 1895. uil LyUpt^T lUilt:^
\uguste Lumiere of Lyons, an
achieved the screen, and in WaslEmil JanningS Talker is
orth a projector commercially s Among Ufatones NoW
1895. All of these machmes wei ^^ ^j^^ Way
[fCinetOSCOpe and used his films i six Ufa Supertone productions, the
I Communication was slow th((^rst talkers to be sent over here by
York began to demand a screethis company are on the way and
Raff & Gammon of New York, the first of the lot is due to arrive
,.,,,. J jabout the end of this month, accord-
uamed it the Vitascope, and madj^g ^^ ^able advices just received by
it manufactured and offered asF. Wynne-Jones. These talker fea-
market looked to Edison, who vtures, under the trade name of Ufa-
tion nicture tone, are all-dialogue, music and dia-
(Continued on Page 11)
\ The first showing was announced
|for April 20, 1896. The Vitascope
[was to be the last act on the va-
riety, or vaudeville, program at Kos-
ter & Bial's Music Hall at Broad-
way and Thirty-fourth Street, New
York. Delays, however, were to
postpone the opening until the eve-
ning of April 23rd. The latter date
is, therefore, recorded as the real
birthday of the motion picture as a
form of public entertainment.
It is a fine evening and the house
is packed. Silk hats and evening
clothes are plentiful. Some of the
bloods of the town are here. Thomas
Armat is at the projection machine.
Thomas Edison sits quietly in a box,
acclaimed by the crowd as he was
to be acclaimed thirty years later
when he modestly visited the opening
of the great Paramount Theater, ten
blocks north of Koster & Dial's, but
now, as on that later occasion, he
lis silent.
At last the pictures are thrown
; upon a twenty-foot screen which has
been set in a gilded frame. There
is the finale of Hoyt's "Milk White
Flag," a dash of a prize fight, Anna-
, belle Moore — the dancer — waves roll-
■ ing in on Manhattan Beach. Mar-
ivelousl gasps the audience. Bravo!
shouts the gallery boys. As the
waves roll in, the first-night audience
—at least those in the front rows —
jump from their seats and move back
through the aisles to avoid being
deluged, thus paying involuntary
tribute to the reality of motion pic-
tures. Sheepishly they return to
their seats to applaud.
Praise! Words of congratulations!
Excitement! Newspaper comment!
I^OBLIX ADDS SIX MORE
THEATERS TO CIRCUIT
Kansas City, Kan. — Publix has ac
1 raveling v iiascope showings arouscu
the country to eager interest in the
new invention. Men, women and
children flocked to see pictures that
moved. It was thrilling, exciting —
something new under the sun. Far-
mers left their plows, farm wives
their chores, to see Edison's new
wonder. An interest was aroused
that was to spread to the smallest
hamlet, encircle the globe, enlist
more people than any other instru-
ment of entertainment the world ever
knew.
And with the increased interest
came a demand for more films. From
far and wide came the call. People
would gladly pay to see moving pic-
tures, but they soon tired of seeing
the same pictures over and over
again. Novelty in pictures was need-
ed. Thus from the first began the
ceaseless struggle for variety of pic-
tures — a struggle which explains
why today there are 800 feature pic-
tures annually.
The first picture makers had been
able to induce some of the Broad-
way stars and some of the athletic
heroes of the country, notably the
prize fighters, to appear before the
camera. In exchange for their ser-
vices the stars got splendid adver-
tisement. Today it is with some jus-
tification said that stars demand and
receive salaries commensurate with
their services to the amusement-lov-
ing world.
About this time in the film's his-
tory, New York was being treated
with what the citizens of that day
regarded as a racy comedy called
"The Widow Jones," in which Miss
May Irwin and John C. Rice ex-
changed a kiss of almost modern
prolongation. The moving picture
producers of the day saw the, advan-
tages of the kiss on the screen and
Miss Irwin and Mr. Rice agreed to
reproduce it for the camera. It be-
came an instant success under the
rather obvious title of "The May
Irwin-John C. Rice Kiss." It was
forty feet long and it brought down
on the heads of the infant industry
several resounding raps. In spite of
its popular appeal, a great many peo-
ple disapproved of osculation to the
extent of forty feet and to this day
no one has ever definitely deter-
mined how many feet long a kiss
may be and still remain a proper
salutation.
Soon now vaudeville turned eager
eyes upon the Vitascope and B. F.
Keith houses began to announce it
as an added attraction. Newspapers
differed in their estimates of its pos-
sibilities, but shortly after the Vita-
scope's first appearance in Boston,
The Boston Herald took occasion to
TO-MORROW
Second Part of Chapter II
'*Aii Industry's Early Days"
Relating the first important moves
that led toi the establishment of
motion pictures as an institution.
Entertaining and Informative
For Everyone in This Business
EVERY DAY in THE FILM DAILY
predict a future. "May not small
town? see city shows by Vitascope?"
The Herald asked. "May not ac-
tresses, who realize how fleeting
youth is, preserve themselves in
their prime? Indeed to what uses
may not the Vitascope be put?" To
which The Boston Traveler added,
"Who knows how the new inven-
tion and those that are to follow
may revolutionize the amusement
world . . . Who knows that each
country will not have its stage 'foun-
dries,' so to speak, for each of the
various forms of dramatic and mu-
sical art? Here finely drilled com-
panies could give performances to
be perpetuated by the Vitascope and
the phonograph, or by their suc-
cessors. Duplicates of the records
could be sent by flying machines
broadcast over the world and Lon-
don's new play or latest sensational
dance could be enjoyed in every
quarter of the globe within a few
jays of the initial presentation."
Did they speak with prophetic
tongues?
Busy days followed the introduc-
tion of the Vitascope. Bitter days,
too. Patent wars vvere pending and
all along the line new activities were
to be noticed. The Vitascope had
begun to have importance. Men
were beginning to see money ahead.
It was an open game, as Terry
Ramsaye says, and anybody might
become important over night. Every
man who came in contact with the
screen might call it his own. Some
heartbreaks, perhaps many injus-
tices, were to be endured before the
industry became conscious of itself,
of its importance, of its responsibili-
ties and opportunities. But these
internal wrangles need not all be
told here. They provide a thrilling
chapter for the industry, but after
all, all industries pass through such
periods of unrest and instability. In
a great war men die, they are maim-
ed, blinded, diseased. Mothers are
bereft of sons, wives of husbands,
children of fathers. And yet in the
golden sun of victory, these things
as lamentable as they are, must be
judged in accordance with the great
purpose, the ultimate end. In trans-
oceanic flying we see brave young
men — and fine young women too —
sink to their deaths in the stormy
waters. We are grieved; and yet for
the future safety of travel, for the
greater comfort of those who fol-
low, we persist. These things have
to be. It is the story of life itself.
And so in the motion picture we find
in those last days of the nineteenth
century strife and warfare, and not
always the most desirable and ad-
mirable of methods. But these things
we accept now — and with the shak-
ing of a head, pass on, because that
past is no more.
{Continued Tomorrow)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
THE
jg^
DAILV
Wednesday, January 8, 19301
rORECASTPATHE EARNINGS
FOR 192W6,000,000
(Continued from Page 1)
ing to the "Wall St. News." Figur-
ing on the same basis this figure
compares with $187,435 for 1928.
The company reported a net profit
of $29,894 after all charges and in-
terests in the third quarter which
ended Oct. 1929 which compares with
$68,102 in the same 12 week period
of 1928. For the 40 weeks ended
Oct. 1929, gross sales and rentals of
the company were $13,896,571, while
cost of sales, rentals and selling and
administrative expenses were $14,-
202.074.
De Forest President of
Radio Engineer Institute
Dr. Lee De Forest, inventor of
Phonofilm, has been elected president
of the Institute of Radio Engineers,
succeeding Hoyt Taylor, naval radio
engineer of Washington. Dr. De
Forest is research engineer of Gen-
eral Talking Pictures Corp.
Ralph Block Joins Fox
Coast Staff as Writer
(.Continued from Page 1)
write the adaptation and dialog foi'
"Cisco Kid," which will star Warner
Baxter and be directed by Alfred
Santell. Tom Barry, originally as-
signed to write the adaptation and
dialog, is ill.
cinematography is in a fair way to boost the
motion picture higher than ever in pubHc
interest within a short time.
Many features in part-color or all-color have
been produced within the past two months,
and over 40 are now in work or scheduled.
Hollywood studios find themselves facing a
situation where they must hold up color pro-
duction owing to the shortage o: color cam-
eras and developing facilities. Al the pro-
ducers are anxious to go into color produc-
tion. The industry has been thoroughly sold
on color cinematography, for reports from all
sections of the United States show that the
public has reacted very favorably to the latest
development in their screen fare.
The main criticism of eye-strain due to a
too lavish use of color is being rapidly over-
come by the color technicians, and the trend
is row toward subdued hues and a more
naturalistic coloring. So all signs point to
outstanding developments in the color field
within the next few months. Experts state
that within a reasonable period 50 per cent
of all Hollywood features will be using color
in certain sequences. Others claim that it is
quite possible that color will eventually trans-
plant the black-and-white film, even as scund
has made the silent feature obsolete.
Predict Color Films Will Replace
Black and White Within 2 Yrs.
(Continued from Page 1)
nicolor's national magazine advertis-
ing campaign with a budget that will
run from $500,000 to $1,000,000. The
opening of the campaign to educate
the public starts with a three-page ad
in "Saturday Evening Post" issue of
Jan. 11, and these publicity smashes
will continue at regular periods
throughout the year, and also in the
fan magazines, starting in February.
This is only one of many concrete
indications that color on the screen is
front page news. It seems destined
to duplicate in the history of the busi-
ness the record of sound in arousing
public interest and adding new im-
petus to the onward march of the
motion picture.
Technicolor hung up a new record for color
productions last November when they had
nine big features taking color treatment in
seven of the largest Hollywood studios. In a
few weeks this company will have in opera-
tion their new pl.int in Hollywood to sup-
plement the two other labs there and the two
in Boston. This plant will represent an ex-
penditure of $1,000,000 and when at full
capacity will be able to handle an output
of 47,000 feet of colored film daily.
Up at Irvington-on-the-Hudson the big
plant of Photocolor is getting its stride, while
'Multicolor is introducing its new rainbow
negative, which obviates the use of special
cameras or additional lighting. Multicolor is
building a plant capable of processing 1,000,-
000 feet a week. William T. Crespinel, who is
largely responsible for the development of
this process, states that any of the sound
systems may be used with Multicolor, I'nc
sound track being colored by either one of
the basic colors used in coloring the film.
Furthermore, he claims that the process can
be shot in any existing camera and without
changing the camera to affect its usefulness
for monochrome shots.
Meanwhile Colorcraft Corp. is erecting a
plant in Long Island City with a capacity of
90,000,000 feet of natural color film a year.
The establishment will have a special de
partment for newsreels, with facilities for
turning out 2,000 prints in 24 hours.
Another development in color cinematog-
raphy was the recent demonstration by Color-
art Synchrotone Corp., Ltd., at the Eastman
projection rooms in Hollywood. Using regu-
lar film stock in a standard Bell & Howell
camera fitted with the William F. Adier third-
dimensional device, motion picture .photog-
raphy giving the illusion of depth was dem-
onstrated.
Harriscolor has been working for several
years on their process which has now been
perfected, and which Hollywood experts are
viewing with interest. Then there is the
Eastman Sonochrome tinted positive film that
that has become a standardized product of
the many which this company manufactures.
So, viewing it from the varied important
achievements of these leaders in the field, color
3,147 W. E. Houses
Theaters of the United States
now wired for Western Elec-
tric sound reproducing systems,
now total 3,147, according to
Electrical Research Products.
29 ON PRODUCTION LIST
Of 80N0 ART-WORLD WIDE
iContinued from Page 1)
Ueacon, latest Manhattan addi-
Drding excellent treatment to its
, who knows his exhibition stuff,
house he did a similar job at
irners
* *
les (maybe): As unpopular as
und studio. If that's not new,
rline de Haas, who is a mighty
latest from the Fiji Islands.
Icity woman at Warner Bros,
send Walsh, big publicity fel-
ew York after arranging for
ter Accessories, Inc., will open
eles John Eberson, the-
ned to Manhattan labors after
D. A. Doran is in town lin-
olumbia.
* *
the Rivoli, Baltimore, has been
tainment committee of the Ad-
g spread is scheduled at Lord
■ "ad" fellows "The De
^le of the monthly house organ
represents General Talking at
printed on records manufac-
ng the song numbers of First
forth in N. Y
I star, will spend a few weeks'
....Is there anybody in New
"Party Girl" is at the Gaiety?
'I The lad put over a splendid
ACADEMY JUDGES PASSING
(Continued from Page 1) •
cinematographer, art director, and
production.
An important activity of the Acad-
emy during 1929 was the work of its
conciliation committee which seeks •
to adjust differences between individ-
uals and companies in the industry, ■
says the survey covering the year,
prepared by Frank Woods, secretary
of the organization.
Following is the survey for 1929: I
The service activities of the Academy of I
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have been I
considerably extended during the past year.
Invitation of fifty new members, whose
achievements in the motion picture produc-
tion industry were thus recognized, brought
the Academy total membership to 400. De- '
velopment has been marked in the Academy's '
threefold functions: furtherance of harmon-
ious relations within the industry, promo-
tion of appreciation outside the industry, and
advancements of the arts and sciences of mo-
tion pictures.
A brief review of principal features of the
Academy's work during the year will appear
in subsequent issues of The Film Daily.
"Vaudeville," starring Constance Carpen-
ter, with Nick Adam; supervised by George
W. Weeks, directed by Gundry.
E. A. Dupont's "Atlantic," British Inter-
national production, with English and Ger-
man dialog versions.
"Her Compulsory Husband," British In-
ternational, starring Lillian Manton; directed
by Harry Lachman.
"Mary Was Love," British International,
from the novel by Guy Fletcher; directed
by Manning Haynes.
"The Plaything," British International,
from the play, "Life's Pretty Much the
Same"; directed by Carleton Knight.
"Carnival," British International, from the
novel by Compton Mackenzie.
"Tambourine," British International, nui
sic-drama with modern society background.
"Hate Ship," British International; direct-
ed by Norman Walker.
"Blackmail," British International.
"Harmony Heaven," British Intrenatidnal,
musical; directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
Another MILLION
wild -eyed thrill
fans vibrated to
the same story
published as a
novel . . . NOW
Murder on the Roof
bia Picture
With
DOROTHY REVIER
RAYMOND HATTON
MARGARET LIVINGSTON
Directed by
GEORGE B. SEITZ
i/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 7
Thursday, January 9, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Wewsreel Firms Not Discontinuing Silent Issues
Mica ^BS START^-OPERATIVE^RVIfF.
^irst of 6 Ufa Supertones Will Arrive Thi^ ^ __. .1
The Technical
— march of progress
=^By JACK ALICOATE =
J SING as a starting point the
rather logical premise that
an industry is no more pro-
essive than the achievements of
s technical personnel we find mo-
on pictures on this ninth day of
muary, nineteen hundred and
lirty in a most envious position,
he reason behind this mildly il-
iminating conclusion is that we
ave just finished a casual survey
f what's going on behind the
:enes and in technical laboratories,
luch of our information comes
ia the most reliable route of the
lociety of Motion Picture En-
ineers.
Progress Plus
There is no questioning the fact
iiat the industry, from the stand-
oint of invention, innovation and im-
>rovement is moving forward very
,apidly. Among those accomplish-
lents already past the experimental
tage and considered ready as the
esult of practical use are: A high
peed camera capable of making
1,000 pictures per second for use in
■ihotographing electricity used in re-
ording, a new and apparently prac-
ical device for the transmission of
notion pictures by wireless, several
\tw systems of color photography, a
lew loud speaker that looks like part
)f a pipe organ and so designed to
pe a decorative feature of a theater,
L fire extinguisher mounted on a
Projector that puts out the fire al-
nost instantly and cuts off the cur-
ent, several new types of screens,
ireproof and particularly for color
projection, almost daily announce-
ments in the wide film field, and
nany, many more.
i We won't pull the old bromide
iibout the film business being still in
ts infancy_ but we shall hazard a
?uess, in view of what we know is
:oming, that it is still wearing romp-
Emil Jannings Talker is
Among Uf atones Now
on the Way
Six Ufa Supertone productions, the
first talkers to be sent over here by
this company are on the way and
the first of the lot is due to arrive
about the end of this month, accord-
ing to cable advices just received by
F. Wynne-Jones. These talker fea-
tures, under the trade name of Ufa-
tone, are all-dialogue, music and dia-
(Contimied cm Page 11)
puBux addsITmore
THEAMTO CIRCUIT
Kansas City, Kan. — Publix has ac-
quired the Grubel Bros. Amusement
Co. chain of four houses and will
formally take them over Jan. 12. The
houses, all named the Electric, are
in this city, St. Joe, Springfield, Mo.
and Joplin.
Portland, Me. — Publix will operate
the State and Maine, Netoco houses,
under a deal recently closed.
Form Publix Northwest
Theaters to Hold Chain
Publix Northwest Theaters, Inc.,
has been formed with object, it is
understood, of serving as a holding
(Continued on Page 2)
PARIS HOUSES NAY CLOSE
UNLESS TAX IS REDUCED
Paris (By Cable) — As a protest
against government taxation, which
is declared to have reached the
"abusive" stage, the French Ass'n of
Theatrical Managers has voted in
favor of closing up the theaters un-
less tax reductions are made. A reso-
lution was passed by the managers
giving Max Mourey, president of the
organization, authority to fix a date
for the closing if the government
fails to act on the showmen's de-
m.ands.
FOR "BLAZE O'GLORY"
"Blaze O'Glory," the Eddie Bowl-
ing vehicle with an English and
Spanish version, will be given sev-
eral performances in Spanish during
the current run at the George M.
Cohan, New York, it is announced
{Continued on Page 11)
Harry M. Warner to Be
Received by Pres. Hoover
H. M. Warner will be received by
President Hoover at the White
House Friday noon. He will be one
(Continued on Page 2)
All Except Paramount Holding
to Present Newsreel Schedule
MOVE TO COMBINE LONDON
IT
London (By Cable) — Formation of
an Entertainments and Kindred In-
dustries Federation to stabilize and
bring together the many unions of
employees throughout the entertain-
iContinued on Page 2)
Despite the popularity of sound
and talkers, the issuance of six news-
reels in silent versions will be con-
tinued, according to a survey just
made by THE FILM DAILY. With
the exception of Paramount, which
will drop one of its two silent reels
about the middle of next month and
at the same time increase its sound
issues to three a week, no changes
are contemplated at this time by the
(Continued on Page 11)
Allen Johnson Heads New
Body — Opening Offices
on January 15
Detroit — Offices are being estab-
lished in the Fox Theater Bldg. and
Jan. 15 has been set as the date for
starting of operations by the newly
formed Co-operative Theater Service
Corp., organized for the purpose of
giving Michigan exhibitors a com-
plete service in buying, booking and
all other phases of theater operation.
Allen Johnson, of Grand Rapids,
is head of the organization. Other
officials include Ray Moon, general
manager; John E. Niebes, treasurer;
(Continued on Page 2)
Warner Divisional Mgr.
of 2 Minneapolis Firms
Minneapolis — P. A. Warner has
been appointed divisional sales man-
ager of both the Arctic Nu-Aire Corp.
and Kooler-Aire Engineering Corp.
both of this city. Warner will have
supervision of the following terri-
tories; Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas,
Arkansas, and Texas. The companies
now operate six branch offices in the
above territories.
Hamilton, Ont., Operators
Fighting 'Unfair' Theaters
Hamilton, Ont. — An intensive cam-
paign is being conducted here by the
projectionists' union against theaters
on the "unfair" list. Five out of 21
local houses are non-union.
// You Are Not
Reading
"SEE and HEAR"
&3^WiU H.Hays
You Are Missing The Most
Interesting Story of the Year
EVERY DAY
in
The FILM DAILY
Vol. II No. 7 Thursday, January 9, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE : : : Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 21^ 2154 21 5| 200
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 17 17 17 100
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 1954 19^ 19^ 200
East. Kodak 177 176 177 200
Fox Fm. "A" ... 23 22 2'2}4 32,200
Keith A-0 21 21 21 100
♦do pfd 91
Loew's, Inc 47^ 46Ji 475^ 2,800
•do pfd. WW (654) 86
•do pfd. xw (65^) 86
•M-G-M pfd 235^ ....
Para. F-L SlJi 505^ 5054 2,800
Pathe Exch 354 i'A 3% 800
do "A" 6 5J4 iH 500
R-K-0 23K 2254 22}i 37,600
*Univ. Pict. pfd 30
Warner Bros 4354 42 42 J| 16,300
do pfd 3854 3854 3854 100
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 25^
Fox Thea. "A" ..5 54 4^ 5 5^ 5,700
Gen. Thea. Equ. .3254 30 3254 9,200
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts 1354 ....
*Loew's Inc. war 354 ...
*Nat. Scr. Ser 15 1|
*Nat. Thea. Sup 27 J4
*Univ. Pict 954 ... ".
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 76
Loew 6s 41ww ..W7Vs 102J4 102}^ lio
*do 6s 41 x-war 91J4 ....
•Paramount 6s 47 99
Par. By. S5^s 51.10154 1015^ 1015^ 'sO
Pathe 7s 37 4454 4054 4054 60
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
CO-OPERATIVE SERVICE
(Continued from Pqge 1)
Carl Buermele, manager of city
booking and buying, and E. H.
Richey, managing director. The
board of directors also includes Frank
Westman, Alex Schreiber, C. W.
Porter, all of Detroit; P. C. Schram,
Kalamazoo; C. R. Beechler, Char-
lotte, and H. T. Reynolds, Grand
Rapids.
Service will be confined to mem-
bers of the M.P.T.O. of Michigan,
inasmuch as the new association,
though a separate body, is actually
a part of the state organization.
About 100 theaters are expected to
be on the roster by the time the of-
fice starts functioning.
First National Foreign
Executive Arrives Today
Discussions of sound in foreign
fields will highlight the conference
scheduled between H. A. Bandy, for-
eign distribution manager for First
National and Phil Kaufman, general
manager for Warner Bros.-First Na-
tional and Vitaphone in Germany.
Kaufman arrives in New York today
on board the Bremen.
MOVE TO COMBINE
ENTERTAINMENT
{Continued from Page 1)
ment industry in general and the film
studios in particular is under way
by the London Trades Council.
The object of the new union is for
promoting complete trade union or-
ganization among supervisors, artists,
technicians, musicians, craftsmen and
other workers in theaters, film stu-
dios, cinemas and other branches of
the entertainment industry. Unions
involved in the federation include
Electrical Trades Union, Musicians'
Union, National Ass'n of Theatrical
Employees, the Film Artists' Guild,
and the National Ass'n of Entertain-
ment Managers. About 500,000 work-
ers are said to be involved in the fu-
sion of interests.
New York Long Island City j>
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ft
BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 ft
if
if
(f
if
J. E. Bmilatoiir, Inc, ^l
(f
if
tf
Chicago Hollywood K
1727 Indiana Ave. ^^"^ ^BTvd**""''^ 'i
CAlumet 2691 HOlIywood 4121 }•♦
Elaborate Exploitation
Book for "Hell Harbor"
Exhibitors throughout the country
will receive copies of an elaborate
exploitation book being issued in
connection with "Hell Harbor," In-
spiration picture to be released by
United Artists. It is one of the mos't
pretentious books of its kind ever
gotten out in the industrv. Lou
Lusty handled it for Inspiration.
Filled with excellent art work the
book furnishes information in regard
to the picture, which Henry King
directed, and tells its story.
First M-G-M French Film
Will be "Unholy Night"
fVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood— "The Unholv Night,"
Ben Hecht mystery directed by
Lionel Barrymore in its English ver-
sion, will be the first M-G-M dia-
logue picture in French, with Jac-
ques Feyder slated to do the direc-
tion. Vilma Banky's "Sunkissed"
already has been done in English and
German and present plans call for
several Spanish versions of M-G-M
features to be made this year. "Anna
Christie,' with Greta Garbo and
Rudolph Schildkraut, is to be pro-
duced in German.
Testimonial Dinner is
Given Raynor of Pathe
A testimonial dinner to William E.
Raynor, former treasurer, and instal-
lations of new officers of the New
York Film Board of Trade was held
last night at the Hotel Astor, New-
York. Raynor resigned from the
Film Board when he became short
subject sales manager for Pathe.
N. Y. Communist Theater
Makes Debut Saturday
A Communist theater, presenting
a film announced as Soviet propa-
ganda, will make its debut Saturday
at 126 East 14th St., New York.
The house, known as the Acme, will
present "The Red Communists's
Bride," produced by Proletkino
(meaning proletarian cinema) and
acted by members of the Red Army
and students at the Workers' Uni-
versitv.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today : AMPA Luncheon at the Paramour,
Hotel, New York City
Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" a
the Earl Carroll. '
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume ac
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the Worl
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johr
son at the Cohan, N. Y
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athleti,
York- c"°"' C°--°<Jo-. Nev
''"■ ' ^W^fhittTnTr^J.'"'^-'^"-
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball a
the Astor, New York
Feb. 19 Annu^ Benefit Show of CathoU.
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress a
Isrussels.
Form Publix Northwest
Theaters to Hold Chain
(Continued from Page 1)
company for Northwest Theaters
(Finkelstein & Ruben) houses which
Paramount acquired some time ago.
Sam Dembow is head of the new firm,
which has secured a charter at Wil-
mington, Del.
Harry M. Warner to Be
Received by Pres. Hoover
(.Continued from Page 1)
of the speakers at a meeting of the
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion which will be held at 4-30 the
same afternoon. Albert S. Howson
Warner Bros, scenario writer, wil'
accompany Warner on the trip to
evemng.^'°" "^^"^ ^' leaves this
Frank Heath Appointed
P-F-L Casting Director
Frank Heath has been appointed
casting director of the Paramount
Long Island studios, succeeding H
uTt'^'T ^u'^^' '■"^"tly resifned.'
tleath has been employed by Para-
mount as assistant director for the
\vith Vitagraph and other major
?l"d'°f Sol Tepper will take over
Heaths former duties as assistant
casting director.
Spring Continuing Practice
Although he is aiding R-K-O as
counsel and assistant to B B Ka-
hane, general counsel, Samuel Spring
formerly of First National, is sti!
continuing his law practice at. 521
Wilmington, N. C, All Sound
Wilmington, N. C— With instal-
^tion of RCA Photophone at the
Royal, every house in this city is
now equipped with sound apparatus.
Nolan for Whiteman Hour
Mary Nolan, Universal star, will be
one of the features on the Paul
Whiteman's Old Gold Hour on Tan
14. ■
M-G-M Auditors Meet in N.Y.
The three-day annual convention
of M-G-M auditors comes to an end
today in New York. Exchange op-
erations and improvements are among
the subjects on the program for dis-
cussion.
Warners Buy Oakland Site
Oakland — Warners have purchased
the site at Broadway and Franklin
Sts., for their new 4,500-seat theater
here. The cost is estimated at
$^000,000 by Jack L. Warner, vice
president.
125 Day and Date Bookings
Show of Shows," Vitaphone re-
\ue, ,s playing 125 day and date en-
cft^rfh"*' '^'' ^^'^ '" P"n<^ip">
$30,000 Fire in Marinette
Marinette, Wis.— Damage to the
Rialto as a result of the recent fire
is estimated at $30,000. A sound
machine valued at $15,000 also was
destroyed.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILtE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
tod
the
dvis
edav
Production under the supervision of
Sam B. ]acobson. By arrangement with
hiational Broadcasting Company. Twice a
week — on disc. Presented by
CARL LAEMMLE
— the day you have been waiting for,»»
the day on which the world^s most
famous radio broadcaster is presented
as the Talking Reporter for Universal
NewsreeL^^Now you can have an
ATTRACTION in your newsreel
never equalled»«»Now you can have
the only newsreel with a direct
newspaper tieup^».the only talking
newsreel with real, up'tO'the-minute
NEWS.. •Plus
GRAHAM
McNAMEE
newscasting the latest events. Warner
Bros, booked it for their new Beacon
Theatre; for the N. Y. Strand; for
the Brooklyn Strand — because it's the
greatest newsreel on the market!
^!^^^s^^'<^m^'
1930
STYLE
SHORTS
PARAMOUNT
solve the vital problem of
V— I'f^ ■ T- •*»*'r.' A."- :••:; :-'r*s«./****cF.- a
"OUT OF THE HUMDRUM TO A NEW PLANE"
— Variety
^'FUNNIEST COMEDIES WE HAVE SEEN"
—Exhibitor's Herald World 1
"GOOD FROM BROADWAY TO A TENT SHOW"
—Zit*s
''GREAT SHORTS FOR WIRED HOUSES''
* Lb
— Billboard
PARAMOUNT CHRISTIE
CURREXT CHRISTIE HITS
^H9P
mil
^^^^£
Bli^
CHARLES GRAPEWm
ANNA CHANCE in
"Red Headed Hussy"
LOIS WILSON
BERT ROACH in
"For Love or Money"
LOUISE FAZENDA
BERT ROACH in
' So This is Paris Green "
TAYLOR HOLMES
in
"Let Me Explain"
_ lo^s'^t^iii^m
CHRISTIE TALKIXG PLAYS
booking shorts that sell seats!
f
'CHRISTIES ARE GEMS FOR ANY PROGRAM"
-Exhibitor's Daily Review
"BEST OF THE MONTH IS A CHRISTIE"
— Liberty Magazine
"A CERTAIN BET IN ANY HOUSE"
— Variety
"RANK WITH FEATURES IN MONTH'S 10 BEST"
— Photoplay Magazine
TALKING PLAYS
BIGGEST HITS
.^^
'"SALiy ^
"fkw^m- ^■^- ^'.1
with Alexander Gray,
Joe E.Brown, Pert Kelton,
Ford Sterling. From
Florenz Ziegfeld's mu-
sical comedy by Guy
Bolton, author and
Jerome Kern, composer.
- - - Directed by John
Francis Dillon. - - -
ALL TECHNICOLOR.
iHli;
"Vitaphone" is the registered trade mark of
the Vitaphone Corp. designating its products
with Lowell Sherman
Marian Nixon, Armida
Hobart Bosworth - - -
From the novel by
George Preedy - - -
Adapted by Walter
Anthony - Screen play
and dialogue by J.
Grubb Alexander
--- Directed by
Alan Crosland.
WITH TECHNICOLOR.
ON BROADWAY
I
Is a
STREET to these
^ HITS/
tA
with Joan Bennett
Florence Arliss
Anthony Bushell
David Torrence
From the play by |
Louis N. Parker - •
Adapted by J u II a n |
Josephson - Directed
by Alfred E. Green. |
with Alexander Gray
Bernice Claire
Louise Fazenda.
Adapted from musical
comedy by Frank
Mandel,OttoHarbach,
Vincent Youmans and
Emil Nyitray. Directed
by Clarence Badger.
WITH TECHNICOLOR.
fj^^
DAILY
Thursday, January 9, 1930
"SEE AND HEAR" By ^^^^^^^
The Revolutionary Advance o/ the
VJorXd's Greatest Entertainment
Chapter II — Continued
"An Industry's Early Days''
WE pass on to — the beginning of the motion picture's conscious-
'* ness of itself as an art. The filming of "The Passion Play" is
the first notable move. Now follow such meager attempts at
story telling as the filming of "The Life of an American Fireman"
by Edwm S. Porter, then an Edison cameraman — a subject, by
the way, which was utilized for the screen again in the year 1927,
under the more fitting title of "The Fire Brigade." But seven and
a half years were to pass from the night the first Vitascope was
displayed at Koster & Bial's before a real motion picture with a
real plot was to be produced
"The Great Train Robbery," in
which Mr. Porter built upon his tech-
nique in "The Life of an American
Fireman," is generally regarded as the
screen's first effort to tell a story in
pictures. It was made by the Edison
studios in 1903. Edison was father-
ing the evolution of the art from the
seed of his peep show pictures.
"The Great Train Robbery" was
a world-wide sensation. It gave rise
to a great development in making
pictures with stories. Showmen took
to the road with it in black tents and
made converts to the motion picture
entertainment all over the world. It
was followed by "The Great Bank
Robbery," by "Rafifles — The Amateur
Cracksman," and by "Trapped by
Bloodhounds, or a Lynching at Crip-
ple Creek."
"The Great Train Robbery" also,
by chance, gave the screen world its
fijist star — Max Aronson, known
presently as G. M. Anderson and
later as Broncho Billy. From his
day on, the star has been in the as-
cendant. The motion picture public
demands its favorites and whatever
can be said for or against the sys-
tem, the public, as final arbiter, de-
cides the issue.
On April 2, 1902, the first motion
picture theater announced its en-
trance into the world. The Elec-
tric Theater, 262 South Main Street,
Los Angeles, told the citizens of
that city, which later was to become
the motion picture capital of the
world, that for the price of ten cents
it would be glad to provide an hour's
amusement in "a vaudeville of mov-
ing pictures" including "Capture of
the Biddle Brothers" and "New
York in a Blizzard." Business was
so good on the opening night that
matinees started the next day. In
less than twenty-five years, there
were to be more than 20,000 motion
picture theaters in this country.
"The Electric" was the project
of Thomas L. Tally of Los Angeles,
the showman who many and many a
year later was to figure again in
screen history as one of the found-
ers of First National Exhibitor's Cir-
cuit, now the world famous First Na-
tional Pictures, Inc.
There were other tentative begin-
nings of a screen theater. So far,
the career of the motion picture had
been as a component of the bills of
the variety theaters which were be-
coming more elegantly "vaudeville."
One of the earlier theaters was open-
ed in 1903 in Newcastle, Pa., by the
Warner Brothers, due subsequently
to figure conspicuously in the mo-
tion picture story.
Meanwhile the peep show motion
picture continued to flourish in the
penny arcades, of the sort that ling-
er still in the congested regions of
the greater cities. These arcades,
trivial as they seemed, were to prove
mighty agencies of the future, draw-
ing to the picture a personnel that
was one day to dominate the indus-
try. Adolph Zukor, Marcus Loew,
and William Fox are among those
who made such inconspicuous entries
into the world of the films. Mr. Zu-
kor, now president of Paramount
Famous Lasky Corporation, carries
on to-day. Mr. Loew, whose un-
timely death in the summer of 1927
deprived the industry of one of its
most cherished leaders, was the head,
of Loew's Incorporated, which in-
cluded Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, mak-
ers of "The Big Parade," "Ben Hur"
and other notable pictures. William
Fox is president of Fox Film Cor-
poration, producer of many screen
masterpieces.
While these men were serving
their novitiate as purveyors of en-
tertainment to the public in the mo-
vie slot machine peep shows, a
mighty transition vvas impending.
Thanksgiving week in 1905, Harry
Davis, then a real estate operator in
Pittsburgh, decided to put a movie
projector, a piano and some film in-
to a vacant storeroom, along with
ninety-nine seats, and see what he
could do as a showman, with a five-
cent admission. The show was "The
Great Train Robbery." The experi-
ment was a world-shaking success.
The admissions poured through as
fast as the one-reel show could be
ground out. The East caught fire
with the idea and five-cent motion
picture theaters swept the country.
Every week saw hundreds of new
"nickelodeons" opened. By 1907
there were five thousand of them, all
new customers for motion pictures,
and making for the pictures a new
public. Among the newcomers on
this wave was Carl Laemmle, now
president of Universal Pictures Cor-
poration and a leader in the indus-
try. He opened the White Front
Theater on Milwaukee Avenue in
Chicago's West Side and there em-
ployed a bright messenger boy by
the name of Sam Katz to play the
piano. Mr. Katz is now the head of
the far-flung Puhlix Theaters.
The coming of this new market put
an extraordinary strain on the capac-
ities of the producing machine of
the motion picture industry of the
day. The industry had been torn
with internal wars and patent fiehts
in the courts since 1896, the year the
screen was born on Broadway.
But now studios had to be built
and a stable organization set up. Hit-
and-run methods would not serve.
In 1906 both the American Muto-
scope and Biograph Company and
the Edison interests, major oppon-
ents in the patent struggles, set up
large studios to supplant their roof-
top plants and backyard production
methods.
In 1907, D. W. Griffith, a Ken-
tuckian, a bit of an author and a
good deal of an actor, ventured about
seeking to sell some "suggestions"
for motion pictures. They were real-
ly scenarios, but the word had not
been invented yet, at least not for mo-
tion pictures. Presently he was em-
ployed by the Biograph Company
and walked through that old brown-
stone door at 11 East Fourteenth
Street in New York which was to be
TO-MORROW
The Concluding Installment of
**Aii Industry's Early Days"
Eventful Years — Eventful Names —
Eventful Experiments
Learn How It All Came About by Reading
This Engrossing Serial
EVERY DAY in THE FILM DAILY
the golden gate to fame also for
Mack Sennett, who was to evolve a
whole_ separate art of production in
motion picture comedy, just as
Griffith slightly before hijn set about
laying down the foundation of the
real dramatic art of screen narration.
That was in 1908.
The motion picture, warring, need-
ed peace. Biograph, in the artistic
ascendancy due to Griffith, was about
to go to the wall in the commercial I
and patent war. Then a practical
peace for business' sake came in the
truce that took form as the Motion
Picture Patents Company, formed
December 18, 1908, which pooled the
patents and licensed every picture
maker in America. In his analysis
of this complex and trying period,
Terry Ramsaye credits this labor
largely to George Kleine, then the
largest distributQf of motion pictures
in the world, and to Jeremiah J.
Kennedy, a consulting engineer and
business expert from downtown New
York, who became the chieftain of
the organization. Discipline came in-
to the industry for a time and it
prospered as never before.
Only a few months later, in 1909,
a certain little girl, legally one Gladys
Smith, an actress in stock and with
one Belasco engagement to her
credit, went looking for summer
work at the Biograph studio. She
told the clerk at the inquiry desk
that she was "Mary Pickford," her
newly-acquired stage name.
Not long ago, a theater in New
York put on a special revival of one
of Mary Pickford's first pictures — a
picture called "The New York Hat."
It was crude and quite funny to the
sophisticated audience. How they
laughed! Back in 1909, it was a
startling success. A little, unknown
girl in California had written it. Her
name was Anita Loos. The story
was that of a poor girl who wanted
an Easter bonnet, a desire shared by
countless of her sisters. A kindly
preacher, knowing of her longing
and of the hard life she led, sent the
hat to her. The gossips in the vil-
lage— Mae Marsh was one of them —
complained. They did not understand
and Mary's father said he would force
the minister to marry her. That was
what the minister wished to do all
along as it turned out. The fashion-
able 1927 audience chuckled, and by
their chuckling, they praised the
progress that has been made.
It was the kind of picture Mary
Pickford was to make famous — the
Cinderella story. "Little Mary," as
she was known, became a national
sensation. To-day Miss Pickford,
one of the very few survivors of that
pristine period of the screen, contin-
ues a vital and important personality
of the screen, and to a degree that
few outside of the industry know,
one of its highly capable executives.
(Continued Tomorrow)
Copyright. 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
e^ j<''?<!
j!"!)
V.i ij^'li
f.
f ',■»
-. \ . .
1 'i
1 4
. '1
I- ,'H
^"°^i- il----"""
1- -•-i^'GrV;^*^
PAT HE NEWS
Pathe Silent News
first and greatest &
still going strong !
ENTERING ITS TWENTIETH YEAR
THE
10
DAILV
Thursday, January 9, 19301
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €=-
Motion Pictures Will Go
Marching On Forever
THE dear old movies are dead,
but the new films will go
marching on. The talkies are
good for another 15 years, using
the 12,000 different stories which
the silent films have already run
through. After that, science will
step in again. The same 12,000
scenarios will be done once more
by a perfected color process. Af-
ter that, the radio movies, pro-
jecting pictures at a great dis-
tance, will flourish for another
15 years on the same old plots.
By that time scientists and indus-
trialists will have worked up
some new device, and the old
familiar stories will be rehashed,
once more. And so on, movies
without end.
New York "Times"
* * *
Colored Motion Pictures
Affecting Changes in Styles
THE great improvement in col-
ored motion pictures and
their widespread dissemination,
the increasing frequency of style
shows, the universal reporting
of their striking features over
the radio, and the recent beau-
tifully improved color technique
of women's magazines with
greatly increased circulation, have
all made style changes penetrate
ahnost instantaneously through-
out the civilized world.
Therefore, when her ladyship
from "the provinces" visits the
great metropolis she is by no
means conspicuous on account
of the antiquity of her gowns, as
was the case a couple of decades
ago. Indeed, the reverse is quite
apt to occur; the small-town
damsel with relatively fewer di-
versions than her city sister is
likely to be more keenly alert
upon this major problem of wo-
mankind and to follow it more
assiduously through radios, mo-
vies, club discussions, and style
magazines.
Dr. Julius Klein,
Asst. Sec'y of Commerce
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
VICTOR FLEMING
racing driver
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
EDDIE DOWLING, head man of Sono Art-World Wide
"Blaze O'Glory," was guest of honor at the Andrew Jack-
son Club of Brooklyn, the other night. They had Eddie sing
his theme song and the kid also delivered a talk on "The Lile
of an Actor." Chester Hale, producer of revues for the
Capitol and Loew Circuit, is again in need of a flock of chorus
girls for his various units. Bet there'll have some mob at his
53rd Street ofiice The Duncan Sisters, Vivian and Ro-
setta, are scheduled to appear at the Capitol in an all-talker,
"It's a Great Life."
* * ft *
Out in 'Philly' four people are working over the story of a
certain film. Thornton Freeland and William Conselman, re-
spectively director and adaptor, Eddie Cantor, star, and Florenz
Ziegfeld are in a get-together over the filming of "Whoopee."
It will be filmed under the personal supervision of Ziegfeld in
Hollywood, of course for U. A
* * * *
Tom Gerety is authority for the statement that Laurel and
Hardy, now gone Spanish, are a riot in "Ladrones," which is
having its premiere showing at Loew's 116th St. The picture's
a comedy short in Spanish, whether you can understand it or
not Jacqueline Logan after a flying trip to New York,
now is happily tucked aboard the George Washington en route
to London where she will appear in "Encore" to be produced
by Gainsborough Pictures, Ltd
* * * *
James A. FitzPatrick is preparing the first two releases of
his American Holidaj- series for 1930. The first two subjects
are "Abraham Lincoln" and "George Washington."
Roger Ferri adds color, but this time a number of red streamers
to the Fox Dynamo, and say it sure does stand out. That
paper sure sells Fox product in a hefty way. The Fox Club
is steaming up for the big jamboree Jan. 25
« 4c 4i «
Robert Armstrong and James Gleason are seriously con-
sidering applying for cards in the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen, all because of their apprenticeship during the filming
of "Oh Yeah." Dorothy Sebastian is another 'Bama girl
tliat made good in pictures. Dot learned her 1-2-3 at the U.
of Alabama.'
* 4i * *
John D. Rockefeller finally was pictured for a talker. The
oil king had his voice and figure recorded at his Florida home
and through the screen will addr ess a banquet in Cleveland to-
morrow to celebrate his 60th anniversary in the Standard Oil Co.
.... More Spanish dope. A Spani sh press sheet is being prepared
by Pathe for "Her Private Affair," Ann Harding's second all-
talker for the company
* * * *
Are you familiar with the wide film processes now being used
by some of the companies in the industry? In the 1930 FILM
DAILY YEAR BOOK you will find the latest comment on
the development of wide film processes.
JANUARY 9-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Vilma Hanky
Harry M. Goetz
Barbara Leonard
A. W. Smith
Clara Dummer
Pierre M. Arnaud
A. L. Barlow
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
ANOTHER BIG scandal is devel-
oping in this fillum biz. All on
account of that spelling bee contest
we started the other day. First Justin ■
Herman of the Emanuel-Goodwin
regional sheets squawks that we
framed him to go out and bet his
stenog, who trimmed him for five
bucks by spelling 6 out of 10 correct-
ly. Now the secretary in question,
Miss Georgia Yeager, writes us from
Philly. Listen to her plaint:
Dear Phil: What a laugh I got
this morning when I picked up THE
FILM DAILY and turned to your
column, in which you announce to
all and sundry that I had won the
sum of five bucks from our News
Editor. I haven't seen the five yet,
but outside of that the story is sub-
stantially correct.
* * *
What happened is this: The gen-
tleman (?) in question came in broke
Friday morning and tried as usual
to touch me for a couple of bucks
and some cigarettes. Having been
stung on numerous other occasions,
I curtly refused. This aroused his
ire and he made certain remarks
about my education, offering to bet
me that I couldn't spell your list cor-
rectly. Being a sporting gal, I ac-
cepted the wager and won, but he,
the viper, refused to come across.
He intimated that I knew you, and
that it was a frame-up to take him
for the works.
I think you should call the atten-
tion of your readers to this fact and
point out the kind of a guy Mr. Her-
man is. As to that threat of yours
to drop in and see me soon, why not
call me on the phone any night at
six o'clock. The number is Spruce
. That's my home phone. Geor-
gia Yeager.
* • •
Dear Georgia: If I can sell my
spats for 50 cents I will be able to
phone you at Philly tomorrow eve-
ning. Otherwise I'll write — if I can
borrow a stamp from the mail or-
der dept. Phil.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
George Loane Tucker, producer
of "The Miracle Man," files suit
against Mayflower and Famous, al-
leging violation of contract.
* * *
Motion Picture Exhibitors of
America meet at the Astor to dis-
cuss slide advertising situation.
* * ♦
Jack Holt signed by Paramount
for long term contract.
('/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 8
Friday, January 10, 1930
Price 5 Cents
deadlock in Chicago Operators' Contract Dispute
ANKFORD BILL UNDERFIRE IN HOUSEDEBATE
ducational Releasing 31 in First Half of 1930
The yiivYor
— a column of comment
IJTHE SILENT NEWSREEL does
' Jt face any immediate threat of ex-
rmination, a canvass made by THE
ILM DAILY indicates
Many an exhibitor undoubtedly
-ad this statement with a sense of
ratification. Silent newsreels, as
aute as they are, still, in many in-
i;ances, pack an entertainment punch
lual to their new-born brother, the
Dund newsreel. The silent news-
,:el has had more scope — more alert
less — more coverage of hot news
[vents. The sound newsreel, so far,
istead has frequently shown a tend-
|ncy to use magazine and too talky
ype of contents. Until the sound reel
[overs more ground, pictorially, there
Ivill remain a widespread need for
he silent newsreel
i M. P. T. O. MEMBERS of Mich-
igan have formed a co-operative the-
|ter service company to engage in
liollective buying, booking and all
'i)ther phases of theater operation
I Any plan which strives for intel-
igent economy is basically right. Ef-
fective operation of this project not
tnly should result in a reduction in
Overhead costs but, perhaps more im-
bortantly, bring to each exhibitor a
jnore comprehensive and sympathic
understanding of the problems of his
Jieighbor
STEP INTO the role of a patron
of a de luxe house, for a moment, and
pay about 75 cents for a ticket. Then
ievelop a thirst for water (as people
frequently do) and find that you must
pay a penny to buy a lily cup. And
vou haven't a penny in change.
Wouldn't you blankety-blank the the-
ater for poor showmanship? It does
happen, you know.
12 Mack Sennett Talking
Comedies Included
in New Product
Thirty-one two-reel talking come-
dies will be released by Educational
during the first half of 1930. Com-
prising this group of 12 of the Mack
Sennett series, six Lloyd Hamiltons,
five Tuxedos, four Mermaids and four
Jack Whites.
Considerably re-inforced the Educa-
tional studio stafif is now working at
top speed. Sennett has added Jack
Townley to his scenario staff and
Walter Hagen and Leo Diegel, two
golf champs, to his players' list.
SAY 'UNDIrIE' riLN
AHACKSMTRONAGE
Washington Burea-u of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Declaring that open
attacks on undesirable films only re-
sult in increased attendance, the M.
P. Committee of the General Feder-
ation of Women's Clubs, in its an-
iContittued on Page 2)
"Too Hazardous," Verdict
in Fatal Airplane Flight
IV 'St Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — A coroner's jury com-
prising three experienced aviators has
condemned as "too hazardous" the
(.Continued on Page 2)
FRENCH MUSICIANS SEEK
BAN ON ENGLISH TALKERS
Paris (By Cable) — A resolution,
apparently aimed principally at Amer-
ican pictures, has been adopted by
the French Music Federation, rep-
resenting composers, music publish-
(Continued on Page 2)
PATHE SALES FORCES
Increase in the number of divisions
from four to five — Eastern, Central,
Southern, Mid-Western and West-
ern— and the promotion of three
branch managers to division chiefs
has resulted from a reorganization
of the Pathe sales department, it is
annoujiced by Phil Reisman, general
sales manager. The division heads
(Continued on Page 7)
Five Firms Handling
Pathe Films in Orient
Distribution of the new Pathe prod-
uct in the Near East and Far East
now is being handled by five repre-
sentatives, it is announced by T. S.
(Continued on Page 7)
Current Chicago Operators'
Contract Expires Tomorrow
REPORT DENNY SIGNED
BY DENILLE FOR THREE
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILt
Hollywood — Reginald Denny is
understood to have been signed by
Cecil B. DeMille for the leading role
in "Madame Satan," which DeMille
is making for M-G-M. The contract
(Continued on Page 2)
Chicago — With tri-cornered nego-
tiations continuing daily, Chicago ex-
hibitor organizations and the opera-
tors' union seem hopelessly deadlocked
in their efforts to get-together on a
new contract. Contracts under the
current arrangement expire late to-
morrow night.
The operators are dickering with
two groups of exhibitors, one the Ex-
hibitors' Ass'n of Chicago, headed by
Jack Miller, and the other the re-
cently-formed Illinois Independent
(Continued on Page 2)
Opponents See Censorship,
Propaganda and Blue
Law Evils in it
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Charges that the bill
introduced by Rep. Lankford of Ga.
to establish a department of public
welfare, controlling radio and having
jurisdiction over certain films, is a
cloak for censorship, Sunday Blue
Laws and government propaganda
were made in the House when Lank-
ford set out to explain his measure.
Rep. Knutson of Minn, attacked the
bill as a censorship measure and a
(Continued on Page 2)
colemanTeaIgi"
to enterjeater field
Meyer Coleman, with Universal for
11 years, is leaving to become asso-
ciated with Jacob Schreiber, of De-
troit, in the management of the lat-
ter's theater circuit in Michigan. Cole-
man will locate in Detroit, which is
his home city. His latest post with
(Continued on Page 7)
Newhall Chain to Get
Four Houses in Spring
Boston — Four houses will be tak-
en over this spring by Allen B. New-
hall, former Moe Mark manager.
Newhall has just opened the Orpheum
here as the first link in the proposed
chain.
'SEE and HEAR'
&>^ Will H.Hays
Is A Liberal Education in the
Origin and Rise of the
Film Industry
Running Serially
EVERY DAY
in
The FILM DAILY
THE J
DAILY
Friday, January 10, 193(1
Vol. II No. 8 Friday, January 10, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
UNKfORD BILL UNDER
HRE IN HOUSE DEBATE
(Continued from Page 1)
means of government propaganda.
Congressman Black of New York
criticized it as connected with Sun-
day Blue Law legislation. Lankford
defended his bill by declaring that it
provides censorship only for the films
to be supplied various organizations
through the proposed department of
public welfare. Admitting that the
chances are that the bill will not
be passed, its sponsor asserted that it
would be "adopted when people of
the country became fully aware of
its real merits."
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 23 217/, 22^ 900
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 17^ 17 7/* 300
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. \9'A 1954 19/^ 300
Eas Kodak .....178 175J4 178 600
Fox Fm "A" ... 22J4 21 2m 51,200
♦Keith AG 21
LoewWnc.' ■.■.'.".■ .' 47^4 46/^ 47 J4 I'eOO
♦do pfd. WW (6}4) 86
♦do pfd. xw (6!^) 86 ....
♦M-G-M pfd 23^2
Para F-L 51/. 50 51 /a 3,300
Pathe Exch 3/8 3 3'A 900
do "A" 6H 6 6% 300
RK-O 23 217^ 22 17,800
♦Univ. Pict. pfd •^'' , .,„--AA
Warner Bros 43/g 42^ 43^ 20,400
do pfd 38}4 3854 385^2 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 26 24 26 600
Fox Thea. "A" .. 5K 4J^ S/g 3,200
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 33^ 32/8 33/8 7,400
♦Intern. Proj 25
♦Loew do deb. rts 1354 ....
♦Loew's Inc. war 3H • ■ • •
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 15^
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 27/.
♦Univ. Pict 9/j
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 76 76 76 100
Loew 6s 41ww ..102 102 102 100
do 6s 41 x-war... 9m 91^4 91M 200
Paramount 6s 47 . 99 }i 99/8 99/8 100
Par. By. 554s 51.10154 10154 10154 200
♦Pathe 7s 37 4054
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
,«»>»,w.««,j».jj.}».jj.j«,jj.«».«;.«j.j».jj.jj.;{.;j.*j.}^
ft New York Long Island City ft
» 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. }Jt
g BRYant 4712 STIUweU 7940 ».:
ft 1^
I Eastman Films i
ft ft
% J. E. Brulatour, Inc. i|
« ft
ft It
M Chicago Hollywood j'j
« ... . 6700 Santa Monica tV
g 1727 Indiana Ave. gj^j ♦.♦
a CAlumet 2691 HOIlywood 4121 ^
SEES MAGNETIZED WIRE
RECORDING FOR U. S.
Adoption of the magnetized wire
system for recording sound by Amer-
ican producers was forecast by Karl
Freund, German cameraman, speak-
ing as the guest of the AMPAS at
their luncheon at the Paramount ho-
tel yesterday. Freund stated that
this system was being generally used
by the Berlin studios, the sound be-
ing first recorded on the magnetized
wire and then transferred in the lab
to film or disc. He said that Ufa
was using black-and-white film with
a color filter for their color effects,
and gave it as his opinion that both
of these systems would eventually
meet with favor among American
producers, because of their simplicity
and economy. Freund is scheduled
for Hollywood under contract to
Paramount. Dudley Murphy, direct-
ing at Paramount Long Island stu-
dio, .spoke on the technical develop-
ments in connection with his recent
productions with all-color casts.
SAY 'UNDESIRABLE' FILM
AHACKS AID PATRONAGE
(Continued from Page 1)
nual report announced yesterday,
praised the efforts of the Federation
and the industry in working together
for films conforming to the standard
of the nation's women.
"Merely to attack serves only to
increase attendance of those pictures
which do not measure up to our
standard," the report said.
"Such methods of approach are not only
useless, but they are definitely harmful to
the cause of better films. Protesting to the
industry may prevent a recurrence of ob-
jectionable scenes and themes and approval
of worthwhile films will encourage the pro-
duction of pictures of a similarly high type.
All of our energy is needed in telling the
industry our wishes and in telling the com-
munities which pictures merit support and
encouragement."
It was voted by the Federation
Board of Directors to send a tele-
gram of congratulations and confi-
dence to Mrs. Thomas G. Winter,
who has accepted the position of as-
sociated director of studio relations
in Hollywood for the purpose of re-
flecting the women's viewpoint to the
makers of films.
Report Denny Signed
by DeMille for Three
(Continued from Page 1)
between the director and star also
provides that M-G-M can call upon
Denny's services for two pictures af-
ter "Madam Satan" is completed.
Denny is now completing a series of
pictures for Sono Art.
No confirmation was available yes-
terday at the M-G-M home office on
the reported signing of Reginald
Denny by Cecil B. DeMille.
Boston M-G-M in Own Quarters
Boston — M-G-M has moved its
local branch to its new building at
46 Church St. The general office is
on the second floor while the main
floor has been given over to the ship-
ing, poster and inspection depart-
ments.
Named Carnegie Manager
Milton H. Chamberlain, for many
years associated with Leo Brecher
as manager of the Plaza Theater, has
been appointed manager of The Little
Carnegie Playhouse.
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" a
the Earl Carroll.
Jan. IS Warner Coast studio to resume ac
tivity.
Jaru 20 Opening of "Across the Wocl
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johr
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athleti
Club, Hotel Commodore, Nev
York City.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producer
at Washington, D. C.
Peb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball a
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholi'
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress a
Brussels.
"Pointed Heels" Sets
New Paramount Record
With "Pointed Heels," featuring
William Powell, Helen Kane, Skeet
Gallagher and Fay Wray, as the
screen attraction, and Paul Ash on
the stage, the Paramount, New York,
broke all former records for attend-
ance and money during New Year's
week. Receipts were around $94,000,
beating the previous high mark by
$5,000.
"Too Hazardous," Verdict
in Fatal Airplane Flight
(Continued from Page 1)
Fox airplane flight that resulted in
a collision and ten deaths last week.
The ashes of Kenneth Hawks, one
of the victims, have been scattered
over the spot where the accident oc-
curred.
R. V. Anderson Undergoes
Appendicitis Operatior
R. y. Anderson, Director of Dis
tribution for the Motion Picture Con
gress underwent an appendix opera
tion yesterday at the Murray Hil
Sanatarium, N. Y.
Deadlock in Chicago
Operators' Dispute
(Continued from Page I)
Theater Owners, of which Aaror
Saperstein is president. Operator;
are standing pat on their demands foi
a six-day week with seven days' pay
and both organizations are just a;
firm in their denial of this plan. The
Miller group is willing to renew the
present contract.
French Musicians Seek
Ban on English Talkers
(Continued from Page 1)
ers and music printers, to the effect
that "talking films screened in
France must be in the French lang-
uage and an important part of the
musical accompaniment of synchron-
ized films shown in France must be
consecrated to French music." The
action was taken, it is stated, as a
safeguard for French culture and art.
Empire, San Antonio, Reopens
San Antonio — The Empire, remod-
elled at a cost of nearly $100,000 has
reopened as an independent house
under the management of Edgar Uhl.
It was a Publix house prior to the
expiration of the lease Dec. \.
More Floor Space for E. R.
Two additional floors in the Fisk
Bldg. have been leased by Electrical
Research Products for its New York
headquarters.
Mindlin Distributing Film
"Why Cry At Parting," starring
the noted German comediene, Dina
Gralla, and produced by Richard
Eichberg, German sound technicianj
has been acquired for American dis-
tribution by Michael Mindlin, wh'-:
operates the Fifth Avenue Playhouse,
and other movie houses throughon*
the countrj'.
W. E. Breaks Another Record
-■Ml weekly records for the instalia-.
tion of Western Electric Sound Sys-;
tems were shattered when 146 instal-|
lations were completed the week end-1
ing December 28, according to C. W-
Bunn, General Sales Manager of
Electrical Research Products.
Sound for Little Carnegie
RCA-Photophone equipment is be-1
ing installed at the Little Carnegie
Playhouse.
M-G-M Drops "Ex- Wife"
M-G-M announces that "Ex-Wife"
has been dropped from its production
schedule.
Kooler-y^ire
The SILENT
Summer Attraction
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
riday, January 10, 1930
DAILV
'*SEE'AND HEAR" By ^^3,^^^
From yioAe^t and Timid Beginnings
To World Importance
Chapter II — Continued
"An Industry's Early Days"
^?OLLOWING Mary Pickford's appearance, a long list of nota-
i- bles came— John Bunny, one of the f^rst of the comedians;
lobby Harron ; Mabel Normand ; Henry Walthall ; James Kirk-
/ood At first the actors from the spoken stage did not like the
iea of appearing in moving pictures. They considered pictures
egrading and vulgar. But the movies were attracting many
'ctors from the stage and they were developing stars of their own.
^ae Marsh, Norma Talmade were being heard from. The nairies
;f J. Warren Kerrigan and of Maurice Costello were becoming
inown.
Mack Sennett was getting ready to
reduce his famous comedies, the first
f which appeared in 1912. While
ennett continues to produce com-
dies, other great names are asso-
iated with comedies too, in a list of
vhich are those of Al and Charles H.
hristie, who have achieved distinc-
on in this important field.
About this time, Adolph Zukor got
llie idea of "famous players in fam-
ius plays." He secured the Ainer-
:an rights to "Queen Elizabeth," in
?hich Sarah Bernhardt played, and
rem then on the influx of stars was
qual to the demand.
Sketching rapidly these eventful
ears— the names of Lillian and Dor-
thv Gish begin to appear. Wallace
leid, Clara Kimball Young, Francis
:. Bushman, Beverly Bayne, Blanche
iweet are rising stars of the day.
"he motion picture had now advanc-
d far since that showing at Koster
i Bial's. It was time for a new sen-
ation and the new sensation came
II 1913 when George Kleine import-
<1 "Quo Vadis," which ran for twen-
y-two weeks on Broadway. The
fiotion picture had arrived definitely
,s major entertainment. The whole
I'orld w.as interested. And only two
ears were to elapse until D. W.
Iriffith's "The Birth of a Nation"
opened for a run which was unparal-
eled until recently. That was March
:. 1915. The picture was shown at
he Liberty Theater at $2.00 top
jrice and, with its appearance, it may
)e said that the screen had caught
ip with its plder brother, the stage.
Before long, Broadway was to be
illed with motion picture theaters.
Meanwhile Jesse Lasky, who had
ilready won fame in the world of
vaudeville as a producer and execu-
ive of first rank, and Cecil B. De
Mille, author of many plays and
ibrettos for the stage, had rented a
)arn in Hollywood, California, and
?one to work making motion pic-
ures. The day of making pictures
■ n New York was nearing its sun-
ilown. The great West with its salu-
)rious climate, its sunshine, water.
mountains, deserts and plains, was
beckoning to the movie. To-day we
find production centered in Califor-
nia. The explanation is a simple one.
California had everything the mo-
tion picture director needed. It was
made, apparently, for his uses. And
so we have the unusual example of
an industry, the production of which
is centered in California and the dis-
tribution and financing of which are
centered in New York, three thou-
sand miles away. This has both ad-
vantages and disadvantages. Not
only are the natural advantages of
each place utilized but the viewpoint
of East and West can be better ana-
lyzed and turned to use.
"Came the day" soon of the serial
in 1913-1914. "What Happened to
Mary?" was revealed in countless
reels. "The Adventures of Kath-
lyn" were duly recorded. "Dolly of
the Dailies" became a national fa-
vorite. We suffered with "The Per-
ils of Pauline" and we puzzled our
brows to fathom the "Million Dol-
lar Mystery." Pearl White, Margue-
rite Snow, Kathlyn Williams, James
Cruze were followed every week by
an interested public. And so it has
been through all the industry's his-
tory.
The news reels, too, had come as
a definite contribution to the screen.
For a long time, as far back as the
inauguration of President William
McKinley in 1897, in fact, events of
historical importance were recorded
on motion picture film, but it was
not until the inauguration of Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson that the news
reel became a daily enterprise like
the newspaper. To-day we find half
a dozen great news reel agencies at
work with cameramen in every part
of the earth constantly focusing their
lenses on every important happening
in every land. They witness the
pageantries and the tragedies of na-
tions, show the customs and pursuits
of all people, holding up a mirror, a&
it were, to every phase of human ac-
tivity with vividness and accuracy.
But, stepping back to catch the
thread and flow of development, the
motion picture, with its world-wide
distribution and its eighteen or nine-
teen thousand nickelodeons in the
United States and Canada, had not
yet reached its full status. It was
still a "nickelodeon" business.
Adolph Zukor with his long fea-
ture pictures of "famous players in
famous plays" was still fighting an
uphill battle to find a home for the
bigger product with the bigger idea.
The old, established interests were
holding to the nickelodeon idea and
inertia was against the militant op-
ponent of the new conception of the
films and their function.
But on April 14, 1914, the Strand
Theater opened on Broadway in New
York, a theater on a par with the pre-
tentiousness of speaking stage houses,
devoted exclusively to the motion
picture. The opening picture was a
nine-reel version of "The Spoilers"
from Rex Beach's novel, produced
by William Selig, a member of the
Patents Company grouo who was
leaning to the new bigger picture
idea. The Strand was under the di-
rection of Samuel Lionel Rothafel,
the man whom the world was in
years to come to know as "Roxy,"
one of the great showmen of the era.
The Strand was the manifestation of
a new idea which was to triumph
The Nickelodeon type theater lingers
only here and there as a fossil sur-
vival like the occasional arcades, and
the United States has approximately
TO-MORROW
Chapter III
^"Organization of an Industry'^
Realization of Commercial Possibilities Brings
Competition and Efficiency Into the Game
Read About It
EVERY DAY in THE FILM DAILY
^ ^
20,250 screen theaters, and the world
total of them is approximately 50,000.
It would be interesting to relate
many movements of the busy,
crowded years of this period. There
is a fascinating flow of events in
the manner in which W. W. Hod-
kinson and Herman Wobber brought
over to the new order the best that
had been evolved from their experi-
ence as pioneers, especially as that
service was applied to the distribu-
tion of the big new feature dramas
of Adolph Zukor, Jesse Lasky, Ho-
bart Bosworth and other producers
of the big new feature dramas for
Paramount distribution; how J. D.
Williams, returning from experience
in Australia, brought the infection
of that great commonwealth's enthu-
siasm for the art; how Edwin S. Por-
ter, maker of "The Great Train
Robbery," went over to the feature
idea with Famous Players, bearing
with him the connecting link with the
vast technical lore of the original
Edison organization. I would like to
tell you the amazing stories of the
late William Rock of Vitagraph and
his associates, all famous pioneers,
and of Sigmund Lubin and of the rise
of Stanley Mastbaum, and the ex-
citing careers of Richard Rowland,
Robert H. Cochrane, Nicholas and
Joseph Schenck, Hal Roach and
others. They have labored well and
achieved much. And I would like,
too, to tell you of Pathe Exchange's
pioneering in the news reel and of
First National Pictures, Inc., being
formed by exhibitors and of Earle
Hammons and the Educational Pic-
tures, Inc., but these must be left
to more leisurely written histories,
as must be the entrance of Joseph
P. Kennedy into the industry.
I would like to speak of William
S. Hart's rise as a great Western
star and hero of boys of all lands,
and of Tom Mix, of like fame; of
the first efforts of Douglas Fairbanks,
great artist, idol of boys, who has
brought romance and the light of
happiness within the reach of count-
less listless folk until they, too, share
in the glamor of a new existence; of
Hugo Riesenfeld and the development
of music in the motion picture thea-
ter; of Jackie Coogan and the child
actors; of the World War and the
part the motion picture industry play-
ed in it. I would like to talk about
Cecil B. De Mille's "The King of
Kings" — the potentiality of which
cannot be estimated — about De Mille
himself, master craftsman, who has
dared to go ahead, blazing his own
trail with mammoth prodjictions of
far-reaching consequence. But I
must move on with the sweeping tide
that brings the motion picture indus-
try to an appreciation of its impor-
tance and of its opportunities.
(Continued Tomorrow)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
I of America
Powerful drama!
JMarrelou^ acting!
SAYS PETE HARRISON
'j^
''One of the most powerful dramds produced for a long time.
There are times when it is hard for the spectator to suppress
his emotions. • * • • * The scenes where the heroine up-
braids her husband and tells him that she would rather kill
her child than allow it to come into this world \s one of fhe
most powerful seen in pictures since moving pictures have
come into being. There are other powerfully dramatic situa-
tions all the way through. Helen Twelvetrees, as the heroine,
does marvelous acting. I doubt if there is another screen
actress that would have made the part more realistic. Fred
Scott, too, does good work; he has a good voice and in his
part as a minstrel he does good singing. Everyone in the
cost, in fact, does good work. The story is by Edmund
Goulding; it was directed skillfully by Fred Newmeyer. The
tone quality is excellent, the lines all being clear."
HARRISON'S REPORTS
"The Grand Parade in this case is going to be a parade
of customers to the box offices for this picture is a natural,
made-to-order-hit."
ARTHUR JAMES m Exhibitors Daily Review
ALL MUSIC . ALL SOUND . ALL DIALOGUE
WITH HELEN TWELVETREES AND FRED. SCOTT
WRITTEN AND PRODUCED BY EDMUND GOULDING . DIRECTED BY FRED NEWMEYER
THE
■s&mi
PAILV
Friday, January 10, 1930i
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €)=
Better Results Expected
From Plasdng Percentage
PARAMOUNT has announced
its decision to eliminate cer-
tain pictures and sell another
group. The eliminations, it is
felt, would prove poor box-office,
so they will not be made. On
the other hand, the producing
unit feels the new additions will
bring them in.
This seems to be a potent ar-
gument in favor of playjng per-
centage. Paramount has rear-
ranged its schedule because most
of its contracts are now made
on percentage scale and it is now
directly interested in the success
of the picture in the individual
theater. Percentage makes it a
partner in the profits and it is
more eager to give the exhibitor
profitable pictures instead of fig-
uring the flat rental basis. Of
course, Paramount and all other
companies always have sought to
make a good product to influ-
ence bookings for the following
season, but now it has a more di-
rect interest in the fortunes of
each individual picture and not
merely the group.
Jay Emanuel in
"The Exhihitoi-"
* * *
Sound and Talking Pictures
No Longer An Experiment
TO-DAY it is no longer a ques-
tion of experimentation. The
success of the sound and talk-
ing film is a demonstrated fact.
So much so that the footlight
theater of Broadway has suffered
a stroke of fear and bewilder-
ment from which it is not likely
to recover for years. There is
a reason for this. The reason is,
now that the films speak they
provide a more satisfactory en-
tertainment (because of the
breadth of their view and the
comprehensiveness of their ap-
proach) than does the stage, and
they don't cost so much.
Quinn Martin in
Neiv York "World"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
GEO. FITZMAURICE
painter
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr.
PAULA GOULU, returned from Hollywood press-agentry ex-
periences, has sold "Smart Set Magazine" a yarn entitled
"Easy" and intends to go into this fiction-writing business with
serious intent Ray Kirkwood, who was associated with
I nee for a decade, which sounds longer than 10 years but isn't,
sails Saturday for abroad with plans to produce talkers in English
and Spanish
* * * *
"Molly," balled in "The Grand Parade" which Pathe made,
will be sung by Peter Higgins, tenor, as a feature of the RKO
hour over WEAF in a coast-to-coast NBC hookup Tuesday
night Joseph Santley, recently of Broadway but now of
Hollywood, will direct Helen Twelvetrees and Fred Scott in a
circus talker which Pathe will make. All the w. k. circus noises
will be included and only the aroma of sawdust, peanuts and
pink lemonade (if these things have aromas) will be miss-
ing
* * * *
Chester Conklin will give the girls of the 86th St. neighbor-
hod a treat for three days beginning tomorrow, when he appears
as the vaudeville headliner at Proctor's 86th St J. P.
Goring, the Criterion manager with a penchant for statistics, has
figured out that "The I-ove Parade" is 21,300 tickets ahead of
"Wings" in a similar period at the same house
Ned E. Depinet plans a society premiere for the world debut
of "Son of the Gods," First National color special starring Richard
Barthelmess. The class event is to take place in either Palm
Beach or Miami, and Barthelmess will return from abroad in time
for the doings Gary Cooper will be starred, with Beryl
Mercer in support, as a special portion of tomorrow night's
Paramount-Publix Radio Hour
Victor McLaglen, though 6 ft. 3 in., is the smallest of seven
brothers, it is chronicled by Walter Winchell.
The Columbia press dept. again breaks into flaming print.
Both Hortense Schorr and Frank Spicker are starting their
fourth year with the firm W. J. McDonald has finished
editing 26 Victor Gems for Columbia and is still cutting other
pitchers up for this company
J. F. Clemenger, who used to be an asset in trade paper
work in these parts, is back in New York, now working on the
recording of radio broadcasts. He recently was production di-
rector for Columbia Broadcasting System.
Do you know the important milestones of the industry over
the last dozen years? The FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK for
1930 will give them to you in chronological order.
JANUARY lO-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Francis X. Bushman
Douglas MacLean
Pauline Starke
Louis Stern
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
HANG UP another record for
speed in the way of a Broadway
opening. The occasion was the gala
opening of Tiffany's "Party Girl" at
the Gaiety on Broadway. "Sky
Hawk" was playing at this house
and scheduled to close at 10:45 P. M.
on Dec. 31. Just exactly one hour
and a quarter later — on the stroke
of the New Year — "Party Girl" was
opened and greeted the throngs of
merrymakers along the Mazda Boule-
vard. Al Selig, director of advertis-
ing and publicity, can take a brace
of bows for this publicity stunt. He
had his staff on their toes, and the
electric signs, lobby displays and all
else that goes with a Broadway
opening were in evidence as the
crowds rolled in.
* * *
Martin Starr, as secretary of the
AM PAS, speaks for that organiza-
tion and tenders the members the fol-
lowing for the coming year: "That
the coming New Year bring unto
you the complete realization of all
your day-dreams, hopes and ambi-
tions, and that every day of the forth-
coming 358 be replete with a new,
sublime and beautiful adventure."
* * * Well, that's how a guy is af-
fected who works for a concern pub-
lishing "True Romances." And not
to overlook Macfadden's other pub-
lication, "Physical Culture," next
year Martin is going to say: "That
the coming year bring you an abun-
dance of wim, wigor and witality,
and that every day will be replete
with a new, sublime and beautiful
muscular development on your wege-
tarian diet."
♦ ♦ *
Parts That Stand Out
Ruth Chatterton and Clive Brook
in "The Laughing Lady." Beautiful
team work that builds with gripping
power to a smash clinuix and sets
their work on a pinnacle that will
make it tough for any other leading
players to duplicate.
Australasian Films reported merg-
ing with J. C. Williamson in Aus-
tralia.
* * *
Republic Distributing gets distri-
bution of Chaplin films from Hall-
mark.
* ♦ ♦
Texas exhibitors join M.P.T.O.A.
Meeting of First National fran-
chise holders scheduled at Atlantic
City.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
THE
riday, January 10, 1930
■^^
DAiLV
f MN REORGANIZES
PATHE SALES FORCES
' {Continued from Page 1)
■re: E. L. McEvoy, Eastern, New
i'ork; H. D. Graham, Central, In-
ianapolis; W. E. Callaway, South-
rn, Dallas; H. S. Lorch, Mid-West-
'n, Chicago; J. H. Maclntyre, West-
rn, Los Angeles.
McEvov and Callaway retain their
ormer posts with exchanges intact
xcept for the shifting of Buffalo
•cm the Eastern to the Central di-
ision. Graham will continue as
ranch manager in Indianapolis,
laclntyre formerly was branch man-
ger in Minneapolis and Lorch held
similar post in Chicago.
Newly appointed branch managers are W.
'.. Branson, formerly in Des Moines, trans-
erred to St. Louis; R. N. Nolan, formerly
Chicago salesman, now branch manager in
Cansas City; Lou Elman, former salesman at
)es Moines, succeeding Branson as manager
I Des Moines, antj M. E. Montgomery, who
as served as salesman, cashier, booker and
ssistant manager at Minneapolis, now ap
ointed manager.
The personnel of the Pathe Exchange sales
epartment is now as follows: Phil Reisman,
;eneral sales manager; J. F. McAloon, asst.
;eneral sales manager; E. W. Ballentine,
nanager of Exchange operations; W. E.
taynor, manager of short subject sales; J.
r. Richards, manager print department^ and
iarl Arnold, Purchasing agent.
Eastern: E. L. McEvoy, manager, New
iorV, supervising C. W. Stombaugh, Albany;
t.' C. Cropper, Boston; H. Gibbs, New Ha-
'en; R. S. Wolfif, New York; R. Mochrie,
?hiladelphis; A. Goldsmith, Pittsburgh; R.
Z. Robin, Washington.
Central : H. D. Graham, manager, Indian-
ipolis, supervising J. B. Reilly, Buffalo; S.
facques, Cincinnati; O. J. Ruby, Cleveland;
a. D. Graham, Indianapolis; W. E. Bran-
don, St. Louis.
i Southern: W. E. Callaway, manager, Dal-
as, supervising W. W. Anderson, Atlanta;
K. C. Price, Charlotte; W. E. Callaway
jJallas; H. R. Kistler, Memphis; G. C. Brown
:Mew Orleans; C. W. Allen, Oklahoma City.
Mid-Western: H. S. Lorch, manager, Chi-
cago, supervising J. J. Oarke, Chicago; Lou
Elman^ Des Moines; H. P. Zapp, Detroit
Ray Nolan, Kansas City; T. Greenwood
Milwaukee; M. E. Montgomery, Minneapolis
R. S. Ballantyne, Omaha.
Western: J. H. Maclntyre, manager, Los
Angeles, supervising F. H. Butler, Denver;
I. S. Stout, Los Angeles; H. L. Percy, Port'
and; A. J. O'Keefe, Salt Lake City; M. E
Lory, San Francisco; C. L. Theuerkauf
Seattle.
, Canada: T. W. Brady, c/o Regal Films
(1 oronto.
^'ive Firms Handling
Pathe Films in Orient
(Continued from Page 1) ''
Delahanty, of Pathe International
Corp. Alexander Hague, a vast or-
ganization with headquarters in Bom-
;bay, will be the outlet for India. The
Lyric Film Exchange, of Manila, is
to cover the Philippine Islands, and
International Variety and Theatrical
Agency has the South African ter-
•^tory. In China the Peacock Motion
Picture Corp. will continue to release
Pathe pictures, while U. Ono has
again signed to handle this year's out-
put in Japan.
I To Rebuild Geneva House
Geneva— Conversion of the Smith
Opera House to a modern picture
.theater will be undertaken by Schine
rheatncal Enterprises. The expend-
SoOo''^ ai^ount to approximately
Schenck and Goldwyn
Returning on Tuesday
London (By Cable) — Frederick
Lonsdale, prominent playwright, is
sailing for New York with Joseph
M. Schenck, and it is understood
that he will write talker plays for
United Artists.
Samuel Goldwyn also is returning
with Schenck on the He de France,
due in New York on Tuesday. Be-
fore leaving London it was announced
by Schenck that plans had been com-
pleted for the erection of a $7,500,-
000 house in the West End.
Photophone Names Sawin
Sales Manager in Boston
Boston — Chester W. Sawin has
been appointed district sales manager
of RCA Photophone with headquart-
ers here. H. H. Paul, recently with
Westinghouse Electric, also will be
attached to the Boston office.
George H. Wiley, has been added
to the selling staff and will make his
headquarters here.
RCA Photophone Planning
Additional Branch Offices
In addition to the branch offices
already established by RCA Photo-
phone in key centers, others will be
opened soon starting with Los An-
geles, Edward Auger, assistant sales
manager of the company, is now on
a six weeks' trip in connection with
the proposed expansion.
Tone-0-Graph Appoints
Three Agents in South
Three more representatives have
been appointed in the Southern field
by North American Sound and Talk-
ing Picture Equipment Corp., manu-
facturers of Tone-O-Graph. Don-
ald M. Eaves will be distributor for
North Carolina, with offices at 20J/2
South Poplar St., Charlotte. The
Lone State Film Co., Dallas, has been
designated distributor for Tone-O-
Graph products in Texas. Love B.
Herrell, of 125 Walton St., Atlanta,
will handle the business in Tennessee,
Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mis-
sissippi. This gives the North Amer-
ican Corp. 100 per cent representation
in the Southeastern section of the
country.
Coleman Leaving "U"
to Enter Theater Field
(Continued from Page 1)
Universal has been in the sales de-
partment in New York. He also filled
important positions in the Detroit,
Washington and Big U exchanges.
Train Asks Title Injunction
Arthur Train, author of "Paoer
Profits," yesterday began suit against
Tiffany for an injunction to protect
the title of his story now running
serially in a magazine. The novelist
alleges that his title is registered
with M.P.P.D.A. and that Tiffany
has partly completed and is adver-
tising a sound picture under the same
name .
Free Dough
To make sure that theater
owners and managers will see
the $34,500 color ad in this
week's Satevepost, Technicolor
has done a "half Rockefeller"
by mailing out 14,000 cards
containing shiny new nickels
and the admonition to "buy
the Jan. 11 issue of the Satur-
day Evening Post."
Melincoff Joins Warners
Pawtucket, R. I. — Maxwell Melin-
coff, who has managed the Capitol
and the Musiq Hall here for the last
two years, has resigned to join the
Warner Bros, executive staff in
Hartford, Conn. Melincoff has been
in the theater business for 14 years.
Skowhegan Strand Opens
Skowhegan, Me.— The new Strand,
seating 1,000 has opened here with
Newall E. Ware as manager. The
house was built by Somerset The-
aters, Inc.
Twins Admitted Free
St. Louis — When the Godino
Siamese Twins recently played at
the St. Louis theater, all twins were
admitted free upon announcing them-
selves to the doorman at the house.
To Replace Burnt Theater
Anaconda, Mont. — A new theater
will replace the Sundial, recently de-
stroyed by fire. Albert Nadeau has
been visiting here for this purpose.
Murder on the Roof^' . • Liberty Magazine's Serial,
proved greatest circulation builder since Wings.
Ex. Daily Review
Millions of
Thrill fans
are boosting
this picture
based on the
Liberty
sensation
Murder ON THE Roof
DOROTHY REVIER, RAYMOND HATTON and MARGARET
LIVINGSTON. Directed by GEORGE B. SEITZ
a Columbia Prosperity Builder
Hew Yotkf'
lO BB^^ngLGS
«
}
\
MARI LYN
¥
^itl
ft>A
Critic No. i
"A* gorgeoudy glittering a* any to
reach Broadway"
Critic "No. 2
"A luxury of colorful coctumet that
would be hard to turpat*"
Critic No. 3
"Mi«t Miller is excellent and doe*
tome very effective dance*"
Critic "No. 4
"Elaborate settings, interesting cos*
tumes, pretty girls"
Critic No. 5
"Done on a grand scale. Stupendous"
Critic No. 6
"Marilyn Miller is lovelier than most
girls who come to the screen"
Critic No. 7
"Most beautiful picture that has come
to the screen"
Critic No. 8
"She sang well, danced gorgeously
and looked simply swell"
Critic "No. Q
"Recommended as diverting and
acceptable film entertainment"
Critic No. JO
"Gorgeously technicolored. Entirely
eyefilling. Stunning costumes"
«K
My/ the Big Oner There "Da iff <
with ALEXANDER GRAY - BERNICE CLAIRE - LOUISE FAZENDA - ZASU PIHS
LUCIEN LITTLEFI ELD
Dir^rted hv ClQr«»nf& Badaer
LILYAN TASHMAN - BERT ROACH - MILDRED HARRIS
Adaoted from musical comedv bv Frank Mandel, Otto Harbach, Vincent Youmans and Emil Nyitray
GREATER UNIVERSALIS NEW SELLING SEASON STARTS NOV^?
The History of the Film
Industry Told in
Terse, Concise
Fashion.
'^SEE and HEAR''
By Will H. Hays
Appearing by Special Arrangement
In Serial Form
EVERY DAY in THE FILM DAILY
How This Colossal
Business Was
Developed, and of
Those Who Did It
m'.
THE EIGHTH OF A SE
RIES ON QUALITY REPRODUCTION by WESTERN ELECTRIC
®
Photo-electric cell.
©Motor speed control
box.
©Projection machine
■with film and disc
attachment.
(4) Amplifying paneL
[5) Fader.
((5; Reproducing horn.
Smoothly dove -tailed!
Western Electric Sound System
is manufactured — not merely assembled
Loud speakers, transformers, tubes — all the parts
through which the speech current flows — are de-
signed by Bell Telephone Laboratories and manufac-
tured by Western Electric.
Every part is perfectly balanced electrically to
work in harmony and at highest efficiency with
every other part. Each is designed and manufac-
tured to fit mechanically and electrically into its
place in the complete system. The result is elec-
trical teamicork — and quality reproduction — such
as no assembled system can hope to equal.
Many of the parts which go into the Western
Electric Sound System are similar to those used
in the nation's telephone system. They are the
results of more than fifty years of research and
experience in the manufacture of voice transmis-
sion apparatus.
The Western Electric Sound System is built to
produce the highest standard of quality reproduc-
tion demanded by a quality conscious public — and
to render that service dependably over a long period.
It does not sacrifice quality for price.
Western Electric's undivided responsibility —
covering the manufacture, installation and servic-
ing of its Sound System — is your assurance of high
quality, trouble-free performance.
Quality and Service protect you in the
^mmm
Westerd
sot) N D
lectric
SYSTEM
Distributed by
Electrical Research Products Inc.
250 West 57th Street, New York, N. Y.
Member of Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. Inc. —Will H. Havs, President
iTHE
fAemfSPkm
y/FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
OL. LI No. 9
Sunday, January 12, 1930
Price 25 Cents
'hicago Operators and Exhibs Reach Agreement
mi SCREENS PLANNED FOR RKO THEATERS
jreater Film Miracles Ahead, Says Harry Warner
declares Improvements in
Next Five Years Will
Outshine the Past
■ashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
, Washington — Motion picture mir-
,:les of the past decade will be out-
one and made to seem only a pre-
aratory period within the next five
ears, Harry M. Warner said here
riday in an address before 400 re-
gions, educational and social leaders
ttending the gathering of the League
f American Penwomen. Warner,
ccompanied by Spyros Skouras and
Jbert S. Howson, head of the War-
er scenario department, came here
s guest of the League to tell about
ne birth of sound pictures, Howson
{Continued on Page 14)
'hamberlain Circuit
Undergoing Expansion
I Shamokin, Pa. — Acquisition of the
Clks, Mahanoy City, is one of the
itest steps in the expansion of the
"hamberlain Amusement Enter-
)rises, which announces that it is
•pen to either build or lease houses
vherever a favorable opportunity ex-
sts. The company with theaters in
Tamaqua, Mt. Carmel, Lansford,
(Contimied on Page 2)
f^elznick, Johnson Now
on Way to New York
David O. Selznick, executive as-
sistant to B. P. Schulberg, general
nanager of West Coast production
• or Paramount and Julian Johnson,
lead of the editing and titling de-
partments, have left for New York
ivhere they will spend three weeks
oefore returning to the coast.
led Schlanger on Trip to
All "U" Eastern Branches
Ted Schlanger, Universal assistant
general sales manager for eastern ex-
changes, now is on a trip to various
branch offices under his supervision
Harry Taylor, assistant general sales
manager of the western division, has
returned to New York from San
Francisco where he recently presided
at the company's western conference.
RKO WILL DISTRIBUTE
ENGLISH PICTURES IN U.S.
RKO has entered into an agree-
ment with the recently formed Asso-
ciated Talking Pictures, Ltd., of Lon-
don, for the American release of the
latter's pictures, which will be pro-
duced with the technical supervision
and assistance of the RKO organi-
zation, it is announced by Joseph L
Schnitzer. Basil Dean, English stage
(Continued on Page 2)
r-k-oearIgsFstimated
AT$2W0E0R1929
Net earnings of Radio-Keith-Or-
pheum for the year ended Dec. 31,
1929 are expected to be in excess of
$2,000,000, after charges, taxes, etc.,
but before the deduction of preferred
dividends of the company's subsidiar-
ies, Keith-Albee-Orpheum and Or-
pheum Circuit, Inc. This figure com-
pares with a deficit of $45,743, after
all charges, taxes and preferred divi-
dends of subsidiary companies, re-
ported for 1928.
U.S. Devices Lead
Vienna — When the total of
wired houses in this city reach-
es 50 within a week, all but
six or seven will have Amer-
ican reproducing equipment,
thus assuring the domination
of American pictures in this
capital. Vienna has more
sound theaters than either Ber-
lin or Paris, it is claimed. The
socialists and workmen's
houses, however, are remaining
silent to enable them to better
show Russian-German Marxian
propaganda.
George C. Walsh Given
Publix Post in South
George C. Walsh, formerly district
manager for Publix in New York State
and manager of the Strand in Yon
kers, has been promoted to divisional
director of the Publix-Saengei
houses in the South.
Three Duluth Houses
Taken Over by Publix
Duluth — Publix has taken over tht
Lyceum, Strand and Sunbeam. This
gives the circuit about 10 houses
here.
Projectionists in Chicago
Sound Houses Get Pay Raise
Equipment to be Installed
for Spoor-Bergren
Wide Film
R-K-O plans to equip its theaters
from coast to coast with wide screens
and projection equipment for show-
ing the Spoor-Bergren wide film,
stated Joseph L Schnitzer Friday.
The new screens, which will allow
projection of stereoscopic pictures,
will be more than three and a quar-
ter times as large as present screens.
The new films will be nearly halt
again as high as the ones now in use
and almost two and one-half times
as wide, states Schnitzer.
Construction has started at the
RKO Coast studio on a theater spe-
cially designed to accommodate the
Spoor-Bergren wide screen film.
FRENCH HISeTdECIDE
TO SU8PEND0N JAN. 25
Paris — Theater and cinema Unions
here have authorized a shutdown of
theaters beginning Jan. 25 pending
the outcotne of the Government's ac-
tion on the entertainment tax. Relief
promised early in the year has failed
to materialize and local managers as-
sert the)' cannot continue operating at
a loss.
Boston Operators' Union
Celebrates 20th Birthday
Boston — Gifts of money were
given officials of the Operators'
Union at the dinner held here re-
cently to celebrate the 20th birthday
of the organization. A check for
(Continued on Page 14)
Projectionists to Hold
16th Anniversary Dinner
A dinner in celebration of the 16th
anniversary of projectionists' local
No. 306 will be held Jan. 18 at the
Hotel Astor.
Chicago — The deadlock between
the Chicago Operators, Local 110,
and the Miller and Saperstein ex-
hibitor organizations was broken Fri-
day when an agreement which will
run for two years, ending Jan. 11.
1932, was reached. The old con-
tract expires at midnight Saturday.
The Exhibitors' Ass'n of Chicago,
headed by Jack Miller, was the first
of the two theater units to reach an
accord with the projectionists and
the new Illinois Independent The-
ater Owners' unit followed the pro-
cedure.
Under terms of the new contract
(Continued on Page 14)
Fox Secures 20 Year
Lease on 4 Brady Houses
Cape Giaradeau, Mo. — Fox Theater
Corp. has obtained a 20 year lease
on four houses located in Southwest
Missouri operated by S. E. Brady,
according to reports here. Houses in-
volved in the deal include three in
this city and one at Jackson, Mo.
Three Yonkers Houses
Raise Admission Prices
Yonkers. N. Y.— R-K-O's Proctor.
Loew's Yonkers and the Publix
Strand have raised their admission
prices for Saturday evenings, Sun-
days and Sundays. The boost is
10 cents on most of the tickets, and
in some cases only five cents.
THE J
DAILY
Sunday, January 12, 193(
Vol. lIHo.S Sunday, January 12. 1930 PriGe25Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Fihn
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary -Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St. W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolflsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle.
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 23 22 2254 600
CoT; Fm. Ind. ... 17^ 1754 17^8 200
Con Fm. Ind. pfd. \9M 19 19 200
East. Kodak ..^.18154 178/, 179/, 1,700
Fox Fm. "A" ... 21 H 19/, 2054122,900
♦Keith AC 21
♦do pfd 91
Loew's, Inc 85^ ?,%% 85^4 100
♦do pfd. WW (654) 86 ....
♦do pfd. xw (654) 86
♦M-G-M pfd 2354
Para. F-L 52 50^ 515^ 5,500
Pathe Exch 3 2% 3 4,700
do "A- 654 654 654 3on
R.K-O 2'2^ 2m 22 12,400
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 30
Warner Bros 4454 42 J^ 43 19,200
do pfd 3954 38J4 3954 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 26
Fox Thea. "A" ..5 AH 4% 4,200
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 34 ;4 3354 34 6,200
♦Intern. Proj 25
♦Loew do deb. rts \3'A ••■•
Loew's Inc. war ..354 354 i'A 100
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 15^
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 2754
♦Univ. Pict 9'A
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 76
♦Loew 6s 41 ww 102 ....
do 6s 41 x-war.. 92 92 92 2f
Paramount 6s 47 . 99 99 99 5(
Par. By. 554s 51.10154 101 101 30
Pathe 7s 37 ..... 4nA 417A 41% 20
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
if
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City JJ
154 Crescent St. it
STIUwell 7940 ft
if
if
ff
if
if
if
if
^
if
if
if
a
if
Eastman
J.E.
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CAlumet 2691
Hollywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
Hollywood 4121
INDEX
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
SHORT SHOTS FROM NEW YORK STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair
"SEE AND HEAR" by Will H. Hays
ACADEMY OF M. P. ARTS AND SCIENCE REPORT
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE
TIMELY TOPICS. Digest of Current Opinions
THEIR FIRST JOBS
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. Daly, Jr
BIRTHDA Y GREETINGS
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Don C. Gillette
NEWSPAPER OPINIONS
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES
THE WEEK'S HEADLINES
PRESENTATIONS, by Herbert S. Berg
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast Wire Service
"A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by William Ornstein
.12-13
... 1 ,1
REVIEWS
PAGE
GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN
GIRL 12
HER PRIVATE AFFAIR 1 .■
MEXICALI ROSE i:
NAVY BLUE 1.?
NO, NO NANETTE U
SECOND CHOICE
SENOR AMERICANO .
THE FARMER'S WIFE
THE RACKETEER ....
THROW OF DICE ...
SHORT SUBJECTS
... .\:< SILENT
PACE
. .12
RKO Will Distribute
English Pictures in U.S.
{Continued from Page 1)
producer, is chairman of the British
company, while Sir Gerald Du Mau-
rier, head of the acting profession on
the other side, is one of the director.s.
The agreement, Schnitzer says, it
more than a mere deal for the re-
lease of pictures. William Le Baron,
vice-president in charge of all RKO
productions, will personally approve
the stories to be filmed and select the
staffs. Although the pictures are to
be made in England and the casts
composed largely of British players,
prominent American players will be
used from time to time.
Leslie Howard in John Galswor-
thy's "Escape" is the first picture
scheduled for production. This will
be followed by other material au-
thored by the principal writers of
Great Britain, says Schnitzer.
Close Wisconsin Houses
Wausaukee, Wis. — Squires and
Luth, owning picture theaters at
Athelstane, Pembine and Amberg.
have closed their houses for the win-
ter.
Chamberlain Circuit
Undergoing Expansion
(Continued frotn Page 1)
Alahanoy City, Shamokin, etc., re-
cently converted about $700,000
worth of bonds and $900,000 of pre-
ferred stock into common stock,
after the directors had authorized a
ciiange in the capital structure of
the firm. Present capitalization is
$5,000,000, divided into 400,000 shares
of 8 per cent particpating stock with
a par of $10 and 100,000 shares of
$10 par "B" stock. Dividends have
been paid by the company for 15
years.
"Hot for Paris" Holding Over
"Hot for Paris," with \'ictor Mc-
Laglen, is being held for a second
week at the Roxy, New York.
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHEN YOU GO TO BUY
A^ ill! t H^
GOWNS AND UNIFORIMS
Let Us Solve Your Problems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
nvCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck" a
the Earl Carroll.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resume ac
tivity.
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the Worl(
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin John
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletii
Club, Hotel Commodore, Ne«
York City.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producer!
at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball a
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
En Route To Hollywood
John W. Considine, Jr., general
manager of production for Art Cine-
ma Corp., together with William
Cameron Menzies, associate producer
for United Artists, and Joan Bennett,
one of that company's future stars,
are en route to Hollywood. Miss
Bennett is to appear next in a Fox
production.
Cee Bee Goes Sound
Manson, la. — Manager Stewart of
the Qee Bee has installed sound
equipment.
Hays En Route to Coast
Will H. Hays left for the Coast
Friday on his semi-annual trip.
Paul Ash
said to —
Andy Wright
S. JOHN PARK
i.s a clever writer and his satire
"PHILADELPHIA" will make
a great "TALKIE"!
If HAT IS YOUR BID
GENTLEMEN?
WE OFFER—
jor theme songs —
GEORGE POWELL
BILLY HUESTON
BEE HARTLEY
MAE PARK
a clever little girl
HELEN MARTELLE
Ingenue Comedienne
Authors — Composers — Artists
Under Management of
ANDY WRIGHT, Inc.
1560 BVay New York, N. Y.
BRYant 2361 Cable: Wrightbook
WHY TAKE UNNECESSARY CHANCES?
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
PHILADELPHIA
OFFICE OFTHE FIRE MARSHAL
ROOM 227 CITY HALL ANNEX
JAMES O. MULHERN
January 8, 1930
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I have this day tested the Raytone
Flameproof Sound Screen, as to its
resistance to fire and find it will not
flame or burn, but just simply blackens
without leaving any glowing embers, and
I hereby approve the above mentioned
screen for use in any theatre or motion
picture house in Philadelphia.
JOM:K
Very truly,
O/anied U, c/luulkezn
Fire Marshal
Why Jeopardize the Lives and Prop-
erty of Your Patrons?
Why Get Into Difficulty with the Fire
Departments and Insurance Bu-
reaus?
When it is now possible to secure a
Raytone Flameproof Screen which
is not only non-inflammable but also
possesses the most beautiful projec-
tion surface yet achieved in the mo-
tion picture industry.
Raytone Flameproof Sound Screens have been adopted by the Electrical Re-
search Products Company for use with Western Electric Sound System,
installed in over three thousand theatres in the United States and over one
thousand theatres in other parts of the world. No higher tribute to the effi-
ciency of Raytone Flameproof Sound Screens is possible.
EXTRACTS FROM LABORATORY TESTS
Columbia University, New York City,
"In all of the above tests the material charred without supporting any
flame either during the application of fire or after removal from the fire."
New York Testing Laboratories, New York City.
"From the above tests it is evident that Raytone Flameproof Sound
Screen Material will not support combustion and is non-inflammable."
Electrical Testing Laboratories, New York City,
"In view of the above we conclude that the material will not of itself sup-
port combustion and in that sense can be said to be 'non-inflammable.' "
The only flameproof sound screen approved by both
Fire Department and Motion Picture Theatres Associ-
ation of the Government of the District of Columbia,
SCHOOXMAKER EQUIPT. CO.
Patentees and Sole Mfrs.
611-627 West 43rd St.
NEW YORK CITY
PAILV
Sunday, January 12, 19;
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
PARAMOUNT TO MAKE
TALKER OniEADS UP"
Another New York musical com-
edy will be transferred to sound pic-
tures. Paramount will make a dia-
logue version of "Heads Up," Aarons
and Freedley show, at its Long Is
land studio, Jesse L. Lasky announces.
Although final production plans have
not yet been made it is expected that
a number of principals from the
Broadway cast will play their parts
in the film version and the original
chorus may be used.
THREE STloyOW
ACTIVEJN THE EAST
With the RCA Gramercy studio
shut down for extensive alterations
production in the East is now cen-
tered in the Paramount studios in
Astoria, the Warner studios in Flat-
bush and the Metropolitan studios
in Fort Lee, N. J.
The latter studio, long idle, has
taken a new lease on life with Pathe
and others among the list of pro-
ducers now making pictures there.
The Gramercy studio expects to
resume operations in about four
months. When remodeled, it will be
twice the present size with thorough-
ly modern equipment that will place
it among the front ranks of motion
picture studios both here and on the
Coast.
Du Pont Plays Host
Officials of Du Font's sales depart-
ment threw a dinner recently for the
Paramount studio's camera depart-
ment, at the N. Y. Athletic Club, fol-
lowing which they watched the semi-
monthly amateur bouts.
Weiss and Willatt Sail
Max Weiss and Irviii Willatt sailed
Friday on the Bremen tor England,
where they plan to produce a pic-
ture at the DeForest studio in Lon-
don.
Brock at Metropolitan
Louis Brock has signed an agree-
ment with George Orth, manager of
the Metropolitan studios, Fort Lee,
N. J., Jo produce forthcoming issues
of the "Ginsberg" series at that stu-
dio, with Mark Sandrich directing.
Hoey Confined to Home
Herbert Hoey, of the Edward
Small agency, is confined to his
home with an attack of rheumatism.
Hoey takes over the motion picture
department of tlie Max Hart agency
on Jan. 15.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
MURRAY ROTH, dean of short
subject directors, is going the pace
at the Eastern Vitaphone studios,
having just spent three days with
Eddie Buzzell. He is a master-xnind
for detail. His hobby is getting un-
usual "shots" from camera angles.
June Collyer was so enthused
about the way Tom Molloy photo-
graphed her in "Pleasant Sins" that
she wanted to take him back to the
Coast with her. But Tom, who ib
one of the few people really born in
New York, wouldn't leave this old
town for anything.
Murray Roth, director-in-chief of
the Warner Vitaphone studio, direct-
ed Lorraine Howard and Florence
Newton of vaudeville in a Vitaphone
Variety. Both insisted on calling
the girls "Mutt" and "Jeff" since
Miss Lorraine is big and stout while
her partner is a dainty creature of
small proportions.
Eddie Buzzell who has just com-
pleted the second of his Vitaphone
Varieties at the Eastern Vitaphone
studios in Flatbush, has endeared
himself to all the studio staff. This
pint-sized comedian is just a regu-
lar fellow.
In addition to a score of extras for
the Eddie Buzzell Vitaphone Variety,
the cast included three genuine whip-
pets; a white English bulldog with
an undershot jaw; several litters of
puppies and kittens; Boston bulls;
mongrel dogs; alley cats; gold fisiies;
canaries; love birds, sparrows, par-
rots, parakeets and monkeys. The
scenes were laid in a pet shop.
Bryan Foy, f-ormer director, paid
a visit to the Eastern Vitaphone
studios, while on his vacation in
the East, visiting with Murray
Roth, director-in-chief, and the stu-
dio staff.
Colorcraft is rightfully proud of
a color reel made with their process
nine years ago and which ranks with
the best examples of color photog-
raphy shown on Broadway today,
company officials claim.
Sol Tepper, who assists Frank
Heath with the casting over at
Paramount's Long Island bee-hive,
is a nephew of Edgar Selwyn, tht
theatrical producer but doesn't need
that to get along. And how that boy
is getting along!
RUTH ETTING, who recently
made a Vitaphone Variety entitled
"Life's Like That," started out to be
a designer. While studying art in
Chicago, her funds gave out, so she
landed a job in a night club ensem-
ble on the strength of her ability to
design costumes for the show. Not
long after she was crooning songs
for Columbia records which led to
her present success.
Eddie Buzzell, who has appeared
in "Good Boy" and other musical
comedy hits, has been angaged by
the Vitaphone Corp. to make a new
Vitaphone Variety, following the
success of his former effort, "Hello
Thar!"
Making motion pictures may be a
trying business but it's much to be
preferred to working in a chewing
gum factory, according to the "Big
l^ond" company who recently made
some scenes at the American Chicle
Co. factory. Both Hobart Henley,
director, and Maurice Chevalier,
star, returned to the Paramount stu-
dio saturated with powdered sugar
which had to be removed with an
air hose.
"Wedding Belles" is the title of a
Vitaphone Variety just completed at
Warner Bros. Eastern studios un-
der the direction of Arthur Hurley.
Lorraine Howard and Florence
Neivton, of vaudeville, are featured.
Agnes DeMille, daughter of Wil-
liam DeMille, recently made a short
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios. It is called "The Ballet Class"
and includes the best features of her
original dance recitals given at the
Roxy and other theaters. Miss De-
Mille was assisted by Luigi Alber-
tier, ballet master at the Metropol-
itan Opera House for fifteen years,
as well as twelve "Gamby" girls.
"Desperate Sam" is the title of a
comedy short ccmpleted by Ray
Cozine at the Paramount Long Is-
land studios, this week, with Bert
Gordon featured. Larry Williams of-
ficiated at the camera.
George LeMaire and members of
"The Perfect Match" company are
resting up after a 24-hour stretch
spent at the Metropolitan Studios,
finishing up the picture. Ann But-
ler and George Mayo are featured in
ANER. SOUND STUDIOS Tfl
CARRY OUT NEW PROGRAI
The American Sound Recordin
studio has just undergone a complef
reorganization. Charles Steele Pete:
son is now general manager, with j
L. Thompson assisting, as busine;
manager.
The management has complete
banking arrangements, it is state(
which will enable them to carry ou
an ambitious production prograi
which includes 12 feature picture:
18 two reel "Kiddie Frolics" and 1
one reel subjects.
Production has been started o
"Surprise to All," a short subjeo
starring Rene Caron, female imper
sonator, who will be directed b
John Noble.
Fingerlin Cuba Bound
John W. Fingerlin, executive stu
dio manager of the Paramount Lonj
Island studio, and John Hammel o
Paramount's home office, left yester
day on the S. S. Orazava for a shor
business trip to Cuba.
During Mr. Fingerlin's absence, hi
office activities will be carried on h}:
Arthur Cozine, assistant to the ex
ecutive manager.
this Pathe comedy with Paul Bar-.
ron and others in support. Teo
Pahle handled the camera, with Wal-i,
ter Strenge aiding.
Helen {"Sugar") Kane, Para-t
mount star, joined the great arm,
of commuters last week by appear-:
ing at Proctor's theater in Newark\
as part of her present campaign tc'
make the vaudeville public "boop
boopa-doop" conscious.
"Money, Money, Money" is thu
box-office title of a Vitap^hone Va-j
riety which Edmund Joseph is pre-
paring to direct at the local Warner
workshop, with Homer Mason and
Marguerite Keeler featured.
The weather man must be having
lots of fun these days, Irvin Willatt
left Hollywood in the m,idst of a
cool spell which necessitated heavy
clothing. Upon arriving in Neto
York, he found this burg enjoying
spring-like weather which meant
changing back into lighter clothing.
When "The Bubble Party," by
John Hobble, is started tomorrow at
the Warner Vitaphone studios, most
of the men who played this skit in a
recent Lambs' Gambol, will appear
in their original roles. Arthur Hur-
ley will put the following through
their paces: George Sweet, Frank
Allworth, Don Dillaway, Arthur
Hartley and Griffin Crafts.
;unday, January 12, 1930
DAILY
*SEE AND HEAR'' By ^^^B^^Ul
From C\iaotic Experimentation to
Organizedi Co-operation
Chapter III
''Organization of An Industry
95
i'^LOWLY, very slowly, the industry was growing into the conscious-
^ ness of its own responsibility. The first years of the industry's
evelopment were of necessity chaotic. When keen men saw the com-
lercial possibilities in it, they set out in feverish haste on the world-old
uest for gold just as the Forty-niners did when word of the discovery
ame from Sutter's Hill in California. There was competition of the
ercest sort and for that matter there still is. There can be no monop-
•\y of brains, the keystone of picture production. Competition is
ssential to progress. But the ethics of the competition have evolved.
:hey have mounted constantly. The old careless, helter-skelter days
re over. The chieftains of the motion picture now realize their respon-
ibilities as custodians of not only one of the greatest industries in
he world but of possibly the most potent instrument in the world for
loral influence and education, and certainly one of the most universal
aediums of artistic expression. They realize that never before has
here existed any means by which the genius of a people could be so
wiftly and dramatically presented to all other people and they govern
hemselves accordingly.
From a business standpoint, the
lotion picture industry has settled
own and is operating along the
ound, common sense lines which
overn other American industries.
In the latter months of 1921, a
■rowing consciousness of responsibil-
ty — recognition of the motion pic-
ure as something greater than a
asual entertainment for the masses
-began to reveal itself. The indus-
ry committed itself to an active pol-
cy of betterment. Leaders in the
ndustry met and considered what
teps to take. The result was an as-
sociation of producers and distrib-
itors known as The Motion Picture
Producers and Distributors of Amer-
ca, Inc.
! The purposes of that association
/ere chiefly "to foster the common
iterests of those engaged in the mo-
iqn picture industry by establishing
ind maintaining the highest possible
noral and artistic standards of mo-
ion picture production, by develop-
ng the educational as well as the en-
ertainment value and the general
isefulness of the motion picture, and
:)y reforming abuses relative to the
ndustry."
These purposes were not to be sim-
ply a gentleman's agreement. They
vvere and are legal purposes of a
egally organized body. Nine com-
panies were represented at the or-
ganization of the Association. To-
lay twenty-four companies are trans-
:ribing those ideals into perform-
mces. Those companies are: Bray
Productions, Inc., The Caddo Co.,
Inc., Cecil B. De Mille Pictures Cor-
poration, Christie Film Company,
Eastman Kodak Company, Educa-
tional Film Exchanges, Inc., Elec-
trical Research Products, Inc., First
National Pictures, Inc., Fox Film
Corporation, D. W. Griffith, Inc., In-
spiration Pictures, Inc., Kinogram
Publishing Corporation, Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer Distributing Corpora-
tion, Paramount Famous Lasky Cor-
poration, Pathe Exchange, Inc., Prin-
cipal Pictures Corporation, RCA
Photophone, Inc., RKO Distributing
Corp., Hal Roach Studios, Inc., Sono-
Art Productions, Inc., United Artists
Corporation, Universal Pictures Cor-
poration, Vitagraph, Inc., Warner
Brothers Pictures, Inc.
Associated with the Motion Pic-
ture Producers and Distributors of
America is the Association of Mo-
tion Picture Producers of Califor-
nia, an organization designed to set
into practice the ideals of responsi-
bility and discharge of duty which
actuate every branch of the organized
and alert motion picture industry of
to-day.
The industry had by now passed
beyond the state of an entertainment
force only. The screen was being
used in many directions. It had be-
come an aid to the educator, an ally
of the scientist, the servant of clergy-
men, the friend of industries. How
were these other agencies experi-
menting with the motion picture to
get the best results from the screen?
We found isolated instances of
schools using pictures to help the
teacher. We found a few scientific
films in use. Churches were ready
to show religious pictures if they
could get the ones they wanted. In-
WILL H. HAYS
dustries were beginning to under-
stand that in addition to showing our
clothes, office equipment, machinery,
automobiles, furniture, architecture
to all parts of the world, films could
perform certain useful things for in-
dustry at home. Motion pictures
could teach employees better meth-
ods of operation, more skillful use of
tools, better ways of living, safety
methods. To all these legitimate de-
mands the association tujned its at-
tention.
To recite the activities undertaken
by the Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America would almost
require the time of their accomplish-
ment. Obviously the first needs were
to insure proper entertainment, to in-
sure proper support for the worth-
while pictures, and to lend assistance
wherever it was needed in making
the motion picture a greater servant
of the world.
The first move was to make sure
of the improvement in the whole-
someness of the entertainment. The
motion picture theater is a commu-
nity meeting house. There gather
the families — fathers, mothers, and
children. Motion picture success is
based largely upon its ability to
please the entire family and the suc-
cess that has come to the industry,
the real affection with which it is
regarded by the millions, is genuine
proof that the industry is succeed-
ing in that effort.
Many persons have asked, "Why
haven't we seen in the movie manv
of those recent books and plays that
deal in themes and situations and
topics which in previous years were
discussed only in whispers"? The
industry was determined that this
type of book and play should not be-
come the prevalent type of motion
picture and to prevent this, set up
The Formula, which operates as fol-
lows:
When any member company of the
Motion Picture Producers and Dis-
tributors of America is offered the
screen rights to a book or play which
that member believes is objection-
able, the Association is so notified.
If the judgment of the member
company is confirmed, the author is
advised. He may present to the As-
sociation his reasons why the story
shall not be rejected; if it is finally
decided that the story is unsuitable
then the author and all the member
companies of the Association are
notified.
After a story has been rejected the
author may prepare a new story with
the unsuitable material removed and
with a new title which does not in
any way suggest the old title. He
may use the proper dramatic inci-
dents and interest making certain
only of the elimination of the unsuit-
able material. Then the author may
submit such a new story to the pro-
ducing companies for picturization, as
in the original instance, with the dis-
tinct understanding that the film shall
not be publicized or advertised in any
way that will connect the new stor_y
with the old and that it shall not be
presented in any way that will mis-
lead theatergoejs. If this is not
done, then the company members,
thus having their attention directed
to the subject in question, have the
opportunity of avoiding the mistake
which the picturization of the novel
or play would be.
The method, which is of course
thoroughly legal and which has
proved efficient, is not censorship in
any sense of the word. No censor-
ship could have brought about the
results which have been attained. At
the same time, the formula does not,
by any possible interpretation, limit
the production of vital or artistic
pictures. Any method which did
that would fail absolutely.
(Continued Toinorrotv)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
TO-MORROW
Second Installment of Chapter III
"Organization Of An
Industry"
Marshalling the forces for
efficient co-operation.
Acquaint yourself with the back-
ground of the film business by
reading this fine serial.
EVERY DAY
in
THE FILM DAILY
THE
j^E2S
DAILV
Sunday, January 12, 1930
Academy Surveys Achievements of 1929
REVIEW ACTIVITIES OE
COAST PRODUCTION BODY
Conciliation
The Conciliation Committee with the con
ciliation policy of the Academy as one of
the cornerstones of the institution is based
on the principle of mutual understanding and
is not compulsory in its operation. Com-
plaints may be filed by any person or com-
pany in the production industry against any
other person or company in the industry
whether members of the Academy or not.
Each complaint is first considered by the
Secretary, who may endeavor to effect an
amicable adjustment without reference to a
committee. Frequently such adjustments are
secured even before formal filing. Should
no settlement be reached the case then goes
to the Executive Committee of the Branch
to which the complainant belongs or would
belong if a member of the Academy. For
example, matters involving actors go to the
Actors' Executive Committee, questions re-
garding stories and writers go to the Writers'
Executive Committee, and so on. The Exe-
cutive Committee to whom a matter is thus
referred then proceeds to examine the com-
plaint together with the response, if any has
been received, and endeavors if possible to
bring about an adjustment. Failing in that,
the Executive Committee refers the com-
plaint to the Conciliation Committee of the
Academy, composed of one representative
from each Branch. The Conciliation Commit-
tee may then make further efforts at con-
ciliation or may proceed to a hearing of the
facts, after giving due notice to each party
to the controversy. In the language of the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Academy,
it may hold such hearing "if no answer
be interposed on the complaint alone."
To insure absolute freedom from prejudice
it is provided that when a member of the
Conciliation Committee "be either complain-
ant or respondent or be employed by or in
partnership with any person, firm or cor-
poration appearing either as complainant or
respondent, such person shall be disquali-
fied to sit on the Conciliation Committee."
His place is filled by appointment of the
President, from the Branch to which the dis-
qualified member belongs, with the approval
of the Executive Committee of such branch.
Of the 30 cases during the past year which
could not be disposed of without formal
filing of complaints for action by the Execu-
tive Committees or the Conciliation Commit-
tee, 21 were disposed of and 9 were pending
December 31, 1929. Of the 21 cases dis
posed of 19 were favorable to the complain-
ants.
Merit Awards
In token of their achievements having been
judged the most outstanding in motion pic
tures during the year 1927-28 awards of
merit are annually conferred by the Academy
of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences upon a
selected group after careful consideration of
all feature pictures and judgment and de-
cision by competent boards of judges. The
Academy trophy is a statuette in gold-bronze.
For achievements during the year ending
July 31, 1928, these awards were presented
to the following at a dinner on May 16,
1929:
First Awards
Emil Jannings, for distinguished perform-
ances in "Way of All Flesh" and "'The Last
Command."
Janet Gaynor, for distinguished perform-
ances in "Seventh Heaven," "Street Angel"
and "Sunrise."
Frank Borzage, for distinguished achieve-
ment in directing "Seventh Heaven."
Lewis Milestone, for distinguished achieve-
ment in directing "Two Arabian Knights."
Ben Hecht, for distinguished achievement
in writing the original story for "Under-
world."
Benjamin Glazer, for distinguished achieve-
ment in adaptation of "Seventh Heaven."
Joe W. Farnham, for distinguished achieve-
ment in writing titles of "Telling the World"
and "Fair Co-Ed."
Charles Rosher, for distinguished achieve-
ment in cinematography of "Sunrise."
Karl Struss, for distinguished achievement
in cinematography of "Sunrise."
William Cameron Menzies, for distinguish
ed achievements in art direction of "The
Tempest" and "The Dove."
Roy J. Pomeroy, for distinguished engi-
neering achievements in "Wings."
Paramount-Famous Lasky Corporation, for
production of outstanding photoplay, "Wings."
Fox Film Corporation, for artistic quality
of "Sunrise."
Special Awards
Warner Brothers, for producing "The Jazz
Singer," marking an epoch in motion picture
history.
Charles Chaplin, for his versatility and
genius in writing, acting, directing and
producing "The Circus."
Honorable Mention
Richard Barthelmess, for his performances
in "The Noose" and "The Patent Leather
Kid."
Louise Dresser for her performance in "A
Ship Comes In."
Herbert Brenon, for directing "Sorrel and
Son."
King Vidor, for directing "The Crowd."
Ted Wilde for directing "Speedy."
Lejos Biro for writing "'The Last Com
mand."
Alfred Cohn for adapting "The Jazz
Singer."
Anthony Coldeway, for adapting "Glorious
Betsy."
George Marion, Jr., for writing titles of
"Oh Kay."
Gerald Duffy for writing titles of "The
Life of Helen of Troy."
George Barnes for cinematography of "Sa-
die Thompson," "The Devil Dancer" and
"Magic Flame."
Rochus Gliese for art direction of "Sun-
rise."
Harry Oliver for art direction of "Seventh
Heaven."
Nugent Slaughter, for engineering effects
in "The Jazz Singer."
Ralph Hammeras, for engineering effects
in "The Life of Helen of Troy."
Fox Company for Seventh Heaven."
Caddo Company for The Racket."
Paramount-Famous-Lasky Corporation for
"Chang."
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for "The Crowd."
The awards for the year ending July 31,
1929, will be announced early in 1930. Board
of judges from the different branches have
been passing on the nominations submitted by
the Academy membership. Seven awards
will be conferred as follows:
1. Actor — Best performance or performan-
ces, talking or silent, with special reference
to character portrayal, comedy or dramatic
rendition and speech and diction, if em
ployed.
2. Actress — Best performance or perform
ances, talking or silent, with special refer-
ence to character portrayal, comedy or dra-
matic rendition and speech and diction, ii
employed.
3. Director — Best achievement or achieve-
ments in the art of direction, talking or
silent, comedy or drama, with special refer-
ence to character developments, originality of
treatment, coordination of sound or audible
speech, if employed, and excellence of crafts-
manship in directing as a whole.
4. Writer — Best achievement or achieve-
ments in writing for the screen, silent or
talking, original or adaptation, with special
reference to construction, originality of
treatment, character development, theme, con-
sistency, dialogue, and general excellence of
the whole.
5. Cinematographer — Best achievement or
achievements in cinematography with sjjecial
reference to photographic art and quality.
6. Art Director — Best achievement or
achievements in set designing with special
reference to art quality, correct detail, story
application, and originality.
7. Production — Best motion picture pro-
duction, silent or talking, drama, comedy,
or musical production, with special reference
to quality, public appeal, general excellence
and all elements that contribute to a motion
picture's greatness.
Technical Administration
The Academy serves as a clearing house
for the collection of technical data in the
motion picture production industry and in-
formation on non-competitive subjects and
their distribution to the industry in general.
The work of the Technical Bureau of the
Association of Motion Picture Producers,
Inc., was taken over by the Academy early
in January, 1930, and supplemented the
Academy's previous technical activities.
In the organization of the Producers-Tech
nicians Joint Committee a number of the
technical activities of the Academy have been
grouped under special and responsible direc-
tion in keeping ^ith the importance and re
sponsibility of this phase of service to the
industry. The Producers-Technicians Joint
Committee includes:
Irving G. Thalberg, Chairman; Sol Wurt-
zel, M. C. Levee, Fred W. Beetson, Walter
L. Stern, Nugent H. Slaughter, H. Keith
Weeks, William Sistrom; Lester Cowan, Sec-
retary, H. o. Knox, Frederick M. Sammis,
J. T Reed, J. A. Ball, Gerald F. Rackett,
F. E. Pelton, Frank Woods
The three initial projects being adminis
tered directly by the committee include: (1)
investigation of present devices and perlec
tion ot an improved device to silence tht
motion picture camera; (2) analysis of sound
picture set materials and construction from
the acoustical standpoint; (3) continuation oi
the research sponsored by the Academy into
improved studio lighting and tests and survey
of efforts to silence the studio arc lamp.
Other projects will be taken up as these are
completed, the policy of the committee being
to concentrate on problems of immediatel>
practical significance. Much of the work ol
the committee is being assisted by coopera
tion of Electrical Research Products, inc.,
RCA Photophone Corporation, and other
equipment companies.
Correlation of Theater and Studio
Practices
For the first time during the past year the
Academy services were extended to the prob-
lems immediately affecting motion picture the
aters as well as studios.
Correlation of important difference in prac
tice between studio camera apertures and
projector apertures used in theaters was ac
complished during the past year through a
committee representing the Academy Tech
nicians' Branch, the American Society ot
Cinematographers, Chapter No. 7 of the Amer
ican Projection Society, and the Pacific
Coast Section of the Society of Motion Pic
cure Engineers after a nationwide survey.
It was recommended that as a temporary
measure all studios and cinematographers
using sound-on-film methods should compose
all vital portions of the picture within a
rectangle 0.620 by 0.835 inches marked on
the ground glass of the camera. It was also
recommended that theaters which make a
practice of re-establishing the full screen pro
portions of sound-on-film pictures do so by
the use of an aperture whose size would be
0.600 by 0.800 inches on the basis of pro
jection on the level, the horizontal center of
the picture coinciding with the horizontal
center of the S.M.P.E. Standard Aperture.
Upon the publication of this resolution the
major Hollywood studios adopted the mark
ings, which were also made standards of the
Society of Motion Picture Engineers at the
convention in Toronto.
A committee appointed in the fall of 1929
studied the makeup of leaders and reel as
sembly in an effort to bring together the best
features of present practice which varies
widely among studios and exchanges. Speci
fications drawn with a view to their value
to the producer and distributor, adaptabilitji
to laboratory practice, and general utility to
projectionists will be presented for standardi-
zation in the industry early in 1930. Lengths
of the various sections of the leader and
changeover cues will be made standard.
A committee is studying the practical as
pects of the problem resulting from the fact
that screen illumination in theaters, studios,
and laboratories varies to an extreme degree.
The committee's work will be guided towaty,'
securing minimum conditions of illumination
efficiency within the reach of the largest pos
sible number of motion picture theaters so
that the density of prints may be adapted to
these conditions and the quality of projec
tion throughout the country improved.
SOUND
HAS PROVEN
Publications
In addition to the publications for the
membership two general books have been au-^^
thorized by the Academy and are now in^^
process of editing and publication. A volume^^
to be titled "Outline of the Motion Picture"
intended for general circulation and also as
an educational textbook is based on lectures
deivered at an Academy sponsored course in
the University of Southern California and
will be published jointly by the Academy
and the University.
The Academy's Technical Digest is heins
issued in the form of serial papers and will
also l>e issued in book form. Based upon
lectures in the Academy's School in Funda-
mentals of Sound Recording and Reproduc
tion for Motion Pictures, it contains articles
by the principal sound experts on various
aspects of sound recording by both disc atio
film methods.
College Affairs ||
The auspices of the Academy's College Af-''
fairs Committee have been extended to es
tablishment of several desirable contracts he
tween universities and the motion picture In
dustry during the past year.
Possibly the most outstanding of these was
the introducion of the firs courses in appre
elation of the motion picture in major Amer
ican Universities. With the cooperation of
the College Affairs Committee and Academy
members who delivered twelve of the lee
tures. the course, "Introduction to the Pho-
toplay" was introduced into the curriculum
of the University of Southern California.
Assistance of the Academy was later ex
tended toward a similar course at Stanford
L'niversity.
A delegation representing the Academy
took part in the exercises at Stanford Univer
sity which marked the semi-centennial of
the early researches in photography of mo
tion conducted by I.eland Stanford and Ed
ward Muybridge,
Academy Sound School
With the completion of the tenth lecture
demonstration before the fourth section o.
students, the Academy School in Fundamen
tals of Sound Recording and Reproduction
for Motion Pictures came to a successful end
December 16. In the four sections of the
school, 565 studio employees had been giver,
two months and a half of competent and an
thoritative Instruction by the leading sound j
experts in the industry. Attendance in tlie
four sections, to which enrollment had been
limited, continued at an average of approxi-
mately 100 students throughout the course,
and the interest and expressions of satl=
faction from the students and studio exe
cutives testify to the success of the school.
The first of its kind in the motion picture
industry, and a pioneering step in industrial
self-education, the Academy School had its
nflicial origin in a meeting of the Producers
Branch July 31. This meeting, under the
chairmanship of B. P. Schulberg, offered the
recommendation to the Academy Board thnt
a course in technical instruction be made
available to studio employpp=
Extension of this educational work within
the production industry is projected for the
coming year.
Preview Service
Committees representing national organiza
tions are previewing new productions almost
daily in the Academy's projection theater hy
arrangement between the Motion Picture Pro
ducers and Distributors of America, Inc..
and the various organizations. Those now
participating are the Parent-Teachers Asso-
ciation. Women's University Club, D. A. R.-
General Federation of Women's Clubs ami
American Library Ass'n, International Fed
eratlon of Catholic Alumnae, and Y. M. C. A.
Ehe
rsou"-
John Eberson, one of Americans
leading theatre architects, will
edit a special construction, re-
construction and re-equipment
section in THE 1930 FILM
DAILY YEAR BOOK,
Mr, Eberson's extensive ex-
perience as a theatre architect
plus the fact that he is the
originator of the atmospheric
theatre idea makes his state-
ments of such tremendous im-
portance that everyone engaged
in the building or operating of
theatres will be especially inter-
ested in this section of the
1930 Year Book,
GOTHAM GREETS T
Radio Grand Flagship
Drops Anchor at $2 Carroll,
N.Y.Jan. 14th... Big Guns
Primed to Blaze Away
at B'way Gross Records...
Directed by . . .
LUTHER REED
who created "Rio Rita"
Music by Vincent Youmans. Story
by Herbert Fields; lyrics by
ClifFord Grey, Leo Rubin and
Irving Caesar
JACK
OAK I E
ON GRAND JOY BENDER
POLLY WALKER and hundreds of singers,
players, dancers and beautiful girls . . . .
»VN DREADNAUGHT
Shells Los Angeles in Stu-
pendous Opening Week
and Batters Orpheum All-
time Record to Smoking
Smithereens! Shoots Gobs
of Coin in All Directions . . .
Decks aring with the tap of dancing feet. . . Mighty choruses
swelling into the rapturous strains of ''Hallelujah'' and many
new smash hits. Roistering sea ballads . . . enchanting love
songs and haunting spirituals!
T
THE
10
f:mm'i«Tiuiim •Maku
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Attitude of the Critics
Defended By One of Them
THE most unfair attack upon
the critics is upon the score
of trying to be entertaining and
personal. Just why dulhiess
should be regarded as one of the
requisites of dramatic reviewing
it is difficult to understand. Since
it is the gravest of sins in the
theater, one might expect it to be
thought equally heinous in play
reporting. Unless the reviewer
is reasonably lively, unless he
provides something of a side
show, no one is going to pay any
attention to him, and he may be
gentle and constructive all over
the place and you won't be able
to perceive it. As for being per-
sonal, it must be obvious that a
piece of criticism can be nothing
else, and that the franker it is in
that respect the fairer it will be
in the opportunities provided for
checking up on it.
Richard Watts, Jr., m
New York "Herald Tribune"
Remarkable Progress Made
By Talkers in One Year
THERE was no stage comedy
in 1929 so uproariously fun-
ny as was the film "The Cock-
Eyed World." "Bulldog Drum-
mond" and "Madame X," with
voice and sound, were brilliant
dramatic productions. And
"Married in Hollywood," "The
Broadway Melody," "Rio Rita"
and "Hallelujah" represented an
astonishing variety of musical
productions of the first order.
Nothing on Broadway surpassed
them. This is worth notice, since
it must be remembered that lit-
tle more than a year has been de-
voted seriously to the applica-
tion of the sound device. If the
best of the snoken drama and
musical comedy can be equaled
in the audible pictures after one
bare year of progress, what may
five years bring?
Qiiinn Martin in
New York "World"
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
EDDIE QUILLAN
worked in vaudeville
j^^
DAILV
Sunday, January 12, 1930
■I
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
VT D. GOLDEN of the M. P. Division of the Dept. of Com-
•^ * merce, popped in the first thing Friday morn, gave us the
low-down on pictures abroad and now is back in Washington.
* * * ♦
Dewey Bloom, representative for Gertrude Lawrence, who
recently left the Mt. Sinai minus a 'tissue' and now is up in
Montreal trying to recuperate. Before leaving Dewey planned
a special showing of "Candlelight" for the press, scheduled thi.^-
Wednesday at the Empire. Of course he would pick a mati-
nee Here's one for the exploiteers, M. Witmark & Sons
effected a tie-up with Peoples Gas Co. of Chicago with "Singin'
in the Bathtub." The Gas Co., in its monthly publication,
spread itself with a two column cut and suggested an automatic
water heater
* * * *
Joe Burke, Philadelphia lad, teamed with Al Dubin, is
credited with the biggest array of song hits during 1929, so
says Witmark. But you will admit the kid put over some nif-
ties for the Warner Vitaphone productions Eddie Dow-
ling had another luncheon cast his way. On Monday Ed will
be guest of honor at the Advertising Men's Post No. 2 Ameri-
can Legion, at the Army-Navy Club, N. Y
* * • *
Over at the Fox office a national campaign is on for selec-
tion of titles suitable for production. Everyone connected with
the organization has the opportunity to submit titles and the
winner to share in on the dough. Not a bad idea, but we sure
would hate to wade through some of them Bernard
Pollack, sales manager for Witmark, is scheduled to leave on
a tour to the Coast soon
* * * *
Pathe stepped out and signed Maurice Coons, short stor\-
writer, who now is en route to Culver City, Pathe producing
grounds. Coons, under the pen name of Armitage Trail, flings
stuff into many periodicals. He also has a few novels on his
list of works Eleanor Baldwin Cass, fencer, who made
a picture for Pathe some months ago, leaves for the Coast Sat-
urday Dinn'tri Tionikin, Russian composer and concert
pianist, leaves for the Emmgeeem Coast studios Saturday where
he will begin work on the first of a series of numbers he ha>
composed Clarence MacKain, formerly connected with
the Columbia home office, has resigned.
Don Hancock was operated on for appendicitis Friday at
St. Elizabeth's Hospital and was reported doing very nicely.
Who's Who in the various companies in the indus-
try is comprehensively covered in the forthcoming
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 11-12-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FLM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who on these days are cele-
brating their birthdays:
January 11th
Porter E. Evans
Earl Baldwin
Chester Conklin
Agnes Chrintine Johnston
Ernest Pascal
Warner P. Richmond
January 12th
Lew Collins
Milton Sills
Nicholas Grinde
Marvin Schenck
Hank Linet
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
SINCE WE published that article
about Warren Nolan's flair for
literary style in his publicity for
United Artists, we have been swamp-
ed with manuscripts from aspiring ;
authors all over the LInited States.
This kolyum certainly goes east,
north, south and west, and it is all
we can do to keep it from going to
the devil. This morn we are in re-
ceipt of the following:
3 Rivers Ranch,
Butte, Mont.
Dear Editor: I am enclosing sev-
eral poems of my best work which
ought to please you as much as that
manuscript from Mr. Nolan. I don't
think it was so hot, but then you're
the editor, and probably know more
about it than I do. I will accept
your usual rates, but of course will
expect more after it is printed. I am
known as the Poet Laureate of Butte
and the West is proud of me. Yours
truly, Hubert Englebert Block (Poet
Laureate).
Mr. Block sends us four poems
hitherto unpublished. They are "The
Birthplace of a Soul," "Murder,'"
"October Evening on the Butte," and
the one appearing below. After you
read "Regret," you will probably
want to read "Murder," or feel like
it. Then if "Murder" goes good,
we'll try "The Birthplace of a Soul"
on you. This poet Block certainly
has something. What it is we're not
<iuite sure. So wade into
Regret
Why should I live?
The world is cold;
Why should I live
Till I am old?
'Tis best to die
In bleak despair
As ivell in Butte
As anywhere.
(Editor's Note: Why not?)
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Famous Players reported dropping
Industrial Dept.
"Madame X" screen rights report-
ed purchased by Sam Goldwyn.
Maxwell Karger, Metro director
general, coming to New York to pro-
duce.
B. S. Moss secures control of
Dyckman theater. New York.
THE
iSunday, January 12, 1930
DAILY
11
Newspaper Opinions
"Seven Keys to Baldpate"
5 I RKO
Earl Carroll, N. Y.
* ' AMERICAN—* * * The audience seemed
ilhoroughly to enjoy the show, and it, in turn,
should enjoy a pleasant run on Broadway.
DAILY NEWS—* * * It dashes on its
way from first reel to last without a letup
lin action. Smooth, suspenseful script, snap-
I'py dialogue and swell performances — of which
[Richard's is just one of many. It doesn't
lindeed seem like a Dix starring production,
ihecause Director Reginald Barker has given
[everybody such a good break. * * *
EVENING GRAPHIC—* * * Dix is, as
usual, enthusiastic in his work and has that
easy, informal way of delivering his dialogue
which suggests a little Dix extemporizing to
good advantage. Miriam Seegar, the blonde.
I who played a second role in "The Love Doc
I tor," is a cute ingenue.* * *
! EVENING WORLD—* * * This old Earl
! Derr Biggers story, which was dramatized
i by George M. Cohan and which has also been
: seen upon the silent screen, still has its
I comic appeal, although there are times when
it does display a slight senility. There are
times when it creaks a bit, but Dix and his
very good company put it over here with a
bang. * • *
EVENING SUN—* * * Yet this talkie is
an excellent transcription of the affair. Who
can tamper with a near masterpiece? Mr,
Dix has helped it in more ways than one.
Going into the S. R. O. regions of RKO,
he has become a very admirable actor for this
sort of thing. ♦ ♦ •
TELEGRAM—* * * Mr. Dix gives a
smooth and finished performance and demon-
strates that he is an accomplished impersona-
tor of light comedy roles. His work in the
film is ot all times natural and convincing.
TIMES—* * * In its present form it is
far more effective than it was as Douglas
MacLean's silent picture of three years ago.
It is one of those fanciful flights that com-
pels one to withhold crticism until the de
nouement. In fact, it is an adventure which
virtually defies derogatory comments. • « *
TRIBUNE — * * * The direction is smooth
and generally expert, the acting is in the
proper mood of semi-serious make-believe,
and the production, while it lacks the atmos-
pheric brilliance of, say, "Bulldog Drum-
mond," is shrewd and sprightly. The only
trouble is that there is reason to fear that
the story is beginning to wear just a trifle
thin from constant use. * * *
WORLD—* * * Mr. Dix, when he as
sumes an attitude of mild derision in han-
dling his role, is at his best. He is a com-
petent young player, and should do well as
Kadio's fair-haired boy. ♦ * *
Mrs. Harris Continues Managing
Elkhart, Ind. — Mrs. A. M. Harris
remains as manager of the Orpheum
with the acquisition of the house by
Harry Lerner. Sound equipment
was recently installed.
Forest Installs RCA
Roonville, Ind. — RCA Photophone
has been installed at the Forest's
"Temple of Shadowland" theater.
St. Joseph Rialto Improved
St. Joseph, Mo. — After having been
closed for improvements and instal-
lation of sound, the Rialto has re-
opened, according to manager Fred
Greenberg.
Huntley Orders Sound
Sebastopol, Cal. — Manager Hunt-
ley of the Starland has ordered sound
equipment.
Cowan Quits Fox St. Louis
St. Louis — Lynn Cowan, master of
ceremonies at the Fox, has departed
for the Coast where he is consider-
ing offers to make talking pictures.
A DIRECT NEWS SBRVICB
COVERING DEVELOPMENTS
IN AMERICA'S IMPORTANT
OVERSEAS MARKETS
RIGHT TO CENSOR TALKERS
IS SOUGHT IN GERMANY
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Censorship of talkers
is provided in one of the important
amendments to the Cinema Law now
before the Reichstag in Berlin, ac-
cording to the M. P. Division of the
Dept. of Commerce. Other amend-
ments include the imposing of heav-
ier penalties for the admission of
juveniles to "A" pictures, and giving
local authorities the power to ban a
film temporarily for reasons of pub-
lic order pending a new decision of
the censors. Banned pictures can be
exported if they do not impair Ger-
man prestige, the amendments state.
SOVKINO NEGOTIATING FOR
RCA SOUND-ON-FILM SETS
Moscow — Sovkino, official produc-
ing film company, is understood ne-
gotiating with RCA for the purchase
of a quantity of sound-on-film ma-
chines. E. O. Heyl, London execu-
tive of RCA will soon leave for New
York where negotiations are being
conducted.
"White Shadows" Now Silent
Berlin — "White Shadows in the
South Seas" will now be distributed
in Germany as a silent film, it is re-
ported.
India Taxes Imported Films
Calcutta — The government of Ni-
zam of Hyderabad has decided to
levy a tax of a little over six cents
per foot on all films imported to In-
dia. The trade is expected to be hit
heavy by this new tax.
56 Censored in Great Britain
Washingtcn Burcuu of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A total of 56 new
features were censored in Great
Britain during 1929, according to sta-
tistics to the British Board of Cen-
sors.
P. C. T. House Closed
London — The Long Row Picture
House on Market St. has closed as
a result of talkers. The house was
too small to install sound equipment
and could not keep up with wired
houses. P.C.T. owned the theater.
Filer Appointed Manager
London — S. Filer has been appoint-
ed manager of the Pallidum, Peters-
field, recently acquired by Messrs. H.
Filer and S. Shinebaum. He will also
manage the Electric Cinema.
Foreign
Markets
By DON C. GILLETTE
Wants Sunday Shows
London — Contending that
workers were as much entitled
to attend a kinema as other
tolk were entitled to play golt
on Sunday, the question of
Sunday shows has again come
up for consideration here.
Marx Forms First German
Circuit of Music Halls
Berlin — Formation of the first Ger-
man music hall chain has begun with
acquisition by Herr Jules Marx ol
three leading music halls, the Drie
Linden, Leipzig; the Flora, Ham
burg; the Apollo, Manheim. Marx
owns the Scala and Plaza, picture
houses, and has arranged to have Al
Jolson appear at the Scala shortly.
Advent of Sound Films
Incurs Debt for Pro Patria
London — That the advent of sound
films hit distributors is indicated in
the report of Pro Patria Films for
two years ending Sept. 30, last. The
debit for the past two years has
reached $126,020, which was chiefly
incurred during the past six months
when there was no demand for silent
pictures. However, the outlook for
the company looks brighter now that
the demand for silents has become
reestablished and with the company
also distributing sound and talking
pictures without any substantial in-
crease in overhead.
Century Kinema Opens
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Opening of the
Century Kinema in Benoni recently
marked the 100th bioscope in So.
Africa operated by Kinemas Ltd., ac-
cording to Ass't Trade Commissioner
E. B. Lawson, Johannesburg.
"London Melody" in Work
London. — Work has begun on
"London Melody" which is being pro-
duced by British Screen Productions
at Worton Hall, Isleworth. Donald
Stuart is actively cooperating with
Geoffrey Mailns on the picture.
"Throw of Dice" Release Dates
London — -Pro Patria announces
that "A Throw of Dice," the all-
Indian film, will be released in Lon-
don on May 12, 1930, and in the
provinces two weeks later.
"Jazz Singer" Hits 1,000th Mark
Paris. — "The Jazz Singer" has
reached its 1,000th performance at the
Aubert Palace.
French Director Dead
Paris — Jean Manoussi, director, re-
cently died. He directed "The Mir-
age de Paris" and "Ma Mason de
Saint Cloud."
FILM DAILY CORRESPON-
DENTS IN WORLD CAPITALS
FLASH OVERSEAS NEWS BT
RADIO AND CABLE
EXHIBITORS WANT
E GOOD SILENT FILMS
Leicester, England — Demand for
silent films is still strong here, a re-
cent meeting of the C.E.A. reveals.
Exhibitors, who have asked produc-
ers to continue the silent form of
screen entertainment, have been suc-
cessful in having a resolution passed
asking the General Council, through
a committee of independent theater
owners, to formulate a scheme to en-
sure a continuous supply of good
silents and to increase that of talkie
product on an economic basis.
CLAIMS BRITISH QUOTA ACT
NOT UPHELD BYEXHIBITORS
London — The President of the
Board of Trade uttered a direct warn-
ing to exhibitors with regard to quota
fulfillment recently when he said that
certain British studios have closed
down because the quota of British
films had not been enforced by theater
owners. He also said that if no ac-
tion was taken, the Government
would be forced to maintain the pro-
visions of the Films Act.
Germany Censors Twelve
American Films in Nov.
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Twelve American
features were among the ii censored
during November by the Reichstag in
Berlin, according to the M. P. Divi-
sion of the Dept. of Commerce. The
balance consisted of 16 German made
films and 17 foreign. This compares
with 16 German and 23 foreign films
censored during October.
Rename B. I. P. Film
London — British International Pic-
tures have put into production "Els-
tree Calling," a musical talkie which
will star all the famous headliners of
the stage, screen and radio world.
Adrian Brunei, director of "The Con-
stant Nymph" is directing this picture
at the English studio.
RIchmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
' D. J. MOUNTAN, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
tives for P.ayart Pi.tures Corpo-
ration and othrr eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJAY, London
Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the
best In Motion Picture*
12
=^JXI^
DAILY
Sunday, January 12, 1930
^'No, No, Nanette"
with
Alexander Gray and Bernice Claire
(All-Talker)
First Nat'l Time, 1 hr., 37 otitis.
SU REFIRE ENTERTAIN-
MENT FOR EVERYBODY. MUS-
ICAL FARCE THAT HAS
ABOUT EVERYTHING. BER-
NICE CLAIRE A KNOCKOUT.
Musical farce. Popular stage
piece given modern trimmings and
produced with pep and general high
quality. Bernice Claire, the "Na-
nette" of the story, looks like star-
ring material. She's got a lot of big-
time stuff. The plot deals with a
Bible manufacturer who gets in all
sorts of jams, innocently enough,
when he sponsored an attractive
femme in a musical show. The situ-
ations, although familiar, are the sort
that can't miss, especially when given
the brand of acting this picture sells
to the audience. Color sequences for
the most part are splendid but some-
times blurry. Altogether it's a talk-
er which is mighty good entertain-
ment from first to last reel.
Cast: Bernice Claire, Alexander Gray,
Lucien Littlefield, Louise Fazenda, Lilyan
Tashman, Bert Roach, Zasu Pitts, Mildred
Harris, Henry Stockbridge and Jocelyn Lee.
Director: Clarence Badger; Author, Otto
Harbach ; Adaptor, Howard Emmett Rogers ;
Dialoguer. Beatrice Van; Editor, Frank
Mandel ; Cameraman, Sol Polito ; Monitor
Man, Not listed.
Direction, okay ; Photography, generally
fine.
Eddy
Ken Maynard in
"Senor Americano"
with Kathryn Crawford
(All-Talker)
Universal Time 1 hr., 5 min^.
UNUSUALLY GOOD WEST-
ERN OF OLD CALIFORNIA
DAYS WITH LOTS OF ACTION
AND A MEXICAN BACK-
GROUND FOR THE ROMANCE.
Ken Maynard just about runs the
gamut of superhuman feats as the
hero of this Western, which is based
on the conquest of California and the
annexation of the territory by the
United States. Maynard plays the
role of a cavalry lieutenant who is
sent on scouting duty right in the
Mexican fold. Disguised as a cabai-
lero, he not only rounds up the de-
sired information but makes a mu-
tual heart strike with a charming
senorita (Kathryn Crawford) and
gets the lowdown on the villain who
is plotting to do the girl's father out
of his properties. Every reel it
packed with action, which comes fast
and furious. There are plenty of as-
sorted fights, dashing horsemanship
and other appropriate activities. Also
a couple of pleasing songs. Harry
J. Brown directed with a punch.
Cast: Ken Maynard, Kathryn Crawford,
Frank Beale, Gino Corrado, Frank Yaconelli,
J. P. McGowan, Tarzan.
Director, Harry J. Brown; Author, Helmer
Bergman, Henry McCarthy ; Adaptor, Ben-
nett Cohen ; Dialoguer, Not Usted ; Editor,
Fred Allen; Cameraman, Ted McCord ;
Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, hrstclass ; Photography, good.
Gillette
"Mexican Rose"
with Barbara Stanwyck, Sam,
Hardy, William Janney
(All-Talker)
Columbia Time, 1 hr,
GENERALLY SATISFACTORY
PICTURE ABOUT GAMBLING,
LOVE AND INFIDELITY BE-
LOW THE BORDER.
Drama with a Mexican gambling
resort background. The proprietor
(Sam Hardy) kicks out his wife
(Barbara Stanwyck) for cheating. To
get even, she hikes up to a Cailfor-
nia college and marries the gambler's
nice kid brother (William Janney),
who thinks the elder boy is in the
goldmining business down below the
border. The newlyweds pick the
Mexican resort for their honeymoon,
and the big brother has to swap his
joint for a real goldmine in order to
keep the innocent girl from getting
wise. In the end, the promiscuous
girl is driven to suicide by jumping
off a cliff, a rather weak climax since
it is only reported by word of mouth,
and also because the alluring attrac-
tiveness of Miss Stanwyck is bound
to walk off with the audience's sym-
pathy. Otherwise nicely directed, and
Janney acts promisingly.
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Sam Hardy, Wil-
liam Janney, Louis Natheaux, Arthur Rankin,
Harry Vejar, Louis King, Julia Beharano.
Director, Erie C. Kenton; Author, Gladys
Lehman; Adaptor, Norman Houston; Di-
aloguers, Gladys Lehman and Norman Hous-
ton ; Eklitor, Leon Barsha ; Cameraman, Ted
Tezlaff; Monftor Man, John T. Livadary.
Direction, okay; Photography, good.
Gillette
**The Racketeer"
with Robert Armstrong, Carol
Lombard
(All-Talker)
Pathe Time, 1 hr., 6 mins.
RATES AVERAGE PROGRAM
NUMBER WITH FAMILIAR
PLOT OF UNDERWORLD.
GOOD WORK OF ARMSTRONG:
AND LOMBARD HOLD IT UP.
Drama of the underworld. This !
is a rehash of several racketeer stor-
ies that have preceded it. It has
nothing notworthy to pull it out of
the rut. The action is rather thin,
and it is overloaded with dialogue.
Robert Armstrong is good as the
rich racketeer who befriends the girl
and helps her dope addict sweetheart
to stage a comeback, for which the
girl promises to marry him. She
sticks to her promise, but the cops
get the racketeer with their bullets,
leaving her free to marry her sweet-
heart. Carol Lombard proves a real
surprise, and does her best work to
date. In fact this is the first oppor-
tunity she has had to prove that
she has the stuff to go over. With
looks, and a good trouping sense,
she also has the personality.
Cast : Robert Armstrong, Carol Lombard,
Roland Drew, Jeanette LofF, John Loder,
Paul Hurst, Winter Hall, Winifred Harris,
Kit Guard, Al Hill, Bobbie Dunn, Hedda
Hopper, Bub Fine.
Director, Howard Higgin; Author, Paul
Gangelin ; Adaptor, the same ; Dialoguer, A.
A. Kline; E^tor, Doane Harrison; Camera-
man, David Abel; Monitor Men, D. A. Cut-
ler. C. M. Wiches.
Direction, ordinary ; Photography, good.
Narrower
^
"^
"Throw of the Dice"
(Silent)
Brit. Inst. Time, 1 hr., 10 mins,
EXCEPTIONALLY FINE FOR-
EIGN ROMANCE WITH ALL-
HINDU CAST AND AN "ARA-
BIAN NIGHTS" STORY THAT
OUGHT TO HAVE WIDE AP-
PEAL.
Adventurous romance with an all-
Hindu cast and produced in native
atmosphere. Story is like an "Ara-
bian Nights" tale, depicting the con-
flicts of two rival kiggs, inveterate
gamblers, who desire the same come-
ly maid for their queen. In an all-
night crap-shooting contest just be-
fore one of the chiefs is to marrv
the fair one, the two sovereigns stake
their crowns and kingdoms on a
throw, and the villainous one wins
through trickery. He is exposed in
the end, however, and there is a fade-
out in the approved fashion. Though
fundamentally a simple story, there
is an effective simplicity and smooth-
ness in the way it is unfolded, while
the natural scenery possesses such a
compelling beauty that the picture
ought to be welcomed as a rare treat
by almost any class of audience.
Seeta Devi, the heroine, is just about
as attractive as the general run of
her American sisters.
Cast: Himansu Ray, Charu Roy, Seeta
Devi.
Director, Franz Osten; Author, Not listed;
Adaptor, Not listed ; Titler, Not listed ; Edi-
tor, Not listed; Cameraman, Not listed.
Direction, excellent ; Photography, ex-
cellent.
Gillette
"The Farmer's Wife"
(Silent)
Ufa East, Dist. Time, 1 hr., 7 mins.
BRITISH LIGHT COMEDY OF
RURAL LIFE HAS CHARM AND
FINE CHARACTERIZATION.
WILL PLEASE INTELLIGENT
AUDIENCES.
Light comedy, produced by British
International. Adapted from the
novel by Eden Phillpotts. Here is
a delightful character study of Eng-
lish rural life of the present day. It
moves with a grace and quaint charm
that is refreshing But it does seem
as if the director had missed some
of the finer shadings of humor and
droll touches that the famous novel-
ist's work contains. As the conceited
elderly farmer, in search of a wife,
Jameson Thomas appears far too
refined and intelligent for the role.
It is surprising that he was able t(
make the characterization very telling
in spite of this obvious miscasting.
Cutting from 11 reels to a short
seven has spoiled some sequences.
But allowing for all this, the quaint
English scenes and customs, and the
typical Devonshire characters are de-
lightful. A fresh, charming offering
that is real entertainment .
Cast: Jameson Thomas, Lilian Hall-Davis,
Gordon Barker, Maud Gill, Louise Pounds,
Olga Slade, Antonia Brough.
Director, Alfred Hitchcock; Author, Eden
Phillpotts; Adaptor. Not listed; Editor, Al-
fred Booth ; Titler, same ; Cameraman, Not
listed.
Direction, satisfactory ; Photography, very
good.
narrower
Dolores Costello in
"Second Choice"
Warner Bros. Time, 1 hr., 7 mins.
(All-Talker)
LIGHTWEIGHT STUFF. GEN-
ERALLY UNINTERESTING
STORY ABOUT A COUPLE
WHO MARRY TO SPITE THEIR
FIANCEES. NOT SO HOT FOR
SOPHISTICATED AUDIENCES.
Drama. Based on a story by Eliza-
beth Alexander, this picture moves
slowly along much-trodden paths.
Its dialogue is considerably stilted.
Dolores Costello, although as allur-
ing as ever pictorially, doesn't click
so well audibly, and Jack Mulhall's
reading of lines is nothing exciting.
Chester Morris scores as the unfor-
tunate j'outh. The yarn tells of a
gal marrying a millionaire to snite
a lad who throws her over for a
miss with a bankroll. The youth
changes his mind but too late and
when he tries to kidnap his ex-
sweetie, learns she's fallen in love
with her hubby. This talker's ap-
peal will be principally in the neigh-
borhoods.
Cast: Dolores Costello, Chester Morris,
Jack Mulhall, Edna Murphy, Charlotte Mer-
riam, Ethlyne Clair, Jimmy Clemmons, Ed-
ward Martindel, Henry .Stockbridge and Anna
Chance.
Director, Howart Bretherton ; Author, Eliz-
abeth Alexander; Adaptor, Josepn Jackson;
Dialoguer, Joseph Jackson; Editor, Robert
Crandal ; Cameraman, John Stumar; Monitor
Man, Not listed.
Direction, fair ; Photography, satisfactory.
Eddy
"Glorifying the American
Girl"
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 15 mins.
(All-Talker)
A TRADE PULLER ON ITS
TITLE AND NAMES. SPOTTY
AS ENTERTAINMENT. HAS
SOME GOOD HIGHLIGHTS.
Because it hangs on the wornout
story of a dancing team and the cus-
tomary professional and love affair
difficulties they encounter on their
road from small-time vaudeville to
Broadway, this picture inevitably will
be compared with other productions
about backstage life. And it will suf-
fer by comparison. Besides its fam-
iliar story, which is badly broken up
to permit inserts of singing, dancing,
posing ensembles, etc., the music is
only so-so, while the comedy end
has been neglected and the heart in-
terest is mild. But there is a fairly
long Eddie Cantor tailor shop sketch
that is a comedy scream, and several
girl tableaux in Technicolor that rank
high as pictorial art. Rudy Vallee
and Helen Morgan do only a brief
number apiece. Though the picture
as a whole may disappoint, the Cantor
skit alone will make lots of folks feel
that they got their money's worth.
Cast: Mary Eaton, Edward Crandall, Olive
Shea. Dan Healy, Kaye Renard, Sara Ed-
wards, Eddie Cantor, Helen Morgan, Rudy
Vallee.
Director, Millard Webb; Authors, J. P.
McEvoy and Millard Webb; Adaptors, Same;
Dialoguers, Same ; Editor, Barney Rogan ;
Cameraman, George Folsey ; Monitor Man,
Frnest Zatorsky.
Direction, fair; Photography, good.
Gillette
unday, January 12, 1930
THE
■cSimi
PAILV
13
William Haines in
"Navy Blues"
with Anita Page, Karl Dane
(All-Talker)
i-G-M Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
JUST FAIR ON LAUGHS. THE
JSUAL HAINES WISECRACK-
NG OPUS WITH THIN PLOT
;ND commonplace DIALOG.
Comedy. Apparently only written
) give William Haines a chance to
iQ his smart aleck wisecracking, and
,ot so hot from any angle. In fact
11 is about the poorest thing he has
jieen in. The plot is pretty sappy,
;nd the laughs are forced. This is
ilaines' first all-talker, and his voice
ets over satisfactorily. Anita Page
); good to look at, and Karl Dane as
he goofy gob lends good support
o Haines, his pal in the navy. On
hore leave Haines meets a ritzy girl,
nd falls hard for her. She recipro-
ates, leaves home when her mother
ibjects to her gob sweetie, and
iaines drifts away with the fleet
Months later he returns, and an re-
onciliation occurs. The sentimental
,ngle is unconvincing, and the wise-
racking gags pretty forced. What
s wrong with this is that they started
yithout any particular story.
Cast: William Haines, Anita Page, Karl
)ane, J. C. Nugent, Edythe Chapman, Wade
.toteler.
Director, Clarence Brown; Author, Ray
•lond L. Schrock ; Adaptor. Dale Van Every ;
Jialoguers, J. P. Nugent, Elliot Nugent, W.
^. Rivers; Editor, Hugh Wynn : Cameraman,
vienitt B. Gerstad ; Monitor Man, Douglas
^iiearer.
Direction, handicapped by material; Photog-
aphy, good.
Harrower
Ann Harding in
"Her Private Affair"
(All-Talker)
\Pathe Time, 1 hr., 10 mina.
ANN HARDING SUPERB IN
TENSELY DRAMATIC ROLE.
FINE DIRECTION AND
STRONG CAST MAKE THIS
ACE ENTERTAINMENT ANY-
WHERE.
Drama. The locale in Austria, and
Ann Harding as the wife of a judge
finds herself in a situation where she
isees a man on trial for his life for a
murder she committed. Placed in a
compromising situation by the victim,
she shoots him, and when the defend-
ant is forced to face the judge, her
husband, she hires counsel to defend
!him. After he is acquitted, her guilt
prays upon her, and forces her to
leave her husband. Through friends,
they are brought together at a New
Year's party, and there the disclosure
of her guilt is brought about in a
highly dramatic manner. Ann Hard-
ing is superb throughout, and gives a
: moving performance that is one of
the outstanding roles of the year. Di-
rection, and the balance of cast are
exceptional. A fine production from
all angles that is bound to click.
Cast: Ann Harding, Harry Bannister, John
Loder. Kay Hammond. William Orlamond.
I.awford Davidson, Elmer Ballard, Frank
Ueicher.
Directors, Paul Stein, Rollo Lloyd; Author.
Herman Bernstein; Adaptor, Francis Edward
Faragoh ; Dialoguer. the same ; Editor, Fred
Maguire; Cameraman, Dave Abel; Monitor
Men. D. A. Cutler. W. C. Brown.
Direction, excellent ; Photography, fine.
Harrower
Short Subjects
SOUND
"Screen Snapshots"
Columbia Time, 10 mins.
Another Hollywood Visit
With Eddie Lambert as guide, this
issue of the snapshots series con-
tains informal shots of Joan Craw-
ford and hubby, Douglas Fairbanks,
Jr., Paul Whiteman, Carl Laemmle,
Jr., Edward Everett Horton and
mother, Al Jolson, Duncan Sisters,
Johnny Hines, Ted Lewis, Clara
Bow, Harry Richman, Jack Holt,
Lupe Velez, Ralph Graves, Eddie
Quillan and Jeanette Loft. Will in-
terest the fans a lot.
"Wednesday at the Ritz"
Pathe Time, 18 mins.
Domestic Mixup
Comedy, written by Gordon Bos-
tock and directed by Philip Tannura,
about a tight rounder who gets into
the wrong hotel room, finds a swell
dame and assumes he married her the
night before while in a clouded state.
In walks friend husband and the real
fun begins. Evalyn Knaop and
Charles Kemper have the chief roles.
Pretty good filler.
Frances White
M-G-M Time, 8 mins.
Charming Songs
In a neatly balanced repertoire con-
sisting of an old fashioned number,
a modern Southern piece and her fa-
vorite "Mississippi," Miss White
proves a charmingly adaptable enter-
tainer for the talkers. Will be wel-
comed where she is known, and
ought to make a hit with new audi-
ences.
"The Harmony Club"
Columbia Time, 10 mins.
Fair Songfest
Geoffrey O'Hara and the Victor
Male Chorus in glee-club style com-
munity singing, with the audience
asked to join in. Popular oldtime
songs are used. Voices sound very
well and the whole thing is done in
a manner that ought to please folks.
Direction is by Basil Smith.
"Bows and Arrows"
Pathe Time, 10 mins.
Grantland Rice Sportlight
By tracing the progress of bows
and arrows from their caveman days
to scientific modern archery. Grant-
land Rice turns out another of his
interesting "Sportlights." The pres-
ent wide popularity of archery gives
this a timely appeal in certain sec-
tions at least.
"Canned Music"
Columbia Time, 8 mins.
Krazy Kat Musical War
Starting out with Krazy Kat try-
ing to quiet a couple of crying brats
with various musical efforts, this car-
toon affair ends in a parade by the
band instruments, which bombard
Krazy with bullets in the form of
notes. Krazy catches them and re-
turns the fire, wiping out the whole
band. Great stuff. The ingenuity
of these cartoon books is amazing.
"Ship Ahoy"
Pathe Time, 7 mins.
Aesop Fable
Cartoon creation with an ocean
locale, holding well to the average
in the matter of ingenuity and en-
tertainment value. A clicker of its
kind.
"The Fallen Star"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
Fair Drainatics
George Rosener goes through his
emotional stuff in this dramatic play-
let which is fairly good entertain-
ment. He plays a Civil War veteran
who recalls the big skirmish as the
parade go^s by outside.
SILENT
"Cat, Dog & Co."
M-G-M Time, 20 mins.
Good "Oar Gang" Comedy
The Hal Roach gang of youngsters
is imbued with the spirit of being
kind to animals. So they go around
and open up chicken coops, mice
traps, dogcatcher wagons and other
prisons for members of the dumb
kingdom. With the miniature mena-
gerie running wild around the town,
lots of comedy results. One of the
boys, having been unkind to the pets,
has a dream that he is on trial, with
an owl as judge, a monkey as prose-
cuting attorney and a flock of egg-
layers as jury. Clever and humorous-
ly satisfying.
West Coast's Stereoscopic House
Stockton, Cal. — What is Delieved
to be the first theater in the far west
especially designed for tr, e new
stereoscopic films, is now gcing up
at Main and Joaquin Streets ior Fox
West Coast chain. The new house
will cost about $660,000 and will seat
2,200.
Ultraphone Being Installed
Truman, Minn. — Ultraphone is be-
ing installed at the Cozy, according
to manager John Themer. Reopen-
ing of the house is expected Jan. 29.
Week's Headlines
ered
onal
ated
dent
first
and
Monday
-\pproxitnateIy 57,000 theaters are scat:
throughout the world, representing a.i
vestment of $4,000,000,000, the Internal.
Labor Office of Geneva estimates.
Aaron Saperstein heads new 111. unafifi
e.xhibitor unit known as Illinois Indepc,
Theater Owners, Inc.
Warners will have 20 specials in the
SIX months of 1930, including 4 musical
4 technicolor productions.
Committees of Exhibitors' Ass'n of Cli cago
and International Alliance of Motion Pic-
ture Operators Eocal No. 110 workin.^ on
renewal of contracts which expire Jan? 11.
Tuesday
Congressman Lankford of Ga. propose^ bill
for Govt, control of radio and films which
does not include censorship over the i idus-
try.
Better basis seen for Equity-Producers con-
ferences. Market condition is factor delay-
ing Equity efforts.
RNO already has 20 lined up for 1930 pr iduc-
tion with plans calling for numerous addi-
tions within the next few months.
x\dolph Stuber is appointed assistant vice-
president of Eastman Kodak.
Fox announces pictures on 1930 prodi xtion
schedule.
Wednesday
Riot of color is set for 1930 product with
black and white film expected to be ol -,olete
within two years, says Kalmus.
Academy of M. P. Arts now passiii,^ on
Merit awards nominations for achieve. nents
in production.
Sono Art-World Wide lists 29 for produc-
tion in 1930; 18 American and 11 British
features to comprise the program.
Pathe earnings for 1929 are expected to total
$6,000,000.
Thursday
Michigan exhibitors launch new coopuative
service with Allen Johnson heading thu new
body.
Newsreel firms will not discontinue releasing
silent issues.
First of six Ufa Supertone films will arrive
this month with an Emil Jannings talker
among them
Publix adds six more theaters to circuit
with acquisition of the Grubel Kansas City
chain of four and two Netoco houses in
Portland, Me.
Friday
Lankford bill under fire in house debate as
opponents see censorship, propaganda and
blue law evils in it.
Deadlock in Chicago over operators' contract.
Educational releasing 31 in first half of 1930;
12 Mack Sennett talking comedies a-.e in-
cluded in list.
"Undesirable" film attacks aid patronage, says
a report of the M. P. Committee of Gen-
eral Federation of Women's Clubs in Wash-
ington.
Today
Wide screens planned for all R-K-O the iters.
(ireater film miracles ahead, says Hariy M.
Warner.
Chicago operators and exhibitors reach agree-
ment on contract.
RKO earnings estimated at $2,000,000 for
1929.
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
THE
14
'S^
DAILY
Sunday, January 12, 1930
Chicago Operators, Exhibitors
Reach Contract Agreement
(Continued
there is no change in the wage scale
for projectionists in silent houses.
Operators in sound houses will re-
ceive an increase of $2.50 per week
during 1930 and an additional $2.50
during 1931.
Provisions of the agreement fol-
low:
Where operators are paid for time
not consurned on schedule extra time
may be used for any additional work
necessary in the booth including
maintenance of batteries on that day.
One man to be called with service
men on sound equipment on inspec-
tion and paid for time worked qnct
a week.
Operators shall appear on the job
30 minutes before the advertised
starting time to put their equipment
in condition for that day's run and
do such work as cleaning lenses and
equipment and greasing and oiling
machines.
Twice a week operators shall run
from Page 1)
10 minutes past regular closing time
without additional compensation.
Overtime caused by breakdown
due to the negligence or carelessness
of the operator shall not be charged
for.
Where operator is called to cue
film before show one operator to bt
called.
Any condition arising over the in-
stallation of new equipment in the
operating room which would in any
way change the conditions of the op-
erators shall be discussed by the busi-
ness manager of the operator's union
and the business managers of the ex-
hibitors' associations and if these men
cannot make an amicable settlement
the wage committees of both organi-
zations will meet to find a solution.
Midnight shows to be paid for at
the regular scale up to 12:00 P. M.,
and double time after 12:00 P. M.
All other conditions to remain the
same.
Greater Film Miracles Ahead
Harry M. Warner Declares
(.Continued from Page 1)
described the new story technique
made necessary by the talkers.
"The perfection of synchronization is here,"
Warner declared. "While we are bringing
the present inventions to a constantly higher
plane of performance, the mechanical brains
of the producing companies are concentrat-
ing on snch problems as full natural color
and the three dimensional riln'. The latter
will make the screen seem, not .": Hat surtace,
liiit a complete room or coiinfiyside, with
perspective in all its true values. A sculptural
quality will be added to movement, sound and
color. The stereopticon of childhood days
is to undergo a magical transformation.
"I do not believe there is a responsible ex-
ecutive in the motion picture industry who
lias not ceased to concern himself primarily
with the making of money and who does not
put bis earnest thought toward the develop-
ment of a high service to mankind on the part
of the medium with whose custody our work
and the turns of fortune's wheel have en-
trusted us.
"The critic who stands outside the great
motion picture industry and cavils at it must
he very insincere or very ignorant. The door
is wide open for him to come inside and help.
What he may tell us of merit and practicality
in the improvement of pictures is very wel-
come. 'The open door,' that expressive phrase
which Will H. Hays coined, is not mere
gesture so far as motion pictures are con-
cerned. We invite the leadership of such
people as yourself in helping us to make mo-
tion Tiictures increasingly better."
Boston Operators' Union
Celebrates 20th Birthday
(Continued from Page 1)
$500 was given President Thad Bar-
rows and Jerry Burke, business rep-
resentative, received $1,000. Speakers
included William Canavan, N. D.
Golden of the M. P. Division, Dept.
of Commerce and_ William McGuirc
of International Projector. Joe Cifre
was in charge of the banquet which
was held at the Copley-Plaza.
Kewaskum House Closed
Kewaskum, Wis. — A Behm, man-
ager of the Kewaskum, has closed
the theater until spring because of
poor business.
Sound for Tomah, Wis.
Tomah, Wis. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the State, man-
aged by Roy Smith.
Remodeling Park Falls House
Park Falls, Wis.— The Rex is be-
ing remodeled. Work will be com-
pleted in two weeks.
Expects to Install 250
Melodian Sound Devices
Barcelona, Spain — Two hundrcc
and fifty theaters are expected to be
wired here for the new sound device,
vice, Melodian, which already has
received the sanction o f Warner
Bros., according to Jose C. Maiz, of
the company. Sound-on-film ana
sound-on-disc installations in this
city now total 24, and sets are being
turned out at the rate of four a week.
W. E.'s for Dollar Steamships
With the installation of a Western
Electric device on the world linei
President Fillmore^ announcement i
made by the Dollar Steamship Lines,
that all passenger steamers to the
Orient and 'round the world will be
equipped for sound pictures. All will
be equipped by W. E.
Woodlaw Adds Two More
Portland, Ore.— Col. G. T. Wood-
law, veteran exhibitor, has reopened
the Columbia as a sound house. He
recently acquired the Irvington and
after equipping the house for sound,
reopened it. He also owns the Circle.
Presentations
By HERBERT S. BERG,
CHESTER EREDERICKS IS
HIGHLIGHTAIPARAMOUNT
Chester Fredericks, a youthful step-
per with a lot of nifty tricks in his
feet, is one of the chief shining lights
on the current Paramount stage pro-
gram, a Boris Petroff musical show
labeled "Alodes and Models," headed
by Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut
Yankees. With his individual routine
and agile movements, Fredericks
brings a heavy round of applause.
Another strong number is offered by
Montrose and Reynolds, who do a
neat line of comedy patter that keeps
the audience laughing from start to
hnish. Brenk's Golden Horse, a pos-
ing act, with the animal and its train-
er all painted up in gold effect, also
score big in an artistic presentation of
statuary subjects. For vocal enter-
tannnent, in addition to the crooning
of Vallee, who draws his usual hom-
age, there is some delightful stuff
from Nita Carol. Duftin and Draper
also sing and dance in a pleasing ani-
mated rag doll number, while the
Fred Evans Liglitning Steppers pro-
vide strong reinforcement in the way
of an ensemble background. The
Jesse Crawfords pipe some selections
from "The Love Parade" and throw
in "If I Had A Talking Picture of
You" for good measure.
Windsor Moves Headquarters
Windsor Picture Plays, Inc. has
moved from 318 E. 48th St. to larger
quarters in the Godfrey Bldg., 729
7 th Ave.
Arthur McHugh, well known
Broadway press agent, has been add-
ed to the press department staff, of
the organization which is presenting
the talking picture, "Her Unborn
Child," as a road show attraction
McHugh for a number of years was
with the B. S. Moss Motion Picture
Corp. He also has been in charge
of Arthur Hammerstein and Aarous
& Freedley productions both in New
York and on the road.
AD-VANCE-AD
"I have been using another service
for many years but I like your service
much better and irrespective of a con-
tract I intend to use your trailer ser-
vice as long as I am in the film
business."
— Granada Theater
Portland. Ore.
CAPITOL SHOW WITH GYPSy
ATMOSPHERE BELOW PAR
A very slight stage show at the
Capitol this week, with nothing out-
standing. It was overloaded with
dance numbers, and had little in the
way of comedy relief. "Gypsy
Dreams" was staged y Chester Hale,
with a woodland setting of a gypsv
camp. Featured acts were Renoff &
Renova, Angelo and his white
clowns, Estes Jones, Carl Saxton,
and the Chester Hale Girls.
Opened with a Gypsy dance, with
half the girls dressed in male attire.
The orchestra had one fair number,
"Love Me." The only comedy was
Angelo the funny tramp with his five
companions similarly attired in hobo
garments. They did their goofy
dances of "hearts and flowers" var-
iety, ending with the dying swan.
Leon Navara as guest master of cere-
monies did some good vi^ork at the
piano, finishing with a whistling ac-
companiment from the band as they
tried to harmonize with him as he
switched to different melodies in
rapid succession. The Chester Hale
Girls had a nifty routine in white
and gold soldier uniforms. A slave
dance with an adagio team was just
fair. A very light bill that was be-
low the Capitol standard.
Board of Review Raps Chase
Criticism of the National Board of
Review by Canon William Sheafe
Chase before the Institute of States-
manship now in session at Winter ,
Park, Fla., has drawn the retort from
the Board that Canon Chase's re-
ported remarks "libel the motives and
integrity of many prominent and so-
cially minded people actually engaged
in performing the work of the Na-
tional Board of Review." The Board '
further declares that it always has
been entirely unconnected with the
film industry and that its work is in
the field of social endeavor to bring
about the best development and uses :
of pictures recreationally and educa-
tionally.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
D/^ILY Sunday, January 12, 1930
■iL,(llf>^i^JeMrUA
Building Expansion Under Way at U. A.
Work Started on First Two Sound Stages — Spoor-Bergren Process Film in Work at RKO — Warners Renew
Contracts With Four Scenarists — Paramount Adds Three New Writers to Staff — Ralph Wilk's Notes
IR MORE SOUND STAGES
AT U. A. PLANT PLANNED
\ The ensuing year will witness a
[Fresh spurt of building activity at
!the United Artists studio, including
[it least four more new sound stages
jand other structures required for the
. I^naking of dialogue productions.
! Work already has been launched
;on the first two sound stages on the
1930 construction program. Within
:the U. A. studio production activi-
itTes of four major groups are carried
Ion, Feature Productions, Inc., a Jos-
ieph M. Schenck organization; the
Pickford and Fairbanks companies,
and Samuel Goldwyn, Inc. Among
isome of the stars, directors and pro-
ducers engaged for the forthcoming
productions are: Mary Pickford,
Norma Talmadge, Gloria Swanson,
Dolores Del Rio, Vilma Banky, Char-
lie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Ron
laid Colman, Lilhan Gish, Lupe Velez,
Fannie Brice, Harry Richman, Jos-
eph M. Schenck, Samuel Goldwyn
D. W .Griffith, Flonenz Ziegfeld, Jr.,
Gilbert Roland, Chester Alorris, Lih
;Damita, Joan Bennett, Louis Wol-
heim, and others.
I Added to "Dumbbells in Ermine"
Five more players have been add-
ed to Warners "Dumbbells in Er-
mine." They are: Claude Gilling-
water, Charlotte Merriam, Mary Fay,
Marie Astaire and Julia Swayne
Gordon.
Among Those Present
Claire McDowell, John Loder,
Crawford Kent, Judith VosseHi,
Kyrle Bellew and Sidney Brace are
among the featured players in "The
Agony Column" which Roy Del Ruth
is to direct for Warners.
"Bright Lights" in Production
"Bright Lights" has gone into pro-
duction at First National studios.
Dorothy Mackaill heads the all-star
cast with Frank Fay, Noah Beery,
Inez Courtney, Eddie Nugent,
Daphne Pollard and Frank McHugh
in the supporting cast.
Universal Buys Two Stories
Universal has bought "The Czar
of Broadway," an original by Gene
Towne, who is doing the adaptation
and continuity. This company also
has signed Paul Gangelin to write
"Wise Wives."
Joan Marsh Contract Renewed
Joan Marsh, 15-year-old discovery,
has had her contract renewed by
Universal.
A Little from "Lots"
By RALPH WILK
GOLF scenes for "The Cohens and
Kellys in Scotland" are being
shot on Glendale links. The scenes
do not interfere with the Glendale
Club members' activities on the links.
The script called for George Sidney,
as "Cohen," to collect as many balls
as possible. When George returned
the pellets to the picture supervisor,
that official was aghast. "This is
funny," he said. "I only gave you
12 balls and you've returned with
20." "I don't think we'd better
come back here tomorrow," said
George.
* * *
Frank Lloyd, preparing to direct
"Sin Flood," and Mo'vyn LeRoy,
preparing to direct "Jail Break,"
flipped a coin for the services of a
certain extra actor. The extra's
name is Jason Smith.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Dave Epstein
and Bill Plant indulging in a spirited
handball match; Phil L. Ryan motor-
ing to the Metropolitan studio; Ber-
nice Claire, "the youngest prima
donna," spending the holidays with
her family in Oakland.
* * *
More Pashing Show: Irving
Berlin, Dr. Hugo Reisenfeld
and Ted Reed discussing pic-
ture problems at United Ar-
tists; Al Grey observing the
holidays in Hollywood. i
PMIL HILB, who for the past
two years assisted Dr. Hugo
Riesenfeld at the United Artists stu-
dio here, and in New York, has re-
signed. Before coming to the Coast
he synchronized several pictures for
RCA Photophone, Tiffany and other
companies. With Dr. Riesenfeld he
scored several United Artists pic-
tures here. He is an honorary mem-
ber of the Association of Concer-
tizing Artists, which includes Rich-
ard Strauss and Rachmaninoff among
its members.
♦ * ♦
During the World War, Hilb con-
ducted a symphony orchestra for the
Crown Prince of Germany. Hilb
was also a war pi'isoner in England
and led a symphony orchestra of
German musician-soldiers, who were
prisoners of war in England.
* * *
Charles G. Branham, Wellyn
Tottman, Richard Arlen, Sam
De Pass and Jim Keefe are
among the members of the in-
dustry who took much interest
in the sale of the "Duluth
News-Tribune" to the "Duluth
Herald." Branham is a former
city editor of the "News-Trib-
une," while the others were re-
porters on the paper.
Four Scenarists Signed
by Warners for '30 Films
With the opening of the Warner
studios on Jan. 15 and preparations
well under way for the new season'.-:
product, four scenario writers have
received renewals of their contracts.
Among the first to be given con-
tracts were: Joseph Jackson, Harvc
Thew, J. Grubb Alexander and Gor-
don Rigly.
Yola D'Avril Added to "U" Cast
Yola D'Avril has been added to
the cast of "All Quiet on the Western
Front," Erich Remarque's war novel
now in production at Universal.
Judels for "Big Party"
Charles Judels has been cast for
"The Big Party" John Blystone pro-
duction for Fox. In addition to play-
ing one of the leading character
roles, Judels also will assist Harlan
Thompson in writing the dialog.
3 New Screen Writers
Added to Paramount Staff
TJiree new writers have been added
to the Paramount scenario depart-
ment. Joseph March has been as-
signed the adaptation on a forthcom-
ing production. Jack Kirkland and A.
Harold Noon, both former news-
papermen, complete the group.
Get Roles in "Golden Calf"
Marjorie White and Richard Keene
have been assigned roles in Fox's
"The Golden Calf."
Foy Directing "Done in Oil"
Bryan Foy, is completing "Done in
Oil," a Potters Vitaphone Variety.
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy"
RKO PREPARING MIANA'
IN COLOR AND WIDE FILM
Preparations now are under way at
the RKO studios for the production
of "Dixiana" featuring Bebe Daniels.
'J'his is scheduled to be the company's
first effort with the Spoor-Bergren
process and in addition to wide film
will be produced in technicolor.
Music for the film has been prepared
by Harry Tierney and books and
lyrics by Ann Caldwell.
Love in "Louis Berretti"
Edmund Lowe has been given the
leading role in "Louis Berreti" which
John Ford will direct for Fox.
THE
Doorway ol Ho«pitaU*r
,<NTER cfa* doorwar •(
lUa popular hoatalrr aod you feel at bixa*
Thar*** an atmotphera of cordial wals«aM
which marks tha dl£Fareoca bccwaaa ik*
HoUyvrood Plasa and ordinary hotaU.
Tour room, too, hai that addad tana>
of dl«tinctlon. Pictures on tha wall, ayaa
•tnffad fumltura, a floor lamp and rsaiiln^
lamp thasa arc but a few of tha faanwat
that maka you feel at homa.
Pls'n Whiitla Dlnlns Servica buuraa itf
b««t of food. Tharafora, when you ara naaM
la Loa Ansalaa ba mra to Inyasticat*.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
Vina Straat at Hollywood Boulava*4
HOLLYWOOD. CAUFORNLA
THE
15
-.asg^
DAILV
Sunday, January 12, 1930
Theater Equipment
flj WILLIAM ORNSTBIN ,
Proper Functioning of Horns
is Outlined by A. L Abrahams
A. I. Abrahams, president of Racon
Electric Co., Inc. and an authority on
the proper uses of horns and speakers
in itieaters herewith outhnes methods
for obtaining the best results in sound
reproduction in theaters.
J. speaker is merely a sound projector. It
serves as a connecting link between the ani-
plilier and the air, and is the means of
con>erting the reproduced sound into natural
sound.
'i o be successful in a theater, a speaker
niu.-.t deliver sound into every portion of
the auditorium in a perfectly natural way,
without the slightest inclination to being
"tinny," "muffled," or "boomy." It is not
onb essential that the speaker have a com
plei.; frequency response range which musl
rep.oduce music with all its low frequencies,
and with all its harmonics, and reproduce
spe. ch, so that it can be understood, but il
muit be reproduced so as to be heard com
picicly throughout the theater.
Ill the sa.es talks of the different com
pan.es selling speakers of ditTerent kinds
for theater use, we have offered to us fre-
quency response curves showing how perfect
ly the speaker responds to the different fre-
quencies, but the buyer forgets to ask how
are these results obtained. Was a microphone
placed directly in front of the speaker? Was
a microphone quite a distance away from the
spe.iker and off to a side, or was this an
avL- age response, with the microphone placed
in different parts of the theater, in order
to tind out what response was obtained in
the e different parts? 1 may say that as fai
as the buyer is concerned, if frequency re-
sponse curves are offered without having cun
hrniation of the method used in taking these
response curves, then these curves are value
less.
A wrist watch may have a perfect mechan
ism in it to keep iierfect time, and yet, no
one would ever think of hanging a wrist
wa.ch from the Woolworth Tower to show
the time to passersby. This is exactly the
conditions of a speaker. A speaker may have
a 1 erfect response, but yet may not be suit-
able for the purpose to which it is being
use.l, as aside from the fact that its response
must be right, it must have all the qualifica-
tions which are mentioned above, and that is
be able to distribute sound completely through
out the theater, uniformly.
This is the difference between using the
correct type of speaker and the improper
speaker. In one case, when we sit in a
certain position in a theater, we will gel
beautiful results, but if we sit in anothei
section of the theater, everything is in a
jumble, nothing is understandable, music i;
one complete mass of sound instead of being
individual instruments playing in harmony.
In the other case, everything is clear and
distinct in every part of the theater.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuoa^HBys
.▼▼llO West S2''St,N««york.NLy**
Phone Penna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie
There are two types of speakers which arc
at present available for theater use. One is
the electro-dynamic cone type and the other
is the electro-dynamic unit with exponential
horn. Aside from the fact that the elec-
tro-dyr.amic cone is about 25 per cent as
etiicient electrically as the electro-dynamic unit
with the exponential horn, and aside from
the fact that the cone unit carries with it a
good deal of booming, sizzling and crackling
which IS due to the paper diaphragm resonat-
ing, we do not think the dynamic cone is a
proper speaker to use in a theater, inasmuch
as the high frequencies are released in a very
narrow band from the center of the cone,
whereas, the low frequencies come from the
edge of the baffle, which is quite a distance
from the center. Besides the response being
slightly out of phase, if we step off this nar-
low band, we lose all of the highs entirely
which predominate in speech. An electro-
dynamic horn unit with an exponential horn
IS extremely directional, forcing all the sound
directly in front of the speaker. The air in
front of the speaker is moved practically as a
solid mass, which fills the theater completely
with sound. Where speech is being repro
duced, it can be heard in every section of
the theater; where music is reproduced, it can
be heard as well. Both speech and music
.ire distinct and individual instead of being
inmbled.
Witli reference to the exponential type
of horn, this particular type is used in pref
ereiice to the conical one because it has
been shown experimentally that of all horns
having a given size, a given length and a
Kiven terminal area, the exponential horn pro-
jects sound most uniformly over the complete
fi equency range.
Just what is an exponential horn? It is
a horn which expands exponentially, or to
■ lut it more simply, it is a horn whose areas
double at equal intervals along its length.
These intervals determine the low cut-off of
the horn. If the intervals are short the
cnt-off is high, if the intervals are long the
cut-off is low. It is unnecessary in this artick
to go into the exact design sliowing the ex
pansion required for a given ctit-off, but we
might mention that where a cut-off of 6-1
cycles is desired, it is customary to double
the areas every 12 inches. Where a cut-off
of 128 cycles is desired, the areas double
every 6 inches, and etc. In addition to the
cut-off being determined by the expansion
late, in order to prevent resonance of the
bell, the bell opening must be of the propei
size to conform to the cut-off for which the
liorn is designed. A horn with a cut-off of
64 cycles must have a bell opening approxi
mating 2100 square inches. If this bell open
ing is made considerably smaller, there wil'
be a good deal of resonance at the bell, which
will muffle the low response.
Inasmuch as low cut-offs are necessary for
horns built for theater use, these horns re-
quire extremely long air columns, from aliout
10 to IS feet. It is necessary, therefore, to
coil these horns up in some way in order
to save space. The bends that are made
should be made at points where the sound
path is very narrow, so that the inside travel
and the outside travel of the wave front are
equal.
Inasmuch as a horn is a carrier and pro-
jects sound which is a complete whole in it-
self, having .all the harmonics and qualities
of the individual instruments being repro-
duced through it, it is essential that it have
no resonance of its own. For this reason,
very many horns on the market are failures
owing to the fact that the walls of the horn
are extremely resonant. Paper, plaster, thin
metal, thin wood, combinations of any of
these, all make for extremely resonant horns.
Of course, if these particular types of ma-
terials were made thick enough, resonance
could be prevented, but this would result in
horns which are commercially impractical
on account of extreme weight and cost. Wood
should be a minimum of 1" thick, paper
about 2", plaster about 4" and metal at least
Vs". From this can be seen that horns
manufactured from anyone of these types ot
materials become entirely too bulky and too
expensive to produce.
The Racon, for theater use, employs a ma-
terial of cloth which is impregnated with a
gelatine composition, baked in ovens at tem-
peratures of over 350 degrees, where the
moisture is driven off and the horn is baked
hard. Owing to the fact that this horn is
made over a metal form, which form is taken
out after the horn is completed, the interioi
of the horn is an unbroken surface from it
initial opening to its bell. This method
of manufacture is patented by this companj
and gives an extremely light and extremely
rigid horn, and one that is adapted for ai
types of haid usage without fear of damage.
It has practically no resonance owing to
the fact that it is made out of cloth, and it
is therefore an ideal sound projector.
Since horns are only projectors of sound.
It is necessary to have some device on the
small end of the horn to create a sound and
wave motion. This, for theater use should
be an electro-dynamic type unit, and must be
of very high quality, as the horn plus the
unit, which is a speaker complete, must give
projection of sound in a moving picture the
ater that is as nearly perfect as it is pos
sible to obtain, as otherwise it wi 1 be evident
in the proceeds of the box office.
A electro-dynamic horn unit manufactured
by Racon for use with the horn has a mar-
velous frequency response, can withstand the
complete undistorted output from the com-
mercial amplifiers without rattling, and owing
to the patented type diaphragm that it uses
a cloth and metal combination, will stand u;
under continuous use for an unlimited time
without damage.
Claims New Film Coating
Process Stops Breakage
Triple life can be given to prints
at no more expense than ordinary
processing by a new indestructible
coating is claimed in a patent by
Dr. Albert Fiedler of Weehawken,
N. J., and used by Empire Labora-
tories of New York. The coating is
incorporated in the gelatine over
sprockets only and is a hard perma-
nent lubricant that rides smoothly
and silently through the projector,
and does not wear off as in the case
of waxing. Use of this coating is
especially designed for the sound
track to prevent breaking and smear-
ing of pictures, thus reducing troub-
les to a minimum.
New Contner-Ross Lens Installed
Uniontown, Pa. — The State here
has added the new Contner-Ross
sound projection lens apparatus to
their Western Electric equipment. It
is a new invention designed to im-
prove the talking cinema, it is claim-
ed, and does away with the necessity
of "masking in" one side of the
screen giving the audience a full
sized picture throughout the per-
formance.
No unsightly
Perforations
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain,
and natural tone quality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalite Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically cmd chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
\r©caLlite
SoTumd Screen
The First Screen Scie,ilil,cally Perfected for >,,„„,/ Pirmre,
Beaded Screen Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Porous but not perforated
Approved by Electrical Re-
search Products, Western
Electric Co., Inc., and other
makers of Sound Equipment.
Fire Proof
Non Inflammable
LOW-COST TINTS
that match every mood in
SOUND PICTURES
xHE widest range of tints ever offered the
industry is embraced by Eastman Sono-
chrome Tinted Positive Films. They can be
used to match every mood in the story, or
to reproduce the one lighting or tone that
predominates throughout the picture ....
1
In either case Sonochrome gives beautiful
color. It gives faithfully reproduced
sound. And it costs no more than regular
black-and-white positive.
EASIMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
Liberty
32
7k
^^ in
SMITH
K^c
honor lists
for 1929
^
4
THt
,f tVie best
office p-'"'^; -;,
2
best
(hfee
the ve°' °''
fOA „
WE"'"""
'n^r
"■ecf.
'O/j
o/,
'Ati.
■"-^^a
•^'^""1
— ju5t watclrt
IPWi
tak^ all the
honors again
in
1930
2f^HEWSPAPER
0<FILMDOH
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
V(L LI No. 10
Monday, January 13, 1930
Price 5 Cents
lox Will Use New Color Process in 1 930 Program
VIDESCREEN FOR THREE CHAINS
iays Talker Material Shortage Will Spur Remakes
Cinema Chips
-from the film wood pUe
=^By JACK ALICOATE^-^=^
I THE ISSUE of the "Saturday
lening Post" of Saturday, Techni-
cor steps right out with both the
cstliest and flashiest single adver-
tement in the history of this breezy
1 le industry. Three pages of ad-
vtising matter at a simple cost of
54,500. Try that on you zither.
I * * *
"^|iSTERDAY we did a little detec-
te work. We asked several prom-
ifnt theater executives how their
ihiday business compared to last
tar. The answer each shot back
^s "Bigger and better than ever."
,nd why not? Sez we.
riTU A DRIVE on all over the
i>untry it is estimated that no fewer
;an twenty-five million paying cus-
kmers will patronize the Loew
buses during the month of January,
(uite some tribute to that great httle
tan who insisted on giving the pub-
ic what they wanted in the way of
jitertainment.
j CHECK-UP of the financial state-
ments of the various companies do-
ig their stuff for and in behalf of
he industry leads us to the definite
]onclusion that never in its history
as the business been in better shape
mancially than at present. One out-
jt alone, Warner Bros., turned up
bver seventeen million to the merry
luring the past year.
rHE DAY OF the Indie producer
s about over. Like the five cent
:igar there are very few of 'em left.
Poverty Row has long since passed
on. Sound has made their troubles
doubly difficult. In these days of
screen conversation and melody it
takes more than a second hand cam-
era and megaphone to be a producer.
Universal Is Going in for
Sound Reissues on
Big Scale
Shortage of story material for
talkers, as .well as a gradual reali-
zation that important silent pictures
of years ago may again draw pay-
ing business in sound version, will
remove the "prejudice against re-
making pictures" and lead to con-
siderable activity in this line, says
Carl Laemmle. Universal is goin^
{Continued on Page 2)
PRODUCTION IN FRANCE
IS LOWEST SINCE 1924
Paris (By Cable) — Production of
features in France is at the lowest
ebb since 1924, according to a check-
up which shows a total of 52 in 1929
against 9 in 1928, 74 in 1927, 55 in
1926, 73 in 1925 and 68 in 1924. Total
releases in France last year also de-
creased to 437 from a high mark of
(Continued on Page 2)
Four Engineers in Italy
Now Employed by Pacent
Pacent Reproducer Corp. an-
nounces that it now has four sound
engineers on duty in Italy. The
most recent appointment was Gio-
(Continued on Page 2)
Fox, Publix and Loew Equipping Theaters
For Enlarged Screen Pictures
In addition to R-K-O, at least three other major circuits are equip-
ping their houses for wide screen pictures. Fox, Publix and Loew are
gradually installing equipment to handle enlarged-vision pictures.
Fox has already made installations in houses at Washington, Detroit,
St. Louis, San Francisco and At-
lanta. The first Grandeur picture to
play the Roxy will be "Happy Days,"
which will probably open about the
first of February, frl'i v i,:-; "'7:\y..:;
side Up," which goes into tl.- ;
ater next Friday. Ml other i
in the chain will .'radually be equip
ged, it was stated at Fox Saturday.
Seven Loew de luxe hoi.si Sav.-
been equipped with an enlarged
screen known as Trans-Tone, devel-
(Continued on Page 2)
RECORD PROFIT EXPECTED
EORLOEWm QUARTER
Loew's, Inc., for, the first three
months ended around Nov. 30, 1929,
is expected to show an increase in
earnings over the $2,102,033 net in-
come, after charges, depreciation and
taxes, shown in the corresponding
period of 1928, according to the
"Wall Street News." Since the 1928
first quarter earnings represented the
peak for the company's fiscal year,
the profits for the 1929 period will
(Continued on Page 2)
Von Stroheim Is Signed
for Vitaphone Film Role
litest Coast Bureau, IHE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Signing of Eric Von
Stroheim for an important role in
"Three Faces East," Vitaphone pic-
ture, is announced. Von Stroheim
will probably have the part of the
German spy in this production to be
directed by Roy Del Ruth. It is un-
(Continued on Page 2)
$1,000,000 Laboratory for
Color Work Nearly Completed
CLAUDE EZEELPRESIDINGAT
WARNER REGIONAL MEETS
Claude Ezell, general sales man-
ager of Warners, on Saturday pre-
sided over the first of a serjes of
regional meetings scheduled for the
sales personnel of Warner and Vita-
phone organizations at Atlanta.
Members of the Charlotte and New
Orleans exchanges were present for
the conference.
The seco :u of thj ."sfries of meet-
ings is scheduled Fncla> at the Co-
(Contmued on Page 2)
KALLNAN TO REPRESENT
SONO ART IN SO. AMERICA
George Kallman has been appoint-
ed special representative for Sono
Art Productions in South America,
with headquarters in Buenos Aires,
(Continued on Page 2)
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — A new color process
known as Fox Color will be used by
Fox in a number of pictures on its
1930 production schedule, states Sol
M. Wurtzel, who says that it is pos-
sible that within a year, every Fox
Movietone picture will include Fox
color. The process is the result of
three years' experimentation, he
states.
$1,000,000 laboratory is nearing
(Continued on Page 2)
Acquaint Yourself With the
Background of the Industry
by Reading
''SEE and HEAR"
&3^ Will H.Hays
Running Serially
EVERY DAY
in
The FILM DAILY
THE
-^ank
DAILY
Monday, January 13, 30
Vol LI No. 10 Monday, January 13, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Mitor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: F'lmday_
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de ia
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
{QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 23 22/8 23 400
Con. Fm. Ind 17 17 17 100
Con Fm. :.m. pfd. 19^ 19/2 19/^ 200
East. Kodak 178/. 178/. 178/. 200
Fox Fm. "A" .... 20^ 19 20^ 13,100
•Keith AC 21
*do pfd 91
Loew's, Inc 46^ 45!^ 46J4 200
*do pfd. WW (6}4) 86
*do pfd. xw (6}^) 86
*M-G-M pfd 2i'A
Para. F-L Sl'A 50^ 51 500
Pathe Exch 3 3 3 300
do "A" 5Vi S^ V/i 200
R-K-0 2VA 2VA 2Wi 2,000
*Univ. Pict. pfd 30
Warner Bros 43}4 42^ 43^^ 2,000
*do pfd 39/2 ....
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 25?4 25 J4 25 ?i 400
Fox Thea. "A"... 5 4% 5 900
Gen. Thea. Equ... 34 J| 34}^ 34 J4 200
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts 13^ •••■
*Loew's, Inc. War iYz ....
*Nat. Scr. Ser 155^
*Nat. Thea. Sup 27'A
♦Univ. Pict 9/2
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
*Keith A-O 6s 46 76
*Loew 6s 41 vrvr 102 ....
*do 6s 41 x-war 92 ....
Paramount 6s 47.. 98^ 9SVi 987A 30
Par. By 5}4s51...102 102 102 20
Pathe 7s37 43!^ 42 43^ 70
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
Three Major Circuits Will
Install Wide Screens
{Continued from Page 1)
oped by Arthur Howard of the Loew
staff. Theaters equipped are: Capi-
tol, N. Y.; Pitkin, Brooklyn; Valen-
cia, Jamaica, Paradise, N. Y.; King's,
Brooklyn; Jersey City, Jersey City.
All Publix de luxe theaters have
been equipped with Magnascope and
installations are being made in other
houses in the chain. De luxe thea-
ters equipped are:
Paramount, N. Y. and Brooklyn, Rivoli,
N. Y., Paramount, New Haven, Boston, Wa
terloo, la., Princess Toledo, Seattle, Seattle,
Uptown, Boston; United Artists, Los An
geles; Worth, Fort Worth; Paramount, To
ledo; La Claire, Moline, 111.; Paramount,
Youngstown; Paramount, Marion, Ind.; Para
mount, Anderson, Ind. ; Paramount, Newport,
K. I.; World, Omaha; Strand, Dorchester,
Buffalo, Buffalo; Denver, Denver; Eastman,
Rochester; Granada, San Francisco; Howard,
Atlanta; Paramount, Los Angeles; Paramont,
Springfield ,Mass. ; Century, Minneapolis.
Efforts to obtain information from
Warner Bros, late Saturday concern-
ing wide screen plans were unavail-
ing.
••V# i>«r« v« ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ • • ♦♦ • ♦•»
p New York
*| 1540 Broadway
8 BRYant 4712
h
I J.E.
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CAlumet 2691
Long Island City }'«
154 Crescent St. ft
STIUwell 7940 ft
M
f$
if
if
if
Hollywood U
6700 Santa Monica H
Blvd. K
Hollywood 4121 ft
, Inc.
Says Shortage of Talker
Material to Spur Remakes
{Continued from Page 1)
in for remakes on a broad scale, with
"The Phantom of the Opera" al-
ready completed, six others definite-
ly slated for reissue with sound and
dialogue, and more scheduled to fol-
low as soon as negotiations for talk-
er rights have been completed.
"The Phantom," now being given
its first showings, was almost 50
per cent remade to provide the sound
and dialogue features. The pictures
already set to follow are: "The
Storm," "The Flirt," "Lasca," "The
Signal Tower," "Under Two Flags"
and "The Virgin of Stamboul."
Production in France
Is Lowest Since 1924
{Continued from Page 1)
704 in 1925 and 583 in 1928. The
deadlock between French producers
and American firms is assigned as
the principal cause. American fea
tures in 1929 number 211, compared
with 313 in 1928, 368 in 1927, 444 in
1926 and 577 in 1925.
Germany released 130 features
here in 1929, compared with 122 in
1928, 91 in 1927 and 29 in 1925, while
British films held their own by re-
leasing 23 in 1929, the same number
as in the previous year, against eight
in 1927, two in 1926, seven in 1925
and none in 1924.
Record Profit Expected
for Loew's 1st Quarter
{Continued from Page 1)
establish a new record for any like
term, continues the financial publi-
cation.
Spanish Version Premiere
The Spanish version of Eddie
Bowling's 'Blaze O'Glory," called
"Sombras de Gloria," will have its
New York premiere at the 55th St.,
Feb. 15, announces George W.
Weeks.
Fox Will Use New Color
Process in 1930 Program
{Continued from Page 1)
completion at Sunset and Western
Aves. and will be used in connec-
tion with Fox Color. Among the
first productions to use the process
will be "The London Revue," which
will include stars from every Euro-
pean country, and "The Fox-Movie-
tone Follies of 1930," Wurtzel says.
"The Oregon Trail," which, the
general superintendent says, will cost
in excess of a $1,000,000, will be made
entirely in Grandeur. Raoul Walsh
will direct. Another production unit
will be sent to the South Seas while
it is planned to dispatch two units
to Europe to make pictures. One
will go to Norway, the other to Aus-
stria.
Twenty-five novels and plays pur-
chased include "The Princess and
Plumber," by Alice Duer Miller,
"The Country Chairman," by George
Ade; "The Dancers," "The Yellow
Ticket" and "Six Cylinder Love."
Fifty-five stars and featured play-
ers, 96 dancers and a chorus of 24
are under long-term contracts and
will appear in forthcoming produc-
tions, it is stated. One contract list
also includes 23 directors, 23 wri-
ter,?, 21 composers and seven dance
directors.
All of the present season's pro-
gram will be finished by Mar. 18, two
months and a half ahead of schedule,
Wurtzel estimates.
Claude Ezell Presiding at
Warner Regional Meetings
{Continued from Page 1)
ronado Hotel, St. Louis, where Max
Milder, central division manager, will
preside with Ezell. Branches partici-
pating in this meeting are Kansas
City, Dallas and Oklohama City. At
the Stevens Hotel, Chicago, on Jan.
18 another meeting will be held for
members of the Chicago, Minneapo-
lis, Milwaukee and Omaha forces.
On the following day, members of
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh,
Detroit and Buffalo staffs will con-
vene at the Statler Hotel.
Four Engineers in Italy
Now Employed by Pacent
{Continued from Page 1)
condo Gagliardi, who sailed recently
with additional equipments for Pitta-
luga. He will supervise installations
in Rome and elsewhere.
NATIONAL
SCREEN
SERVICE
SIIBMT
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 14 Premiere of "Hit the Deck «
the Earl Carroll.
Jan. 15 Warner Coast studio to resumtt.
tivity.
Jan. 18 M. P. Projectionists Local No OS
celebrate 16th anniversary at .or
Hotel, N. Y.
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the V^U
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin >
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Atliji
Club, Hotel Commodore, «
York City.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical prodiji
at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual b4
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catii
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Kallman to Represent
Sono Art in So. Amerif
{Continued from Page 1)
it is announced by George W. We(.
Kallman, who formerly acted ir
similar capacity for United Arti
is now on his way back to the La
country. The first assignment
Sono Art will be to put over
Spanish version of the Eddie Dc
ling picture, "Blaze O'Glory," w
Jose Bohr, young Argentine act
as the Latin counterpart of Dowli;
Von Stroheim Is Signed
for Vitaphone Film Re
{Continued from Page 1)
derstood that he has decided to q
the directorial field in favor of ai
ing.
A NATURAL
r The
PARADE
Ik
PATH E
"This picture is a
natural, made-to-
order hit."
Arthur James
in Exhibitors Daily Reiietc
"SALLY" and "NO,
NO, NANETTE"
are making new profit records that
these three great First National
specials will break. « « * *
RICHARD
BARTHELMESS
"SON OF THE GODS"
with Constance Bennett. Rex Beach's great
novel. Supreme Sensation Of Ttie Century.
TECHNICOLOR
2 weeks New York Strand more to
follow! ♦♦♦♦•♦
2 weeks Brooklyn Strand and just
started!
2 weeks Stanley in Phila to sensational
business! ♦
Set for extended run Orpheum, Los
Angeles! ♦♦.♦♦•
Ten days Strand, Albany then moved to
Ritz for indefinite run! ♦ • ♦
2 weeks at Olympia, Boston, day and
date with the Uptown! ♦ ♦ ♦
2 weeks at Pantheon, Toledo and not
through yet! ♦ . ♦ * ♦
with ALEXANDER GRAY - BERNICE CLAIRE
LOUISE FAZENDA - ZASU PITTS
lUCIEN liniEFIElD - LILYAN TASHMAN - BERT ROACH - MILDRED HARWS
Directed by Clarence Badger Adopted from musictil comedy
by Frank Mandel, Otto Horboch, Vincent Yoomans and Emil Nyitray
BRIDE .hI REGIMENT
All Technicolor. With Vivienne
Segal, Allan Prior, Walter
Pidgeon, Myrna Loy, Lupino
Lone. Sigmund Roberg music.
SONG OF THE FLAME
All Technicolor with Bernice
Claire, Alexander Gray, Noah
Beery, Alice Gentle. 5,000
extras. George Gershwin music.
ii
L ■ ^ Ma.TRiU
3y Right of Box-Office Might
"Vltaphone" Is the registered trade mark of the Vitophone Corp. designoting its products
A ready-made
audience of millioM
is i^aiting for your
announcement that
liberty Magazine's
greatest mystery
thriller is now an
All-Talking Picture
WITH
DOROYHY BEYKR BAYNOND HMTON
NARGAREf UVINCSTON
DAVID NEWELL PAUL PORCASI
DIRECTED BY CEORGE B. SEITZ
I
ON THE
Millions thrilled to the
story in Liberty Magazine
Millions read the novel
THE
-e^m
DAILY
Monday, January 13, 1930
**SEE AND HEAR" By .^h
Interesting Facts About the
Development of the World's
Greatest Amusement
Chapter III — Continued
Organization of an Industry
rro insure support for the better type of pictures, the industry in-
vited great national citizen organizations with miUions of members
interested in social service, education, religion, civics, to associate them-
selves with the organized industry in bringing about the results de-
sired. The result was an organization which was unique — a Public
Relations Committee.
Among the sixty or more or-
ganizations represented on the com-
mittee were: National Society of the
Sons of the American Revolution,
National Education Assn., Federal
Council of Churches of Christ in
America, the International Commit-
tee of the Y.M.C.A., Boy Scouts of
America, Girl Scouts oj America,
The American Legion, American
Federation of Labor, the National
Community Center Assn., Camp Fire
Girls, the American Sunday School
Union, Chautauqua Institute, Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution,
National Board of the Y.W.C.A., In-
ternational Federation of Catholic
Alumnae, Russell Sage Foundation,
Central Conference of American
Rabbis. Associated Advertising Clubs
of the World, National Catholic Wel-
fare Conference, American Library
Association, et cetera.
The committee had its own offi-
cers, a paid secretary, and a smaller
executive committee. For nearly
three years the Committee was a
functioning body. Under its inspira-
tion great interest was aroused
throughout the country in support-
ing the best pictures. Children's
performances, known as The Sat-
urday Morning Movies, developed
and prospered. In its own office, the
Motion Picture Producers and Dis-
tributors of America, in co-operation
with the Public Relations Group,
selected fifty-two complete programs
of pictures of special interes.t to chil-
dren. They were shown in many
theaters throughout the country on
Saturday mornings with a standard
admission price of ten cents. When
the programs became outmoded, they
were withdrawn but the movement
WILL H. HAYS
continued. Now in many cities and
towns special Saturday morning per-
formances are given under the aus-
pices of interested public groups who
co-operate with the exhibitors, the
pictures being selected from the cur-
rent output of the studios.
In the spring of 1925, the Public
Relations Committee, finding the
work it had sponsored had become
a permanent and actual part of the
organized industry, asked that the
committee be dissolved and a De-
partment of Public Relations be es-
tablished within the association. This
was done. A small active commit-
tee remained and the advice and as-
sistance of tbe larger group are still
gladly received. The policy of the
new department became immediately
that of "The Open Door." This
meant that every individual and every
organization wherever located was
cordially^ invited to bring construc-
tive advice and suggestions to the
industry. The response has been
most gratifying and out of the co-
operation have come splendid ad-
vancements in many lines.
In 1926, a Department of Indus-
trial and Public Relations was open-
ed in Hollywood in an effort to rnake
sure that the working conditions of
motion picture employees was kept
the best in the world and to develop
still fu/ther the material used in the
pictures and its treatment. A Stu-
dio Committee was organized, with
a representative from every studio
responsible for what goes into pic-
tures. In advance of production ex-
pert advice is asked, from our State
Department, from ambassadors from
foreign countries, from church
groups, education officials, civic lead-
ers, and others whose opinions can
be accepted as authentic.
One very concrete exaniple of how
the Open Door has helped is to be
found in the establishment in Holly-
wood of an institution that is unique
in business — a free casting bureau
for extra people. The free casting
bureau is operated, without cost to
the employees, by the producing
companies and there are registered
eighteen thousand persons who are
qualified to work as extras. Some
are qualified because they have a
wooden leg, others because they pos-
sess a fine growth of whiskers, some
because they look like Italians or
German or French, some because
they own dress suits and can wear
them in a distinguished manner, some
because they own horses and can
ride them.
These extras work from day to
dav. _ Each day's work is a job; 330,-
397 jobs were given in one year —
an average daily placement of 90S
at an average wage of $8.59 — all with-
out cost to the employee. Their to-
tal wages for the year was $2,838,-
136.30.
Of the average daily placement
last vear of 905. the number of men
ner day was 603, of women per dav
269. and of children per day 33.
These figures are a blow to the
beautiful^ girls who believe that Hol-
Ivwood is longing for their art. and
for mothers who think their children
would add distinction to the movies.
An average of onlv twelve children a
dav is employed through the castint?-
bureau. These children when at work
are under the care of teachers as-
siened by the Los Angeles Board of
F,ducation and paid bv the produc-
ers. _ No children mav act in the
movies unless they are well up in
their school work. School hours are
maintained in the studio.
In its desire to increase the gen-
eral usefulness of motion pictures,
the industry is cooperating with a
church committee in the use of pic-
tures in religious education. After
several years of intensive work with
ereat educators, several companies
are preparing teaching films for use
in classrooms. This method of edu-
cation will have an enormous efifect
for good upon the teaching methods
of schools and colleges.
Pictures are being shown to immi-
grants. The films give the newcom-
ers a concrete idea of the country to
which they are coming and outline '
ways and means by which they can
become good citizens. Films have
been sent to leper colonies in the it
Canal Zone and in the Philippines !%
and to Eskimos in Alaska. Enter- i „
tainment is furnished gratis to thou-
sands of "shut-ins" in prisons, hos-
pitals, orphanages and homes.
One of our companies in co-opera-
tion with the American College of
Surgeons has just completed the first
two of a series of pictures for use in
clinics and hospitals. Pictures will
be made of surgical operations, per-
formed by the masters, in colors, in
slow motion or magnified so that the
details of the most intricate opera-
tions can be studied by surgeons in
all parts of the world over and over
again until they will be able to dupli-
cate the work of the masters.
In the matter of commercial ar-
bitration, the industry has shown its
progressiveness. Disputes arising
over contractual relations are neces-
sarily inevitable in an industry of this
sort where millions of contractual re-
lations obtain for the showing of
hundreds of thousands of pictures.
Delays, one thing or another, may
bring disagreements. The natural
inclination is to rush into court. Pic-
tures can't be tied up by courts. Time
is too precious. And so the indus-
try has adopted the arbitration sys-
tem. In the key cities, there are ar-
bitration boards, each composed of
three exhibitors and three distribu-
tors.
In the last five years, the arbitra-
tion boards have disposed of 73,652
cases involving $17,724,380.82. Only
a negligible few cases were litigated
after submission to arbitration.
(Continued Tomorrow)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
TO-MORROW
Third Installment
of Chapter III
"Organization Of An
Industry"
American leadership in film pro-
duction and progress. . . . Figures
showing the amazing growth of
the business
Told in this serial appearing
EVERY DAY
in
THE FILM DAILY
THE
Monday, January 13, 1930
-;%g^
DAILY
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Artistic Standards Today
finer Than Before the War
THE pictures, as pictures, are
finer, artistically speaking,
than those made before the war.
And it is a little early for pes-
simism about the lost silent cin-
ema. After all, an art fifteen
years old is still very young,
and lusty plunges and starts in
various directions, trying out its
strength, ought to be signs of
health rather than decay. Per-
haps a real cinema art may come
out of it all.
New York "Times"
'A Magnificent Success,"
Quinn Martin Calls Talkers
THERE is no way in which to
dodge the audible cinema.
It may as well be faced now as
later. It is a magnificent suc-
cess, and so why not be a good
sport and admit it?
Quinn Martin in
New York "World"
Talking Newsreel Credited
With Most Marked Progress
UP to the present, the most
marked progress brought to
the screen by the advent of the
talkies is to be found, not as one
might expect, in the realm of fea-
ture production, or even in musi-
cals or short subjects, but in the
newsreels. For this progress, I
am told, the industry is indebted
largely to one Tnzr\, Percy How-
ard, editor of Fox Movietone
News and Hearst Metrotone
News. Mr. Howard's choicest
subjects may be seen daily at the
Newsreel theater and in the va-
rious houses showing one or
both of these pictorial reels.
They are the best explanation of
his success.
Pierre de Rohan in
"Morning Telegraph"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
ALAN HALE
cub reporter on Philadel-
phia Evening Bulletin
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
"JVIAJOR EDWARD BOWES, who finds time to labor both
^^^ as vice president of M-G-M and managing director of the
Capitol, has accepted the chairmanship of the entertainment com-
mittee for the 30th annual charity ball of the New York Chap-
ter, K. of C, scheduled Feb. 11 The Bremen is going to
have a lotta laughs on its current trip across the Big Brink.
Will Rogers is on board. Before gangplanking the champ gum-
chewer and humor-slinger announced that he is going to the
naval conference at London as a "surprise" delegate
Anita Loos and John Emerson, hubby and wife, have gone
to Miami to spend the winter and whatever else you spend at
that Florida resort Playwrights, like the weather pre-
dictors, change their minds. Frederick Lonsdale, crack writer
of dramas, started for the U. S. A. to write for the talkers but
decided that, after all, good old England, was good enough for
him. So he left the Aquitania at Cherbourg and returned home.
* * * *
After finished with vacationing at Havana Bryan Foy, di-
rector-in-chief of short production for Warners at the Coast,
is New Yorking, along with wife and child. He'll stay in the
East about two weeks before trekking Coastward Angelo
Sorierro, who used to be a page boy at the Capitol, is back at
the theater this week, this time as a member of the Six White
Lillies Act
*i * * *
After three weeks at the organ console of Warner Bros.
Beacon, Stuart Barrie, guest organist, has returned to Philadel-
phia to officiate again at the Mastbaum. Louise M. Roesch, the
Beacon's regular organist, becomes soloist at the theater
Jack Benny, who mastered-of-ceremonied for M-G-M's "Holly-
wood Revue," is a current offering at the Palace
* !>i * if
Kewpie Love, a stage eyeful years ago when "beef trust"
pulchritude flourished, but who has been doing characters in the
fillums these last few years, will again go into her song and
dance at the head of a charmer troupe, none of whom weigh
less than 175 a.h.d. (after the Hollywood diet), in First Na-
tional's "Bright Lights."
* * * *
Latest developments in theater circuit changes are listed in the
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
JANOARY 13-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Joy Auburn
Louis Payne
Ruth Taylor
O. F. Spahr
Kay Francis
Fred R. Zweige?
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
SA. SERWER of M. Witmark & : }
• Sons informs us that Frederick !
James Smith, moom pitchur reviewer
for "Liberty" magazine, made an
apology to Warner Brothers regard-
ing a statement in a previous num-
ber about the music in "Show of
Shows." His apology follows:
"My apologies to Warner Broth-
ers for saying that 'Show of Shows' |,
has no song hit. A second visit
proves that 'Singing in the Bath-Tub'
is a hit, if I ever heard one."
Doggone if we didn't have the
same experience as Frederick. The
first time we heard "Singing in the
Bath-Tub" we didn't fall for it at all.
The second time we were so im-
pressed we went home and took a
bath. The third time the thing got
to be a habit, and now we take a
bath regularly every week. And we
SING. Witmark has our permis-
sion to use this testimonial freely,
with proper credit.
Coolidge used to weigh his words.
Now he counts 'em. — Leesburg (Fla.)
Commercial.
Well, now that Coolidge is in the
insurance business, he probably fig-
ures they are at a premium. If he
was in the talkers, he'd time 'em.
Henry Ford purchased an ancient
popcorn wagon off a Georgian for
his Dearborn museum. Must be as-
sembling a family tree for the tin
Lizzie. — Atlanta Constitution.
Or experimenting on a new talk-
ing picture sound device.
New York, we read, has the larg-
est floating population in the world.
Evidently they are trying to get in
the swim. — Kay Features.
Ralph Stitt claims they are just
the overflow from "The Mighty" at
the Rivoli.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Americanization Drive via films to
get under way Feb. 12.
United Picture Theaters take over
Triangle exchanges.
Ned Wayburn retires as producing
director of the Capitol, N. Y.
Al Lichtman plans Famous Play-
ers national convention at Chicago.
The New
CHAMP!
Sunny Side Up Iowa Theatre Sioux City
smashed every conceivable record This is
the first time any picture ever held three
v/eeks Sioux City people coming back two
*and three times to see picture
o HARRY MELCHER
•
^:/.y
g^^
Sunny Side Up opened with midnight show
at advanced prices to tremendous business
Saturday and Sunday. Broke all records for
house by $600. This coming from theatre
that has played such smash hits as"What Price
Glory," "Cock Eyed World," "Singing Fool,"
"Big Parade,""Gold Diggers." Peopleactually
mobbed theatre trying to get in. Would ad-
vise any exhibitor playing this picture to put
on extra help and police. Never before such
favorable comments. Regards.
HARRY ZEITZ,
State Theatre, New Bedford, Mass.
• illlll
Opens af ROXY
for Indefinite Run
January 17th
SUNNY
SIDE UP
Now holds the world's record
for breaking more house records
than ^^The Cock Eyed World^^,
Knocked 'em cold at
STRAND .
STATE
HIPPODROME
COLONIAL
CAPITAL
MISHLER
GRAND .
CAMBRIA
COLISEUM .
REGENT .
NEW
CAPITOL
UPTOWN
WARFIELD .
LOEW'S STATE
CALIFORNIA .
GRANADA
PALACE .
PARK
ORPHEUM
KEITH ALBEE
LITTLE ROCK
REGENT .
GREAT LAKES
CAPITAL
MADISON
Lexington, Ky.
New Bedford, Mass.
Cleveland, Ohio
Brockton, Mass.
New London, Conn.
Altoona, Pa.
Terra Haute, Ind.
Johnstown, Pa.
Seattle, Wash.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Baltimore, Md.
Richmond, Va.
Toronto, Canada
San Francisco
New Orleans
San Diego, Calif.
Everett, Wash.
Memphis, Tenn.
Youngstown, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Huntington, W. Va.
Rochester, N.Y.
Geneva, N.Y.
Buffalo, N.Y.
Lawrence, Mass.
Detroit, Mich.
(Second run over $18,000)
if HE
(»/FILMDOM
/
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 11
Tuesday, January 14, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Earner Bros. Installing Wide Screen Equipment
355,000^ NET BY TTiOMPANIESTn 1929
Ontario M. P. T. O. Disbands; Members Join Pool
lidependent Exhibitors Tie
up with Booking
1 Organization
iToronto — Ontario Branch of the
I. P. T. O has passed out of exist-
(ce with the affiliation of local in-
(pendents with the Exhibitors Co-
tDcrative of Canada, film buying
{ol headed by Earl Lawson, a meni-
Ir of the Canadian Federal Parlia-
I'jnt. Sixteen community theaters
omprise the group for which R. R.
'.;nnon, former exchange manager,
i buying agent.
mANSON CHAIN COST
fICURED AT $25,000,000
: Montreal— Total of $25,000,000 will
5 expended by N. L. Nathanson on
s theater chain, plans for which
We not been changed. This is the
atement Nathanson made to a
ILM DAILY representative yester-
•ly. He said plans are now being
(epared for 5,000-seat houses in both
is city and Toronto.
Jooley Ass't Zone Mgr.
f Stanley-Fabian Houses
Taterson, N. J. — Charles L. Dooley,
rmerly with Fabian interests in this
ty, has been appointed assistant
::neral zone manager in the North-
n New Jersey district with offices
Newark. Dooley in his new ca-
iicity will have supervision over 46
'anley-Fabian houses, under con-
ol of Warners in this state.
oew's Texas Theaters
Change Opening Policy
Dallas — Loew's theaters in this
ty, Houston, and other towns have
langed their opening date policies,
ew programs will begin Fridays in-
ead of Saturdays. Lionel H. Keene,
uthwestern Loew representative,
cently visited these cities regard-
g the new plan.
BUTTERHELD WITHDRAWS
FROM MICHIGAN M.P.T.O.
Detroit— W. S. Butterfield has re-
signed and withdrawn his theaters
from the M. P. T. O. of Michigan.
In the following statement he gives
his reasons:
"Fifteen years ago, I encouraged
the forming of an association of Mo-
tion Picture Theater Owners and
Managers into a State organization
with the idea that the organization
should be operated on "One for all
and all for one". That was the mot-
to of the organization a'nd its by-
laws were drawn up on this basis.
I have stood by the organization
through thick and thin and have
(CotUinued on Page 2)
Miniature Phonofilm for
Narrow Film Developed
Dr. Lee De Forest, research en-
gineer for General Talking Pictures,
has developed a miniature Phonofilm
for reproducing sound on 16mm nar-
row width film. The total weight of
the sound reproducer and projector,
is less than 20 pounds, it is claimed.
Patent applications have been filed
for the device and preparations are
under way for the manufacture of the
apparatus for use by amateurs and
commercial photographers.
$50,000,000 Yearly
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — "Fox West
Coast Theaters is now doing
business at the rate of $50,-
000,000 yearly," states Harold
B. Franklin, in declaring that
business during 1929 was the
best in the chain's history.
Within 60 days construction
will start on a $2,500,000 the-
ater and apartment project
here. Xhe house, designed for
the Grandeur screen, will seat
2,500.
DESBERG AGAIN MANAGER
FOR LOEW IN CLEVELAND
Cleveland — Fred Desberg is un-
derstood to be returning as general
manager of Loew's 11 houses in this
city. He succeeds Howard Price
Kingsmore who, it is expected, will
be transferred to another territory.
Devaney Pinch Hitting
in U's Detroit Office
Detroit — Leo Devaney, district
manager for Universal, is temporari-
ly handling the local office, follow-
ing the resignation of Ray Moon,
who has joined the Co-operative The-
ater Service Corp. Upon appoint-
ment of a Detroit manager, it is un-
derstood Devaney will assume new
duties in the home office.
35 Warner Bros. Theaters
Already Have Wide Screen
Pittsburgh Palace to
Show Newsreels, Shorts
Pittsburgh — Harris Amusement
Co. has completed arrangements for
the showing of newsreels and short
varieties, exclusively at the Palace
here. Sound equipment is being in-
stalled; the house .seats 400. J. L.
White is manager.
Warner Bros, is installing wide
screens in its theaters throughout the
United States and at the present time
approximately 35 installations have
been made.
This is the fifth major circuit to
equip itself for enlarged-vision pic-
tures.. The others are: R-K-O, Fox,
Publix and Loews.
Aggregate Earnings Last
Year More Than Double
1928 Total
Aggregate net profits of five lead-
ing companies. Paramount, Warner,
Fox, Loew and RKO, as already re-
ported or estimated for 1929 amount
to $55,270,584, which is more t-han
double the $26,160,617 netted by the
same firms in 1928, according to a
summary compiled by "The Wall
{Continued on Page 2)
Coast Bank Survey Cites
Greater Activity in 1929
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — A higher level of ac-
tivity in the film industry during
1929 as compared with 1928 is re-
ported in the January business sum-
mary of the Security-First National
Bank of Los Angeles, which says:
"The motion picture industry is
reported to have operated at a great-
er level of activity during 1929 than
during 1928, due largely to the more
extensive production of talking and
(Continued on Page 2)
New British Company
Will Distribute in U. S.
London (By Cable)— With con-
tracts for distribution of its product
m the United States, as well as in
the United Kingdom and Colonies,
a new British film company. Artistic
Sound Productions, Ltd., has been
formed. Alexander Esway will be
producer for the firm, which plans
{Continued on Page 2)
See and Hear^
by WILL H. HAYS
Gives You the Highlights of the
Industry's Progress.
RUNNING SERIALLY
Every Day in
The Film Daily
THE
DAILV
Tuesday, January 14, lo ^
•filmpom ^_
Vol. II No. 11 Tuesday, January 14, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. AllCOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway. New York, N. "'•.a""
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Filni
Folks Inc J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M Mersereau_
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager ,
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, IVIS.
at the post-office at New York N. Y. under
L act of March 3, 1879 Terms (Postage
free) United States outs.de of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months $b.UU, J
months! $3.00. Foreign. $15 00. Subscnbers
should remit with oj^y;-. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 650
Broadway, New York N. Y Pb""^. C'r^'«=
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California -Ralph
Wi7k, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London-Ernest W. Fredman, The
TTilm Renter 89-91 Wardour bt., W.
L ""BerHn-Karf Wolflsohn, Lichtbildbuehne
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans-P.
La Cinematographic Francaise,
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
A.
Rue
Harle,
de la
Am.
Con,
Con
East,
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Seat 227/8 22^ 22?^ 200
Fm. Ind. . . 17 \(>V%
Fm. Ind. pfd. 19j4 19J/^
Kodak 179 178
$55,000,000 Net Aggregated
by Five Companies in 1929
(Continued from Page 1)
Street Journal." Conditions in the outlook is considered promising,
industry are regarded by the finan- Comparative figures on the five
cial sheet as very satisfactory and the companies mentioned are:
1929 $ share 1928
Paramount $15,000,000
Warner 14,514.628
Loew's 11,756,956
Fox 12,000.000
Radio-Keith 2,000,000
Fiscal year of Warner Bros, and Loew's, Inc., ended August 31, last. Other companies
report for the calendar year.
Earnings of Paramount are computed on 2,647,327 shares in 1929 and on 2,062,857
shares in 1928.
Earnings of Warner are computed on 2,627,405 shares in 1929, against 550,000 shares
in 1928. Warner Bros., including all companies now owned, had a consolidated net profit
of $17,271,805 in 1929 fiscal year.
Earnings of Loew's are computed on 1,363,993 shares in 1929 and*on 1.334.453 in 1928.
Earnings of Fox are computed on 920,660 shares of Class A and Class B common stocks.
$6.00
5.23
7.91
12.00
1.00
$8,713,063
2,044,841
8,568,162
5.957.218
877.333
$ share
$4.22
3.72
5.97
6.47
Fox Fm. "A" ... 2254 195
•Keith A O
*do pfd
Loew's Inc
*do pfd. WW (6^) ....
*do pfd. xw (6!/2)
*MGM pfd
Para. F-L 52
Pathe Exch iVi
do "A" 6-4
R-KO 23J^
*Univ. Pict. pfd
Warner Bros 43^4
do pfd 39/2
17 300
19/z 300
178!/2 300
21J4 24,600
21
Coast Bank Survey Cites
Greater Activity in 1929
{Continued from Page 1)
color pictures. The production pro-
grams of most of the producing com-
panies were finished early, however,
and activity during November and
December of 1929 was under that of
these months of 1928. The number
of extras cast during November,
1929 (the latest period for which fig-
ures are available), totaled 18,949, as
compared with 20,850 for November,
1928. and 27,557 for October of this
vear."
4854 46/2
3
5^
2m
42M
38/2
91
4854
86
86
23/
52
3/8
654
23/2
30
433:5
1,000
700
300
300
7,200
6,466
200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
S
34/2
12^
•Bal. & Katz
'Columbia Pets
Fox Thea. "A" . 5^
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 3554
*Intern. Proj
Loew do deb. rtJ. 13
"Loew's Inc. war
*Nat. Scr. Ser
*Nat. Thea. Sup
*Univ. Pict
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AO 6s 46 76
Loew 6s 41ww ..101 5^ 101'/ 101 54
do 6s 41 x-war.. 91}4 91?4 91?^
Paramount 6s 47 . 99 98J4 99
•Par. By. 554s 51 102
Pathe 7s 37 45 45 45
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
65
2574
5/8
34?-i
25
125^
3/2
15/8
27/
95<;
8,800
4,800
New British Company
Will Distribute in U. S.
(Continued from Page 1)
to make four or five pictures a vear.
The first feature is to be "The Mid-
dle Watch," by Ian Hay and Stephen
King-Hall. The company also is un-
derstood to have arranged with con-
tinental concerns for making multi-
lingual pictures.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
Jan.
Jan.
15
Livingston En Route on
Foreign Trip for Pathe
S. M. Livingston, special represen-
tative of Pathe International Corp.,
is en route on the George Washing-
ton for London, his first destination
on an extensive trip abroad in the
interests of the company. He will
visit the principal cities of Europe
and the Far East.
.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦•.♦{•jt-JJ»t
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City
154 Crescent St.
STIUwell 7940
j^ J. E. Braktoiiir, Inc, p
Chicago Hollywood f\
.-— T J. A 6700 Santa Monica ♦>
1727 Indiana Ave. gj^^ ♦.♦
Hollywood 4121 ;]:
,♦•»♦,♦♦/
CAIumet 2691
Formby Editing Atlanta Paper
Atlanta — William G. Formby i.-^
now editor and manager of the
"Weekly Film Review," which was
recently acquired by Associated Pub-
lications. Anna Aiken Patterson con-
tinues in an editorial capacity.
Butterfield Withdraws
from Michigan M.P.T.O.
(Continued from Page 1)
tried to be a helping hand to guide
it in the right channels. This per-
tains to all problems that were and are con-
fronting the Motion Picture Theater Owners
of Michigan. While there have been many
difference of opinion among the board of
directors, we have always managed to iron
nut these differences and work along in har-
mony, and under these methods of procedure
our association has been prosperous and sue
cessful.
"But, in the past two months, I could
not help but notice that the other members
on the board of directors seemed to have
something on their mind and on inquiring.
I found out that some of the directors were
forming an association among some of the
exhibitors for their own benefit. And, as
this was against the by-laws of the associa-
tion, I asked for information and why it was
that all of the exhibitors had not been called
into the meeting, giving them all an oppor-
tunity to join their new association if they
so desired. While none of the board of
directors told me that I was not wanted in
the organization, their actions spoke louder
than words.
"Even with this going on, and feeling th.il
harmony could not be continued in the nr
ganization. I made no move to resign, feel
ing that maybe in time the conditions would
be corrected and our little association helil
together. But, two weeks later when I w.ts
informed that some of the exhibitors who
were connected with the organization they
were creating had deliberately approached
employees in our office to try and hire tbcm
away, I felt that it was time to sever otn
connections with the Motion Picture Theatei
Owners of Michigan Inc.. which had tolei
ated a select few of their members to try
.ind create something that would not work in
harmony with all of its members. So. on
Wednesday last, I attended the board meet
■ng. explained our position and tendered my
resignation.
"I feel that this explanation is due to the
exhibitors of not only Michigan but to all
theater owners who are trying to work in
harmony with any association. For. when an
nrganization that is put together for mutual
interest and not profit, cannot function to
permit all the members of the Board of
18
Jan. 20
Jan. 25
Feb. 1
Feb. 7
Feb. 19
Mar. 5
June 2-7
Premiere of "Hit the Deck" it
the Earl Carroll.
Warner Coast studio to resume -
tivity.
M. P. Projectionists Local No. 6
celebrate 1 6th anniversary at A r
Hotel, N. Y.
Opening of "Across the W i
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jt.
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athl ;
Club, Hotel Commodore, ^•
York City.
Meeting of non-theatrical produci
at Washington, D. C.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball
the Aster, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Cathi
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Directors to know what is going on, or fos
the organizing of something that is of
secret nature, it is a positive fact that sooi
or later that organization will deteriorate
go out of existence."
In reply to a wire sent him by THE FIL
DAILY. H. M. Richey, secretary of 1
M.P.T.O. of Michigan, gave the follow;
comment regarding the Butterfield withdrav
from his organization: "If Mr. Butterfield
any theater owner can explain why, as lo
as he is in the theater business, he shouldi
pay his share to support an exhibitor orga
ization that has for 10 years done a sat
factory job in protecting all interests, eitb
legislatively or in the score of other pre
lems facing the industry, that is his j<
Mine is to carry on to the best of my ability
New Carnegie Policy
Opening with "The Cockeye
World" Jan. 18, the Little Carneg
Playhouse will adopt a twice-a-wee
change policy.
"Fox Night" for Guild Meet
The Catholic M. P. Guild featured
"Fox Night" at the monthly meeting
last night at the Hollywood Colum-
bus Club.
Kooler-y^ire
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tiieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
\
THE ACID
TEST!
f The
GRAND
PARADE
PATH E
"This one will stand
the acid test with
any of 'em."
Holly ivood FUmosraph
DAILV
*SEE AND HEAR" By ^H^.,^
The Birth and Growth of Motion
Pictures and Sound
Chapter III— Continued
Organization of an Industry
^HE motion picture, more than any other medium of expres-
■' sion in our modern Hfe, has been hampered and beset by
rorts of thoughtless persons to place legal restrictions on its
^tput These people have not realized that the integrity of
tbtion pictures must be protected just as the integrity of our
(urches is protected and that the quality of pictures must be de-
4loped just as the quality of our schools is developed
Motion pictures are not dead things
t be regulated like commodities
sb as freight and food. They are
eWences of human thought; and
Iman thought, on which progress
tpends, cannot be tampered with
^iiely. The tendency to censor,
hwever, remains a mark of our
tnes. The passion on the nart of
ssmall minority for regulating and
cecting other people to their will
Is become almost a national pas-
tiie. The industry's own not un-
itural irresponsibilities during its
fmative years, contributed to the
jiitation. More recently the very
ril and personal interest in motion
futures as a means of entertainment
;id education has made films so
ijach a part of everyday life that
iime people have appropriated to
temselves the right of criticism.
Hanging conditions, the influx of
liw ideas and standards, the break-
Ig down of conventions in other re-
I,[jons of life, reaction from the lax-
b incident to such a world upheaval
i this generation knew, submission
•j governmental orders in stress of
ar, all added to the prevailing tend-
tcy.
iSo threatening indeed was the po-
lical invasion shortly after the ter-
ination of the World War, that
oughtful men and women in and
lit of the industry saw that con-
iiued aggression would ultiniatel
|jan that there could be no physical
jstribution of motion pictures in
inerica. The industry, hampered by
inflicting laws, would have been
■reed out of business.
Seven states, by the close of the
iar, had passed laws providing for
?nsorship of motion pictures — -Penn-
'/Ivania, Ohio, Florida, New York,
ansas, Maryland and Virginia.
:hen, after 1921, there began a re-
!:tion against censorship based up-
a the proved ability of the industry
1 govern itself and the added knowl-
ige by legislators that the people
lemselves did not want censorship,
hree of the seven states — Kansas,
• ennsylvania and New York, have
icently repealed that part of the
iw affecting news reels and educa-
onal subjects. In thirteen states
■hich considered censorship laws in
ne year, the measures were over-
i^helmingly defeated by public coin-
ion.
The only time the people of a state
have had the chance to express theii
opinion, they voted "no." That wa-
in the State of Massachusetts where
the censorship of motion pictures was
put directly to the people in 1922.
The citizens of that state defeated
the proposed censorship 553,173 to
208,252— a majority of 344,921 against
censorship.
Motion pictures remain the most
typical of American productions.
Standing well among the first ten
industries in this country, the mo-
tion picture industry stands first
probably in the percentage of the
world's supply of a single commod-
ity. These figures issued not long
ago by the Department of Com-
merce at Washington are surprising:
Per cent
Of the world's land, United States possess 6
Of the world's population, our people make
up ^
Of the world's wheat, we grow 27
Of the world's coal we dig 40
Of the world's telephones, we use 63
Of the world's corn, we grow 75
Of the world's automobiles, we make more
than SO
Of the world's motion pictures, we produce
mere than 85
Two hundred and fifty-five thou-
sand persons are permanently em-
ployed in the industry in this coun-
try and more than $125,000,000 is
spent annually in production. Last
year, 823 feature pictures and sev-
eral times that number of short sub-
jects, news reels and travelogues
were produced. It is estimated that
approximately one hundred million
Americans go to the movies weekly.
Our pictures are shown in seventy
countries with titles translated into
thirty-seven tongues. Last year, we
exported 235,585,000 feet of film and
every day approximately twenty-five
thousand miles of motion pictures
are handled, examined, stored, and
shipped by employees in the ex-
changes of members of the Motion
Pictujes Producers and Distributors
of America.
The future of the industry one
hesitates to predict. So great has
been the advancement in the narrow
scope of thirty-three years that to
attempt to estimate the future ap-
pears futile. One can see only ex-
pansion, development, progress. The
motion picture will not only retain
its present popularity but will of
course add immeasurably to it. It
will add also to the li§t of bene-
ficial services which it already is per-
forming. Producers are taking the
best men available into the studios
and they are teaching them methods
of production which cannot help but
result in a steady flow of finer and
finer pictures. Universities and col-
leges throughout the country are
teaching motion picture technology
and appreciation. All of literature,
all of modern writing, provides a
wealth of story material. New me-
chanical developments are coming
every day. Theaters are marvels of
comfort and beauty. And the pro-
ducers and custodians of the rnotion
picture in every branch of the indus-
try are aware of the responsibility
upon their shoulders.
Thoughtful people are agreeing
with our persistent contention that
the motion picture is one of the
greatest forces yet given to man
to bring a happier understanding
not only between men but also
between nations. And herein lies
what I confidently believe is one of
the greatest future possibilities of the
motion picture. The motion picture
knows no barriers of distance nor
of speech. It is the one universal
language. All men, wherever they
may live, can find on the screen a
storjr they can understand. If we
can only have understanding, we
shall not only be peaceful and kindly
among ourselves, but we shall re-
main at peace with all nations. When
we understand, we do not hate and
when we do not hate, we do not
make war.
To promote this international un-
derstanding by sympathetically tell-
ing the story of the nationals of
every country to the nationals of all
others is the determined purpose of
our Association.
The great need of the future, of
course, is manpower. The motion
picture business is built largely upon
personnel. Take away the directors,
actors, writers and nothing is left
but a highly organized production,
distribution and exhibition force with
nothing to keep it runninor.
The greatest difficulty in progress
has been in those phases of art in
which it has been necessary to de-
velop the talent completely. And
there has been the most significant
development. It is as if in thirty
years from the time man first begar
to construct buildings, the Wool-
worth Building was erected; as if
thirty years after the invention of
the violin we had produced Kreisler,
Kubelik and Mischa Elman.
In the late months have come for-
ward so many fine directors, skilled
writers and talented actors that the
motion picture is producing at least
once a week a story that compares
favorably with the best in art, in
the drama and in literature.
It is merely a question of finding
^ ^
men and women who have the talent
necessary to make always the very
best. Motion picture producers are
trying to employ only the directors
an,d writers who have that ability.
They are doing their utmost to de-
velop them. Directing and scenario
writijig are two great professions
that are a part of this and no other
enterprise. Applications by the
thousands come from persons who
want to write scenarios or direct
pictures. In most cases they are
persons who are not qualified to pass
even the first test. The result will
be a mass movement upward. Men
and women will come to the indus-
try already prepared in the funda-
mentals of the business they are to
follow and inspired to give their
time and their talents to this ereat
new art.
Recognition of the motion picture
as an art by the great universities
marks the beginning of a new day
in motion picture work. It paves
the way for the motion picture's
Shakespeares.
I wish it were possible here to
draw aside the curtains of the fu-
ture and to peer at what is to come,
for the future, I have no fear, will
be great.
William Kennedy Laurie Dickson,
Edison's early laboratory assistant,
far back in 1896 forecast the future
of the motion picture.
"It is the crown and flower of the
nineteenth century magic," he said,
"the crystallization of eons of grop-
ing enchantments. In its wjiole-
some, sunny, and accessible laws are
possibilities undreamed of by the oc-
cult love of the East: the conserva-
tive wisdom of Egvot, the jealous
erudition of Babylon, the guarded
mysteries of Delphic and Eleusinian
shrines. It is the earnest of the
coming age, when the great poten-
tialities of life shall no longer be in
the keeping of cloister and college,
of money bag, but shall overflow to
the nethermost portions of the earth
at the command of the humblest heir
of the divine intelligence."
I agree with Terry Ramsaye when
he says, "Will Hays himself could
say no more, to-day."
(Continued Tomorreiv)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
TO-MORROW
Chapter IV
"The Coming of
Sound"
An Epochal Event
Told ill this serial running
EVERY DAY
in
THE FILM DAILY
Foi
ITH the advent of talkies,
the States Rights market
has become pretty well
shot. Many of you independent
exchangemen have been mark-
ing time, hoping that some devel-
opment in the film industry might
give you a chance to do business
at the old stand.
THAT DEVELOPMENT IS HERE NOW — TALKIES
FOR THE NON-THEATRICAL FIELD! It is made possible
by the use of STAN-A-PHONE PORTABLE TALKING
PICTURE EQUIPMENT!
Here is your chance to set yourself up in business agam,
without being worried by unbeatable competition. Here is your
opportunity to cash in on the demand for talkies in the non-theat-
rical field, in which there are 50,000 outlets for distribution.
ndependent Exchanges
Schools, colleges, churches, halls, community centers, Y. M. G. A.'s,
women's clubs, etc., all over the country, are going in extensively for the exhi-
bition of entertainment, educational and industrial talking pictures. AND
THERE'S PLENTY OF PRODUCT AVAILABLE FOR THIS TRE-
MENDOUS FIELD.
The unique portability of Stan-a- phone Talking Picture Equipment ena-
bles you to transport it in a taxicab, set it up in fifteen minutes and give a talk-
ing picture show in a school room, assembly hall or a business office. It at-
taches to any type of standard projector — portable or stationary.
Costing but a few hundred dollars, yet giving the same results as theat-
rical installations costing thousands, Stan-a-phone Talking Picture Equip-
ment gives you an unusual opportunity to cash in on the experience you've
accumulated in the film business. Here is a golden field for you to exploit.
Write for particulars on how you can
become the agent in your territory for
The Stan-a-phone Talking Picture Unit, Amplifier, Projector and two
Speakers, all contained in leather-covered carrying cases. Portable
enough to be transported in a taxicab.
Stan-a-phone.
(^J^
STAN-A-PHONE
Equipment Distributing Corp.
220 West 42nd St., New York City
1930 IS TIFFANY VEAI
TIFFAN-
TIFFANY PRESENTS
PRESEI
SENSA
L\
^
mm
urn ..
CROWDS AT GAIETY THEATRE OPEHINC HM
V
I'Rarty GirlMs Daringly Different Motion Picture!
By BEGINA CBEWE,
■•Oos Pletve Etilat N. T. Anerlcu.
r "Party Girl" a picture that
is rather darissly dUlerent
.has come to the screeD of the
Gaiety Theatre*
And It promises' ISgbly
for subsequent productions from
the group tliat sponson it —
Tlttany.
Toned down for screen pur-
poses the story is about "call"
or "party" girls, who earn their
purple and line lingerie by en-
taining tired business men. They
are listed in the files of an In-
dustrious lady who objects to
being called "Madam." and who
arranges parties, lor business
organizations entertaining buy-
ers. It is the work of the girls
to see that orders come the way
of the host ■ For this they are
well paid and In addition are
enabled to do quite a lot with a'
side line
Excitement Aplenty
Against this baclcground is I
discovered a triangle consisting I
of young Douglas Fairbanks as I
the wild son of a manufacturer I
who disdains to do business 1
through party girls, the father's I
secretary, Jeanette. Loff, to I
whom the son is engaged, and I
Judith Barrie. one of the party!
racketeers. The boy is tricked
into marrying Judith, who. it is I
explained, is rather badly inl
need of a husband just at the I
time. there b plenty of ex -_ [
citemeot &nd lots of "it" ia the
picture. _ I
Miss Loff, one of the screen's |
most beautiful blondes, con-
'tributes the best work she has |
thus far offered, and in addi
tion surprises even her friends
with the tonal qualities of a |
most cinjpatica voice. Doubt
J'lLVERMAN
o/^VARlETV''
^A WARM
PICTURE ONA\
^WARM y-UBJECTX
THAT WILL I
BRING TMEM in"]
t A . #
PICTURE.-
The New Photoplay
Tarty Girl,' Jazz Story of Modern Business, |
on View at the Gaiety.
Tiffany has taken, the jazz atmosphere of movie college
Btories and transferred it, theme songs and all, to a tale of
modern business. "Party Girl," now ^t the CJaiety, preaches
a little sermon on the business methods of this country. If, as
it would seem, the wheels of industry are turned only by gin, |
the Wall Street crash came none too soon.
NE\M
SUh
NY. AMERICAN
TIFFANY PRODUCTION/ IN
729 r EV EMTM AVE
NEW YOPK, CIT
HERE S THE PROOF/
ALL
bECORDSL
AND SWEEPIHC THE COUNmV
!<* eV>^ tf^^ ^o^": *^^-
)STON ADVERTISED.
IG ZEPPELIN
FILM THRILLS
PARK CROWDS!
The I^st Zeppelin" picture!
jht to keep the Park Theater!
pwded tor weeks. It Is that good,]
he "Lost Zeppelin" film Is up-lo-
-minute in its use ot airships
do, diaJogue and sound. Some I
;he most fascinating scenes show!
I dirigible on its flight over land
1 Sea, through tropical storms
d again through the blizzard
:t sweeps the big ship down upon |
! bleak polar plain.
' BOSTOli
^^QANSCRIPT
some' reason docs me
' at the Park this week inspire the |
Elation of queues out to the sidewalk.
enture. Exploration, Romance. Eter-
Snows, Midnight Suns — words like
le, when spelled with capital letters,
bound to collect a crowd, stir the
d, and if necessary, whet the credi-|
les. ■ "The I^ost Zeppelin" is calcu-l
d to do all these things and exploit I
these scare-head items. That It does!
WUh
Conway Tearle
Virginia Valli
Ricardo Cortez
|A Smashing Special For Exploi-
tation, as Shown by Boston Run
Where All Records Were
1 Broken,
CASH IN NOW!
Recorded by RCA Photophone.
BOSTOM
GLOBE
I "The Lost Zeppelin," Cinema
Leader at the Park|
Tiffany's all-talking special,
iLost Zeppelin," with -Conway Ttarle. |
rvirginla Valll and
|_headln;r a dlstlng
BOSTOM
HERALD
, Timely In its subject and almost con- »
tlnuously Interesting in Its developmertt
1 Is "The Lost Zeppelin." -now to be seen
lal the Park Theatre. Even the^ rac^J
BOSTOM
AMERICAN
TAN FRANCIJCO
EXAMiNEri
An Idea of some of the hardsliipsl
hat Commander Byrd encounters!
I during his present expedition to the [
outh Pole 13 given in "The Lost!
I Zeppelin," wliich today opened on the!]
[.screen at the Marion Davies.
IZEPP THRILLER!
PACKS 'EM IN
AT PARK
"HRILLS of adventure and of
love, of the great open
Ispacts and of polar expMration.
fare among the hig^hlights of
^'The'bost Zepp.eliri,'' now being
[shown at the Park..
F«m . the (merest anil ]
nthuslasm. "The Lost Zeppelin'
established Itself In the maC.ei
^of^ merit-'iThe'njndjr^g of the pic-
Iture is filled, with dramatic
$ 30.900
'/crv
/•Us;, /•ssf ,p''^ee,/<'o/ »". r,^o. ,
'IF ,1";'"' „ ' '-;. ''..
i
riFFANY PRODUCTION/ INC
729 TEVENTH AVE. N E N^^ Y O P K, CITY.
THE
-.agg^
I
PAILV
Tuesday, January 14, I9j '
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Talkers Becoming Better
Than Legitimate Productions
VrOR can it be denied that the
^^ technical development of the
talkies has been almost as rapid
as their spread. Voices sound
far more human than they did
six months ago and a method of
story telling, half way between
that of the stage and that of the
screen, has been developed so
successfully that it is possible to
maintain with some show of rea-
son that a film like that of
George Arliss in "Disraeli" is
better than the original produc-
tion of the play from which it
is taken.
"The Nation"
Revolutionary Improvements
Predicted by John Ford
THEATERGOERS of 1940 will
accept as a matter of course
performances that seem incred-
ible today. Despite the remark-
able advances made by talking
pictures in the short year or so
of their existence. I believe the
revolutionary improvements in
the making and reproducing of
vocal films will bring about
changes the modern "fan" never
dreamed of. These changes, from
my viewpoint, will consist in a
greater degree of entertainment
in exchange for his money at the
ticket window— which, after all,
is something toward which all
producers are always striving.
The point is that a combination
and a development of new film
and sound principles, principles
already proved in the laboratory
and in practice, will result in pic-
tures as far ahead of today's best
efforts as these efforts are ahead
of the crude, productions of
twenty years ago.
John Ford in
"New York Eventing Post"
t
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
J. G. BACHMAN
evening mail
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
BURTON HOLMES, whose travelogues were known to every
picture-going person about 10 years ago, was the attraction
at Carnegie Hall yesterday with his film depicting the 1929 sea-
son in and about London Morrie Ryskind, who once re-
ceived his pay checks for writing p. a. stuff for the Rialto but
nowadays writes books for musical shows, did such work on
"Strike Up the Band," which opens tonight at the Times Square.
The cast of this Broadway arrival, incidentally, includes Clark
& McCiillough, who have been talkerized, and Joyce Coles, who
has done much dancing in de luxe houses along Incandescent
Lane
* * * *
Bertram Bloch, Emgeeem scenario expert, is author of "Even
in Egypt," comedy which is going through the tryout process at
Werba's Flatbush, Brooklyn, this week. The cast, by the way,
is headed by George Jessel "The Kat's Meow," latest re-
lease of the Krazy Kat series, recently had a theme song writ-
ten especially for this cartoon. The lyrics are by Jimmy Bronis
and the music by Joe DeNat, musical director of the Winkler
studios Dave Bader, Saturday did some chirping over the
radio on local biographies or something. No, it wasn't a slum-
ber hour
* * * «
John Briggs, scenic artist, the other day threw a respectable
but devilish little party all for the sole purpose of having the
gang visit his new hide-away on 56th St. Harry Takiff, acted
as mental gymnast, phrase juggler or ceremony guy
Here is the latest line-up of steady house talent at the Beacon,
J. J. Byrne, manager; S. Zins, assistant manager; T. Clinton,
treasurer; and M. Kaplan, head usher
* * * *
Joseph Littau has assumed direction of the Roxy Symphony
Orchestra, Joseph was born at Elizabeth, N. J Capt.
Lisandro Garay, of the Honduras Army, who will attempt an
air-mail trail between New York and Honduras in April, will
be a guest of honor at Warners Beacon, tonight. Well, Capt.,
hit or miss, we're with you Jimmy Gleason just raked in
three, more contracts. One each with Warners, Pathe and Tif-
fany
* • * *
Arthur Forde has been appointed Eastern representative for
"Hollywood Filmograph," which Harry Burns guides
H. M. Warner paid a visit to John J. Raskob at Wilmington.
Del., the other night So the Ivan Abramson case will
have to manage without the services of Senator Brookhart
* * * *
Ed Delaney, Loew publicity chieftain, is back in town after
a trip to Boston to publicize Gene Dennis, psychic, who opens at
Loew's State in that city Monday. She gave, a demonstration to
Boston newspaper men which Ed vows was a wow
* * * *
The production personnel of every featiu^e released in
America in 1929 will be included in the forthcoming
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 14-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Bebe Daniels
A. S. Kirkpatrick
Clara Beranger
Edward Bowes
Ray Hallor
Mary Ann Jackson
Hugh Saxon
William Livingston
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
HOWARD HIGGIN, director .
"The Racketeer," has sent us
wilted orchid by air mail from Holb
wood. You can imagine how oi
heart went pitter patter, thinkin
Clara Bow, or perhaps Louise F;
zenda, was flirting around with u
Then we saw Howard's name at tli
bottom of the letter, and were disi.
lusioned. He sent the exhibit b
way of proof of the following story
During the making of a scene i;
this production it was necessary t'
use reaT orchids. The intense hea
of incandescent lights wilted th
flowers almost as rapidly as the;
were exposed. The orchid supply o
seven florists, at six smackers per
were used before the scene was phoi
tographed. * * * Oh, well, that's Mr,
Higgin's story, so we have writtei'
him:
Dear Howard: Next time pleast
send the six bucks. Phil.
* * *
The National Association of Au-
dubon Societies has caused a bill tc'
be introduced in Congress to pre-
vent killing bald eagles. — News Item
* ♦ ♦
We know a fillum executive whc
is a bald Elk who was almost mur-
dered by his wife for coming home
late from the Elks' Club, but no-
body did anything about it.
* * *
"What's Trump?"
(Sez Jack DeLacy)
Over a no-trump on your right,
don't bid a long established or es-
tablishable suit with weak or worth-
less side cards. In other words, a
hand that holds a sure or good de
fense against loss of game at no-
trumps, and no sure defense against
loss of game should opponents shift!
to their best suit, as they do wher]
warned. . !
* * * 1
Add Spelling Bee: Syzygy. Yclept.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY!
IN
ALLTHE NEW
ALL THE TIM
More than 300 theaters join First
National Exhibitors of Ohio.
Alexander Pantages reported form-
ing producing unit.
Ackerman & Harris plan 3,000
seat house in Los Angeles.
C. B. Price applies for injunction
restraining distribution of alleged
duped print of U-35 picture.
iTHE
y/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
rOL. LI No, 12
Wednesday, January 15, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Publix Attendance Increased to 15 Million Weekly
P-F-L H^ ABOUT 65 MATURES ONJ930 LIST
161 Shorts Set for Production by "V" in 1930
The Mirror
— a column of comment
CARL LAEMMLE goes down on
he records as favoring the remaking
,)f box-oiftce silent pictures into talk-
ers. Adoption of this plan, he points
out, will alleviate the current short-
'ige of material for talking pictures.
■ Unquestionably this is an idea
vhich is going to put a lot of good
\merican dollars into exhibitor pock-
ets. Material which has proven its
:ommercial value in silent form is
ikely, in most instances, when given
'proper dialogue and sound effects, to
•epeat its audience appeal. And
brobably with renewed strength,
[jood screen story material, like good
jmusic, is well worth more than one
presentation.
FOUR MAJOR chains are equip
ping their theaters for wide-screen
pictures.
Exhibitors should not interpre'
this statement as an indication tha'
enlarged pictures are going to panic
the industry before it regains it;
financial breath after the sound ava-
'anche. So far only a few picture?
are definitely set for wide-film pro-
duction and these are largely ex-
perimental in objective. General dis-
tribution of enlarged-vision pictures
is still som^ distance off.
A PITTSBURGH house joins the
ranks of theaters showing newsreel?
and shorts exclusively.
Ideas that are new and different
provide the gas which keeps the ma-
chinery of exhibition running smooth-
ly— and profitably. Small-house op-
erators who are diligently trying to
compete with de luxe neighbors
might do well to inject some in their
business by adopting a grind news-
reel and shorts policy. Houses with
similar policies are clicking loudly,
we hear.
Preliminary Plans Show
63 in Dialogue, Sound,
and 98 Silents
A total of 265 short subjects already
are set for production by Universal
in 1930, with plans for additions to
the list later in the year. The sched-
ule, as far as it has been determined,
comprises 40 all-talking two-reel com-
edies; 26 one-reelers, sound; 26 one-
reelers, silent; 52 two-reelers, silent:
12 two-reelers, "Sporting Youth"
"series, all-talking; 5 serials, sound.
In the two reel comedy division, 10
have all star casts, and ten star Sunny
Jim. These are all talking. The si-
lent's only group comprises ten Sid
{Continued on Page 8)
FIGURE TECHNICOLOR NET
AT$l,0OOJ)00rORI929
Technicolor for the year ended
Dec. 31, 1929, is expected to show
net earnings of approximately $1,000,-
000, according to a statement in "The
Wall Street News." Since the forth-
coming annual statement will be tht
(Continued on Page 2)
Six All-Nighters
Detroit — This city has gone
in for all-night picture shows in
a serious way. Six houses, four
of which are in the downtown
district, have adopted this pol-
icy. The theaters are: the
LaSalle, Republic, Rosebud,
Blackstone, Colonial and Fine
Arts. In no case where an all-
night policy was adopted has it
been abandoned.
P-F-L
AID8NET40P.C.F0R'29
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Of the total receipts
of Paramount for 1929, approximately
40 per cent was derived from foreign
markets. Of the total foreign revenue
received by the company, bookings in
English speaking countries other than
United States accounted for 50 per
cent, Spanish language countries ac-
counted for 39 per cent with the re-
maining 11 per cent being distributed
generally among other countries.
N. Y. Houses of Publix Chain
Show Record Receipts for Jan.
SAYS SOUND TECHNIQUE
HALTS GERMAN PRODUCERS
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Reaction of talking
films has resulted in disorganization
of German film production, according
to Fred Zinnerman, who is here from
Berlin studying sound technique. Zin-
nerman, who has been responsible
for many German trick camera an-
gles, believes that if Germany is to
regain its film markets it will be
(Continued on Page 8)
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Theater attendance
in Publix houses has increased to
15,000,000 weekly, according to B. P.
Schulberg. The company's principal
houses in New York City, namely the
Paramount, Rivoli, Brooklyn Para-
mount and the Criterion, reported
record receipts for the first week in
January. The revenue and excess
over previous record for each of the
houses were as follows: Paramount,
$94,146, excess $8,000; Rivoli, $77,252,
excess $21,000; Brooklyn Paramount,
$73,168, excess $8,000; and Criterion,
revenue $19,080, excess $7,000.
Of the total gross revenue pf the
(.Continvtd on P(tge 2)
About $19,000,000 is to
be Expended on
Production •
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — With a budget calling
for expf^nditure of between $19,000,-
000 and $19,500,000, Paramount will
make about 65 features and 52 shorts
for its 1930 production program,
states B. P. Schulberg. Estimated
production costs will approximately
be $1,750,000 niore than those in 1929,
(Continued on Page 2)
BE BUILT BY 0. A.
Erection of several suburban
houses in the London district is un-
der consideration bv United Artists,
following completion of the de luxe
house already planned for the down-
town section of the English capital,
(Continued on Page 2)
"Hit the Deck"
Heave to mates for here's ?
trim and pretty bark but a few
days out of Hollywood Harbor
carrying a cargo of iron men
that should prove an attractive
and welcome addition in anv
exhibitor's port. "Hit the
Deck," the latest addition t'^
the Radio Pictures' fleet made
its bow to Broadway at the
Earl Carroll Theater last night.
It is elaborate enough to be
compelling. Clean enouo-h t*-
remind one of the old home
town and musical enough tr
send 'em out whistling. After
all why be critical with a pro-
duction that provides a splendid,
wholesome and colorful eve-
ning of entertainment. Your
customers generally will like it
and a theater owner who can't
make money with pictures of
this kind does not belong in
this business.
ALICOATE.
z^E^
DAILY
Wednesday, January 15, 193
ViL II No. 12 Wednesday, January 15, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. AllCOATE
Editor and Publislier
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months. $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter. 89-91 Wardour St , W.
I Berlin— Karl WolflFsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris-P. A. Harle
La Cinematograph le Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 22 J4 22/8 22H 300
Co" Fm. Iiid 17/8 17 ^ 17 800
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 197^ 19/ 197/8 700
;^%m*'°'"i":::: im im IVl 38:300
•Keith A-O 21
il°ew''6"'lnc: ■■.■.■.■.". 49/ ASH AS% l',76o
•do pfd. WW (6/) 86
•do pfd. xw (6>4) 86 ....
•M-Ci-M pfd 23}4
Para FL 52^^ 51/ 52!^ 3,500
Pathe Exch 3/ 3 3 1,100
do "A" 6% 6/ 6/ 100
R-K-O ^ 25 23 23Vi 50,200
•Univ. Pict. pfd 30 „ •••■
Warner Bros 44^ 435^ 44'A 25,000
do pfd 39/ 39/ 39/ 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. .. 26M 25/ 26?i 1,000
Fox Thea. "A"... 5M 5/ S'A 4,500
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts.. 14 14 14 300
Loew's, Inc., war. 3/ 3/ 3/ 100
•Nat. Scr. Ser 15^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 27/ ....
•Univ. Pict 9/ ....
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46.. 75'/^ 75^ 75^^ 10
Loew 6s 41ww...l01f^ 101^^ 101^ 10
do 6s 41 x-war... 93/ 93 93/ 80
Paramount 6s 47. 99 98^ 98^ 10
Par. By. 5/s51..101 101 101 10
•Pathe 7s37 45
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
•.•*♦•••♦*•♦•♦»*•••♦••••*•♦*«♦••♦*•♦••♦>♦•#♦•♦•♦••♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦•♦**•»,♦
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City }*{
154 Crescent St. ft
STIllwell 7940 ft
y
Eastman Films i
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. H
'' ft
J.:
ft
Chicago Hollywood tV
1727 Indiana Ave. "O" Sam^a^Monica ft
CAIumet 2691 HOUywood 4121 ;^
P-F-l HAS ABOUT 65
FEATURESJN 1930 LIST
(.Continued from Page 1)
according to the company's Coast
general manager of. production.
The feature lineup, which is under-
stood to be tentative as yet, will to-
tal about the same as that for the
1929 production schedule. Total
number of shorts is substantially de-
creased compared with the past year.
About, 10 of the features will be
prpduced at the Long Island studio.
at which all shorts will be made,
says the statement. The remaining
55 features will be made at the
Coast.
FIGURE TECHNICOLOR NET
AT $1,000^0 FOR 1929
(Continued from Payc 1)
first to be made public by the com-
pany, no figures of previous year'.'
earnings are available for compari-
son. For the quarter ended March
31, 1929, net income of the compan.\
amounted to $101,790 after charges,
etc.
MAY BE BUILT BY U. A.
(Continued from Pane 1)
Joseph M. Schenck told THE FILM
DAILY last night as he arrived from
abroad with Samuel Goldwyn and
William Phillips, banker and a di-
rector of the United Artists Theater
Circuit.
LInited Artists at present has seven
pictures waiting for a London show-
ing, with no houses available, he said.
Another reason for United Artists de-
ciding to build theaters of its own i^
the fact that picture houses of the
modern type like those in America
are not to be found in the English
districts. The new United Artists
house already announced for London
will not be ready for 18 months. This
theater, seating 4,000, will play nic-
tures exclusively, without presenta-
tions, at a top of approximately $1.25.
WESHRN ELECTRIC LOSES
APPEAL AGAINST PACENT
An appeal by the A. T. & T., West-
ern Electric talking picture interests
against Pacent Reproducer Corp. and
Pacent Electric Co., Inc., from dis-
missal of the infringement suit
brought by the telephone group
against Pacent companies, was dis-
missed in the U. S. Circuit Court of
.\ppeals for the Second Circuit.
G. C. Pratt, head of Western Elec-
tric's legal department issued the fol-
lowing statement on the outcome of
the decision:
"The dismissal by the Appeal Court
was on formal matter only and the
appeal may be renewed. In any event
it can be stated that we shall con-
tinue the prosecution of this suit until
it can be brought before the court
and a decision rendered upon the
merits of the patents involved."
Louis G. Pacent, President of the
Pacent Companies, commenting on
the decision of the Court and the
statement of G. C. Pratt represent-
ing A. T. & T., Western Electric in
part said:
"The result of the appeal is in line
with the decisions by the lower
courts in this litigation in the past.
The merits of the patents are still un-
decided, although this is no fault of
ours.
"We are more anxious than the
telephone group to have a speedy de-
termination upon the merits. We are
fully prepared for such a determina-
tion and are as confident of the re-
sult of any trial of the issue of in-
fringement as we have always been
of the favorable decisions which have
l)een uniformly ours in the whole his-
tory of this litigation. We do not in-
fringe any valid rights of the tele-
phone company. We have stated so
from the beginning and as time goes
on our statement becomes more em-
phatic and should be accepted in view
of our successful conduct of the liti-
gation in its technical aspects thus
far, as the real truth of tlje situation."
Publix Attendance Up
to 15 Million Weekly
(Continued from Page 1)
company produced in this country,
about 75 per cent is received from
theaters owned or controlled by Para-
mount Schulberg said.
Let Us Solve Your Prohlems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Warner Coast studio to resume ac
tivity.
M. P. Projectionists Local No. SO
celebrate 16th anniversary at Attto
Hotel, N. Y.
Premiere of "The Locked Door
at the Rivoli.
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the Worli
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin John
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athleti.
Club, Hotel Commodore. Ne«
York City.
Meeting of non-theatrical producer!
at Washington, D. C.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball i
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Mar. S First Day of Lent.
June 2-7 International Cinema CongrcM at
Brussels.
Jan. 18
Jan. 25
Feb.
Feb. 7
Hoyt Production Head
for Equitable Pictures i
Harry O. Hoyt has just been se-
lected by George W. Stout, president
of the Equitable Pictures, as produc-
tion manager. Hoyt is in Hollywood
now, working on plans for Equitable's
production schedule, due to get under
way within a few weeks.
New W. F. Weekly Record
All weekly records for the installa-
tion of Western Electric sound sys-
tems were shattered when 146 instal-
lations were completed the week end-
mg Dec. 28, according to C. W,
Bunn, general sales manager of Elec-
trical Research. It tops the previous
record of 114 installations during the
week of Sept. 21, 1929, an average of
one every 87 minutes.
AD-VANCE-AD
"We have been using your trailers
for only two months, but wrish to state
that they are satisfactory in every re-
spect and will continue to use the
service."
— Palace Theater
Broxvn Point, Ind.
WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
CIPMH
INCORPORATED >
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YORK
Phone: WIScontin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES. CEN.MCR.
'ought
, blue
uited
[as ties.
leased'
(jfflon
but
Jlee-
OIL 'KING' YIELDS TO TALKIE
IntematloDal
John D. Rockefeller, a( the age of
ninety, has been won over by the talkies.
Photo shows him at his Winter home in
Ormond Beach, Fla., in pose he took for
the newsreel picture made by Hearst Met-
ronome News. He finally consented to
NeWB>«el Photo..
be reproduced on sound films after two
years of persuasion, aided by sixtieth anni-
versary celebration at Cleveland of the
founding of the Standard Oil Company.
He will be seen and talk to his associates
there through the medium of the screen.
«rwim Missec
Typical Nationwide Hearst Promotion for Hearst
Metrotone Neivs and M-G-M International News-
reel. It sells your public!
WHEN THE WORLD'S
LEADING PERSONALITIES
TALK
They pick the world's
t^
pUol
I field
larby
Vlng
tan-
Rur-
tof
FIST TIME
Siandari} Oil Anniversary Ad-
dress Now* Running at
Embassy Theatre,
John D. Rockefeller, the nrorld's
richest man, who at ninety yean
of age has given more than $bUO.-
000,000 to public benefkctlons. has
succumbed to the lure of the taUc<
Ing motion pictures. After two-
years of effort, C. E. Engelbcecht,
of the Fox-Hearst Corpoiation, in-
duced Mr. Rockefeller to pose be-
fore the camera and talk Into the
microphone for tthe first time for
Hearst Metrotone News.^
The Standard Oil Company yes*
terday celebrated the sixtieth
anniversary of its existence at
Cleveland. Mr. Rockefeller, as is
his custom, is spendlrig the Win-
ter at Ormond Beach, Pla.. and
could not brave the change In
temperature to attend the Cletre-
land celebration in person, so It
was arranged for him to appear
through the medium of the pSk-
ing mqtion picttu^s.
BUSH PRINTS BT AIB MAIL.
The negative was made at Or-
mond Beach ' on Monday ' tmi
rushed here, where a print was
turned out and sent by air mall
to Clevelandj It was shown last
.Bight at the gathering of the
Standard Oil Company executives,
and simultaneously at the Em-
bassy, the Newsreel Theatre here,
as part of the new programme.
Mr. Rockefeller's voice' is amaz-
ingly strong and clear, and the
recording is without a flaw. He
is shown seated on the veranda of
his home at Ormond Beach. In
the course of his talk, which Is
addressed to the executives of the
Standard Oil Company, be saya:
EXPRESSES GRATITUDE.
"I am gi^teful beyond meas-
ure for all these long, happy
and prosperous sixty years now
drawing to a close. I have no
words to express my apprecia-
tion of all who have had a part
In making the company the suc-
cess- it has been — far beyond
our fondest dreams at the time
of its begiiming.
"We cherish the memory of
the multitude of oiur dear asso-
ciates who wrought gloriously
in their time of service and
have passed on with unclouded
records. We who remain are to
carry on the work which they
established, with the highest
ideals', sharing with each other
our successes, and even our
failures, with ever growing con-
fidence and an increasing de-
sire to be of the greatest service
to mankind."
The pictures of Mr. Rockefeller
also are being shown at leading
theatres everywhere by Hearst
Metrotone News.
leading Talking Newsreel
HEARST-METROTONE
|kl F %A/ ^^ ^ live-wire Sound News from the live-wire company
■^ ^ ■'' ^ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
THE
-3^^
DAILY
Wednesday, January 15, 1930,
**SEE AKD HEAR" By -^s
An Engrossing Resume of the
Industry's Progress
Chapter IV
The Coming of Sound
THE rapid and amazing adaptation of sound to motion picture
entertainment since the fall of 1926 has led to the entirely
erroneous belief that talking pictures are something new under
the sun, when, as a matter of fact, the development of sound was
certainly corollary with, and some say, was even the forerunner of
the moving picture.
We know that Thomas A. Edison
was looking for eyes for his phono-
graph when he produced what turned
out to be the first marketable motion
picture machine. And there is much
evidence to prove that scientists here
and abroad were engaged more than
fifty years ago in making photo-
graphs of sound. There was, for in-
stance, a Doctor Czermak, of Vienna,
who in 1862 succeeded in photo-
graphing the vocal chords in action
although he did not, it is true, at-
tempt to record the sound vibrations;
and there was a Professor Eli Whit-
ney Blake, of Brown University, who
sixteen years later is reputed to
have made pictures of the vibra-
tions of a microphone diaphragm by
means of a mirror which cast a light
on a photographic plate.
Instances of other experiments,
similar to the many which resulted
in the invention of a commercially
possible moving picture, were from
time to time recorded, leading up to
the time of Professor Demeny's
"Chronophotophone" in 1892, about
which very little is known, and to the
time of Edison's "Kinetoscope" in
1894 which, however crudely it was
done, certainly synchronized sound
with pictures. Like the peep-show
pictures, the Kinetoscope was a one-
man device, ear tubes being used to
catch the sound. Public demonstra-
tions were held at Raff and Gam-
mon's amusement parlors at 1199
Broadway but the demand for the
first "talkie" was so slight that the
device was soon withdrawn.
In the years that immediately fol-
lowed the withdrawal of the Kineto-
scope, scientists continued their in-
vestigations. They worked quietly,
as is the way of science, out of the
public's eye, being, for the most part,
content to wait until they had learned
the essential facts about recording
sound before making known their
discoveries. When thej' did speak
they were able to speak of a com-
mercially successful article; they were
ready to turn out an almost finished
product. That is why sound has
come into universal use with such
amazing rapidity. It was delivered
on a silver platter in 1926 and the
industry had only to adapt itself to
its use. To me the most interesting
phase in the whole development has
been the ease with which the pro-
ducing companies and the theaters
have adjusted themselves to so rev-
olutionary an addition.
It is, of course, not within the scope
of an article of this nature to go
into the claims of various inventors
as to their share in the development
of talking pictures. Much has been
said recently about men like Eugene
Augustin Lauste, formerly an em-
plo}e of Mr. Edison, and about his
early experiments with talking pic-
tures. Unquestionably the work of
many men has gone into the perfec-
tion of the present talking devices.
Almost every great invention is the
result of the combined efforts of sci-
entists. There can be in these pages,
therefore, no attempt to place final
responsibility. Such a matter is for
the inventors, the patents office, and
the users of sound to decide. It is
sufficient to say that there is evidence
that Lauste, about 1907, was demon-
strating a sound and film device in
London. He did not meet with great
success apparently and was never
able to market his product for any
widespread use. In an interview
printed in The New York World, Mr.
Lauste attributed his failure to the
breaking up of his company during
the war. Most of his stockholders
were Germans, and the necessary
capital for future developments was
not forthcoming.
Carl Laemmle, president of Uni-
versal Pictures Corporation, tells an
interesting story of his early experi-
ments with sound. Twenty years
ago he imported from Germany a
device which he advertised as the
"greatest improvement in the mov-
ing picture." The name of the in-
strument was Synchroscope and the
first exhibition was in Chicago for
the benefit of exhibitors and represen-
tatives of the press. Confidentially
Mr. Laemmle explained that "the
craze for talking pictures will be even
greater than the present craze for
ordinary moving pictures."
There were others who rather more
than half-believed the Universal Com-
pany's president. Billboard, for in-
stance, in an editorial at the time
asked: "Is the movinji; picture busi-
ness about to be revolutionized? Has
the time arrived when vaudeville
houses can put on a whole bill by
machinery? . . ." "I was fairly stunned
the other day," said the Billboard
writer, "when I witnessed a perform-
ance that was so starthngly realistic
that I don't hesitate to say the ques-
tions already are answered in the af-
firmative."
For a time the Synchroscope was
highly successful. Many exhibitors
put in their orders and deliveries were
accelerated. Other exhibitors who
did not order the talking device made
up for the deficit by engaging singers,
and the day of the song-slides came
into popularity. Still others attempt-
ed to make their own sound accom-
paniment through off-stage noises.
At last the Synchroscope failed and
was withdrawn. The difficulty was
that there were not enough sound-
tilms to meet the market's demand,
i he supply was exhausted. Another
reason tor failure was that the phono-
graph records which were used were
capable of holding material for only
two reels while the theaters were
demanding four and five reels.
About 1908, Edison again turned
his attention to the talking picture,
this time with a device known as the
Cameraphone which coupled a phono-
graph with a film projector by means
of a wire belt. Making a Camera-
phone picture was very simple. A
phonograph record was selected and
then the recording artist was photo-
graphed until the synchronization was
at least passable. Of course the
synchronization was not perfect. To-
day it would be instantly rejected but
in those days close-ups had not come
into popular use. Nobody had thought
of throwing the head and face on a
full screen and lip-movement was not
regarded as important. Proponents
of the Cameraphone argued with some
justification that perfect synchron-
ization was not imperative.
For a short time the Cameraphone
flourished. It was admittedly a novel-
ty, however, and while the world is
always interested in novelties, it soon
tires of them. The Cameraphone
ceased to be popular, and since im-
provements were not forthcoming,
the device vanished from the market
until 1913 when Mr. Edison again
launched a talking device.
An interesting story is told of the
premiere of the Cameraphone, or the
Kinetophone as it had come to be
known. It was on a Monday after-
noon, February 17, 1913, that three
men set out to judge the audience
reaction to Edison's newest inven-
tion. Those men were: Mr. Edison,
John J. Murdock, and Martin Beck.
Four theaters had been chosen for
the experiments- — the Colonial, the
Fifth Avenue, Union Square and the
Alhainbra. On the program of each
of those theaters was the announce-
ment: "Thomas A. Edison presents
his latest and greatest invention, talk-
ing motion pictures, or the Kineto-
phone."
The New York Times reviewed the
events which led up to that after-
noon's experiment. Mr. Edison had
perfected his invention in his shops
at Orange, N. J., and had tried out
the results on a small theater adjoin-
ing his studio. A scene from Shake-
speare's Julius Caesar was photo-;
graphed with sound. Then there was'
a short lecture explaining the device,
concluding with the breaking of a
china dish. A violinist, a singer, and.
a pianist were on the program, and
the whole was concluded with the
barking of a dog.
A review of the showing in the
papers of the day reveals the follow-
ing interesting comment: "For the
present at least the prophecy that
the 'talkies' soon will supplant grand
opera or the legitimate drama seems
to be fantastical. It was stated that
soon well-known players of the legiti-
mate stage will be seen and heard in^
tlie 'talkies.' Then no doubt the in-
vention will give greater pleasure to
critical audiences."
The reviewer's comment was, for
the time being at any rate, accurate.
The Cameraphone did not become a
sensation. Exhibitors shied away
from it and within a short time it
was withdrawn from the market. Not
until 1921 was there another definite
attempt to reach the public with talk-
ing pictures.
In that year D. W. Griffith, always
a pioneering spirit, showed his pic-
ture "Dream Street" at the Town
Hall in New York City with a sound
accompaniment. The device he used
was known as the Photokinema and
the dialogue consumed about 200 feet
of film. It was an interesting ex-
periment and many of the leading
figures in the industry were in the
Town Hall for the showing. Griffith
was warmly applauded for his efforts
but the general belief was that talk-
ing pictures were still far off in the
future.
Another name appears in the early
history of sound — the name of Dr.
Lee DeForest. Dr. DeForest in 1907
is said to have perfected a vacuum
amplifying tube. About 1923 reports
became current about the Phonofilm.
Since then law suits have developed
relative to patent rights, and those
suits are still pending. Whatever the
outcome may be, the name of Dr.
DeForest is an interesting and im-
portant one in connection with the
history of talking pictures.
(Continued Tomorrow)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
I
TO-MORROW
Chapter V
"The Modern Talking
Picture"
Amazingly rapid development of
sound and dialogue.
Related in this interesting serial
EVERY DAY
in
The FILM DAILY
THE
ednesday, January 15, 1930
•a^m
DAILY
\r
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
East Hampton, Conn. — The Majts-
;, which has been closed for a
:onth, was purchased recently by
fputy Sheriff Roy Young from Paul
anchard. The new owner ot tlu
,ily house in this city plans to ren-
,'ate the 300-seat theater and equip
: for sound presentations. Wiliiaui
impbell operator of a chain of snial
onn. houses recently sought to pur-
lase the house but the deal ten
irough.
Akron, O. — Scale of admission at
e Keith-Albee has been cut, accord-
g to Manager Herb Jennings. Mat-
ee prices now are 35 cents for the
ain floor and 25 cents in the bal-
)ny, except Sundays when all seats
night are listed at SO cents instead
; 75.
South Bend, Ind. — Three new di-
.■ctors have been named to the board
the Mishawaka Theater. The
3use is operated by Twin City
musements Co.
Middletown, O. — Purchase of a
te on Broadway for the purpose of
new 2,000-seat theater has been an-
3Unced by Harry Lynch, head of a
incinnati real estate firm.
; Chicago — "Flight," Columbia pic-
ire, which played the Studebaker for
X weeks at $2 and then moved into
le Oriental at popular prices, is be-
iig held over for a second week at
le latter house, where the regular
plicy is for a week's run only.
j New York
iSix hundred seats are in the new
ilaza, which opens Jan. 20 at 42
ast 58th St. Harry Creighton In-
alls designed the house along lines
of Tudor architecture. Programs,
which will include both silent and
sound pictures, will be changed twice
a week.
T. S. Delehanty, of Pathe Inter-
national, states that prints of the
Spanish version of "Her Private Af-
fair" are now being shipped to Spain,
Mexico and Cuba and that the re-
maining Spanish speaking territories
will be supplied shortly. The Pathe
one hundred per cent Spanish ver-
sion of "Her Private Affair" was di-
rected by Emile de Recat.
Installation of the Brel sound sys-
tem have been made at the Nassau
Graham and Metro theaters in
Brooklyn, according to Charles Mer-
kle, acoustical engineer.
The British production, "The Far-
mer's Wife," is being held for a sec-
ond week at the Carnegie, and is be-
ing distributed by Ufa Films
throughout the United States.
With the installation of Pacent ap-
paratus at the Temple Methodist
Church, New York, recently, the
total installation made by the com-
pany already has passed the lOOOtb
mark.
Foreign
Madrid — The Grand Cross has
been awarded Santiago Reves Sanz
for extraordinary heroisni in the dis-
astrous Novedades Theater fire here
last November.
London — Plug earphones which
will enable the deaf to hear talking
pictures are being installed in local
theaters. The Capitol, Queen's, Pa-
vilion and Park Hall Kinemas, Car-
diff, have already found the new in-
vention attractive.
;eanette Loff Signed
[ to Star for Universal
\est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
i.Los Angeles — Jeanette Loff, who
I to appear in the Paul Whiteman
Im, "King of Jazz," has signed a
)ng term contract to star for Uni-
2rsal, it is announced by Carl
aemmie, Jr.
Same Film at Strand and Beacon
"Show of Shows" will open simul-
ineously Friday at. the Strand and
le Beacon, both Warner houses on
roadway. The picture will play the
trand, Brooklyn, at the same time.
Coast Showmen Hold Ball
'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles— More than 300 mem-
ers of the Pacific Coast Showmen's
vss'n, embracing every branch of the
nusement industry, held their eighth
nnual ball and banquet at the Alex-
ndria Hotel last evening.
Syracuse Fans Select
"Ten Best" Films of 1929
Syracuse— The "Ten Best" poll
conducted by "The Syracuse Herald,"
under direction of Chester B. Bahn,
dramatic and picture editor, has con-
cluded, with Syracuse fans voting and
members of the "Herald Tri-C
Club" as well. In the general vote
the following pictures were selected
as the best shown in town during
1929:
"Gold Diggers of Broadway," "Rio
Rita," "Broadway Melody," "Dis-
raeli," "Sunny Side Up," "Cock-Eyed
World," "Madame X," "Trial of Mary
Dugan," "Bulldog Drummond," "Des-
ert Song."
The Tri-Q list follows:
"Gold Diggers of Broadway,'
'"Madame X," "Broadway Melody,"
"Rio Rita," "The Desert Song,"
"Disraeli," "Sunny Side Up," "Trial
of Mary Dugan," "Last of Mrs.
Cheney," "Flight."
1930 Edition Now In Preparation
1929
00^
The Film Daily
Year Book is
published only
once each year
but a complete
statistical stafS
has been ^w^ork-
ing on it every
day of every
year Sor the past
tivelve years.
Out As Usual In January
THE
■£&^
DAILV
Wednesday, January IS, 19J
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Improved Tastes Predicted
For 1930 Talker Stories
NOW that we've found Hem-
ingway, Bromfield, Bernard
Shaw and others of like stand-
ing, perhaps we can call the sea-
son coming "the better movie
season" and let the "bigger"
slide. The intelligentsia has in-
vaded cinema manufacture. Of
course, that is'nt saying that the
result will be entirely intelligent
but it's a step in the right direc-
tion. The main drawback of the
silent picture was the exaggera-
tion of all emotion or rather the
superlative quality in which ev-
ery emotion had to be played in
order to get over. There were
no dynamics — one had to go the
full swing of the pendulum. The
sarcastic husband was the bully
in silent, and the irritating wife
must needs be the shrew. Stories
emerged like as peas in a pod,
and the audiences ate them up.
The audiences, sad to say, didn't
progress visibly to any extent.
Give a group of people who have
not enjoyed the advantages of
music a series of popular con-
certs and by the end of the sea-
son you will have a definite indi-
cation of trend in taste. After
five seasons there will be a mark-
ed progression. A ripple of ap-
plause may greet anything touch-
ing on the modern composers.
Mollie Merrick in
New York "Evening World"
* * *
Seasonal Alternating
Between Talkers and Legit
ALTHOUGH some pro-
ducers predict confidently
that in the next few years there
may be much seasonal alternat-
ing of the same stars between
the talking picture and the legiti-
mate stage, not many of the new
Hollywooders who have made
good in a big way seem inter-
ested in a return to Manhattan
boards even for a legitimate fare-
well season.
"New York Times Magazine"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
PAUL LAZARUS
Grosset & Dunlap — book
publishers
Along The Rialto
with
PMIM, Daly, Jr.
"/^ABE" YORKE, who publicized "Sunny Side Up" in as a
yX winner and then skyrocketed home with the "Sky Hawk"
both at the Gaiety, N. Y., now is handling "With Mr. and Mrs.
Martin Johnson Across the World" the first talker which is
scheduled to open at the Geo. M. Cohan shortly Yasha
Bunchuk, Capitol conductor is guest of honor this a. m. at the
semi-monthly meeting of the Hunter College Chapel. Yasha will
offer "Spanish Serenade," "Scherze" and "Elegie"
* * + ♦
Max Steiner, musical conductor, who presented "Sons O'
Guns" has been added to the roster of Radio. And didn't Jack
Oakie, also of Radio, do his stuff in "Hit the Deck" last night?
Show girls from "Fifty Million Frenchmen" have lately been
seen stepping into the matinee for viewing of "Sally" and "No,
No, Nanette" Will Rogers has been granted a leave of
absence by Fox to enable him to attend the London Disarmament
Conference, which he will report for newspaper syndicates
* * * *
Kolster radio hour will celebrate Winnie Lightner night on
Jan. 29 on a coast-to-coast hook-up of 22 stations of the Columbia
Broadcasting System with Winnie appearing as guest of honor.
Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia Uni-
versity, consigned into the hands of John Boyce-Smith, president
of the Columbia Alumni Club of Los Angeles a can of film con-
taining a sound picture of an address by Dr. Butler which will be
delivered to the members of the Columbia alumni of L. A. at their
annual banquet on Feb. 12
* * * *
Films of Lindbergh and Mrs. on the bridal trip will be on
view to all patrons at the Silver Jubilee Motorboat Show which
will be at the Grand Central Palace Jan. 17 to 25 The
Warner Club now is dickering for one of the B'way houses in
which to give "Gaieties," the club's musical show, its first try-
out. Members are eagerly awaiting Feb. when the "big" musical
revue is scheduled to make its premiere
* ♦ * *
Bert Adler supplies the information that the "Evening
Graphic"-Fanchon and Marco contest is ended and as a conse-
quence, 30 girls will leave for the Coast Jan. 25 to receive training
from the famous producers of stage shows. Martin Starr, w. k.,
Ampaite, ran the contest from the "Graphic" standpoint
» ♦ * ♦
The Universal Club evidently believes in that ancient adage
which says "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,"
and has engaged the services of Dr. Joseph Goldstone to safe-
guard the health of its 300 members Dick Anderson, dis-
tribution director for M. P. Congress, is getting along splendidly
at the Murray Hill Sanitarium, following an appendicitis opera-
tion A popular priced edition of Elizabeth Alexander's
novel "Second Choice," has been issued by A. L. Burt, publisher,
with stills from Warners' production starring Dolores Costello.
* * * ♦
Exploitation tips and suggestions, all proven by the country's
wise showmen, are included among the many interesting sections
of the forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
PUT YOUR ORDER IN.
JANUARY 15-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are calebrating their birth-
days today:
William Beaudine
Dorothy Gould
Claude King
Ruth Taylor
Michael M. Miggins
Dan Doherty
Harry A. Mersky
Charles Zagrans
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
EVERY time some wisenheim*
makes a crack that picturd
would be placed on a higher artistil
plane if the business were taken awa
from those who control it now an
put in the hands of men with a "be(
ter cultural background," we feel lik
rearing up and shouting, "Was
those ginks with the culchoon
whatchamacallit that built up the ir
dustry to what it is today?"
Among the latest to beat the fa
miliar tune on his bass drum is th
erudite "Nation." The last issue c
this provocative weekly belche
forth a. steaming tirade to the efiec
that the films are "synonymous witi
all that is cheap and vulgar."
Mighty harsh words, "Nate." Per
haps they were just a mistake, or a:
accident. Say it was, wontcha?
Of course, there must be som
reason for critics or they wouldn
exist. But the trouble is that som'
of the iconoclastic boys fling them
selves at a typewriter when the;
ought to take a bromo.
* * *
You know, fifty million French
men — or rather, 115,000,000 payini
customers (evei-y week) can't bi
wrong.
* * *
The blurb in "The Nation" occu
pied two columns of space, and thi
prize-winning reply has just beei
made by Pierre de Rohan, the abh
"Morning Telegraph" scribe, whc
answered it completely in two words
"Oh, yeah!" Classic, we call it.
* * ♦
While on the subject of critic
and such, about a decade ago Rob',
ert E. Sherwood was among thos
who emitted anguished wails ove
the so-called mushy asininity o
films in that day. Now the 8om4
eminent judge is expressing wistfu
longings for "the good old days."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Al Kaufman, director of Famous
Players, resigns.
S. L. "Roxy" Rothafel returns to
New York from Los Angeles where
he managed the California for Gold-!
wyn. I
John H. Kunsky sells Equity Pic4
ture franchise for Michigan. j
Equity Pictures'
Chicago meeting.
directors hold
Don^t Shave for Six Days--
then look in the mirror— Then shave
and take another look. Boy, what a
difference. You will soon have your
old friends back.
Don't Clean Your Theater for a few Years-
Then clean it, re-construct and re-
equip and watch the same result as
that of shaving— Old friends return
and bring new ones with them and
they all mean dough to you.
Read tiie [B[R$ON sedion of tlie f ILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK for some real valuable ideas
THE
<XI^
DAILV
Wednesday, January IS, 1 o
Coast WireService
YLollywood Happenings
Warner Studio Resumes;
Three Specials Started
Work has been resumed at the
Warner Studio, with three Vita-
phone specials already started. One
of the productions in work, being
made under the working title of
"Viennese Nights," the first operet-
ta written especially for Vitaphone
It is the work of Oscar Hammerstein
II and Sigmund Romberg, and Alan
Crosland is directing. The other two
units are "The Agony Column" un-
der Roy Del Ruth and "Dumbbells ir
Ermine" under John Adolfi.
Blystone To Direct Fox Super
John Blystone will direct the "Fo>
Movietone Follies of 1930," the sec-
ond Fox production to feature a nias'
of big name players. Owen Davis
Sr., is writing the story and Severn'
sequences will be in color.
Albert Gran in Dove Picture
Albert Gran has been case for par'
in the next Billie Dove film, "Sweet-
hearts and Wives," with Sidne'
Blackmer and Clive Brook, now in
production at First National Stu-
dios.
William Courtenay for "Sin Flood"
William Courtenay will nlay a role
in First National'^ "Sin Flood," di-
rected by Frank Lloyd. Douglas
Fairbanks, Jr., has the leading role
and Robert Edeson also is in the
cast.
Gleason Completes Dialogue
James Gleason has finished thr
dialogue for "Dumbbells In Ermine,"
Warner picture directed by John
Adolfi.
Addition to Sound Studio
Metropolitan Sound Studios have
started work on a new administration
building located on Las Palmas Ave
which will house the executive de-
partments.
"Little Accident" Being Adapted
"The Little Accident," is beinf
adapted for the talking screen hv
Gene Towne for Universal.
Dennv Starts for Sono-Art
Reginald Denny has begun work
on his first starring picture for Sono-
Art. It will be based on an E. T
Rath story and is tentatively called
"I'm a Bum."
"So This Is London" for Rogers
"So This Is London," the George
M. Cohan stage hit of some vears ago
has been bought bv Winfield Sheehan
for Will Rogers' next picture.
"U" Signs Jean Lang
After playing a small part in "Tlu
King of Jazz," Universal has signed
Jean Lang to a l^ng term contract.
A Little
from
*Lots'*
^^;^ By RALPH WILK ^^m,
Hollywood
CLAUD ALLISTER has become
one of the busiest actors on the
Coast. He has been signed for one
of the three important roles in "The
Floradora Girl," which will star Mar-
ion Davies. The English comedian
has also appeared in "Bulldog Drum-
mond," "Three Live Ghosts" and
"Ladies Love Brutes." He came to
the Coast to support Guy Bates Post
in "The Play's the Thing."
* * *
Wallace Fox is at Pathe, where
he will direct his oriffinal story,
"The Romance of the West. It will
he a talking, singing outdoor pro-
duction. Fox ivas with RKO for
several months before joining Pathc.
* * *
A. Karl Kramer, who fur-
nished the musical arrange-
ments for "Oh, Susanna," the
stage musical production which
is playing in Los Angeles, is
free-lancing. He was with M-
G-M before entering the free-
lance field.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Genial Ra\
Coffin hurrying to Hollywood Bou-
levard: Max Hart at First National
on business: Paul L. Stein, who has
been loaned to United Artists by
Pathe, visiting his old studio.
M-G-M Buys "Red Rust"
M-G-M has purchased the talkinp
picture rights to Wilson Collison's
play, "Red Rust."
Buys Story for Gaynor-Farrell
Fox has bought "The Princess and
the Plumber," a "Saturday Evening
Post" serial by Alice Duer Miller
for Janet Gaynor and Charles Far-
rell.
"Fu Manchu" Sequel Starts Soon
Paramount is about to put intr
nroduction "The Return of Dr. Fr
Manchu," with Rowland V. Lee di-
recting.
Laemmle to Direct Mary Nolan
Edward Laemmle will direct
"What Men Want" for Universal
Marv Nolan has been assigned the
leading role.
Alice White Returns
Alice White has ended her vaca-
tion and returned to the First Na-
tional Studio to begin work on her
next picture, "Sweet Mamma."
161 SHORTS SET BYT
1
(Continued from Page 1)
Saylor and 10 Arthur Lake starring
shorts.
Of the 52 one reelers, 26 are Oswald (.^ar-
toons in sound. The rest are comedy re
issues, silent onl.v. Among the stars repre-
resenfed in the latter group are Bert Roach,
Slim Sumtnerville and Neely Edwards.
In the 52 silent Westerns, such players as
Joe Bonomo. Ted Carson, Josie Sedgwick.
Bobbie Nelson, Billy Sullivan, and Edmund
Cobb will appear.
The 12 two-reelers comprising the "Sport-
ing Youth" series, produced as a successor to
the "Collegians." have a featured cast which
includes Ann Cliristy. Tom Carr, Sumner
Getchell. John McAvoy and Robert Foster.
The five serials are "Tarzan the Tiger,"
"The Jade Box," "The Lightning Express,"
'(Terry of the Times," and another to be
announced later. The last three named will
be in 10 episodes, while "Tarzan the Tiger"
is a 15-episode serial. Four episodes were
released in 1929.
There also will be 104 i,ssues of the Uni
versal Newspaper Newsreel with Graham Mc-
\amee as the Talking Reporter. The first of
the McNamee issues was released last week.
In addition to the pictures enumerated
above for production in 1930, two other groups
of comedies, already completed, are important
in the Universal short subject list. These are
the two reel comedies, starring Pat and
Marion Rooncy. and the one reelers. with
Henny Rubin as the star. There are six of
■he Rooncy subjects and seven of the Rubins
J. V. Cremonim Expands
Export, Import Activities
Expansion of his export and im-
port business through opening offices
in Hamburg, Germany, and Padova.
Italy, is announced by J. V. Cremo-
nim, who has appointed Dr. L. Forno
as manager of the foreign depart-
ment. The firm has also taken over
foreign representation of a number
of manufacturers of sound equip-
ment, including the Mid-Continent
Electric Co. of Denver and the Mac\
Manufacturing Co. of Brooklyn. The
company is also exclusive foreign
distributor of the radio receiving ap-
paratus of the Bush & Lane Piano
Co. of Holland, Mich. Offices of
the company at 236 W. 55th St. have
been enlarged.
Oscar Strauss Sails for
U. S. to Write Film Score
Berlin — Following the example of
Franz Lehar, Viennese author of
"The Merry Widow," Oscar Strauss,
composer of operettas, is entering the
.American inotion picture industry
and will write a score for a film.
Strauss sailed yesterday on board the
President Roosevelt bound for New
York. LTpon his arrival he will leave
for Hollywood to take up his new
work.
Says Sound Technique
Halts German Producers
{Continued from Page 1)
necessary for them to produce pic-
tures with English dialogue. He ex-
pects to remain a year studying tech-
nical methods, and then return to
Berlin to act as instructor to German
technicians.
Roxy Hospital Busy
A total of 12,900 cases, of
which more than one-fifth were
theater patrons while the re-
mainder belonged to the army
of 600 house employees, were
treated by the Roxy Theater
Hospital in the past year.
Columbia Launches 10th
Anniversary Sales Drii|
Columbia Pictures has launched <
exhibitor co-operative drive in ce||
bration of its 10th anniversary. T
campaign will last 1,3 weeks with
country being divided into tlL
groups, each headed by a lead!
Rube Jackter has charge of the Ti'
man and Gregory divisions includi
Western and Middle States; Ben Re
enberg will take in New Englai
Greater N. Y. and Eastern divisio,
under Abe Montague and Joe M
Conville, Jack Bellman and Geor
Jeffries, while Hal Hodes has und
his supervision the mid-western ai
Southern districts under Willis
Minder and Cecil Maberry.
"Sally" Sets Records in
Hartford and New Have
New house records have been i
tai>lished by "Sally" at the Straii
Hartford, and the Roger Shernw
Xew Haven, according to l-'irst .\
tional.
Film Co. Buys N. Y. Property
.\ttica Film Corp., of which R.
Kahn, is treasurer, has purchased 5,
to 532 West 44th St., consisting of
two-story garage, a three-stor>- bull
ing and three five-story structure
powerful!
"One of the most
powerful dramas
produced for a
long time."
Pete Harrison
iTHE
/FILMDOH
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
riL. LI No. 13
Thursday, January 16, 1930
Price 5 Cents
L A. Houses Working to Prevent Police Regulation
riAN iNTERNATIONALCENSORSHIPCONFAB
Tri- State Exhibs Affirm Faith in M. P. T. O. A.
I The Big Three
-a column of controversy
=iBy JACK ALICOATE =
jTESTERDAY we bent our good
i in the general direction of a
iiiewhat provocative discussion that
ii only arrested our attention but
rjnediately brought us into the di-
<t geographical center of the argu-
lint in the role of a friendly and
servant listener. The question be-
t; discussed was "What three men
il: most important to the welfare
)|'the motion picture industry?"
I^S A MATTER of minor inter-
:; it might be added that among
I'Dse crossing word-swords over the
:introversy were some of the mosi
:|?hly paid if not the most analyti-
:i brains of the industry. Now i:
t2 hypothetical question had beer.
Vhat three men have done the
Dst for the industry?" or perchance
Vhat three men are best known in
ti industry?" the answer woulc Save
I'en comparatively simple and a-
ll; of relatively easy solution. I it
us not and so we found ourselves
iht back where we started with
tj; question being "What three men
'•it most important to the welfare
' the motion picture industry?"
iTHE ARGUMENT waxed long
id merry. Among those mention-
\ were: ZUKOR, because of the
feat organization he has built up.
AYS, because of his international
jnificance and guiding influence.
OX, because of his sound and
wsreel accomplishments. KATZ,
'cause of his tremendous theater
tivities. SARNOFF, because ot
U association with technical develop-
i:nts. HARRY WARNER, because
' his pioneering of sound. HEARST,
Icause of his publicity influence.
OXY, because he's the industry's
{Continutd on Pagt 2)
Vote to Hold Spring Con-
vention in Memphis,
April 6-7
Memphis — Renewed allegiance to
the M.P.T.O.A. was pledged here by
directors of the M.P.T.O. of Arkan-
sas, Mississippi and Tennessee at
their first 1930 meeting held at the
call of President J. F. Norman, of
England, Ark. The directors voted
to hold the spring Tri-State conven-
tion here on April 6 and 7. This is
contrary to precedent, as all spring
conventions heretofore have been
held in Little Rock, and the fall meet-
ings in Memphis.
$340,000,000 CAPITAL
Capital invested in the British film
industry aggregates $340,000,000 and
the investment in the industry in
France approximates $78,600,000, ac-
cording to figures just announced by
(Continued on Page 8)
Butterfield Now Controls
Four Consolidated Houses
Grand Rapids — By purchasing the
minority stockholders' interests in
the Consodidatcd Theaters, Inc., of
{Continued on Page 2)
Henley Assigned
Hobart Henley, who has just
completed direction of "The
Big Pond," starring Maurice
Chevalier, for Paramount at
its Long Island studio, has
been assigned to make the next
Chevalier talker. It will be
based on a Broadway stage
success.
LOEW 12 WEEKS' EARNINGS
SHOW 33 PER CENT JUMP
Earnings of Loew's, Inc., for the
12 weeks ended Nov. 22, 1929, are
reported at $3,151,954 by David Bern-
stein, vice president and treasurer of
the organization. This is an increase
of ZZ per cent over the $2,102,033 re-
ported for the same period in 1928.
Operating profit for the 1929 period
{Continued on Page 8)
Brookhart Definitely
Out of Abramson Case
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Senator Brookhart
told THE FILM DAILY yesterday
that he had withdrawn from the Ivan
Abramson case and would not rep-
resent Abramson in the suit against
producers in the Hays organization.
Exhibitors in Los Angeles
Fighting Proposed Ordinance
NEW niM STORAGE IflW
Toronto — New regulations govern-
ing the storage of films are to be
prepared following conclusion yester-
day of the Ontario government's of-
ficial inquiry into conditions sur-
rounding the handling and storage of
{Continued on Page 8)
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Exhibitors here are
working quietly to prevent the pass-
age of a police commission ordinance
calling for regulation of theaters. The
fire department was first to submit an
ordinance, which was aimed against
Main St. honky tonk houses. The
police commission measure also is di-
rected ostensibly against these honky
tonks, but exhibitors fear the ordi-
nance would provide loopholes for
stringent regulation of theaters.
Meeting on Film Problems
to be Held Next Fall
in St. Louis
St. Louis — An international confer-
ence to discuss censorship and
similar problems is expected to be
held here next fall under the auspices
of the Civic Union of St. Louis. Mrs.
Robbins Oilman, president of the
Federal Motion Picture Council of
America, probably will conduct the
meeting, and it is 'expected that vir-
{Continued on Page 2)
FOX SECURITIES CORP.
TO AID REHNANCING
Fox Securities Corp. has been
formed and will issue notes to aid in
the Fox refinancing plan. Just what
amount these notes will represent is
understood to have not been deter-
mined up to the present time.
David A. Brown, chairman of the
board of the Broadway Bank and
{Continued on Page 8)
Fox Urges Stockholders
to Accept Scrip Payment
In commenting upon the issuance
of scrip instead of a cash dividend
of $1 a share by Fox Film Corp.,
William Fox, president of the organ-
ization, yesterday said: "The corpora-
{Continued on Page 8)
^'See and Hear
by WILL H. HAYS
Fascinating Facts of
Historical Importance
APPEARING SERIALLY
Every Day in
The Film Daily
99
THE
*l
m*^
DAILY
Thursday, January 16, 193i
ALL THE HEW3
ALLTHE TIME
Vol. LI No. 13 Thursday, Januam 16. 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
ropyriglit (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York. N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months. $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood. California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
r,a Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 21 ^ 19/. 20 300
Con. Km. Ind 17 17 17 200
(on. Fm. Ind. pfd. 19}4 19^5 l^'A 500
East. Kodak 178 178 178 200
Fox Km. "A".... 22J4 21 22^ 67.700
•Keith AO 21
•do pfd 91
I.oew's, Inc 51^2 48?^ 50?i 9,600
'do pfd. WW (6^4) 86
•do pfd. xw (6H) 86
•MCJM pfd 23!/i ....
Para. K-1 54 51^ 54 17.300
Palhe Exch 3V4 3 3 1.000
,1(, 'A" eVi 6 6 1,000
K-K-O 25!4 23^ 24^28,900
•Univ. Pict. pfd 30
Warner Bros 48'/l 44!^ 48 98,500
do pfd 20Vi 19.H 19^^ 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Cohimliia Pets. .. 29% 27 29Ji 1,100
Fox Thea. "A" 5^ S^, 5M 2,900
Gen. Thea. Equ... 37 36 37 9,200
•Intern. Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts. . . 15 WA 15 1,000
•Loew's, Inc., war 3'/4 ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser 15H
•Nat. Thea. Sup 27!^
•Univ. Pict 9J4
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-O 6.s 46 75!^
Loew 6s 41 WW..102J4 102 102 140
*do 6s 41 x-war 93^4 ....
Paramount 6s 47.. 99 99 99 30
•Par. By. 5J^s51 101
Pathe 7s37 45 44?i 45 100
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City
1S40 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940
Eastman Films
J, E. Brulatour, Inc.
I
Chicago Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. "°0 Sam^a^Monica
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121
The Big Three
— a column of controversy
(Continued from Paije 1)
standout showman. MYERS, because
of his exhibitor influence. And sev-
eral others.
IT'S RATHER interesting, this
thought. Try it yourself when next
you are out with cinema friends
(Male). You'll find it much more
enjoyable than charades or anagrams.
Perhaps it's none of our business
anyway. W'e. have our own ideas on
the subject but space, plus diplomatic
reasons (mostly the latter), suggests
that we hold our tongue, or type-
writer as the case may be, and hurry
on to tasks — less mental and of more
stability.
Butterfield Now Controls
Four Consolidated Houses
(Continued from Pane 1)
this city, the W. S. Butterfield The-
aters, Inc., now has control of that
company's four houses, the Majestic,
Powers, Kent and I sis.
Witmark Offices Open Jan. 21
Official opening of the Witmark &
Sons offices in the new Cunningham
Building, New York, is scheduled for
Jan. 21. The offices contain space for
15 pianos, a radio and concert bureau
and special band and orchestra rooms.
New Color Film Reported
Geneva (By Cable) — A new color
film, known as the Berthon process,
has come to light here with the an-
noimcement that a corporation is
being formed to exploit the invention.
BromBeld Leaving for Coast
Louis Bromfield. novelist, leaves
today for the Coast where he will
work with Sidney Howard on the
"Raffles" script for Samuel Goldw>n.
Work on the Ronald Colman star-
ring picture will not begin until
Goldwyn returns to Hollywood.
Harry d'Arrast is slated to direct.
John M. Mulvihill Dies
Denver — John M. Mulvihill, 61.
owner of the Broadway, is dead fol-
lowing an illness that grew out of a
cold contracted while in New York
last month. Mulvihill also controlled
the Elitch Gardens theater, oldest
outdoor playhouse in the country.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tiieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
m4
PLAN INTERNATIONAL
CENSORSHIP CONEERENCE
(Continued from Page 1)
tually every country showing films
will be represented.
The Civic Union's position is that
the Federal government should re-
quire the film industry to produce and
market its pictures in such a manner
as to prevent unfair competition, loss
of national and international prestige
and bad effects on youth. This at-
titude, according to officials of the
Union, is not strictly censorship, but
it is contended that the making and
showing of pictures constitute a class
of industry that the Federal govern-
ment has a right to regulate.
Virginia Getting Ready
to Censor Talking Films
Richmond, Va. — Talkers, which up
to now have not been passed on by
the censors in this state, will under-
go deletions the same as in the case
of silents if the legislature, at present
in session, approves a $7,000 appro-
priation for the installation of sound
equipment in the censorship divi-
sion projection room, as expected.
Outside of this, no action affecting
\'irginia theaters is expected to be
taken by the new administration. It
is understood that no attempt will be
made to levy a 10 per cent tax on
theater tickets.
The Industry's
Date Book
Strauss to Compose for Warners
When Oscar Strauss, \'iennese
composer, arrives in this country
from Berlin Jan. 24, he will immedi-
ately depart for the W'arner Bros,
studios in Hollywood where he will
write original operettas for Vitaphone
productions.
Jan. 18 M. p. Projectionists Local No. 3i
celebrate 16th anniversary at Ast
Hotel. N. Y.
Premiere of "The Locked Doo
at the Rivoli.
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the Wor
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Joh
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual froHc of Fox Athlct
Club, Hotel Commodore. Ne
York City.
1 Meeting of non-theatrical prodace
at Washington, D. C.
7 Paramount Pep Club annual baD
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Cathol
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Mar. S First Day of Lent.
Mar. 20 Annual election of M.P.T.O.
Maryland.
April 6. 7 Spring convention of Tri-Sta
M.P.T.O. to be held at Memph;
June 2-7 International Cinema Congresi .
Brussels.
Feb.
Feb.
Erlanger, Heiman on Coast
Uest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAIL
Los Angeles — A. L. Erlanger h;
arrived here on his first visit in se\
eral years. He was accompanied b
Marcus Heiman, formerlj' presidei
of the Orpheum Circuit. Erlange
who has several theaters along tf
coast, is expected to acquire sever,
more during his stay here.
Jolson Going on Concert Tour
William Morris, Jr., has gone t
El Paso, Texas, in connection wit
a concert tour which Al Jolson i
opening in that city at Liberty Ha'
Saturdav. The tour will extend t
Jan. 30.
Rabell Joins Sono Art
W. H. "Bill" Rabell has joine
Sono Art-World Wide Pictures, Inc
as office manager of the company'
home office.
Columbia Pictures
CORPORATION
Announces that it now has
in the course of production
Coast Patrol
All Rights Reserved
TRADE PAPER
HEADLINES
tell the story of
PARAMOUNT SUPREMACY!
"THE MIGHTY" IN 3rd WEEK AT RIVOLI, NEW YORK
(2100 seats) BEATS HOUSE RECORD BY $19,300!
VARIEH'S ANNUAL POLL SHOWS GEORGE BANCROFT
FILMDOM'S LEADING BOX OFFICE STAR!
■ »■— «»l"|l.- ■!■■■.■ ■— ■ Mi'l. »■■.. ■" !.<■ ■ -
"THE LOVE PARADE" PLAYS TO S. R.O. 9th WEEK $2
CRITERION, N.Y. SMASH OPENINGS IN OTHER CITIES!
PARAMOUNT THEATRE, N.Y, WITH "POINTED HEELS"
TOPS ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS BY $6,200!
"VAGABOND KING "ACCLAIMED AT COAST PRE-VIEWS
GREATEST ALL -TECHNICOLOR HIT TO DATE!
V»^»«^n ■■* ^
SMART EXHIBITORS GRABBING PARAMOUNT'S NEW
11 HITS FOR SPRING RELEASE AT RECORD SPEED!
J
*«^^M^P#Wi
THE
■S&<^
DAILY
Thursday, January 16, 19
**SEE AXD HEAR'' By ^S^^^vi
The Development of Pictures from
Silents to Sound and Dialogue
^ayiA
Chapter V
The Modern Talking Picture
So far we have traced, however sketchily, the history of sound,
Now we come to the great new volume in the history of motion
pictures which is the record of the commercial development of
talking pictures as we know them today. Here we enter into an entire-
ly new phase of the motion pictures. Henceforth let no one make the
mistake of regarding sound simply as an embellishment. Sound today
is far more important than an eflFect. The talking picture is, in itself,
a distinctive art-form.
In order to understand fully how and why talking pictures de-
veloped as quickly as they did, it is necessary first to review the motion
picture situation as it existed early in 1926, at a time when motion
pictures had reached what appeared to be a peak in popularity. One
hundred million of our people each week were patronizing the 20,000
motion picture theaters ; the studios in Hollywood, in an effective
endeavor to meet the demands of the market for 800 feature pictures
a year, were operating at their maximum capacity. Competition had
never been keener. Every company was vying with every other com-
pany to attract the ablest writers, and the most efficient technicians.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars were being spent on new effects,
while an insatiable public demanded always something new.
In the larger cities competition had
become so keen that the theaters,
forced to fill their seats, inaugurated
a system of stage presentations which
for a time threatened to relegate the
picture to a position of secondary im-
portance. One elaborate revue after
another was cast as bait before the
public. Overhead costs mounted as
a consequence, while the margin of
profit showed slight tendency to in-
crease. A physician looking at the
industry would have been forced to
report that, while the patient was
fundamentally sound and healthy, he
was suffering from local disorders of
a decidedly uncomfortable nature.
It was into such a situation then,
that sound was destined to project
itself. Sound came at the opportune
moment. The field was fallow. Early
in 1926 engineers, who had been
quietly and persistently studying the
application of sound to moving pic-
tures, began to hint that they had
progressed far enough in their
experiments to warrant the belief
that commercially successful talking
pictures could be produced and mar-
keted. The producers themselves were
the first to hear such reports; but the
producers, with few exceptions, re-
ceived the sound proposals, if not
with indifference, at least with in-
credulity. They were not overcau-
tious, but in the past they had been
the victims of glittering reports of
sound. They chose wisely to wait for
developments. The engineers, how-
ever, were insistent.
For five years — that is, since 1921
they had been studying the use of
sound with pictures, hoping to de-
vise ways and means of applying what
they had learned about the trans-
mission of sound via the telephone,
the radio, and the phonograph to the
development of a special technique
relating to talking pictures. The
problem was not primarily one of
synchronizing sound and moving pic-
tures. That was a mechanical prob-
lem which could readily be solved.
Their real problem was to produce
satisfactory qualities of sound in ade-
quate volume. By applying the iden-
WILL H. HAYS
tical prinicples which they had used
in successfully transmitting the voice
over great distances on the telephone,
the engineers succeeded in recording
and amplifying sound in conjunction
with motion pictures.
As so often happens, several groups
of scientists, each working independ-
ently of the other, began their ex-
periments at about the same time.
One group consisted of the engineers
of the Bell Telephone Laboratories;
another group consisted of engineers
of the General Electric Company.
The findings of both groups reached
the present perfection approximate-
ly at the same time, but since the de-
vices emanating from the Bell Lab-
oratories, jointly owned by the Amer-
ican Telephone and Telegraph Com-
pany and Western Electric, were
given to the public first, it will serve
our purpose here to consider that de-
velopment initially.
The Bell Laboratories development
was carried forward on two major
lines: firstly, the recording of sound
on disc records operating in syn-
chronism with the film; and, secondly,
the recording of sound on the edge
of the film itself by means of a pho-
to-electric cell.
TO-MORROW
Another installment about the early days of the
talkers — and the first speech ever recorded for
the screen
Kead it in This Serial
EVERY DAY in THE FILM DAILY
As I have indicated, when the nev
of the new sound device reached tl
industry, there was a definite ten.
ency to leave sound alone. To oi
man, however, sound with pictun
made an instant appeal. That mt
was Sam Warner, one of the foi
Warner brothers who had been pr
ducing pictures for a number .
years. Sam Warner liked mechanic
devices. He was an early radio ei
thusiast, and it was not difficult t
induce him to visit the Bell Labor;
tories for a sight of the new talkin
device. Mr. Warner saw and aopr(,
elated the talking device. He wante
it. He wanted it badly, and immec
lately he planned to interest in tl;
device his three brothers — Han
Warner, Major Albert Warner, an
Jack Warner. Harry Warner, pre'
ident of the company, shook his heai
He knew pathetic stories about me
who had dabbled in sound. But 1:
persistence Sam Warner succeeded i
last in getting his brother's conse:
to attend a demonstration.
That demonstration was destine
to make a revolutionary change in th
motion picture Industry, for Han
Warner, like his brother Sam, sa\
and was convinced. He was read
to throw the entire resources of hi
cornpany behind the untried talkin
device, to stake everything, includ
Ing his future, on one high throw
The great success which has com
to his company is attributable to tl
courage which Harry Warner dis
played on that occasion.
The immediate result of the tw
demonstrations — one for Sam War
ner and one for Harry Warner — wa
that, in April, 1926, the Westerv
Electric Company licensed Warne'
Brothers to produce talking picture,
under its system and patents. Th
Warners elected to use the disi.
method and the name they, chose fo
their device was the Vitaphone. Tb'
first experiments were made in tlil
old Vitagraph Studio in Flatbusl
Brooklyn.
At that time Warner Brother
were completing the new John Bar
rymore picture called Don Juan. Tht
production represented a large in
vestment. Convinced that the sue
cess of the Vitaphone dependec
largely on its proper introduction tc
the public, the Warners decided tc
make the Barrymore film their firsi
Vitaphone picture, and to show it at
the only theater in the world equip-
ped for the Vitaphone — their own
theater at Broadway and S2nd Street,
New York City. The New York
Philharmonic Orchestra, under the
direction of Henry Hadley, was en-
gaged to make the synchronized
musical accompaniment of the pic-
ture. I
(Continued Tomorrow) !
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributor!
of America
THE
lursday, January 16, 1930
DAILY
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
IBaltimore— New releasing policy is
ing watched with interest by local
(hibitors, with the showing of "Gol.
iggers of Broadway," at the Royal.
; colored house, before it was re
'ised to the residential houses an
bile it was beirig shown at Keith';
bwntown.
'Cleveland— Jack Flanagan, presi-
,nt of the Tri-State M. P. Co., ha
/turned from the west coast where
',: recuperated from a severe illness.
■Portland, Me. — With the acquisi-
un and taking over of management
( the Strand by Publix, William E.
..ieves, manager of the house for
le past 17 years has resigned. An
(Itirely new staff is being installed
Ij- the new operators.
Findley, O. — W. L. Peacock, for-
erly manager of the Grand Opera
ouse, Wilmington,. Del., is now
anaging the Harris here for Harris
heaters. Ken Hoel, who was at the
ical house, has succeeded Peacock
1 the Grand Opera House, also
cfvned by the same chain.
iMadison, Wis. — A. P. Desormeaux,
jno for many years has been engag-
% in exhibition, is operating the
w Eastwood which recently open-
t. here with a seating capacity of
000. An organ and Western Elec-
"k sound equipment are features of
,e new structure.
iMoultrie, Ga. — Charlie Powell has
)ened the new Moultrie, which has
!en under construction for the past
veral months. The house has a
iating of 1,000.
I Detroit — Frank Reisenberg has
(ken over operation of the Strand,
Tmer Kunsky house. He formerly
IS booker for the Woodward The-
?r Co.
Kansas City, Mo. — L. B. Sponsler
IS replaced Henry Ellenberger as
anager of the Waldo, a Fox house.
Jackson, Mo. — C. C. Payne has
:en appointed manager of the Cir-
e here and the Broadway and Park,
ape Girardeau, Fox houses.
! New York
Park Ridge Theater Co. has taken
er the Mirror, formerly the~Park,
id operated by Barr Bros. The
>use is now being remodeled and
und equipment is being installed.
Fox Metropolitan has disposed of
,'0 Brooklyn theaters. The Irving
• s been taken over by Joe Quittner
• d the Gem has been acquired by
'e Nelson and Renner Circuit. In
'e latter house Western Electric is
being installed and will be ready for
reopening shortly.
Work has been completed on tht
,irst four of a series of 52 one-reel
ducational subjects produced b}
Jl'A and synchronized by North
American Sound & Talking Picture
Equipment Corp., makers and dis-
ributors of Tone-O-Graph, which
las the exclusive distribution rights
II this country. The shorts are in-
tended for use in schools and col-
leges.
"The Kaiser in War and Peace,"
a compilation of newsreel material
/showing the ex-ruler in the highlights
of his career, will open Jan. 25 at the
Film Guild Cinema.
Recent sales by North American
Sound & Talking Picture Equipment
Corp. include orders for their Tone-
O-Graph device for the Nettlefilm of
Berlin; Victory, New Haven; Elite,
Manor, Pa.; Victoria and Princess,
Baltimore; Star, LafTerty, O.; Rialto
and Mahoning, Young§town, O.;
Grange Hall, Copake, N. Y.; Old
Home, Six Mile Run, Pa.
West Orange, N. J.— J. P. Wolfe
has taken over the Park.
Marlboro, N. Y. — ^The Advance
has changed hands. W. G. Stout ac-
quired the house from E. H. Faust.
Woodcliffe, N. J. — The Broadway
Theater Corp. has purchased the
Broadway from 991 Broadway Thea-
ter Corp.
Hillside, N. J. — J. Unger is now
operating the Mayfair.
E. Rutherford, N. J.— The Rex has
been taken over by H. Blumenthal
of the E. & B. Amusement Corp.
Foreign
Strassburg (By Cable) — Only films
made in France are to be shown here-
after to children in the schools of
Alsace and Lorraine, according to
an order just issued. Until now the
pictures, dealing with geography
and natural history, have been sup-
plied from Germany.
Tunis — Because of the language
problem and small theaters, sound
pictures have not as yet made their
appearance here. Consul Leland L.
Smith declares.
Paris — A charge of 50 francs is
now being asked for permits to film
pictures in the streets.
Australia — Markophone is the name
of the new sound device which will
soon be put on the market for $7,500.
Berlin — First National has secured
the screen rights to "Schiessbude," by
Alice Stein-Landsemann and Carl
Meinhard.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
18 Noted Music Writers
on First National Roster
Eighteen prominent composers
and lyric writers are now on the First
National roster. The staff includes
Jerome Kern, Otto A. Harbach, Os-
car Hammerstein II, Sigmund Rom-
berg, Eddie Warde, Al Bryant, Har-
ry Akst, Grant Clarke, Con Conrad,
Sidney Mitchell, Archie Goettler, Al
Dubin, Joe Burke, M. Jerome, Harold
Berg, Michael Cleary, Ned Washing-
ton and Herb Magidson.
Fox Signs Capt. Meighan
Capt. John (Kinky) Meighan has
been signed by Fox to write the story
and dialogue for Raoul Walsh's nexi
picture, temporarily titled "Broad
Minded." Victor McLaglen and Ed-
mund Lowe will be co-starred.
Regis Toomey in "Framed"
Regis Toomey has been given the
male lead opposite Evelyn Brent in
Radio's "Framed" which is to be di-
rected by George Archainbaud.
"Framed" was authored and adapted
by Paul Schofield.
"Floradora" for Screen
"The Floradora Girl," it is under-
stood, will be the next vehicle for
Marion Davies, with Paul Bern super-
vising the scenario and Harry Beau-
mont slated to direct.
Frank McCormack for "Grischa"
Frank McCormack has been en-
gaged by Radio Pictures to assist
Herbert Brenon in dialogue re-
hearsals and to play two bits in
"The Case of Sergeant Grischa."
"U" Starts "Sporting Youth" Series
Ninth chapter of the "Sporting
Youth" series has gone into produc-
tion at Universal under the direction
of Ray Taylor. This chapter deals
with a motion picture studio with cast
including, Ann Christy, Alice Doll,
Summer Getchell, Bob Foster, Tom
Carr, Kay McCoy and Edward
Morgan.
Jean Arthur for Powell Film
Jean Arthur has been added to the
cast supporting William Powell in
"The Benson Murder Case" which is
being jjirected by Louis Gasnier. E.
H. Calvert and Louis John Bartels
also are among the players.
Haines Gets Big Supporting Cast
Supporting William Haines in his
latest M-G-M vehicle will be Arthur
Hoyt, Francis X. Bushman, Jr.,
Clarence Burton, Fred Kelsey,
Blanche Frederici and Martha Mat-
tox. Sam Wood is directing.
Shaw Play for Dennis King
Paramount is understood to be
negotiating for the rights to Bernard
Shaw's "The Devil's Disciple" as the
basis of ja. . xmisical play for .Dennis
King.
A Little
from *' Lots'*
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
W.A.LTER O'KEEFE, South Bend,
Ind., boy, who made good in New
York and Hollywood, has been cast
in an important role in "High Soc-
iety Blues," which David Butler will
direct. Walter is a song writer and
master of ceremonies. He was mas-
ter of ceremonies at the Colony, New
York, before coming to Hollywood,
under contract to Pathe.
* * *
Jackie Heller, late Orpheum
artist has been signed by M-G-
M for a series of shorts. He
will start the first under the di-
rection of Marty Brooks, at an
early date.
* * *
Rowland V. Lee is busy at Para-
mount, where he is directing George
Bancroft in "Ladies Love Brutes."
Lee also directed Bancroft in "The
Wolf of Wall Street."
* 1^ *
Our Passing Show: Jack
Warner, Daryl Zanuck, Roy
Del Ruth, Bill Koenig, Lloyd
Bacon and other members of
the Warner producing forces
returning from a week-end
duck hunting trip; Wells Root
busy at Universal.
James Gleason With Tiffany
James Gleason has been engaged
by Tiffany for a leading part in
"Cyclone Hickey," talker adaptation
of a story by A. P. Younger.
Harrigan Replaces Lee Tracy
William Harrigan has replaced Lee
Tracy in "On the Level," Fox pro-
duction directed by Irving Cum-
mings.
F. N. Completes "Back Pay"
Corinne Griffith's latest for First
National, "Back Pay" has been com-
pleted. In the cast are Grant With-
ers, Montagu Love, Vivien Oakland
and Hallam Cooley.
Alison Skipworth Signed by M-G-M
Alison Skipworth has been signed
by M-G-M for the part of Lady Kit-
ty in Somerset Maugham's play,
"The Circle."
Fields' Daughter to Write Music
Dorothy Fields, daughter of Lew
Fields of Weber & Fields, will arrive
in Hollywood shortly to write music
for M-G-M.
Bernice Claire for "Jail Break"
Bernice Claire has been cast for
the leading part in "Jail Break," First
National producton. Raymond Hac-
kett has the leading male role.
DAILy
Thursday, January 16, 1930;
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Sound Films Influencing
Better Music, Rapee Says
THE talking picture is going to
be the most important influ-
ence in American music within
the next few years, he stated
crisply. Even today, after a
bare year of awkward experi-
mentation, it is certainly the most
powerful influence in popular
American music. It even sur-
passes the radio in widespread
influence, and the practice of cre-
ating original material for every
picture has started this new form
of art out on a path that will
inevitably lead it into e.xperimen-
tal channels that will bring out
and exploit every new musical
idea that grows out of the
American people.
I can see beyond this experi-
mental thing we now call the
"talkie" the influence that will
crystallize American music in
one medium and form a melting
pot for musical ideas that will
eventually take the form of an
American school of music.
Emo Rapee in
New York "Telegram"
* * *
Pictures a Big Factor
In Debunking the Country
THROUGH the potent medium
of the movies Broadway's in-
fluence is now being exerted in
every Main Street in the land,
and Broadway's hard-boiled phil-
osophy is rapidly becoming a na-
tional religion.
This strange development is
not attributable entirely to the
use of dialogue on the screen.
It had started some time before
the Vitaphone and Movietone
came into being. These noisy
devices have only served to hast-
en its progress to a startling ex-
tent
What gave it the initial impe-
tus was the craze for debunking
which followed the war.
Robert E. Sherwood in
New York "Evening Post"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
J. HAROLD MURRAY
Passing Show of 1921
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
HARRY TIERNEY, who is a member of the Coast film col-
ony, is represented on Broadway by "Son O' Guns," musi-
cal hit, the music of which he composed. Harry, now with
Radio, wrote tuneful pieces for such successes as "Irene," "Rio
Rita" and "Kid Boots." Birth of Vitaphone and its de-
velopment will be discussed by Albert S. Howson, Warner
scenario editor, at a meeting of the Women's Club of Bronx-
ville tonight
* ♦ * ♦
Sam Datlowe, writing in behalf of Mike Mindlin, avows
that 112 barrels of beer (near) and 138 pounds of pretzels have
been consumed by Fifth Ave. Playhouse customers who have
come in to see "The Royal Box," Warner all-talking feature in
German dialogue. The opus soon enters its fifth week
Charley Giegerich is happy over the treatment given "Wild
Waves," Celebrity cartoon, at the premiere of "Hit the Deck"
the other night at the Earl Carroll
* * * ♦
Joseph M. Schenck, on his return trip from dear ol' Lunnou,
occupied the same suite aboard the He de France that was used
by Mayor Jimmy Walker on his famous jaunt over there
Samuel Goldwyn, who with Mrs. Goldvvyn (Frances Howard of
"The Best People") was with the Schenck party, has been over
and back so many times that the trans-Atlantic vessels are be-
ginning to look like ferry boats to him. In spite of this, Gold-
wyn says he's always glad to get back here
* * * *
Vera Steadman also is among those just returned from
abroad — in her case it was Paris And among those who
excursioned down the bay to greet the various arrivals were
Warren Nolan, Lynn Farnol and William Keefe Law-
rence Schwab is taking the longest way 'round to California,
being scheduled to sail on Jan. 25 for Los Angeles to help talkify
"Follow Thru" for Paramount
4i * * «
William James Craft, directing George Sidney and Charlie
Murray in "The Cohens and Kellys in Scotland," has been
capitalizing on the constant rains in Californy by incorporating
some of the atmosphere in the picture and calling "Scotch mist."
* * * »
Marie Prevost, who is seen as a "whoopee queen'' in Tif-
fany's "Party Girl" now raking them in at the Gaiety, N. Y.,
began her cinema career as a bathing beauty, same as Gloria
Swanson, Phyllis Haver and others Emo Rapee, joining
Warners as musical director, will be the guest of honor at to-
day's luncheon tendered him at Sardi's "Good Medicine,"
Educational-Coronet talker comedy, was the first short selected
for the opening of the bill at the L. A. Orpheum upon adoption
of its sound policy
* * * *
Complete list of all fireproof screens will be found in the
BUYING GUIDE of the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
JANUARY 16-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Lawford Davidson
Harry Carey
Arthur Kay
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
A PRODUCTION that runs o
the screen for less than five min
utes, took two years to line up, am
features in his first talking role th
richest man who ever appeared be
fore a camera, is by way of being ,
real achievement, you will admit. C
E. Engelbrecht of the Fox-Hears
Corp. takes credit for the achieve
ment, and the actor in question i
no less than John D. Rockefeller
If you were a producer and had t(
pay this notable personality wha
his time is worth per minute, you'<^
probably go in the red for the en|
tire season.
Referring to that hill in Congress
to take the bounty off killing bale
eagles, why not put it on reformer;
and other fillum meddlers? Ever
their relatives would go out gunninf
for them.
at
neighborhood
Overheard
house:
Little Boy: "Oh, dad, why does
that man clutch the lady around the
neck?"
Dad (an absent-minded jewelry
salesman) : "He's just measuring her
for a pearl necklace, my boy."
Nursery Chimes
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocketful of rye,
The indie producers
Have gone bye-bye.
* ♦ *
Modern Fairy Tales
The president of a sound equip-
ment concern admitted that a rivai
company had a good product, too.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAVl
Zukor denies Famous building the-
aters; says Wall St. does not control
company.
* * +
First National members have 75
theaters under construction in vari-
ous sections of the country.
* ♦ *
Alan Dwan reported leaving May-
flower.
* * *
Col. Levy seeks to rid features of
scenes containing commercial adver-
tising.
*Wow! What A Book.
*Now On The Presses.
*Out On Time As Usual.
*Larger Than Ever.
*More Advertising.
^1200 Compelling Pages.
"^Covers Everything.
^Goes Everywhere.
We are talking about the annual Film Daily Year
Book — the recognized standard reference, infomvative
and statistical volume of the motion picture industry.
THE
s2E2S
DAILV
Thursday, January 16, 1931
"Dynamite"
M-G-M
Capitol, N. Y.
AMERICAN — * • * It is devoid of all the
subtlety and cliarin of suggestion, and covers
a too great canvas with gobs of raw, livid
color. But it is nerve rasping as a file or
glass, and quite liable to grin you in its
sweep and leave you a little taut and tremb'y
at its finish. • * • ,
DAILY NEWS — * * * What an explosive,
vivid, virile bolt of talking celluloid !
Cecil DeMille offers it— his first since "Tlu-
Godless Girl." And it's just loaded with ac-
tion. DeMille gives us red-hot romance and
spectacle combined. And there's a dash of
jazz-mad life.
In fact "Dynamite" has everything, and
then some. * * *
HERALD — * * * There is, from time I'
lime, a certain gusto and extravagant imagi-
nation of the type De Mille usually manages
to capture, but, with all reverence for the
eminent director, it must be said that "Dyiia
mite" is a pretty silly picture, filled with
excesses of plot, settings, dialogue and act
ing and so lengthy that, for all its fury ol
melodrama, it succeeds in being dull and
lethargic. * * *
TELEGRAM—* * * It is for the most
part a slow moving, lengthy, heavy-handec:
production that has as its only claim to di^
tinction some effective sequences depicting an
explosion in a coal mine and some miBht>
fine acting by Charles Bickford and Ka>
Jfohnson and, surprisingly enough, by Con
rad Nagel. ♦ • *
TIMES—* * * Both Mr. De Mille as the
director and Miss Jeanie Macpherson as the
author need a restraining hand to guide
them, for the result of this audacious ad
venture becomes a hodgepodge, with char
acters behaving strangely and conversing in
movie epigrams. « ♦ *
WORLD — * * * Too, it has not occurred
to me before that Mr. De Mille could direct
with so little imagination and so little of
pace. "Dynamite" is a long time getting
round to the business at hand, and when that
moment does arrive it is neither a surprise
nor much of a shock. * * •
Original Roxy Company
Sued by Stockholders
Charging that Herbert Lubin, Har-
ry G. Kosch and other directors of
the Organizers Holding Corp., which
succeeded the Associated Pictures
Corp. and the Associated Holding
Corp., original owner of the option
on the site now occupied by the
Roxy, has made large secret profits,
Benjamin and Herman Warendorf
have filed a stockholders' action in
Supreme Court seeking to prevent
dissolution of the company and ask-
ing for an examination of its books.
Columbia Makes Cohen
Special Foreign Rep.
Harry J. Cohen, has been made
special foreign representative of Co-
lumbia. The appointment follows
close on the selection of Milton J.
Schwartz as Columbia's European
sales manager and the opening of
offices in Paris and London. Cohen
takes over his new post immediately
and will make his headquarters in
New York. He recently was affili-
ated with Pacent, which he repre-
sented abroad, and previous to that
he held positions with Warner, Met-
ro, and the old General Film.
Chicago Rialto Wired
Chicago — The Rialto, a burlesque
house, now is equipped with Western
Electric apparatus.
$340,000,000 CAPITAL
(Continued from Page 1)
the International Labor Office.
Italy, Spain and Soviet Russia each
have 2,000 theaters now, says the re-
port. There are more than 1,300
houses in Sweden, over 1,000 in
Czechoslovakia and nearly 800 in
Belgium.
In Great Britain approximately
70,000 persons earn their living
tl)rough the cinema industry, the
Labor Office estimates.
New Film Storage Law
Being Framed in Ontario
(.Continued from Page 1)
films in local exchanges. The in-
quir.\-, influenced by the recent studio
fire in New York, was started after
Deputy Fire Marshal Lewis had or-
dered removal of films from the War-
ner office. The order being appealed.
'Ction was taken. Counsel represent-
ing distributors has promised co-
operation in the removal of hazards.
Loew 12 Weeks' Earnings
Show 33 Per Cent Jump
(Continued from Page 1)
was $4,240,743 compared with $2,-
997,276 the previous year while de-
preciation and taxes amounted to $1,-
088,789 for 1929 as against the $895,-
243 tlie previous year.
60 Pictures Condemned
in Canada During 1929
Toronto — Sixty pictures were con-
demned, 631 were ordered revised
with deletions, and 1,805 were ap-
proved without change by the On-
tario Board of Censors during 1929,
according to the annual report just
made. The releases examined included
719 in sound.
Maryland Exhibitors
Hold Election in March
Baltimore — Annual election of offi-
cers by the M.P.T.O. of Maryland
will take place March 20. A nom-
inating committee, consisting of Wal-
ter Pacey, chairman; Julius Good-
man, H. Zimmerman, E. B. McCur-
dy has been appointed.
Zelma O'Neal Under Knife
li'cst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Zelma O'Neal is in a
hospital here recuperating after an
operation for appendicitis. She was
stricken while flying from San Fran-
cisco to this city. Miss O'Neal's hus-
band, Anthony Bushell, is here mak-
ing talkers.
Burn Up Flood Scene
Toronto — Fire occurred in the pro-
jection rooin of ther Duchess while
showing the flood scene in "Noah's
Ark," and burned up the film. Sam
Goodman, operator, fought the fire
while other employees quieted the
audience.
m SECURITIES CORP.
TO AID REFINANCING
(Continued from Page 1)
Trust Co., has been elected treasurer
of the company. Jules A. Brulatour,
who was named president and a di-
rector at a company meeting held
Tuesday, resigned yesterday, stating
that he was unable to assume the
duties involved owing to the pres-
sure of other business and plans for
a trip to Honolulu.
Fox Urges Stockholders
to Accept Scrip Payment
(Continued from Page 1)
Uon had and has sufficient surplus,
amounting to over $22,000,000, out of
which the directors lawfully could
declare and pay such dividends and
at the time such dividend was de-
clared it was expected that the tem-
porary financing arising out of vari-
ous acquisitions would be permanent-
ly funded so that there would be no
difficulty in meeting the cash require-
ments for this dividend, amounting
to $920,560.
".Such permanent funding of the
corporation's indebtedness has not yet
been accomplished. The corporation
therefore asks for the loyal coopera-
tion of its stockholders in this diffi-
culty and requests stockholders to ac-
cept in lieu of the cash payment of the
current quarterly dividend the cor-
poration's dividend certificate which
is inclosed."
Fox Business Reported
at New All-Time Record
For the week ending last Saturday
the Fox receipts, including business
both in this country and abroad, were
the biggest in the company's history,
the Fox offices report. About $250,-
000 was collected outside of the U. S.
and Canada alone. Gross for the
month of December was 40 per cent
ahead of the same period in 1928.
W. E. Total is 4466; 3322
in U. S. and 1144 Abroad
Total installation of Western Elec-
tric sound equipment in the world
now is 4,466 with the United States
having 3,322 and 1,144 installations
completed in 44 foreign countries, ac-
cording to the company.
National Screen Service
to Make Tiffany Trailers
Tiffany, through General Sales
Manager Oscar R. Hanson, has con-
tracted with the National Screen
Service for all trailers on Tiffany re-
leases, starting with Mae Murray in
"Peacock Alley."
"Love Parade" Broadcast to Byrd
"The Love Parade," showing at
the Prince Edward Theater, Sydney,
Australia, has been broadcast to Ad-
miral Richard E. Byrd in the Antarc-
tic. Within a half hour after the
broadcast a reply was received from
the Byrd expedition.
New Theaters
Pittsburgh — Alfred Karp will build a thej(
ater at Beaver Falls to replace the Colonia'i
Burington, Vt. — Plans for the Publix hous<
to be built here are expected to be read}
soon.
Hamilton. O. — John Eberson is drawing
plans for the new Paramount. The liousi
will be owned by Midham Co. of Cincinnal
and leased to Publix.
Oakland, Cal. — Warners have purchased the
site at Broadway and Franklin Sts., for :
new $5,000,000 house to seat 4,500.
Middletown, O. — Harry Lynch, real estate
operator, has purchased for a client the sil(
at Broadway, downtown, for the erection oi
a 2,000-seat house.
El Paso, Tex. — Publix has taken out
permit for one unit of their new Pla?,
theate-.
More Tone-0-Graphs Ordered
Tone-O-Graph, new Baby Granc
sound device, will be installed at thi
Princess, Jacksonville, Fla., Sanforc
and Etta, Ocala. Other theaters tc
order Tone-O-Graph equipment in
elude the Sample at Fort Pearce, ,
link in the Sunrise Theaters, Int
chain. ,
Moe Mark in. California 1
n'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILi
Los Angeles — Moe Mark has ar-
rived here and is reported looking
over several propositions for invest-
ment. He plans to stay here unti
May before returning to the East.
"Hell's Harbor" Premiere Jan. 27
Premiere of "Hell's Harbor," Hen
ry King's latest for Inspiration, i:
scheduled to have its premiere a
the Tampa theater, Tampa, Jan. 27
Lou Lusty is en route to Tampa ti
supervise arrangements.
MARVELOUS!
"Outstanding and
marvelous picture
in every degree."
Moving Picture Review
(/'FILMDOM
iiLLTHE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
VL. LI No. 14
Friday, January 17, 1930
Price 5 Cents
City Committee Investigating Studio Hazards
COMMiraE TO FIX WIDE FILM STANDARDS
Civen Time Extension in Fireproof Screens Edict
The yiirror
—a column of comment
•ORTY-EIGHT LESS foreign
ftures were imported to the United
i tes in 1929 than during the pre-
us year. Quota systems can't be
imed for this reduction in the num-
I of foreign fihii emigrants to
Sierica. It's directly attributable to
«nd — the same sound which play-
: havoc with the foreign markets
ijAmerican distributors. When Eu-
|)ean producers master this busi-
jis of consistently making good box-
Ice dialogue pictures the chances
'■ that they'll find a receptive mart
f their product over on this side of
j; Atlantic. Pictures that fit into
t American public's idea of enter-
jnment will never find trade bar-
irs to obstruct them.
CASH CUSTOMERS in Publix
iises have increased 15,000,000
ekiy. No finer tribute can be paid
industry than this statement
anating from one of its major the-
ir chains. Indirectly it tosses bou-
ets on all branches of the business
collectively, they have worked
th enterprise and diligence. Not
ly is it a compliment to Publix
eration but, beyond that, to the
m who make product in all the
idios.
* ♦ *
SIX DETROIT theaters are giv-
? all-night picture shows and,
dging from reports, find that it's a
ying business. Doesn't that make
u wonder whether such a policy
ght go over with a bang in your
use, providing you're situated in a
ely, business section?
Philly Exhibitors Now
Have Until Jan. 31
to Make Change
Philadelphia — Exhibitors of this
city now have until Jan. 31 to install
fireproof screens, an extension hav-
ing been granted by Fire Marshal
James Mulhern. Originally theater
owners were allowed a two-weeks'
period in which to make the change.
A committee representing the
M.P.T.O. of Eastern Pennsylvania
is co-operating with the fire depart-
ment officials in an effort to adjust
the situation. Unless houses carry
out the department's instructions
they are liable to be forced to close
as their licenses expire within a few
days.
NEW L. A. ORDINANCE
WILL ONIT CENSORSHIP
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Following wholesale
criticism of the recent order for an
ordinance governing local theaters,
the Police Commission has instruct-
ed City Attorney Werner to draft an
ordinance devoid of any censorship
and Sunday closing features. The
measure will seek to suppress Main
St. honky tonks and others that vio-
lated the obscene production ordi-
nance.
Buys Television Rights
Universal is preparing to
meet any revolutionary changes
with the development of tele-
vision by acquiring television
rights to all stories purchased.
First contract covering such
rights was for "Carnival," by
William R. Doyle.
CRAIG PROPOSES 25
PER CENT QUOTA RAISE
By ERNEST IV. PREDMAN
Editor, "The Daily Film Renter"
I^ondon (By Cable) — Proposal that
the quota be increased 25 per cent
inmiediately has been made by
Gordon Craig. He would have Brit-
ish productions cost a minimum of
$75,000. The plan has aroused sharp
criticism and it seems that there is
no possibility of such a ridiculous
scheme going through.
Predict Gaumont Merger
with Aubert-Franco-Film
Paris (By Cable) — Eventual mer-
ger of Aubert-Franco-Film with Gau-
mont is predicted in local film cir-
cles. According to the reports, an
agreement to this end already has
been reached. The activities of both
companies cover production, distribu-
tion and marketing of apparatus.
Studio Survey Preliminary
to Changes in Ordinances
FAMINE OF SILENT FILMS
IS FEARED IN AUSTRIA
Vienna (By Cable) — Owing to the
world demand for talkers and the
consequent fall in deniand for silent,'-
made in Austria, this country fears
(Continued on Page 2)
For the purpose of recommending
necessary amendments to the city
code of ordinances as a safeguard
against film studio fires, a special
conmiittee of experts composed of
representatives of the fire department
and insurance companies is making a
survey of all studios in the metropoli-
tan area. The RCA Gramercy and
the Paramount plants already have
been inspected. Special attention is
(Continued on Page 8)
S.M.P.E. Body Scheduled
to Meet in New York
on Jan. 27
Efforts toward standardization of
wide film will be made at a meeting
of the standardization committee of
the S.M.P.E. scheduled for Jan. 27
at the Engineering Bldg. Providing
an agreement is reached as to a prac-
tical width, recommendation will be
made to the Society that it be adopt-
ed as a standard. Fixing of a stand-
ard by the Society is regarded as
(Continued on Page 2)
LEAPER NAMED PUBLIX
NEW YORK CITY MANAGER
E. I. Leaper, manager of the Para-
mount, New York, since its opening,
has been appointed city manager for
Publix in New York and soon takes
over his duties. His jurisdiction
covers the Broadway houses and the
Paramount in Brooklyn.
A number of changes are being
(Continued on Page 8)
Widow Takes up Battle in
Non-Union Akron House
Akron, O. — Mrs. Lucille Palmer,
widow of Parker J. Palmer, whose
recent death is laid to worry and
desperation over outrages against his
_ (Continued on Page 8)
You Will Be Fascinated
by the Interesting Facts
Contained in
See and Hear"
By Wiirn. Hays
Appearing Serially in
The FILM DAILY
THE
■^E2S
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y.. and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
vAU Inc J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M Mersereau.
Secretary -Treasurer and General Manager,
Arthur W. Eddy, Managmg Editor. En-
tered as second c'^ss matter May 21, 1918
at the post-office at New York,^ N. «•- "°<1"
?he act^f March 3, 1879 Ter".s (PosUge
free) United States outs.de of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, |5.00, J
months! $3.00. Foreign, $15 00. Sufcscr.bers
Tould remit with order Addr^s all com
munications to THE FILM ^^AILY, 650
Rroadwav New York, N. Y. Phone L,ircie
?736-4"7:4738-4739. Cable address: F.lmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
8.M.P.E. COMMITTEE TO
FIX WIDE rim STANDARDS
(Continued from Page 1)
equivalent to its adoption by the in-
dustry.
At present the film in use varies
in width. Fihn used by Fox in con-
nection with Grandeur is understood
to be the widest, being 70 mms. in
width.
Comprising the S.M.P.E. stand-
ardization committee are: A. C.
Hardy, chairman; M. C. Batsel. W.
H. Carson, A. DeBrie, Lee DeFor-
est, J. A. Dubray, Elmer W. Eng-
strom, P. H. Evans, Herbert Griffin.
Roscoe C. Hubbard, L. A. Jones, N.
N. LaPorte, W. P. Powers, G. S.
Rackett, William B. Rayson, V. B.
Sease, T. E. Shea, John P. Spence,
Earl I. Sponable and L. T. Troland.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
c t 20'/i 20 20»4 200
Am. Seat. j^ A ^^ (* ^00
•Keith AG ^\
;tJ^finc:-::::: 52^ 56^ 50^ 5;6oo
*do pfd. WW (6!4) 8"
*do pfd. xw (6K2) 86 ....
^^-^r .::::: Vm ^ ^ ^yZ
^f^"^- :.:::: H k \v. "'"^
R.K-O 25/8 23J4 23/2 50,800
S^r^s''";:: x^a ^^a \ 43:600
do pfd 43 43 43 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
Columbl Pctl' ".■.'. 29 j^ 28 ji 29/^ ' 600
Fox Thea. "A".. 7 (>Vt, (>A 8,600
Gen. Thea. Equ... 37/, 36/^ 37'/2 4.600
•Intern. Proj ■ 25 ..-■
Loew do deb. rts.. UVi H^ UVi 100
Loew's, Inc. war. 5}^ 5 5 200
*Nat. Scr. Ser 15 5i
Nat. Thea. Sup... 25 25 25 100
*Univ. Pict 9^5
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AC 6s 46.. 75 75 75 10
Loew 6s 41ww...l02^ 102^^ 102.>^ 80
*do 6s 41 x-war 9354 ....
Paramount 6s 47.. 99 98}i 99 120
•Par. By. 5}^s51 101
Pathe 7s37 46 46 46 20
• LAST PRICE QUOTED
f"^*""""' ^
\i New York Long Island City Jjf
M 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. f{
g BRYant 4712 STIIlwell 7940 «
i Eastman Films %
H ^
ii 1, E. Brulatour, Inc. l-t
'^ ft
g %
it Chicago Hollywood j*j
ft 1107 j^a;,^-, &»> *""• Santa Monica ♦>
j'l 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j g
ft CAIumet 2691 HOlIywood 4121 •>
Fox Controls Over 780
Houses in United States
Theaters owned by Fox Film Corp.
and Fox Theaters Corp. in the United
States now total more than 780, says
the prospectus issued in connection
with Fox Securities Corp., which is
issuing $35,000,000 in three-year 7 per
cent notes. Fox enterprises only
own a "substantial interest" in more
than 300 theaters in England, states
the prospectus, evidently referring to
the Gaumont chain. Distribution is
through 131 offices throughout the
world.
Alexander S. Kempner is treasurer
of Fox Securities Corp. and Emanuel
Newman is secretary.
EAMINE OF SILENT FILMS
IS FEAM AUSTRIA
{Continued from Page 1)
a famine of silent films unless the
contingent on imported pictures is
abolished. The inland market for
native pictures is insufficient to keep
the industry working, while the cine-
mas are allowed to import only 20
pictures for each one made in this
country. Production here has fallen
off so fast that the available suppl>
of foreign product is insufficient.
Theater owners are appealing to the
government for relief.
Judge Blocks Straw Vote
on Sunday Show Question
Columbus, Mo. — On application
filed by the Columbia Theaters Corp.,
Circuit Judge Collier has leased a
permanent injunction to prevent the
Columbia City Council from holding
a straw vote to decide a controversy
over Sunday shows.
Gaumont Plans to Issue
Super Sound News Reel
London (By Cable) — A new edi-
tion of the Gaumont Sound News is
scheduled to rnake its appearance
twice weekly beginning Jan. 20, an
official announcement of the com-
pany states. The present Gaumont
Sound News will be continued, but
this also is to be issued twice a week.
Friday, January 17, l!3
The Industry's
Date Book
Maurice Baron Becomes
Conductor at the Roxy
With the promotion of Joseph Lit-
tau to the post of director of music
at the Roxy, New York, Maurice
Baron has been elevated from stafl^
composer of the house to the posi-
tion of conductor, together witli
Mischa Violin.
Eisenstein to Make Talker
for Franco-American Co.
Paris — S. M. Eisenstein, Russian
director, has been signed by the
F'ranco-American company headed by
Robert Kane, to direct its first talker,
it is reported here. The company
plans 20 productions a year in Eng-
lish, German and French versions.
"Rouge's Song" Opens Tonight
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — M-G-M's "The
Rogue's Song" will have its pre-
miere at the Grauman's Chinese this
evening. Lionel Barrymore directed
the picture which marks the screen
debut of Lawrence Tibbett, Metro-
politan Opera star.
Projection Dinner Tomorrow
The 16th anniversary and dinner
of the projectionists' local No. 306
will be held at the Hotel Astor, New
York, tomorrow.
I^ooler-y^ire
Revolutionizes Air Conditions
Summer and Winter
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
2'Ad Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of liis books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
Jan. 18 M. P. Projectionists Local No. 6
celebrate 16th anniversary at A r
Hotel. N. Y.
Premiere of "The Locked D<"
at the Rialto.
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the W 1
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ji .
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Ath!:
Club, Hotel Commodore, \i
York City.
Jan. 27 Opening of "Hell's Harbor" at e
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical produ !
at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual bal i
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catb;
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Mar. S First Day of Lent.
Mar. 20 Annual election of M.P.T.O. f
Maryland.
Election of officers of Mary) 3
M.P.T.O. at Baltimore.
April 6, 7 Spring convention of Tri-S !
M.P.T.O. to be held at Memf,
Tri-State M.P.T.O. A. convene
at Memphis.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress I
Brussels.
Premiere of First Germi
Made Talker on Jan. 1
First American showing of a G
man made all-talker, "Because I Li
You," is scheduled for Jan. 24 at
Mansfield, New York, states Am
ican General Film Co.
Safron Back from Tour
Jerry Safron, general n'lanager
short subjects for RKO, has retun
to New York after a tour of the co
pany's exchanges.
POSITIV
AUDIENCE,
"'You have in this
picture a positive
audience attraction'.'
iger, Yellen & Bornstein
(Music publishers!
THE
Fday, January 17, 1930
-.agg^
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Tkers Open New Medium
F- American Composers
r BELIEVE the talking picture
i offers the American popular
omposer for the first time a real
liiedium for long dramatic com-
.osition. The traditional Con-
inental grand opera is not by
,.ny stretch of the imagination a
orm that the American compos-
,!r can adapt himself to. It is too
listrionic, too morbid and en-
irely too stilted.
; No American composer _ has
:;ver been successful in writing
im authentic grand opera. That
loes not mean that he can't
write music for dramatic materi-
kl I think the young American
:omposers who are now looking
'it the talking picture with curi-
osity will find in it the inspira-
tion for extended musical com-
Iposition.
1 In this they will be moved by
the impulse to create for drarnat-
ic framework for the first tirne
in the history of American music.
Emo Rupee in
New York "Telegram"
* * *
liidience Reactions Guiding
ew Trends in Talking Films
I HAVE just come from a Hol-
lywood theater where I was
.watching the audience reaction to
Greta Garbo's last silent picture.
The archaic ruses of the old-
Itime medium were so apparent
in places that the small boys in
I the audience, who yesterday were
' rapt, openly gave the film the
razzberry.
Without a doubt, it's going to
be a better movie season. The
revues can't become any bigger,
even if the screen is about to be-
come much broader. So the
"better" angle is the only one
left to develop. But that devel-
opment is going to involve some
problems — these problems deal
chiefly with the reactions of au-
diences in whom a definite taste
has been developed during the
year 1929.
Mollie Merrick in
New York "Evening World"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
RICHARD L. SMITH
office boy
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr,
X>ACLANOVA arrives on the Paris Tuesday. The picture in
which she was to star abroad has been cancelled. Previous
to gangplanking for Europe some weeks ago, Baclanova thrilled
RKO vaude enthusiasts As a matter of record Bert Adler
gets credit for conceiving and carrying out the Fanchon & Marco
Manhattan talent quest in which the "Evening Graphic" co-
operated
* * ^i *
Major Edward Bowes gave Allister G. McDonald, son of the
British premier, an intimate glimpse of the Capitol yesterday
afternoon, escorting him on a tour of the house Via
Buffalo trickles word that Billy Sunday, former ace evangelist,
is considering an offer to enter pictures Alfred T. Mannon,
president of Tec-Art Studios, is New Yorking on a three weeks'
business trip
Larry Lipton has joined the publicity staff of Fox Metropoli-
tan Theaters, under David Flamm. Lipton, a brother of Dave
Lipton of Balaban & Katz, was in charge of publicity at the Fox
Detroit, prior to coming here, Joe Bonomo, serial artist
and strong man, has completed a vaudeville tour of the RKO
theaters in Bklyn First National Pictures received quite
a break in the "ad" campaign carried on by Technicolor in
SatEvePost Two Pathe shorts are hitting their stride on
B'way, "Rubeville" is at the Hipp while "Fifty Miles from Broad-
way" is holding forth at the Cameo, N. Y
George Bancroft, Paramount 's big man of "The Mighty" now
at the N. Y. Rivoli, will be the highlight of the Paramount-Publix
weekly radio hour Saturday night at 10 P. M Judith
Barrie, one of the leads in Tiffany's "Party Girl" once was a
model for James Montgomery Flagg. The Tiffany opus is her
first picture effort "Disraeli" and "General Crack" both
Warner highpowered vehicles are still holding up on N. Y.'s
B'way, while in Sydney and Melbourne "Gold Diggers of Broad-
way" is catching the gold, says the reports
Hazzard Short, musical comedy producer, now is at Fox
Movietone City preparing to start work on his first production
for the company "Round Robins" is the name of the new
Robins Music Corp. house organ, which is being edited by George
D. Lottman, head of the advertising and publicity dept
Erno Rapee said good-bye to the newspaper and trade paper
people at a luncheon at Sardi's yesterday. He will go to the
Coast via the Canal, leaving New York Jan. 25
Final selection of the ten best pictures of 1929 appear in the
forthcoming issue of the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK—
which will be out shortly.
JANUARY 17-MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Nils Asther
Ann Cornwall
Paul Cruger
Carl Laemmle
Patsy Ruth Miller
Gertrude Orr
Grant Withers
George B. Smith
-AND
THATS
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
HERE IS something for the fillum
industry to worry about some
rainy day. Years ago a certain class
of grinds used to find it possible to
keep the wolf from the door by cater-
ing to a section of the floating or
loafing population that was glad (if
able) to pay anywhere from a dime
to two bits for the privilege of go-
ing into a dark and sometimes quiet
picture house to grab off a few
hours' sleep.
It is even claimed, by some of the
reminiscent old timers, that a lot of
bozos, probably of Scotch extraction,
who had night jobs, used the 10-cent
grinds for snoozing quarters and
thereby saved room rent, as well as
having a daily ration of amusement
thrown in.
Of course, in the modern de luxe
houses they have a polite but per-
suasive way of interfering with cus-
tomers of this kind, but our scouts
tell us that the practice still is quite
popular in the lower strata of grinds.
But now it is becoming generally
known that a person can sleep all
night in handsome places like the
Pennsylvania Station in New York
by merely buying a 15-cent ticket to
Newark, and — here's the best part of
it — upon Waking up, satisfied and re-
freshed the ticket can be turned in
for a refund of the face value.
Now, the question is, what are the
fillum theater boys going to do about
this threatening competition? Some
of them may be able to point to the
softer seats in their houses, but the
station folks can counter right away
with their big benches that permit
"guests" to lay down at full length.
Then you might raise the point about
the darkness in a picture house be-
ing more conducive to gentle slumber,
but the depot competition will again
outbid you on the ground that the
boys who snore have nothing to fear
in the station, whereas they couldn't
get away with it in a picture house —
even by trying to pass off their
schnozzle music as "sound effects."
So that's the situation. The one
offering the best solution will be
awarded two seats for the Erie Sta-
tion.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Goldwyn reported to have pur-
chased 50 per cent of Asher Bros.
Chicago circuit.
* ♦ *
Marcus Loew, Richard A. Row-
land and Joe Engel en route to Coast ;
may build new studio.
* * r^
International Film secures Harlem
River Park studio in New York.
Presented by Joseph M. Schenck
The most amazing drama ever screened.
The most heart-stirring story ever told.
The greatest picture of a great director.
And a screen performance that will bring
cheers from millions.
LUMMOX
That tremendous novel by Fannie Hurst is the picture
HERBERT BRENON
The man who gave to the world such stupendous
successes as ''Beau Geste'' and "Sorrell and Son'' is
responsible for this heart-stirring All Talking sensation.
eroine
WINIFRED WESTOVER os the h
of this gripping story of a mother's love gives
a performance the equal of which has not been
seen on the screen in many years.
rs
UNITED ARTISTS
10'" Consecutive All Talking HIT!
Also in the Cost
BEN LYON — EDNA MURPHY
WILLIAM COLLIER, Ir.
Myrtle Stedman
DAILV
Friday, January 17, 193( ,
**SEE AND HEAR" By ^3^.^^
From Small Beginnings to World
Magnitude and Influence
Chapter V — Continued
The Modern Talking Picture ,
IT was about this time that Harry Warner telephoned me to tell
me of his plans. He had decided to offer half a dozen Vita-
phone short subjects as a prelude to the feature picture and
he wanted me to speak from the screen on behalf of the industry.
I consented, of course, and a few days later I accompanied Mr.
Warner and other officials of his company to the Manhattan
Opera House where I stood in front of a microphone and camera
and said my piece — with gestures.
Because it was the first speech
ever recorded for talking pictures, I
shall herewith repeat the words I
spoke that day:
"No story ever written for the
screen is as dramatic as the story
of the screen itself.
"Tonight marks another step in
that story.
"Far indeed have we advanced
from that few seconds of the
shadow of a serpentine dancer thirty
years ago when the motion picture
was born — to this, the first pub-
lic demonstration of the Vitaphone
which synchronizes the reproduc-
tion of sound with the reproduc-
tion of action.
"And farther and farther ahead
is the future of pictures, as far-
flung as all the tomorrows, rend-
ering greater and still greater ser-
vice as the chief amusement of the
majority of all our people and the
sole amusement of millions and
millions, exercising an immeasur-
able influence as a living, breathing
thing on the ideas and ideals, the
customs and costumes, the hopes
and the ambitions of countless men,
women and children.
"In the presentation of these pic-
tures, music plays an invaluable
part. Too, the motion picture is
a most potent factor in the devel-
opment of a national appreciation
of good music. Now that service
will be extended as the Vitaphone
shall carry symphony orchestra-
tions to the town halls of the ham-
lets.
"It has been said that the art of
the musician is ephemeral, that
he creates but for the moment.
Now, neither the artist nor his art
will ever die.
"Long experimentation and re-
search by the Western Electric and
the Bell Laoratories, supplemented
by the efforts of Warner Brothers,
have made this great new instru-
ment possible, and to them and to
all who have contributed to this
achievement I offer my congratu-
lations and best wishes.
"To the Warner Brothers, to
whom is due credit for this great
premiere, marking the beginning ol
a new era in music and motion pic-
tures, I offer my felicitations and
sincerest appreciation.
"It is an occasion with which the
public and the motion picture m-
dustry are equally gratified.
"It is another great service —
and 'Service is the supreme com-
mitment of life.' "
A few sultry summer weeks then
passed and in the meanwhile New
i ork City was being made acquaint-
ed with the new and mysterious
name, Vitaphone. The newspapers
earned display advertisements; bill-
boards were inundated with the title.
A skeptical industry looked on with
mterest, and with doubt. Then on
the evening of August 6, 1926, the
Vitaphone had its premiere.
There were many distinguished
persons in the audience at the War-
ner Theater that night. It was more
than a usual first-flight gathering. It
was an occasion. Promptly at the
appointed hour the curtain parted
and I saw myself on the screen. I
heard my own voice speaking the
same words I had spoken in the
studio weeks before. In the dark-
ness I said to myself, "A new mira-
cle has been wrought and I have
had a part in it."
In addition to the feature picture
and my introductory speech Mar-
tinelli and Marion Talley sang. Mis-
cha Elman and Zimbalist played
their violins. Anna Case, assisted by
WILL H. HAYS
a famous dancing team and by the
Metropolitan Opera chorus, offered
a Spanish song. The entire first
half of the program was sensational;
the second half was more than sen-
sational. It was reassuring. The
next day the newspapers commented
favorably, some of them enthusiasti-
cally. The industry was interested
but it was not completely convinced.
Synchronized music — yes; singing —
maybe; talking pictures — well, that
was not likely. It was an interesting
experiment, a more than ordinarily
fine novelty, a great improvement
over anything attempted in sound be-
fore; but for general use — well, very
few people could believe it. The the-
aters were not equipped. It would
cost money — too much money; it
would revolutionize the business.
The gamble was too great.
The four Warner brothers, how-
ever, were certain in their own minds
that pictures with sound had come
to stay. They had a faith that would
not be shaken. They proceeded to
synchronize other pictures with mu-
sic, to make short subjects with op-
eratic and Broadway stars. They
proposed to equip other theaters as
fast as they could.
By heroic efforts one hundred the-
aters were equipped for talking pic-
tures within six months. Then the
Warners learned with a shock that
the cost of equipment was much
greater than they had anticipated.
' They found it necessary to form a
TO - MORROW
The great rush to sound gets under way in
earnest— Movietone follows Vitaphone into the
excited field
Told in this Interesting Serial
EVERY DAY in THE FILM DAILY
financing corporation which woul
buy the equipment from Westeri
Electric and sell it on deferred pay
ments to the theaters. Their invest
ment in sound increased. They wer
in it to the limit of their resources
Several months hobbled by an,
then the Warners made anothe
epochal picture. It was called "Th'
Jazz Singer" and Al Jolson was thi
star. In it Jolson, one of the mos
popular musical comedy stars of thi
times not only sang but actuallj
spoke from the screen. The openinj
\vas set for the evening of Octobei
6, 1927 — a little more than a yea:
after the first Vitaphone picture hac
been shown. All plans were com
pleted. Then occurred one of thost
inexplicable tragedies with whid
life is filled.
During the last week in Septem
ber Sam Warner complained of po
feeling well. He had a bad cold. I
was not of any great consequence
he thought, but when the time camt
for him and his brothers. Jack anc
Albert, to leave for New York tc
attend the premiere of "The Jaz2
Singer," he decided not to go.
Jack went alone. Albert stayed witli
Sam. Two days later Sam Warner
went to the hospital. A sinus wa;
infected. Quickly the poison flowed
through his body. A surgeon oper-
ated. Jack Warner turned around
and started home immediately. Harry
Warner forgot the premiere ana
caught a train for Hollywood. Acrossi
the continent the two brothers racedi
with death. At first the news whichl
met them at every station was re-
assuring. Then there was a relapse.
Harry Warner, two days behindj
Jack, left the train and engaged ani
aeroplane. He reached Los An-;[
geles on the morning of October i !
His brother had been dead for threejj
hours.
Fiction writers and playwrightt_
have always been fond of the theme'
which says that "the shojv must gol
on" though the players are sick a' i
heart. By an odd coincidence Jol-I
son's picture, "The Jazz Singer,''!
was based on that very theme. It
was the theme of another Warner!
picture, "The Singing Fool." The
show had to go on. Plans for the
premiere were continued. On the
success of the Jolson picture rested
largely the future of sound. Yet the
man who had first seized upon the
idea of sound pictures lay dead, and
his three brothers who had backed
his faith, were in Hollywood with
his body. But the show went on.
The premiere was a startling sue-'
cess. Within a few weeks the pic-|i
ture was to be a sensation. It at-f
tracted more people to the theater
than almost any other picture ever
produced.
{Continued Tomorrow) 1
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
Many millions of people will soon
know all about The Ten Best
Pictures of 1929 through the
newspapers and periodicals
represented by 400 of
Americans foremost
critics, editors and re-
viewers who are now
sending in their
ballots to The
Film Daily,
THE
What -No Marquee?
Detroit— Imagine a theater
without a marquee and posters
in its lobby. Well, Grosse
Point, fashionable Detroit sub-
urb, is going to have one. In
order to keep the house digni-
fied and ritzy, the theater will
only tell about its bill through
a small plaque on the front of
the building.
Leo Brecher's New Plaza
Opening Next Monday
Gala opening of Leo Brecher's new
Plaza on East 58th St. will take place
Monday evening. The house has a
seating capacity of 600 and w.l ex-
hibit both sound and silent pictures.
One of the features of the thea er is
a wide screen. Programs will be
changed twice weekly.
$25 Top foTriff^ny's
"Journey's End" in N. i.
Premiere of Tiffany's "Journey's
Fnd" in New York early m April
wUl be presented at $25 top. N»
theater has been selected as yet.
Widow Takes up Battle in
Non-Union Akron House
(Continued from Page 1)
non-union house, the Ideal, has taken
up the reins and will continue to
operate the theater under the same
policy instituted by her husband.
City Committee Now is
Investigating All Studios
(Continued from Paite 1)
being given to any possible hazards
of late origin as a result of new
equipment used in the making ot
sound pictures.
Rene Caron Completes Short
Rene Caron, internationally known
female impersonator, has just com-
pleted a short. "Surprise to All, at
the American Sound Recording Stu-
dios. A featured member of the cast
will be Ruiz Denaldo. Caron, who
with his manager shortly leaves for
Hollywood for an indefinite stay, if
at present having special music writ-
ten for his coming large musical pro-
duction.
Famous Canadian Case Up Today
Montreal— Hearing of application
for an injunction by Famous Play-
ers Canadian Corp. to restrain N. L.
Nathanson, former managing direc-
tor of the company, from disposing
of a valuable theater site in the down-
town section, is scheduled to get un-
der way here today. The case wa?
postponed from Dec. 20.
Barthelmess to Sail Feb. 13
Richard Barthelmess and his wife
will embark for United States aboard
the Bremen on Feb. 13.
Chain Celebrates Birthday
Pittsburgh — The Harris Amuse-
ment Co. is celebrating its 22nd
birthday.
LEAPER NAMED PUBLIX
NEW YORK CITY MANAGER
(Continued from Pa^e 1)
effected in the Publix publicity line-
up throughout the country. Lou
Goldberg, who has been in charge
of press matters at the Brooklyn
Paramount, has been made divisional
publicity and advertising chief for de
luxe houses in the New York terri-
tory. Harry Royster becomes divi-
sional pulicity head for Rochester,
Syracuse, Buffalo and Toledo.
Eddie Hitchcock, who has been located
at Portland, Ore., has been appointed pub-
licity man at the Paramount, New York. At
the Rialto, Alexander Gottlieb becomes pub-
licity man, with Arthur Jeffrey in charge of
exploitation.
C. E. Meredith is coming to New York
from New Orleans to be divisional advertising
man for the Saenger division. Richard Dor-
man, now district advertising man in Chat-
tanooga, will be brought to New York for
home office work. J. C. Furman is district
advertising man for Kansas City, Mo., Kansas
City, Kans., Springfield, Mo., Joplin, Mo.,
and Denver.
Jack Allen has been put on the Brooklyn
Paramount as exploitation man. and Maurice
Bergman goes to the same house as publicity
director. L. L. Daniels is placed in charge
of publicity for the Texas, San Antonio, and
Raymond Jones goes to New Orleans as dis-
trict advertising man. Rowan Miller is dis-
trict advertising man for Nebraska.
Milliken Addresses
Bronxville Women's Club
Praise for intensive cooperation be-
tween community leadership and lo-
cal theater management was given
Bronxville last night by Carl E.
Milliken, secretary of the Hays or-
ganization, who spoke before the
Bronxville Women's Club. He wa^
accompanied by Albert S. Howson,
head of the scenario department of
Warner Bros., who spoke on the ef-
forts of the producers to make talk-
ing pictures an aid in the spread oi
good English. Howson predicted
the eventual abolition of dialects.
Music Tax To Come Up Again
Ottawa — Amendments to the Ca-
nadian Copyright Act, covering the
presentation of copyrighted music in
theaters and the licensing of hopses
under a blanket arrangement for the
use of controlled music, will again be
brought before the House of Com-
mons after its session has opened on
Feb. 20. In two previous years this
legislation has not been voted upon.
Deficit for Hamilton Houses
Hamilton, Ont. — A deficit of $37,-
201, against a surplus of $15,716 in
the preceding year, is shown by the
Hamliton LTnited Theaters, Ltd. op-
erating two houses here with a total
capacity of 4,478 seats. Amonp
the reductions was the sum of $9,582
representing the year's writeoff for
talker equipment.
Paramount Adds to Holdings
Famous Players-Lasky has pur-
chased the three 5-story buildings in
the rear of the Criterion on West
44th St. Seneca Holding Co., Para-
mount subsidiary, made the purchase.
' DAILV
Friday, January 17, 19,
r. r rrrt ': '-.
-TrrfFrrqFr^F'rrbTrnF^rrrirTrtr-
—r: rc-'.r-'r f—-. (BJJJJ ... ' lc;i f"-— - *' & tf I"'
FILM CENTER BLDG.
44-^" ST. 9TH AVENUE ^^™ ^'^^
Designed for
the film Indus-
try
74 windows to
a floor
3 street front-
ages
Near "L" and
subway sta-
tions
Fireproof
vaults
Projection and
Inspection
Rooms
Unequalled
shipping facili-
ties
Exceptional-
ly low insur-
ance rates
MANY
MORE AT-
TRACTIVE
FEATURES
AT NO
MORE
RENTAL
Only 16%
Still to he
Leased 1 1
WHEN this is oc-
cupied your op-
portunity for securing
space like this will be
gone — as no other
building can offer the
same advantages.
Large and small units
are available — the
rentals are surprising-
ly moderate.
GROSS & BROWN COMPANY
AGENT
270 MADISON AVE. Tel. Caledonia 7000
Call at the building or send for illustrated booklet
FILM CENTER, Inc.
Owners and Builders
ABE. N. ADELSON, President
GREATER UNIVERSALIS NEW SELLING SEASON STARTS NO^?
Over 350 Critics
Voted in Poll To
Name Leaders of
Pictures in 1929
Do You Knovk^ liVhieh Are
THE TEX BEST PICTURES
OF 1929
Find The Answer
in The 1930 Film
Daily Year Book
Out Shortly
ibr a bid year of
Short Featurei
talking
Thr uiiiuziiig record of
comedies in 1929 indicates th<*
biggest year in Short Feature hisi-
lory in 1930. And Educational
Pieinres begin the year by jumping
into the lead with the comedies
that are proving the real langli
^sensations of the country .
Whal a laugh pace Mack Seiinrll,
ack White and Lloyd Hamilton
are setting! No wonder The Bill-
board «^nv^ that^^any exhibitor that
plays Educational shorts at
this time is doing his patrons a
great favor/' There's no excuse
now for a program without a laugh.
And every extra laugh is extra
money at your box-office.
"Hot— and Howl
JACK WHITE
TALKING COMEDIES
The comedy side of the modern
whoopee life. Watch for it.
PT
"* Dramming It In"
TUXEDO
TALKING COMEDIES
A Jack While Production
Adapted from Charles Divine's
sketch hit "Pirtle Drums It In."
EDUCATK
>1rmb*r« Molii
"THE SPICE OFTHE PROGRAM"
fe. W. HAMMONS, Pretident
Praduceri and Diolribulort or Amrrira, In
"Romance De Lux"
MERMAID
TALKING COMEDIES
A Jack IThilf Production
Fast-action comedy. — M. P. / «
:s. fi
fAemfSPhm
^/FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
OL. LI No. 15
Sunday, January 19, 1930
Price 25 Cents
^ox Asks for Dismissal of Government Suit
NDEPENDENT EXHIKJSUPPORT TOX PUN
^athe Likely to Abandon Production Work in East
Dialogue Short Subjects
Will Complete the
Program
Pathe is understood likely to aban-
in production in the East, follow-
g completion of its product for the
rrent year program. Six dialogue
orts, produced by George Le
aire, will complete the Eastern
hedule with work starting soon at
; studio to be selected.
Fifty-two shorts are on the East-
n production program and three
itures, all of which are made.
DLDSOUillOOLSFOR
FOX ^PERSONNEL
\^t Coast Bureau, FHE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Fox West Coast
leaters, with the co-operation of
':hnicians from Electrical Research
oducts, are conducting a series of
iund recording and reproducing
<urses for managers and projection-
s. The first school has been open-
at the Belmont here, with San
ancisco to follow this week and
iattle next week.
litrick Henry Theater
to be Built in Richmond
Richmond, Va.- — A theater named
i memory of Patrick Henry is to
i erected in the Church Hill sec-
^>n near old St. John's Church in
Mich the famous patriot made one
< his speeches. E. F. Neal, son of
e late W. Greaner Neal, who was
i partner of the late Jake Wells, is
'long the backers of the project.
;e, Smith & Van Dervoort, local
;.chitects, have drawn the plans for
le house, which will seat 1,100 and
'ist about $180,000.
fendenhall Now Manages
Fox's Medford Houses
Medford, Ore.— S. G. Mendenhal!
now managing Fox's Criterion and
lalto in place of Jules B. Reisman,
10 resigned \o go to Chicago,
lere he will engage in other the-
ncal work.
1929 INCREASE 78 P.O.
Net profits for the year ended 1929,
is reported by Paramount Famous
Lasky Corp., after all charges and
taxes, at $15,500,000, e_qual to $6.34
per share on the average number of
shares outstanding during the year.
This profit is an approximate 78 per
cent increased over the figure earned
by the company for the year ended
1928, which was $8,713,000_. The es-
timated profit for the fourth quarter
was reported at $5,770,000 and is
equal to $2.15 per share on the out-
standing stock at the end of the
year.
21 Theaters Projected in
37 States During Dec.
Contracts were awarded in Decem-
ber for 21 motion picture theater
)rojects; involving a cost of $2,234,-
00, according to a report of the F.
W. Dodge Corp. The report covers
57 Eastern states.
Hays' Office Sends 400
Films to Minn. Invalids
Minneapolis, Minn. — More than
400 films, consisting of features, com-
edies and newsreels, have been sent
by the Hays organization to be
shown in hospitals and other institu-
tions in the Twin Cities.
Drop Double Bills
Berlin — Double feature bills
pre gradually being abolished
in theaters in Germany. This
change in policy is attributed
to the decrease in the number
of pictures on the German mar-
ket.
BY ONLY 63 DURING 1929
Berlin — Picture theaters in Ger-
many increased by only 63 during
1929, compared with an increase of
551 the previous year, says the "Ger-
man Kinema Directory," just issued.
Estimate is made that there are now
5,076 houses in Germany, with an
aggregate of nearly 2,000,000 seats.
This is equivalent to one seat for
every 30 inhabitants of the country,
the directory states.
Demonstration of German
Color Process for London
London — Upon the arrival of sev-
eral films produced by German Sirius
Color Film Co. here, a demonstration
of this new color process which in-
cludes two and three colors is sched-
uled by Louis Lam, who has pur-
chased the rights to the process for
United Kingdom and the Dominions.
Fox Replies Deny Federal
Anti-Trust Law Charges
Brower and John j^angdu. „.__^
Brian, Regis Toomey, Harry Greer
Fred Kohler, Sid Saylor and Georg(
Chandler are in the supporting casf
Three in "Surprise"
"Surprise," a Vitaphone Variety
will feature Tom Dugan, William Irv
ing and Barbara Leonard. Bryai
Foy, in charge of short reel produc
tion for the company, will personalh
direct this short. 1
Seeking dismissal of the suit. Fox
on Friday filed its answer to the Fed-
eral Government's action alleging
violation of the Clayton anti-trust
law. Replies prepared by both Fox
Film Corp. and Fox Theaters Corp.,
named together with William Fox as
defendants, constituted blanket den-
ials of the charges brought late in
November by U. S. Attorney Gen-
eral William D. Mitchell.
The defendants declares that there
{Continued on Page 11)
Owners Will Co-operate in
Meetings to Get
Financial Aid
Sixteen independent exhibitors rep-
resenting 233 theaters after meeting
with William Fox Friday at the Ho-
tel Ambassador, New York, and af-
ter listening to a statement from
Fox regarding the financial problems
confronting his companies, agreed to
assist in working out the situation
by subscribing to a substantial
amount of the 7 per cent notes of the
Fox Securities Corp. and also by
helping to organize regional meet-
ings throughout the U. S. and Can-
ada with a view to enlisting the sup-
port of other exhibitors.
At the conclusion of the confer-
ence the following statement was is-
sued:
"The group of theater owners
whose signatures appear on this
statement have today met with Wil-
liam Fox and heard from him in de-
tail the story of his present finan-
cial difficulties. We have examined
tlie audits of Fox Film Corp. and
{Continued on Page 11)
URGE LEfllRSl FILM
TO AID PROJECTIONISTS
That a leader be placed on each
reel of film to indicate to the pro-
jectionist the distance between a
given picture and the corresponding
sound, is recommended in the re-
port of the standards committee of
the S.M.P.E., printed in its initial
"Journal." Such a plan will "mater-
ially assist the projectionist in thread-
ing the film into the reproducing ma-
chine," says the report, "The com-
(Contimted on Page 2)
Publix Forms Holding Co.
for Portland, Me., Houses
Portland, Me.— -A holding company
to be known as Publix-Netoco Port-
land Corp., will be formed soon to
control the State, Maine and Strand,
it is announced by Samuel Pinanski,
who is to serve as president of the
new corporation.
THE
" >>}
• ■^^HLH DIGEST
VoLllNo.15 Sunday, January 19. 1930 Price 25 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York. N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 20/, 2O/2 20/a 100
*ron Fm. Ind I'H ••••
Con Fm. Ind. pfd. 197^ 197^ 197/8 100
East Kodak .....180 178 180 1,300
Fox Fm "A" ... 23JI 2m 22/4 47,600
•Keith A-O •••• 21
Loew^s^inc! ■■.".■.■.!! 52" SO'i 5m 3',300
do pfd. WW (6/2) 86 85-^ 86 200
•do pfd. xw (6/) 86 ....
*M-G-M pfd 23!/5
Para. F-L SiJi 52?4 53 6,600
Pathe Exch 3% 3 3'A 1.100
do "A" 6V4 654 6'A ion
R-K-O 24J4 23/2 24 24,300
*Univ. Pict. pfd 36
Warner Bros. ... 4SH 465^ 475^ 85,000
do pfd 42 4m 42 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. .. 29^ 2954 29% 500
Fox Thea. "A" ..6% 654 6/ 2,800
Gen. Thea. Equ.. 38 375i 37 H 10,800
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 1454 1454 1454 100
*Loew's Inc. war 5 ....
*Nat. Scr. Ser 155^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 9K
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 76 76 76 10
Loew 6s 41ww ..10254 10254 1025^ 20
•do 6s 41 x-war 93}4 ....
Paramount 6s 47 . . 99li 99 995^ 150
•Par. By. 554s 51 101
Pathe 7s 37 46 43 45 60
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
|!j New York Long Island City Jjt
S 1540 Broadwray 154 Crescent St. }JS
8 BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.J
II Eastman Films I
i L E. Bmilatoiur, Inc. I|
I I
i*i Chicago Hollywood j'j
\\ 1727 Indiana Ave. ""0 Sa^nt^a^Monica 5V
Jj{ CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 i't
« it
DAILY
Sunday, January 19, 19301
INDEX
PAGE
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast Wire Service 3
"A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk 3
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 4
SHORT SHOTS FROM NEW YORK STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair 4
"SEE AND HEAR" by Will H. Hays 5
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 8
TIMELY TOPICS. Digest of Current Opinions 8
THEIR FIRST JOBS 8
ALONG THE RIALTO. by Phil M. Daly, Jr 8
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 8
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily Files 8
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly g
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Don C. Gillette 9
PRESENTATIONS, by Herbert S. Berg 9
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES lO-l 1
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by William Ornstein u
REVIEWS
PAGE
AFTER THE FOG 13
BEHIND THE MAKEUP 10
CALL OF THE CIRCUS 10
HIT THE DECK 10
IT'S A GREAT LIFE 11
NIGHT RIDE ]0
PIONEERS OF THE WEST.... 10
RAMPANT AGE lo
THE AVIATOR jo
THE LONE STAR RANGER...U
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND II
URCE LEADERS ON EILM
TO AID PROJECTIONISTS
(Continued from Page 1)
mittee wishes to recommend there-
fore, that manufacturers of this type
of film provide each reel with a lead-
er indicating clearly the framing of
the picture and the respective sound."
"The Journal," which will be is-
sued monthly, takes the place of the
semi-quarterly or quarterly "Trans-
actions," in which information of in-
terest to S.M.P.E. members was-
printed. L. A. Jones, as chairman
of the committee in charge of the
publication, is editor pro tern.
Open With "Cock-Eyed World"
Under its new sound policy the
Little Carnegie Playhouse opened
with "The Cock-Eyed World" Friday
night. Type G RCA Photophone ap-
paratus has been installed.
Daylite Moves Chicago Office
Chicago — Daylite Screen has
moved its offices to larger quarters
and is now located at 2723 No. Craw-
ford Ave. J. C. Heck is in charge.
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 20 Opening of "Across the World
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin John
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
Jan. 27 Opening of "Hell's Harbor" at the
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producers
at Washington, D. C.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of M.P.T.O. of
Maryland.
Election of officers of Maryland
M.P.T.O. at Baltimore.
Feb.
Mar. S
Mar. 20
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHEN YOU GO TO BUY
iiSTirmj?
00-«VNS AND UNIF-ORKCS
Let Us Solve Yo
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifi<
MOTION PICTU]
Stebbins, Letei
mcoR
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C.
ANDY
WRIGHT J
says!
That he is delighted to
know that Mr. A. J.
Balaban is the power
behind the throne for
the making of PubUx
Shorts
that he hopes to con-
tract the services of that
sterHng writer —
S. JOHN PARK
who has made a name in
theatrical writing — for a
series of original BooK
shorts with Mr. Bala-
ban's organization.
he hopes —
That Bill Lytle won't
HAVE TO LOAN — barry
burke — money to buy
HIS NEW TOUPE FOR HIS
KOTOP DISGUISE.
Andy Wright, Inc.
1560 Broadway, New York City
Bryant 2361
Cable Wrightbook, N. Y.
P/^^ILY Sunday, January 19, 1930
•ita&f^ofUAAMrice
Fowler Acquires California Studios
To Change Name and Produce Talker Shorts — John McCormack Films to Contain Ten Songs — Warner Stu-
dio is Equipped with New Sprinkler System — Holmes in Educational Film — Ralph Wilk's Paragraphs
OWLERPLiSTO PRODUCE
i EOREIGN TALKER SHORTS
i Herman Fowler has acquired the
California Studios and plans to
ihange the name to Fowler Studios,
'reduction plans as outlined by the
ompany will embrace 500 short sub-
jects, many of which will be made
in Spanish versions as well as a ser-
ies of dramatic and comedy shorts
'n Hebrew. At present, no staff has
leen engaged although plans are un-
let way for immediate production.
! Greta Garbo in "Romance"
I Having finished "Anna Christie,"
|jreta Garbo will begin work on her
lecond all-talker, "Romance," under
ihe direction of Clarence Brown,
Vithin two weeks.
I Brabin to Direct Novarro
j Ramon Novarro, who recently
lompleted playing the lead in "The
louse of Troy," will begin talking
ind singing next week in "The Sing-
j;r of Seville." Charles Brabin is di-
lecting for M-G-M.
I Fox Color for Beatrice Lillie
{ Fox "nature color" will be intro-
lluced in "The London Revue,"
vhich is being directed by Hazzard
Short with Beatrice Lillie and other
numerous foreign stars in the cast.
"The Shrimp" Completed
: Harry Langdon has just completed
'.'The Shrimp," with Thelma Todd,
■^aida Rae, Max Davidson and James
vEason supporting him. A Spanish
ersion is being made with the same
ast. Charles Rogers directed.
Dorothy Brown Given Part
Director John Blystone has as-
igned Dorothy Brown, extra, to an
important part in "The Big Party,"
which is being made on the Fox lot.
Tiffany Signs Benny Rubin
i Benny Rubin has been signed by
Tiffany for a featured part in "Sunny
Days," which will be a musical adap-
tation of a story by A. P. Younger.
Columbia Signs Stevenson for Role
? Columbia has signed Hayden Stev-
enson for a role in "Vengeance,"
which will star Jack Holt. Dorothy
Revier and Phillip Strange are also
Im the cast.
Added to M-G-M Roster
M-G-M has signed Arnold Korfi,
Paul Cavanaugh and Gus Shy for fu-
|ture work in pictures to be produced
by the company.
A Little from ''Lots''
^^^.^^^^^ By RALPH WILK ^.^^^mmmmm^^
GEORGE SIDNEY, who spent
several months in the East, play-
ing the title role in the stage ver-
sion of "Kibitzer," is busy at Uni-
versal, where he is being co-starred
in "Cohens and Kellys in Scotland."
He intends to remain in Hollywood
and it would not be surprising if his
old stage successes, the: "Buzy Izzy"
series, will be brought to the screen.
Among his stage successes of more
recent years were "W e 1 c o m e
Stranger" and "Give and Take."
* * *
Endre Bohem, who has been with
M-G-M for the past two years, has
joined Fox as a scenarist. His stage
play, "For Better or Divorce" is now
being presented in Budapest.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Judge
Kenesaw Mountain Landis of
Chicago, visiting the M-G-M
and Metropolitan studios; Ben
Silvey, assistant director, busy
with "His Woman" unit at
First National; Jimmy Town-
send visiting the Fox studio on
business.
Holmes Gets Leading Role
in New Educational Talker
Taylor Holmes has been signed by
Educational to play the lead in "Dad
Knows Best," a Jack White talking
comedy. Helen Bolton will play op-
posite Holmes with Maurice Mur-
phy, Gloria Greer and Monty Col-
lins completing the cast. Stephen
Roberts ij directing.
Tentative Title for Boles Film
Universal has given the new John
Boles film the tentative title of "Ser-
enade." Konrad Bercovici is writing
the story and will also provide the
niusic as well as assist in the produc-
tion of the film.
Arlen Picture Started
Work on "The Light of the West-
ern Stars," with Richard Arlen has
begun at the Paramount studios. The
picture is under co-direction of Otto
Brower and John Langan. Mary
Brian, Regis Toomey, Harry Green,
Fred Kohler, Sid Saylor and George
Chandler are in the supporting cast.
Three in "Surprise"
"Surprise," a Vitaphone Variety
will feature Tom Dugan, William Irv-
ing and Barbara Leonard. Bryan
Foy, in charge of short reel produc-
tion for the company, will personally
direct this short.
JACK SHERIDAN, a lawyer by
profession, but whose hobby is writ-
ing songs, has written three catchy
numbers, "Nobody Cares," "Close to
My Heart" and "Why?"
* * ♦
Jeanette Loff, recent Universal ac-
quisition, who is appearing in Paul
Whiteman's "King of Jazz," will
share honors with John Boles in "It
Happened in Monterey," which John
Murray Anderson will direct.
* * *
Samson Raphaelson, who
wrote "The Jazz Singer," is
busy at RKO, where he is staff
writer. "Young Love," "White
Man" and "Play Boy" are
among his Broadway plays.
* * *
Albertina Rasch, who furnished the
ballet for "The Hollywood Revue,"
has arrived from New York to pro-
vide ballet ensembles, choruses and
solo specialities to be included in fu-
ture M-G-M pictures. The ballet
mistress has schools in New York
and Hollywood, from v^hence she
derives the talent for her dance spe-
cialities.
Sprinklers for Warner's
Studio Being Installed
Installation of a $150,000 auto-
matic sprinkler system is under way
at Warners' main plant on Sunset
Boulevard. It will take three months
to install and cover the seven stages.
A similar system will be installed at
the auxiliary studio on the Vitaphone
lot
Jury to Select Musical Numbers
Sol Wurtzel, general superinten-
dent of Fox West Coast studios, J.
J. McCarthy, Al Rockett, Owen Da-
vis, Sr., Ben Jackson, John Blystone,
and three dance directors, Maurice
Kusell, Danny Dare and Max
Scheck, will comprise the jury that
will select the nine musical numbers
for "Fox Movietone Follies of 1930."
Begins New Gang Comedy
Production has begun on the new
Our Gang comedy "Bear Shooters,"
under the direction of Robert Mc-
Gowan.
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy"
TEN SONGS TO
\\. i ■ : UJl i \),
Only three songs remain to be
sung by John McCormack for his
first talking picture, as yet untitled,
for Fox. When the picture is com-
pleted it will contain 10 songs. The
noted tenor, upon completion of the
film will leave for Rome and then
plans a long rest at his home in Ire-
land.
M-G-M Signs Rice and King
M-G-M has placed under contract
Andy Rice and Jack King, lyric wri-
ter and composer respectively.
THE
Doorway ol Ho«piia]it|r
_vNTER tha 4eorw»r ••
^i« popular hottalrf and you faal at hoaMk
Thara's an atmotphcra of cordial wala«aM
which markt tha diffaranca batwaaa (k«
Hollywood Plasa and ordinary hoteb.
Tour room, too, hai that addad I
of diatinctlon. Picturaa on tha wall,
•tuffad fumltura, a floor lamp and rai
lamp . . . ^n* ara but a f aw of tha faat
diat maka you faal at hon>a.
Pig'n Whiitla Dlolnc Sarvica Inraraalka
baat of food. Tharafora, whan you ara aaM
In Lea Angalat ha rara to tnyetti«ata.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
Viaa fltraat at Hollywood Boulayav^
HOLLYWOOD. CAUTORNIA
THE
i^E^
PAILV
Sunday, January 19, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
COLOR TO REVOLUTIONIZE
NEWSREELS^SINVtNTOR
Introduction of color will change
talking newsreels into exact repro-
duction of the actual happening,
ready for exhibition 24 hours after
the picture is taken, according to
William Hoyt Peck, inventor of the
Colorcraft process and vice president
of the Colorcraft Corp.
This development will make the
newsreel the most important unit m
the inotion picture business since it
will provide a permanent record ot
the most colorful events in history.
In feature production, color will
more and more be used to express
mood and convey emotion, as dem-
onstrated in the "color organ," says
Peck. Color will also affect the se-
lection of talent since pleasing color-
ing and a flawless cqinplexion will
soon become an essential of the
screen favorite, he believes.
The Colorcraft Corp.'s first labo-
ratory unit, which, when completed,
will have a capacity of 1,800,000 feet
of film per week, is expected to be
ready for operation by March 15.
Four Broadway Comedians
Are Signed for Vitaphone
Bert Lahr, Lester Allen, William
C. Gaxton and Eddie Buzzell, all
featured comedians from various mu-
sical comedy successes, have just
been signed by Murray Roth, director-
in-chief at Warner Bros. Eastern
Vitaphone studios.
Each will make a series of Vita-
phone Varities under the supervision
of Roth, who will personally direct
many of them, according to an an-
nouncement from George E. Quig-
ley, vice president and general man-
ager of the Vitaphone Corp.
Portable Talker Studio Tour
Irvine Siegal has developed a port-
able sound-on-record recording out-
fit at the American Sound Recording
studios, which, he claims, is the first
of its kind to be completed. He in-
tends touring vaudeville with this
outfit, using local talent and with
Muriel Kingston and Dexter Mc-
Reynolds playing the leads. Mack
Browne is booking the act.
Sound Expert to Coast
Frederic MacAlpin, who came on
from Warner's West Coast studio
nine months ago to assist Dean Cole,
as sound mixer at the Eastern Vita-
phone studio, returned to Hollywood
Friday.
Conklin Works in Short
Chester Conklin has just com-
pleted a sketch entitled "The Master
Sweeper," at Warner Bros. Eastern
Vitaphone studios.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
NOW that it is definitely decided
that Richard Arlen cannot come
East to play the title role in "Young
Man of Manhattan," Monta Bell, who
will direct this feature, has been busy
conducting tests for the title role.
Claudette Colbert and Charles Rug-
gles are already set for important
parts.
Memories of the old Vitagraph
studio were reviewed at Warner's
Vitaphone studio by the appearance
of Audrey Berry, an extra girl, who
was a popular child actress at the
time when Norma Talmadge and
Maurice Costello had just begun
their climb to screen fame. Miss
Beri-y appears in a short comedy
starring Eddie Buzzell, which Mur-
ray Roth directed.
Visugraphic Pictures continue to
receive excellent publicity breaks on
their "The Broadway Limited,"
which has attracted much attention.
Morgan Morley, who shares hon-
ors with Ginger Rogers in Pathe'a
"A Night in a Dormitory," started
his film career at the old Lubin stu-
dio in Philadelphia. In those days,
Lottie Briscoe and Arthur Johnson
were popular stars.
Evalyn Knapp, who appears in
Gordon Bostock's Pathe comedy,
"Beach Babies," has played leading
roles in fifteen Pathe comic shorts,
most of them produced by George
LeMaire.
Elizabeth North is recovering,
from the effect of an appendicitis
operation, at the Long Key fishing
camp. Long Key, Fla., where she
will spend several weeks before re-
turning to her position in Para-
mount's short subject department.
Ruth Etting, who just completed
a short subject at the Warner Vita-
phone studio, recently sang over the
radio, through 12,000 miles of space,
to Commander Byrd's Antarctic Ex-
pedition.
Upon completing "The Big Pond,"
during the coming week, Maurice
Chevalier will toot toot for the West
Coast where he will take part in a
one week radio broadcast program
sent from San Francisco, under the
auspices of General Motors.
HEREDITY played a part in shap-
ing the career of Harold Levey,
musical director for Warner Bros.
Eastern studios, who comes from a
long line of musicians. Levey gave
a violin recital at the age of five and
was playing the piano in concert by
the time he was nine, at which time
he was known as the "boy marvel."
E. Y. Harburg, who writes snap-
py lyrics for Jay Gomey's singable,
hiimmable tunes, also composes those
captivating lines which make you
want to join in vnth the crowd oi,
Paramount's Fleisher Cartoon sing-
ing reels. His "Old Apple Tree"
number is a darb.
Get all set to whistle "You
Brought a New Kind of Love to Me,''
which Maurice Chevalier sings to
Claudette Colbert in "The Big
Pond." This number, as well as
all the others sung in the English
version of this picture, was composed
by Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal and
Pierre Norman, those youthful song-
smiths.
Edmund Josephs, director at the
Warner Vitaphone studios, is a dead
ringer for Karl Freund, German
cameraman, who recently arrived in
New York.
Jessie Matthews, the English revue
star, who is now appearing here in
"Wake Up and Dream," was an in-
terested onlooker at the Paramount
Long Island studios on the occasion
of a visit there a few days ago. In
appearance ,she suggests a combina-
tion of Colleen Moore and Irene Bor-
doni.
Get all set for the big house-
warming party Fred Ryle, makeup
chief at the Fox studios, is prepar-
ing to throw at his new apartment
on West 57th St.
One of our most ritzy musical com-
edy actresses took personal offense
when an electrician at the Warner
Vitaphone studio yelled "take the
silks ofif that broad!" during the mak-
ing of her picture. Looking the of-
fending menial in the eye, the haugh-
ty dame hissed: "I ain't gettin' un-
dressed in front of no strange men!"
Later she learned that all the order
meant was to take the difTuser off the
light.
FEATURE SCHEDULE SET
FORP-F-LOTIOINEflST
Victor Moore, featured comedian
of the stage musical, "Heads Up,"
is the most recent addition to the
cast of "Dangerous Nan McGrew,"
production on which starts Jan. 27,
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios.
Helen Kane and Stewart Erwin
are also featured in this comedy of
the Great Northwest, which will be
directed by Mai St. Clair, who is in
daily conference with a staff of gag
men.
"Young Man of Manhattan" wil'
be started at the same studio during
the first week in February. Monta
Bell will direct Claudette Colbert,
Skeets Gallagher and Charles Rug-
gles in the featured roles.
Ruggles will also appear in a farce
comedy which Fred Newmeyer will
start directing during the first week
in March. This will carry the Para-
mount studio over until early spring,
around which time the next Maurice
Chevalier vehicle will get under way
with Hobart Henley at the mega-
phone.
VOICE AIDS CHARACTER
SAYS TALKER DIRECTOI!
"Characterization by means of th'
actor's voice is just as important, i
not more so, as characterization iri
action and make-up. It was the cm'
big factor that the screen looked for
many years to place it on an equa
footing, in characterization, with the
speaking stage. This was proved by
the great increase in attendance a*
motion picture theaters as soon a>
the screen found a voice."
The statement quoted above was
made by Edmund Joseph, newly ap-
pointed director of Vitaphone Va-
rieties, at the Eastern Vitaphone stu-
dios.
"Characterizing by tlie voice was new t(
silent picture actors wlio liad had no previou;
stage training. Some of them were fearful 0
its effect upon tlieir popularity at first, bu'
they set to work to learn how to use theii
voices. They studied enunciation, timing am
voice shading — the three essentials of voca
characterization and most of them have woi'
out in the 'talkies.' Many sought stage ex,
perience for talking in the use of the voice
Many made radio appearance and learned tha-
it is possible to characterize by the voicii
alone, just as they had previously character
ized by action alone. By combining the tw(
methods they have found a new freedom am
power of expression that is carrying them int(
greater popularity than ever.
THE
gnday, January 19, 1930
j^E2S
DAILY
1«SEE AXD HEAR" By .^g
/| An Entertaining and Informative
Story of the Onward March
of Motion Pictures
Chapter V — Continued
The Modern Talking Picture
HE JAZZ SINGER" marked the beginning of a great rush
to sound. The industry whicli had been waiting for as-
surance of the practicability of sound was at length con-
•\iiced. The turning point had been reached. Today we reckon
tb evening of October 6, 1927, as the beginning of a new phase
i:| motion pictures. From that evening on sound became the
imperative element in production.
In the meanwhile, William Fox, president of the Fox Film
irporation, had been working with Theodore W. Case, of the
(,se Laboratories, and with Earl I. Sponable, another young in-
\,ntor, in the development of a talking system which used the
sund-on-film method. For fifteen years, ever since he was a
sldent at Yale University, Theodore Case had been experiment-
is? with sound-on-film. In 1916, then a chemical student at Cor-
r,ll. Earl Sponable joined forces with Case. Their problem was
t;find substances which were extremely sensitive to light.
The war came on and the young
eoerimenters put aside their work,
d/oting their entire time to devel-
oment of infra-red light rays which
cild be used in signalling ships. As
aresult of their efforts, many con-
vVs en route to France, were kept
iJline. After the cessation of fight-
i^r, the young inventors returned to
4burn, N. Y., and resumed their
eberiments with sound-on-film. 1922
t^y had perfected a light bulb called
S AEO light which was so sensi-
t(e to sound vibrations that lines of
nd could be photographed on the
t was not until the spring of 1926,
\'Ktver, that Mr. Case and Mr.
'onable presented their discoveries
ti William Fox. They had waited
i;il they were sure of themselves
?:1 of the practicability of their ide^.
Ir. Fox immediately saw the great
llssibilities of sound. He agreed to
fance further experiments. No time
Vs lost. In June, 1926, experiments
^ere continued under Mr. Fox's
ijonsorship and two months later
it Fox Case Corporation had been
(iganized. Courtland Smith, who
IJd been with me in the Post Office
■ -partment and who was secretary
I? Motion Picture Producers and
istributors of America, was made
lad of the new organization. A
iw plant opened at Tenth Avenue
;;d 54th Street and the name chosen
i' the new device was Movietone.
The Fox-Case Company at first
irned its attention to development
', talking newsreels, in which it was
loposed to record sound as well as
action of current news events.
Its second consideration was the pro-
duction of Movietone short subjects.
The first public showing of Fox
Movietone subjects was set for the
evening of January 21, 1927, in con-
nection with the premiere of the Fox
feature film, "What Price Glory?"
That was at the Sam H. Harris The-
ater and the Movietone consisted of
songs by Raquel Meller, the Spanish
singer who has made an astounding
success in this country a few months
before and who was already a great
star throughout Europe. Not until
May 25 was an all-Movietone, pro-
gram ready for public exhibition! On
that night the Fox Company present-
ed "Seventh Heaven," a silent-film
synchronized with music. The pre-
liminary program consisted of Mo-
vietone shorts. Raquel Meller again
was shown and Charles (Chic) Sale
was seen and heard in a short com-
edy sketch called "They're Coming
After Me." Ben Bernie's orchestra
played, Gertrude Lawrence sang a
WILL H. HAYS
song she had introduced with great
success in the first Chariot's Revue.
The preliminary program was con-
cluded with a newsreel which wa.<^
designed to be historic in the indus-
try. That was the take-off of Col-
onel Charles A. Lindbergh on his
New York to Paris flight.
Audiences in New York heard the
whir and roar of the aeroplane's mo-
tor, listened to the shouts of fare-
well, to the gasps of the onlookers
as plane hesitated, skipped, and then
leaped from the ground into the air.
It is history now how the world
went mad about Lindbergh. Mil-
lions of people wanted to see him.
They wanted to hear as well as to
see his take-off. The Movietone rec-
ord was a sensation.
By September, 1927, the first Fox
feature picture had been synchron-
ized before its Broadway showing.
That picture was "Sunrise," and by
the week of October 28, the first all-
Movietone newsreel was shown at
the Roxy Theater. Six weeks later
the Movietone News was a weekly
feature. Exhibitors sought the
newsreels as quickly as their houses
were wired.
New developments came swiftly in
the first months of 1928. Courtland
Smith's organizing ability was being
TO-MORROW^
Chapter VI ^
THE RECORDING OF SOUND PICTURES
How the overnight revolution in sound was car-
ried through to glorious success. Related in
this engrossing serial appearing in
THE FILM DAILY
felt everywhere. His was a tre-
mendous job of pioneering but with
the ardent support of Mr. Fox and
other colleagues he strode rapidly
ahead. Experimeui !ir- d Irr^d"
proved that the complete sound
equipment could be transported in ■
one and one-half tcm trucks and a
whole fleet of such trucks was ord-
dered. The first ali-'alking comeH"
known as "The Fan.IIy Picnic," v;?
presented to the public.
Since it was already obvious that
sound pictures would sweep the
country, Fox-Case decided to issue
two instead of one Movietone News
each week. A few months later the
number was increased to three a
week and only a short while before
this writing it was found necessary
to issue four newsreels a week.
Mr. Fox has frequently said that
he was led to take part in the de-
velopment of talking pictures not
simply because he saw commer-
cial possibilities in them but be-
cause he believed they would be a
benefit to mankind. Especially is he
interested in the educational possi-
bilities of the talking screen, and it
is not surprising that he developed
the invaluable plan of bringing the
great personalities of the world be-
fore the camera. The first crowned
monarch ever thus to appear on the
screen was King Alfonso XIII of
Spain. Others followed rapidly. King
George V of England, the Prince of
Wales, Premier Benito Mussolini,
Marshal Foch, President von Hinden-
burg, President Hainish of Austria,
Raymond Poincare, Crown Prince of
Sweden, David Lloyd George, and
Ramsay MacDonald are to be found
among the notable governmental of-
ficials who have spoken from the
screen. Then there have been others
like George Bernard Shaw, the great
dramatist, who has refused persistent-
ly to visit America, Dr. Hugo Eck-
ener. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All
of these men have had messages for
America and for the world. They
have been brought into close touch
with our people. A spirit of friend-
ship has been created.
At the same time many of Amer-
ica's leaders have spoken from the
screen, among them President Hoov-
er, former President Coolidge, Gen-
eral John J. Pershing, Chief Justice
William Howard Taft, former Gov-
ernor Alfred E. Smith, Colonel Lind-
bergh, and Thomas A. Edison. This
entire purpose of William Fox in
bringing the world's personalities to
the world's peoples has been a very
real contribution to the world's wel-
fare.
{^Continued Tomorrow^
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
OAKIE CRASHES <!
Americans Ablest Theatre Managers Plan
Smashing Campaigns for the Grandest of all
Exploitation Set-ups! Mightier even than
the classic ^^Rio Rita^^ in those juicy box-of-
fice elements that put the natives on edge
and bring them galloping to the box-office!
In its first two starts ... ^2.
Carroll, N.Y. and the new Or-
pheum,LA... HittheDeck^
has sponged up terrific box-
office grosses! It is actually
outgrossing '^Rita^^ . . . and
pointing again to a mighty
destiny for the Radio Titans
. . . miracle workers of the
modern show -world !
Directed by
LUTHER REED
who created ' Rio Rita "
Music by Vincent Youmans. Story by
Herbert Fields; lyrics by CliUFord Grey,
Leo Rubin and Irving Caesar.
kiiOl
ins OF GOTHA
JACK
i^ ^L JjL^ I E Showdom^s great-
^1^ ^^ Im. I E est draw comic
e^ds an army of fighting tars in a globe-
[idling spree of song and dance
THE
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
American Theater Control
Suggested for Europe
ACCORDING to one of the
shrewdest American trade
ambassadors on this side of the
Atlantic, George R. Canty, the
United States is now face to face
with a problem which has been
in the background for some
time — the language barrier
against the dialogue film. The
American Trade Commissioner in
Europe points out that, although
the silent film was international,
the new conditions under which
we are working call for a new
policy.
The public will want to hear
dialogue in its own tongue, he
says, and from this he foretells
a decrease in the demand for
American pictures in Europe in
direct proportion to the growth
of trade in talkie apparatus.
Theater control is the logical
way out, says Mr. Canty. As a
far-sighted business man he has
certainly shown the way, and
little surprise can be felt if some
of the masters in this form of
enterprise do not come over and
take his hint.
"Kinematograph Weekly"
Public Aversion to Talkers
Failed to Materialize
THE immediate and over-
whelming popularity of the
talkies gives evidence of the fact
that they have come to stay. The
wave of public product predicted
by certain critics never showed
the slightest sign of materializing,
and audiences, instead of troub-
ling themselves about the al-
leged threat to an independent
art form, accepted dialogue as an
obvious addition to their favo-
rite entertainment. Probably
only America could have released
so rapidly the capital and energy
necessary to revolutionize an in-
dustry overnight, but that revo-
lution is already a fait accompli.
"The Nation"
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
WARREN McGRATH
Bell Telephone laborato-
ries, New York
-J%0^
DAILV
Sunday, January 19, 1930
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
HERBERT CROOKER, First National p. a. and a good one,
will try his hand and voice at master-of-ceremonining in the
Tevue which employees of Warner Bros., First National and
allied outfits will present at the Chanin 46th St. theater. The
date's tentatively Feb. 16 Alma Ruben's the latest Holly-
woodite to sign for a vaude tour, with Harry Weber as her
manager
* * * *
Paul Ash, who makes girlish hearts throb, soon bag and
baggages to Chi to entertain at the Oriental, where he served as
master-of-ceremonies for two years. This is front page news for
Chicago movie-goers Fred Allen, who makes shorts for
Paramount and Warners, will also start buying railroad tickets
soon. "The Little Show," in which he co-stars with Clifton
Webb, is going on the road
* * :^ *
Times Square at Noon: Roy D'Arcy hurrying into the Bond
Building. Art Landy, almost hidden in a big overcoat, pushing
up Broadway. Don Roberts talking to somebody in front of the
Palace.
* * * *
M-G-M steps out and anchors television rights to Arthur
Schnitzler's novel, "Daybreak" Charlie King will be kin
pin for the Old Gold radio hour, next Tuesday and Blanche
Sweet cops the same job for the following week.
4i * « «
The Fox West Coast house organ, "Now," has changed its
dress. Instead of the former 6x9 booklet, the issue now meas-
ures 12 X 17, similar to a press sheet. The issue has become a
weekly instead of twice monthly A. L. Burt has issued
a photoplay edition of the novel, "Second Choice," by Elizabeth
Alexander. The issue contains pictures of this Warner produc-
tion featuring Dolores Costello Al Jolson's "Mammy" is
scheduled to be released early in the spring.
* * ♦ *
"Hot — and How" is the clever title of a new Educational-Jack
White talking comedy which features Nancy Dover, the little
brunette of Cecil de Mille's "Dynamite."
* * * *
Entertainment for the 12th annual benefit for the Sons and
Daughters of Israel, which will be held at the Mecca Temple
this evening, will find many Broadway favorite stars on
the bill.. Jules Delmar Co. is cooperating with the N.V.A.
in supplying the talent for this show which looks like a big wow
already
* * * ♦
Dick Anderson of the M. P. Congress has left the Murray
Hill Sanitarium following an appendicitis operation and is now
at his home.
* * * *
What's going on in the film industry abroad? You'll find the
answer in the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK, out soon.
JflNOARY I8-I9-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days:
January 18th
Bruce Guerin
Oliver Hardy
Michael C. Levee
Harry Ormiston
January 19th
William Bertram
Harvey H. Gates
Hal Roach
B. P. Schulberg
Bradley Barker
Lou Metzger
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
ONE OF the most complete cam-
paigns for coverage of an entire
picture production by newspapers
has been brought to our attention.
It occurred on Henry King's direc-
tion of "Hell Harbor," filmed entire-
ly on location at Rocky Point, a few
miles from Tampa, Fla. The two
local papers, the "Times" and "Trib-
une," broke feature stories every dav
throughout the weeks of production.
The scrap book of United Artists-
Inspiration containing the clips gives
a complete chronological history of
every phase of this, the first all-
talker to be made entirely on loca-
tion. Incidentally, it puts Tampa on
the map as a second Hollywood to
be reckoned with.
* ♦ *
You may be wondering how news-
paper reporters in Florida, necessarily
more or less unfamiliar with the pic-
ture industry, could do a big job like
this. Ah, that's where the catch
comes in. They didn't. Lou Lusty,
publicity director on this production,
was on location shooting in the copy
every day. It's one of the finest
campaigns ever brought to our at-
tention. Lou, if he wasn't so darned
modest, could go around shouting.
So we're doing it for him.
If * 4<
French Patter
D'apres Joseph M. Schenck, le
celebre chanteur Al Jolson va re-
cevoir, pour sa participation dans
la confection des films chantants et
parlance the Ai'tistes Associes, le
cachet de qiiatre de quatre-vingt
niille livres sterling par film. C'est
iricroyable!
* * *
No. We didn't know what the
above was all about either. But ai
Frenchy, Pierre Arnaud, tells us thai
"Cinematographic Francaise" think?
it incredible that Al Jolson is getting'
so much money from Joe Schenck;
for making singing pictures. * * * ,
Probably Mr. Schenck thinks it in-t
credible, too. 'i
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Carl Laemmle to contest alleged
violation of contract by Allen Holu-
bar and Dorothy Phillips.
* * *
Charles C. Burr to produce series
of comedies with Johnny Hines.
* * *
Duluth Theater Co. is incorporated
at St. Paul with capital of $1,000,000.
* * *
Famous Players Long Island labo-
ratory to open next month.
THE
Siday, January 19, 1930
•c^m
OAILV
Presentations
; By HERBERT S. BERG ,
HRRY RICHHAN ACTS AS -
M. C. AT
larry Richman is master of cere-
nnies at the Paramount in "Jazz
Pferred," one of the weakest shows
tl; house has had in some time.
Rhman does his monologue down
frat on the runway, and seemed to
g over very well with his line of
cltter. His best number was the
g.ging of an opera with Yvette Ru-
g singing straight. Opened with a
u que girl number, showing them in
citumes representing clef notes
wrked out in the design of the hat.
Vth Lhe musical score from a music
si et for the drop, the number regis-
t<ed well. The production was shy
0 any real comedy, an acrobatic
dice team doing the best work with
sne funny leg work and eccentric
f.Js. The Dorothea Berke Dancing
Eauties were pleasing in several
ritines nicely costumed, and an
aigio team with lots of class round-
e out their work. Louis M. McDer-
nitt staged the production, but there
vs nothing about it that held any
ril interest, and Harry Richman
cildn't save it from being a very
linary presentation.
Missouri Changes Policy
St. Louis — Commencing today the
Issouri, Grand Blvd. and Luca
At., begins a long run policy. The
(and Central, indefinite, run houses,
\11 play after the Ambassador and
lissouri.
[ Change Policy at Embassy
Baltimore — The Embassy, East
liltimore St., recently used as a Jew-
ii playhouse, has been taken over
1- Hon Nickel, owner of the Gayety,
•10 is converting it into a film house
^and Opera House Changes Policy
3t. Louis — R-K-O's Grand Opera
5u.se has instituted a twice a week
ange policy with shows opening
tndays and Wednesday instead of
ice a week. Five acts of vaudeville
e included in the bills.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
I Phone Penn. 3580
WHIT1R,(ALIGARYB0YS
SHARE CAPITOL HONORS
Ken Whitmer, multi-musical artist,
and the Caligary Brothers, gymnas-
tic comedians, share honors this
week in Arthur Knorr's "Land of
Syncopation" at the Capitol. Whit-
mer, besides serving as master of
ceremonies, keeps a string of girls
busy bringing in different types of
musical instruments for him to play.
The collection includes about eyery-
thing from a piccolo to a bass drum,
and Whitmer does not merely tease
but actually plays the gadgets, wind
ing up with a one-man-band exhibi-
tion that sets the patrons' palms in
action. For the other highlight, the
Caligary boys perform a routine oi
comedy contortions that keep the
audience laughing pretty steadily.
These boys are unique and original
in their line. Another surprise that
amuses the folk in keen fashion is a
ensemble number in which a group
of the girls appear as miniature Paul
Whiteman's, wearing masks and
padded suits to give them the appear-
ance of the jazz maestro. Also con-
tributing to the general merriment
are Sally and Ted, Serge Flash and
the Capitolians.
To View Ufa Educationals
A special showing of four Ufa
educational short subjects, synchron-
ized with lectures by professors of
leading universities, is scheduled for
Saturday at 729 Seventh Ave., New
York. These short subjects have
been synchronized by North Ameri-
can Sound and Equipment Corp.
Burke Gets R-K-O Post
Minneapolis, M i n n n. — Frank
Burke, formerly manager of the
Hennepin-Orpheum theater, has been
appointed divisional publicity direc-
tor in charge of four R-K-O houses
in Twin Cities. The circuit recently
reopened the Seventh St., which had
been dark for a year and a half.
Daab En Route to Coast
Hy Daab, RKO publicity and ad-
vertising chief, left for the Coast
Friday afternoon on a four weeks'
trip. While at the studio he will
map out an exploitation campaign on
"The Case of Sergeant Grischa,"
"Radio Revels" and "Dixianna."
Arctic Nu-Aire Promotes Clair
Dallas — F. J. Clair, former sales-
man for the Arctic Nu-Aire Com-
pany, has been appointed district
manager with jurisdiction over the
state of Texas.
Fire Destroys Minn. House
Farmington, Minn. — Damages es-
timated at about $12,000 were caused
by a fire that destroyed the Farm-
ington.
Foreign Markets
By DON C. GILLETTE
BILL PROPOSES INCREASE
INEINLAND'STHEATERTAX
Washington Bureau, of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A bill changing the
theater tax has passed its second
reading in the Finnish Diet, accord-
ing to a report to the M. P. Divi-
sion of the Dept. of Commerce. The
measure provides for raising the
cinema amusement tax from 30 to 35
per cent and to abolish the cinema
seat tax under the present law.
3 Oslo Houses Showing
American Talking Films
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Three houses in Os-
lo, Norway, now are equipped with
sound apparatus, the M. P. Division
of the Dept. of Commerce is in-
formed. With the exception of one
foreign sound film all other have
been of American origin.
Dr. Rudolf Becker Joins
British Sound-Films, Ltd.
London— Dr. Rudolf Becker, for-
mer general manager of Associated
Sound-Film Industries, Ltd., has
been appointed managing director of
British Sound-Film Productions, Ltd.
Leeds Company Puts New
Sound Device on Market
London — Grainge Lodge & Co. of
Leeds announce a new sound device
called "Majestone." The first instal-
lation has been made at the Lyric
i^icture House, Tong Road. The
company has service stations located
in Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle,
Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool, Not-
tingham, Cardiff and Belfast in addi-
tion to one in this city. A service
school for projectionists has likewise
been opened by the company in
Leeds.
Pianist-Conductor-Manager
London. — Jack Stevenson, new
pianist-conductor at Cranston's Pic-
ture House, Glasgow, will also act in
the capacity of manager as a result
of resignation of David W. Kelly.
Kelly was manager of the house for
the past 13 years.
Changes Title
London — "Love at First Sight" has
been changed to "The Voice of
Love." The picture is being made for
Butcher's by the Chesterfield Motion
Picture Corp.
B. G. Selling Properties
London — Gaumont British are dis-
posing of several properties which
are not being used by the company
since its offices were moved to Film
House, Wardour St.
Soundless Ethiopia
Ethiopia — Sound pictures are
unknown here and local busi-
ness men hold little prospect
of their introduction within the
next few ye - Silent pic-
tures from a tr.\dfc viewpoir't
are more or less nt ghgible and
films shown in sume of the
houses are anJ ;iu3ted and pur-
chased in secc /u hand markets
of France anc orhe.r Eu.'-^p^ir,
countries.
CHINA CENSORS PASSING
AMERICAN SOUND fILMS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — With sound films be-
coming established in China, censor-
ship problems have not seriously af-
fected American sound pictures, the
M. P. Division of the Dept. of Com-
merce reports. No special rules gov-
erning sound pictures have been
found necessary and only a few cuts
have been required. No sound pic-
tures have as yet been banned and
a noticeably keen interest in Ameri-
can talking pictures has already been
manifested by theater-goers.
Lever Appointed Gen. Mgr.
of Pro Patria Films
London — A. Lever, exhibitor, has
been appointed general manager of
Pro Patria Films. Lever in 1918 was
sales manager for the Stoll Film Co.
and later became general manager of
the companj'.
Berney Acquires Four
London — Sam Berney has acquired
four theaters. They are Elephant
Kinema, Walworth; Queens, West
Bromwich; Picture House, Oldbury,
and the St. George's Cinema, West
Bromwich.
Alpha Signs Le Breton
London — Flora Le Breton has been
signed by Alpha for a talkie-revue
"Comets."
60 Ufa Houses Wired
Berlin — Approximately 60 Ufa the-
aters have been wired by Klangfilm,
it is reported.
Ricliinouiit Pictures
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAN, Prcs.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
tives (or Rayart Pi.tures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJAY. London,
Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the
best in Motion Pictures
THE
10
r- DAILV
Sunday, January 19, llD
^
Jack Oakie in
"Hit the Deck"
with Polly Walker
(All-Talker)
RKO Time, 1 hr., 40 mins.
BETTER - THAN - AVERAGE
ENTERTAINMENT. TUNEFUL
VERSION OF MUSICAL COM-
EDY HIT HAS POPULAR AP-
PEAL.
Based on a musical hit which se-
cured its material from the play,
"Shore Leave," RKO has given it
dialogue, music and color. The mu-
sic, especially, gets across and in-
cludes "Hallelujah," ex-popular song
hit. Its story is typically musical
comedy in character. It concerns
a girl who runs a coffee-and-dough-
nut shop patronized by the Navy.
She falls in love with a gob who im-
mediately forgets all about her.
Finally the sailor returns and the
girl, through a colorful party given
on board the admiral's ship, locates
her missing man. Several squabbles
later he finds he loves her and that
sets the happy ending. A negro
spiritualistic meeting is the big punch
of the picture. Altogether its gen-
erally satisfying entertainment.
Cast: Jack Oakie, Polly Walker, Franker
Woods, Roger Grey, Wallace MacDonald,
Ethel Clayton.
Director, Luther Reed; Author, Not listed;
Adaptor, Luther Reed; Dialoguer, Not listed;
Editor, Wm. Hamilton ; Cameraman, Robert
Kurrle; Monitor Man, Hugh McDowell.
Direction, okay. Photography, satisfactory.
Eddy
"Rampant Age"
with Merna Kennedy, James
Murray, Eddie Borden
(All-Talker)
Continental Pictures Time, 1 hr.
AVERAGE PROGRAMMER
WITH SLIM PLOT AND AC-
TION DEVOTED MOSTLY TO
WILD PARTY DOINGS. CRED-
ITABLY DIRECTED AND ACT-
ED.
Jazz youth drama. Most of the
footage is taken up by one wild party
after another. There finally emerges
a slim plot to the effect that a sweet
and sheltered girl decides to step out
with the fast crowd in order to cure
her joy-loving sweetheart of the same
thing. This opens the way for an-
other long round of whoopee, result-
ing in a lovers' misunderstanding, an
airplane accident and a windup of
the three principals in a hospital.
Considering the weakness and state-
ness of the story, the fact that it
manages to hold interest and pro-
vide amusement of fair strength is
due largely to Phil Rosen's credit-
able direction, a convincing perfor-
mance by Merna Kennedy and some
agreeable comedy.
Cast:: Merna Kennedy, James JIurray,
Eddie Borden, Margaret Quimby, Florence
Turner, John Elliott, Gertie Messinger, Pat
("unning.
Director, Phil Rosen ; Author, From the
novel by Robert S. Carr ; Adaptor, Harry L.
Hoyt; Dialoguer, Harry L. Hoyt; Editor,
Not listed ; Cameraman, Herbert J. Kirk-
patrick ; Monitor Men, Neil Jack, C. F.
Franklin.
Direction, sntisfactory. Photography, un-
even.
Gillette
"The Aviator"
with Edward Everett Horton, Patsy
Ruth Miller
(All-Talker)
Warner Time, 1 hr., 15 mins.
FAIRLY ENTERTAINING
WITH WELL TIMED LAUGH
SEQUENCES. HORTON AND
LEE MORAN CARRY BURDEN
OF WEAK STORY.
Comedy — A weak story rather
loosely put together, but the generous
use of snappy dialogue manages to
round out some good entertainment.
While some of the airplane scenes
prove to be effective, the real amuse-
ment of the picture is gleaned from
the clever rapartee between Horton
and Lee Moran. Both Horton and
Moran easily carry off the lion's
share of the credit, with Patsy Ruth
Miller looking beautifully in a small
part. The picture is centered around
Horton as the author of a book on
aviation and his attempts to uphold
the abilities of the hero of the story,
which he did not write. But to please
his publisher he allowed the use of
his name for a selling campaign. Roy
Del Ruth directed, but the lack of
material prevented any demonstration
of unusual skill on his "art.
Cast: Edward Everett Horton, Patsy Ruth
.Miller, Johnny Arthur, Lee Moran, Edward
Martindel, Arman Kaliz, Kewpie Morgan,
Phillips Smalley and William Norton Bailey.
Director, Roy Del Ruth; Dialoguers, Rob-
ert Lord, Arthur Caesar; Editor, Wm.
Holmes ; Adaptors, Robert Lord, Arthur
Caesar ; Author, Based on the play by James
Montgomery ; Cameraman, Not listed ; Moni-
tor Man, Not listed.
Direction, fair. Photography, good.
Berg
"After the Fog"
2vith Mary Philbin
(All-Talker)
Beacon Productions Time, 56 mi\ \
UNEVEN MELODRAMA OFv I '
SEACOAST CINDERELL,
WITH A FANATICAL FATHIi
WHO CAUSES MUCH UNHA.
PINESS.
This might have been a neat lit-
picture but for the ill-advised char;
terization of a lighthouse keeper Wi
performs like one of those fiendi
brutes so common in the mure
mystery plays. The keeper wants 1;
daughter (Mary Philbin) to marrj.
homely seacoast lad. But the g
yearns for the pretty things of li.
and she gets them by marrying'
rich society man against her fathe
wishes. The old man then vents 1
fanaticism on his wife because s;
sympathized with their daught'
Finally the mother dies, whereup!
the father goes out of his mind, l!
resists reconciliation with his daug.
ter until brought to his sensi
through being wounded by the gr
when he tries to kill her. Grimnt;
of the seacoast sequences are off;'
to a degree by some flash shots
society at play.
Cast: Mary Philbin.
Director, Leander De Cordova; Auth
Not listed; Adaptor, Not listed; Dialogt
Arthur M. Statter; Editor, Not list.
Cameraman, Charles Boyle; Monitor M
Ernest W. Revere.
Direction, spotty. Photography, fair. ;
Gillet
Francis X. Bushman in
"The Call of the Circus"
(All-Talker)
Hollywood Pictures
Time, 1 hr., 9 mins.
JUST A FILLER. SOBBILY
SENTIMENTAL FILM WITH
FAIRY TALE THEME OVER-
DRAWN AND POORLY DI-
RECTED AND ACTED.
Sentimenetal drama with a circus
life background. What is mainly
wrong with this production is the
story, which piles on the sweet cen-
timental blah till it hurts. In some
places where the scene was supposed
to be very touching, a Broadway
audience laughed out loud. Francis
Bushman is stilted and theatrical in
the role of the retired circus clown
who finds love entering his life with
the adoption of a young girl. Mean-
while he has married a circus wo-
man (Ethel Clayton) and the story
develops with the realization on his
wife's part that he does not love her,
and she leaves him. The climax liis
her coming back into his life, and
they all go back to the circus lift
together. Lacks conviction and real-
ism, and too sloppily sentimental to
click with intelligent audiences. A
.^llcr for the stands.
Cast: Francis X. Bushman, Ethel Clayton,
Joan Wyndham, William Cotton Kirby, Dor-
othy Gay, Jim Wilson.
Director, Frank O'Connor, Author, Maxine
Alton; Dialoguer, the same; Editor, Not list-
ed ; Titler, Not listed ; Cameraman, Not list-
ed.
Direction, poor. Photography, okay.
Narrower
Tom Tyler in
"Pioneers of the West"
(Silent)
Syndicate Pictures
Time, 1 hr., 4 mins.
GENERALLY APPEALING
WESTERN WITH ENOUGH
ADVENTUROUS SUSPENSE
AND ROMANTIC INTEREST TO
PLEASE THIS CLASS OF FANS.
Tom Tyler must share his honors
as the hero in this picture with J. P.
McGowan, who not only did himself
credit in the matter of direction, but
also took one of the acting parts and
put it over with a punch. The action
concerns an express robbery, result-
ing in one man (McGowan) being
caught and sent up. He is suspected
or merely takinjg the rap for a higher-
up partner. So the express company
puts a man (Tom Tyler) on the job
to scout around and try to find a
valuable package that was among the
loot. The man being sought has a
very charming daughter, which opens
the way for a nice line of romance
along with the action and suspense
occasioned by the main plot. Titling
has been capably done, while uni-
formly good work is evident in the
other departments.
Cast: Tom Tyler, J. P. McGowan.
Director. J. P. McGowan; Author, Sally
Winters; Adaptor, J. P. McGowan; Titler,
Not listed; Editor, Not listed; Cameraman,
Hap Depew.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Gillette
'Night Ride'
with Joseph Schildkraut, Edward
Robinson and Barbara Kent
(All-Talker)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 15 miyis.
DRAMATIC STORY OF
NEWSPAPER REPORTER WITH
PLENTY OF TENSE MOMENTS
AND THRILLS. GANGSTER
ANGLE PLAYED UP CLEVER-
LY. OKAY FOR ALL AUDI-
ENCES.
Drama. Here is a picture that has
everything of its kind for action,
tense situations and dramatic appeal.
Joseph Schildkraut is a knockout,
with Edward G. Robinson also taking
a goodly share of the honors. Bar-
bara Kent has little to do but her
personality gets over. Schildkraut, as
a reporter on the Globe, is called out
during his wedding ceremony, to cov-
er a bank murder mystery story. He
accuses Robinson of the deed because
of his special brand cigarette found
on the scene. Scliildkraut's home is
bombed and he believes his wife and
aunt dead. The series of events lead-
ing to the capture of Robinson and
learning of Barbara Kent's safety are
filled with plenty of action.
Cast: Joseph Schildkraut, Edward G. Rob-
inson, Barbara Kent, Harry Stubbs, DeWitt
Jennings.
Director, John S. Robertson ; Author, Henry
La Cossett; Adaptors, Edward T. Lowe, Jr.,
and Tom Reid ; Monitor Man, C. Roy Hunt-
er; Editor, Milton Carruth; Cameraman, Al-
vin Wycoff.
Direction, splendid. Photography, fair.
Omstein
"Behind the Makeup"
xvith Hal Sk&lly, William Powell
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 11 min
JUST A FILLER. VERY 01
DINARY PRODUCTION WIT
UNINTERESTING STORY THA
FAILS TO HOLD INTEREST.l
Drama of backstage life. This
a very uninteresting production thj
wanders aimlessly and gets nowhe.
The contiunity was licked by t
raggedness of the story and the res.i
is a very flat film that fails to hoj
the interest and drags wearily befc'
the reels are half over. The ston
concerns a comedy team, one '
whom (William Powell) does tl
high hat material and his partn'
(Hal Skelly) plays the low conied
Powell marries Skelly's girl and Ske
ly does the good sport act and tl
team goes on to big time and bi
money. Finally Powell becomes it
fatuated with another woman, wh
eventually turns him down, and li
kills himself. Then the denounct
ment, when the wife discovers tli
other woman's letters, and realize
that the low comedian was her trv
-weetheart all the time. Very fla
and fails to show anvthing.
Cast: Hal Skelly, William Powell, F:
Wray, Kay Francis, E. H. Carver, Pa
Lukas, Agostino Borgato.
Director. Robert Milton; Author, Mildn
Cram; Adaptors, George Manker Wattei
Howard Estabrook ; Dialoguers, 1'"= sani'l
Editor, Doris Drouglit; Cameraman, Charl
Lang ; Monitor Man, not listed.
Direction, ordinary. Photography, fair
Harrowe
THE
Siday, January 19, 1930
11
Duncan Sisters in
, "It's A Great Life"
«;ii Lawrence Gray, Benny Rubin
(All-Talker)
Mr-M Time, 1 hr., 2 mins.
HOROUGHLY ENTERTAIN-
IFi MUSICAL COMEDY STORY
dminated by the AMUS-
ii} duncan sisters. con-
sitently good work all-
AOUND.
Ithough this musical comedy is
dciinated in about 90 per cent of the
scies by the Duncan Sisters, mostly
ocUpied with doing one turn after
aither, the girls have lined up such
aii entertaining and nicely diversi-
fic, repertoire of numbers that they
at''welcome in every spot. The story
cccerns a trio of department store
cl;ks, — the third member being
Lvrence Gray, as a piano player—
wo make such a hit in a store talent
sllw that they are signed for vaude-
vje, Later the act is busted up be-
«'se one of the sisters marries the
pinist, who is poison to the other
g', but in the end they all kiss and
'';ke-up. Sam Wood did a top-
nlch job of the direction, and he had
(Tbd co-operation from other depart-
niats.
ast: Rosetta and Vivian Duncan, Lawr-
e'e Gray, Jed Prouty, Benny Rubin.
director, Sam Wood; Authors, Byron
Jrgan Alfred Block; Adaptor, Not listed;
Iiloguer, Willard Mack; Editor, Don Sul-
lin; Cameraman, Peverell Marley ; Monitor
in, Douglas Shearer.
direction, swell. Photography, good.
i Gillette
Independent Exhibitors Are
Supporting Fox Finance Plan
{Continued from Page 1)
[The Lone Star Ranger"
with George O'Brien, Sue Carol
' (All-Talker)
iix Time, 1 hr., 4 mins.
■CRACKERJACK WESTERN
ONTAINING THRILLS, COM-
]DY, ROMANCE AND HEART
ITEREST FOR ANY AUDI-
NCE. WELL DIRECTED AND
iCTED.
■There is just about everything in
tjis Zane Grey story to make it ap-
jjal to almost any class of audience,
fie love team is composed of George
fBrien, a dashing outlaw who is giv-
i a chance to redeem himself, and
'C Carol, as a very winsome miss
m the East who goes to Texas to
-it her uncle. A gang of cattle rust-
I s furnish the cause for plenty of
liooting and other Western action,
hile skilfuU direction and acting,
iirticularly the naturalness and win-
;)meness of Miss Carol, serve to
kp the entertainment and susnense
ji an even keel and give the whole
Tair a smooth touch of plausibility
jiat is not always found in Western
Iroductions. Some fine scenic back-
. "ound also has been utilized.
Cast: George O'Brien, Sue Carol, Walter
(cGrail, Warren Hymer, Russell Simpson,
'.ee Shumway, Roy Stewart, Colin Chase,
i.ichard Alexander, Jack Franz, Joe Rickson,
!iliver Eckhardt, Caroline Rankin, Elizabeth
.atterson, Billy Butts, Delmar Watson, Wil-
im Steele, Bob Fleming, Ralph LeFevre.
: Director, A. F. Erickson ; Author, Zane
jireyj Adaptors, John Hunter Booth, Seton
'. Miller; Dialoguers, the same; Editor, Jack
Hurray ; Cameraman, Daniel Clark ; Monitor
|lan, Barney Fredericks.
I Direction, excellent. Photography, fine.
! Gillette
Fox Theaters Corp. made by Touche,
Niven & Co., public accountants. We
have received from him personally
details of the items of these audits.
"The true state of the affairs of William
Fox and of these corporations is so different
from the stories widely circulated in the
press, and the preservation of the Fox in-
terests as an important part of the fabric
of this great industry is so vital to the
welfare of every exhibitor in the industry,
that we deem it our clear duty as exhibitors
to forward this information to you.
"Mr. Fox tells us that Fox Film Corp
and Fox Theaters Corp. can completely solve
their financial problems with funds not to
exceed $35,000,000. Many of us have as-
sumed that the total required was $91,000,000,
from statements appearing in the press.
"We find from an examination of the rec-
ords (1) That the net assets of Fox Film
Corp. above all liabilities are $73,063,000.
(2) That based upon 920,660 shares (820,-
660 shares Class "A" and 100,000 shares
Class "B") the book value of each share
of Fox Film Corp. stock is $75.35.
(3) That the net earnings of Fox Film
Corp. for 1929 are about $13,000,000, plus
the non-recurring profit from the sale of First
National stock to Warner Bros., amounting to
$6,600,000.
(4) That the estimated profits of Fox
Film Corp. for 1930 are $15,000,000, ac
cording to William Fox.
(5) That the net assets of Fox Theaters
Corp. above all liabilities are $63,650,000.
(6) That based upon 1,692,287 shares (1,
592,287 shares Class "A" and 100 shares
Class "B") the book value of each share of
Fox Theaters Corp. stock is $37.63.
(7) That the net earnings of Fox Theaters
Corp. for 1929 are actually $2,748,006.
(8) That the estimated profits of Fox The-
aters Corp. for 1930 are conservatively es-
timated by Mr. Fox at $5,000,000.
(9) That the result of our investigation
convinces us first of the financial and eco
nomic soundness of these two corporations,
and of the correctness and propriety of the
$35,000,000 issue of Fox Securities Corp. 7
per cent gold notes.
(10) That through this method of financ-
ing all outstanding liabilities can be promptly
tal(en care of.
(11) That the earnings of Fox Film Corp,
and Fox Theaters Corp. are ample to take
care of the retirement of this issue of notes,
on or before maturity.
"We direct attention to the fact that the
proceeds of this $35,000,000 issue of gold
notes by the Fox Securities Corp. when used
by Fox Film Corp. and Fox Theaters, will
retire present existing obligations.
"Following a full and frank discussion by
all the theater owners present, an examina
tion of the records, and questions answered
Short Subjects
in complete detail by William Fox, the the-
ater owners present unanimously agreed to
support the plan. They also requested the
privilege of addressing theater owners
throughout the United States on the subject
and recommending their doing likewise, and
pledged their wholehearted cooperation to the
successful culmination of this financial pro-
gram.
"Their recommendation to other theater
owners is based upon the following reasons;
1. The result of this financing will remove
all financial difficulties from the two Fox
corporations.
2. It will insure the continuance in the field
of one of the important factors in film
production.
3. It will result in creating a closer and
better working relationship between the
producing company, the exhibitor and
the public.
4. It will allow the Fox companies to con-
tinue unhampered in their development of
the moving picture industry in which they
have been an important factor for the last
twenty-five years.
"As theater owners we were agreeably sur-
prised to learn of the details of the 1930-1931
Fox product, both as to directors, stars, and
stories, and were unanimously of the opinion
that the 1930-31 product would surpass all
previous accomplishments, of Fox Film Corp.,
and would tend materially to increase the
earning powers of the company.
"For all of these reasons we ourselves
have decided to make substantial subscriptions
to the offering of 7 per cent three-year gold
notes of the Fox Securities Corp., and will
help organize regional meetings throughout the
United States and Canada to bring the in-
formation given to us to the immediate at-
tention of other theater owners.
"We as theater owners feel it a privilege
to participate in this financing, and we feel
that we cannot afford to stand by and see
Fox F.lm Corp., or any other important
nroducing organization hampered in its ef-
forts to supply worthwhile entertainment for
the amusement going public of the world."
William Benton, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.,
15 theaters: Samuel Bendheim, Richmond'
Va., 3 theaters; Chris H. Buckley, Albany,
v., 3 theaters; Sidney S. Cohen, New
SOUND
"Always Faithful"
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Comedy Drama
Blanche Sweet looks pleasing in
this interesting comedy-drama. The
picture tells of a busbaiii about ;
leave the city .s'ho intrusts his ,>, ;'e
to his secretary. ' During their ab-
sence, to a show, he rert-i'-e*; a \nc <-
sage cancelling his tup. iiici wnc
and secretary return and declare
their love for each other, unaware of
the husband asleep in an armchair.
The windup is the husband pretends
he was asleep during the conversa-
tion. Good for all houses.
"Drumming It Up"
Educational Time, 17 mins.
Love and Business Com.edy
A farce, directed by Charles La-
ment and featuring Raymond Mc-
Kee, about a drum factory owner
whose son wants to marry the office
stenographer but is afraid of his irate
parent's disapproval. However, the
old boy unvvittingly plays into the
hands of the lovers and the happy
ending is brought on with the ac-
companiment of much whoopee.
Suitable for any class of fans.
N.
Vork City. 2 theaters; Fred Dolle, Louis
ville, Ky., 25 theaters; William C. Hunt,
Trenton, N. J., representing 16 theaters in
south Jersey and Philadelphia; H. B Kop-
pm, Detroit, 30 theaters; Howard Payne
Pawtucket, R. I., t theaters; Mort Shea
Youngstown, Ohio, 20 theaters; H. W.
Scherer, Johnstown, Pa., 2 theaters; Morton
Thalhimer. Richmond. Va., (listed under
Bendheim) ; Frank C. Walker, New York,
representing M. E. Comerford chain of 115
theaters; Harry Zeitz, New Bedford, Mass., 2
theaters.
Fox Asks for Dismissal of
Gov't Anti-Trust Law Suit
(Continued from Page 1)
is no working agreement between
their companies and Loew and M-G-
M. Denial is made that Fox intends
to acquire more Loew stock. The
Government in its complaint charges
that Fox stock ownership in Loew
reduces interstate commerce.
Separate answers were filed in the
Southern District of the U. S. Dis-
trict Court, for the defendant com-
panies by Ralph S. M. Harris, as
solicitor, and George W. Schurman,
Richard E. Dwight, Saul E. Rogers
and James Francis Burke of their
counsel.
In the Fdx Film answer, it is admitted
that William Fox owns or controls more
than 50 per cent of "all voting stock of Fox
Film Corp. and more than 50 per cent of the
voting stock of Fox Theaters Corp., but
denial is made "that all or a large part of
the remainder of the voting stock of both
corporations, or of either of them, has been
"Scrappily Married"
Paramount Time, 17 mins.
Domestic Fun
Christie comedy in which a couple
of meek and fibbing husbands are
given the works by their assertive
spouses. Bert Roach and Johnny
Arthur are the male victims of the
two ball-and-chain combinations. A.
I^eslie Pearce directed, putting a gen-
erous amount of action and comedy
into the situation. Has general ap-
peal.
owned or controlled by substantially the same
persons."
In part 16 of its reply the defendant "de-
nies that there is any political, geographical
or business territory known as "the Metro-
politan area of New York City" and it de-
nies that there are any theaters of Fox The-
aters Corporation or of Loew's, Inc. in the
so-called Metropolitan area of New York
City or in New York City except that it
idmits that Fox Theaters Corporation op-
erates one theatpr. the Savoy Theater in
Rrooklyn. New York City and it therefore
denies the averment that the theaters of
Fox Theaters Corporation and Loew*s. Inc.
have included virtually all of the so-called
"first-run" theaters located in the so-called
Metropolitan area of New York City; it
denies that the theaters owned by corpora-
Ions in which Fox Theaters Corporation or
1 oew*s Inc. are stockholders Include virtuallv
.ill of the so-called "first-run" theaters locat-
»d in the so-Called Metropolitan area of New
York City or in New York City ; it denies
that theaters described as "their theaters"
have included all of the "first-run" theaters
In many other sections and communities of
"Up and Down Stairs"
Universal Time, 15 mins.
Good Slapstick
This jumps into the moving rou-
tine with the usual friend of the hus-
band popping up to do the woman-
hunting act with friend husband.
Wifey, peeved at her husband's an-
tics in straightening out the home,
decides to leave until the house is in
order. Then the old comedy with
the blonde from downstairs and hub-
by, out on a spree, returning to the
wrong apartment. Not so funny.
Directed by H. Edwards, an all-
talker.
the United States ; it denies that the theaters
owned by corporations in which Fox Theaters
Corporation or Loew's, Inc. are stockholders
have included all of the "first-run" theaters
in many other sections and communities of
the United States."
In the Fox Theaters reply, the defendant
denies that there are any production, distribu-
tion or exhibition arrangements existing or
p'anned between itself and Fox, M«tro-
Goldwyn, M-G-M, and Loew.
Warner Bros, will soon file its reply to
a similar" suit brought by the Federal Govern-
ment.
THE
12
DAILY
Sunday, January 19, 193
Theater Equipment
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN ,
SENI-ATMOSPHERE HOUSE
FOR FOX IN CHICAGO AREA
Chicago— Plans for a 3,000-seat
semi-atmospheric theater and office
building costing about $2,000,000, to
replace the recently leased Fox Com-
mercial at 92nd and Commercial Ave.
are announced by Sidney Meyer,
vice president and general manager
of the Fox Chicago Theaters. The
house, of Spanish architecture and
especially adapted for talkers, will
have a stage 30 feet deep for big pro-
ductions. Work of tearing down the
present structure will start immedi-
ately, and it is expected to have the
new building completed by Septem-
ber.
Among the unusual features of the
house will be a main entrance and
foyer, SO feet wide and 100 feet long,
completely cut ofT from the audi-
torium so that outside noises will not
interfere with the performances; a
bridge-like proscenium arch allowing
performers to stroll across it ap-
parently in the open air; one of the
largest switchboards in the country,
and other advanced ideas.
New Fireproof Film Cement
The Hewes-Gotham Co. of New
York, is marketing a new film cement
which has received the approval of
the Dept. of Insurance at Michigan,
the company states. The film cement
proved in various tests to be non
combustible, it is said.
Clark, Inc. Gets 'Philly' Order
Peter Clark Inc. of New York,
has been a successful bidder and re-
ceived an order for full stage equip-
ment, orchestra and organ console
elevators and protective fire curtains
on the new Public Auditorium for
the city of Philadelphia, according to
the company.
New Flame Proof Valour
A new flame proof valour for cur-
tains, drapes and decorative purposes
is being marketed by the Associated
Fabrics Corp. of New York.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
UliLCQa^HBys
_ ▼▼ HO West JZ-'St, New XorK.ny ••
Phone Penna. 0330 I
Motion Picture Department I
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie I
Desirable Features of Pick-up
Outlined by Presto Engineer
M. M. Gruber, author of the following article, is a recognized acoustical
authority and has spent 15 years with the Presto Machine Co. of Brooklyn,
N. Y., of which he is chief engineer in the development and production of
sound reproducing devices.
tionist" model of pickup. To insure depend-
ability of performance the method of sus-
pending the armature is such as to eliminate
collapse or freezing. A sharpness in speech
enunciation is accomplished by a special term
of armature and pole piece construction.
Instantly replaceable units, mechanically and
electrically, without the need of tools, is
accomplished by a simple thumb screw and
pin jack connection. To reduce record wear
to the minimum vibratory flexibility is pro-
vided and in order to prevent the possibility
of jumping grooves the vertical motion is
controlled by a rugged pivotal bearing at as
great a longitudinal distance from the needle
point as is practical and in the closest prac-
tical plane thereto. A ballbearing base arm
with pivot construction of smooth action and
permanent alignment sufficiently rugged to
withstand rough professional use. with ad-
justable needle weight, complete the special
features that should be sought by the equip-
ment manufacturers and operators.
In selecting a pickup it is, of course, nec-
essary to know the impedance of the amplifiei
with which it is to be used inasmuch as max
imum results can only be accomplished by a
close match of the pickup and amplifier im-
pedance.
In the selection of an electro-magnetic pick-
up for sound picture application the considera-
tions must go further than those ordinarily
involved in determining the desirable features
in an instrument of this kind.
It goes without saying that a pickup to
be good for any form of application must de-
liver a realism of tone throughout the entire
chromatic scale and in the nature of elec-
trical reproduction of records a power and
brilliance surpassing that of the old acoustic
form become natural complements.
Beyond power, quality and brilliance, how-
ever, pickups for sound pictures have special
and practical considerations to meet that it
might be said become almost paramount.
These special considerations can be sum-
marized as (1) dependability of performance
(2) a sharpness in speech enunciation; (3)
electrical and mechanical design and construc-
tion that permits ready substitution of units
to meet emergency conditions; (4) minimiz-
ing record wear and avoidance of groove
jumping; (5) an arm design and construction
that is especially adapted to the reproduction
of 33 1-3 recordings.
It was with these special and practical
considerations of projection booth application
that the writer's firm evolved their "Projec-
APERTURE GATE, LENS GEA
MARKETED BY CHICAGO C(
Chicago — After experiments, tl:
proportional aperture gate, which |
to be marketed by the Chicago Cir \
ema Co. of this city, is claimed t I
produce the same size picture fc
Movietone or Vitaphone with the us
of an ordinary lens, according to th
companj'. In addition to the apet
ture gate the company has improve
its adjustable lens holder with a nei
spiral gear which facilitates eas
handling, it is said.
Claude Neon Announces
New Crystallite Displa;
Announcement of the developmiui
of another new product is made b
Claude Neon Lights, Inc., which i
putting on the market the Claud
Neon Crystallite display for interio
and window display, purposes. I
consists of a glass panel on which .
message or pictorial design is etchei
and measures 12 by 18 inches
Through the design in the glass thi
light radiates from a border of bril
liant Claude Neon tubing.
Elec-Tro-Fone to Handle
Beltone in Six States
St. Paul — Fred H. Strom, general
manager of Elec-Tro-Fone, has
closed for distribution of Beltone
sound equipment in Minnesota, No.
Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana, Iowa
and Nebraska. In acquiring distri-
bution rights Strom points out that
the entire equipment is free from
patent infringement and requires no
servicing. A feature of this device
is said to be the Burt photo electric
cell which prevents the possibility of
trouble in focusing and timing.
Installing Devices to
Enable Deaf to Hear
Contracts for installation of West-
ern Electric's device to enable the
deaf to hear have been made for
the University, Cambridge, Mass..
and the Lorain-Fulton, Cleveland.
O., according to C. W. Bunn, general
sales manager of Electrical Research
Products. Theaters about to install
this device are the Fox, Brooklyn:
Academy of Music, and Audubon,
New York; Fox, Detroit, and Fo.x.
St. Louis. Houses that already
have installations are the Paramount,
Brooklyn; Roxy, New York; Fox-
Poli, Springfield, Mass., and Grau-
man's Chinese, Hollywood.
Selba Makes Improvements
Greenville, Ky. — Extensive im-
provements and sound installation
have been made at the Selba. Selba
Amusement Corp. owns the house.'
Brilliant Pictures
Perfect Sound
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain,
and natural tone quality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalite Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically and chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
Yi
'ocaillte
Soimd Screen
Tlif First Screen Scieniificolly l>erfeele,l for S,mn,l PUiuret
Beaded Screen Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Approved by Electrical Re-
search Products, Western
Electric Co., Inc., and other
makers of Sound Equipment.
Porous but not perforated
Fire Proof
Non Inflammable
LOW-COST TINTS
that match every mood in
SOUND PICTURES
XHE widest range of tints ever offered the
industry is embraced by Eastman Sono-
chrome Tinted Positive Films, They can be
used to match every mood in the story, or
to reproduce the one lighting or tone that
predominates throughout the picture ....
In either case Sonochrome gives beautiful
color. It gives faithfully reproduced
sound. And it costs no more than regular
black-and-white positive.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
I
NCLUDING THE
CANDIN AVIAN
When people speak of sound
newsreels they refer to FOX
MOVIETONE NEWS
first in the field-all over the world
THBKE iUIIST KB A REASOK
No need to mention it —
In England FOX MOVIETONE NEWS wa
first. Today it is the biggest drawing card in th
British film industry. I
In France "AOUALITIES FOX MOVIE
TONE" has taken the public by storm. i
In Argentine, Brazil and Mexico "NOT
CIARIO FOX MOVIETONE" delights and amaze
audiences every day.
The leading theatres in Japan and Chim
advertise FOX MOVIETONE NEWS, often above th<
feature picture.
Australia and New Zealand have Ion;
since come to accept FOX MOVIETONE NEWS as t
necessary part of every film program.
In Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Holland
South Africa and Greece, FOX MOVIETONE NEW3
is shown regularly to enthusiastic audiences. Eve
Jugo-Slavia has its "FOX MOVIETONE NOVOSTE'j
And Norway, Denmark and Sweden trans
late FOX MOVIETONE NEWS into the Scandinavian
iU^VIETOiSE
I
^^
''It Speaks for itself
W"':^
iTHE
.^eNEWSPAPER
i/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 16
Monday, January 20, 1930
Price 5 Cents
f alley Succeeds Courtland Smith at Fox-Hearst
!6 REMAKES WITH DIALOGUE ARE SCHEDULED
T
NewLankford Bill Seeks National Sunday BlueLaw
Qoing Technical
—or what's what in records
=-By JACK ALICOATE^^
I WE WENT TECHNICAL one
'ay last week and emerged from
7hat is probably the most modern
ressing plant this side of the Hud-
on full to the brim with what's
i'hat and who's who in disc or record
ocial circles. Discounting, at the
,pcal call money rate, the sales talk
nat accompanied us on our tour of
ispection we saw, through our own
■yes, approximately the following:
\ new and different type of disc
fccord. Semi-flexible and about one-
jfth the thickness of the ordinary
I ictrola record. To our rather ordi-
nary and untrained musical ear it
punded no worse than the other
ellows'. It cannot be damaged by
cratching. After they gave it a
leaUhy wallop with a five and ten
ent store hammer it played as good
jis before. The records can be pressed
Ju large quantities for a few cents
sach ,and are cheap enough to be
discarded after a short run. We un-
lerstand from rather niodest author-
ty that they are being tried out by
Varner Brothers. If they pass that
;..Kacting barrier they should go a
ong way toward answering the
■rayer of the little fellow for better
uid cheaper sound reproduction,
fere's hoping.
I A Prescription
IF THERE ARE still any recal-
citrants in this now noisy and talka-
tive business who opine that perhaps
(there's stilla kick or two left in the
old silent picture we heartily recom-
niend a sort of self cure that we tried
recently. First you must find an art
theater. One of those sweet little
artistic successes and commercial
failures that are springing up con-
stantly here and there. We suggest
an art theater because in our ward
ithat's about the only film rostrum
I from which the silent picture operates.
jWhen you are safely past the coffee
and ping pong rooms and in your
seat, try and sit through the silent
(CoiUinued on Page 2)
Measure Would Stop All
Shows Charging
Admissions
IVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A Sunday "blue"
law for the entire country is provided
in a bill which Rep. Lankford of
Georgia has introduced in Congress.
The measure would prohibit all film
and stage shows to which admission
is charged and also make it unlawful
for any person to send film for pub-
lic exhibition between midnight Sat-
(Coiitimted on Page 8)
MINIZ PRESIDENT Of
NEW RECORDING STUDIO
Affiliated Sound Recordings, Inc.,
has been formed with M. J. Mintz,
formerly of Cameo Music Service
Corp., as president and general man-
ager. A studio has been opened at
1780 Broadway. Recordings will be
made for pictures, tests, radio broad-
casts and electrical transcriptions.
The company plans to produce a
(Co-ntinued oi> Page 8)
Feb. 1 Date for Hearing
on Feedback Circuit Suit
Feb. 1 is the date for hearing ol
arguments in the suit brought bv
RCA and A. T. & T. against Univer-
sal Wireless Communications, Inc.,
and DeForest Radio Co., alleging in-
fringements on patents concerning a
(Continued on Page 8)
ASK FOX RECEIVERSHIP
Application for appointment of a
receiver in equity has been made b\
minority stockholders of Fox Film
Corp., and an injunction is asked tc
restrain the company from diverting
the assets of Fox Film to any othe.
corporation. Among the defendant:
named in the suit are William Fox
Fox Securities Corp., and nine others.
Samuei Untermeyer is inspecting
(Continued on Page 8)
STEBBINS DEAL INSURES
ALL WARNER EMPLOYEES
Triple coverage group insuranci
las been taken out by Harry M
Warner for all employees of Warne
Bros, and subsidiary companies no.
already insured, through Arthur W.
Stebbins, president of the insurance
brokerage firm of Stebbins, Leter-
(Continued on Page 2)
"DISRAEU"
«' GENERAL CRACK'
with
(Continued on fagv
TRYING TO SEnLE SITE
DISPUTE OUT Of COURT
Montreal — An effort is being made
to settle out of court the dispute
between Famous Players Canadian
md N. L. Nathanson over a local
:heater site. In the meantime the
Montreal Trust Co. has arranged
me-year leases for tenants of the
everal properties.
Talley is Appointed General
Manager of Newsreel Company
Warren Irving Appointed
to Publix District Post
Charlotte — Warren Irvin, who has
been city manager of the Publix
houses here, has been appointed dis-
trict manager for Publix theaters in
North Carolina, succeeding Harry
Hardy, who has been transferred to
Tennessee.
Truman H. Talley, who has been
assistant to William Fox, has suc-
ceeded Courtland Smith as general
manager of the Fox-Hearst Corp,
newsreel organization.
Talley has been identified with Fo.\
activities for the past eight years.
He was formerly editor of the silent
Fox News.
SOLVE ANOTHER PROBLEM
IN WIDE EliM PROJECTION
One of the obstacles in the way
of wide film projection has been
solved by engineers of the National
Carbon Co., Inc., in the laboratory
oi the International Projector CoriJ
oi New York, with the successful
demonstration of a new light source
which provides the proper stereo-
(Continued on Page 8)
First Belgian Talker
Presented in Brussels
^Brussels (By Cable) — "La Famille
Klepkens," first Belgian talker, pro-
dui'cd here in French language, has
been given a gala premiere here, with
national pride evidenced by the pres-
ence of a regiment of guardsmen
(Continued on Page 8)
THE
■S&H
DAILY
Monday, January 20, 1930
Vol LI No. IS Monday, January 20. 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publislitr
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 191B,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; J
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
rounications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St, W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolflfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
- --- -jTc Po,-;c — p A. Harle,
LTewCinc." :■.■.■.". 5154 ^9/* 50^ l',26o
•do pfd. WW (6/2) 86
•do pfd. xw (6/a) 86 ....
•M-(;-M nfd iiVi ■■•■
Para F-L*^. ...... 53H 51^4 53^ 1.500
Pathe Exch 3 3 3 100
do "A" 6 6 6 300
R-K-O 2m 23 23/2 8,800
*I!niv Pict. pfd 36 ...-
Warner Bros. ... 48^ 45^ 48^4 2,000
do pfd 41/. 41/2 41!4 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65 . . . ■
Columbia Pets. ... 3m 30 31 }4 500
Fox Thea. "A".... 654 5 6% 8,900
Gen. Thea. Equ.... 37?^ 36^ 37 200
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts....l3}4 \iVs 13M 100
•Loew's Inc. war 5 ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser 15H
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 9'A
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 76
Loew 6s 41ww 102'A 10254 102^2 40
•do 6s 41 x-war 9i'/2 ....
Paramount 6s 47.. 99 99 99 20
•Par. By. S/jS 51 101 ....
Pathe 7s37 44 44 44 20
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
IX*^"- --"^ f^
ii New York Long Island City y
8 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. M
8 BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 K
i n
\i Eastman Films |
i} J. E. Brulatour, Inc, ||
Chicago
Hollywood
Jl -»- r J- A 6700 Santa Monica ♦>
S 1727 Indiana Ave. gj^^ ♦.♦
M CAIumet 2691 HOIlywood 4121 it
I *. «.••.••.* •l'»».* •> ••* ♦.♦ •••• ♦.♦ ♦.♦
The Broadway Parade
THERE is only one cnange on Broadway with the long runs, that being the sub-
stitution of "Across the World With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson" at the Geo.
M. Cohan tonight. This picture is a Sono Art-World Wide release.
Pictura Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"Rio Rita" RKO Globe Oct.
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov.
"General Crack" Warners Warners Dec.
"Devil May Care" M-G-M Astor Dec.
"Sally" First National. . . . Winter Garden. . . .Dec.
"The Mighty" Paramount Rivoli Dec.
"Party Girl" Tiffany Gaiety Dec.
"No, No, Nanette" First National. . . . Strand Jan.
'Hit the Deck" RKO Earl Carroll Jan.
"The Locked Door" United Artists .... Rialto Jan.
"Across the World With Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Johnson" . Sono-Art Cohan Jan.
6
19
3
22
23
28
30
3
14
18
20
Qoing Technical
— or what's tvhat in records
(Cantinued from Page 1)
picture being shown. Watch the
mouths of the characters talk, or try
to talk, with nothing coming out.
Sort of talking a lot and saying noth-
ing idea. You'll probably find your-
self trying to help them speak as ii
they had an affiliction. We got so
nervous and fidgity trying to see tht
thing thru that we'll bet the sweet
young thing sitting next to us musi
have thought we had just put on our
winter flannels and the heat was
bothering us. Good-bye, old silent
picture. You sure are the victim ot
being talked to death.
Enterprise
H.\RDLY a day goes by without
that enterprising and irrepressible
Warner outfit doing something pro-
gressive and wiprthwhile. First it
was progress in sound. Next ad-
vancement in color jnd now a con-
vincing and vigorous campaign in
the interest of better music. This
new step is reflected in the announce-
ment that they are bringing Oscar
Strauss, the , composer of "The
Chocolate Soldier" and "The Walt^
Dream" to these shores for the pur-
pose of composing original operettas
for Warner Brothers and First Na-
tional. The future of the movies'
musical will, without question, de-
pend upon the quality of the com-
posers who bring them into being.
Here then is a deddef^tg^^miwarfl
Ic
'mmtK
E A KEASOK
p mention it —
Marion, Ind. — John T. O'Rourke,
formerly manager of the local Para-
mount and Anderson, has resigned
to become publicity manager for
Hanle & Royner Corp., Warner
Bros, subsidiary, with headquarters
in Atlantic City.
BEnER PHOTOPLAY ASSN.
ORGANIZING NEW CENTERS
New centers in New York City,
White Plains, N. Y.; Elizabeth, N.
J.; Plainfield, N. J.; Greenwich,
Conn.; Los Angeles and Birmingham
are being organized by the American
Ass'n for the Better Photoplays,
Inc., with headquarters in New York.
The association is giving a luncheon
Tuesday at the Hotel Astor in honor
of Leslie Howard, who appears in
the legitimate play, "Berkeley
Square."
CREATE BOOKING DEPT.
FOR W. E. TRAILERS
A special department, under Ben
Piermont, has been created at Elec-
trical Research Producti to handle
the bookings of the Western Electric
sound system trailers, which are be-
ing issued to theaters for the purpose
of acquainting the public with the
workings of tlje talkers. Two trail-
ers are available and 1,000 booking^
were made in the first month, ac-
cording to General Sales Managei
C. W. Bunn.
I
Whaley with Van Beuren
Atlanta — Edward M. Whaley, Jr.,
has been appointed special represen-
tative of the Van Beuren Corp. for
the southern territory with headquar-
ters at the Pathe exchange here.
International Photoplay
Establishes Chicago Office
Chicago — International Photoplay
Distributing Corp., a subsidiary of
General Talking Pictures Corp. has
established an office here at 810 S
Wabash Ave., states Sol Solomon,
special representative. In addition
to five features the companj- will
release a series of song novelty
shorts. All of the company's prod-
uct is recorded with Phonfilm.
"Weekly Film Review" Moves
Atlanta— Ofi^ces of "The Weekly
Film Review" have been moved to
154 Walton Street, N. W.
New House for Milwaukee
Milwaukee — Work has begun on
the razing of the old Butterfly, Mil-
waukee's oldest theater, to make way
for a large film house.
The Industry* s
Date Book
Today: Opening of "Across the World
With Mr. and Mrs. Martin John-
son" at the Cohan, N. Y.
Jan. 25 Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Conimodore, New \
York City. 1
Jan. 27 Opening of "Hell's Harbor" at tiie g
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 1 Meeting of non-theatrical producers
at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor. New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at L^s Angeles.
Mar. 5 First Day of Lent.
Mar. 20 Annual election of M.P.T.O. of I
Maryland. ,
Election of officers of Maryland I
M.P.T.O. at Baltimore. !
April 6, 7 Spring convention of Tri-State
M.P.T.O. to be held at Memphis.
Tri-State M.P.T.O. A. convenjon
at Memphis.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
STEBBINS DEAL INSURES
ALL WARNER EMPLOYEES
(Continued from Page 1)
man & Gates. When the arrange
ment is completed the insurance will
represent approximately $20,000,000,
states Warner. The employees re-
ceive, in addition to life insurance, ac-
cidental death and dismemberment
protection, supplemented by weekly
benefits in cases of sickness or non-
occupational injury of a temporary
character.
The new plan, underwritten by the
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., is
functioning on a cooperative basis,
whereby employer and employees
share the cost. It goes into effect
as part of the Warner industrial re-
lations program. Fitting in with the
company's welfare work, the insur-
ance program provides a visiting
nurse service and the periodical dis-
tribution of pamphlets on health con-
servation and disease prevention.
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates handle
all insurance of Warner firni.s
throughout the world.
Lloyds Film Storage to
Move to Larger Quarters
Lloyds Film Storage Corp. will
move from its present quarters at 130
West 46th St. to larger space on the
17th floor at 729 Seventh Ave., mak-
ing the change on or before Feb. 1.
Two new projection theaters td be
opened there will include RCA equip-
ment, fireproof screens and latest
acoustical effects, the company states.
Newest equipment for cutting sound
pictures will be installed in the large
cutting rooms.
Lloyds was founded in 1914 by the
late Joseph R. Miles. The company
has what is called the largest film
storage plant in the world, consist-
ing of 35 vaults, at 161 Harris Ave.,
Long Island City.
^
eadtem
flec»*
k^*^
Xtvc-
..^sho^
V^
^w^
S^a
UeV
^S^^
kt:
yesterday-
today-
-^-"""■^^ ^
P
irllik 1
w"-^
5-»
"THE JAZZ SIXGER" '
Vw
^Vv
"THE SIXGING FOOL"
Vm
fe
"THE TERROR"
"LIGHTS OF NEW YORK"
\
1
-A
with
\1
^*'
"OX WITH THE SHOW"
\
1 K'^'^-
"GOLD DIGGERS OF RROADWAY"
>
J^fel^
"SHOW OF SHOWS"
"DISRAEU"
^fe
" GENERAL CRACK "
^R
tomorroiiv*
with
"rNDER A TEXAS MOON"
"SONG OF THE WEST"
"GOLDEN DAWN"
"MAMMY"
"THE MAN FROM RLANKLEYS"
"THE GREEN GODDESS"
"HOLD EVERYTHING"
"SHE COULDN'T SAY NO"
and more to come
"Vitaphonc" is the registered trade-mark of The Vitaphone Corporation designating its products
THE
■a^!Si
DAILV
Monday, January 20, 1930
Newspaper Opinions
"Devil-May-Care"
M-G-M
Astor, N. Y.
AMERICAN—* * * But despite all this
the production is magnificent and the pic
ttiie thoroughly entertaining and not with-
out inspiration. Pictorially it reaches an
eminence seldom attained in this or any sea
son. Ramon Novarro emerges from the haze
of doubt haunting the microphone as per-
haps the greatest of the young romantic ac-
tors. ♦ * *
EVENING WORLD—* * * Novarro gives
an extremely felicitous portrayal of the
j-oung Armand de Treville, one of the exiled
Napoleon's Lieutenants, and he invests the
portrayal with an overtone of light comedy
which infinitely enhances its enjoyment. He
is superb, as far as he is concerned. ♦ • •
HERALD — * * * is a meandering and
rather wearying screen effort, with consid
erable charm and, in the number caller.
"Charming," an extremely attractive song
but it is fairly far from being a smashing
evening in the theater. It is of the new type
of screen production in which the tunes are
presented with no more excuse than a stage
song cue provides, and the airs are mixed
with the plot to considerable success. * • ♦
POST — * * * Novarro's voice is pleasinr
and he is sufficiently dashing for his ro
mantic role. He sings frequently, sometime*
sweetly and sometimes lustily, l)ut generall>
satisfactory. None of the songs is at all
memorable. * • *
SUN — * * * Mr. Novarro is the amazinp
part of the evening. Although we all know
that in "The Flying Fleet" and "The Pa
gan" he definitely emerged as a charming
picture performer, his first performance in
a talking and singing role is a first rate "ne
TELEGRAM—* * * Sidney Franklin's
direction is straight and good. He keeps the
film moving and he manages to develoj) and
sustain the romantic mood of the story in a
thoroughly satisfactory manner. The acting
of the entire cast is, on the whole, commend
able. * **
TIMES — * * * Mr. Novarro gives a pleas
ing performance. He is youthful, happy and
looks adventurous. Marion Harris fills the
part of the Countess Louise and Doroth>
Jordan does what she can with the role of
Leonie. * ♦ •
WORLD—* * * Mr. Novarro, I have no
doubt, would present an acceptable account
of himself as a romantic actor were he
given a story of vigor and a little somethini'
besides studied poses and sweet moments ol
lace and perfume and rasping melody. But
Miss Harris is never going to make the grade
as a French Countess, and that's a bet. • * •
Gardner Uptown Opens
Gardner, Mass. — -The new Uptown,
a George A. Giles Amusement Co.,
house, has opened with Daniel F.
O'Keefe, formerly in charge of the
Metropoli:an, Leominister, as residen-
tial manager.
Naming New House
Black River Falls, Wis. — Sugges-
tions are being received for the name
of the new house being built here.
Sound programs will be the policy.
Kuykendall Reopens State
Columbus, Miss. — E. L. Kuyken-
dall, owner of the State, has reopened
the house after equipping it with
sound apparatus.
Rosenthal Opens Plaza
Waterloo, Iowa — The Iowa, for-
merly the Plaza, has reopened with
sound pictures, according to Jake
Rosenthal, manager. Western Elec-
tric has been installed.
Swift Transferred
Los Angeles — Harry Swift has
been transferred by Fox West Coast
to the Crystal with supervision over'
the Jewel.
N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
St. Louis — Charles Skouras is re-
ported negotiating with Arthur
Nealy, tenor, as a feature with Al
Eldridge's orchestra at the Missouri.
Metter, Ga. — The Dreamland,
owned and operated by M. H. Hay-
mans, was wiped out by fire re-
cently. It was the only house in this
town.
Portland, Ore.- — F. E. Wadge has
been transferred from the manage-
ment of the local Orpheum to an
other R-K-O house in Minneapolis.
Jack Hayes, of Utica, N. Y., is re-
placing Wadge here, while R. A.
Newkirk remains as assistant man-
ager and in charge of promotion.
Eldon, Mo.— The City Council has
passed an ordinance prohibiting Sun-
day shows here. The vote was 3
to 2.
Grand Island, Neb. — John Kully i.'^
manager of the Island, recently
opened, and being operated by a
group of business men of 'this city.
Sound apparatus has been installed
in the house which was opened as a
means of stimulating business here.
Mobile, Ala — Sale of the Crescent
for a consideration of $63,000 and
its subsequent lease by Ed. M. Fren-
kel was announced recently by M. E.
Polsoni. The property was sold to
the \"an .Antwerp Realty Co. Frenkel
operated the house under the former
ownership.
Salt Lake City — The Granada will
be dismanteled, according to W. B.
Shuppee, manager, who stated that
the site had been purchased by the
W. T. Grant Co. and a store will be
built on it.
Ravenna, O. — O. H. Rosenthal has
■old the Ohio to B. C. Steele, who
iwns other theaters here .
Baltimore — Andrew Linker, for-
ner assistant manager at the Boule-
ard, has been appointed manager of
he Waverly, recently taken over by
Ourkee Theatrical Enterprises.
Yoakum, Tex. — A charter with a
-apital stock of $20,000 has been
^ranted the Yoakum Amusement
"^orp. for the operation of a theater
here. Incorporators were H. J. Wol-
ters. Mart Cole and R. C. Garbade.
South Bend, Ind. — Howard Van
Buskirk, recently manager of the
Temple and last affiliated with a chain
of houses in this state, is now in
charge of the Mishawaka.
Quebec — Appointment is announc-
ed of T. D. Bouchard, well known
theater owner, as speaker of the Que-
bec Legislature. Bouchard is a mem-
ber of the Legislative Assembly for
St. Hyacinthe.
Macon, Ga. — After rounding up
several employees of the Capitol and
ordering them into the manager's of-
fice, five robbers escaped with $600
Pascagoula, Miss. — J. O. Cole and
E. F. Grant, local business men, have
purchased the Nelson theater from
Messrs. Crawford and Richard.
Miami — The Pastime theater here
has been sold by Mrs. L. G. Wag-
goner.
St. Louis — Maurice Barnett is di-
rector of the new 10-piece orchestra
at the Pageant, a St. Louis Amuse-
ment Co. house.
Los Angeles — Arthur Wensel is
now managing the Uptown for ¥0%
West Coast.
St. Louis, Mo. — The City Building
Dcpt. is sponsoring a measure to in-
crease inspection charges of motion
picture exchanges, carnivals, travel-
ing shows and ball parks. The bill
is pending before the Board of Al-
dermen.
Topeka, Kan. — The Xoxelty lias
opened under Fox management with
Maurice Jencks as manager. The
Orpheum has been closed by the
same chain.
Los Angeles — Gene Bollin has suc-
ceeded R. C. Phillips at the StarlanH
New York
Amityville, L. I. — Joseph M. Seid-
er. president of Prudential Long Is-
land Theaters Corp., has reopened
the Amityville. The house was com-
oletelv remodeled and sound installed
Five more theaters have installed
DeForest sound devices. Thev are
the \^ernon, Alt. Vernon, Ind.: Home,
East St. Louis, 111.; Princess, Shelby,
N. C. : New Strand, Sturgis. Mich.,
and the Liberty, Milwaukee. Wis.
Foreign
London — E. P. L. Pelly, director
of Western Electric, upon returninir
from the United States, forecast the
licensing of British producers to
make educational and industrial talk-
ing films for the immediate future.
Berlin — Double feature bills are
cradually being abolished in German
theaters due to shortage of silent pic-
tures and increased rentals for sound
nroduct. The language problem has
also presented a difficulty in the
talker situation.
MORE THEATER CHANGES
reported™ BOARDS
NEW YORK
Changes in Ownership
Auburn — Jefferson, sold to Fox Metropolitan
Playhouses, Inc., by Schine Ent., Inc.;
Palace, sold to Fox Metropolitan Play-
houses, Inc., by Schine Ent., Inc. ; Strand,
sold to Fox Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc.,
by Schine Ent., Inc. ; Bath — Babcock, soW
to Fox Metropolitan by Schine Ent., Inc.:
Buffalo — Genesee, sold to N. J. Basil by
1600 Genesee St. Corp.; Canandaigua —
Playhouse, sold to Fox Aletropolitan Play-
houses. Inc., by Schine Ent.. Inc. ; Carth-
age— Strand, sold to Fox Metropolitan by
Schine Ent., Inc.; Corning — State, sold to
Fox Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc., by
Schine Ent., Inc. ; Cornwall — Knapps, sold
to C. J. Mills by A. Knapp. Jr.; Haver-
straw— Capitol, sold to G. W. by Rock-
land Theater; Norwich — Colonial, sold to
Fox Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc., by
Schine Ent., Inc.. Oneonta — Oneonta, sold
to Fox Metropolitan by Schine Ent.. Inc.;
Pa'ace. sold to Fox Metropolitan by Schine
Ent., Inc. ; Oswego — Capitol, so'd to Fox
Metropolitan Playhouses. Inc., by Schine
Ent., Inc. ; Strand, sold to Fox Metronoli-
tan Playhouses, Inc.. by Schine Ent., Inc.;
Pelham — Pelham, sold to Frank Nagel by
Wolf's Lane Theater Corp. ; Pearl River —
Pearl River, sold to E. W. Matthews by
Pearl .'\musement Co. ; Salamanca — .An-
drews, sold to Fox Metropolitan P'ayhouses.
Inc.. by Schine Ent., Inc. ; Syracuse —
Brighton so'd to Salina Theater Corp. by
System Amusement Co.; Eckel, sold to Fox
^Ietropolitan Playhouses. Inc., by Schine
Ent.. Inc. ; Watertown — Avon, sold to Fox
Metropolitan Playhouses, Inc., bv .Schine
Ent.. Inc.; Olympic, sold to Fox Metrnpnii-
tain Playhouses. Inc., by Schine Ent., Inc. ;
Yonkers — Model, sold to C. Mattrcn bv
Martin.
Closings
Bedford Hills— Community ; Central 'Varev— •
Firemans : Haverstraw — Canitol ; High ,
Fa'ls— Fall View; Howells— Rustic : Inlet
— Gaiety ; Katonah — Katonah ; Kingston-
Auditorium: Maybrook — Sweeney's Hall;
Mt. Vernon — Embassy. Playhouse : New-
burgh — Star. State: New Rochelle — Xorth
.\vc. : Ossining — Parthenon : Pearl River-
Pearl River : Poughkeepsie — Best. Rialto ;
Rosendale — Casino: Saranac Lake — Vcw;
S'oatsburg — Henry Club : Woodbridge —
Woodl)ri<lgc: Yonkers — Hamilton. Park,
Riverdalo.
New Theaters
Buffalo- -Little, owner — Little Theater Co.
NEW YORK CITY
Changes in Ownership
Madison sold to Leff by Brody & Roseufe'd ;
Sunshine, sold to Schwartz bv Rnppnport;
\'illage. sold to Jacobson Bros, by Con-
solidated.
Closings
.■\pollo. Benenson, Canal, Crescent. Divtnna,
End'cott, Fugazv. Gem. Golden CRlving-
ton St-X Golden (Third Ave.). Ideal. Kelton.
Liberty. Lyric, Melrose. Monroe. Odeon,
Rex, Royal, Seventy Second. Tremont,
Webster, West End, Willis, Windsor.
BRONX
New Theaters
Paradise, owner — Loew's, Inc.
BROOKLYN |
Changes in Ownership "
Bobby, sold to Paul Schneider : Lee, so'd to
L. Dreiling by Small-.Strausberg ; Park
Palace, sold to Ezratty & Crespi by J.
Dieter; Ridge, sold to S. B. Amusement
Co., Inc. ; St. George Playhouse, sold to
Cocalis & Spi-inger by St. George Holding
Corp. : Windsor, sold to DeLar Corp. by
Raydel Realty Corp.
Closings
Amphion, Art, Atlantic. Co\irt. DeKalb,
Eagle, Elite, Elton, Emanuel. Empress,
Etude. Fifth Avenue, Gates. Gold. Hendrix,
Huntington. Liberty. Loew's Bijou, Manor,
Montauk, Normandy, \ostrand. Park,
Pearl-Movies, Rige. Senate, .Sheridan, Som-
mers. Tip Top, Victory.
New Theaters
Kings, owner — Loew's Inc.
; iday,. Tanuary 20. 1930
DAILY
*SEE :^^D.ilEAR" ^^^m^^^^J
Mrrnning Uf? the jSMazing Vrogress
of the Film Industry
• ..■'., ■.: ■ Chapter VI ; '
the Recording of Sound Pictures
ilE must again retrace our steps to that time when the Bell
•^ Laboratories Authorized their, scientists 'to study the applica-
ici of sound -to motion pictures. We find another group oi
:nineers,'with the same end' in view, at work under the direc-
ic[ of General Electric Company.
The first product of the General Electric Goi^ipany Idbora-
oies was known a's the Pallophbtophone. "It was the concep-
i(ii of Dr. C. A. Hoxie and the development'of the trained ex-
itts in the General Electric's laboratories- in Schenectady.
1"; Pallophotophone is, a sound-on-film" device and oiie of its
languishing characteristics is the powerful auditorium public
pakers or amplifiers of the cone type which were invented by
^C. W. Hewlett. '■''.[ ,
Film Exchanges, Pathe Sound News.
Tiffany-Stahl, Mack Senrtett and
others. By the fall 6f 1929 more than
five thousand theaters in this coun-
try possessed sound equipment.
■ Almost over-night sound had
or about six years study was de-
01 d to the Pallophotophone. before
h\ public was allowed to see and
ler the results. In the early part
if 1927 a series of short, subjects wa?
irjluced and exhibited in a Schenec-
ad- theater. So marked was thei'
u'ess that Radio Corporation o'
'ki?rica became interested in th^
ece. The name of the instrument
Vc changed to the Photophone an''
t ]jrporation knovvn as RAC Pho '
oione was organized, with head-
iq-ters at 411 Fifth Avenue. There
I I'ries of exhibitions was arrange
in many of the important execu-
i\5 of the industry as well as manv
ixiibitors came in 1928 to see and
lej- the Photophone.
loward the end of 1927, Para-
Tihnt Famous Lasky completed p
jnt epic-picture of the air caller'
'Mngs." It gave a wide publir
rkionstration to the RCA-Genera'
E:tric device. Studios meanwhile
ha been opened and other picture?
we synchronized. The develop-
m't of equipment was continued ir
th laboratories and manufacturing
pl ts of the Radio Corporation o'
.^erica, the General Electric Com-
p^y, and the Westinghouse Electric
ar Manufacturing Company.
he success of The Jazz Singe
W; the signal for all the producin^^
coipanies to enter the sound field.
A litional licenses were granted by
E ctrical Research Products, Inc.,
<^i behalf of the Western Electric
Cnpany, to Paramount Famous
Lky; Metro - Goldwyn.- Alayer;
Uted Artists; First National Pic-
jus; Universal Pictures; Metropol-
'f' Sound Studios; Hal Roach Stu-
di;; the Victor. Talking Machine
Cnpany; and more recently to Co-
li);bia Pictures and to Sono-Art
P;ductions. Among the companies
li'nsed under the RCA Photophone
s> em of recording are Pathe Ex-
clyige, Radio Pictures, Educational
ceased to be merely a novelty. Il
was no longer a development for the
future. If was with us alive, pres-
ent. "When, how, and for how much
can I get equipment?" the theater
owners began wiring to ask. "Ho\\-
'ioon can sound stages and produc-
''ng equipment be \r\ place?" the nro-
duction heads wanted to know
Sound, sound, sound! That was the
whole cry. What followed is now
history. Skepticism died in the
thundering approval of the public.
Those who waited would be likeh-
to watch the procession pass by. The
bandwagon had come along and as
many as possible were climbing
aboard. Although less than two
\ears have passed as this is written
•;ound has become a maior part of
motion pictures. The balance ha=
Mirned in favor of dialogue. Several
'housand theaters have been e;quipped
for reproducing sound. Every stu-
'lio has its sound devices for record-
•ng. A new technique in writing and
acting has developed. Changes have
--Kme with lightning-like rapiditv
Sjound is in, and on, the air.
Solution d"f the two major pVpbleflis
of svnchronizatipn .of sotind ' made
possible the success of talking pic-
tiires.
The first problem was to record
sounds completely and accuratelv.
ad then to reproduce those sounds
just as completely and just as ac-
curately. The discovery of the rela-
tionship between sound impedances
aild electric impedances offered the
solution to the first problem. The
radio and the orthophonic Victrola
had already made possible the com-
plete and accurate recording and
transmission of voices with the pic-
ture.
The second problem was to repro-
duce the recorded sounds with such
volume as to make them heard in all
parts of a theater auditorium. Vac-
uum tubes pick up the sound and
amplify it and loud speakers take
it to every section of the theater.
The addition of pictures, in syn-
chronization, perfected the talking
picture.
Transmission of sound was first
solved for improved long-distancr
telephone service. Vacuum tube am-
plifiers were evolved for the purpose
of stepping-up the voice or its elec
trical impulse at regular intervals.
Then came the loud-speaker, which
throws the voice hundreds of fee*
from the transmitter. With the
transmission accounted for, the onb-
remaining step was the complete and
accurate recording of sound. Studies
along such lines quickly provided the
solution to the problem. It was
found that in making phonograph
records directly from the performer
through a megaphone to a diaph-
ragm stylus and wax disc, all the
sound frequencies were not included.
What was needed was a more sensitive
system; and that was what the ex-
nerimenters found. Their plan wa^
to have the performer sing or speak
into a microphone as in radio and to
have the electric energy, motivated
hy the sound waves, move the stylus
aB:ainst the wax disc. Thus was ac-
curate recording made possible.
There are two distinctive method?
of recording sound. One is the disc
method, the other is the sound-on-
filni. The first is not unlike record-
ing for phonographs. In the latte-
(■ase, the sound record is photograph-
ed on the film shelf. Theater equip-
nient is available which can be user"
with either of the methods or with
both. The only difiference lies in the
"pick-up" apparatus used at the pro-
iector. The amplifiers and horns are
identical, and productions of both
sorts can be used on the same pro-
gram, a simple switching operation
permitting immediate change from
one method to the other.
Both recordings are electricallv
done. The voice or music is picked
up by a microphone which generates
TO-MORROIV
"THE FUTURE INDUSTRY"
Concluding; chanter in this interesting
and informative story.
a small electric current whose varia-
tions correspond to the sound waves.
In disc recording, this current con-
trols an electric-magnetic recording-
stylus whose movements cut the rec-
ord on a wax disc in the usual man-
ner, with undulations of the groove
corresponding to the sound waves.
In sound-on-film recording, the
amount of light falling on the mov-
ing film is made to vary in accord-
ance with the fluctuations of the mi-
crophone current and so a photo-
graphic record corresponding to
these fluctuations — and, therefore, to
the voice or music — becomes im-
pressed on the film. The disc rec-
ords are similar to the best types of
phonograph records except that they
are much larger and run at about
half standard speed. This enables
each record to play throughout a
whole reel. The film used is the
same as the ordinary film exceot
that one frame at the beginning is
marked in order to denote the start-
ing point.
With the film method, the sound
record consists of a band about one-
eighth of an inch wide called the
"sound track" running down one side
of the film. It is made of micro-
scopic lines and in the case of the
Movietone, the spacing of these lines
depend on the pitch of sound which
was recorded at that moment. The
difference of intensity of the lines
depends on the loudness of the sound
—that IS, the greater the contrast be-
tween the light and dark lines, the
louder the sound. An ordinary beam
of light from a high intensity lamp
is focused on the sound track
through a system of lenses and an
aperture plate. The light which
passes through the moving film will
vary in intensity according to the
variations of the lines recording in
the sound track. This light falls on
a photo-electric cell which produces
a small electric current whose varia-
tions correspond to the' light and,
therefore, to the sound which was
recorded. The Photophone arrange-
ment differs in that the lines are long
and short, rather than light and
dense. They resemble nothing so
much as a h_air comb with some of
the teeth broken. In the industry it
IS spoken of as a hill and dale ar-
rangement.
The current from the amplifiers i
converted into sound by means of
sound projectors consisting of receiv-
ers and horns located at the screen.
The number of horns and their size
depends upon the size and acoustic
properties of the theater. The horns
are placed directly behind the screen
so that a perfect illusion that the
voice and the music are coming
from the screen may be obtained in
all parts of the theater.
(Continued Tomorrozv)
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
THE
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
1930 to Be Banner Year,
Harold Lloyd Predicts
'"THE outlook for the picture
business in general for 1930
is most encouraging. The high
standards of product during the
last year created renewed inter-
est in pictures, with consequent
bigger box office returns, and if
the same consistency of enter-
tainment is maintained, the
United States, and in fact the
world, will enjoy their greatest
prosperity this year. There can
be no sloughing ofT in produc-
tions, however, for the talkies
have educated the public to a
much higher plane of entertain-
ment values than the silent pic-
tures ever did, and they will in-
sist on the maintenance of this
standard.
Harold Lloyd in
"New York American"
Brevity Is Important
in News Reel Speeches
'THERE is a good deal of mis-
apprehension as to the value
in sound news reel. Almost all
of the sound that you hear in the
the news reel sounds a good deal
like static on the radio and it all
sounds practically alike. The only
value of a sound news reel is to
be able to reproduce the words
of persons who are talking, in
synchronization with the lips.
That is the only thing that our
Talking Reporter" cannot do.
And it is probably very fortunate
that he cannot. The moving pic-
ture audiences don't like long
speeches or long captions. That
would be the surest way to drive
people away from ^he theater.
The same thing is true on the
stage, and outstandingly true of
the radio.
Paul Gulick in
"The Morning Telegraph"
i
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
HENRY GINSBERG
office boy in advertising
agency
■JX^
DAILY
Monday, January 20, 19i
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly,Jr,
1M. SACKIN has been appointed Eastern representative of the
• Jacob O'Brien Agency. Through his affiliation he'll contract
authors, composers and other people who make talking pictures.
Jerry Beatty of Technicolor is consistently clicking in
"Collier's." Week after week his short stories are getting a feature
play The Caligary Bros., European comedy stars now
featured in the stage revue, "Land of Syncopation," at the Capi-
tol, are on their initial visit to the U. S. A. The nearest they
have previously come to this country is Canada, through which
they toured with Sir Harry Lauder a few years back
Clara Bow is due in New York (incognito, as we say) about
Wednesday. Vacationing, you know Eddie Home, Radio
editing and sound expert, is having a short rest after putting
"Hit the Deck" in big at the Earl Carroll, N. Y. . Eddie also
supervised the sound end of "Rio Rita" and "Street Girl" for
RKO Jack Cohn, treasurer of Columbia, is heading to the
Coast with a bag full of scripts for the new product
George Hill, M-G-M director, found it necessary to visit
several prisons in order to gather material for "The Big House,"
his next for the company. Out at the Coast he called the Culver
City police chief and asked, "How'll I go about getting San
Quentin?" to which the cop barked "Rob a bank." Very con-
genial people, out West
About Feb. 1, it is claimed, Harry Warner and a party of
M. P. executives will take a short trip to Havana Hy
Daab, by now is closer to California than N. Y. He should now
be near New Mexico en route to RKO lot Arch Heath,
director of Pathe two reel comedies also is en route to the Coast.
William King, head of Bilmarjac Seating Corp., was the
guest of honor at the recent AM PA luncheon
♦ * ♦ *
Jesse Weil, producer of the Julian Eltinge picture "Made to
Order," now is in New York. Weil's latest was produced at the
Tec-Art studio under direction of Elmer Clifton Bernard
Prager, sales manager of Robbins Music Corp., is on a six weeks'
trip through the country, taking as far as the Pacific Northwest.
Prager will concentrate on deal tie-ups for current productions.
And the Fox Athletic Club is all steamed up for the
"big event" next Saturday at the Commodore
What Picture Gained the Most Votes in Film Daily's Ten
Best Poll?
Watch for the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK contain-
ing results of this national critical canvas.
JANUARY 20-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Viscount Julios De Morals
Joseph Adam
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL U. DALY
TTHE reason some Hollywood ac
tors have been looking starve
and run-down lately is because thei
wives have been on a diet.
A joyous event had taken place i
the home of the film producer.
"Here is the son and heir, sir,
said the nurse smiling coyly.
The producer gave it a prefunctor
glance. "Sorry," he said absentl}
"not quite the type!"
•^Tatk
There are only about a score c
persons in this world who actual!
understand the Einstein theory p
relativity, yet when the film dealini
with this subject was shown at th
New York Museum of Natural His
tory it drew such a jam that cop
had to be called to quell the riot.
This ought to arouse new hop;
for American talkers in foreign coutti
tries.
The fact that my greatest followini
are children and women, with a larg
smattering of older folks, proves tha
boop-boop-a-dooping is just a mon
natural reflection of the public's tasti
than when Shakespeare ruled the day
— Helen Kane in "Life'
"In order to keep fit for you
strenuous part in this picture," tl
director told the feminine star, "yc
will have to retire at ten every nigh'
Do you mind?"
"Oh, no," replied the star. "I'
let my double do that."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAt
IN
United Picture Theater takes ove
distribution of Hallmark productions
Goldwyn reported after interest ii
Blank chain in Nebraska.
F. W. Rejmolds seeks to acquiri
Swanson-Nolan properties in Denvd
Alfred S. Black to build 1,800 set)
house at Taunton. Mass.
3
O
Just a Fei;r of the
in the Coming i ^ CoiALLTHE NEWS
JALLTHE TIME
(^
3 1930 FILM DAILY Y
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
The Ten Best Pictures of
Price 5 Cents
U. S. Supplied 48 P. C. of
Films Shown Last
Year in France
Paris (By Cable)— Despite cur-
A complete list of Sound ] ^ _ ^ rr- ^
ted Features
A Showman's Manual fu]
The Foreign Situation th'^U MARKET
A complete list of Theate
The famous Judge ThachJ^*^^ t^ 1930
What motion picture stocl^
The complete personnel of
riiiis ^r>y (^cLDie)
A Technical Text Book covering the ihfel^.ljt'rSS
' -'it
The sound situation comprehensively covered.
The use of Color and Wide-Film.
Complete and accurate production charts.
The work of Directors, Stars, Writers, etc.
Views of leaders of the Industry.
A complete buying and accessory guide.
Activities of all prominent organizations.
Personnel of all industry organizations.
Financial statements of all companies.
Short Subjects and Players and Directors.
Activities of Hays organization.
Comprehensive lists of all exchanges.
Activities of Academy of M. P. A. & S.
Covering of all home office personnel.
Re-Equipment section by John Eberson.
'-'and 1001 other things of interest
■i
THE
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
1930 to Be Banner Year,
Harold Lloyd Predicts
'T'HE outlook for the picture
business in general for 1930
is most encouraging. The high
standards of product during the
last year created renewed inter-
est in pictures, with consequent
bigger box office returns, and if
the same consistency of enter-
tainment is maintained, the
United States, and in fact the
world, will enjoy their greatest
prosperity this year. There can
be no sloughing off in produc-
tions, however, for the talkies
have educated the public to a
much higher plane of entertain-
ment values than the silent pic-
tures ever did, and they will in-
sist on the iv^
standar/y
p"
ASK FOX RECEIVERSHIP
(Continued from Page 1)
papers in the case as counsel for Fox.
Over the telephone Saturday from
Atlantic City, Untermeyer character-
ized the action as "preposterous" anu
emphasized the excellent financial
condition of Fox Film Corp.
The suit was filed by Ira M. Gast, of
Rutherford, N. J., a Class A stockholder,
acting for himself and others who may care
to join the action, through the law firms of
Stanley M. Lazarus and Wellman, Smythe
& .Scoheld. In addition to Fox and the two
corporations, the defendants named are Allen
Fox, Jacob M. Loeb, Jack Leo, Saul G.
Kogers, Charles S. Levin, Winfield K. Shee-
ban, Uavid A. Brown, Benjamin Reass and
Alexander Kempner. A receiver is asked
in order to preserve the business and the
assets of the corporation and to operate them
for the benefit of all equally.
It is stated in the action that short-term
indebtedness amounts to $91,000,000. It is
also alleged that actions have been instituted
to reduce these obligations to judgments and
that $4,000,000 was due and unpaid on De-
cember 31, 1929, for the purchase of theaters
in England. Also listed among the liabilities
is $40,000,000 contracted in July of last year
for the purchase of Loew's, Inc.
The action states that $70,000,000 in assets
of the Fox concerns were to Ite transferred
to the Fox Film Corporation and that no
accurate statement is available to stockhold-
ers and that access to the books and records
has been refused to class A stockholders.
Feb. 1 Date for Hearing
on Feedback Circuit Suit
(Contintied from Page 1)
feedback circuit. The action lakes
place at Wilmington, Del.
Samuel Darby, Jr., of Darby &
Darby, attorneys for DeForest, on
Saturday explained that the firm he
represents is named in the action
only as owners of the patents in-
volved and has no other interest in
the suit. A similar suit was filed on
Dec. 29 in the U. S. District Court at
Newark.
PAILV
Coast Wire Service
^^^
Hollywood Happenings
Paramount Completes
"Let's Go Native" Cast
Entire cast has been selected for
the Paramount production "Let's Go
Native" which will be directed by
Leo McCarey. In addition to Jean-
ette MacDonald, other players will
include: Jack Oakie, Skeet Gallagher,
is.ay Francis, WiUiam Austin, David
x\ewell, Eugene Pallette and Charle»
Sellon.
Preparing Movietone Follies
Preparations now are under .way
tor the 19J0 edition of the Fox Mo-
vietone Follies. Owen Davis, Sr. is
vvnting the story and John Hlystone,
upon completion of "Ihe Big Party"
.b scheduled to direct for Fox.
Pearce, Strange in Columbia Film
George I'earce and Phillip Strange
have Deen added to the cast of
Vengeance," Columbia drama being
airected by Archie Mayo with JacK
iiolt and Dorothy Revier portray-
ing the leading roles.
Clyde, Gribbon, in Comedy
Andy Clyde and Harry Gribbon
have the featured roles in. the Mack
Bennett "Sugar Plum Papa" which
lb nearing completion. This two-
reeler has a theme song, bearing the
title, which is sung by Daphne Poil-
lard.
Ruggles Signed by M-G-M
Wesley Ruggles, director, has been
signed by M-G-M to make "The Sea
tidt" with Charles Bickford in the
leading role. "The Sea Bat" is an
original by Dorothy Yost, with con-
tinuity by John JrLoward Lawson.
Kelsey Supervising Music
Carleton Kelsey, Tittany musical
director, is supervising the music
end on several specials, including
"Lasca," "Resurrection," "The Medi-
cine Man" and "Sunny Days."
Eddie Borden Gets Role
In addition to George O'Brien and
Helen Chandler, Eddie Borden has
been added to the cast of "The Girl
Who Wasn't Wanted," now being
made at Lake Louise, Canada, by
Fox.
Sedan in Fox Film
Rolfe Sedan, stage actor, will play
the part of the auctioneer in "Such
Men Are Dangerous," which Fox is
making with Warner Baxter in the
leading role.
Leila Hyams in Dove Film
Leila Hyams has been engaged
for the second feminine lead sup-
porting Billie Dove in "Other Men's
Wives," First National production
which Clarence Badger is directing.
Fox Signs S. N. Behrman
S. N. Behrman, playwright, will
join the Fox stafif Feb. 1.
A Little
from ** Lots''
a^^ By RALPH WILK ^«
Hollywood
JOSEPH JACKSON, the scenarist
and dialogue writer, who is a for-
mer president of the Wampas, will
preside as toastmaster at the dinner
the Wampas will tender Lew Cody.
The dinner was arranged at Jack-
son^s suggestion.
* * *
Louis Gasnier will direct "The
Benson Murder Case" for Para-
mount. He also directed "Slightly
Scarlet" and "Darkened Rooms" for
Paramount.
* * *
Seton I. "Happy" Miller has been
loaned to First National to write
the treatment of "The Flight Com-
mander," which will serve as a star-
ring vehicle for Richard Barthelmess.
Miller is a member of the Fox scen-
ario staff.
"Hollywood Voice" Fan Club
-A fan club is being organized in
connection with "The Voice of Hol-
lywood," Tiffany talker short. Louis
Le\Vyn, producer of this release,
plans to send certificates of member-
ship to those who submit ciuestions
which are answered by stars through
the medium of "The Voice."
Nagel Gets F. N. Lead
Conrad Nagel has been selected
for the leading role in First Nation-
al's "Jail Break" which soon goes
into production under the direction
of Mervyn LeRoy.
Schildkraut in "Czar of B'way"
Joseph Schildkraut has been as-
signed the leading role in "The Czar
of teroadway" an original by Gene
Towne, which will soon be put in
production by Universal.
Burton to Direct "The Circle"
David Burton, has been assigned
by M-G-M to direct "The Circle" an
adaptation of Somerset Maugham's
stage play. Dialogue is by Sykia
Thalberg and Frank Butler. In ad-
dition to Lewis Stone and Ernest
Torrence, Paul Cavanaugh and Mary
Forbes are also in the cast.
Mary Nolan's "U" Contract Renewed
Mary Nolan's contract with Uni-
versal has been renewed and she will
shortly start production on "What
Men Want."
Sharon Lynn for Rogers Film
Sharon Lynn has been selected for
the leading role opposite Charjps
Buddy' Rogers in "Safety -in Num-
iiers" which will be directed by Vic-
tor Schertzinger for Paramount.
Now On Broadw0yi
Astor— ^''Devil Hay Care"
Beacon^'Show of Shows"
Cameo— "Up the Congo"
Capitol — "It's a Great Life" ■"
Carnegie— "Cock-Kyed World" ~(Jan. 18-
"Half Way to; Heaven" (Jan. 22-2+)
Central — ."Disraeli"
Colony — "Night Ride"
Criterion — "The Love Parade".
Earl Carroll— "Hit the Deck" (Tan. Ui
Fifth Ave.— "The Koval Box"
Fifty-fifth St.— "Throw of the Dice"
Film Guild — "The Demon of the Steppe
Gaiety— "Party Girl"
Globe — "Seven Keys to Baldpate"
George M. Cohan — "Across the World (
Mr. and Mrs. .Martin Johnson"
Hippodrome — "Rio Rita"
Loew's New York — Monday, "Dvnam
Tuesday, "Take the Heir"; Wednei
"Paris"; Thursday, "Harmony at Hoi
Friday, "The Kibitzer"
Strand — "Show of Shows"
Paramount — "Behind the Makeup"
Rialto — "The Locked Door"
Rivoli — "The Mighty" • y
Roxy — "Sunny Side Up" j
Warners— i" General Crack" |
Winter Garden — "Sally" . |
NEWLANKFORDBIlLSEfl
(.Continued from Page 1)
urday and midnight Sunday. Ii
would also make it unlawful for ;,
one to ship in from abroad filn:c
be so-used and also unlawful ')i
anyone to receive such film from ij
part of the U» S. or abroad. Via-
tors of the law would be liable :c
fines of not less than $1,000, or i
prisonment at hard labor for y
more than one year, or both.
This is the second bill which L; ;
ford has aimed at the industry - r
ing the current session of Congi -
Its predecessor is in committee.
SOLVE ANOTHER PROBLt
IN WIDE riLM PROJECTS
(Continued from Page 1)
scopic effects, says the Carbon c i-
pany. The problem has been o r
come by the perfection of a su >
high intensity carbon similar to ti -v
made for the most powerful gov i-
ment searchlights.
Mintz Is President of
New Recording Stu c
(Continued from Page 1)
series of talking shorts and will m '■
tain an artists' bureau to ha Ic
talent. Its library contains a hp
percentage of music of its own civ-
right.
First Belgian Talker
Presented in Brusds
(Continued from Page 1)
and a military band. The pictur
on the order of the Will Ro
vehicle, "They Had to See Pa '.
.^eHEWSPAPER
i»/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
^)L. LI No. 17
Tuesday, January 21, 1930
Price 5 Cents
,15 Per Cent Decrease in 1929 Imported Features
americastill dominates frenchmarket
loach Producing 32 Talker Comedies in 1930
The Mirror
i— a column of comment
I IR. LANKFORD, who is a mem
bi of the Georgia delegation in the
Hiise of Representatives, continues
tddisplay a meddlesome nature as'
fa; as the film industry goes. Now
htjiips and asks Congress to pass a
S^day Blue Law bill which would
pithibit Sabbath shows everywhere
iiiihe United States. But, fortunate-
lyor the country, there are enough
sejsible members of Congress with
19) prospectives to kayo Mr. Lank-
few's plan. This large majority real-
iz* that people who work six days
eaii week are entitled to entertain-
injt on the seventh. It is regrettable
tlii the mind of the gentleman from
("'ircria is not sufficiently attuned tc
n thought to understand this
l.aws are as out of style as
Ik ) skirts. It's more than likely tha
tigress will suggest this to Mr
Lircford.
•:VERAL COMPANIES, glanc-
in;into the futuie, are buying tele-
vi^Hi rights to all stories purchased.
Tli: rns^r cpprn a little premature.
Bv in the film industry, it's a his-
to:; fact that what's new today is
olcjtomorrow. Motion pictures via
telj'ision may not be so mighty far
nhjd, after all. One thing is cer-
ta', These companies are on their
tot— alert — preparing for a problem
t'l' is sure to come eventually.
ONDER HOW many exhibitors
m:e a practice of standing in the
loliy when their shows "break" in
ori|r to overhear the comments of
«ij customers regarding the bill.
Tr| is usually a sure-fire way of
srajing public tastes. " '
Silent Versions for All-
Spanish, French and
German Editions
H'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Thirty -two all-talking
•omedies, eight of which are now in
work, will be produced by Hal Roach
in 1930. All of the pictures will have
silent versions and there will be re-
leases in Spanish, French and Ger-
man. Roach formerly produced 40
pictures in a season, but the new
rate of 32 actually represent an in-
creased schedule in view of the dif-
ferent versions being made.
The readjustment from silent to
talkers has been practically completed
at the Roach studios.
NEON'S 1929 PROFITS
TO SHOW BIG INCREASE
H'cst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Net profit of Claude
Neon Electrical I'roducts Corp., Ltd.,
for 1929 is estimated in local financial
"ircles as approxim itely $750,000,
(Continued on Page 2)
Lawrence Tibbett Signed
by M-G-M for Long Term
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Following the Coast
premiere of his first talker, "The
Rogue Song," which is to open Jan.
(Continued on Page 2)
1 Dead in London Fire
By ERNEST W. FREDMAN
Editor. -The Daily Film Renter"
London (By Cable) — Fire
which broke out at the Gains-
borough Picture studio here
yesterday resulted in the death
of one assistant whose identity
still is unknown. While the
complete interior of the studio
was gutted, the company suf-
fered no losses on negative or
positive film.
GEORGE IE MAIRE,PATHE
PRODUCERJESINN.Y.
George LeMaire, producer of
Pathe comedies, died of a heart at-
tack at 11 o'clock, yesterdav morn-
ing just as he was leaving his home
at 15 West 55th St., New York.
LeMaire was one of the most fam-
ous creators of comedy for such
Broadway institutions as the "Zieg-
feld Follies," George White's "Scan-
(Continued on Page 2)
Reorganization Under Way
at Sono Art-World Wide
Complete reorganization of sales
and distribution of Sono Art-World
Wide Pictures, Inc. is under way,
iccording to George W. Weeks, vice
president. Under the new plan the
country will be divided into three
(Continued on Page 2)
Imports in 1929 Totalled 145
Against 1 94 in Previous Year
Spokane Theater Men
Form Protective Group
.Spc' ane — Local theater managers
ha\e formed a protective body known
as the Theater Owners' and Mana-
gers' Ass'n of Spokane, with Ray
Grombacher as president; Will May-
Ion, vice president, and L. J. Carkey,
secretary and treasurer.
Imports of foreign films in the
United States during 1929 show a
total of 145 features from 22 coun-
tries against 194 features from 15
countries in 1928, according to fig-
ures compiled by THE FILM
DAILY. The decrease of 48, or 25
per cent is attributed to the talker
situation.
Comparative figures by countries
{Continued on Page 8)
U. S. Supplied 48 P. C. of
Films Shown Last
Year in France
Paris (By Cable) — Despite cur-
tailment of the continental market
for American films as a result of the
language difficulties brought about
by the talkers, U. S. distributors con-
tinued to dominate the French field
in 1929 by relear.iag 43 ))er ceit cf
the pictures sho^vn in this cou-nr
according u> a r<j,i«i 'oy (jciTjit i\
Canty, American Trade Cou-, .^i.
sioner. Germany was second, with
29 per cent.
Only four French talkers were
made last year and three of these
(.Ccmiinued on Page 2)
FOX repliesTnew
RECEIVERIP PETITION
Replying to a petition for an equity
receivership filed against Fox Film
Corp. by Mrs. Anthony R. Kuser,
William Fox last night issued a
statement in which he denied hav-
ing speculated with the money of Fox
Film or Fox Theaters.
Mrs. Kuser, in her action filed with
the U. S. District Court, declares
that she, individually, and as execu-
trix of the will of Anthony R. Kuser
(Continued on Page 7)
Goldberg Plans Seri<;s of
Columbia Regional Meets
Joe Goldberg, general sales man-
ager for Columbia, has left New
York on a tour of the company's of-
(Continued on Page 8)
52 Color Patents
IVad,. Bur. of THE FILM DAILV
Washington — Out of 256 pat-
ents granted in Great Britain
in 1928-29 for devices connected
writh films, 52 dealt with color,
while 57 related to sound and
21 to stereoscopic processes, ac-
cording to information reaching
the Department of Commerce.
THE
DAILY
Tuesday, January 21, 19
>LLTHE MtW!
ALLTUE TIME
Vol. II No. 17 Tuesday. January 21. 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y.. and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. E,n-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918
at the post-office at New York^^ N. Y., under
?he act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months $5.00. J
months! $3.00. Foreign, $15 00. Subscribers
should remit with o'-d^';. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 650
Rroadwav New York, N. Y. Phone Lircie
"736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address; F'l^dfy.
New York. Hollywood. California - Ralph
WiVk. 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
r607 London-Ernest W. Fredman, The
ITilm Renter 89-91 Wardour St., W.
f'^BerHn-Karl Wolfisohn, L.^htbUdbuehne.
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Par.9-P. A Harle
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
AMERICA STILL DOMINATES I GEORGE LE MAIRE, PATHE
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
Am. Scat 20 20 20 100
^rl;;;:S-pfd:^m^J^
fo-S^""V-:::^^?r^^rp J'ol
Z'^""'" :::::86- 86-- 86 ■i6o
L°oew>s Inc. ::... 52J^ 50/. 50^53,000
*do pfd. WW (654) »f'
*do pfd. xw (654) .... •••• 86 ....
?£",$'■ ::::: "v. «* "» "S
£?>• ■■■::l-A fi fi S
R.K-O ".'.'. 25H 21% 2454 43,400
do pfd 44 427^ 44 1,300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
:5L^^.:::sm ar % ^6oo
♦Intern. Proj 25
•Loew do deb. rts 13 J^ ••■•
*Loew's Inc. war 5 ....
*Nat. Scr. Ser 155^ ••■■
*Nat. Thea. Sup ^^
*Univ. Pict y/2
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
;it\^^lwl'':i62- 102-- 102 --lO
do 6s 41 x-war.. 927^ 927^ 927/, 20
Paramount 6s 47 . 99H 99 99!4 170
»Par. By. 5/.s 51 101
•Pathe 7s 37 44
»LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City
154 Crescent St.
STIllwell 7940
Eastimaii Films
J. E, Bmilatour, Inc, I
if
if
Hollywood K
6700 Santa Monica U
Blvd. ft
Hollywood 4121 ^{
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CAlumet 2691
FRENCH PICTURE MARKET
(Continued from Page 1)
were produced outside of France. Al-
though there are six French studios
at present equipped to make sound
and talking pictures, Canty believes
that the majority of sound versions
of French films will have to be pro-
duced in England and Germany to
meet the exhibitors' demands this
year.
Low cost of production in France,
as compared witii Hollywood, is set
forth by Canty's estimate that the
average cost of a French picture is
not more than $40,000, or a total out-
lay for the whole industry last year
of little more than $2,000,000.
Commenting on the sound situa-
tion in France, Canty declared there
is considerable confusion, in some
cases bordering on chaos. Nineteen
distinct types of reproducing equip-
ment are on the French market.
NEON'S 1929 PROFITS
TO SHOW BIG INCREASE
(Continued from Page 1)
after, taxes, charges and preferred
dividends, the sum being cciual to
$4.05 a share on the 18.=;,000 shares of
common stock, as compared with $1.14
I share in 1928.
Net operating profit in the final
quarter is placed at around $200,000,
the best period in the year.
Reorganization Under Way
at Sono Art-World Wide
(Continued from Page 1)
sections, eastern, central and west-
ern, with one manager in charge of
each section. Joseph S. Skirboll,
sales manager, will soon leave for
Los Angeles to organize the west-
ern section. Announcement will
shortly be made of a new vice presi-
dent in charge of national distribu-
tion. The office of the general sales
manager in New York is to be dis-
continued.
Williamson Film Catches Fire
While showing undersea pictures
taken by J. E. Williamson in the
waters of the Bahamas at the Astor
Hotel Sunday evening the film caught
fire and a part of the picture was de-
stroyed. Williamson, who was giving
a talk with the screening, calmed the
audience and no one was injured.
Chevalier To Make Records
Maurice Chevalier, Paramount star,
will make Victor records for one year
under a contract just closed by the
William Morris office.
Butterfields on Vacation
Detroit— Mr. and Mrs. W. S. But
terfield have left for a two month's
vacation and sea fishing at Pas
Christian, Miss., and plan to spend a
week at New Orleans,
PRODUCER, DIES IN N.Y.
(Continued from Page 1)
dais" and the Winter Garden revues
and noted as a headliner in big-time
vaudeville with his partner in the
team of Conroy and LeMaire. He
joined Pathe in 1929 to produce and
star in a series of comedies. The
success of the initial series brought
him contracts for two other series in
which he presented other Broadway
stars, confining his personal appear-
ances to the series bearing his name.
He had made 17 two-reel comedies
for Pathe.
LeMaire, who was born in New York City,
was 46 He is survived by his widow, Marie
LeMaire; a son. Tack, who has appeared with
him in several of his pictures; an only sis-
ter, Mrs. Ida Goldgraber, a widow residing
in Fort Worth, Texas; a brother, Rufus Le-
Maire, now producing in Hollywood where
he conducts an agency for talent, William
LeMaire a stage comedian and featured pic-
ture actor now in Hollywood, a brother, and
Sam LeMaire, theatrical manager, now in
charge of various Publix units.
He was an active member of the Friars
Club, the Masons, and the Jewish Theatrical
Guild.
Lawrence Tibbett Signed
by M-G-M for Long Term
(Continued from Pape 1)
28 at the Astor, New York, Law-
rence Tibbett, Metropolitan baritone,
has been placed under a long-term
contract by M-G-M to appear in at
least one featured production yearly.
Tibbett is the first of the Metro-
politan stars to complete a full-length
talker, as well as the first to sign
a long term contract for the screen.
"The Rogue Song," an all-Techni-
color production, also marks his first
appearance before the camera.
Commenting on his new venture,
Tibbett said, "Motion pictures have
taken up the task of developing a
love of good music in the public,
where the radio has left oflF. Unques-
tionably the radio has had infinitely
more to do with making classical
music familiar to every one than all
other agencies combined, and now
the screen is promising to do more
than even the radio could accom-
plish."
"Condemned" for Rivoli
"Condemned" starring Ronald Col-
man will go into the Rivoli Feb. 1, at
popular prices after playing an eight
weeks' engagement at the Selwyn at
$2.00 top.
Fire Destroys Garden
Chicago, 111. — The Garden was
completely demolished bv fire with
damage estimated at $125,000.
Kooler-)^ire
Summer Pre-Cooling
Winter Ventilating
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan. 23
Jan. 24
Jan. 2S
Jan.
27
Jan.
28
Feb.
1
Feb.
7
Feb.
19
Mar
S
Mar
20
April 6,
June 2-7
AMPA Luncheon, at Paranxi
Hotel, N. Y.
Opening of "Because I Love V
at the Mansfield. New York.
Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athhi
Club, Hotel Commodore, U
York City.
Warner Bros. Regional Sales Vn
Hotel Astor, N. Y.
Opening of "Hell's Harbor" atli
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Premiere of "The Rogue Song^
the Astor. N. Y. f
Meeting of non-theatrical produr
at Washington. D. C.
"Condemned." opens at Rivoli. J
Y., at popular prices.
Paramount Pep Club annual bss
the Astor, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Citii
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of M.P.T.Oc
Maryland.
Election of officers of Mar<i
M.P.T.O. at Baltimore.
7 Spring convention of Tri-!t
M.P.T.O. to be held at Memii
Tri-State M.P.T.O.A. convex
at Memphis.
International Cinema Congres ■
Brussels.
"Paper Profits" Suit Withdraw
Amicable settlement of the li
brought by Arthur Train to restii
Tiffany from using the title, "Piei
Profits," in one of its all-talking p-
ductions, is announced by H. \n
Fitelson, counsel for Tiffany.
"In Mr. Train's complaint," A
F"itelson, "there was no intimaw
that Tiffany's story, written by AP
Younger, and the book written by r,
Train conflicted in any way. f i
matter of fact, Tiffany has had i(
name, 'Paper Profits' in mind f or jV'
eral months and it was being useai
a working title, with no knowledgol
Mr. Train's book. Due to our e^
gard for Mr^ Train and Mr. RL
Giffon, his agent, we decided to an
don the title."
Critics for AMPA Luncheo.
A luncheon for leading motion :•
ture critics of the New York d^ ;s
is scheduled Thursday at the AV^A
regular luncheon at the Param'nt
Hotel, New York.
Projectionists Celebrate
M. P. Projectionists' Local 306 Id
a banquet Saturday night at the F:«l
Astor to celebrate the 16th ann r-
sary of the organization.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions tor
Picture Tlieatret
Standard
VaudeviUe Acts
1^00 Broadway, New York Ci
Phone Penn. 3S80
THE
issday, January 21, 1930
-;g3g^
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Tkers Beginning to Play
B Part in Education
""0 scientists and educators who
■ have gradually become aware
: the practical extent to which
,ie talking screen can be adapted
projecting the living person-
ities of people through their
)eech and actions, a recent dem-
istration appeared finally con-
ncing. An audience of 300 edu-
.tional leaders at the Carnegie
istitute of Technology in Pitts-
irgh a few weeks ago saw to
hat education is undoubtedly
)ming when four eminent scien-
;ts appeared before them, talked
them and conducted investiga-
ons and demonstrations through
f.e medium of the talking motion
' Icture.
i CD. Wagoner,
' I General Electric Co.
* * *
>^ Talkers Will Lead to
?<irth of Stage Plays
V7HEN the talkies have
emptied the theater of the
;pe of public that likes crime and
;droom plays, the theater will
)t be dead but reborn. It will
tract playwrights of a high type
i;cause they will then have an
!)portunity to write for intellec-
!al audiences and to win back
Le theatergoer who has been
iienated by the type of play now
ping presented.
I Channing Pollock in
I "New York Sun"
* ♦ ♦
[ijustry at New Heights,
ir Best Still to Come
J^HATEVER we may think
of our individual affairs, we
now that the trade has never
;ood so high in public recogni-
on, has never earned so much
venue, or offered so much fine
d novel entertainment. In every
-•ection we have reached new
andards, our houses, our films
id our turnover have all risen to
ew levels. Best of all, the wave
; improvement is at the Begin-
ing, not at its End; the best and
iggest is still to come.
"The Bioscope"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
3ERTRUDE KINGSTON
stenographic department of
Fox Studio
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr,
npHIS lir ole paper came in for a pubHcity break the other night
when Hugh O'Connell used it as a prop in a sketch at the
Lambs' gambol. Writing of the gambol jogs our memory to the
effect that a lotta picture people were there, including John
Hobble, who staged a sketch; Arthur Hurley, Dan Healy, Hal
Skelly, Bobby Clark & Paul McCullough, Herbert Rawlinson,
William Farnum, Mark Luescher, Eli M. Orjwitz, Vinton
Freedly, George Sweet, Jack Haley.
* * * *
While Lawrence Tibbett was New Yorking his initial picture,
"The Rogue Song," world premiered at the Coast and aroused
a storm of applause. Tibbett's baritone (to refer to Lambs'
gambol again) was a sensation at the party held several months
ago — 'and it takes a mighty good voice to be sensation at a
Lambs' gambol Ralph Stitt of the Publix publicity staff
has completed a tie-up with the May Distributing Co. and Vim
Radio Co. to help plug "The Mighty," in which Mr. Bancroft
^stars. The arrangement included a tab newspaper, a radio dis-
play and a radio announcement.
* * * *
About 250 bookdealers in the metropolitan district tonight
take a look at "General Crack" at the Warner. Grosset & Dun-
lap arranged the party in recognition of the large sale of the
photoplay edition put out in connection with this Vitaphone
production Tammany Young is rehearsing in "Out of a
Blue Sky" and says it's great "A Cup of Coffee" will soon
be offered by George Jessel for public consumption. It's a play,
not Java
* * * *
Open house is scheduled today for M. Witmark & Sons at
the new Cunningham Bldg. headquarters where, in addition to
reception and executive offices, a good deal of space is available
for 15 piano rooms, a radio and concert bureau and a special band
and orchestra hall Jules Delmar, in charge of RKO Club
and Private Entertainment Dept., staged a monster circus last
Saturday night at Madison Square Garden for the Firemen's
Ass'n of N. Y. The event was called "Outside the Barnum and
Bailey Circus"
^t « * *
Pathe's minstrel picture, "The Grand Parade," was broad-
casted yesterday from the Auditorium, Baltimore, 6ver station
WCBM. Among the song hits heard were "Molly," "Alone in
the Rain" and "Moanin' for You." Fred Newmeyer directed.
Abe Goodman, Joe Fine's left bower at Fox, still squawks over
the fact he travels to Jersey
* * * *
Robbins Music Corp. has added to its standard catalog,
"Anchors Aweigh," the march and two-step song of the Navy,
by Charles A. Zimmerman, musical director of the U. S. Navy
Academy The song was used in M-G-M's "The Flying
Fleet"
* * * ♦
A complete list of theater chains throughout the country is
found in the forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 21 -MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
James Marcus
Arthur S. Dickinson
H. William Fitelson
Allyn Carrick
Hugo Mayer
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By fHIL M. DALY
'T'MIS chap known as John Barry-
more is not doing so tough in the
talkers. He and his wife, Dolores
Costello, recently christened their
new $150,000 steel yacht at Long
Beach Harbor, Cal. Barrymore ap-
peared on the scene behind a growth
of shrubbery that made him look like
Rip Van Winkle. But there the
similarity ends, for any bird who can
earn dough enough to buy yachts
at 150 grand is no sleeper.
* * ♦
"Now," said the leader of the Ozark
moom pitchur house band, "we'll play
'The Stars and Stripes Foreverl'"
"Gosh!" exclaimed the cornet play-
er, "I've just played that!"
* * *
The AMPAS at this Thursday's
luncheon will have as guests the pic-
ture critics of the New York dailies.
This is touted as the first of a series
of press luncheons, to be followed by
free feeds for fan mag editors, trade
paper editors, and columnists. All
the guests will be invited to speak.
They'll probably say something about
motion pictures.
* * i
Eddie Quillan sez tha . 'is favorite
sport is that beautiful 5 ^tch cne of
watching little dimes g ./ into big
dollars.
But what good does it do you,
Eddie? Your Scotch dad sticks the
dollars in the bank and gives you a
dime to start collecting another
dollar.
* * *
Film Sales Manager (to salesman
starting on a tough trip) — "Now,
don't let me hear any bad reports."
Salesman — "I'll try hard not to, but
you know how those things leak out."
* * *
Famous Film Conversations
"How about expenses?"
TEN YEARS AGO IO-DA\
IN
United buys S. A. Lynch ex.h-n^e
in South.
Paramount reported to have set
36,000,000 aside for Canadian theater
construction.
New York Stock Exchange admits
Loew's Inc. to trading.
Allen Holubar reported signed by
Famous.
a\
^^^* , SIMON coa^EN. ^,„,„^>
tnA *e ^P'": -= '^"* tiA' *' ': « *e W>i-"!:l „( even-
. ,\ the 'e- -Uiag^
.\n't ,uax»i^ J
;„h'* ?*"='■ •
From DR; ^1-- -;„ .e ,- V--;;, .o en^^^ - .„.
■•" "'est ** ^*^t IvaV V>"'dery tV>»«^' "the screet-'*
all assoc»teO ^
.AMES •»• »tt»i«=> "• ...asft"'^""""
intere^' a"*
nYouY town m^ns SUCC.
and
ION EXTRA0RWNAK
wis in the Pref s Slueet wlijem
:tMs remarkable-attraetioii.
cvv.
o>
"^^-^a;,
•>'i^,
ef/e.
°^ Mr
1/
'-^ti,
0/2
'Ofia
^^H^<
'12 E)
-n
^^/f/2
'Cf^
°^er
'^e
Q
cy,. :'^nt -. -■ O
C7,
'y P,
etfe.
A/,
'^af/
^s.
^d
C^'^)' i;^^ . ^^a6.
'^^?ee
0/
Gtit
etj;
O,
^,
Q,
^^6.
y.
^o'er^.-^^^^a^J.
er6,
f^65
erf
o^^
'^/>3
<y
'^^/v
^.
at^
W(/e
^^s ^fr
Of ^,'^%;
'^^^^
^nj
es
°J'a6ye
3/J(/
-.^.J
-^e.
^/;„ '^,
,^/.
•^/.a"^'^
^V„
o/
Q,."^^
^'^/.
^«?.
%„ Oa,
'■5/ :?^o 'o^p
"'■n-
^^f '^/,
^■^^§:^s§^
%,
'^t
'^:l<.%
'<?-/o. %
^^.
^^.
'<? ^.'^•^e.
^C^.^'-.
.'^.
>o»^
^>J«
^'-^^S^^-^^^
^^^^>^7"^'^'-
'»
Of
"^^fis
'*/.
^^^^^^^'^'S^:?^-^^
0/
^o.:^*e„;^'<:;°*e,„„^
'^^f
'»<'°>>.?'>
7se „ . -^f e/o.
BETTY
COM PSON
Henry B.Walihali,
Fi'ankieOarroand
a powerful casi.
bitecled by R«naud Kofrman
and GeoJ.Croae
Mmsj'c iy James F. Han ley
'ni/;
' WORLDWIDE **//'
PICTURES'/-
Presenked by
O.E.GOEBEL arvd
GEO. W. WEEKS-
THE
•^m
DAILVL
Tuesday, January 21, 19:
*^SEE AND HEAR''
By ^Sv.^v^
A Brief History of Motion Pictures
and the Development of Sound
Chapter VII
The Future Industry
TIHE immediate effects of sound has been to increase attend-
ance at motion picture theaters by millions. Vast new audi-
ences have been reached and these will be held as the develop-
ment continues and as talking pictures become better and bet-
ter. With the same familiarity with which the public receives
motion pictures under its own affectionate name of "movies,"
the public has accepted talking pictures under the name of
"talkies."
At first there was a wide variance of opinion as to the
future of sound. Many men in the industry believed that sound
would not last. It took public response to convince many of
them that sound was here to stay. It is but fair to say of
them that when they were convinced, they did not hesitate to
reverse their opinions.
ties of the players as much as by the
stories and I do not believe that the
public will ever materially change
its habits. And isn't it true, as a
matter of fact, that even the stage
depends very little upon voices? Very
few producers demand perfect dic-
tion. The stage and the screen de-
pend largely on types, and this is es-
pecially true of motion pictures be-
cause the screen is now and always
has been the exponent of realism. It
places characters in human situa-
tions and moves them through scenes
peopled by ordinary figures of the
world. Without meaning any dis-
paragement of the stage, I still say
that it does not approach the motion
pictures in naturalness.
Many stage voices are unnatural
when transferred to a record. Ac-
tors have the habit of declaiming
their lines. They speak to the tenth
row, or to the gallery. In front of
the microphone, the slightest whisper
is audible. One's natural conversa-
tional voice is preferable. And mo-
tion picture actors have the ability
to hold their own in natural speech.
Of course, many important actors
and actresses who have achieved dis-
tinction on the legitimate stage have
met with success in talking pictures.
They will continue to find success
and the industry will always wel-
come trained talent, for its purpose
is to produce pictures which are en-
tertaining and dramatic and artistic,
and those who are best qualified to
appear in such pictures will always
be selected.
In the last few months much has
been learned about the possibilities
Sound, of course, has wrought
great changes in the technique of
motion picture production. No-
where has this change been so no-
ticeable as in the methods of direc-
tion and of scenario writing. Inci-
dentally, of course, great new fields
of dramatic material were opened up
for the screen. Plays and stories
which had depended largely on dial-
ogue or on their psychological de-
velopment for success became usable
for the first tiipe. The writing ol
natural speech became imperative.
To the everlasting credit of the
screen writers, let it be said that they
arc speedily mastering the new tech-
nique. The pictures today offer an
outstanding example of the effective
use of simple and telling dialogue.
An early fear that sound would
end the careers of many well-known
actors who had been developed for
the screen without previous stage ex-
perience has been to a large extent
dissipated by time. The public still
seems to prefer its screen stars, with
the result that not many screen plav-
ers have been discarded. They have
simply had their ranks added to by
attractive personalities imported from
the speaking stage. If an actor can-
not speak lines with ordinary ability
or suffers from vocal impediments,
of course he loses his value. Several
foreign stars, who could not speak
English and who declined to devote
sufficient time to mastery of the lang-
uage, were unneeded when talking
became a necessary addition to the
film.
The public has always been drawn
to motion pictures by the personali-
VVILL H. HAYS
of sound. Every new picture has
marked an advance. Directors are
learning how to save all the advan-
tages of the silent picture while the>
are adding the qualities of sound.
Their progress has been little short
of dazzling. They have been forced
to deal with a new instrument. They
have had to master a new technique.
At first we thought it necessary
to have absolutely sound-proof stu-
dios. Today we make sound pictures
outdoors. We have made mistakes
but we are getting rapidly away from
the early errors. Every new picturt
marks a really great advance.
Today sound is new. Tomorrow
there will be something else — the en-
larged screen, the third dimension.
I do not think I am too visionary
when I predict for tomorrow a mo-
tion picture flashed on the screen as
large as the ordinary stage, the fig-
ures moving in perspective, speaking
naturally, all in the vivid colors oi
life. That day, in fact, is just around
the corner.
The End
Copyright, 1929, by
Motion Picture Producers and Distributors
of America
Uptown Prepares for Sound
Yougstovvn, O. — The Uptown is
being entirely refurnished and rede-
corated in preparation for sound
equipment to be installed.
South Bend House Reopens
South Bend, Ind. — The new State
has reopened after complete renova-
tion and installation of Western
Electric sound equipment. Raymond
A. Howard estimated the cost at
$75,000.
Reinert for St. Louis Amuse. Co.
St. Louis — Otto Reinert is being
considered by the St. Louis Amuse-
ment Co. to head one of the com-
pany's orchestras.
Wiring Rialto, Harlingen
Harlingen, Tex. — Manager Jr
King announces that the Rialto he
will be equipped for sound soon. Tl
Arcadia, owned by the same exhib
tor, is already wired.
Strand, Tyron, Reopens
Tyron, N. C. — The Strand has n
opened after considerable improvr
ments. Sound has been installed.
T. W. Sharp Installs W. E.
Little Rock, Ark.— Sound is bein
installed at the New and Prospec
owned by T. W. Sharp. W. E. is th
equipment going in.
Publix to Reopen Rex
Sumter, S. C— Publix will reope
the Rex here shgrtly. Eugene Pai:
rish will manage the house.
Tower Opens
Pasadena, Calif.— The new Towe
at 114 East Colorado St., near Broad
way, has been formally opened. Th
house seats 800.
W. E. for Lyric, Atkinson
Atkinson, Neb. — Installation o
Western Electric apparatus is bein.
made at the Lyric, according to /
G. Miller, proprietor.
Phonofilm in Lancaster, O.
Lancaster, O.— De Forest Phono
film and Phonodisc has been installe(
in the New Hippodrome under su
pervision of Gordon C. Rowley, di
vision sales manager.
Parks Opens Bertram House
Bertram, Texas— Wilson Parks ha
opened his new theater here.
Plan Opening Little Theater
Baltimore— H. Doetch of the Al
lied Film Exchanges of New Yorl
was here recently investigating pes
sibilities of opening another litt'-
theat^.
Publix Moves Equipment
Sumter, S. C— Equipment of th
Publix Rex of Columbia has beet
nioved into the Publix house in thi
city. This leaves the Ritz and Im
perial in Columbia operated by Pub
Loew Reopens Arlington House
Arlington, Mass.— The Regent re
opened recently under the manage-
ment of E. M. Loew's theaters after
being redecorated and refurnished.
Western Electric sound system ha;
been installed.
Sound for Trenton, Mo.
Trenton, Mo. — Western Electric
-■(|uipment has been installed at th«
Plaza here. Lee Jones recently re-
opened the house.
Park Added to Sound List
Cinn., O. — The Park is the lateslj
theater here to be added to the souncj
equipped houses. Park Theaters, Inc
operates the house.
THE
I Ticsday, January 21, 1930^
-.gBg^
DAILV
IIX REPLIES TO NEW
RECEIVERSHIP PETIIION
(Continued from Page 1)
i c'ns 19,150 shares of Class B stock
■ ( Fox Film. These holdings, says
t; petition, gives her one fifth of the
(ass B stock, which is the voting
■ )ck of the company. In her coni
■ jiint, Mrs. Kuser also asks an in-
■nction to enjoin the officers and di
i:tors of Fox Film from emoloyin;
iy funds of the corporation to pay
illiam Fox's salary.
The Fox statement, in part, fol
livs:
"I deeply resent the published statement
ten from the bill of complaint filed today
■ Mrs. Anthony R. Kuser in the Federal
urt. Whatever else may happen to me, I
jpose to maintain my honor. There is not
ATord of truth to the assertion that I have
•culated with the money of Fox Film or
X Theaters Corporation or with the funds
,, any company with which I have ever been
icerned. , ,
"Not only have Mrs. Kuser's large present
ick holdings not cost her a dollar, but on
• contrary she and her husband were long
ice reoaid their total investment, and have
d millions of dollars besides in cash and
)ck dividends. All I know about the
ntents of the Kuser complaint is what ap-
ars in the newspapers, my counsel, Mr.
imuel Untermyer, having thus far been
lable to secure a copy of the pleading.
"It is al«o stated that I have received hun-
eds of thousands of dollars m salary. In
int of fact I relinquished my salary three
d a half years ago and never since received
dollar. In all that time I never had a
eck to my order from any Fox company.
ask the public to suspend _ judgment until
e facts can be presented to it, which I hope
ill not be long. . , • i i
"The cnmnanies are overwhelmingly sol-
■nt. And the only question is one of a little
itience on t^e pprt of the creditors until new
latic^ne now under consideration can De
mn'eted. , ., . ,,,^
"The newspaper accounts state that tiie
ox Company paid $125 per share for the
,ew's stock. In point of fact it cost the
iimpanv an average of $105 per share. While
is was a good price, although the stock
now earning at the rate of $10 per share.
■ is worth far more to the Fox Company
,an the sum paid, the saving from con-
,1--dation of the companies m eliminating
jplication and overhead charges is esti-
ated to be worth about $17,000,000 per year
. the consolidated company.
"In 1915, when the Fox Corporation was
xorporated its capital structure was $500,-
10 of 8% preferred stock and 100,000 shares
f common stock. The $500,000 ^-^^thj
referred stock was subscribed as follows.
100,000 by William Fox $200,000 by An
ony R Ku-er and his family, and the bai-
lee of $200,000 by others in New Jersey.
"I received as a bonus 50,000 shares of
le common stock, Anthony R, Kuser and h.'
„,;iv re-'-^-ed 25 000 shares, and the re-
aming 25.000 shares of common stock werf
iven to those who bought the remaining
■200,000 of the preferred stock.
"Some time during the latter part of 1917.
le $500,000 of preferred stock was retired
luring the time it was outstanding, 8% per
nnum was paid on it. After the preferred
hares were paid at par and retired, the
ommon shares were the only outstanding
lock. ,
"From 1918 to 1925, the«e common shares
aid $5 per annum. The Kuser family hav-
ig 25.000 shares of this common stock, re-
eived $125,000 per annum in dividends from
918 to 1925, In 1925 the company was
ecapitalized in the following manner. Thf
ommon shares given originally as bonus
/ere called "B" shares and had the voting
ower, and there were authorized an addi-
onal 900.000 shares of common stock; and
t this time there was declared a 235% stock
ividend or in other words the 100,000 shares
utstandmg received 235,000 additional shares
'ithout payment.
: "In terms of shares, the Kuser family
hares was increased from 25,000 to between
3 and 84,000 shares. The Kuser family re-
eived $4.00 per annum per share on these
niM BOARDS OF TRADE
REPORTTHEATER CHANGES
LONG ISLAND
Changes in Ownership
Bayshore — Bayshore, sold to Prudential Flay
houses. Inc., by Mike Glynne ; Hmhurst —
Queensboro, sold to Queensboro Holding
Co. by Worth & Hamid ; Kings Park—
Playhouse, sold to Joe Bengnot by Donlin ;
Richmond Hill — Our Civic, sold to A. Bel-
lows ; St. James — Little Playhouse, sold to
H. Hopkins.
Closings
Astoria — Arcade, Franklin, Meridan ; Bayside
— Bayside; Bellaire — Bellaire; Bridgehamp-
ton — Community ; Cedarhurst — Playhouse ;
Central Park — Central Park ; Corona — Co-
lonial; E. Quogue — Atlantic Hall; Farm-
ingdale — Dale; Floral Park — Lily; Flushing
— Flushing; Forest Hills — Metropolis;
Kings Park — Kings Park ; Hicksville —
Hicksville; Hyde Park — Hyde Park; Hunt-
ington— Park ; Richmond Hill — Garden,
State ; Ronkinkoma — Firemans Hall.
STATEN ISLAND
Closings
South Beach — Strand.
NEVADA
Closings
Las Vegas — El Patio; Hawthorne — Desert,
owner — S. E. Bower.
NEW MEXICO
Changes in Ownership
Hatch— P-'lace, sold to Clay Hooker by Wal
ter & Hiatt.
Closings
Albuquerque — San Felipe; Ft. Sumner —
Riverside.
NORTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Aberdeen — Dixie, sold to James Smith by
Stevenson Amusement Co. ; Greenville — Co-
lonial ,sold to BnVlit Leaf Theater Co. bv
H. J. Paradis; White's, sold to Bright
Leaf Theater Co. by H. J. Paradis; High
Point — American, sold to City of Hi. Pt.
bv Publix-Saenger; Lumberton — Pastime,
sold to Ltimberton Theater C". by J. L.
Caudell ; Nev? Bern — Globe, sold to George
W. Logan by Redt. Ward : Pan'l'eman —
Plavboi'se. sold to Mrs. M. S. Williams bv
G. M. Haley: Smithfield— Sander's, sold to
Bright Leaf Theater Co. by H. J. Paradis :
Tarboro — Co'onial. soM to Brip-ht Leaf The-
ater Co by H. T. Paradis: Opera House
sold to H. C. Cooke bv Clift Amusement
To. : Wilson — O'sis. sold to Bright Leaf
Theater Co. by TT. T. Paradis.
Closings
Bi'coe — CaroHm ; Pliimtrer — Tar Heel : View-
lands — Nightingale; Pittsboro — New •
■Peidsville — Gilmer ; Rocky Mt. — New
Broadway.
OKLA NOMA
Closings
Terral — Terra'.
New Theaters
r;o-'l»'1 — Ritz. owner — S. T. D'vMson: Paulf
Vall'y — Nusho, owner — P. W. Barton.
''3.0nn nnd a fraction from 1925 un to the
'itp nf the payment of the last dividend ir
October, or on a per share basis they re
-eived l!;33''.00n per vear wh''ch in four vears
-m — ntprl to $1. 328. nnn in ca^b dividends.
"Orifinallv from 1918 to 1925, thev ha''
-"'-'■•ved H;!25 nOO per v»ar on the stock thev
'"■'d Therefore, the Kuser fam'lv received
■n all in dividends !t?.203.0nO. For the nnm
'-er of shares the Ki.=er familv claim the.
■-OW hnvp left .and subtract in p' that from the
'',^.010 shares thev received for notViing, '*
's evident that they must ha^-e =nld more
'ban 50.000 shares. It is fair to as-^iime
'hat tV«pv sold them somewhere bet"'pen ^70
and tinO per sh.are. And therefore t^-v re
-eived for them somewhere between «3.5nnnon
anri «■; non OOO, Taking the 1e='er a-no.mt
*3 5nn.nnO and add''n<r to it the d^.Mer„^.
.|,ev received nn to date ^x'h-ch != Ha 103 ""1
■nates 71 total of $5 703 OiQ. w'thont n sin^-le
dollar invested. Tl^e ha'ance of the stoc
thev now hold is add'tinnal profit."
This is the second netition for a reeeiver-
=h!n for Fox F'lm fi'ed. the first being the
petition of minority Class A stockholders.
Coast Wire Service
Big Drive On at Paramount
FIVE PRODUCTIONS NOW IN
W0RK;6 BEING PREPARED
Witli liic new year hardly started
production activity at the Paramount
studio now is well under way with five
pictures in work, two in rehearsal
and six being prepared for the cam-
eras within the next 30 days.
Films now in work are : "Young
Eagles," with Charles Buddy Rogers
being directed by William Wellman;
Moran and Mack in "Two Black
Crows in the A.E.F."; "Let's Go Na-
tive"; Geo. Bancroft in "Ladies Love
Brutes," and Richard Arlen in "The
Light of the Western Star." "Safety
in Numbers" and 'The Benson Mur-
der Case" have been placed in re-
hearsal, while productions in prepa-
ration include : "The Texan," 'The
Devil's Sunday," another Bancroft
vehicle, yet untitled ; "The Return of
Fu Manchu" and "Marco Himself."
Marguerite Churchill Hurt
Marguerite Churchill recently
sprained her ankle near her home and
was forced to stay away from the
Fox lot where she was making a pic-
ture.
Mercer in "Dumbbells in Ermine"
Beryl Mercer has been assigned by
Warners to play an important role
in "Dumbbells in Ermine," Others in
the cast are Dick Henderson, Claude
Gillingwater, Julia Swaync Gordon,
Mary F"ov and Marie Astaire,
A Little
from * 'Lots'*
^•^mm By RALPH 1VILK — ^
Hollywood
^LIZABETH PATTERSON, one
of Broadway's best known char-
acter actresses, will remain in Holly-
wood following the termination of her
latest picture arrangement with Fox.
She has appeared in "Words and
Music," "South Sea Rose" and "Har-
mony at Home."
* * *
Roy Del Ruth is all smiles these
days. Reports from exhibitors and
various ballots place his "Gold Dig-
gers of Broadway" as one of the
outstanding 'money-makers of 1929.
Roy has pioneered in talking pio-
t^ires, being the first to direct an
operetta for the screen — "The Desert
Song."
* ♦ ♦
Our Passing Show: Robert
Elliott visiting the M-G-M
studio on business; Bob Yost
showing Will Hays points of
interest at the Fox studio;
Frank Whitbeck, Eddy Eckels,
Carl Calvin and Charlie Ver-
Halen busy as the proverbial
bees in the Washington and
Vermont sector.
Andrew Arbuckle is keeping busy
around Hollywood these days. His
brother, James Arbuckle, Jr., died re-
cently at Buffalo, N. Y.
"MYSTERIOUS ISLAND"
did $71,800 at the Capitol Theatre, New York,
boosting previous week*s record by $10,000.
Capitol — "Mysterious Island" very good at $71,000 — Variety.
Written and
Directed by
LUCIEN HUBBARD
(Now under contract to Warner Brothers)
Mordaunt Hall, in the New York Times — "A fantastic undersea
melodrama . . . craftily contrived . . . strikingly ingenious . . .
effectively directed by Lucien Hubbard."
THE
^^
DAILV
t
Tuesday, January 21, 19( (
|5/ior^ Shots from
New York Studios
U^^^ By HARRY N. BLAIR m,^^
UPON completion of "The Big
Pond," late last week, at the
Paramount Long Island studio,
Hobart Henley, director, left for a
brief vacation during which he will
look over the script of the next
Chevalier picture, which he will also
direct.
Helen Morgan, Maurice Chevalier
and Ted Lewis ivere among the vari-
ous notables imitated by Vanita
Gould in a short subject made at the
Paramount studio here, with Frank
Cambria directing and Jay Gorney
leading the orchestra.^
"Gamby," having established an
enviable reputation as a dancer, is
now studying voice culture at the
Metropolitan Opera in preparation
for some singing, dancing shorts to
be made at the Paramount studios m
Astoria.
*
Gertrude Lawrence, mistress of
light comedy, whose Paramount pro-
duction, "The Battle of Paris," is
now being shown throughout the
country, returns to the revue type ol
stage entertainment shortly, as star
of "The International Revue."
FitzPatrick on Tour
for New Travel-Talks
James A. FitzPatrick, producer of
Travel-Talks, leaves today aboard the
S. S. Columbus for a three months'
trip during which he will visit Italy,
Egypt, India, Siam, China, Japan,
Panama, Cuba and other countries.
He will be accompanied by a staf?
equipped with talking, sound and
color apparatus to record picturesque
backgrounds and entertaining events
of his journey. In addition to secur-
ing material for Travel-Talks, he wil'
film material for an "Around The
World Overture" series, which he
will complete upon his return.
Warner Regional Meet
in New York Jan. 25
A regional sales meeting will be
held Saturday by Warner Bros, at
the Hotel Pennsylvania, it is an-
nounced by Sam E. Morris. Claude
C. Ezell and Paul Swift will be chair-
men for the occasion, with George
Baldson also scheduled to speak.
Among the branch managers expect-
ed to attend the meeting are:
Jerry Herzog, New Jersey; Harry
Decker, Brooklyn; Lester Adler,
New York; R. E. Binns, Washing-
ton; J. S. Hebrew, Philadelphia; J.
A. Davis, New Haven; H. E. Elder,
Boston, and Robert SuUey, Albany.
Sales representatives who will be
there include: Norman Pincus, Irv-
ing Rothenberg, George Falkner,
William Home, Leo Jacobi, Charles
Rich, Robert Campell, H. L. Den-
bow, Herbert Given, B. R. Tolmas,
W. G. Humphries, jack Schaefler,
Nat Furst, Tim Donahue, William
Horan, R. J. Murrav A. P. Bibber,
George Goldberg, S. E. Feld, et aL
25 PER CENT DECREASE IN
1929 IMPORTED FEATURES
(Continued from Page 1)
are as follows:
1929 1928
Germany 46 83
England 28 37
Russia 22 16
France 19 31
Italy 4 6
Australia 3 —
.\'ew Zealand 3 —
Austria 2 2
India 3 1
Turkey 2 —
Armenia 1 ~—
Argentine — 1
Brazil 1 1
Canada — 1
China 1 —
Czechoslavakia — 1
Denmark 1 —
Egypt 1 1
Hungary 1 —
Japan 1 —
Norway 1 '
Poland — 4
South Africa 1 —
Spain 1 —
Syria — 1
Sweden ' '
South Pole 1 —
World Tour ' —
Europe 1 —
145 194
Fleischer Completing
First Spanish Cartoon
What is believed to be the first all
Spanish Screen Song, "La Paloma,"
now is being completed at the
Fleischer studio. New York. The
subject has been made exclusively
for foreign territory and will be dis-
tributed by Paramount, according to
Max Fleischer.
Church Opposes Sunday Shows
Humboldt, la. — Churches here will
oppose the special election voted by
the City Council for next month re-
garding the showing of pictures on
Sundays. A petition with more than
500 names asked for the election.
Martin Johnson Film Opens
"Across the World with Mr. and
Mrs. Martin Johnson" opened last
night at the Cohan. The picture was
recorded by RCA Photophone.
M.P. EXECUTIVES TO TAKE
PART IN FIRST 'AIR PARTY'
Newark — In addition to officials of
the Western Air Express, represen-
tives of Fox Theaters are scheduled
to be among the guests for the first
'air party' which gets under way here
Saturday. The new Fokker air liner
F-32 will carry a group of Fanchon
and Marco entertainers with stop-
overs planned at Detroit, St. Louis,
Kansas City, San Diego and Los
Angeles. The tie-up between both
organizations is to further the air-
mindedness of the nation and to bet-
ter acquaint the people with the Fox
Theaters' brand of entertainment.
New Theaters
Leo Brecher Opens His
New Plaza Theater
Leo Brecher's new Plaza, on E.
58th St. between Madison and Park
Avenues, was opened last night be-
fore a select audience that was en-
thusiastic in its approvel of the at-
tractive little art theater and its open-
ing feature, "Gold Diggers of Broad-
way." The house is of the intimate
type, seating 600, and has been built
with a special eye to comfort. It has
a cathedral-like front, while the in-
terior decorative scheme is unobtru-
sively elegant.
The color keynote is brown. There
are wainscotted walls and heavy
plush carpets throughout the house,
from balcony to the cozy lounge in
the basement. Seats are unusually
comfortable. The stage is of ample
size and fitted with a wide screen.
Provision also has been made for an
orchestra pit. Smoking is permitted
in the loge and mezzanine seats, and
there are checkroom and refreshment
facilities. All space in the building
is efficiently utilized.
Both silent and sound pictures will
be presented, with performances run-
ning from 1 to 11 p. m. and two
changes weekly.
Syracuse. Kan. — A $40,000 theater, he;
built by the Syracuse Amusement Co.,
seat 750, is rapidly nearing completion w, ;
opening expected the latter part of this mon'
Hammond, Ind. — Columbia Theaters, In
has announced plans for the building of
$225,000 theater at Calumet Ave. and G' '
roll St. Seating capacity will be about 1,2(
Middletown, O. — Fox, Publix and R-K
are reported seeking a lease on the new tl
ater going up here.
Geneva. N. Y. — Merrill-Vrooman, Inc., *
Gloversville has been awarded the contrjJB
to replace the Smith Opera House by a niW
Schine theater.
Aberdeen, Wash. — D. Constant!, Tacoc
theater owner, who is building a new theat'
at West Wishkah St. expects the house rtiQ
for opening March 15.
Hanford, Cal.— Fox's new $250,000 the
ter has opened here.
Reorganizing Staffs Of
Fox-Hearst Newsreel
Reorganizing of the home offic
technical personnel and the Euronea'
camera staf? is being effected by Tru
man H. Talley, new general manage
of Fox-Hearst Corp., which condu;t
Fox Movietone News and Hears
Metrotone News. Talley, in additio
to his duties as general manager, i'
supervising editor of the sound news
reels. Others in charge are: E. L
Harvey, managing editor of Fox Mo
vietone; M. D. Clofine, manaering edi
tor of Hearst Metrotone and Edmunc
Reek, news editor for both reels.
Goldberg Plans Series of
Columbia Regional Meeti
(Continued fiom Page 1 )
fices, where he plans a regional meet-
ings before winding up with a fina
conference at the Columbia Holly
wood studio. The first three of the
conferences are scheduled at Boston^
Cleveland and Atlanta, respectively.
Beckett, S. Dak. Showman, Dead
Vermillion, S. D. — Frank Beckett
67 years of age, former owner of ;
first run house here and Chief of
Police, died here after a lingering ill
ness. He is survived by a widow anc
three daughters.
WALDEMAR YOUNG
Adaptation — Continuity — Dialogue
for
"SALLY"
Now Playing Winter Garden, New York
and Warner Brothers Theatre, Hollywood
Management
Ruth Collier, Inc.
iTHE
o/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
^DL. LI No. 18
Wednesday, January 22, 1930
Price 5 Cents
ladio Lists 42 Features on '30 Production Program
J,OOCrwiRED HOUSES iFU. S.
1 -IfS"'*'
fersey Exhibs Again Seeking Blue Law Repeal
Keeping Up
-through the S.M.P.E.
^By JACK ALICOATE^^^
\ I T H REVOLUTIONARY
canges occurring almost overnight
pbably the least known branch,
i the rank and file of minor ex-
CJtives in this talkative, progres-
S'e and irresistible industry, is its
t;hnical side. A chance to keep
areast with what's going on in the
sentific laboratories and experi-
n;ntal theaters should be welcomed
I' all film folk with eyes toward
tie future. Such an opportunity
i now offered through the Journal
0 the Society of Motion Picture
ligineers, the first edition of
\nich has just come to our desk.
1 is to be a monthly publication,
lie first issue is indeed interesting.
} is practical in size, comprehen-
si-e enough to keep one reliably in-
fi'-med from even the international
s/ndpoint and, best of all, the ma-
t'ial is written light enough not
t be technically boring to the lay-
un.
"Hell Harbor"
/30UT TEN YEARS hro we sat
trough a comedy at the Rialto that
1-ocked us for a laughing loop. We
tnk it the best comedy, without an
Cjtstandmg star, ever produced. We
ij'er to "231^-2 Hours Leave," directed
.1 Henry King. Since then this di-
i';tor has brought to the screen,
'orable David," "Stella Dallas" and
'he White Sister," each marking a
Uestone along the production high-
jiy. It was rather eagerly then
^it we looked forward to his first
'inture in sound. It is about ready,
i;called "Hell Harbor" and was done
ii Florida. Here is a direct manifes-
tjion of what the talking picture of
t: future must be when backstage,
(Continued on Page 2)
Majcity Party To Back
Measure in State
Lfc^ jlature
Trenton, N. J. — New Jersey ex-
hibitors are interested in a second
bill which will soon be introduced
into the State Legislature aimed at
the state Sunday Blue Law. The
bill, which will receive the support
of the M.P.T.O., will be presented
by a Republican and therefore enlist
the backing of the majority party.
One bill seeking to repeal the Blue
Law anu providing local option in
(Cmitinued on Page 2)
HARRY THIasInS
SONO ART-WORLD WIDE
Harry H. Thomas has joined Sono
Art- World Wide as vice-president in
charge of sales and distribution,
George W. Weeks, executive vice-
president, announced yesterday.
Thomas, who has been identified
(Continued on Page 12)
Resign in Reorganization
Of Fox-Hearst Personnel
As part of the reorganization of
the home office technical staff at Fox-
Hearst Corp., Earl Sponable, Dwight
Eldred and Percy Howard have re-
signed.
BOOI
his indicates that 7,700
7,700 Theaters Equipped in 1929—11 Per Gent
of Country's Total in N. Y. State
Approximately 9,000 houses in the United States were wired for sound
up to Jan. 1 of this year, compared with 1,300 a year ago, according to a
national survey made in connection with the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR
houses were equipped during 1929.
New York State leads in number
of installations with 975, or almost
11 per cent of the total, followed by
Pennsylvania with 800, California
with 556, Illinois with 520 and Ohio
with 476.
Figures for other states are as fol-
(Continued on Page 12)
TWO COMPIk SIGN
FOR NEWJILM PROCESS
Essem Laboratories, Washington,
D. C, has closed with M-G-M and
Universal whereby these companies
will use Perfexit, protective film
process, Tom Moore announced yes-
terday. The two companies will
(Continued on Page 9)
ONTARIO GOnURGES
f
Serving 300 Houses
London (By Cable) — British
Movietone News is now serv-
ing more than 300 houses. Fox
controls the newsreel and is
operating it in association with
Edmund Harmsworth. Tru-
man H. Talley, new general
manager of the Fox-Hearst
Corp., New York, organized
British Movietone News sev-
eral months ago while assistant
to William Fox
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
FILES MEMO IN FUN CASE
The Dept. of Justice has filed a
memorandum with Federal Judgi
Thomas D. Thacher in connection
with action brought by the Federal
Government against 10 distributors,
the Hays organization and Film
Boards of Trade. Judge Thacher
will examine the information fur-
(Continued on Page 12)
Budget of Radio Pictures
Now Calls for $15,000,000
40 SENNEn RELEASES
PLANNED FOR 1930-31
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Forty comedies are
planned by Mack Sennett for release
in 1930-31 through Educational, it is
announced by the producer. One of
(Continued on Page 9)
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Revised production
program of Radio Pictures for 1930
now calls for 42 features, which will
lie an increase of 12 pictures over
the 1929 schedule. Approximated
$15,000,000 will be expended, it is
estimated.
Silent versions will be made of
some of the product. Half of the
1929 production program was made
without dialogue and synchronized
music. A number of pictures- will be
made on wide film.
Toronto — The segregation of all
film exchanges in fireproof '.buildings
of small units housing these ex-
changes exclusively is urged in the
report or the Court of Inquiry which
has been investigating film exchange
conditions in Ontario. The board in-
spected the Hermaftt Building, in
(Continued on Page 2)
Funeral Services Held
for George Le Maire
Funeral services for George Le
Maire, director and actor, who died
Monday of heart disease, were held
yesterday afternoon at the Riverside
Memorial Chapel, New York, with
a group of theatrical and motion pic-
ture folk attending. The body is
being shipped to Fort Worth, Teat.,
for burial.
Vol II No. 18 Wednesday, January 22, 1930 Price 5 CcnU
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00: 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736 4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood. California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman. The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 20 20 20 100
•Con. Fm. Ind 17
•Con. Fm. Ind. pfd 20^
East. Kodak nO'/i 180 180K 500
Fox Fm. "A" ... 20H 18H 19J4 20,900
*Keith AG 21
do pfd 94^ 91 947/g 500
Loew's Inc S3H 50}4 53!4 7.500
*do pfd. WW (6^) 86 ....
•do pfd. xw (6}4) 86
*M-G-M pfd 24
Para. FL 57 535i 57 55,500
Pathe Exch 3H 3 3^ 1,300
do "A" 7^ eVz 7ys 500
R-K-O 2754 245^ 27 90,200
*Univ. Pict. pfd 36!4
Warner Bros 51 48^ 50/2 105,500
do pfd 44J^ 44 44^8 500
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. .. 32 31}4 32 500
Fox Thea. "A" ..55^ S'A S'A 2,200
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 37 36 36'/^ 4,700
•Intern, Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts. 15 15 15 100
•Loew's Inc. war 5 ....
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 155^ ....
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 9!4
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AC 6s 46. 75/2 75/2 75/2 10
Loew 6s 41ww ..102^4 102 J4 102'/4 30
do 6s 41 x-war... 92^^ 92!4 92'A 10
Paramount 6s 47 . 99^ 99!4 99!4 80
Par. By. 5/2S 51.101'^ IOI/2 IOI/2 30
♦Pathe 7s 37 44
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
:y'"'****''*"'**'* „. ?:
if New York Long Island City J_J
a 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. «
g BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 g
ti if
a Eastman Films |
if V
\i T. E. Brulatour, Inc, \l
M "^ y
fi (f
if if
M u „ A if
it Chicago Hollywood }*j
it .-,.,. J- A - 6700 Santa Monica ♦*♦
^•| 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j {.J
»': CAIumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 :"♦
if -i:
THE
Keeping Up
—through the S.M.P.E.
(Continued from Page 1)
courtroom and little pal stories have
outlived their usefulness. "Hell Har-
bor" is no silent picture with dialogue.
Nor is it a stage production trans-
ferred bodily to the screen. Rather
it is the offspring of the wedding of
the two. It is a fearless, rugged story
of primative passions, designed prim-
arily for mature minds. "Hell Har-
bor" should receive a satisfactory re-
ception everywhere.
"Now"
GETTING BACK TO the subject of
publications let's turn to a somewhat
bizarre and jovial sheet that has just
found its way to our desk. It is the
new house organ of Admiral Harold
Franklin and his flotilla of Fox West
Coast Theaters and is called "Now."
It has snap enough to be called to
the attention of all progressive pub-
licity folk although it is our personal
but modest opinion that it is quite too
modern in dress for our rather con-
ventional ideas. It is, however, color-
ful and no doubt quite in keeping with
those modernistic thoughts now pre-
valent West of San Bardoo and South
of the Tehachapi.
"Lost Zeppelin" Set for
New York Gaiety Feb. 1
The Tiffany all-talker special "The
Lost Zeppelin," will have its pre-
miere in New York at the Gaiety Feb.
1, following "Party Girl" also a Tif-
fany production. The picture will
play at $2 top. The production al-
ready has been shown in Boston, St.
Louis and San Francisco.
ONTARIO GOV'T URGES
FIREPROOF EXCHANGES
(Continued from Page 1)
which a number of film exchanges
and other offices are located, and in-
structions were issued in one in-
stance, the Warner office, for a num-
ber of definite changes, an order hav-
ing been promulgated forbidding the
storage of films there under existing
conditions. The owners were order-
ed to appear before the Fire Under-
writers Association, the building su-
perintendent of the city and the city
architect to arrange for structural
changes and equipment to insure the
safe storage of films. The order will
be revoked when the improvements
are approved.
In its judgment, the board also
found that present regulations gov-
erning film exchanges were not suf-
ficient and the government was asked
to draw up a comprehensive code to
be enforced by the Provincial Treas-
urer's department which also issues
theater licenses and conducts theater
inspections. Counsel for the film dis-
tributors, appearing before the board,
promised full co-operation.
Samuelson on Civic Committee
Newton, N. J. — Sidney E. Samuel-
son, president of the Newton Amuse-
ment Co., and secretary of the New-
ton Recreation Commission, has ac-
cepted the invitation of Governor
Larson to serve as a member of r
citizens' committee in connection with
the erection of an American Legion
Memorial Chapel in Lakehurst.
Al Reid Managing Hipp
Al Reid, formerly managing direc-
tor of the Mosque, Rialto and Good-
win in Newark, is now manager of
the New York Hippodrome, replac-
ing Harry McDonald, who has been
given charge of the Riverside.
Fire Prevention Drive
Launched in Ont. Houses
Toronto • — A campaign has been
launched in Ontario for the inspection
of all theaters with a view to remov-
ing risks of fire and panic. Hon. Dr.
J. D. Monteith, Provincial Treasurer,
is behind the drive and expects to
have all of the 428 houses in Ontario
-(one over within the next 12 months.
Jersey Exhibitors Again
Seek Blue Law Repeal
(Continued from Page 1)
the matter of Sunday shows,, has al-
ready been introduced by Miss May
Cartv of Jersey City, a member of
the minority party. Last year a
measure sponsored by the Republi-
cans passed the Assembly but was
killed in the Senate.
Fox Plans Being Drafted
H'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Plans are now be-
ing drafted for the new Fox West
Coast $250,000 theater at Pico Blvd.
and Livonia Ave. Boiler Bros, are
the architects.
The Inaustry .%
Datp Hook
Jan.
23
Jan.
24
Jan.
25
Jan.
27
Jan.
28
Feb.
1
Paramoit
Feb. 7
Feb. 19
Mar. 5
Mar. 20
Apr. 6-7
June 2-7
AMPA Luncheon,
Hotel, N. Y.
Opening of "Because I Love Yc>
at the Mansfield, New York, i
Fourth annual trolic of Fox Athlij
Club, Hotel Commodore N,
York City.
Warner Bros. Regional Sales M
Hotel Astor, N. Y.
Opening of "Hell Harbor" at j
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Premiere of "The Rogue Song" t
the Astor, N. Y.
Meeting of non-theatrical produci
at Washington, D. C.
"Condemned," opens at Rivoli,
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaic,
Paramount Pep Club annual ball)
the Astor. New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Cath(;
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of Maryland W.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
WANTED
Theater Manager
Must be thoroughly experienced!
and capable to handle press |
work and general exploitation.
New theater in nearby exclusive
Long Island community. Write
giving age, experience, and
salary desired.
Box O-108, c-o Film Daily
1650 Broadway, New York Cityj
AD -VANCE- AD
"Just a few lines to thank you for
the quick service you gave orders
wired in."
— Bixie Theater
Rockdale, Tex.
Let JJs Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
nVCOHPO RATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
mmm
INCORPORATED , ^
220 WEST42^-° STREET
NEW YORK
Wisconsin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES. CEN.MCR.
ON THE AIR!
LAUREL-
HARDY
OUR GANG
CHARLIE
CHASE
HARRY
LANGDON
CASH IN ON NATION-WIDE
BROADCAST OF HAL ROACH
STARS-
Monday Night, Jan. 27th, at 7:30 P. M*
(Eastern time) over 40-station network
of Columbia Broadcasting System
Launching Hal Roach Comedy Week!
Date these stars for Week of Jan. 27th! Write! Wire!
Phone! your nearest M-G-M Exchange right now!
ILDWYN - MAYER
HOW WELI
BIG BUSIN
Try this RONALD COLMAN
EW YORK
"'Condemned' played
for NINE weeks at the
Selwyn Theatre at $2
top. Opens soon at the
Rivoli for indefinite
run.
rTTSBURG
"Easily one of the best pic-
tures of the year." PLAYED
TO THREE BIG weeks at the
ALDINE and has just opened
in
OSANGELE!
"RONALD COLMAN has
tained another victorj
'CONDEMNED' has just fii
ished SIX big weeks atGrai
man's CHINESE THEATRE
1
PHILADELPHIA
to tremendous record business at
the STANLEY. The BIGGEST HIT in
TOWN.''
PROVIDENCE
"'Condemned' did Biggest week's
BUSINESS in several months at
LOEW'S STATE."
ALTIMOR
"'CONDEMNED' brought Bl<
BUSINESS throughout th
week. BEST WEEK'S GROS
in several months. At th
STANLEY."
BOSTO^
"'Condemned' did bei
business of pictur
houses in town durini
the week at LOEW
STATE."
SAMUEL
GOLDWYN'^
greatest productior
CAN YOU SEE
v/hen it's right
in front of you?
n CONDEMNED Test
LEVELAND
"'CONDEMNED' at the STILL-
MAN Theatre was the hit of
the city and was held for
THREE tremendous weeks.
ANSAS CITY
''Ronald Colman in 'CON-
DEMNED' played to great
business during its WEEK
RUN at LOEWS MIDLAND."
E T R O I T
"'CONDEMNED' smashed all
records for opening weeks'
gross at the United Artists
Theatre. Held for three BIG
BUSINESS weeks."
T. LOUIS
"'CONDEMNED' did sensa-
tional WEEK'S BUSINESS at
LOEWS STATE. Finest picture
see
nh
ere in moons!
Milliohs of "Ayes" have proYed to exhibitors -r- this
picture is one of any ; year's greatest sensations
RONALD
CONDEMNED'
COLMAN
with ANN HARDING
and LOUIS WOLHEIM
Suggested by Blair Niles' Sensational Book
"CONDEMNED TO DEVIL'S ISLAND^
Directed by Wesley Riiggles
UNITED ARTISTS
ALL TALKING HIT
I
ike Grant
took Richmond
>K0
^:
GRAND
li
HELEN TWELVETREES
AND FRED SCOH
„ Written and Produced by
EDMUND GOULDING
Directed by Fred Newmeyer
A lockout af world premiere!
CLASS or SCRVICC
SVMBOl
Day Mm*!*
D*r L>R»
8hM
W^t Mm in
NM
Nlghl L*n«
NL
WESTE^^ UNION
HCWCOMB CARLTON.
OiiMOrstmict |syM»oi|
0«M_« I 1
Oar Umr
.«
NMMMmM* I NIN 1
Nl^ L«ra>
"I
■apaan arnr Bw tf)«h Immbm tf
•wthi OKt'aitUimNMO^.Otfnr-
wtMtncfww (iVidttaiMl trr A«
•yntal mmvioo tfl* ItM dMtk. |
RECEIVED AT
1930 JAN 16 AM 2 47
PHIL REISMAN
PATHE EXCHANGE INC
ALL RICHMOND IS ENTHUSIASTIC IN ITS PRAISE
FOR THE GRAND PARADE STOP BOTH PAPERS HAVE
BROKEN THEIR LONG RECORD OF CONSERVATISM
IN PRAISING THIS ATTRACTION STOP BUSINESS
BUILDING DAILY WITH LOCKOUT TONIGHT AS
RESULT OF MOUTH TO MOUTH ADVERTISING STOP
PATHE IS TO BE CONGRATULATED
E H BRIENT MANAGER NATIONAL THEATRE
OAM or luvicc
itmm.
!)•,»— H.
Dar Ufl«
BlM
l<WM_«i
HM
Ni^Umr
NL
K MM tf flMM am* nnntaU
(XAU0FURV1CC |srMBOL|
t>T
i4Mwg* 1
•n« 1 0iu«
Nlgm
Mw>fl« 1 tn*
Nl^
Letm \ NL
iracNr Uimkcatid bf Om
RECEJVEOAI
1930 JAN 15 PM 3 45
PHIL REISMAN
GENERAL SALES MANAGER PATHE EXCHANGE
HAVE SCREENED GRAND PARADE STOP
PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE
OUTSTANDING PICTURES OF THE YEAR AND IT IS
GOING TO GIVE ME GREAT PLEASURE TO GET
BEHIND THIS AND SHOOT FOR HOUSE RECORDS
STOP HAS EVERYTHING A GOOD MOTION
PICTURE SHOULD HAVE STOP REGARDS
RAYNOR LAFAYETTE THEATRE
PATHE
ALL MUSIC
ALL SOUND
ALL DIALOGUE
q
PI
z^
DAILV
Wednesday, January 22, 1 ;0
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €)—
High Salaries to Stars
Passed on to Exhibitors
]STEWSPAPERS are making
mucli pul)licity capital of the
fact that Marilyn Miller is to be
paid a half million dollars in the
coming four years for her ser-
vices to First National. This is
at the rate of $125,000 a year,
probably more than Miss Miller
can command for her work in
stage productions over a similar
period. It may be argued, of
course, that these stage players
are entitled to greater compen-
sation for screen than stage ser-
vice, since the earning capacity
of the films they participate in
is all out of proportion to their
revenue producing value to the
spoken drama during a similar
period, but this is more or less
beside the point. The producer
is generous with the artist at the
expense of the exhibitor, to
whom he passes along his enor-
mous salary rolls. Each new ex-
travagance is followed by a gen-
eral increase in the demand from
the regular players.
Jay Emanuel in.
"N. Y. State Exhibitor"
* * *
Public Showing Response
To Good Quality Talkers
YVTE have been able to study
the way in which the public
has accepted the new conditions
of things. We have found that
while the good sound picture
brings in more and better busi-
ness, the bad one is terrible.
This has taught us that it is use-
less to aim at making anything
but the best we can — a valuaijle
lesson. There is also the com-
forting knowledge that the pro-
ducers have mastered the most
difficult part of their ta.sk, for
the pictures that are now being
trade shown are in nearly every
case far better than those whicli
are being shown at the kinemas.
This in itself is an indication of
better business to come, and re-
futes the idea that novelty was
the sole attraction of the talkies.
"Kinematograph Weekly"
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
WM. GARY DUNCAN
teacher high school
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
p. L. THOMSON, director of Public Relations of Western
Electric, is en route to Chicago where he will address the
Advertising Council of the Ass'n of Commerce tomorrow on
"Talking Pictures in Advertising and Industry." Thomson is
scheduled for another talk on Jan. 30 before the Electrical
League of Boston Dan Healy, who played in "Glorifying
the American Girl" and "The Laughing Ladv," both made at
the Paramount Eastern studio, staged the musical numbers for
"Woof, Woof," musical show now current
* ♦ * *
H. M. Warner will be one of the principal speakers at the
annual luncheon of the National Board of Review to be held
Saturday at the Hotel Roosevelt. Winnie Lightner, Warner star,
also will be among the guests J. T. Alatchat, general
director of the Cinema .^rt Guild, operating theaters in Buffalo,
Philadelphia, Chicago and Rochester, arrived in town yester-
day and is seeking new product for the houses Simon
(iould of the Film Guild Cinema contemplates the installation
of W. K. sound C(|uipment at that house
* * * *
Marion Brinn, who used to be known in vaudeville as "The
Jazz Baby" because of her youth and dancing abilities, is now
blossoming forth as a singer with Major Bowes' Capitol Family,
and will be heard with that gang Sunday night Hal Roach,
who was in New '^'ork only about a fortnight ago and back in
Hollywood the following week, is now once more on Mazda Lane
for a short business sojourn Jane Jennings has returned
from the Coast to resume her character work in the East
* * * *
Constance Bennett, who has been holidaying in Paris, em-
barks tomorrow for the return journey, and after a few days in
N'Yawk, will continue overland to Hollywood to resume acting
for Pathe J. R. O'Neill is back from Richmond, where he
went to give support in exploiting the world premiere of Pathe's
"The (irand Parade," which is set for national release Feb 2.
* + * *
In getting back from a European trip, Raoul Walsh, Fox
director, uncovered another "find" in the person of Katie Karlin,
a singer and dancer from the Winter Garden, Berlin. She will
be co-featured with X'ictor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe in
"Broad Minded" tentatively- titled
* " * * *
Plunk — It Down With "Dough" for Plunket Month, is the
clever streamer heading the new RKO house organ in celebration
during February to be called Joseph Plunkett Thank You Montii.
The organ sure spreads itself on all RKO activities. Jack Lewis
broke out in print again but this time for the Warner clip sheet
heading his own column called, "Here and There in Movieland."
Erno Rapee is reputed to have pla.\ed to an aggregate
audience of 30, 000, 000. He gets a fine luncheon as guest of the
A.M.P..\. tomorrow
* * * *
The complete personnel of all studios comprises one of the
many interesting sections of the forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 22-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
H. Keith Weeks
James Wilkinson
Mae Girace
Robert Castle
D. W. Griffith
Conrad Veidt
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
AMONG the odd facts in the F.-
ruary issue of "Film Fun" is e
announcement that Conrad Nagel !s
been signed by Radio to play e
lead in "Second Wife." He m t
have been the real boss in both ca;..
NORMA SHEARER— When e
director told his assistant that e
7vas fired, tvhat did the poor fellv
say?
JOHN ARNOLD (Camerama)
—He said, "What? After all th^e
yeahs?"
* + *
Some theater owners are pay\;
out thousands of dollars to have thr
houses wired for sound — and so?
would be willing to pay out just s
much if they could have their wi's
wired for silence.
* + *
"What kiyid of a picture is thai'
"It's a realistic short on plumhi
at work."
"But the plumbers aren't dott
any work."
"Well, that's the realism."
* * *
The talkers have come to say
* * »
When the censors feel that tb
have finished their job of clean!
up behind the footlights, they out
to do a little inspecting of wha
going on behind the headlights.
* * *
"What type of play is most pc
ular in Scotland?"
"Mystery drama."
"Why?"
"They cut the theater's light '
in half." '
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DA
IN
Malcolm Strauss Picture Got
formed with $3,000,000 capital; R
public to distribute product
Educational's English company
produce features abroad.
* * *
Morris Gest, theatrical product
says Wall St. control of moving pi
tures is sending theaters "to hell."
* * *
Frank Keenan, reported going
France to produce.
THE
Mnesday, January 22, 1930
DAILV
WO COMPANIES SIGN
j FOR NEW FILM PROCESS
' {Continued from Page 1)
i-ocess about 6,000,000 feet a week
fider this system. Deals for the
rocess are pending with a number
other major companies, Moore
ates.
The coating does not increase the
ickness of the fihn, Moore points
it. Instead the solution is entirely
:)sorbed by the film and makes the
m more pliable, retards shrinkage
id buckling, extends its life and is
iniidity-proof and scratch-proof,
ne result of the process is that it
)lds the gelatine in status quo. The
iilution is fireproof and will exting-
Ish a lighted match thrown into it,
[cor savs.
The solution is applied by an au-
Imatic machine capa_ble of process-
(g at any rate of speed up to 10,000
let an hour. In other words a ma-
jiine occupying a space of six inches
I' four feet of floor space will process
(the mentioned rate. This process
In be applied in combination with,
'• indepejident of, the drying cabinet
( laboratories.
The process is especially of value
connection with color and wide
.m, Moore points out, and states
at broad and valuable claims have
;en granted on the process.
' For such companies that do not
ive their own laboratories and wish
im processes, Essem Laboratories
ill place in operation in February,
vo plants, one in New York and
,ie at the Coast. Dr. L. L. Steele,
irmerly of the Bureau of Standards,
id inventor of the process, is con-
lilting chemist for the "company.
i'orty Sennett Releases
Are Planned for 1930-31
{Continued from Page 1)
le forthcoming Sennett pictures will
e a three-reel special golf story fea-
iring Walter Hagen and Leo Diegel,
oted golfers.
, The last seven Sennett releases in
[iccession have played Broadway
ouses, states Educational.
Remodeling Worcester Strand
Worcester, Mass. — Harry N. Tay-
ir, manager of the Strand, succeed-
ig Clarence E. Robbins, announces
he remodeling of the house with in-
itallation of the new wide screen.
Estimated cost of alterations are fig-
ired at $150,000. It is a Warner
fOuse.
j New Cleveland Sign Comoany
I Cleveland — The Arkay Sign Co
. iias been incorporated here with 2S0
'shares of stock at no par value. Rob-
rt Bialkowski is president of the
ompany.
Stubenville House Planned
Stubenville, W. Va.— W. B. Urling,
)wner of the Rex, has anounced
lans for the construction of a new
'heater here. Edward Franzheim,
|Vheeling architect, is drawing the
lans and construction is expected
5 start in March.
McCormack Film Done
West Coast Buv. THE FILM L>AU,Y
Hollywood — John McCor-
mack's first all-talker for Fox
has been completed and the
star is scheduled to leave Hol-
lywood for Ireland sometime
in February.
M-G-M's "March of Time"
In 3 Complete Sections
M-G-M"s revue, "The March of
Time," depicting three phases of
American entertainment history —
past, present and future — will be
made in three sections, each an in-
clusive unit. The first part, just com-
pleted by Director Charles Reisner,
includes nine stars of the past, Weber
and Fields, De Wolf Hopper, Louis
Mann, Mairie Dressier, Fay Temple-
ton, Barney Fagan and Josephine Sa-
bel. Several acts are presented as
originally done at the famous old
Weber and Fields Music Hall more
than 25 jears ago. These include
the Weber and Fields poolroom epi-
sode, Louis Mann's telephone scene
and the chicken skit by Louis Mann
and De Wolf Hopper.
The link between the present and
the future will be made by two sets
of toastmasters, Benny Rubin and
Buster Collier, representing the pres-
ent, and Dickie Kilby and Baby Gron-
sky as the future.
New Columbia Stages to
be Completed Shortly
Two new sound stages are now be-
ing completed by Columbia, which re-
cently acquired the old Gower estate
to enlarge its present production
facilities. In addition to the stages,
extra laboratories, cutting and projec-
tion rooms and accommodations for
stars and extras are provided for.
Work is expected to be completed
late this month and will permit prac-
ticolly double production work.
Barthelmess To Be Starred
in F. N.'s "Dawn Patrol"
Richard Barthelmess will be starred
by First National in "The Dawn Pa-
trol," an aviation story adapted from
"The Flight Commander," by John
Monk Saunders. Howard Hawks
will direct.
Blystone Completes Fox Film
John Blystone has completed di-
recting "The Big Party" at Fox.
EWxie Lee makes her debut as leading
lady in this film.
Roland West Signs Chester Morris
Chester Morris has been signed by
Roland West for the leading role in
"Love in Chicago," which will be
made for U. A. The story is by
Charles Watt.
Lukas and Moorhead in Cast
Paul Lukas and Natalie Moorhead
have been assigned roles in the Para-
mount production "The Benson Mur-
der Case," which features William
PoAvell.
Sloman Joining Columbia
Columbia has signed Edward Slo-
man to direct.
Coast Wire Service
F. N. Ahead of New Schedule
4 PICTURES BEING FILMED
AND 3 IN PREPARATION
With four pictures now being film-
ed and three in preparation, produc-
tion is well ahead of schedule at the
First National studios. Dorothy Mac-
kaill is busy working in "Bright
Lights" under direction of Michael
Curtiz, with Frank Fay, Inez Court-
ney, Noah Beery and Eddie Nugent
supporting her; Corinne Griffith is
enacting the lead in "Back Pay," a
William Seiter production which will
have Grant Withers, Montagu Love,
Hallam Cooley and Vivian Oakland
in the cast; Monte Blue, Lila Lee,
William Boyd, Betty Compson are
working in "His Woman," William
Beaudine directing; "Other Men's
Wives," starring Billie Dove with
Sidney Blackmer as leading man is
being directed by Clarence Badger.
Pictures now being prepared are
"Sin Flood," "The Dawn Patrol,'
and "Jail Break."
Two More for "Agony Column"
Two new additions have been made
by Warners to the "Agony Column"
for featured roles, according to J. L.
Warner, in charge of production ac-
tivities. l"he following will also J;)e
seen in the picture: Sidney Bracy,
Crawford Kent, John Loder, Claire
McDowell, Cosmos, Kyrle Bellew and
Judith Voselli.
A Little
from *'Lots"
m^^ By RALPH WILK ^m
Hollywood
LEONARD FIELDS is active at
Universal, where he is fashioning
the screen play and dialogue for "The
Flirt," based on the Booth Tarking-
ton story.
* * *
Lou Lusty is so popular in Holly-
ivood that it would not he surprising
if petitions are circulated for his re-
turn. The genial Boswell of the In-
spiration company is not expected
until March, but we know several
hostesses who will toss diriners for
Lou when he returns.
* * *
Dwight Frye, who created
the title role in Pat Kearney's
play, "A Man's Man," is visit-
ing in Hollywood. Dwight also
appeared in "Six Characters in
Search of an Author," "Mima"
and several other Broadway
plays.
^ ^ ^
Simile — As inquisitive as a tourist
at a Hollywood opening.
* * *
James Seymour, formerly with
RKO and Columbia, is now at Pathe,
where he is writing the story and
dialogue for an opus tentatively titled,
"Rainbow Road." He is collaborat-
ing with Joseph Santley, who will
direct the story.
Washington, Dec. 31^"Mysterious Island" at the decrepit old
Columbia, got $12,000. That's business.
— Variety.
Written and
Directed by
LUCIEN HUBBARD
(Now under contract to Warner Brothers)
Richard Watts, Jr., in the New York Herald-Tribune —
"An amusing and ingenious screen melodrama genuinely
entertaining it deals with a sort of fabulous, extravagant,
romantic spectacle that the cinema can handle more expertly
than can any other possible dramatic form, and it handles it
shrewdly and well."
THE
DAILV
Wednesday, January 22, 19
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Change
United States
Greenfield, Mass.— James J. Moore
has resigned as manager of the Gar-
den. Frederick O'Brien, who has
been assistant manager, has also left
the theater to accept the managership
of the Plaza at Northampton.
Sioux City, la. — Lloyd E. David-
son, manager of the Capitol, an-
nounces the promotion of Robert F"ul-
ton, manager of the Princess, to man-
ager of the Broadway, Council
Bluffs. Both are Publix houses.
Tunica, Miss. — With the installa-
tion of sound at Joe's Palace, J. C.
Hester, owner, has begun showing
talking pictures. "Fox Movietone
Follies of 1929" inaugurated the
sound policy.
Spokane, Wash. — The Music Box
has cut its prices to a general admis-
sion price of 25 cents at all times.
Tom J. Tobin, general manager, also
lias announced discontinuance of ma-
tinees except Saturdays, Sundays
and Wednesdays.
Burlington, Wis. — Louis Lutz, dis-
trict manager for Community The-
aters, Inc., and formerly connected
with the Parkway and Strand in Mad-
ison, has replaced William Brueck-
man as manager of the Orpheum
here.
Gardner, Mass. — The new Uptown,
formerly known as the (lardner, has
reopened with a new policy with the
installation of sound equipment.
South Bend, Ind.— B. A. Griffiths
has been appointed advertising and
publicity manager for R-K-O the-
aters here. He will handle the Gran-
ada and Palace theaters.
Ranton, N. M.— The $100,000 the-
ater being built here is expected to be
completed early in March. The
house is owned by the operators of
the Shuler Auditorium.
Long Beach, Cal. — The Oriental
has instituted a first run sound policy
house "Street Girl," was the first
presentation under the new policy.
Chambersburg, Pa. — J. Luther
Thomas, who recently resigned as as-
sistant manager of the Capitol here,
has joined the Wilmer and Vincent
circuit and will manage the Victoria,
Harrisburg.
Montrose, Pa.— The local Comer-
ford house is being remodeled and
enlarged. Sound is being installed.
Norway, Mich. — Fire at the Rialto
destroyed the house recently. Dam-
age was estimated at $40,000.
Culpepper, Va. — J. L. Fray of the
Fairfax has merged his theater into
the Fairfax Theater Corp., of which
Benjamin T. Pitts is president; T. L.
Fray, Jr., vice-president and J. L.
Fray, Sr., secretary and treasurer.
The capital stock of the company is
^50,000. Sound is now being installed.
Ventura, Cal. — With the showing
of "Gold Diggers of Broadway," the
Mission has become a first run house.
J. Morris is operator of the house.
Clear Lake, la. — Improvements for
perfecting the sound e(iuipment have
been made at the Parke Theater here
by moving the generator from the
operating booth to the basement and
changing the loud speakers.
Lincoln, Neb. — United Theater Cir-
cuit of Omaha filed articles of in-
corporation for $150,000 to build,
operate and equip theaters in Neb-
raska. Officers are H. R. Brown,
Beatrice, Neb., W. C. Raapke, presi-
dent of the U. S. Theaters Supply,
W E. Penner, Beatrice, and F. H.
Parker
Richmond — Lee Levy, who recent-
ly succeeded his brother, Joel Levy,
as manager of the Wilmer & \'in-
cent houses in Virginia, has beer
elected district manager of the M P.
T.O. of Virginia.
New York
Troy — Harry F. Rose will manage
two theaters in Oneonta for Fox-
Metropolitan Playhouses. He suc-
ceeds his brother Charles who has
joined another company.
More than 40 midtown barber
shops in New York gave display in
their shops tieing up with Pathe for
the showing of "Barbers' College"
short, at the Colony, N. Y., with a
national hook-up with the Latherizer
Corp.
"Show of Shows," now playing
simultaneously at the Beacon, the
New York Strand and the Brooklvn
Strand, will be held over at all three
houses for another week, announces
Harry L. Charnas, managing direc-
tor of Warners' Metropolitan Thea-
ters.
Foreign
Vienna^As a result of poor busi-
ness. Municipal authorities here have
decided to refund to exhibitors part
of the entertainment tax which was
paid last year. The move was made
when exhibitors began complaining to
the Municipal Council and the direc-
tors considered the request favorably.
London — Gaumont will start pro-
duction this month on "The Mes-
sage," a short police melodrama.
London — Production on "Beetho-
ven" has been indefinitely postponed
No reasons for delay have been given.
Stockholm — First Swedish all-talk-
er "Say It With Tones," had its pre-
miere performance in this city and
was well received by both audience
and the press.
OHIO
Changes in Ownership
Akron — Strand, sold to Stanley Co. of Amer-
ica by Strand Theater Company ; Alliance —
State, sold to M. G. and F. G. .Mantho by
R. L. Herkimer; Ashland — Rex, sold to
Forest Hoot and Merrill C. Hiner by John
G. Bahas; Campbell — Home, sold to H.
M. Olsen by L. B. Hodgkin : Canton —
Alhambra, sold to Stanley Co. of America
by Strand TheMer Co. ; Palace, sold to
Indiana-iOhio Theater Corp. by Palace The-
ater Co. ; Cleveland — Heights, sold to The
Heigjits Theater Co. by I.oew's Ohio
Theater, Inc.; Lucier, sold to B. C. Maheu
by Sam Barck ; National, sold to Sam
Barck by Sam Fine; Uptown, sold to Stan-
ley Co. of America by Norman Realty Co. ;
Variety, sold to The Marvin Theater Co.
by Ross McVoy ; Co'umbus — Rialto. sold
to Marie Amorose by W. L. Ward : Crest-
line— Hippodrome, sold to F. P. Hayes by
Leo Biirkhardt ; Dresden — Dresden, sold to
A. L. Gleason by N. M. Jones: Frazeys-
burg — Packard, .sold to Alva Gleason by
Ray Mnrphv ; HicksviUe — Capitol, sold to
C. A Young by R. F.. Wilder: Crescent,
sold to C. A. Young by R. K. Wilder;
Holgate — Palace, sold to C. E. Archam-
beauh bv B. Deisler; Ironton — Southside.
sold to Jack Welch and C. P. Mittcndorf:
Liberty Center — Majestic, so'd to Mrs. T.
O. Engle by C L. Tindolph: Lorain— Pal-
ace, sold to Stan'ey Co. of .America by
Strand Theater Co, : Mansfield — Majestic,
sold to Stanley Co. of America bv Strand
Theater Co. : Ohio, sold to Stanh-v Co. of
America by Strand Theater Co. ; Marion —
Alarion. sold to Indiana Ohio Tl'eater Corp.
by Young .Xniiisement Co. : Pa'ace. sold to
Indiana-Ohio Theater Corp. by .Associated
Theater. Tnc ; Mt. Vernon — Memorial, sold
to H V. Smoots by T. C. PIntt : Pioneer-
Grove, sold to C. J. .\tible bv R. W. Grove;
Toledo— New .Snperba. so'd to F. R. Leon-
ard bv Phillips & Zeller; Washington Court
House — Colonial, sold to Mr. and Mrs.
Harrv H. Hamilton bv William Greathouse:
W. Milton-Star, sold to Bob Krans bv
Willi.im Bvrd : Wilmington— Mnrphv, sold
to the Phil Cliakeres Theaters Corp. by
Frank Murphy.
Closings
Junction City- C.iin ; Sidney -Capitol, Gem.
Piqua— Ohi.
New Theaters
owner— T. J. Pekra<
PENNSYLVANIA
Changes in Ownership
Allentown- Southern, so'd to R. D. Bensinger
by P. J. Mc.\rdle: Altoona— Strand, sold to
.Stanley Co nf America by .Silverman Bros. ;
Annville— -.Xstor. sold to .Angelo Marello by
Stanley Goodwin: Bellevue— Lincoln-Belle
vue, sold to Bvewarsky Bros, bv Bcllevrr
Theater Co ; Erie — Keystone, sold to P.
J. Gough by J. C. Hevner : Knox — Knox
sold to Young-Knight-Kaber by F. A.
Feilman ; Manor — Manor, sold to S. K.
Frey by M. and B. Zeppetti : Mt. Oliver —
Rialto. so'd to R. F. Aul by A. A. Weiland ;
Oil City— Drake, sold to Radio. Keith-Or-
pheitm bv Vemark Theater Co. ; Pitts-
burgh—Midway, sold to I. T. Pillnrd by
J. J. Kane: Rankin— Palace, sold to T.
Rosenbloom by A. M. Rosenb'oom ; Steel-
ton — Victoria, sold to A. T.inas by Joseph
L. Donato; Tremont — ^loose, sold to J. F.
Moore bv George Osman : Zelienop'e —
Strand, sold to W. H. Glum by H. J. Kifer.
Closings
Al'entown — Madison: Aubu-n — Lvric ; Lan-
caster— Scenic ; Philadelphia — Ritz.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Esmond — Rex. sold to W. J. Hammers by
Jeffers & Wilkens: Kadoka — Scenic, so'd
to Lucy Pease bv R. N. Rounds : Wagner
— Cozy, sold to Mrs. M. Mp*zger by R. C.
Metzger; Winner — Ritz, sold to Mrs. M.
Metzger by R C. Metzger.
Re- Openings
Draper — Movies ; Florence — Florence : Gary —
Garden ; Hartford — Palace ; Morristown —
Gopher ; Volga — Rex ; Wessington Springs
— Rialto.
TENNESSEE
Changes in Ownership
McKenzie — Capitol, sold to J. E. Whitten
B. M. Herron; Memphis — .Ace, sold
Goldberger Bros. & Engleberg by A. Ka
insky ; Smithville — Evins. sold to Mrs.
E. Evins by T. C. Evins.
Closings
Bradford — Palace ; Manchester — Coloni,
Memphis — Eureka; Parsons — Elite; Troy
Troy High School.
New Theaters
Camden — Court, owner — H. L. Bradley.
TEXAS
Changes in Ownership
Haskell — Haskell, sold to Haskell Amu:
ment Co.. Inc.; Texas, sold to Hask
Amusement Co., Inc.; Jefferson — Lyr
so'd to A. C. Simmons; Lufkin — Texj
sold to L. M. Thrett; Mirando City
Trinity, sold to J. W. Priour; Petrolia
Petrolia, sold to F. E. McNabb ; Quintan
Capitol, sold to E. Nonfal ; Refugio — M
jestic, sold to E. W. Wilkins.
Closings
Brookshire — Happy Hour ; Mirando — Beckc
UTAH
Changes in Ownership
Salt Lake City — Liberty, sold to Dr. J. \
Schow by Miss Eva Daw; RKO Orpheui
sold to Radio-Keith-Orpheum San Francis
Corp. b}' Pantages Theater Co.
Re- Openings
Springville — Star.
VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Wilder — Wilder, sold to Ira Johnson by (
Kastenos.
WASHINGTON
Changes in Ownership
Elma — Arnviur: Orandview — Colonial; Hi
Cleary — Armour ; Montesano — Armour
Vernon — Paramount ; Pateros — Gem
shastin- .\nierican : Seattle — America!
South Park: Spokane — Ritz; Tacoma-'
Pantagos ; Vancouver — Castle, sold to We
Coast Theaters by J. P. Kiggins; Libeit
sold to West Coast Theaters by J. P. Kil
gins; LT. S. .A., sold to West Coast Thi
aters by J. P. Kiggins
Closings
Cheney — Rose : Colton — Colton ; Elma — A)
mour ; Ephrata — Kam ; Mt. Vernon — Rex
Neppell — Kam ; Pt. Angeles — Capitol ; Stai
buck — Starbuck.
WEST VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Fayetteville — Dreamland, sold to J. E. Wor
by Eskine Phillips; Jodie — Brvce, sold i
C. T. Harrah by S. Rule; Kingwood
Arcade, sold to W. W Lamar by G. 1
Whetsell.
Closings
Big Sandy — Hig S.andy ; Owens — Lindy.
New Theaters
Cabin Creek Jt. — Herbert, c
Gardner: Pineville — Pineville.
Re-Openings
Killamey — Killarney.
WISCONSIN
Changes in Ownership
Frederick — Auditorium, sold to L. F. Bucl
bv A. Thompson: Kaukauna — Rex, sold tc
W. R. Vincent by S Ludwig ; Milv?aukee-
Tdle Hour, sold to Bert Fischer by Ma?
Krofta ; Stockbridge — Stockbridge, sold tt
Fred .Smith by William Engel.
Closings
Fountain City — Auditorium : Gays Mills-
Unique; New Holstein — Majestic; Twe
Rivers — • Empire; Grantsburg — Oper?
House; Mondovi — Grand; Neenah — Em
bassy.
WYOMING
Changes in Ownership
Buffalo — Bison, sold to Thomas Vilnave h>
Flora Lang; Kemm'rer — Victory, sold tf
Fox West Coast Theaters by Wilford
Williams.
Closings
Glenrock — Kmpress ; Sundance — American
T.eeion.
-H. 1
EVERYTHING
ABOUT
SOUND!
ONLY BOOK
OF ITS KIND
PUBLISHED!
OUT NOW!
SOUND, the Motion Picture Reference
Annual, first and only volume of its kind to
be issued for the interest and convenience of
the great army of officers and workers in all
departments who constitute the Motion Pic-
ture Industry, is now in the mails.
FOR YOUR DESK
SOUND is durably bound in flexible covers, and in ap-
pearance on any desk is worthy of the purpose which it
serves. The book has only to be briefly examined to be
recognized as essential to the equipment of the desk of
every executive and head of department in the Picture
Industry.
REFERENCE ROOK
Issued as a special edition of The Exhibitors Daily
Review and Motion Pictures Today, SOUND contains 212
pages of exact and invaluable information concerning
every factor which, to date, has been instrumental in
bringing about the successful revolution for sound and
talking pictures, in a form and with classifications of ma-
terial which make it an ideal book of reference for Pro-
ducers, Distributors and Exhibitors.
THEATRE DIRECTORY
The outstanding achievement of the editors of SOUND
undoubtedly, is its detailed Directory of nearly 8,000 the-
atres in the United States and Canada which had been
wired for sound up to the time when the book went to
press. Alphabetically arranged by states and cities and
giving population and seating figures, together with the
type of sound apparatus installed, this one feature of the
volume will be seen as amply justif3ing its publication.
COMPLETE GriDE
The directory feature, however, also includes lists of
producers and their product for the current year; per-
sonnel of producing and distributing oflSces; specialists
in production with their records; featured players and
their pictures; manufacturers and their apparatus; In-
dustry welfare organizations; lists of sound features and
shorts released; Film Boards of Trade and their person-
nel, etc., etc.
ISSUED BY
EXHIBITORS' DAILY REVIEW and
MOTION PICTURES TODAY
(COMBINED)
12
fj^ESS
DAILY
Wednesday, January 22, l|o
HARRY THOMAS JOINS _
SONO ARRORLD WIDE
{Continued from Page 1)
with the film business for the past
20 years will retain his interest in,
and continue to operate First Di-
vision Pictures, of which he is presi-
dent. This company handles Sono
Art-World Wide product in the New
York metropolitan territory.
Budd Rogers has been appointed
director of sales of Sono Art-World
Wide.
Under the company's new plan of
operation the country will be divided
into three zones, each under a dis-
trict manager.
JUSTICE DEPARIeNT
FILES MEMOIN FILM CASE
iContinued from Page 1)
nished before issuing his decree --i
the case, which is based on vioL .i
of the anti-trust laws and involves
the system of compulsory arbitration,
dwalader, Wickersham & Taft,
sel for the defendants, recently
filed their memorandum.
F. P. Canadian Reopens
Winnipeg Headquarters
Winnipeg — Famous Players Can-
adian Corp. will reopen Western Di-
vision headquarters here, which means
the removal of H. M. Thomas,^ West-
ern Division manager, from Toronto
to this city, where he once had his
ofiices. All Famous Players and R-
C-O theaters in Manitoba, Saskatch-
wan. Alberta and British Columbia,
s well as some in Northwestern On-
irio, will be under his supervision.
Jnited Artists Stars in
Broadcasting Hook-up
Three United Artists stars will be
heard within the next few weeks
over local broadcasting stations in
tie-ups effected by the company. Lily
Damita will sing in the Fleischmann
hour Jan. 30 with Rudy Vallee sched-
uled to play "The Song of the Con-
demned" from Ronald Colman's
latest production. Harry Richman
will sine: from New York in the Paul
WhitenTan-Old Gold hour Feb. 4.
Whiteman and his orchestra will play
from the Los Angeles station in this
coast-to-coast hook-up. Fannie Brice
will be heard over the Columbia Sys-
tem on Feb. 6 in the Philco hour.
Ask Daylight Saving in Canada
Brockville, Ont. — Organized busi-
ness men here have begun a move-
ment, to be sponsored by the Cana-
dian Chamber of Commerce, for a
Federal statute providing for Na-
tional Daylight Saving throughout
Canada. Opposition has developed
in labor circles and among members
of Parliament who have theater in-
terests.
Nine Thousand Theaters Wired
in United States Up to Jan. 1
(Continued from Page 1)
lows: Ala., 87; Ariz., 29; Ark., 83;
Colo., 85; Conn., 155; Del., 15; Fla.,
107; Ga., 103; Ida., 52; Ind., 234; la.,
221; Kan., 226; Ky., 86; La., 110;
Me.. 64; Md., 124; Mass., 325; Mich.,
401; Minn., 240; Miss., 53; Neb., 156;
Nev., 15; N. H., 56; N. J., 314; N.
Mex., 19; N. C, 148; N. Dak., 62;
Okla., 229; Ore., 119; R. I., 53; S.
Car., 60; S. Dak., 92; Tenn., 88; Tex.,
324; Utah, 69; Vt., 35; Va., 119;
Wash., 148; W. Va., 112; Wis., 254;
Wyo., 30, and District of Columbia,
37.
Improvements for Indiana
Marion, Ind. — Sound will be install-
ed at the Indiana along with
improvements, says officials of
Fourth Ave. Amusement Co. Billy
Connors is manager of the house.
W. E. For Iowa House
Oehvein, la. — A Western Electric
sound device has been installed in
the Grand here which opened with its
first all sound picture, with "My
Sweetie."
Roy Reopens State
La Grande, Ore. — The remodeled
and renovated State, owned by
George Roy, has been reopened. The
theater, which is on the site of the
old Colonial, has installed sound and
is being managed by Alfred Roy, son
oi the owner.
Sound for Bays Theater
Blackwell, Okla. — The Bays has
been turned into a sound house, states
Ralph P. Leachman, manager.
Movie-Phone for Cameo
Santa Cruz. Cal. — Movie-Phone is
being installed at the Cameo, Man-
ager Harvey states.
Rosenthals Open New House
Waterloo, la. — Jake and Lew
Rosenthal opened the new Iowa here,
formerly the Plaza with all new
sound equipment and other improve-
ments costing $20,000.
Pantheon Goes Sound
Springfield, 111. — The Pantheon is
now showing sound pictures.
Sound for Johnson Houses
Galesville, Wis. — Johnson Family,
owner of the Marinuka, will install
sound equipment. The Star, Blair,
owned by the same operators, will
also be equipped for sound.
New Eastwood Opens
Madison — ■ The New Eastwood,
seating 1,000 and being managed by
A.. P. Desormeau, has opened with
sound picture policy.
Repertory Changes Policy
Boston — America's first civic the-
ater, the Repertory, has been con-
verted into a picture house. Lack of
support necessitated change in pol-
icy.
ALL HOUSES IN RICHMOND
Richmond — Installation of sound
equipment has been completed in all
Richmond houses. Mechanical mu-
sic now is being used exclusively in
most of the theaters, but the Byrd.
Capitol and Venus continue to em-
ploy organists.
Sound for Omaha House
Omaha — The Queen theater here
has installed Western Electric sound
equipment and Tony Delizzi, its own-
chose Fox Movietone Follies for
Its opening attraction.
Head Reopens Palace
Atlanta, Ga. — Manager Head of
the Palace has reopened the house
after being closed for a week to per-
mit installation of sound apparatus.
State Reopens with Sound
Columbus, Miss. — The State, af-
ter installation of sound, has re-
opened.
Bestone for Omaha
Omaha — Bestone sound equipment
lias been installed in the Corby the-
ater here.
New Theaters
Albion, Mich. — George A. Bohm has ota
ed the Bohm, seating 1,100 and equipped Ir
sound pictures.
Saulte Ste. Marie, Mich. — Marshall (.
Hunt, local contractor, expects the new '.{.
terfield to be completed March 1.
Greenville, Tex. — The Palace at Commit
was recently opened by Jack Lilly. The hcie
has a seating capacity of 550 and is eq*.
ped with RCA Photophone. '
Hamilton, O. — John Eberson has dr;n
plans for the new Paramount to be ereJd
at Journal Square. Seating capacity will*
1,800. i
Stockton, Cal. — What is believed to be e
first architecturally designed theater r
stereoscopic films will be built here at Ua
and San Joaquin Sts. for Fox West C<*.
The project will approximate $600,000 JH
seat about 2,000. r
Brackenridge Park, Tex.^ — Bids have lii
taken for a new amphitheater here to Tt
between 30 and 40 thousand. 1
Madison, Wis. — The Eastwood, done a
Spanish effect, has opened. Klein and Alii
were the architects.
Beverly Hills, Cal. — Ground has h i
broken for a new theater, which has aire ,
been leased by Fox West Coast. Appr
mately $650,000 will be spent on the sti
ture. It is expected to open June 1.
San Francisco — Reid Bros, have dr:
preliminary plans for the new house p
ned by Golden State Theaters, Inc.
house will seat 1,700 and cost about $200,
Anderson, Ind. — Work is rapidly progr.
ing on the interior of the new StatePuh.
Lynn, Mass. — Approximately $350,000 1
be spent on the Paramount which is bej
erected at Union St. and Burchstead Pkv
by the Olympia Theaters, Inc., of Best.
Seating capacity will be 2,500. <
Nashville, Tenn. — The Crescent Arausemi
Co., Tony Sudekum, president, will builck
theater at Church St. and Sixth Ave. j
Pomona, Cal. — Fox West Coast will spl
between $225,000 and $250,000 on its i*
2,000-seat house being built here. ;
ALL
TALKING
SOUND
THRILLS
Chosen by the National Board of Review
As an Unusual Picture
Edward F. Quigley Presents
The Super-Jungle Feature
JAN60
"Nine thousand feet; 9,000 thrills, not one dull
second" — Baltimore SUN
"THE GREATEST WILD ANIMAL PICTURE
EVER BROUGHT TO THE SCREEN— BAR NONE"
Toronto, STAR
Now Road Showing Through Exclusive
Booking of A. L. Erlanger Amusement Co.
Released by
DAVENPORT-QUIGLEY EXPEDITIONS, INC.
239 West 42nd St., N. Y. WIS 7521
iTHE
(/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 19
Thursday, January 23, 1930
Price 5 Cents
}Jational Board of Review Confab Opens Tomorrow
8LANKET ARBITRATION ILLEGAL
^9 Features for U.S.onAmkino's 1929-30 Program
The yiirror
-a column of comment
/^PROXIMATELY 9,000 theaters
i this land of ours have dug down
i|0 their jeans to buy sound equip-
i!;nt. In other, more forceful words,
rarly half of the houses in these
liited States are now showing sound
I'.tures. Sound, which, a year ago,
Id become a necessity to every de
Ike theater, is rapidly occupying a
s|nilar status in the smaller house.
lie theater without it is much like
aperson without a voice. Generally
seaking, talk on the screen rever-
ijrates right through your auditorium
:id into your box-office.
I « « *
bWADAYS A PLAY or musical
row that clicks on Broadway has a
|ghty shm chance of escaping
inscription to talking pictures.
lin producers are indulging in what
ly accurately be termed a scramble
tried-and-true story material.
leir viewpoint is this. When :,
ow has been written (and, more
sportantly, rewritten), and has at-
acted customer cash week after
sek on Broadway, it must have that
tal element known as box-office ap-
:al. It's far better to pay big dough
id buy a tested vehicle than to
lend perhaps a lesser sum for a
lory of comparatively undetermined
jiality. That's one reason why the
|iginal story, at the present time,
jids the going hard.
1 * * *
I'HAT ARE YOU doing to safe-
|jard your house against fire? Pre-
pntative regulations throughout the
)untry are fast becoming more
■astic. The chances are that you'll
blp minimize them and prevent ir-
table additions to them later on if
pu observe existing laws closely.
Complete Output of Rus-
sian Organization to
be 280 Features
Thirty-nine features, including 15
educationals and six talking and sound
!or release in the American market,
are on the 1929-30 production pro-
gram of the Amkino Corp., it is an-
nounced by Leon I. Monosson, presi-
dent of the Russian organization,
\vhich embraces 10 prc'uc'ng firms in
that country. Total juff u' ' the
{Continued on Page 2)
BALABAN&KATZNETfOR
'29 REACHES $2,601,650
Chicago — Net income of $2,601,650,
after depreciation, federal taxes, etc.,
for the year ended Dec. 27, 1929, is
reported by Balaban & Katz Corp.,
which is controlled by Paramount.
This income, after seven per cent pre-
ferred dividend requirement, is equiv-
alent to $9.09 a share earned on 264,-
206 shares of common stock. This
compares with $1,860,798 or $6.28 a
share on the common for the year
ended Dec". 29, 1928.
Carl Edourde Joins New
Mintz Recording Co.
Carl Edourde, who has been mus-
ical director of the N. Y. Strand for
the past eight years and has prepared
(Continued on Page 6)
Distributors Must Discontinue Present System
— Individual Arbitration Allowable
Compulsory arbitration in blanket form, as provided in the Standard
Exhibition Contract, is illegal although distributors may make individual
arbitration agreements with exhibitors. This is the gist of the decree signed
yesterday by U. S. District Judge Thacher in the Federal Government's
anti-trust action against the Hays
office. Film Boards of Trade and 10
distributors.
The only fault the decree finds
with the exhibition contract is in
Paragraph 18 and also Rule 4, en-
titled "Enforcement of Decisions of
Board of Arbitration," of "Rules of
Arbitration." The decree says that
they "constitute a conspiracy in re-
(Continued on Page 6)
Pending Since '28
The decree issued yesterday
by Judge Thacher, in which he
finds illegal the arbitration
system provided in the Stand-
ard Exhibition Contract, ap-
parently concludes a case
which has been pending since
April 27, 1928, when it was
filed by the Federal Govern-
ment. A somewhat similar
decree, naming the same de-
fendants, was signed by Judge
Thacher Dec. 23 last, in which
he dismissed the Government's
suit aimed at the credit com-
mittee system.
UNfAMILIARASYETWITH
JUDGE THACHER DECREE
Whether or not the Hays office, 10
distributors and Film Boards of
Trade, defendants in the anti-trust
action brought by the Federal Gov-
ernment, will appeal the decree issued
by U. S. District Judge Thacher
(.Continued oh Page 6)
Industry Figures to Attend
Annual Luncheon Saturday
Reisman Appoints Four
New Pathe Branch Mgrs.
Appointment of four new branch
managers in the sales organization of
Pathe has been announced by Phil
Reisman, general sales manager. C.
W. Stombaugh, former Albany
(Continued on Page 2)
Industry figures on Saturday will
attend the luncheon which concludes
the annual two-day conference of the
National Board of Review which
gets under way tomorrow at the Ho-
tel Roosevelt.
Discussions on "Attitude and Re-
actions with Relation to Motion Pic-
(Continued on Page 2)
INDEFINITELY POSTPONE
NON-THEATRICAL CONFAB
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Conference of pro-
ducers of industrial and educational
pictures, announced for Feb. 1 here,
has been indefinitely postponed,
states E. I. Wray, chief of the indus-
trial and educational section, M. P.
Division, Dept. of Commerce. A
definite date for the meeting will be
announced later.
Maurice Baron Made
Roxy Theater Conductor
With the elevation of Joseph Littau
to post of director of music at the
Roxy, Maurice Baron, staf? compos-
er, has been appointed to .the post of
conductor. In addition to being the
composer of numerous piano compo-
sitions. Baron has composed all of
the original scores for the stage pres-
entations at the Roxy. •
Warners Buy Forum
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Warner Bros,
have purchased the Forum.
The price involved is $700,000.
The Forum has a seating ca-
pacity of 2,000.
^-JXI^
PAILY
Thursday, January 23, 1930
Vol LI No. 19 Thursday, Janaam 23, 1930 PriceSCiDU
JOHN W. ALICOATE
: Editor and PaUiskir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. EMdy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
mmiications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. (Table address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris- P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
*Am. Seat 20
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 18?4 17^ 18Ji 5,400
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 2i 20J4 22J4 5,900
East. Kodak 183 182J4 182 J4 400
Fox Fro. "A" .. 23J4 19/^ 22)4 83,800
•Keith A-O 21
Mo pfd 94Ji ....
Loew's Inc 57^ 52)4 56(4 17,300
*do pfd. WW ((>'/i) 86 ....
*do pfd. xw (ey,) 86
*M-GM pfd 24
Para. F-L 5854 56/2 57)^ 61,100
Pathe Exch VA 3'A 3% 9,500
do "A" 7M 7/j 714, 7,500
R-K-O 28-^ 26M 2754 81,000
*Univ. Pict. pfd 36 ....
Warner Bros SIH 49^8 50-^ 48,300
do pfd 45 44)4 45 600
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 31)4 31 31)4 200
Fox Thea. "A" .. 7'A 5H 7 5,500
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 37 36A 36)4 7,500
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts.. \7^ 1554 17)^ 300
Loew's Inc. war.. 5 5 5 100
•Nat. Scr. Ser 15^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 954
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46. 77 77 77 80
Loew 6s 41ww ..10354 103 103'4 20
do 6s 41 x-war... 93 92)4 93 350
Paramount 6s 47 .. 99)^ 99 99 )S 100
Par. By. 55^s 51.101 lOOS^^ 1005/^ 90
Pathe 7s 37 46 46 46 50
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
lit ft
B New York Long Island City jj{
a 1S40 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ft
g BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 H
i Eastman Films |
11 T. E, Brulatour, Inc. §
g it
M ff
it Chicago Hollywood »>
ll 1727 Indian. Ave. "00 Sa«^«^Monic. ft
(} CAlumet 2691 HOIlywood 4121 (f
NATIONALBOARDOFREVIEW
CONFAB OPENS TOMORROW
(C<^ntinued from Page 1)
tures," will be heard tomorrow by
Dr. Louis I. Harris, former Health
Commissioner of New York City and
a member of the National Board's
Executive Committee; Dr. Frances
D. Tyson, University of Pittsburgh;
Dr. Lee F. Hammer, of the Russell
Sage Foundation; Dr. Joseph L.
Holmes, Department of Psychology,
Columbia University; Dr. Walter \V.
Pettit, New York School of Social
Work, and Edward Fay, of Provi-
dence, R. L Prof. Leroy E. Bow-
man, of Columbia University, will
discuss "Social Implications of a
Community Program on Motion
Pictures."
At the luncheon on Saturday, the speakers,
in addition to Dr. Harry E. Barnard, direc-
tor of the White House Conference for Child
Health and Protection, who will outline Pres-
ident Hoover's ideas on the subject, will
consist of Dr. C^rl Wallace Petty, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pa., and
former Chaplin of Chicago University; Rep-
resentative Franklin W. Fort, of New jersey.
Secretary of the Republican National Com-
mittee, U. S. Senator Clarence C. Dill, Mrs.
Nellie Tayloe Ross, former Governor of
Wyoming and Vice Chairman of the Demo-
cratic National Committee. Harry M. War-
ner, Fannie Hurst, novelist, and Mayor John
r. Alsop, of Jacksonville, Fla.
Picture celebrities who are expected to at-
tend the luncheon will be Estelle Taylor,
Irene Bordoni, Charles Ruggles, Sally O'Neil,
Lireta Nissen, Claudette Colbert, VVinnie
Lightner, George K. Arthur and Chester
Conklin.
Ted Husing, Columbia announcer, will of-
ficiate at the microphone, a coasttocoast
hook-up.
Reisman Appoints Four
New Pathe Branch Mgrs.
{Continued from Page 1)
branch manager succeeds R. C. Robin
as manager of the Washington of-
fice: L. Garvey, who has been a sales-
man in Albany^ becomes manager of
that ofHce, while H. R. Kistler, for-
merly in charge of Memphis succeeds
W. W. Anderson as manager in At-
lanta and A. M. Avery, former Dallas
salesman, becomes branch manager
at Memphis.
Films Instead of Stage to
Get Two Wright Plays?
Two plays, "Souvenir Sadie" and
"Color Blind," originally planned for
Broadway productions, may be made
into pictures and stage plans dropped
entirely, according to Andy Wright.
Luther Yates did the book and Ned
Nestor the lyrics for "Souvenir Sa-
die," while S. John Park wrote "("olor
Bhnd."
4,531 W. E. Installations
Installations of Western Electric
System throughout the world to-
talled 4,531 up to the middle of this
month. Of this number, 3,367 were
in the United States.
Fredericksburg Palace Opens
Fredericksburg, Tex. — The new
Palace, erected at a cost of $50,000
has been opened here. Sound has
been installed.
39 FEATURES FOR 0.$. ON
ANKINO'SNEW PROGRAM
(Continued from Page 1)
company for the period will be 280
features, against 115 in the previous
fiscal year. Included in this schedule
are a niamber of educational features
made for school purposes.
Of the 39 pictures for U. S. release,
the following are ready for announce-
ment: "A Fragment of an Empire,"
Sovkino production, directed by F.
Ermler; "Old and New," Sovkino,
directed by S. Eisenstein; "Storm
Over Asia," Mejrabpomfilm, directed
by V. Pudovkin; ''The Living
Corpse," Mejrabpomfilm, directed by
Ozep; "Jimmy Higgins" (based on
Upton Sinclair's story), Wufku, di-
rected by Jassin; "Blue Express,"
Sovkino, directed by I. Trauberer;
Turk-Sib," Vostokkino; "Kain and
.Artem," Sovkino, directed by P. P.
Petrov-Bytov; "Transport of Fire,"
Sovkino, directed by A. Ivanov;
"Soil," directed by A. Dovzhenko;
"Spring," directed by Kaufman;
"Bukhara" (educational), Sovkino;
"Kaspi" (educational), Sovkino.
Several studios with sound stages
now are under construction. Under
the five-year plan for economic con-
struction at present in progress, 350
features will be turned out in 1931.
Oscar Straus, Composer,
to Speak Over Local Radio
Oscar Straus, Viennese composer,
who will arrive in New York aboard
the S. S. President Roosevelt, will
speak on the Atwater-Kent hour,
Sunday at 9:15 P. M. on a coast-to-
coast hook-up. Arrangements have
been completed through the courtesy
of Warners and First National for
whom Straus will go to Hollywood
soon to compose original Vitaphone
operettas.
Refuse German Film Ban
Berlin — The German film censor has
rejected protests by royal relatives
of the late King Ludwig II of Ba-
varia against the production of a
half-finished German film about the
late King's life. The censor held
that no legal grounds for an injunc-
tion against the film existed, though
it might be an open question whether
the screening of "The Mad King of
Bavaria" in the tragic circumstances
of his life was in good taste.
Hudson Being Altered
Hudson, Mass. — The Hudson is
now closed undergoing alterations
and installations of sound. The cost
is estimated at $15,000. James J.
Ledgard is the owner of the house.
Elco, Cathlamet, Wired
Cathlamet, Wash. — The Elco is
now equipped for the showing of
sound pictures.
Lillian Roth to Coast
Lillian Roth, who has been vaca-
tioning in New York for the past
three weeks, now is en route to the
Paramount studios on the Coast.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today
Jan.
24
Jan.
25
Jan.
27
Jan.
28
Jan.
30
Feb.
1
Feb.
7
Feb.
19
Mar
Mar
5
20
Apr.
6-7
June 2-7
AM PA Luncheon, at Paramount
Hotel, N. Y.
Opening of "Because I Love You"
at the Mansfield, New York.
Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athletic
Club, Hotel Commodore, New
York City.
Warner Bros. Regional Sales Meet
Hotel Astor, N. Y.
Opening of "Hell Harbor" at the
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Premiere of "The Rogue Song" at
the Astor, N. Y.
Opening of "Sons of the Gods," at
tha Warner, N. Y.
"Condemned," opens at Rivoli, N.
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaiety,
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cmema Congress at
Brussels.
F. N. Sets Premiere for
Barthelmess Film Jan. 30
"Sons of the Gods," Richard Bar-!
thelmess' latest vehicle for First Na-
tional, will have its eastern premiere
at the Warner, New York, Jan. 30.
The picture is in part-color and from
the Rex Beach story of the same
name.
Whitehead Sails for West Indies
C. G. W'hitehead, sound engineer,
has sailed for the British West In-
dies to join A. K. Simpson, super-
vising Pacent engineer, who is mak-
ing installations in theaters owned by
Colonial Film Exchange.
$16,351 in Five Days
During the first five days of it.^
run at the Earl Carroll, N. Y., "Hi^^
the Deck" has taken in $16,351, aC;
cording to RKO. The house ha!
a seating capacity of 1,000.
5 De Luxe Shows at Roxy
To accommodate the crowds gath
ering to see "Sunny Side Up," tin
Roxy is giving five de luxe show:
daily during its current engagement.
Publix Buys Aztec
San Antonio, Tex. — William Ep
stein has sold the Aztec to Publix.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tiieatres
Standard
i Vaudeville Acts
I 1«00 Broadway, New York City
I Phone Penn. 3580
TYPICAL— AND TRUE!
WESTERN
UNIOK
,.«T.««:rr5S^
ISfcSS.w"*'*
1930 JAX W "* ' ^^
Received at ^^„„^.u«G wvx^ ii
=0.— rrHr^vStr.— . .0 - «
.XHE i07E PARADE- STOP I ^^^^iw ENIEM
- rr= X- --• •" Tr::; he^r sr.e«.« work
V/ONDER P^^^"""^^^ THE ENTIRE CAST EO^
«== "CXrAn's xo A.. -; ;rn e S-SA«0«A.
indeed: CONGRAi ^^j. ^qX Oi^iJ^ ^
SUCCESS OE THIS r ^^^^^ ^j^e UP i ^^^^
GEORGE P lEFPUS
»-ri*t
xo
MlN<i
XOMINO
^PARAMOUNF
ON ,
PARADE
PARAMOUNT N.S:W:, 1930
—:xi^
DAILV
Thursday, January 23, I93
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Screen Settings Affected
By Talker Requirements
TpHE settings in motion pictures
have been affected by talk-
ing pictures in so far as the
dialogue is usually played in a
semi-close shot, and because con-
stant dialogue in the earlier forms
of talking films resulted in the
loss of the silent picture's graphic
movement. As I see it there
should be a fev/ key sets in which
many action shots containing in-
cidental sounds are made. Such
a situation vi^ould be ideal for the
art director, for he could then
concentrate on the design of a
single set without worrying too
much about camera angles from
more than one vantage point.
Thus the background may be-
come more impressionistic in de-
sign, because the camera concen-
trates more on the players and
the setting is then not so dis-
tracting.
William Cameron Menzies in
"Neiv York Times"
* * *
High-Pressure Exploitation
Called Harmful to Industry
T^IGNIFIED pictures should
■^ be exhibited in a dignified
manner. Cheap pictures still can
be sold to the gullible by cheap
methods. But the man who
wishes to do something real and
lasting for the screen, and for his
own pocketbook at the same
time, will return from cheapen-
ing the industry by making ev-
ery film seem to be a shoddy,
flashy thing that has to be sold
by high-pressure carnival meth-
ods. Almost every picture that
comes to Broadway is good en-
tertainment. Why should it not
be sold as such, rather than re-
duced to the level of the gyp-
pers who surround the theater?
Let's have more respect for our-
selves and we shall receive more
respect from others.
Pierre de Rohan in
"N. Y. Morning Telegraph"
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
FRANK ALBERTSON
motion picture laboratory,
Paramount Studio,
Hollywood
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
J^OWARD DIETZ, big syntax and etymology man for M-G-M,
bagged first money in a recent Anagram Contest with Alex
Wollcott, P.P. A. and Dorothy Parker. Wonder if Howard was
coached by Si Seadler? George Harvey, Mike Simmons
and Jack Lewis, three penmen connected with the biz, donned
military uniforms in order to be allowed to play tennis on the
()2nd Regiment Armory indoor courts. They also called them-
selves Captain, Colonel, etc. Wonder who was Major Nuisance?
* * * *
Jeannette MacDonald's record of "Dream Lover" and "March
of the Grenadiers" both from the Paramount production "The
Love Parade," is scheduled to be released by Victor tomorrow.
The Warner Club Gaieties is getting set for its opening
at Chanin's 46th Street, N. Y., on Feb. 16. The chorus consists
of 24 girls selected from the home office Universal not to
be outdone in any respect steps out and announces the formation
of a Dramatic Society as part of the "U" Club activities
* * * *
With a batch of enthusiastic Coast reviews on "The Rogue
Song," which opened at the Grauman Chinese Jan. 17, on hand,
Howard Dietz is going around with a big broad smile these
days. A special staff of four young women is needed to take
care of reservations, Dietz says "Screen Snapshots,''
brain child of Jack Cphn, treasurer of Columbia, is now enjoy-
ing its tenth year
* * * *
Nat Nazarro, Jr., who won his spurs as a singer and dancer
in vaudeville and musical shows, opens tomorrow for a week's
duty as master of ceremonies in Chester Hale's "Gym James" at
the Capitol Irving Berlin, the song writer who recently
went talkie, will be made better acquainted among film audiences
through the medium of "Berliniana," a compilation of his hits
from "Alexander's Ragtime Band" to the present, compiled by
Yasha Bunchuk for the delectation of Capitol audiences
* * * *
\. P. Waxman points with pride to the fact that "Disraeli."
with George Arliss, leads all current screen productions in the
city for length of run on Broadway, this being the fifth month
of its sojourn Manager Harry Gittleson, of the Earl
Carroll, says that one of his rich patrons enjoyed "Hit the Deck"
so much that she shook off a $2,500 platinum and diamond wrist
watch, which was found by E. Piesker, usher, who is $100 to the
good as a result of his eagle eyes and lionesty
* * * *
Charlie Einfeld, head man of First National's space grabbers,
says that bucking the roughest weather known throughout the
west in many years. "Sally" (not the girl) but picture, is clicking
to satisfaction of all
* * * *
A comprehensive resume of the technical angle of the indus-
try is covered by the Society of Motion Picture Engineers' report,
which is one of the highlights of the forthcoming 1930 FILM
DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 23-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Ben Bard
William Desmond
Lafe McKee
Franklin Pangborn
G. Scott
William Gillespie Cesare Gravina
Ralph Graves Wallace Lupine
Harry A. Pollard David Newell
Howard Smith Sally Starr
R. A. O'Brien
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
Through the grace of- the
talkers, quite a few flicker f^olk
ivho had been missing in re-
cent year's are now being heard
from.
■X K *
A philm phan, thinking that Ar
Harding and her hubby, Harry Bai
nister, are too busy to take care (
their daughter, Jane, offered to ado]
the little girl.
After one of these deals go(
through, the pitchur worshipoei
will be applying for the custodial
ship of film stars' limousines, estate
and bank accounts.
Two new electrical generators
with a combined capacity of
1,000,000 watts, have been in-
stalled at the RKO studios on
the Coast. The company evi-
dently intends to produce some
shocking pictures.
Dorothy Lee, on her recent vis
in the East, had her nails dyed
jet black. Now, there's a fad th;
is likely to appeal in a big way t
studio mechanics, chauffeurs an
chimney sweeps.
Some say the talkers have
turned Hollywood into Holler-
u'ood.
As you can tell by listening,
says Will Rogers in "Film Fun,"
the marriage, institution is on a
sound basis.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DA'
IN
Executive committee and votin
trustees named by Associated Firs
National Pictures, Inc.
Alfred E. Smith of Vitagraph d(
nies United Artists Theaters seeh
control of Vitagraph.
Thomas Ince starts series of spt
cials; Lloyd Hughes featured in firs
Max Glucksmann gets Pathe proc
uct for South American countries.
t
TO
ami
With Alexander Gray,
Joe E. Brown and Pert
Kelton
From Florenz Zieg'eld's Musical
Comedy by Guy Bolfon, Author and
Jerome Kern, Composer
Directed by
John Francis Dillon
C/hese
FIRST NATIONAL
.WEEK AFTER WSk
BOX OFFICE
With Alexander Gray,
Bernice Claire and Louise
Fazenda
Adopted from ttie Musical Comedy
by Frank Mondel, Otto Harboch,
Vincent Youmons and Emil Nyitray
Directed by
Clarence Badger
C O R I N N E
GRIFFITH
Li LIES of "the FIELD
with Ralph Forbes^ Jean Bary
Directed by Alexander Korda
THE
LOVE RACKET
with
DOROTHY MACKAILL
Sidney Blackmer, Edmund Burns, Alice
Day and Myrtle Stedman
Story by Bernard K. Burns
A William A. Seiter Production
ALICE
WHITE
,. PLAYING AROUND
with Chester Morris
Based on "Playing Around" by Frances Nordstrom
Adapted from Vina Delmor's story "Stiebo"
Directed by Mervyn LeRoy
WEDDING
RINGS
with Lois Wilson, H. B. Wilson,
Olive Borden
Adopted from Ernest Pascal's "The Dork Swon"
Directed by William Beaudine
yxxht
national
Q^ou Can dluvaifs Depend . Upon \
First National and iQ^ffiOk Pictures
"Vitaphone" is the registered trade mark of the Vitaphone Corp. designating its products
THE
-^ES
DAILY
Thursday, January 23, Iiq
Thacher Finds Anti- Trust Law Violated
STANDARD CONTRACT USED
IS CENERALLY APPROID
(Contimied from Page 1)
straint of interstate trade and com-
merce in violation" of the Sherman
anti-trust Act .
The Thacher decree follows:
I.
That the asrreement of the defendants to
adopt and to use exclusively in contracting
with exhibitors of motion pictures through-
out the United States the "Standard Ex-
hibition Contract" dated May 1, 1928, which
is attached to the petition herein as Exhibit
"C" thereto, the adoption by the defendants
of the "Rules of Arbitration" dated May 1,
1928, which is attached to the petition here-
in as Exhibit "G" thereto, and all the activi-
ties and agreements of said defendants by
means of which thev have collectively coerced
adoption of and compliance with said "Stand-
ard Exhibition Contract" and said "Rules of
Arbitration," constitute a conspiracy in re-
straint of interstate trade and commerce in
violation of the act of Congress of July 2.
1890, entitled "An Act to protect trade and
commerce against unlawful restraints and
monopolies," known as the Slierman Anti
Trust Act.
II.
That the defendants, their ofticers, agents,
servants and employees, and all persons act-
ing under, through or on behalf of them, or
any of them, hereby are perpetually enjoined,
restrained and prohibited, individua'ly and
collectively :
1. From furtlier engaging in or carrying
out said conspiracy or any other conspiracy
similar to or having the same purpose and/or
effect as said conspiracy.
2. From doing any act or thing whatsoever
for the purpose or with the efifect of carrying
out hereafter the purposes of said conspiracy,
or any of them.
.1. From entering into any agreement em-
bodying the provisions of jiaragraph "Eight
eenth" of said "Standard Exhil)ition Contract"
dated May 1, 1928, and /or the provisions
of said "Rules of Arbitration" dated May 1,
1928.
4. From enforcing, directly or indirectly,
any of the provisions of paragraph "Eight-
eenth," entitled "Arbitration," of said "Stand-
ard Exhibition Contract" dated May 1, 1928,
against any exhibitor of motion pictures
in the United States having an existing con-
tract licensing the exhibition of a motion
picture or of motion pictures which contains
said paragraph.
5. From enforcing, directly or indirectly,
any of the provisions of Rule IV, entitled
"Enforcement of Decisions of Board of Ar-
bitration," of said "Rules of Arbitration"
dated May 1, 1928, against any exhibitor of
motion pictures in the United States, on ac-
dount of any claim, controversy or - dispute
arising under or on account of any existing
contract licensing the exhibition of a motion
picture or of motion pictures.
6. From demanding security from any ex-
hibitor of motion pictures in the United States
because of any failure or refusal to comply
with any provisions of said paragraph "Eight-
eenth," entitled "Arbitration," of said "Stand-
ard Exhibition Contract" of May 1, 1928, con-
tained in any existing contract licensing the
exhibition of a motion picture or of motion
pictures.
7. From retaining any sum or sums here-
tofore received in accordance with the pro-
visions of said paragraph "Eighteenth" of
said "Standard Exhibition Contract" dated
May 1, 1928, and/or said Rule IV entitled
"Enforcement of Decisions of Board of Ar-
bitration" of said "Rules of Arbitration"
dated May 1, 1928, from any exhibitor of
motion pictures in the United States, as se-
curity for the performance of any contract
licensing tlie exhibition of a motion picture or
of motion pictures.
8. From suspending and from refusing to
promptly resume service to any exhibitor in
the United States because of any failure or
refusal to comply with any provision of said
paragraph "Eighteenth" of said "Standard
Exhibition Contract" of May 1. 1928. or of
said "Rules of Arbitration" dated May 1,
1928, unless there be legal cause for
suspending or refusing to promptly resume
such service arising independently of any of
the provisions of said paragraph "Eighteenth"
of said "Standard Exhibition Contract" or of
said Rule IV of said "Rules of Arbitration."
9. From continuing to act upon and from
entering into any understandinp'. arrangement,
combination, conspiracy or agreement either
to refrain from entering into any contract for
licensing the exhibition of a motion picture
or motion pictures, or to retiuire the deposit
of security as a condition for entering into
ir continuing to perform any such contract
which has not been breached by the exhibitor,
or to fix in advance any terms or conditions
upon which any defendant or any member
nf any defendant Film Board of Trade shal'
-ntcr into any such contract — if the purpose
Tr effect of such understanding, arrangement
combination, conspiracy or agreement is
-ither :
(a) To coerce or to require any exhibit-
or of motion pictures in the United States
to submit to arbitration any claim, contro-
versy or dispute with any defendant or with
any member of any defendant Film Board
of Trade, arising under any contract licens-
ing the exhibition of a motion picture or of
motion pictures; or
(b) To coerce or to require any exhib
itor of motion pictures in the United States
to surrender and to waive the right to
have any claim, controversy or dispute witl-
any defendant or with any member of an>
defendant Film Board of Trade, arising
under any contract licensing the cxhibi
tion of a motion picture or of motion pic
turcs, settled and determined by any Cnur'
having jurisdiction of such claim, rontro
versy or dispute ; or
(c) To coerce or to require any ex
hibitor of motion pictures in the United
States to comply with any award rendered
against him in any arbitration proceeding
with any defendant or with any member
of any defendant Film Board of Trade,
arising under or on account of any con-
tract licensing the exhil)ition of a motion
picture or of motion pictures, without re-
course or appeal to any Court having juris-
diction of the claim, controversy or dispute
occasioning said award.
III.
Nothing contained in this decree shall be
construed as prohibiting any defendant or
any member of any defendant Film Board of
Trade from performing and /or continuing to
perform, or enforcing and /or continuing to
enforce, by any lawful means any contractual
obligation the performance or enforcement of
which is consistent with the provisions of
this decree. Nor shall anytliing contained in
this decree be construed as prohibiting any
defendant or any member of any defendant
Film Board of Trade from selecting his or its
own trade, from disposing of his or its own
products, or from making any contracts with
or without provisions relating to arbitration
— all upon such terms as he or it may choose
— provided such acts are done individually
and without combining, conspiring or agree-
ing with any other defendant or any mem-
ber of any Film Board of Trade.
Nothing contained in this decree shall be
construed in derogation of the right of the
defendants, or any of them, individually or
jointly, to negotiate and to agree with any
exhibitors of motion pictures on a standard
form of contract to be used in licensing the ex-
hibition of motion pictures or on any standard
provision or provisions to be included in such
license contracts, including reasonable pro-
visions for the arbitration of disputes arising
thereunder, if done voluntarily and without
coercion, and if applied only to the parties
to the negotiations and agreement.
Nothing contained in this decree shall be
construed as limiting or modifying, or shall
in any wise limit, restrict, modify or qualify,
the Onitiion filed in the companion case here-
to, "United States v. First National Pictures.
Inc.. et al.." (In Equity No. 4.S-99). and the
decree of the Court entered therein dis-
missing the petition of the Government on
•he merits as against the defendants herein:
in which case it was held that the Rules and
Regulations for the establishment and opera-
'ions of a Credit Committee, annexed to said
Petition as "Exhibit A," as agreed to, adopt-
ed and enforced bv these defendants, was
not and is not in violation of the Sherman
.\nti Trust Act. and that these defendants have
not engaged in a combination or conspiracy
*o restrain trade or commerce in violation of
said Act on account of their adoption and
enforcement of and operation under said
Credit Rules and Regulations.
IV.
Jurisdiction of this cause is hcrebv re-
tained for the purpose of enforcing this de-
■ree and making such other and further or-
le*'s and decrees as may become necessary,
nnd for the purpose of enabling any party
hereto to apply to the Court for such further
irders and directions as may be necessarv nr
•M-oper in relation to the carrying out of the
•irovisinns of this decree, or to ap'.dv to the
""ourt for modification hereof if it be hereafter
shown to the satisfaction of the Coiirt that by
•eason of changed conditions or changes in the
■tatute law of the United Strifes the provi-
sions hereof have become Inadennate oi' in-
•ippropriate. or have become unduly oppress-
ive, to the defendants, and a'c I'o longer nec-
essarv to secure conditions in harmony with
the law.
Marpole Succeeds Clawson
Ogden City. Utah— J. D. Marpole
of San Francisco has succeeded F.
L. Clawson at the Publix-Orpheum
here. Marpole formerly operated his
own theater.
Lone Star Film Moves
Dallas — The Lone Star Film Co.
has removed to 1081 '/j Commerce St.
DeForest Promotes Russell
Dallas — Albert Russell has been
• "omoted to southwestern manager
hy DeForest with jurisdiction over
jeveral states.
Sound for Kaufman's House
New Braunsfel, Tex.^ — Jack Kauf-
man's Opera House has been remod-
eled and equipped for sound.
Sound At Austin, Texas
.Austin, Tex. — The Texas is slated
to reopen shortly. It is now being
remodeled and equipped for sound.
Hefley Buys Local House
Dallas — Sam Hefley is reported to
have purchased a neighborhood house
here.
Independence Closed
Oxnard, Cal. — The Independence
has closed. The house was held un-
safe by state authorities and was
forced to shut down because of fire
violations.
ifANILIARASYETWITI
JUDGE THACHER DECK
(.Continued from Page 1)
could not be determined yesterd
There seemed to be some unoffitij
opinion, however, that the results vl
not prove satisfactory from ;
standpoint of distributors and the^
fore no further action may be tak'.
Legal representatives associaj
with the defendants yesterday stai
that they had not completed dige,
of the decree and consequently w
unable to comment on its contei
Both Gabriel Hess of the Hays -
fice and Edwin P. Grosvenor, of C
walader, Wickersham & Taft, couni
for the defendants, expressed the-
selves in this manner. C. C. Pe •
John, president of the Film Boardsf
Trade, before leaving for Chicas
yesterday on the Century. glan(il
over the decree and told THE FIlj[
DAILY: "It looks like a 50-50 or '-
51 break, just which I can't determ*
at the moment. It is better that s
industrj- be regulated by people wb
know its mechanics than to compel
•o follow hard and fast rules fixed /
decrees and legislations. Arbitral i
is one of the finest things in the -
dustry and 99 per cent of the peo ;
in the industry believe this. A pro|r
'orm of arbitration can and will ;
devised."
Arctic Nu-Aire for Dallas
Dallas — Arctic Nu-Aire Corp. plans
to establish a factory branch here in
the near future.
Rosebud Gem Being Remodeled
Rosebud. Tex. — The Gem is being
remodeled for sound.
Style Leadership of Worl
Set in L. A., Ree Sas
"Hollywood has made remarkalf
strides of style leadership of ii
world," states Max Ree, art direc"
of Radio Pictures, who will leave •
Hollywood tomorrow. "The appa 1
seen on the screen is copied eve
where," he declares, "so that si
exploit in a way not otherwise p
sible, the latest style decrees of b.
Parisian and Hollywood design
Sensing this situation, many Frei
dress houses, such as Patou, lu
opened salons in the film capitol ;
bid fair to make it the cynosure
discriminating women througln
the world."
Carl Edourde Joins New
Mintz Recording C
(Continued from Page 1)
luusical scores for Aesop Fabl
Disney Cartoons, and others, has 1
come associated with M. J. Mint?.
.\fifiliated Sound Recording, Inc.
Seek Theaters' Site
U'rst Coa.^f Bureau. THE FILM DAI
San Francisco — Negotiations ;
under way for the erection of a ho
on the site of the Geary and Curr
theaters.
May Reopen Denver House
Denver, Colo. — Plans are und
way to reopen the Denham, whi
closed recently.
THE
rhsday, January 23, 1930
DAILV
Elm Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
ALABAMA
, Changes in Ownership
Lsklle — Strand, sold to J. B. Johnson by J.
CLee; Johns — Gay, sold to Joe Baer by
J and Frank Sachs; Lineville — Lineville,
si to J. A. Pitts by Clark Strickland;
Ftt City — Liberty, sold to S. W. Whatley
bE. S. Haynes; Thomasville — Rivoli, sold
t.C V. Lowery by A. C. Spinks; Union
Sings— Rialto, sold to Fred T. Mc-
lidon by Mrs. L. H. Forsyth.
j Closings
Irijeport — Ritz.
I ARKANSAS
I Changes in Ownership
ligifs — Princess, sold by Sam Williamson ;
Irrisburg — Regal, sold to L. Don Landers
t M. H. Thompson; Huntsville — Dixie,
si to J. R. Warren by Miss Elsie Haw-
Is.
Closings
,0 nn — Majestic ; Siloam Springs — Rialto.
CALIFORNIA
Changes in Ownership
!o3er Creek — Forest, sold to Amos & Car-
il; Capitola — ^Capitola, sold by Amos &
.(irroll; Dorris — Arcade, sold by Lester
i'lith ; Dunsmuir — Strand, sold by Byard
i Chapin ; Fort Bragg — Liberty, sold by
J. Perry ; Fortuna — Fortuna, sold by
V'stcott, Calif. ; Kingsbu'rg — Kingsburg,
sd by T. C. Clark; Madera— Progress,
fd by Flores & Barrara ; Oakdale— Oak-
(;e, sold by O. B. Atkisson ; Oakland—
(ntury, sold by Harris & Levy; Park,
id by Joe Carrara; Point Richmond —
jint, sold by C. G. Killberg ; San Fran-
ixo — Imperial, sold by Bert Levey ; Lar-
li. sold by James Barlow; Lux, sold by
ibert Jackson ; Parkview, sold by Alexander
'in; Princess, sold by Bert Levey; Santa
luz — Cameo, sold by J. A. Harvey, Jr. ;
lledad— J & J, sold by L. P. Johnson.
Closings
)(lis — Arcade; Portola — Portola ; San
uno — Star ; San Francisco — Diamond ;
'nger — Bell ; Suisun — Arlington.
j COLORADO
Changes in Ownership
Mih — Emerson, sold to Omar R. Henderson
' John Anderson ; Greeley — Park, sold to
: W. Kelley by William Menagh; Little-
in — Palm, sold to E. F. Bryant by Kessey
heaters, Inc.; Walsh — Walsh, sold to C.
f. Couch by E. W. Kerr.
1 Closings
Bwer— Folly.
CONNECTICUT
Changes in Ownership
B-idbrook — Broadbrook, sold to W. R.
mpbell by Mrs. L. Cuprak ; CoUinsville —
wn Hall, sold to M. J. Joyce by L. New-
inn; Middletown — Grand, sold to Adorno
iiusement Co. by Levinson & Eldridge ;
irwich — Strand, sold to R. Gillotti by J.
eijme ; Sharon — Casino, sold to Citizens'
asino Co. by P. Wilde; Thomaston —
pera House, sold to Rossi Cabol by L. B.
iurphy ; Waterbury — Garden, sold to
uard Amusement Ent., Inc., by F. De-
ick; West Hartford — Central, sold to Sil-
;r Bros, by Central Theater Op. Co. ;
/illiamantic — Strand, sold to R. Hyde by
f. Sperry ; Wilmington — Broadway, sold to
/ilmington Photoplay Co. by Community
heaters. Inc.
FLORIDA
Changes in Ownership
Iwster — Brewster, sold to Mrs. L. Wood
ard by Miss E. L. Mayhall ; Crystal River
-Regent, sold to R. Smith by W. C.
tiller: Dade City — Colonial, sold to
hurchill & Sears by Thrasher & Swinney ;
)unedin — Dixie, sold to G. L. Bender, Jr.,
y E. Denton Price ; Miami — Tower, sold
) Paul Johnson by J. A. Donne'ly ; Or-
mdo— Orlando, sold to C. F. and C. H.
iniiton by C. A. Ross; St. Petersburg —
'atio, sold to Patio Amusement Corp. by
iouthern Theaters, Inc. ; Serbring — Circle,
old to Charles F. Johnson by G. O. Alt-
later; Tampa — Campobello, sold to J. E.
Ramos by F. M. Claiborne; Umatilla—
Palace, sold to W. C. Mclver by J. E.
Unger.
Closings
Bushnell— Franklyn; Daytona Beach— Kmgs-
ton, Lyric.
GEORGIA
Changes in Ownership
Acworth— Art, sold to V. S. Golden by P. J.
Henn; Bainbridge — Callahan, sold to R.
C. Rackley by W. J. Brackin; Glennville—
Princess, sold to Clark Strickland by B.
C. Brewton ; Homerville — Liberty, sold to
R. O. Holton by John Caiman ; McCays-
ville — Capitol, sold to Ray Chapman by J.
H. Pulham; Tifton — Strand, sold to R. C.
Rackley by W. J. Brackin; Waycross—
Lyric, sold to Lucas & Jenkins by The
Amusement Co.
IDAHO
Changes in Ownership
Idaho Falls— Colonial, sold to Publix-Marcus,
Inc., by O. E. Schmidt.
Closings
Nampa — Strand.
ILLINOIS
Changes in Ownership
Chicago — Lorraine, sold to The Lorraine
Corp. by J. Vicedomini ; Vista, sold to
Vista Corp. by B. C. Coston ; Divernon —
Opera House, sold to James Luci by W.
J. Benyon; Eureka — Jewel, sold to Mellick
Bros, by W. M. Thurman; Greenview —
Opera House, sold to F. M. Mertz by O.
B. Wernsing; Joliet — Family, sold to Louis
Marchesi by A. Zeimis ; New Athens —
Community, sold to Sam Taylor & Sauer-
wein & Smatlik ; Rockford — Columbia, sold
to Brounzel & Sarno by Frank Chiarelli ;
Star, sold to G. Frankipani by Mr. Nelson ;
Shipman — Casadenia, sold to Shipman
.Amusement Co. by W. F. Weingand ;
Spring Valley — Liberty, sold to A. Antonino
and L. Kukman by A. O. Lambert ; Wor- j
den — Lannae, sold to Harry C. Mullens by
Mrs. F. E. Lannae.
Closings
Chicago — Glen ; Ottawa — Palace ; Rockford —
Columbia ; Ullin — Amuzu.
New Theaters
Baylis — Baylis, owner — Clyde Gieker ; Belle-
ville—Ritz, owner— J. W. Stoltz.
Re-Openings
Alsey — Alsey ; Odin — Grand.
INDIANA
Changes in Ownership
Albany — Strand, sold to Mrs. Nellie Mc-
Kinzie by H. S. Templin ; Bremen — Gem,
sold to Mrs. Mayme Drake by John B.
Swain ; Corydon — Dream, sold to Gilbert
May by J. S. Grimes; Dana — -Isis, sold to
Merchants of Dana by Everett White ;
Franklin — Opera House, sold to J. F. Rem-
busch by O. I. Demaree; Indianapolisi —
Eastland, sold to Boyd Betts by Louis
Hibbert ; Kokomo — Paramount, sold to Mr.
Arnold by R Sipe; Markle — Pantheon, sold
to Mrs. Edith M. Vantes by R. C. Dull;
Pierceton — Liberty, sold to N. D. Wood by
John Swain; Rising Sun — Columbia, sold
to Ora Carter by William Binder ; Shirley —
Show Room, sold to E. Eckhardt and O.
Hancock by D. C. Hopkins ; Shoals — Green
Lantern, sold to James Carrico by J. E.
Stiles; Smithville — Oriental, sold to Dale
Cazell ; Stinesville — Vandale, sold by Frank
Duncan ; SulUvan^Lyric, sold to J. M.
Wilson by Harris-McCarrell Ent.; Terre
Haute — ^Alhambra, sold to J. Fenwick by
E. F. Stanley ; Wakarusa — Favorite, sold
to LeRoy Brodey by F. L. Schultz ; West
Terre Haute — Victory, sold to John Al-
nieras by Clay Burnett.
Closings
Culver — Culver; Geneva — Limberlost; Lake
Village— I. O.O.F. ; Milan— Empire ; Nap-
panee — Auditorium ; Oakland City — ^^Storm ;
St. Paul — St. Paul ; Syracuse — Community ;
Wolcott — Lyric.
New Theaters
Terre Haute — Orpheum, owner — Mr. Ross
Garver.
Re-Openings
Blanford — Star; Milltown — Community; Win-
fall— Winfall.
Coast Wire Service
Yiollywood Happenings
Gets R K 0 Contract
As Assistant to Le Baron
J'andro Bernian, former head of the
Radio cutting department, has signed
a three year contract as assistant to
William Le Baron, vice president in
charge of production.
"Daybreak," "Red Dust"
Are Bought By M-G-M
Talker rights to Arthur Schnitzler's
novel, "Daybreak," and Wilson Col-
lison's play, "Red Dust," have been
bought by M-G-M.
10 Songs in "King of Jazz"
Ten song numbers, practically all
of them specially written by Miltoi
Ager, Jack Yellen, Harry De Costa,
Mabel Wayne and Billy Rose, will
be included in the Paul Whiteman
revue, "King of Jazz," it is announced
by Universal. George Gershwin's
"Rhapsody in Blue" also will be
utilized, and John Murray Ander-
son, who is staging the picture, prob-
ably will utilize "Wait for the Happy
Ending" from his "Almanac" stage
production.
Holmes in New Carroll Film
Phillips Holmes has been assigned
to play opposite Nancy Carroll in
"The Devil's Sunday," which was
written and will be directed by Ed-
mund Goulding.
Fox Preparing Columbia Script
Paul Harvey Fox is preparing the
script of "Prince of Diamonds," for
Columbia. Two directors will be as-
signed to the production.
A Little
from *'Lots"
^^^ By RALPH WILK ^^
Hollywood
j^OY J. POMEROY, RKO direc-
tor, and Pat Sullivan, creator of
"Felix, the Cat," are renewing an old
acquaintance. Pomeroy was former-
ly a well known artist and illustrator
in New York, while next door to his
studio, Sullivan had a studio and
drew cartoons for the newspapers.
* * +
T'other evening, Joseph Walker,
ace cameraman, had a pleasant sur-
prise. He tuned in on a St. Louis
station and heard the announcer in-
troduce Belle Baker, whom Joe had
photographed in "The Song of
Love," for Columbia.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Lambert Hill-
yer, Forrest Halsey, Howard J.
Green and Nate Stein at "Diamond
Lil'"; Bill Plant motoring to the
First National studio.
Tashman Opposite McLaglen
Lilyan Tashman will play the lead-
ing feminine part in "On the Level,"
which Fox is making with Victor
McLaglen and Lee Tracy co-starred.
Irving Cummings is directing.
Thomas With Warners
George Thomas has succeeded Wil-
liam Bloecher, who resigned as pub-
licity director for Warners.
"Mysterious Island"
"smashed all time records in Riviera, Tower, Congress, Norshore,
Senate and Harding theaters, Chicago. None of the houses have
stage shows. Business done on merit of picture."
— Max Balaban.
Written and
directed by
Lucien Hubbard
(Now under contract to Warner Brothers)
New York Evening World —
"it is the sort of fantastic material with which the screen should
have interested itself years ago. Lucien Hubbard directed and
he did a marvelous job."
A SWELL REVIEW of a GRAND PICTURE
Reprinted without editing from the Philadelphia
Inquirer — one of the best reviews ever written
of one of the best pictures ever made
• • •
First off, it seems necessary to decorate "Men
Without Women," which opened at the Fox-Locust
yesterday, with a lot of sizzhng superlatives.
Compare it to a tale of Conrad's. Or Victor Hugo.
Say that it possesses the power of Zola. Or hard-
hitten like Hemingway. And then discover that
such descriptions simply don't mean anything. And
go back to the title:
Men without women. Tough, hard-boiled, roister-
ing, profane men of the United States Navy, Men
without refinement Sweating, hairy- chested men.
Men without air to breathe. Strangling in the suf-
focating hold of a disabled submarine, rammed and
lying at the bottom of the sea, off Shanghai.
A few hours before they were roistering in port.
Eyeing the geisha girls. Swilling beer. Swaggering,
blatant fighting men. Now they're dying. One
cracks under the tension and goes insane. A few are
coldly gauging the chances. A few are joking. A
few crawl away to die alone in their Bunks, as the
u ater creeps up and dampens the batteries.
The radio oscillator pounding out "SOS". "Any
word, Sparks.?" "Naw% this mus' be a family line."
The young ensign, fresh from Annapolis, in a tre-
mulous voice, makes a speech about the glory of
dying like men. Like Navy men. A, hard-bitten
Navy file grunts. A petty officer, gulping for air,
smiles and says "All right, skipper."
There isn't enough of hokum in this show to
grease the back of a w oodtick. The talking is about
as near perfect as you will hear in a long time. And
John Ford, the director, has done a job that ought
to win his immortality. The cast of fourteen men
are not actors. They are men dying like cornered
rats. The audience gasps with them, staring with
fascinated eyes as the oxygen tanks hiss out their
last few precious litres of life.
Destroyers scattering wind -torn plumes of smoke
as they knife through the sea, fog -sirens scattering
unwary craft. Divers pounding to attract the atten-
tion of men, many of whom will not hear.
If you don't know now, you will, when you have
seen "Men Without Women", how much of
courage, of desperate effort, of sheer, unvarnished
human grandeur was seen in the tossing waters at
Provincetown a few years ago,- when the S-51 went
down. And you'll take a big, appreciative lungful
of Philadelphia air — and like it.
\
— THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
William Fox
presents
MEN WITHOUT WOMEN
Opening
at the
NEW YORK
JANUARY
Story by
John Ford and James K. McGuinness
mms^
gold^getting
pictuve
DIRECTELD BY
THE GOLD-MEDAL
\ DIRECTOR '■
;!F^HEWSPAPER
«<FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
V'L, LI No. 20
Friday, January 24, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Vnti-Trust Charges Are Denied in Warner Reply
OPTIONAL ARBITRATION UKELY
15,000,000 Production Budget for "U" in 1930
Stringing
-some thoughts together
h=^By JACK ALICOATE =
V!^EN a big one is coming along
it| in the air and you just naturally
FEL it. It's our guess that "The
Vjjabond King" will knock 'em
ojr — MUSICAL comedy comedians
D|the screen should be kept in their
W.l known place of amusing the
citoniers and NOT allowed to
e'ote — THIS irresistible motion pic-
tie ART has again proven that it
is ONE industry that is relatively
di)ression proof — OVER three hun-
d:d and fifty critics took part in
t|; Film Daily Ten Best Pictures
C 1929 Poll, the result of which
vil soon be broadcast all over the
cintry — UNLESS you can point to
a current legitimate production as
finy as "Cock-Eyed World," as
•iiimsical and delightful as "The
ibve Parade" and as convincingly
fwerful as "Applause" you'll have
1 join the majority and admit that
t, screen has passed the stage as
; medium of entertainment — THE
'JO'i A system in Australia is caus-
i; all sorts of fuss. Folks all over
je world demand the BEST in
•:tures and, those made in America,
St at this time, seem to be
;at and nothing else but — PARA-
OUNT'S expansion program for
'30 calls for additional stages at its
'est Coast studios. Certainly NO
flectioa of bad times in that di-
Iction — TOO many good pictures
ese days have an anchor around
eir neck by being hampered by bad
lusic. You can't WISH a good
lore into a sound picture — "FEW-
R and better" pictures has been
|i annual gag in this biz for years
:id years. Looks like the GOODS
low with twenty-five per cent esti-
[lated cut in production for 1930
lue to sound — SOME day soon
I'e're gonna wake up and find wide-
llm EVERYWHERE.
Eight Features Added to
List, Making 47
to Date
A production budget of $15,000,000,
the largest annual outlay in the com-
pany's history, is announced by Uni-
versal for this year. Number of fea-
tures to be produced in 1930 prob-
ably will be well above the 50 mark,
with definite plans already made for
a total of 47. Of this group, 39 were
announced a short time ago, while
the following eight have just been
added to the list:
"Carnival," by William R. Doyle,
starring Mary Nolan, directed by
{Contimied on Page 2)
GIVES FOX UNTIL MONDAY
FOR RECEIVraP REPLY
Federal Judge Frank J. Coleman
yesterday issued an order directing
William Fox and his associates to
show cause why a receivership in
equity should not be appointed for
Fox Film Corp. The time limit was
placed at 2 p. m. Monday. Judge
Coleman issued the order at a con-
(C&ntiniied on Page 5)
Counsel for Distributors Confer on Plan to
Revise Contract Following Decree
A clause making it optional with exhibitors whether they use arbitra-
tion or place a deposit when they buy product is likely to be inserted by dis-
tributors in the Standard Exhibition Contract, following decree signed by
Judge Thacher finding compulsory arlaitration in blanket form illegal. One
company. Paramount, has already re-
vised its contract to embrace this
clause and is now selling film under
this arrangement.
The subject was under discussion
at a conference held yesterday at the
Hays office with the counsel of var-
ious major companies, defendants in
the anti-trust suit brought by the
Government, attending. No decision
was definitely reached, and the meet-
ings will continue.
The plan to insert the optional
clause in the contract was also dis-
(Continued on Page 5)
APPEAL FROM THACHER
DECREE IS IN PROSPECT
Whether or not an appeal will be
taken from the Judge Thacher decree,
ordering discontinuance of compul-
sory arbitration as now practiced
under the Standard Exhibition Con-
tract, was under discussion yesterday
at the conference held at the Hays
office with representatives of the de-
fendant companies present. No de-
cision was reached but it is understood
within probability that action will be
(Continued on Page 5)
Anderson District Mgr.
in Atlanta for ERPI
Atlanta — W. W. Anderson, former
manager of the local Pathe office, has
resigned to become southern district
manager for Electrical Research
(Continued on Page S)
Warners, F. N. Not Competitors
Before Merger, Answer States
Hearings Far Off
Although no definite date
has been fixed for hearings on
the Federal Government's an-
ti-trust actions against War-
ner Bros, and Fox, it is un-
derstood that they will not take
place for many months, pos-
sibly a year or more. Both
actions, which are civil, were
instituted in U. S. District
Court late in November. Fox
filed its reply Jan. 17, denying
all charges and seeking dis-
missal of the suit.
Denial of the Government's charges
of violating the Clayton anti-trust
act, and a request for dismissal of
the federal suit, is set forth in the
formal reply of Warner Bros, to the
Government action filed two months
ago in the U. S. District Court. The
chief allegation, that Warners and
First National were competitive pro-
ducing organizations prior to acquisi-
tion of the latter's stock by Warner
Bros., is categorically denied in the
reply, filed by Sullivan & Cromwell,
attorneys, for Warner Bros., Stanley
(Continued on Page 3)
OFFICERS ELECTED FOR
M. P. LABORATORY ASS'N
Joseph H. Buresch, of Film Lab.
has been elected president of the
Ass'n of M. P. Laboratories, Inc.
Other officers elected are: M. O'-
Keefe of Warners, vice president;
Richard Feidler, Empire Film Lab.,
treasurer and S. L. Bargman, secre-
tary. Eugene Lauste is scheduled to
address the next meeting Feb. 11 on
the technicalities of sound-on-film.
SAM KATZ IS ELECTED
HEAD0FBALABAN&KAT2
Chicago — Samuel Katz, former
vice president, has been elected presi-
dent of the Balaban & Katz Corp.
here. Other officers elected included
John Balaban, former assistant sec-
retary and treasurer, now vice presi-
dent and Eugene Zukor, assistant
secretary-treasurer. Other officials
were reelected.
=H/XI^
DAILV
V(L LI No. 20 Friday, Januarj 24, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and PuUlsher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 11, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (PosUge
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; J
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1060
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolflsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, J25. Pari*— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 22!/8 21 22^ 300
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 21'/8 18J4 20^8 10,000
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 24 M 22 5i 24^4 7,200
East. Kodak 187 182 H 185 '/g 4,500
Fox Fm. "A" ... 34 2m 27/^399,400
•Keith AG 21
•do pfd 94?i ....
Loew's Inc 59J^ 56}4 STA 21,50()
♦do pfd. WW (6/2) 86
'do pfd. xw (6/2) 86
MG-M pfd 24 24 24 100
Para. F-L 58 57 57Ji 13,300
Pathe Exch 4J4 i^ 3?i 1,100
do "A" 8 7% 7Vs 3,500
R-K-O 27 J4 26K 26'4 53,400
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 36
Warner Bros 50J^ 49/2 50M 70,100
do pfd 45 45 45 800
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 3lH 31 31 500
Fox Thea. "A" .. 9J4 5% 6J4 68,100
Gen. Thea. Equ. .. 38 36/2 36^ 13,100
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
I.oew do deb. rts... 19 17>4 19 168
Loew's Inc. war .. 5}4 ^'A 5K 30ii
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 155i
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 916
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith AC 6s 46 77
Loew 6s 41ww ..104J4 104 104Ji 60
do 6s 41 x-war... 93^ 92^ 93 40
Paramount 6s 47 . 99 J4 99'A 99 J4 150
♦Par. By. S'/zS 51 105^ ....
Pathe 7s 37 47 47 47 20
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
H it
(f New York Long Island City y
*i 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. M
g BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 §
I Eastman Films |
in ^
|i 1. E. Brulatour, Inc. W
if if
if if
it it
it Chicago Hollywood j-j
it .-~- .J- A 6700 Santa Monica »>
g 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j g
if CAlumet 2691 HOUywood 4121 ;;j
f?:"t!t?T-?t-?^'"-**'''*-**TMT-77-TT-TT-1 WW f-TT-TT-TT-yf-Tyf'*
CARTOON PROCESS TO BE
PATENTED BY VAN BEUREN
The Van Beuren Corp., producers
of Aesop's Sound Fables, is having
patented a new process of cartoon
animation and synchronization. By
means of the new development, it is
claimed, it will now be possible to
present on the screen as many as 100
different cartoon characters at the
same time each working in perfect
synchrony with the accompanying
musical score. The process is the
development of John Foster, Mannie
Davis, Harry Bailey and Jack Ward.
The company has plans under wa>
tor making pictures by this process.
Advance Trailer Produces
New Weekly M. C. Series
Advance Trailer Service Corp. has
registered and trade marked through
the U. S. Patent Office the title of
its new weekly series of sound shorts
Screen Master of Ceremonies,"
which is originated and produced by
the company. The innovation intro-
duces noted stage personalities who,
in five minute talks, some inter-
spersed with music and songs, boost
the theater, the management, stress
the value of silence and offer newsy
Hollvwood incidents.
Okay Picketing
Seattle — Picketing of the-
aters by unions is legal pro-
viding the picketers do not ap-
proach closer than 100 feet to
the entrance of theater. This is
the unanimous opinion of the
State Supreme Court rendered
in an old case involving the
Capitol and Colonial. A pre-
vious Supreme Court decision
held that men bearing placards
must not approach nearer than
100 feet.
Laud Syracuse Managers
for Aid in Safety Work
Syracuse — Local theater managers
have been commended by William W.
VN'iard, commissioner of public safety,
for their co-operation with the city
department in carrying out the regu-
.ations applying to places of public as-
sembly. Following a conference, at-
tended by the theatrical men and the
commissioner, it was announced that
Charles F. Wilkes, inspector of
places of public assembly, would go
to New York soon to make a study
of new appliances in the picture the-
ater field.
Warner Luncheon for Oscar Straus
H. M. W'arner, president of War-
ner Bros, will tender Oscar Straus,
\'iennese composer, a luncheon at the
Ritz-Carlton, New York, Tuesday.
The reception committee to welcome
the composer who arrives here Satur-
day includes Gene Buck, John Philip
Sousa, George Gershwin, Henry K.
Hadley, Vincent Youmans, Max
Dreyfus and Oley Speaks.
$15,000,000 PRODUCTION
BUDGET FORI" IN 1930
(.Continued from Page I)
Lew Collins, adaptation by Winifred
Eaton Reeve, continuity by Matt
Taylor.
"The Girl from Evil Lane," star-
ring Mary Nolan. From the "Red
Book" Magazine, story by Sven An-
derson.
"Jail Break," story by Leon Ab-
rams, adaptation and dialogue by
Henry La Cossitt.
"The Net," an original story b}
Henry La Cossitt.
"Poor Sport," Rita Weiman's story,
for Laura La Plante.
"Power," story by Helen Grace
Carlisle.
"Wise Wives," by Paul Gangelin.
"Varsity Show," with Harold
(Red) Grange.
In the calendar year 1929, Univer-
sal produced 42 features.
One hundred and sixty-one short
subjects also are on the 1930 list, in
addition to the 104 issues of the Uni-
versal Newspaper Newsreel with
Graham McNamee as the Talking
Reporter.
Talmadge Premiere at Paramount
Norma Talmadge's first all-talk-
er, "New York Nights," will have its
oremiere here at the Paramount Jan.
31. The cast includes Gilbert Roland,
John Wray, Lilyan Tashman, Mary
Doran and Roscoe Karns. Lewis
Milestone directed.
Don Hancock Recovering
Don Hancock, of the Van Beuren
Corp., who recently underwent an
operation, now is rapidly recovering
at his home.
Harriscolor Expanding
Its Output Facilities
iVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Harriscolor Films,
which has developed a three-color
process, is expanding its facilities,
which at present are said to be cap-
able of turning out 15,000,000 feet of
print footage in the next six months.
With the additional equipment now
being assembled, the company expects
to be able to handle nearly 70,000,000
feet in addition to the present output.
c
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
Jan. 25
Jan.
27
Jan.
28
Jan.
30
Feb.
1
Feb.
7
Feb.
19
Mar
S
Mar.
20
Apr.
6-7
June
2-7
National Board of Review i
ference at Hotel Roosevelt.
Opening of "Because I Love 1.
at the Mansfield, New York.
Fourth annual frolic of Fox Athj
Club, Hotel Commodore. i
York City.
Warner Bros. Regional Sales Js
Hotel Astor, N. Y.
Op«mng of "Hell Harbor" at I
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Premiere of "The Rogue Song i
the Astor, N. Y.
Luncheon tendered Oscar Stiu
by H. M. Warner at the Ij
Carlton, N. Y.
Opening of "Sons of the Gods,j
tha Warner, N. Y.
"Condemned," opens at RivoU,S
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaj
Paramount Pep Club annual bai
the Astor, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Catlii
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of Maryland IP
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-Statel
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congreuji
Brussels.
Theaters in 38 States
Sign for New Photophot
Contracts for the new Type j
model RCA Photophone have b ii
signed by theaters in 38 states ;d
the District of Columbia since E:.
17, when the first delivery was ma;,
the Photophone offices report. SI ■
ments of the apparatus, which is -
signed for houses of 500 seats ;d
under, already have been made to 8
states, plus the District of Columli.
Al Lichtman on Vacation
Al Lichtman, vice-president
United Artists, leaves today fo,
two weeks' vacation at Miami Bea
Fla.
Kooler-)^ir<
The SILENT
Summer Attraction
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YOR,
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
THE
' Friday, January 24, 1930
-Sfil^
DAILV
{Anti-Trust Charges Are
\ Denied in Warner Bros. Reply
(Continued from Page 1)
'>. and First National, and reading
n part as follows:
Defendants admit that Warner Bros, and
•'irst National Productions Corp. have been
ngaged in makin* motion pictures in Cali-
ornia bat not elsewhere in the United States,
,nd they deny that in the year 1928 said cor-
orations were engaged in making the same
f.r like kinds of motion pictures or that
.e said corporations were in substantial com-
.etiticn with each other in interstate commerce
r otherwise; and in connection therewith
he defendants allege that Warner Bros.
vas making motion pictures synchronized
;ith sound, thereby producing the so-called
^sound moving pictures" and "talking moving
'ictures," while First National Productions
lorp. was engaged solely in the production
f the so-called "silent moving pictures."
Warner Bros., First National and First
.'ational Productions Corp. were not engaged
1 transporting or shipping or producing
tr making contracts with respect to, the
ame kind of motion pictures, but totally
iverse and noncompetitive motion pictures ;
nd prior to the institution of this suit First
Rational had ceased to transport, ship, pro-
duce or make contracts.
Defendants allege that with respect to
lotion pictures produced by Warner Bros.
t California, the positive prints are printed
1 California for use in theaters located in
)!alifornia, and that the motion pictures trans-
orted and shipped by Warner Bros, and those
-ansported and shipped by First National
lere not of the same kind but were diverse
nd noncompetitive. Further, the defendants
eny that First National is transporting or
lipping, or causing the transportation or
;iipment of motion pictures among the sev-
ral States, or that it is engaged in com
(lerce among the several States.
Defendants deny knowledge or information
.ifficient to form a belief as to the truth,
nd therefore deny, the allegations that War-
er Bros., and First National have each made,
istributed and contracted for the exhibition
f approximately 15 per cent and 10 per cent,
?spective!y, of the motion pictures made,
istributed and exhibited in the United States
,er year, and have together made, distributed
nd granted the right to exhibit approximately
5 per cent of the available supply thereof.
Defendants deny that First National was
idependently engaged in business, that until
le alleged acquisition of its stock by Warner
!ros. it conducted its business as a separate
nd independent enterprise, and that the
lUsiness conducted by First National was
ke the business conducted by Warner Bros. ;
nd defendants allege that there were im-
lOrtant contract and business relations be-
xeen First National and Warner Bros, and
:s subsidiaries.
Defendants admit that Warner Bros, after
.ept. 1, 1928, acquired a part of the stock
' First National and now owns part of the
:ock of First National, and that First Na
■jnal at one time had approximately 71,893
ares of common stock outstanding ; and
jfendants allege that at the time of the
!ginning of this suit First National had not
7er 12,800 shares outstanding and has not
ow over 1,500 shares of stock outstanding;
nd defendants further deny that Warner
'iros. has purchased or now holds or controls
1,893 shares of common stock of First STa-
ional.
I Defendants deny that the Stanley Co., at
jhe time of the acquisition of its stock by
iiVamer Bros, held, owned or controlled
'5,041 shares of common stock of First Na-
iional, and allege in connection therewith that
ft the time of said acquisition the Stanley
^o. owned voting trust certificates for said
iortfmon shares and not the shares themselves ;
nd the defendants further deny that Warner
?ros. on the acquisition of the stock of
Stanley Co., possessed the right and power
0 dominate and control, and has in fact
lotninated and controlled, the conduct of the
'usiness and affairs of Stanley Co., including
Is ownership, possession and rights in, to and
ncidcnt to said stock of First National as
ully and completely as if Warner Bros, had
n fact immediately and directTy owned and
leld the aforesaid stock of First Nation.il ;
nd defendants, further answering the allega-
ions of said paragraph, allege that at the
•ne of the acquisition by Warner Bros, of
er Bros, were not in substantial competition
with each other, and their respective busi-
nesses were substantially noncompetitive.
Defendants admit that for a period beginning
long after the acquisition of the Stanley Co.,
and ending prior to the institution of this
suit, Warner Bros, owned an additional 17,934
shares of common stock of First National.
Defendants admit that on or about No-
vember 1, 1929, Warner Bros, acquired a
further part of the stock of First National to
the extent of approximately 25,000 shares;
but deny that Warner Bros, now holds or
controls the same.
Defendants allege that prior to the time
of the filing of this Bill, First National had
ceased to be engaged in interstate trade or
commerce or in any trade or commerce or
business whatsoever.
Defendants admit that Warner Bros, sub-
sequent to November 1, 1929, and prior to
the filing of this Bill, acquired First National's
assets from it; and that Warner Bros, there-
after caused the incorporation of a corpora-
tion under the laws of Maryland by the name
of First National Pictures, Inc., and thereafter
and prior to the filing of this Bill transferred
to that Maryland corporation certain of the
assets acquired by it from First National;
and except as herein expressly admitted, tljey
deny each and every allegation contained m
paragraph 18 of the Bill (that the incorpo-
rating of Maryland First National was for the
purpose of eliminating competition between
Warner Bros, and First National.)
Defendants deny that the effect of the
alleged acquisitions and continued holdings
by Warner Bros, of stock of First National
may be to substantially lessen competition be-
tween them, in as much as First National is
not engaged in any trade or commerce of
my kind whatsoever and there is no com
petition between them ; and deny that the
effect of the acquisitions and continued liaUl-
ings by Warner Bros, of the stock of Mary-
land First National may be to substantially
lessen competition between them, as competi-
tion between them never has existed but
said Maryland First National was a mere
subsidiary corporation formed by Warner
Bros, to take over assets then owned by said
Warner Bros, as permitted by law ; and these
defendants further deny that the effect of said
av;quisitions or continued holdings may be
to substantially lessen competition between
First National and Maryland First National,
as there never has been competition between
said corporations and First National is not
engaged in trade or commerce ; and these
defendants further deny that the effect of
any of the acquisitions or continued holdings
referred to in said Bill may be to restrain
interstate commerce or to create a monopoly
in interstate commerce in violation of the
Act common'y known as the Clayton Act.
Wherefore, the defendants pray that this
Rill may be dismissed," with costs.
6 Roadshows Presenting
"Jango" Sound Version
Six road-show crews have been or-
!?anized for the sound version of
"Jango," African animal picture, put
out by the Davenport-Quigley Expe-
ditions, Inc., and booked through the
.\. L. Erlanger office. The produc-
tion, which had its premiere Jan. 19
at the Park, Erie, Pa., will open for
engagements of one week or longer
as follows:
Gaiety, Pittsburgh, Feb. 3; Erlang-
er, BufTalo, Feb. 9; Tremont Temple,
Boston. Feb. 17; Erlanger, Atlanta,
"eb. 17. Managers for these com-
panies are John Curran, Norman
Peel, William J. Riley, Harry Jack-
son and Al Sanders. William Smith
will manage the show for the West
Coast.
Rice at Bijou, Bangor
Bangor, Me. — H. Edward Rice has
„. succeeded Francis Colburn as assist-
stock of Stanley Co., First National and War- ant manager of the Bijou.
ft
Lhotography
X^xcellent
"Photography excellent." Thus ends the movie review.
We are mindful of the director and his staff-men
whose skill accounts for good acting, good direction,
good composition and good lighting. And of the
operator in his booth we take account. Unstinted
credit must go to them. But Bell & Howell takes par-
ticular pride in the "photography excellent" stamp
placed upon the tens of hundreds of featured movies
made by Bell & Howell Standard Cameras since 1907.
How has Bell & Howell thus maintained its technical
leadership for the past 23 years? The answer lies in this
company's willingness to forego immediate gain to the
gradual upbuilding of the industry; in its eternally
vigilant staff of engineers and technicians; in its gener-
ous appropriations for research into the theory and
practical mechanics of cinematography.
The culmination of all these things is the new Bell &
Howell Engineering Development Building, a costly
but finely equipped plant devoted to the solution of
the present and future technical problems of the in-
dustry. It is already paying dividends to producers,
distributors and theater-owners, large and small; the
investment it represents is in every way justified. We
invite you to submit your particular problems, too.
yy
BELL & HOWELL
COMPANY
Dept. M, 185 3 Larchmont Ave., Chicago, 111. r New York, 11 W. 42nd St.
Hollywood, 5324 Santa Monica Blvd. / London (B.&H.Co.,Ltd.) 320 Regent St.
Established 1907
I
This is th«
book that
"Will soon be
on the desk
of every ex'
ecutive m
every brand
o€ motion pictures
in every part oS th«
'world and stay there
every day during 193C
Out in Two Weeks-Yearly 1200 Pages — A Greater Book Covering A Greater Industry
I 1
I
'riday, January 24, 1930
DAILV
LAR6I
IS LIKELY FOR INDUSTRY
(Continued from Page 1)
'jssed in different company confer-
inces yesterday. All, when ques-
oned by THE FILM DAILY, said
lat no decision had been arrived at
1 the situation.
Judge Thacher's decree, finding
rbitration in its present form illegal,
[ecomes operative immediately. Ex-
iting contracts, however, can be
^rried out, the decree says.
iPPEAL FROM THACHER
i DECREE IS IN PROSPECT
j (Continued from Page 1)
jaken to have the case heard in the
circuit Court of Appeals. The de-
icndants, it is understood, have 60
j!ays in which to file an appeal.
Gabriel Hess, counsel for the Hays
')rganization, said he had no com-
ment to make on the decree and the
Possibility of an appeal.
Anderson District Mgr.
' in Atlanta for ERPI
(Continued from Page 1)
'roducts, Inc. a subsidiary of Western
Llectric with headquarters here. An-
lerson will have charge of sales, in-
stallations and service in the follow-
pg territory; North and South Caro-
jina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas and Ok-
ahoma.
Three Holdups in St. Louis
St. Louis — Theater bandits have
|»ecome particularly active here, with
Ijwo holdups and one unsuccessful at-
tempt in the last few days. Edward
K^ennedy, manager of the Shenan-
loah, was held up in the theater by
jwo men and robbed of $300. Joseph
Kotnik, owner of the McNair, was at-
lacked in his home by two robbers
■vho tied him with bedsheets and
jpscaped with $280. Louis Speros,
ij wner of the Marquette, repulsed the
■ [.fiorts of two holdup men who ac-
i osted him while he was on his way
home after the last show.
j Plans to Improve Chain
II Chattanooga, Tenn. — Independent
[Theaters, Inc., plans to spend be-
twee.n $40,000 and $50,000 for im-
provements at the Ritz, Rossville; the
Park, American, Ritz, Royal, Cameo
lind Rivoli here. S. H. Borisky is
/ice-president of the company.
To Improve Metropolitan
Gilmore City, la. — Fred Sandham,
manager of the Metropolitan, plans
to install Western electric equipment.
The house will be enlarged and re-
decorated.
I Piccadilly Changes Policy
' Rochester, N. Y.— The Piccadilly
here has reopened with a first run and
|stage presentation policy. H. A.
jWoIlever is manager of the house.
GIVES FOX UNTIL MONDAY
FOR RECEIVERSHIP REPLY
(Continued from Page 1)
ference at his chambers attended b.\
attorneys representing the various in
terests involved in the suits seekin.L
a receivership.
Samuel Untermyer, counsel for
Fox, is reported to have proposed ap-
pointment of a board of trustees to
manage Fox affairs in lieu of a re-
ceivership. He recommended that
the board consist of Charles Evans
Hughes, John W. Davis and a rep-
resentative of one of the largest
financial houses in Wall St. No ac-
tion was taken on the proposal.
Fox Film Spurts to 34
Figure; Closes at 27/2
Featuring the market yesterday
was a spurt to 34 made by Fox Film,
which closed at 27j/^, or a gain of 4J4
over the previous day. The heavy
turnover represented nearly 400,000
shares.
Canadian Juvenile Act
Being Strictly Observed
Montreal — Strict observance by ex-
hibitors of the Provincial law forbid-
ding children under the age of 16 to
attend picture theaters is shown in
the annual report of the Recorder's
Court. Out of 36,172 police cases in
1929, only 10 were charges against
theater operators under the juvenile
act and in most of these cases the
exhibitor was not considered at fault.
In the previous year there were scores
of prosecutions on the same charges.
Hofheimer Buried in Richmond
Richmond, Va. — Funeral rites were
held here recently for Moses L. Hof-
heimer, local theater owner, who was
67 years old. He owned the New, Lit-
tle, Strand, Lubin and Isis among
other houses in this city.
Marpole at Ogden Orpheum
Ogden, Utah — J. H. Marpole ha^
been appointed manager of the Pub-
lix Orpheum here. Ralph Crabill.
director of theater operations in all
Publix houses west of the Rockies,
made the appointment.
Slosser At Ambassador
St. Louis — Milton Slosser, for seven
\ears featured organist at the Mis-
souri, has been transferred by
Skouras Bros, to the Ambassador.
South Bend State Remodeled
South Bend, Ind. — Alterations have
been completed at the State, recentlv
acquired by Publix, who also operate
the Colfax here.
Columbia Premiere Today
"Murder on the Roof," Columbia
all-talker, has its premiere today at
the Fox Theater in Brooklyn.
St. Louis Fox To Celebrate
St. Louis — First anniversary of the
Fox will be celebrated the week of
Jan. 31.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
mm COAST MUSIC
BUILDING FOR 1ST NAT.
First National Pictures will
build a $250,000 music building here.
In addition to executive offices, the
building will contain 50 sound proof
rooms.
Russell Mack Placed
Under Contract by Pathc
Russell Mack, who directed the dia-
logue in "Rio Rita," "Seven Keys to
Baldpate," and director of "The Sec-
ond Wife," all RKO productions, has
been placed under contract by Pathe.
His first assignment has not yet been
announced.
Lotti Loder for "Lonely Gigolo"
Lotti Loder, Viennese cabaret en-
tertainer, will make her first appear-
ance for Warners in "Lonely Gigo-
lo" a Vitaphone Variety. The picture
is in color and is being directed by
Jack Haskell.
Schayer Gets M-G-M Contract
Richard Schayer has been given a
long-term contract with M-G-M and
now is at work on an original for
John GilJjert.
Grace Moore with M-G-M
Grace Moore, Metropolitan Opera
yric soprano, has been placed under
contract by M-G-M.
A Little
from "Lots"
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
WALLACE SMITH, author, news-
paperman and globe trotter, has
renewed his contract at RKO and will
remain with the Gower Street studio
for 12 months more. He wrote the
adaptation, picture version and dialog
for "Love Comes Along," starring
Bebe Daniels, and also furnished the
picture version and dialog for "Bull
Dog Drummond."
* ♦ ♦
"Movie Myths," written by Fred
Niblo, for "Liberty," has attracted
much attention in Hollywood. It
shatters many illusions regarding
the need of perfect profiles and
beatuy for stardom in pictures.
* * *
Peter Fritsch is to be given credit
as "film editor" on "No, No, Nanette"
Instead of Frank Mandel as in the
review of January 12th.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Efe
Asher, Walter Stern, Jerry
Asher, Lena Malena, Sid Al-
giers at "Oh, Suzanna"; Eddie
Nugent and Edmund Breese
chatting at First National.
Helen Kaiser Given New Contract
Helen Kaiser has been given a new
contract by Radio.
"Mysterious Island"
played the Adams Theatre, Detroit, and Lyric Theatre,
Cincinnati, at advanced prices.
Written and
directed by
Lucien Hubbard
(Now under contract to Warner Brothers)
Variety — "Its impressiveness and unusualness are unquestioned.
Lucien Hubbard's handling of mob scenes and individual perform-
ances is excellent."
Zit's — "Splendidly handled — a finely creative work."
THE
■c^m
DAILY
Friday, January 24, 193
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— € —
Action Is First Requisite
In Picture Productions
■pROM the very inception of the
motion picture we have been
accustomed to seeing on the
screen action predominating over
all else. Galloping horses, atro-
cious villainy, the triumph of love
over well nigh impossible obs-
tacles, the clash of character on
character — all of this is the stuff
from which successful motion
pictures are built. In putting
upon the screen stage musicals
that are deficient in plot values —
no matter how prettily they
shape up in every other respect —
the film producers would do well
to remember that what movie
fans want first of all is action, ac-
tion and more action.
"New York World"
* * *
Least Mental Exertion Makes
For Most Popular Amusement
'THE theater, as we know it
today, is being wiped out by
the motion picture, because the
motion picture requires no effort
to think, and when the motion
picture is wiped out "t will be
because something else has been
discovered which requires even
less effort to think.
Channing Pollock in
"New York Evening Post"
* * *
Approves Shorter Features
and More Short Subjects
'TpHE super specials and the
musical revues have been es-
pecially long. And, no matter
how much variety such features
may in themselves contain, the
show does/''t seem satisfying
without a good comedy, a news-
reel and perhaps a novelty short.
It has long been our contention
that good short subjects give
added value to any feature attrac-
tion. .Shorter feature-length
productions and more short sub-
jects will meet with universal
public approval — and make the
box-office happier.
Ben Shlyen in
"Associated Publications"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
FRANK ZUCKER
errand boy at Macy's
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr.
J^UDLEY MURPHY and Mort Blumenstock went back to
public school the other night when they addressed an as-
semblage of avid movie aspirants at P. S. 60. Murphy was
introduced as the largest, lankest, and fairest director in the biz.
George Gerhardt collected tickets for the affair "The
Farmer's Wife," is not being distributed in this country by Ufa,
informs Felix Malitz
* if * *
Beginning tomorrow all R-K-O theaters in Manhattan, Brook-
lyn and Bronx, where "Rio Rita" gets under way, will feature
a special midnight showing starting 11:30 Walter Reich-
enbach, who previously had been connected with Underwood &
Underwood, has resigned from Herbert Enterprises. According
to authoritative sources, it is hinted he will now rejoin Underwood
& Underwood Special performances every Saturday and
Sunday at six o'clock have been arranged for "The Love Pa-
rade" at the Criterion, N. Y
* • ♦ *
A. S. Kany, stage and screen scribe of the Dayton, O.,
"Journal," has assembled a gallery of native or one-time Dayton-
ians who have made good in a big way. In the lineup are a few
film celebrities, including the Gish sisters and Marion and Betty
Byron Gene Markey, who writes novels, short stories and
picture stories with excellent results, is due in New York within
a few days from the Coast. His last work was for Marion
Davies' "The Gay Nineties." Chelle Janis, is claimed to
be the only woman manager in New York at the Loew Centurv
* * * *
Bert Adler is shipping (is that the right word?) his Graphic
beauty winners to Fanchon & Marco tomorrow on the "Dixie."
The girls made personal appearances at the N. Y. Fox houses
all week and played to capacity houses, sez Bert, when selec-
tions were made on stage of these houses three weeks ago
Mae Questelle was the winner of the Helen Kane book-boop-a
doop contest which R-K-O held recently After a vaca-
tion in Havana and Nu Yurk, Bryan Foy and the wife are en
route to the Coast Sammy Burns is staging the dances in
connection with picture production work engineered by Harry
Revier over in Fort Lee
* * * *
A benefit performance, through the courtesy of Sam Mor-
ris, will take place for the family of Aron Corn, Warner sales-
man, who has been taken ill, at the Central on Feb. 8. In addi-
tion to "Disraeli" vaudeville acts will be presented on the same
bill
* * * *
Harry Buxbaum celebrated his (?) birthday Jan. 19 with a
big whoopee party at his home. Many film executives were on
hand and a grand time was had by all Charles G. Husted,
pioneer film executive, now is directing the affairs of Little
Russia, restaurant and night club in N. Y
* * * ♦
The complete work of directors, stars and writers is but an-
other interesting section of the forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK— Out soon.
JANUARY 24-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Paul Fejos
Robert Milton
A. Zuelch
M. J. Edwards
Jack Lustberg
Wedgwood Nowell
Jack Hoxie
Julie Gibson
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
^ CORUSCATING array of cin
etna literary lights graced the fes
live board of the AM PA luncheon a
the Paramount hotel yesterday. Th
lions and the lambs literally sat dow;
together and partook of bread, al
leged lamb chops and whatnot. Cai
you picture the hardboiled ladies am
gentry of the metropolitan dailie
who tell the world what a pain ii
the neck so-and-so's latest talkie ij
smiling across the tables at the pub
licity gents who try to tell the work
what a stupendous, magnificent, gor
geous spectacle that same talkie is?
* * *
But so help us, there they were
Erno Rapee was the guest of honor
They probably figured that witl
Erno there, he could inject a lit'li
harmony into the shindig in cast
the party got rough. Mike Simmon'
introduced Erno. (As if he needef
any introduction. But Mike had :
coupla new seven-syllable words h(
wanted to exercise. And Erno didn'l
seem to mind, either. He's a gooc
sport.)
* * ♦
Then president Eddie Klein turnec
the gavel over to Regina Crewe ol
the "American," as the deaness of all
the newspaper reviewers. And Re-
gina pounded the old gavel with the
same gusto she sometimes exercises
on a palooka picture.
* * *
Pierre de Rohan, by way of fay-
ing for his free lunch, said that an
far as the newspaper critics iverc
concerned, they were the "Associa-
tion of Motion Picture Non-Adver-
tisers." A bon mot, that one.
I
Regina, in introducing alluringl]
blond Irene Thirer of the "News,
said she was "the little girl
makes four stars grov^r where on!
one grew before." Julius Coheii
the "Journal of Commerce" got U|'
leading the applause for himself. Hi
should be a press agent. All the
other speakers as speakers qualified;
100 per cent as good film reviewers."
It was a swell part}'.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
KrtfWSMPCB
•/'FILMDOM i
kilVM VK
Famous Players Canadian Corp. to
spend $10,000,000 for theater expan-
sion in Canada.
Arthur S. Kane forms own
ducing company.
pro-
LAST CALL f
Buy your tickets now for the event of events —
The Fourth Annual
Bally Dinner and Entertainment
of the
FOX ATHLETIC CLUB
of THE FOX FILM CORPORATION
Saturday Evening, January 25th
Grand Ballroom, Hotel Commodore
EAST 42nd STREET, NEW YORK
From 8 p.m. until Dawn
Tickets may be purchased or reserved by 'p^^o^ing or writing immediately to
E. H. Collins or Maurice Goodman, Fox Film Corporation, 850 Tenth Avenue,
New York. Columbus 3320.
Tickets $7.50 per person includes everything
STOP SCRATCHING
Use "PERFEXIT PROTECTION FILM
PROCESS" and insure long life of your film
1. Changes "green" prints to smooth-running seasoned
prints.
2. Prevents emulsion deposits on projection machine.
3. Prevents scratching of either picture or sound
record.
4. Effectively retards warping, buckling and shrinkage.
5. Increases life and maintains pliability.
6. Process coats, impregnates and cleans emulsion of
new prints in a single operation.
7. Yields a cleaner and better picture on screen.
8. Does not increase thickness of film.
9. Eliminates need of wax or other lubricant.
10. Stops penetration of emulsion by oil.
11. No fire risk in application since solution used is
nonflam.
12. Coating may be applied as an integral part of con-
tinuous film developing process or by a simple
machine working independently thereof.
13. No artificial heat is necessary to dry coating.
ESSEM LABORATORIES, Inc.
1359-61 KEN YON STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D. C.
^<>HEWSPAP£I
»/* FILMDOI
.ANDWEEKLY
PPiLK DIGEST
Sunday, January 26, 1930
Price 25 Cents
SHORT SUBJECTS
ARE COMING BACK
INTO THEIR OWN
AGAIN THIS YEAR
For Shorts or Features, Sound or Silent
Film Daily Revie^wrs
are the recognized authority
KEEP POSTED ON
SHORTS THRU
THE INDUSTRY'S
LEADING MEDIUAfl
and now
every G9 minutes!
9/FILMDOM
AHDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
^OL. LI No. 21
Sunday, January 26, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Forming French Combine as American Competitor
J6 SYNCHRONOUS REPRODUCING^EVICES
30 Shorts from M-G-M in First Half of 1930
Nine Comedies and Acts
Ready in January —
4 in February
I Thirty all-talker subjects will con-
jtitute the M-G-M short feature out-
lut in the first half of 1930. This
iicludes productions from six difTer-
it series, with nine of the pictures
1 the January release schedule, four
L-heduled for February and others
• follow later.
In the January list are: Metro
lovietone Act 101 featuring Walter
'. Kelly, "the Virginia Judge"; Stan
.aurel and Oliver Hardy in "Night
(Continued on Page 10)
IRY PS AS WARNER
EXECUIIVE AT PITTSBURGH
! Pittsburgh — Ace Berry, who has
ieen in charge of local Warner the-
iter activities, has resigned. It is
jeported he is joining R-K-O.
j At the Warner office in New York
jie resignation of Berry was con-
'rmed, while Joseph Plunkett, of
'.-K-0 said Berry is not connected
ith his organization.
930 Predicted the Best
Year for Motion Pictures
|"At present the motion picture indus-
try is in a period of transition, adapt-
ng new methods and discarding old,"
tates the "Index," published by the
Few York Trust Co. "For the immedi-
jte future, however, it can be said
hat production and earnings for 1930
hould continue the improvement
(Continued on Page 4)
lal Roach Comedy Stars
in National Broadcast
i As the opening gun in M-G-M's
IHal Roach Comedy Week," the stars
If the Roach comedies, including Stan
jaurel, Oliver Hardy, Charley Chase,
tarry Langdon and Our Gang, will
o on the air at Culver City through
Columbia Broadcasting System
(Continued on Page 2)
CHANEY SIGNS riVE YEAR
N-G-M TALKER CONTRACT
Lon Chaney, who has been inactive
for a number of months in production
due to talkers, has been signed by
M-G-M to a five year contract calling
for his services in talking pictures.
Chaney's last silent production was
"Thunder." It is probable that he
ay remake some of his former silent
successes.
FOX WEST COAST OFF ICIAL
IS KILLED IN ACCIDENT
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Charles Forbes, of
Fox West Coast Theaters, was kill-
ed and Charles A. Buckley, of the
same organization, was injured on
the Golden State Highway near
Bakersfield when their car turned
over and struck a tree.
Harris Appointed Mgr.
for World Wide at Minn.
Minneapolis — J. A. Harris, former
Pathe manager at Cincinnati and St.
Louis, has been appointed manager of
the local Sono Art-World Wide ex-
change succeeding Mickey Coen, who
has resigned. Future plans of Coen
are unannounced.
Studying Decree
Counsel for distributors af-
fected by the Judge Thacher
decree, making illegal compul-
sory arbitration provided in the
Standard Exhibition Contract,
on Friday continued to study
the order. Decision as to
whether or not they will ap-
peal the decree will probably
not be made for some days to
come owing to the fact that the
law allows the defendants 50
days in which to file an appeal
with the Circuit Court of Ap-
peals.
PHIL DONAS SUCCEEDS
AT
Phil Dunas has been appointed
district manager of the Midwest ter-
ritory for Columbia, replacing Cecil
Mayiaerry. Mayberry plans to enter
business for himself, it is understood.
Dunas, who was with United
Artists before becoming Chicago
branch manager for Columbia, will
he succeeded bv C. C. Wallace, who
has been with Paramount and United
Al lists.
Sam Zierler to Manage
James Cruze Company
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — • Sam Zierler has
taken over the management of James
Cruze, Inc.
Gaumont, Pathe Among 6 Firms
Reported in Important Merger
Three Houses Planned
for Phoenix This Year
Phoenix, Ariz. — Three theaters are
to be erected here this year, two by
the Publix-Richards-Nace interests
and one by Fox West Coast. This
will bring the total number of local
houses up to 10.
Paris (By Cable) — Six companies,
including Gaumont and Pathe. are
understood to be embraced in a $12,-
000,000 French combine to compete
with American producers. Fully
equipped studios, theater chains and
extensive selling organizations are
included in the consolidation, and it
is said that for the first time in the
(Continued on Page 10)
45 Sound-on-Disc Systems
and 41 on Disc-and-
Film Being Used
At least 86 synchronous reproduc-
ing systems are being used in lliis
country at present, it is shown by a
survey in connection with THE
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK. Of
this number, 45 are sound-on-disc and
41 on disc-and-film. The total given
here represents only apparatus on
which THE FILM DAILY has been
able to verify data. In addition to
these, there is an undetermined num-
ber of miscellaneous systems on
which it is impossible to obtain ac-
(Continued on Page 4)
PSYCHOLOGISTDENIES
PICTURES INCITE CRIME
Emphatic denial that motion pic-
tures encourage crime was voiced by
Dr. Joseph L. Holmes, professor of
psychology at Columbia University,
in attacking censorship at the sixth
annual conference of the National
Board of Review of Motion Pictures
at the Hotel Roosevelt. The only
solution of the censorship problem,
(Continued on Page 10)
Two More Indiana Houses
Bought by Mailer Bros.
Portland, Ind. — Mailer Bros., of
Fort Wayne, have added the Prin-
cess and Crystal here to their chain,
it is announced by J. S. Hines, from
(Continued on Page 10)
A 1930 Job
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — All R-K-O
houses will be equipped for the
Spoor-Bergren wide film proc-
ess by the end of 1930, accord-
ing to William Le Baron, vice
president in charge of produc-
tion. Preparations are well
under way by other major cir-
cuits for installing other wide
film equipment.
THE
DAILY
Sunday, January 26, 193
VoLllNo.21 Sunday, January 26. 1930 Pric(25Ceots
JOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PDBLISNEI
Pulilished daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post office at New York. N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736 4737 4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 23 2214 22% 1,400
Con. Fm. Ind .... 23 20;/^ 21^4 10,500
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 25 23^ 23 J4 3,200
East. Kodak 190 J4 186^ I88/2 3,800
Fox Fm. "A" .... 29Va. 24^ 26^^120,100
Keith A-O 26^1 26^^ 26/8 100
•do pfd 94?< ....
Loew's, Inc 59 56}4 57^ 8,800
*do pfd. WW (6'/i) 86
*do pfd. xw (6}4) 86 ....
M-G-M pfd 24 24 24 100
Para. F-L 58^^ 57 58 20,500
Pathe Exch 4 3M 3% 2,900
do "A" TH 7^ TH 900
R-K-O 27yi 26% 26^ 21,000
*Univ. Pict. pfd 36
Warner Bros 51!4 50 5QJ4 32,900
do pfd 47-4 45H 46 1,000
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
'Columbia Pets 31 ....
Fox Thea. "A"... 8!^ 6!/^ 7 29,000
Gen. Thea. Equi. . 37^4 36M 37'^ 4,200
•Intern. Proj 25
*Loew do deb rts 19
*Loew's, Inc., war 5 J4 • • ■ •
*Nat. Scr. Ser ISH
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict <)Vi 9!4 9% 100
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
*Keith A-O 63 46 77
Loew 6s 41ww ..105-^ 104 104 60
do 6s 41 x-war ... 93 93 93 10
Paramount 6s 47 . . 99J4 99'/| 99'^ 120
Par. By. 5^s51 ..lOO-^ 100^ 100-5^ 20
Pathe 7s37 48^ 48 48'4 50
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City K
154 Crsscent St. K
STIUwell 7940 £(
i Eastman Films |
8 L E, Brulatour, Inc. %
Chicago
Hollywood
,»»- I J- A - 6700 Santa Monica j>
1727 Indiana Ave. Blvd. "
CAlumet 2691 HOUywood 4121
INDEX
PAGE
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 5
TIMELY TOPICS. Digest of Current Opinions 5
THEIR FIRST JOBS i
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. Daly, Jr. 5
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 5
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files 5
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly 5
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 6
SHORT SHOTS FROM NEW STUDIOS, by Narry N. Blair 6
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Don C. Gillette 7
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 8-9
PRESENTATIONS, by Herbert S. Berg 10
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of Week's Nezvs 10
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS. Coast Wire Service 11
'•A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk n
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by William Ornstein 12
REVIEWS
PACE
ACROSS THE WORLD WITH
MR. AND MRS. MARTIN
JOHNSON 8
AFTER THE VERDICT 8
HARMONY AT HOME 9
RIDERS OF THE RIO
GRANDE 9
SEVEN DAYS LEAVE 9
SHORT SUBJECTS
SILENT 9 SOUND
PAGE
SURVIVAL 8
TAKE THE HEIR g
THE GRAND PARADE 8
THE LOCKED DOOR 8
THEIR OWN DESIRE 9
UP THE CONGO 8
WOMAN WHO M^AS FORGOT-
TEN 8
Get $250 in Hold-up of
Fox Blenheim, New York
.^rmed bandits got away with a
cash box containing $250, represent-
ing the day's receipts, after holding
up the manager and cashier of the
Fox Blenheim Theater, 169th St. anJ
Park Ave., New York. The robbery
took place at the conclusion of the
last performance, Thursday.
Oscar Straus in Atwater Hour
Oscar Straus, Viennese composer,
now in this country to write Vita-
phone operettas for Warner and First
National, will conduct the Atwater
Kent concert tomorrow over station
WEAF.
"Johnny Jones" Opens Jan. 31
"Little Johny Jones," a First Na-
tional picture featuring Eddie Buz-
zell, opens at the Strand, New York.
Tan. 31. The leading feminine roles
are played by Alice Day and Edna
Mruphy.
M. A. Lightman in New York
M. A. Lightman, president of the
M.P.T.O.A. is in New York for a
brief vacation
Hal Roach Comedy Stars
In National Broadcast
(.Continued from Page 1)
the evening of Jan. 27 at 7:30 Eastern
Time. This appearance will con-
stitute the entire program of the usual
M-G-M hour presented each week
under the auspices of the Purity
Bread Co. Special advertising and
exploitation is being arranged with
exhibitors playing Roach comedies to
take advantage of the radio hookup.
Gordon Dooley Dead
Funeral services for Gordon Doo-
ley, brother-in-law of Eddie Dowling,
will be held Saturday morning from
the home of the parents of the de-
ceased in Philadelphia. Dooley, who
died of pleural pneumonia Thursday
night, was one of the "Four Dooleys,"
vaudeville act.
s^sTim
OO-UTNS AND UNIFORIMS
Let Us Solve Your Problems /
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
nVCORFO RATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: National Board of Review Cc
ference luncheon at Hotel Roo-
velt.
Foiuth annual frolic of Fox AthleJ
Club, Hotel Commodore, nJ
York City.
Warner Bros. Regional Sales Me
Hotel Astor. N. Y.
Jan. 27 Opening of "Hell Harbor" at t
Tampa, Tampa, Fla.
Jan. 28 Premiere of "The Rogue Song"
the Astor, N. Y.
Luncheon tendered Oscar Strai
by H. M. Warner at the Ri
Carlton, N. Y.
Jan. 30 Regular meeting of the AMPA,
the Paramount, N. Y.
Opening of "Sons of the Gods,"
tha Warner, N. Y.
Opening of "Little Johnny Jone
at the Strand, N. Y.
"Condemned." opens at Rivoli,
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaie
N. Y.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball
the Astor, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Catho
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of Maryland M.
T.O. officera at Baltimore.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State :
P.T.O. at Memphis.
Jan.
31
Feb.
1
Feb.
7
Feb.
19
Mar
Mar
S
20
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJEGlS
by VIRGINIA MAY
Lincoln's Birthday
for FitzPatrick Pictures, Inc.
Animated Maps and Miniatures
HALL STUDIOS
New York City — Phone Sus. 9490
ANDY
WRIGHT
thanks —
Those Producers who have
given him such splendid co-
operations in the placement of
material from the pen of S.
John Park —
he states —
That he controls the Musical
Comedy
"SOUVENIR SADIE"
Book by Luther Yantis. Lyrics
by Ned Nestor. Music by
Hampton Durand, which will
be made into a Talkie after its
Broadway production.
he is glad —
That Morris Silver is now Mr.
Balaban's right hand bower-
he thanks
barry burke for his report—
which he now has a copy of—
which caused the formation of
this firm from his Ex-Publix
record.
Andy Wright, Inc.
1560 Broadway, New York City
Bryant 2361
Cable Wrightbook, N, Y.
HAS SOLD
mm
AROUND THE
.WORLD
UST as Pacent has achieved an outstand-
ing success in the United States, with over
800 installations now completed, so Pacent
Reproducer Systems are winning exhibitor
acceptance around tlie world. In practically
every civilized country, one exhibitor is tell-
ing another of Pacent quality. No wonder
Pacent is going over big in foreign lands!
Argentine, England, Brazil, France, Germany,
Italy, Australia, Uruguay, Norway, Sweden,
Denmark, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand,
China, in these and many other foreign
lands Pacent performance is winning
tremendous exhibitor response.
Dozens of manufacturers of sound equip-
ment, large and small, are hot in search of
business abroad. It is worthy of note that
the sale of Pacent equipment in foreign
countries has tripled in the last three months!
Junior Models for houses up to 500 seats : Type 500 DDA,
Synchronous Disc, $1,500; Type 500 FDA, Synchronous
Disc and Sound on Film, $2,500.
COMBINED DISC AND FILM TRACK FOR LARGER HOUSES
TYPE 2MDAF - $3,500
for houses up to 2,000 seats
TYPE 4MDAF - $4,500.
for houses up to 4,000 seats
FILM
TRACK
PACENT REPRODUCER CORP.
Film Center BIdg.
NEW YORK, N. Y
THE
PAILV
Sunday, January 26, 1930
1930 Predicted the Best
Year for Motion Pictures
{Continued from Page 1)
shown last year and that exports to
the leading European countries should
show no marked decline. Thus firm-
ly established, the industry should be
well able to weather any difficulties
accompanying its readjustment to
foreign trade, or its adaptation to new
and changing standards."
Stearns Reopens with Sound
Fillmore, Cal.- — Sterns' theater has
t-eopened here with sound pictures
after having the projection booth en-
larged to permit installation of West-
ern Electric equipment.
In Eleven Places At Once
Chicago — F. Edson White, presi-
dent of Armour & Co., addressed
11 branch meetings of his company
in the Middle West Friday simul-
taneously via the talking screen. The
occasion was a dinner held in his
honor here.
Improving Cheyenne House
Cheyenne, Wyo. — Improvements
to the extent of $50,000 are being
completed at the Capitol Ave.
THE
Doorway of Hoapltalltir
rfNTER dia 4eorwaT mt
dbla popaUr hoatalry and you feal Bt hoaCt
Thar*'* an atmoiphcr* of cordial walaaMS
which marki th« dlfferaoc* bstwaaa tkM
Hollywood Plaia and ordinary hotali.
Tour room, too, haa that addad tsaafc
of diitincdon. Picture* on tha wall, »ia»
ituffad fumttura, a floor lamp and raa^iac
lamp . . . that* ara but a few of tha faat— a
dtat maka you fad at homa.
Pic'n Whlstla Dinlnc Sarvica inauraa tk»
b«*t of food. Tharafora, whan yon ara ••■■
IB Lei Angalaa ba aura to Inyaatigata ■
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
yiam ttraat at Hollywood BouUvaa^
HOLLYWOOD. CALIFORNIA
86 Synchronous Reproducing
Devices Are Now Being Used
(Continued from Page 1)
curate information. A list of the 86
devices is given herewith:
Disc
Amplion Synchronous Reproducer — Manu-
facturer— Amplion Corp. of America, 133 W.
21st St., N. Y. C.
Audiphone — Manufacturer — Audiphone
Co., 218 N. Channing Ave., St. Louis, Mo. ;
Distributor — Walter A. Thimmig, 218 N.
Channing Ave., St. Louis, Mo.
Audiophone — Manufacturer — Audiphone
Corp. of America, Atlanta, Ga. ; Distributor —
Audiphone Corp. of America, Atlanta, Ga.
Bestone — Manufacturer — Largen Mfg. Co.,
Creighton, Neb. ; Distributor — Bestone, Inc.^
Omaha, Neb.
Biophotie — ^Manufacturer — Biophone Corp.,
Fort Lee, N. J. ; Distributor — Biophone Corp.,
1600 Broadway, N. Y. C.
Cinevox — Maiiufacturer — Nilsen Automatic
Electric Saw Co., 1119 Lake Street, Oak
Park, 111.; Distributor — Cinevox, 1119 Lake
Street, Oak Part, 111.
Creatone — Manufacturer — Deca Disc Phono
Co., Waynesboro, Pa.
Electone — Manufacturer — C. S. Earnhart,
St. Louis, Mo. ; Distributor — C. S. Earn-
hart, 3231 Olive St., St. Louis, Mo.
Electro-Phone Synchronizer — Manufacturer
— Lakeside Supply Company, 73 W, Van
Buren St., Chicago, 111. ; Distributor — Same.
Fettifone — Manufacturer- — National Motion
Ad Co., 2450 Prairie Ave., Chicago, 111.
Film-0-Phone — Manufacturer — ■ National
Machine Co., 208 First Ave., S. W. Le Mars,
la.; Distributor — E. E. Fulton Co., 1018 S.
Wabash Ave., Chicago, III.
Fonofon — Manufacturer — Lyric Amusement
Co., Huron, S. D. ; Distributor — Same.
Gennett Synchronizer — Manufacturer — Starr
I'iano Co., South P'irst St., Richmond, Ind.
Goodall Reproducer — Manufacturer — Good-
all Electric, Inc., 258 Spruce St., Ogallala,
Neb. ; Distributor — Upon request.
Halgophone — Manufacturers — Jack Cross &
Hall McAlpin, 111 W. 18th St., Kansas City,
Mo.
Keystone — Manufacturer — ■ R. Lindemann,
3524 Flora Ave., Kansas City.
Kinetone Sound Device — Manufacturer — S
& S Enterprises, Inc., 42 Melrose St., Bos-
ton, Mass. ; Distributor — Same.
Kinotone — Manufacturer — Le Pilote Radio
Lab., Union City, Indiana; Distributor —
Same.
Lifetone — Manufacturer — Paragon Foun-
dries Co., Oregon, 111.; Distributor — Para-
mount Sales Coi"p., 3238 Olive St., St. Louis.
Lincrophone Talking Picture Equipment —
Manufacturer — Lincrophone Co., Inc., 146
Liberty St. and 1001 Lancing St., Utica, N.
Y. ; Distributor — Lincrophone Co., Inc., 127
Pleasant St., Utica, N. Y.
Milton — Manufacturer — H. W. Bassett,
Inc., 556 Adams St., Milton, Mass.; Distribu-
tor—Same.
Motio-Tone — Manufacturer — Gates Radio &
Supply Co., Quincy, III.; Distributor — Elec-
trograph Division, Quincy, 111.
Moviephone — Manufacturer — First Movie-
phone Corp., 400 E. 139th St., Bronx, N. Y.
C. ; Distributor — Sound Pictures, Inc., 1476
Broadway, N. Y. C.
Multiphone — Also see Kinoplay. Manufac-
turer— Multiphone Corp., 1600 Broadway, N.
Y. C. ; Distributor — Same.
Musictone — Manufacturer — Musictone Co.,
Akron, O.
New Merrit-Tone — Manufacturer — Merritt
Synoophone Co., Marinette, Wis. ; Distributor
— Menitt Syncophone Co., 216 Wisconsin
Ave., Kaukauna, Wis.
Norophone — Manufacturer — Oscar Woemp-
ner, Minneapolis, Minn.
Oliver Reproducer — Manufacturer — Oliver
Mfg. Co., 1705 E. 21st St., Cleveland, O. ;
Distributor — Same.
Orchestraphone — Manufacturer — Orchestra-
phone Co., 1132-36 W. Austin Ave., Chicago,
111. ; Distributor — National Theater Supply
Co., 624 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, HI.
Orchestrope — Manufacturer — The Capehart
Corporation, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Peerless-Tone — ^Manufacturer — Clyde En-
gineering Co., Inc., 3520 Eastern Ave., St.
Louis, Mo.; Distributor — Same.
Phototone — Manufacturer — Platter Cabinet
Co., North Vernon, Ind.
Portell-Phone — Manufacturer — • Joseph G.
Portell, 5401 Hamilton St., Detroit, Mich.
Q-Phone — Manufacturer — W. M. Dutton &
Sons, Hastings, Neb. ; Distributor — Same.
Radiophone — Manufacturer — W. D. Patrick,
Florala, Ala.
Resco — Manufacturer — Theater Sound Ser-
vice Co., 484 Burnside St., Portland, Ore. ;
Distributor — Theater Sound Service Co.,
Rialto Bldg., Hood River, Ore.
Speak-O-Phone — Manufacturer — • Speak-O-
Phone, Inc., New York City ; Distributor —
Speak-O-Phone Corp. of America, 11 W. 42nd
St., N. Y. C.
Stan-A-Phone (Portable) — Manufacturer —
Home-Talkie Machine Corp., 220 W. 42nd
St., N. Y. C; Distributor— Stan-A-Phone
Dist. Corp., 220 W. 42nd St., N. Y. C.
Supertone — Manufacturer — • Adswin Corp.,
727 Seventh Ave., N. Y. C.
Synchrotone — Manufacturer- — The Synchro-
tone Co., 310 W. 2nd St., Duluth, Minn.;
Distributor — The Synchrotone Co., 30 E. Sup
St., Duluth, Minn.
Ultraphone — Manufacturer — Ultraphone,
Inc., 35 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.;
Distributor — Same.
Vitaphone — See Western Electric.
Vitatone Disc — Manufacturer — The Vitatone
Co., Charlotte, N. C. ; Distributor — Same.
Walt's Disc Talking Equipment — Manufac
turer — Walt's Theater Co., Kenesak, Neb. ;
Distributor — Same.
Wilverphone Synchronizer — Manufacturer —
Electric Auto Lite Co. ; Distributor — Wilver-
phone Corp., Toledo, O.
Film and Disc
Amplitone — See Royal Amplitone.
Auditone — Manufacturer — Auditone Co., 23
S. Jeiferson St., Chicago, HI.
Beltone — Jlanufacturer — Beltone Corp.,
Ltd., 9035 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, Cal.;
Distributor — Beltone Corp., Ltd., 9035 Venice
Blvd., Los Angeles, Cal.
Brel Sound Systems — Manufacturer — Buf-
falo Radio Engineering, 351 South Elmwood
Ave., Buffalo, N. Y.; Distributor — Same.
Bristolphone — Manufacturer — Wm. H. Bris
tol Talking Picture Corp., Waterbury, Conn.
Carter & Dramaphone — Manufacturer —
Carter Sound Equipment Co., 1820 N. Lawn-
dale Ave., Chicago, 111.
Crescent (Also See Synchrodisc) — Manufac-
turer—Weber Mfg. Co., Rochester, N. Y. ;
Distributor — S. & S. Sales Company, 59
Rutter St., Rochester, N. Y.
Damo Reproducer — Damo Mfg. Co., 5430
Lawton Ave., Detroit, Mich. ; Distributor —
Same.
De Forest Phonofilm-Phonodisc — ^Manufac-
turer— General Ta'king Pictures Corp., 317 E.
47th St., New York; Distributor — General
Talking Pictures Corp., 218 W. 42nd St.,
New York.
Dramaphone — See Carter & Dramaphone.
Electrical Research Products — See Western
Electric.
Elec-Tro-Fone — Manufacturer — Elec-Tro-
Fone Corp., 2470 University Ave., St. Paul,
Minn.
Film-Fone — National Film-Fone Corp., Salt
Lake City, Utah; Distributor — Same.
Film Speaker — Manufacturer — Film Speaker
Co., 1305 N. Hudson St., Oklahoma City,
Okla ; Distributor — Same.
Foto-Voice — Manufaoturer — The Foto- Voice
Co., Inc., 817 Granby St., Norfolk, Va. ;
Distributor — Same.
General Talking Pictures — See De Forest.
Goetz Movie-Phone — Manufacturer — Goetz
Movie-Phone Corp., 549 Fulton St., Chicago,
111.; Distributor— L. E. Goetz, 724 S. Wa-
bash Ave., Chicago, 111.
Gries Reproducer Corp. — Manufacturer —
Cries Reproducer Corp., 485 East 133rd St.,
N. Y. C. ; Distributor— Same.
Kinoplay — Manufacturer — Kinoplay Corp.,
Fort Lee, N. J. ; Distributor — Kinoplay Corp.,
1600 Broadway, N. Y. C.
Magnaphone — Manufacturer — Geo. E.
Chamber'ain, 177 Golden Gate Ave., San
Francisco.
Mellaphone — Manufacturer — Weber Machme
Co., 59 Rutter St., Rochester, N. Y. ; Dis-
tributor— E. M. Starkey, Huron St., Berlin,
Wis.
Movietone — See Western Electric.
Oro-Tone System — Manufacturer — Oro-
Tone Company, 1010 George St., Chicago,
111. ; Distributor — Same.
Offering Stan-A-Phone to
Independent Exchanges
The Stanley Film Advertising Co.,
is promoting a campaign of sales de-
velopment among independent ex-
changes to handle its portable talker
device, Stan-a-phone, in the non-the-
atrical field. The Stanley company
figures that independent exchange-
men, whose business activities have
been curtailed since the advent of
talkies, will thus find an opportunity
to capitalize on their past film ex-
perience, by selling the device to
schools, churches, community cen-
ters and industrial firms.
Harvard University and the U. S.
Department of Agriculture recently
adopted Stan-a-phone to be used iii
educational film campaigns. Last
night a showing was given before
the entire student body of Pubhc
School 60, and another in the audi-
torium of St. Cecilia Church, Engle-
wood, N. J.
Pacent Reproducer — Manufacturer — Pacent
Reproducr Corp., 630 Ninth Ave., N. Y. C. ;
Distributor — Same.
Perfectone — Manufacturer — Holmes Projec-
tion Co., 1815 Orchard St., Chicago, III.;
Second Ave., Seattle, Wash.
Perfectone — Manufacturer — D. R. Kautz
Distributor— M. R. Martin & Co., Inc., 2235
Co., 2115 Madison Ave., Norwood, O.; Di:
tributor — Representatives in princioal cities.
Phonodisc — See De Forest.
Phonofilm — See De Forest.
Photo-Talker — ^Manufacturer — The Photo- |
Talker Co., Inc., 313 S. Harwood St., Dallas,
Tex. ; Distributor — Same.
Photophone — ^See RCA Photophone.
Pictur-Fone — Manufacturer — Pictur-fone
Corp., 410 N. Main St., Lima, O.
Powers Cinephone — Manufacturer — Powers i
Cinephone Corp., Powers Bldg., 723 7th Ave., |
N. Y. C. ; Distributor- Same.
Radiotone — Manufacturer — Radiotone Pic-
tures Corp., 729 7th Ave., N. Y. C ; Dis-
tributor— Same.
RCA Photophone — Manufacturer— Generall
Electric Co. & Westinghouse Co., Schenec-|
tady, N. Y. and Pittsburgh, Pa. ; Distribu-
tor— RCA Photophone, Inc., 411 Fifth Ave.,1
N. Y. C. '
Renter — Manufacturer — Albert H. Renter,!
15 Michigan St., Milwaukee, Wis.; Distribu-f
tor — Renier Manufacturing Co., IS Michigan
St., Milwaukee, Wis.
Royal Amplitone — Manufacturer — RoyS
Amplitone Corp., 109 W. 64th St., N. Y. C.
Distributor — Same.
Royaltone — Manufacturer — Royaltone Mfa
Co.. 1510 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KansJ
Distributor— A & G Sales Co., 1818 Wyan
dotte St., Kansas City, Mo.
Simplimus — Manufacturer — Simplimus, IncJ
37 Winchester St., Boston, Mass.
Superior Sound Systems — Manufacturer
Super Sound Systems, Inc., Birminghami
Ala.; Distributor — Sound Research Products!
1818 3rd Ave.. Birmingham, Ala.
Sjmcrodisk (Also See Crescent)- Manufac-I
turer — Weber Machine Corp., 59 Rutter St.]
Rochester, N. Y. ; Distributor — Same.
Synchrophone — Manufacturer — Stampefl
Mfg. Co.. West Summerville, Mass. ; DistribuJ
tor — Same.
Talk-A-Phone — Manufacturer — Talk-.
Phone Co., Des Moines, la. ; Distributor-
Same.
Talkafilm — Manufacturer — ■ P'atter Cabine
Co.. North Vernon, Tnd.; Distributor — Snme
Tone-O-Graph — Manufacturers — NortH
American Sound & Talking Picture Equip!
ment Corp., L. I. C, N. Y. : Distributor-
North American Sound & Talking PicturJ
Eouinment Corn.. 720 Seventh .Ave.. N. Y.
Trutone — Manufacturer — Talking Pictur|
Eoiiipment Co., Boston. Mass.
Vocat)hone — Manufacturer — Thos. Broad,
Tilus Machine WorVs. Marion. O.; Distribu-
fov— Chas. -R. M.-tch-n, St. Marvs. O.
W-sf-m Electric CVitaphnne St Moviet'^ne)
— Manufacturer — Western FAec'ri" Co.. Hnw-
thnrne, Chicago and Kearney. N. J. ; Dis-
t'-ibutnr — Electrical Research Products. 250
W. 57th St.
Wonderphone — Manufacturer — Film Sound
Corp.. 1825 E. 18th St., Cleveland, O. ;
Distributor — ^^Same.
THE
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€>- —
Film Audiences Accustomed
To Naturalism in Scenery
A/fOTION picture audiences
have long been accustomed
to the most meticulous natural-
isni in scenery. Cities and oceans
and landscapes are shown as
purely photographic representa-
tions and the technique of motion
picture acting is naturally keyed
to the setting. When movie ac-
tors appear in street scenes they
take on, to a certain degree, the
color of the crowd, and movie
cowboys in western pictures be-
have in the national manner of
real cowboys. Something inevit-
ably ludicrous results when the
talking pictures confuse the
methods of stage and screen;
when an unseen orchestra sud-
denly drenches the realistic at-
mosphere of a seaport town with
Broadway melodies, and, as in
"Hit the Deck," transforms a
streetful of sailors and their girl
friends into polished tap dancers.
"New York Evening Post"
* * *
Talkers Crowding Out
Textbooks in Classroom
W/'ITH the coming of the talk-
ies, textbooks were destined
to be radically modified, and the
old-style, traditional classroom
procedures will disappear. Text-
books will become thinner and
some may disappear entirely.
They will be replaced by study
guides, outlines, and exercises,
which, after all, constitute the
best part of any textbook today.
Boards of education will, in the
future, spend less money on text-
books and more money on text-
films. With the addition of color
and sound, the film will tell more
about the world in ten minutes
than any ordinary book could tell
in a whole hour. Teachers will
thus be enabled to spend more
time on actual discussions and
exercises, and pupils will be en-
abled to answer questions with
greater ease and rapidity.
"The Educational Screen"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
HAL HODES
motion picture operator for
William Rock
jg^
DAILV
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
■WIENNA is contented to get Al Jolson via screen, so the story
goes. A concert agent there was all set to give Al a go,
but when he learned the fee would be $5,000, he tried to out-
smart Al's manager about Chaliapin, Galli-Curci and Gigli being
satisfied with between $2,000 and $3,000 for a performance. But
it didn't work. Al should have sent Davy Lee out there and
split the difference More golf and basking in the sun-
shine is the reason for S. L. "Roxy" Rothafel being in Florida
now
Lawrence Schwab, of Schwab and Mandel, producers of
"Follow Thru," is en route to Hollywood aboard the Panama
Pacific liner California, to prepare a talking picture version of
the musical comedy Four hundred gobs, strong, weak or
indifferent, are scheduled to "Hit the Deck" at the Earl Carroll,
N. Y., on Monday through the courtesy of Radio Pictures. The
bunch hails from the Cruiser Pensacolo and will have to forget
Central Park Lake for this matinee treat
* * * *
Jack Eaton just sent into New York two of the latest Grant-
land Rice sound sportlights. In "The Feline Fighter" and
"Splashing Through," Jack claims they have succeeded in get-
ting some very interesting and entertaining sporting events that
have ever been built into a short. Oh Yeah?. ... Here's one
for the books, in a recent canvass of 11,912 members of the San
Diego Community Better Film Conference, Columbia's "Flight"
was highly recommended
^ « Ht ^
Walter Futter, the curiosity man, is in Hollywood on busi-
ness Buck and Bubbles, featured in the merry stories of
Negro life being produced by Pathe, are having their material
authored by two big "Saturday Evening Post" writers. Hugh
Wiley and Sidney Lazarus
* * * «
Anita Stewart and her husband, George Converse, will soon
bag and baggage into this sector from the Coast. Anita, the
story goes, is going to make a presentation tour Joe Weil,
who directs exploitation for "U," is happy over the way the
Gotham film-viewers treated "Night Ride^" current at the Col-
ony, and is telling exhibs all about it
* * * *
Donald Henderson Clarke is about the most writingest guy
in this business. He knocks out publicity all day and then works
on novels all evening. ...... .The Globe is another Broadway
house in which you can park until 2:30 a. m., if you have the
price of admission
* * * *
Patsy Reis, Howard Dietz's secretary, is wearing her hair ac-
cording to the Hollvwood stvle
' * * * >»
Who's who in the studio personnels is one of the features* of the
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK which will soon be on
your desk.
JANUARY 25-26--MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days:
January 25th
Edna Gregory Louis Rosenblum
May Milloy V. Somma
Anna Lewis A. N. Davis
Victor Mansfield Shapiro
January 26th
Norman Bumstine
P. E. McCoy
Sylvia Nadina
Abe Meyer
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL U. DALY
'TH.Vr SPELLING Bee started
something. Warren Stokes, edi-
tor of "Film Trade Topics," the San
Francisco regional, says that our cor-
rect spelling course has created a
yearning for scholarly ability through-
out the industry in the sun-kissed
state. He sez the morale of the
ushers in the Frisco theaters has been
all shot to pieces. They gather in
a huddle in the foyer and hold spell-
ing contests while the customers
wander around the aisles swapping
tough words with strangers. No-
body pays any attention to the pic-
ture on the screen any more.
* * ♦
We have originated a talkie test
for the Hollywood stars. If they
can get by with the following with-
out stuttering, any producer should
be glad to sign 'em up:
* * *
"// a big Hollywood shot taught a
cute hotsy tot to talk ere the tot
could totter, ought the hotsy tot be
taught to say aught or naught, or
what ought not to be taught her?
If to hoot and to toot a hotsy tot be
taught by a Hollywood tutor, should
the tutor get hot if the hotsy tot
hoot a7id toot at the Hollywood
tutor?"
* * *
Helen Twelvetrees, the charming
young screen player, is all upset be-
cause some fan has criticized a little
technical flaw in one of her pictures.
She writes us, among other things:
"Do you think it is fair, Phil, for a
fan to criticize a butler's coat be-
cause it does not have the correct
number of buttons? Why even
Shakespeare made mistakes. He
speaks of King John, and his barons
fighting with cannon, which were
not invented at that period."
* * *
So we have answered Helen
thusly:
"Dear Helen: Pay no attention to
the butler critic. Why, they even
have folks drinking cocktails in pic-
tures, when everybody knows this
is a prohibition country. Could any-
thing be more silly? Phil."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Messmore Kendall, of Capitol, N.
Y., elected president of Associated
Exhibitors.
♦ * ♦
Tamar Lane leaves Selznick to
join Character Pictures as produc-
tion manager.
THE
■ssti
DAILY
Sunday, January 26, 1930
produ€:tion in the east
WHO*S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
MINIZSMTOBEIN
OPERATION IN 10 DAYS
Affiliated Sound Recording, Inc.,
will put its new studio, 1780 Broad-
way, into service in about 10 days,
states President M. J. Mintz. Re-
cording will be provided on both film
and disc systems. The studio through-
out is equipped with a sprinkler sys-
tem with every precaution taken to
lerevent fire.
REIflER CIPLEIES SIX
SHORTS ATF0RTLEE,N.J.
Harry Revier has just completed
six one reel "Humpty Dumpty" com-
edies at the Metropolitan Studios,
Fort Lee, N. J. Three more of the
same series are now in preparation.
"Queen High" Bought
By Paramount for Talker
"Queen High," stage musical
cornedy hit, has been purchased bj
Paramount and will be filmed at the
Long Island studio, according to
Jesse L. Lasky. It will be produced
on the screen under the supervision
of Schwab & Mandel, who presented
the original stage hit and who re-
cently aligned themselves with Para-
mount in the production of audible
motion pictures. Fred Newmeyer,
who has directed many of the out-
standing screen comedies of recent
seasons^ has been assigned to direct.
To date one member of the cast has
been named. He is Charles Ruggles,
who will soon start work in "Young
Man of Manhattan." "Queen High"
will follow this talking picture on the
production schedule at the Para-
mount studio in Astoria.
Chevalier's Next in Two Versions
The experiment of making French
and English versions simultaneously
having proved successful in the case
of "The Big Pond," Paramount has
decided to follow the same plan with
Chevalier's next picture, "Too Much
Luck," which Hobart Henley will
also direct. Production is scheduled
to start March 15.
"Road House Nights" Set In
"Road House Nights," recently
completed at the Paramount Long
Island studios with Clayton, Jackson
& Durante, Helen Morgan and
Charles Ruggles featured, will be
shown at the Paramount, starting
February 14.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
WITH executives of the company
expecting the picture to run be-
hind schedule, due to the uncertainty
of making French and English ver-
sions at the same time, "The Big
Pond" was finished up several days
ahead of schedule and is now being
cut and edited. That's why Hobart
Henley, the director, looks so pleased
these days.
* * *
Louis Brock, creator of the "Gins-
berg" series, terms his short come-
dies "Semi-Slaps." Several more
are set to be made at the Metropol-
itan studios xinder the titles of
"Pullman Car," "Prize Fight" and
"The Speculator." These Al Boas-
berg comedies will all be released by
Radio Pictures.
"Gamby" is busily at work train-
ing 12 girls for ballet work in "Al-
addin's Lamp" which Frank Cambria
will direct at the Paramount studios.
Cambria's "The Dresden Doll,"
shows an entirely new treatment in
which silhouette figures are used to
great effect.
* * *
Irving Kahal has gone to Atlan-
tic City for a few days to compose
lyrics for various song numbers to
be featured in Paramount's "Young
Man of Manhattan."
* * *
Mort Blumenstock is preparing to
direct "Introducing Mrs. Gibbs," at
the Paramount Long Island studio:-
with Burns & Allen, of vaudeville,
featured.
* * *
Ricardo Cortex paid a visit to the
Paramount studio here last week
where he renewed his acquaintance
with some of the "oldtimers."
* * *
Monroe Shaff, assistant director
of the Eastern Vitaphone Studio,
donned the grease paint and frock
coat of ancient vintage, to appear
in "The Bubble Party," the gay
comedy of the nineties tvhich was
just completed at the Flatbush stu-
dio.
* * *
After thirty years on the operatic
stage, Adam Didur, foremost basso
of the Manhattan Opera Companv
was thrilled to make his debut in a
Vitaphone presentation of "Celeste
Aida" with Giovanni Martinelli, at
the Eastern Vitaphone Studio. He
admitted to being just a bit nervous.
LEX I Stengel again played the part
of a Duchess at the Eastern \'ita-
phone Studio. In the ballroom and
Embassy scenes of "The Royal Box,"
Leni was cast as the Duchess. In
"The Master Sweeper," the Vita-
phone Variety in which Chester
Conklin was featured, Miss Stengel
again lent her charm and grace to
the Duchess part.
The thirty "extra" girls who ap-
peared in the Vitaphone "Celeste
Aida," with Giovanni Martinelli, at
the Eastern Vitaphone Studio, when
furnished with the Egyptian cos-
tumes suitable for this opera, all ex-
claimed over the fact that they were
so like the modern dresses of 1930.
straight lined and just the length
that fashion decrees for this year.
« * *
Dan Healy, stage comedian, who
recently scored in "The Laughing
Lady" and "Glorifying the American
Girl," both made at the Paramount
Long Island studio was always the
first person on the set during the
making of those pictures, the chief
reason being that he lives within five
minutes ride of the studio.
* * *
"Gym-Jams," with Lew Mayor,
has just been completed at the War-
ner Vitaphone studios, under the di-
rection of Murray Roth. The act
consists primarily of some original
juggling tricks and bits of acro-
batics, staged with a gymnasium
background.
* * *
The drug store opposite Para-
mount's Long Island studio reports
an alarming decrease in the sale of
cigars and cigarettes ever since stu-
dio executives have put the "no
smoking" rule strictly in force.
Chewing gum sales have shown a
proportionate increase with cut plug
a strong favorite.
<< « «
"Vd give a chilblain for a Chester-
field" is the slogan around the movie
studios these days.
* * *
Irving Ostroff, of Paramount's
property dept. has been with the
company 17 years. One of hi.--
toughest assignments was to furnish
a batch of live spiders for which he
had to search several church belfrys.
The unsuspecting insects were cap-
tured by means of dampened sand-
paper.
AUDIO CINEMA MAKING
SOUND SHORTS PROGRAM
An ambitious production schedule
is now under way at the studio of
Audio Cinema, Inc., of which Joe W.
Coffman is president and F. Lyle
Goldman, secretary and treasurer.
Charles Coburn, who created the
role of "Old Bill" in Bruce Bairns-
father's "The Better 'Ole," is bring-
ing that character to the talking
screen in a series of two reel com-
edies written by Bairnsfather who,
together with Coffman, is directing
the series.
A series of comedy-drama sketches
by Wiliiam Dudley Pelley are also
being made with Pelley and Coff-
man acting as co-directors. These
sketches feature the adventures of a
rural comedy sheriff, "Amos Crum-
pett," which character figures in most
of the 26 feature pictures authored
by Pelley, including "Drag."
The Paul Terry and Frank Moser
cartoons termed "Terry-toons," are
all synchronized at the Audio-Cinema
studio under Phillip Sheib, staff mu-
sical director, working in close co-
operation with Terry and Moser.
Audio Cinema ,Inc., has been in
operation since last September at
Long Island City using the Western
Electric system of recording. The
company consultants for Bell La-
boratories, Eastman Kodak Co. and
Consolidated Film Industries. Their
studio is extensively used by M-G-M
and Universal for test purposes.
Fort's Box-Ofifice Quartet
Garrett Fort, whose "Dangerous
Nan McGrew" goes into production
at the Paramount studio this week,
also has a stage play, "Armistice"
about to be produced. This will be
followed by his "Feast of Fools,"
which Crosby Gaige will present later
in the season. Fort has also com-
pleted "Lessons in French," in col-
laboration with Ernest Pascal, which
has been accepted by one of the larg-
est producers.
"Lady Lies" Awarded Palm
Another boost for Eastern produc-
tion is in the fact that the Cincinnati
Times-Star recently chose "The Lady
Lies," as the best picture released
during 1929. This production was
made at the Paramount Long Island
studios bv Hobart Henley with
Claudette Colbert and Walter Huston
featured.
Ted Pahle to France
Ted Pahle, formerly chief camera-
man at the Pathe Sound Studios here,
is now enroute to France where he
will work at the Pathe-Nathan stu-
dios in Paris, under Robert Kane.
THE
Sunday, January 26, 1930
\ r 1 II iMi
i^E^
PAILV
RAPID STRIDES ARE BEING
MADE IN THE FOREIGN
FIELD. KEEP POSTED
THROUGH "FOREIGN"
MARKETS"
Foreign Markets
NEWS FLASHES FROM FILM
CENTERS ALL OVER THE
GLOBE: MELBOURNE,
LONDON, BERLIN,
PARIS
By DON C. GILLETTE
Lagerloef Talker
Stockholm — "Charlotte
Loewenskoeld" will be the first
Selma Lagerloef novel to be
transferred to the talking
.screen under a contract signed
with Sweden's leading woman
writer by the Swedish Film
Industry Co.
SAYS FOREIGN PICTORES
STILL IN DEMAND IN U.S.
London — Sydney Cohan, sales di-
i rector of Powers Cinephone, upon
i his return from the United States
I made known to British producers
I that there is still a large market for
I British features in the United States,
i He said that there are from 750 to
, 1,000 houses available that show pic-
tures in districts where patrons are
foreigners. He does not promise
, first run national distribution but
i feels sure that he can secure a prof-
itable market that will at least equal
the gross now being received by
English producers in the United
' Kingdom. Cohan believes that the
•■ States Right market will be revived
^ provided distributors are assured of
' product.
*W Plan' to Reach Screen
as Burlington Picture
London — "The W Plan," the sen-
sational novel by Lieut. -Colonel G. S.
Hutchison, now appearing serially in
the Evening Standard, will be made
into a talking picture by Burlington
Films at the Elstree studios of British
International under the direction of
Victor Saville, who will also do the
adaptation. The author will assist in
the production of the film.
ALL P.D.C. TALKING riLMSlA.$.E.L WILL PRODUCE
TO BE MADE IN BRITAIN
London — P.D.C. has transferred its
talking picture production activities
to Great Britain. Production has al-
ready started at the British Interna-
tional studios at Elstree. Immediate
pli:ns call for the production of four
talkers, "Eve's Fall," ""Amateur
Night," "Crystal Gazers" and "Life
in a Night Club," all of which will
be released as British quota films,
with distribution in America assured.
Among the directors are Andre Char-
lot, Gordon Bostock and Monty
Banks.
Ban Duty on Educational
Films, is Geneva Proposal
IVashiiigtoii Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — -Abolition of import
duties on educational films was pro-
posed at a conference recentlj^ held
in Geneva under the auspices of the
Internationa.! Educational Film In-
stitute, according to advices to the
M. P. Division of the Dept. of Com-
merce. The proposal soon will be set
before the League of Nations, fol-
lowing which it will be submitted to
the various governments for their ap-
proval.
^ To Make Polish Sound Films
1 Poland — "Kinoton," sound produc-
' ing company, plans to produce in
Warsaw a Polish sound film with Po-
lish stars featured. Several propa-
ganda films depicting life among the
, peasants will also be made.
New Franco-German Co.
Paris — M. Bernard Delschaft is
head of the newly formed Defra,
Franco-German producing comnany.
The company has started on its first
production, "The Last Tango," which
is being directed by Georges Asagar-
off in Berlin.
Landi Opposite Menjou
Paris — Elissa Landi has been cast
to play the leading feminine role op-
posite Adolphe Menjou in his bi-
lingual picture, "My Child of a
Father."
Empire- Wide Installation
of Corophone is Planned
London — With the first Corophone
installation in this city completed with
the wiring of the Cinema, Hendon,
plans are announced by Corolectric,
Ltd., for the equipping of theaters
throughout the British empire. The
new reproducer, recently placed on
sale, is priced from $2,875 t* $3,875.
TALKING FILMS IN 1930
London — Production program in-
cluding seven talking feature hlms,
among them a number of multi-lin-
gual and color productions, has been
announced by Associated Sound Film
Industries for 1930. Arrangements
have been made with Tobis for dis-
tribution in America.
The first picture, "City of Song,"
will go into production in Jvlarch
with Jan Kiepura, the famed Hun-
garian tenor, in the leading role.
Other films include "The Beggar's
Opera," "Smoke and Steel," "A Roof
and Four Walls," "The Talking
Death" and "Sinews of War," an
Arnold Bennett tale.
2 New Helsingfor Houses
WashingtMi. Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Two new houses re-
cently opened in Helsingfors, The
Atlantis with 460 seats is equipped
with Erko projector and is operated
by a local chain. The Gloria, seat-
ing 650, is equipped with an Amer-
ican sound reproducing device, ac-
cording to advices to the M. P. Divi-
sion of the Dept. of Commerce.
Donald Calthrop Replaced
London — Don McNally has re-
placed Donald Calthrop in "The
Message", Gaumont-British all-talk-
ing short.
First Scandinavian Talker
Copenhagen — The first Scandina-
vian talker film has been started at
the Nordisk Sound Film Co. studios
here. Danish and Swedish versions
will be made with different casts in
each case.
British Industry Calls
For Change in Films Act
London — Amendment of the Films
Act as a means of aiding the British
film industry is urged by Sir Gordon
Craig in a memorandum placed be-
fore the Government. It is proposed
that the quota be raised from seven
and a half per cent to 25 per cent.
In addition the memorandum calls
for tKe abolition of the provision of
the act which stipulates that the per-
sonnel engaged in the making of a
British picture must be three-fourths
British. This, it is pointed out, pre-
vents th^ hiring of the foreign talent
which the British industry so badly
needs.
"Is it not true," asks the statement,
"that Great Britain, in order to es-
tablish her motion picture industry,
has prescribed limitations which, if
put into effect in America, would
ruin America's motion picture indus-
trv?"
Seeks Talker Ban
Mexico City — Genaro Es-
trada, acting foreign minister,
is credited with an official
statement in the local press to
the effect that the Mexican
Government would give its un-
qualified support to a campaign
against English talkers used
here. Estrada termed the cam-
paign "justified, necessary and
plausible."
BAVARIAN EXHIBS PROTEST
AGAINST SOUND RENTALS
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Bavarian exhibitors
at a recent meeting in Munich voiced
their complaints regarding high rent-
als of talking pictures, according to
the M. P. Division of the Dept. of
Commerce. Ufa, it is stated, is ask-
ing a 45 per cent increase in order
to make its sound investment re-
munerative.
Talkers as Training Aid
Shown British War Lords
London — The value of talking pic-
tures in training men for the military
service and in offering vocational
guidance to those serving in the war
forces of the Government was dem-
onstrated by Western Electric at
the W^ar Office recently in the pres-
ence of army and naval officials. The
demonstration was arranged in con-
junction with British Instructional
Films, Ltd.
Lever Appoints Two New
Sales Representatives
London — Alfred Lever, general
manager of Pro Patria Films, has
appointed George H. Snazelle Lon-
don sales manager and Louis Deal,
Manchester representative for the
company. Both men were formerly
associated with Lever at the Stoll
Film Co. and will assume their new
duties immediately.
Synagogue as Picture House
Wischau, Czechoslovakia — A syna-
gogue here in which worshipped one
of the oldest Jewish colonies of the
citv has been sold to film interests-
Filmophone for British House
Smethwick, England — Filmophone
sound equipment has been installed
at the 1,600-seat Empire here.
Spanish Production Co. Formed
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Emilio Bautista, di-
rector, has formed a new Spanish pro-
ducing corporation, according to a
'report to the M. P. Division of
Dept. of Commerce. Among the
artists on the company's roster are
Francisco Marti, Jack Castello and
Luis Llorens. Moises A. Mendi will
assist Bautista.
Florence Gray Gets Lead
Paris — M. Berthomieu has secured
Florence Gray for the leading role
in "Rapacity."
Richmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. 1^. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAH, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
lives for Rayart Pi.tures Corpo-
ration and othrr eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address : RICHPICSOC. Pans
CaBle Address: DEEJ-^lY, London
Cable Address: RICH PIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the
best In Motion Picturet
THE
8
Sdltt.
Sunday, January 26, 1930
"The Grand Parade"
with Helen Twelvetrees, Fred Sc'At
and Richard Carle
(All-Talker)
rathe Time, 1 hr., 1!> mins.
BIG ENOUGH TO HOLD ITS
OWN IN ANY MAN'S THEATER.
ANOTHER YARN CUT FROM
THE FAMILIAR BACK STAGE
PATTERN BUT CLEVERLY
DONE AND WITH A TUNEFUL
AND POPULAR SCORE.
The story is not unfamiliar. Star
of minstrel troup of twenty years
ago goes to gutter because of bur-
lesque queen and is redeemed and
marries a slavey who brings him back
to stardom. Dramatic conflict prin-
cipally between the two women.
Value of production not so much in
material as the way it is handled. A
couple of the tunes are of the popu-
lar variety and the light clever
touches of producer Goulding and
Director Newmeyer may be caught
throughout. Here is the popular type
of story that should hold its own any-
wheres. This young Helen Twelve-
trees miss is a comer and her per-
formance here is splendid. "The
Grand Parade" is sure box-office.
Cast: Helen Twelvetrees, Fred Scott, Rich-
ard Carle, Marie Astaire, Lillian Leighton.
Director, Fred Newmeyer; Producer and
Author, Edmund Goulding; Monitor Men,
George Ellis and Cliff Stein ; Cameraman,
Dave Abel ; Editor, Viola Lawrence ; Adap-
tor, Edmund Goulding; Dialoguer, the same.
Direction, excellent. Photography, splendid.
Alko.ltf.
"The Locked Door"
with Rod La Rocque, Barhiiiu Stan-
wyck, William Boyd, Beity Branson
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., 1-1 -.nine.
GOOD MURDER DRAMA,
BASED ON OLD CHANNING
POLLOCK PLAY, WELL MOD-
ERNIZED AND EFFICIENTLY
PRODUCED.
As a stage play, years ago, under
the name of "1 he Sign on the Door",
this Channing Pollock murder mys-
tery was a gripping drama. In its
talker form, though dulled somewhat
by the stream of similar stories, it
still makes the grade as effective en-
tertainment for audiences by and
large. This is largely due to a slight
modernization plus the efficient di-
rectorial efforts of George Fitzmau-
rice and the very acceptable cast.
Rod La Rocque is the Don Juan who
gets shot under mysterious circum-
stances and Barbara Stanwyck plays
the role of the woman who tries to
take the blame for the shooting in
order to protect her husband. Zasu
Pitts just about steals the picture
with her comic cracks as a dumb
telephone operator, and Betty Bron-
son is delightful in a brief bit.
Cast: Rod La Rocque, Barbara Stanwyck,
William Boyd, Betty Bronson, Harrv Stubbs,
Harry Mestayer, Mack Swain, Zasu Pitts,
George Bunny.
Director, George Fitzmaurice ; Author,
Channing Pollock ; Adaptor, C. Gardner Sul-
livan ; Dialoguer, George .Scarborough ; Edi-
tor. Hal Kern ; Cameraman, Ray June ; Moni-
tor Man, Oscar Lagerstroni.
Direction, excellent. Photography, good.
Gillette.
Belle Bennett in
"The Woman Who Was
Forgotten"
(Part-Talker)
Chas. S. Goetz Time, 1 hr., 18 mins.
VERY ENTERTAINING PIC-
TURE ON AN UNUSUAL
THEME. GREAT PERFORM-
ANCE BY BELLE BENNETT AS
A SCHOOL TEACHER.
This picture is about a school
teacher and has been "dedicated to
the American school teacher," in ad-
dition to which it happens to be a
nicely directed, engrossing story,
topped by a corking character por-
trayal at the hands of Belle Bennett
as a kind, sympathetic school teacher
at various stages of life. So it ought
to be a pushover if tied up with local
school boards and other educational
bodies, although the production has
enough merit to be able to hold its
own even without special co-opera-
tion. The theme is unusual, dealing
with a winsome young school teacher
who dedicates her life to this work
after her sweetheart, also a teacher,
is killed while saving a young lad
from a waterfall. A few of the se-
qiiences have no dialog but are sup-
plied with suitable synchronized score.
Cast: Belle Bennett, Leroy Mason, Jack
Mower, Gladys McConnell, Jack Trent, Wil-
liam Walling.
Director, Richard Thomas; Author, Bess
S. Aldrich; Adaptor, Bert Levino; Dialoguer,
Betty Lynd ; Titler, Same ; Editor, Betty
Davis; Cameraman, Henry Cromjager; Moni-
tor Man, .Not listed.
Direction, good. Photography, satisfactory.
Gillette
"Across the World With
Mr. and Mrs. Martin
Johnson"
(Synchronized)
Talking Picture Epics
Time, 1 hr., 26 mins.
ENGROSSING AND SOME-
TIMES THRILLING TRAVELOG
EMBRACING SOME RARELY
VISITED SPOTS IN THE
SOUTH SEAS AND AFRICA.
With the aid of a genuinely inter-
estmg lecture delivered by Martin
Johnson and synchronized on disc,
this travelog is a consistently en-^
grossing affair. There are some
thrills m it as well, and quite a few
comedy touches to balance matters.
The territory exhibited includes sever-
al unfrequented islands in the South
Seas, where the camera caught a lot
of ferocious looking head hunters,
"devil-devil" men and other strange
characters. In the African portion,
quite a few of the scenes are more
or less familiar. The picture is pre-
sented on the order of a show within
a show, with the Martin Johnsons ap-
parently showing the reels to a group
of friends in their New York home.
This, incidentally, allows for some
dialogue from Mrs. Johnson and a
few of her guests, including one of
the three Boy Scouts who were taken
on the exploration trip. This gives the
presentation a different touch from
the usual travelog. J. Leo Meehan is
given directorial credit. Photogra-
phy is generally good.
Giileiie.
"After the Verdict"
with Warwick Ward
(Silent)
British New Era Time, 1 hr., 5 mins.
JUST A FILLER. VERY WEAK
BRITISH OFFERING. HAS
POOR CONTINUITY AND UN-
INTERESTING MURDER MYS-
TERY THAT LACKS PUNCH.
Murder mystery, based on the story
by Robert Hichens. The entire af-
fair is poorly, almost amateurishly,
handled. It lacks directorial expert-
ness, and moves awkwardly through
a ragged continuity. The acting is
commonplace, and Warwick Ward in
the leading role fails to get over any
convincing acting. The leading lady,
Olga Tschechova, a Russian, looks
quite sexy, and is miscast. Clive
Brook returns from India to marry
his childhood sweetheart, but it seems
that he got himself in a scrap with
a married woman through no fault of
his own. She follows him to London,
and on the eve of his eneagement to
his sweetheart, she gums up the
works. Clive's hat and coat are found
in her apartment after she is ap-
parently murdered. Her husband
starts the trouble for the hero, but
his fiancee clears him and proves it
a suicide. A weak number.
Cast: Warwick Ward, 0!ga Tschechova,
Malcolm Tod, Betty Carter, Henry Victor,
Daisey Campbell, Winter Hall, Andy Esmond,
A. B. Inlson, Ivo Dawson.
Director, Henrik Galeen ; Author, Robert
Hichens; Adaptor, Not listed; Editor, Not
listed ; Titler, Not listed ; Cameraman, Not
listed.
Direction, weak. Photography, fair.
narrower.
"Survival"
with Paul Wegener
(Silent)
Unusual Photoplay Corp.
Time, 1 hr., 12 mins.
GERMAN PRODUCTION
FALLS FLAT WITH OUT-
DATED DIRECTION AND
STILTED ACTING. STORY
LACKS ANY WORTHWHILE
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE.
Drama. This uncredited German
production was adapted from Hon-
ore de Balzac's story, "Splendeurs et
Miseres de Courtisens," but it lacks
any touch of the great master of dra-
matic portrayal. The continuity is
very ragged, and the direction ama-
teurish. The offering is what could
be expected from the smaller com-
panies of Hollywood fifteen years
ago. Paul Wegener is the only
character who registers. His part is
that of an ex-convict who uses a
young man to advance his social am-
bitions. The theme is that of a cour-
tesan who falls in love with the
youth, and their romance is almost
blighted through the selfish schem-
ing of the ex-convict, now a mar-
quis. The girl, Andree La Fayette,
seems miscast, and walks through her
part mechanically. The entire pro-
duction is weak, and can only serve
as a filler in small houses.
Cast: Paul Wegener, Andree La Fayette,
Werner Feuterrer, Nien Son Ling, Kurt
Gcrron.
Director, Manfred Noa ; Author, Balzac ;
Adaptor. Joseph Han ; Editor, Not listed ;
Titler, .Vot listed; Cameraman, Not listed.
Gillette
"Take the Heir"
7vith Edward Everett Hortci.
Dorothy DevorK-
(Synchronized)
Big Four Tims, 1 hr., 12 mins.
FOR SMALL STANDS. RATES
VERY POOR WITH A DRAGGY
STORY THAT MISSES AS COM-
EDY. HORTON IS LICKED BY
A TOUGH. PART.
Comedy. This is a very unsatis-
factory production from all angles.
It fails to hold the interest, and is
very draggy. Only the good work of
Edward Everett Horton holds it up,
and it offers him the poorest vehicle
we have ever seen him in. The story
tells of a titled Englishman who
comes to America to inherit a fortune
on the understanding that he has quit
the drinking. So he finds himself in
a situation where he is forced to al-
low his valet to pose as himself, and
he becomes the valet, in order to
stand the inspection successfully and
win the inheritance. Horton as the
valet performs splendidly, and is even
better when he poses as his master
But the lack of quality in the script
keeps this sterling comedian from get-
ting over the comedy adequately. It
registers as pretty much of a dud,
and cannot be recommended for dis-
criminating audiences.
Cast: Edward Everett Horton, Dorothy
Devore, Edyth Chapman, Otis Harlan, Mar-
garet Campbell, Frank Elliott, Kay Edslyn.
Director, Lloyd Ingraham ; Author, Bea-
trice Van ■ Adaptor, Same ; Editor, Not listed ;
Titler, Not listed ; Cameraman, AI Siegler.
Direction, poor. Photography, okay.
narrower.
"Up the Congo"
(Synchronized)
First Division Time, 58 mins.
VERY INTERESTING PIC-
TORIAL RECORD OF TRAVEL
IN THE AFRICAN CONGO
THAT CARRIES REAL ENTER-
TAINMENT WITH NATIVE
CUSTOMS AND ANIMAL LIFE.
This is the film record of Alice M.
O'Brien and Grace Flandrau, two ad-
venturous girls who made the trip
through the Belgian Congo and Brit-
tish East Africa. Very well handled
photographically, and the feminine di-
rectorial hand is evident in the way
they emphasized the native tribal
customs, wedding of the African
kings to a few hundred wives apiece,
etc. They went light on the animal
shots, but there is a sequence show-
ing an elephant herd that is very in-
teresting. A synchronized descriptive
talk accompanies the shots, and this
is well handled. Here is one of the
most interesting of the African trave-
logues thus far, and it deserves a
break because of its novelty, if noth-
ing else. It is good for the neighbor-
hoods, and will certainly interest the
lovers of travel and the kids. A kick
is injected with a shot of shooting
some vicious looking rapids. The
pygmies are shown, also some seven-
foot giants, in evening gowns — mean-
ing not much gown.
Cast: Natives of the Congo.
Direction, camera work and all credits
go to Alice M. O'Brien and Grace Flandrau.
who conducted the expedition.
Direction, good. Photography, clear.
Ifarrovr.
THB
Sunday, January 26, 1930
^^
DAILY
"Harmony at Home"
ivith William Collier, Sr., Mar-
guerite Churchill
(All-Talker)
Fox Time, 1 hr., 8 mirts.
SWELL PROGRAM PICTURE
PACKED WITH COMEDY AND
HUMAN INTEREST. FITTING-
LY CAST AND DIRECTED.
Here is a neat little comedy of home
life that is bound to click in a big
way with the whole family. It's
taken from the Harry Delf stage
play, "The Family Upstairs," which
was a hit, and the screen version will
click even better. The laughs, all of
them natural and wholesome, come
by the dozen, in addition to which
there is plenty of good human in-
terest and a fetching love story. The
senior Willie Collier gives a fine per-
formance as the head of the family
with a too-talkative wife, a no-account
son, a precocious young daughter and
another daughter, of working age,
who nearly loses her prospective hus-
band because the mother puts on too
much ritz in order to make an im-
pression on him. Marguerite Church-
ill and Rex Bell as lovers do good
work.
Cast: William Collier, Sr., Marguerite
Churchill, Rex Bell, Dixie Lee, Elizabeth
Patterson, Charlotte Henry, Charles Eaton,
Dot Farley.
Director, Hamilton McFadden ; Author,
From the story "The Family Upstairs" by
Harry Delf ; Adaptors, Claire Kummer, Seton
I. Miller, Charles J. McGuirk. William Col-
lier, Sr. ; Dialoguers, Edwin Burke, Elliott
Lester; Editor, Irene Morra ; Cameraman,
Dan Clark ; Monitor Man, Al Burzlin.
Direction, excellent. Photography, good.
Gillette
Normal Shearer in
"Their Own Desire"
^vith Belle Bennett, Lewis Stone,
Robert Montgomery
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 5 mins.
FIRST RATE DOMESTIC
PROBLEM PLAY, PRODUCED
WITH CLASS, AND HELPED
ALONG BY GOOD DIRECTION
AND ACTING.
Domestic drama. A novelist-hus-
band with a grownup daughter de-
cides, to quit his good wife for a more
alluring woman, who in turn does a
walkout on her spouse, with a son of
age. The children meet and fall in
love with each other before learning
their identities. Upon finding out who
they are, their dreams are knocked
into a cocked hat, with the girl feel-
ing duty bound to stick by her
wronged mother. Although the situa-
tions here do not pack a punch of the
proportions that could be extracted
from a problem of this kind, the story
is evenly entertaining, frequently
whimsical, and ends satisfactorily.
Whole production is on a class scale,
deftly directed by E. Mason Hopper
and with particularly good perform-
ances by Miss Shearer, Miss Bennett
and Montgomery.
Cast: Norma Shearer, Belle Bennett, Lewis
Stone, Robert Montgomery, Helens Millard,
Cecil Cunningham, Henry Herbert, Mary
Doran, June Nash.
Director, E. Mason Hopper; Author,
Sarita Fuller ; Adaptor, James Forbes ; Di-
aloguer, James Forbes ; Editor, Harry Rey-
nolds; Cameraman, William Daniels; Monitor
Man, Not listed.
Direction, neat. Photography, good.
Gillette
Bob Custer in
"Riders of the Rio Grande"
(Silent)
Syndicate Pictures Time, 57 Tnins.
SNAPPY WESTERN WITH A
STRONG AND ORIGINAL PLOT
THAT CRAMS ACTION ALL
THE WAY. A SWELL FILM
FOR THE FANS ANYWHERE.
Western. Sally Winters is the
author, and she has a knack of writ-
ing modern westerns that carry a lot
of authentic data about the west that
very few westerns contain. This one,
like all of her scenarios, has a lot of
original slants that make the film
very refreshing entertainment. In
this story Bob Custer is a secret ser-
vice agent out to get a gang of
counterfeiters. He comes into the
Mexican border country, and is
picked up by the Rangers as a sus-
picious stranger in league with the
counterfeiters. All through the story
the Rangers and Bob are working at
cross purposes, while Bob is using
the situation to get the dope on the
real counterfeiters. Lots of action,
fighting and plot and counterplot
keep it humming all the way. The
fans who like their thrills will enjoy
this one.
Cast: Bob Custer, Edna Aslin, H. B. Car-
penter, Kip Cooper, Bob Erickson, Martin
Chici, Merrill McCormack.
Director, J. P. McGowan; Author, Sally
Winters; Adaptor, the same; Editor, Not
Listed; Titler, Not Listed; Cameraman, Hap
Depew.
Direction, snappy. Photography, clear.
narrower
"Seven Days Leave"
with Gary Cooper, Beryl Mercer
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 10 min.
SUREFIRE ANYWHERE.
SPLENDID PRODUCTION
WITH TREMENDOUS HEART
PUNCH IN ONE OF FINEST
MOTHER LOVE PICTURES
EVER FILMED.
Drama of the great war. Adapted
from James M. Barrie's "The Old
Lady Shows Her Medals." Here is
a production that departs from the
beaten track and its producers have
had the courage to be original. It is
a faithful transcription of Barrie's
famous play of the old maid char-
woman in London who adopts a
soldier boy as her son. Beryl Mercer
as the mother is immense, and gives
one of the finest mother roles that
the screen has ever seen. It ranks
with the very best. Gary Cooper as
the son in the kilties of the famous
Black Watch regiment does one of
his best roles to date. A few
short war scenes are well handled,
rine direction, characterization and
camera. An ace picture and one
with a tremendous sympathetic
punch. Looks good anywhere.
Cast: Gary Cooper, Beryl Mercer, Daisy
Belmore, Nora Cecil, Tempe Piggett, Arthur
Hoyt, Arthur Metcalfe.
Director, Richard Wallace; Author, la't.es
M. Barrie ; Adaptors, Don Totheroh, John
Farrow; Editor, George Nichols, Jr., Dialog-
uers, Don Totheroh, John Farrow: Camera-
man, Charles Lang; Monitor P.Ta'.i, No; lisitd.
Direction, first class. Photography, very
good.
narrower
Short Subjects
SOUND
"A Million Me's"
Paramount Time, 11 mins.
Pleasing Song Novelty
Lee Morse, phonograph recording
artist, in a group of numbers with
a sentimental continuity. Each song
is in a different setting, representing
places where Miss Morse is supposed
to be entertaining through her rec-
ords. The idea is nicely conceived
and the vocalistic efforts should
please the crowds.
"Happy Golf"
Pathe Time, 10 mins.
Instructive and Amusing
Alex Morrison, big shot of the
golfing fraternity, is the main subject
\\\ this Grantland Rice production,
which manages to be both instruc-
tive and amusing. Others besides
golf fans will enjoy it.
Bransby Williams
Int'l Photoplay Dist. Time, 9 mins.
Classic Humor
An excellent character bit by the
distinguished English actor, appear-
ing as the miser from "Bleak House."
The role is that of a decrepit, sput-
tering old tightwad with aches and
pains in all parts of his body. Lines
and actions have plenty of humor in
them. Good for almost any audi-
ence, but the more intelligent par-
ticularly will appreciate it.
"Footlight Follies"
Universal Time, 12 mins.
A Laugh Producer
This time they bring the troupe of
Sporting Youth series into show life.
The gang comes to the rescue of the
manager whose troupe is stranded.
With a full house confronting him,
he decides to give the collegians a
chance to sub for the troupers. In
portraying their roles in "The Miner's
Daughter" the gang gets over many
well-timed laughs. It makes the
grade. Directed by Ben Holmes,
an all-talker.
"So This Is Paris Green"
Paramount Time, 19 mins.
Ace Comedy
Rip-roaring burlesque on Apache
love, featuring Louise Fazenda as
the wench who is given the rough
treatment by her menacing mate,
played by Bert Roach. The main
setting is a Paris cabaret. Lots of
action and fun. Belongs among the
high cards of Christie comedies.
"Afraid to Go Home in the
Dark"
Paramount Time, 7 mins.
Amusing Song Cartoon
A Max Fleischer song cartoon based
on the popular song of some two dec-
ades ago. Has been given the usual
ingenious treatment and will pro-
vide several minutes of pleasant
amusement for any class of folks.
"The Duke of Dublin"
Paramount Time, 13 mins.
Irish Comedy Fest
As an Irishman who is elevated
from a ditch digger to a millionaire
through the death of an uncle, Char-
lie Murray gives a good account of
himself as the star of this Christie
comedy. A typical Charlie Murray
fun fest, greatly enhanced by dia-
logue. Too bad that a few terribly
stale jokes were stuck in the early
scenes. With all the good feeders
in the cast, this could have been
avoided. Outside of this, Director
William Watson turned out a con-
sistently amusing affair on the whole
and it should be welcome anywhere.
"A Song Drama"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
^ Drama and Jazz
Derickson and Brown do not reg-
ister so well in this one. Opening
in a European cellar setting, Derick-
son sings a song of Siberia and his
voice is way off. Brown demon-
strated some good piano tapping.
As a filler, yes.
SILENT
"Trail of the Pack"
Universal Time, 16 mins.
Canadian Melodrama
One of the Ted Carson Northwest
Mounted Police Series. An outlaw,
pursued by a Mounty, jumps into a
farm wagon being driven by a girl
and forces her, at the point of his
gun, to conceal him until the guardian
of the law is out of sight. Then the
culprit grabs the reins himself and
takes the girl to a shack where a
whole gang of ruffians are hiding.
The Mounty later turns up, is over-
powered in a fight, but finally regains
his balance and, with the aid of re-
inforcements, captures the pack of
ruffians. Then he does a fadeout with
the girl. Not much strength to the
story, but will do as a fill-in. Josef
Levigrad directed.
"Make It Snappy"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Fair Com.edy
Sid Saylor in love with his boss's
daughter finally gets his chance for
a big newsreel scoop. He is sent to
get pictures of the fight champ's
wedding. After being thrown out a
number of times he succeeds in fol-
lowing the champ with a hand-organ.
After the usual brick throwing, auto
chasing, and building acrobatic. Sid
arrives with the pictures, only to
drop them into a lake as he welcomes
his sweetheart. Directed by H. Ed-
wards. Mild comedy.
J
10
DAILY
Sunday, January 26, 1930
Week*s Headlines
Monday
Truman Talley replaced Courtland Smith
as general manager of Fox-Hearst Corp.
Survey indicates many successful silent pic
tures will be remade as talkers during
1930.
Rep. Lankford of Georgia proposes nation
wide Sunday "blue" law.
Tuesday
Ameiica still dominates French market, al-
most half of pictures shown in France
in 1929 having been made in United States
Number of foreign films imported to America
in 1929 declined one-fourth.
Thirty-two all-talking comedies to be made
by Koach in 1930.
Wednesday
Survey shows 9,000 wired houses in the
United States, 7,700 having been equipped
during the past year.
RKO's 1930 program calls for 42 features.
12 more than produced in 1929^
Jersey exhibitors back new bill to repeal
Sunday "blue" law.
Thursday
National Board of Review conference set
to open in New York with film notables in
attendance.
Judge Thacher signs decree making compul-
sory blanket arbitration illegal.
Thirty-nine feature films to be released in
America by Amkino during the year.
Friday
Warner asks dismissal of Government suit
in reply to anti-trust charges.
Optional arbitration likely as result of Thacher
decree holding arbitration in blanket form
illegal.
Universal's production "budget in 1930, set
at $15,000,000, largest in company's his-
tory.
Today
86 synchronous reproducing devices being
used.
Forni.ng French combine as American com
petitors.
30 shorts from M-G-M in first half of 1930.
PSYCHOLOGIST DENIES
PICTURES INCITE CRIME
(Continued from Page i )
he said, rests in "a social control,
expressed in a community demand
for the best in motion pictures recre-
ationally and educationally," adding
that "we must maintain a free screen
in keeping with democratic institu-
tions."
Dr. Louis I. Harris, former Health
Commissioner, denounced "czardom'
within the picture industry.
Edward M. Fay of Providence,
told the delegates that wise regula-
tion in the community itself with
"cooperation between officials, exhib
itors and interested citizens working
as a united group for better film en
tertainment leaves the reform type of
censor all dressed up with no place
to go."
Other speakers were Lee F. Han-
mer of the Russell Sage Foundation
Dr. Walter W. Pettit of the New
York School of Social Work, anc'
Dr. Francis D. Tyson, professor of
economics at the University of Pitts
burgh.
The conference closes Saturda\
with the annual luncheon at the
Roosevelt.
30 SHORTS EROM M-C-M
IN FIRST HALF OF 1930
(Continued from Page 1)
Owls"; Metro Movietone Act 102
featuring Van and Schenck; Harry
Langdon in "The Head Guy"; Metro
Movietone Act 103 featuring Clyde
Doerr and his Saxophone Orchestra;
M-G-M Colortone Revue, "Flower
Garden," featuring Cliff Edwards
(Ukelele Ike), Alice Weaver, Lottice
Howell, Locust Sisters and ballet;
Metro Movietone Act 104 featuring
the Biltmore Trio and bringing the
fourth series of 26 Metro Movietone
acts to a close; and Our Gang in
"Shivering Shakespeare."
ihc February schedule i- composed
of Charley Chase in 'The Real Mc-
Coy"; Laurel and Hardy in Blotto";
M-G-M Colortone revue, "Pirates,"
featuring Benny Rubin, Connor
Twins, Jack Randall, Gene Renee and
ballet; Harry Langdon in "The Fight-
mg Parson."
Productions ready for March, April
and May include Our Gang in "The
First Seven Years"; M-G-M Color-
tone Revue, "Kiddies Revue"; Harry
Langdon in "The Big Kick"; Our
uang in "When the vVind Blows";
M-G-M Colortone Revue, "Babes a
la Mode."
Among pictures now in work are
Harry Langdon in "The Shrimp";
.\1-G-M Colortone Revue, "The Clock
Shop"; Our Gang in "Bear Shoot-
ers", a Charley Chase comedy and
a Laurel and Hardy comedy not yet
tilled.
FORMINC FRENCH COMBINE
AS AMERICAN COMPETITOR
(Continued from Parje 1)
history of the native film industry
a large financial institution of France
is giving active support to the ven-
ture.
The new organization, according
to reports, also plans to put another
talker apparatus on the market de-
signed especially for sale at a low
price to come within the means of
the small cinemas. Thus far, al-
though there are 19 French repro-
ducing systems, American compa-
nies have wired more than 90 per
cent of the houses already equipped.
Two More Indiana Houses
Bought by Mailer Bros.
(Continued from Page 1)
whom the local houses were bought.
The Crystal has been closed, while
the Princess will remain open until
completion of the theater in the new
auditorium building this spring and
which will be operated by the same
interests. Hines will remain in con-
tact with the local situation as an
officer of the Portland Theater Real-
ty Co., holding company for the real
estate involved in the transaction.
Presentations
; By HERBERT S. BERG ,
IT HAS A CLASSY
SHOW FROM MCDERMOTT
Quite an entertaining shov/ at the
Paramount, called "Tip Toppers,"
put over with considerable class, for
which Louis W. McDermott takes
a big slice of the credit as producer.
Harry Richman did the emceeing,
using the runway to get over his inti-
mate chatter and two songs. These
were "Singing In the Bathtub" and
"There's Danger In Your Eyes,
herie." The Stanley Twins were
two tall blondes who reeled ofj a
series of precision acrobatic steps
with a lot of class. Norton & Haley
supplied the comedy in their clever
vaiideville skit, he doing t'.ie semi-
drunk with a nifty line of chatter that
was good for a lot of laughs. They
were assisted by the Fred Evans
Dancing Specialists, and their number
was a corker. They appeared in male
full dress and top hats, carrying
balancing lighted lamp posts, and did
a routine with tipsy movements in
synchronization with the swaying
lampposts. A pip number and a real
novelty. They had Harry and Grace
Dixon back for their eccentric acro-
batic specialty, and they drew a big
hand. It was a bill of specialty num-
bers, with Richman in the background
except for his songs and chatter.
Anderson at Amityville
Amityville, L. I. — Andrew Ander-
son is now managing the Amityville
for Prudential Long Island Theaters,
Inc., Joe Seider, president.
Golden Managing Two
Troy, N. Y. — Jacob Golden is man-
aging the two R-K-O theaters here,
having come from Albany to take
over his new duties.
Named Master of Ceremonies
IVashingtcm Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Fox has appointed
Alexander Callam new master of
ceremonies at the New.
Chapin Pinch Hits At State
Eureka, Cal. — Adrian Chapin is
temporarily managing the New State
during the absence of Ivan A. Mc-
Clain, resident manager, who is now
vacationing in Seattle.
Holland Managing Three
Woonstock, R. I. — S. Sidney Hol-
land, formerly manager of the Rialto,
Brockton, Mass., now is managim
three houses here for Publix.
Harold Pease Gets New Post
iVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Harold Pease has
joined the Ambassador as organist
and assistant manager.
Remodeling Newberry House
Newberry, S. C. — Approximate!'
$6,000 is being spent on alterations
at the City Opera House. H. B.
Wells is manager.
ATHLETICS DOMINATE
INCAPITOUTAGESHOW
"Gym-Jams," the current Chester
Hale stage show at the Capitol, lives
up to its name 100 per cent. It is I
jammed full of gymnastics from start i
to finish, and what's more the calis-
thentics have been routined into
downright good entertainment. Top
honors go to Flo Mayo, an engaging
little package who does a lot of clever
and funny things, from tap dancing
to joke telling, while floating through
the air in various positions on a
swinging trapeze. For good measure
she throws in some balancing stunts
and an endurance feat a la Lillian
Leitzel.
Nat Nazarro, Jr., guest master of
ceremonies for the week, wipes up a
good portion of tjie floor in the
course of his various tumbling, leap-
ing and acrobatic dancing specialties,
all very much relished by the seat-
holders. For comedy, the Hickey
Brothers disport themselves in a
series of amusmg clown incidents that
prove highly pleasing. Bobby Wal-
ihour, Jr., does a bicycle bit, and for .
an action windup there is a race be-
tween Walthour on his bike and a
ical live race horse, the two occupy-
ing opposite pedestals downstage,
while a troupe of the ensemble girls
pedal away on two wheelers for
Hash effect. Yasha Bunchuk's "Ber-
liniana" overture, comprising selec-
tions from the work of Irving Ber-
lin, is another item worthy of com-
mendation.
Leahy, Jr., at Burns-Paramount
Colorado Springs, Colo. — M. H.
Leahy, Jr., of New York, has suc-
ceeded Lawrence Starsmore as man-
ager of the Burns-Paramount. Stars-
more is to be transferred to another
house.
Publix to Change House Name
Boise, Idaho — Publix will change
the name of the Strand to Granada
shortly. Walter A. Mendehall is
seeking a permit to build a marquee
in front of the house with the new
name on it.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
i 1600 Broadway, New York Citj i
j Phone Penn. 3580 I
r
0/^1 LY Sunday, January 26, 1930
JL^lifiii^^^eMi^
24 Song Writers Working at Fox
Sound Swells Ranks of Music Department— Star Policy to Continue on Christie Program— RKO Secures
Services of Lathem — "Paramount on Parade" Completed — Ralph Wilk's Paragraphs — Other Coast News.
DANCE DIRECTORS AND
CHORUSES IN NEW LINEUP
Further dominance of talking and
singing productions on the new Fox
Hneup is evidenced by the increasing
number of song writers and compos-
ers rapidly being signed up by the
company. The new music department
now lists 24 lyricists and composers
under long term contracts.
Included in the group are : Ben Jackson,
Charles Wakefield Cadman, Arthur Kay,
George Lipschultz, Will Vodery, Joseph Mc-
Carthy, James Hanley, James Monaco, Harry
Pease, Edward G. Nelson, William Kernell,
Albert H. Malotte, Dennis Murray, Dave
Stamper, Frank Tresselt, Doris Silver, John
Burke, George Little, Cliff Friend, Byron
Gay, Jess Greer, Ray Klages, Eddie Brandt
and Eddie Pola.
Seven dance and ensemble directors also
have been added to the staff and consists of
Danny Dare, Edward Dolly, Seymour Felix,
Maurice Kusell, Max Scheck, Hassard Short
and Edward Tierney. A pennanent chorus
of 24 singers as well as a male quartette and
30 girls under contract for dancing chorus
work conclude the troupe.
Frederick Lathem Joins
Radio Staff as Director
Frederick G. Lathem, who directed
numerous musical comedies and op-
erettas, has been added to the Radio
directorial staff, according to William
Le Baron, vice nresident in charge of
production.
Lillian Leighton Signed
Lillian Leighton has been signed
for Tiffany's "Cyclone Hickey," di-
rected by James Flood, with James
Gleason, Johnnie Walker, Marion
Shilling and Paul Hurst in principal
roles.
A Little
from **hots''
,^_^ By RALPH WILK ^^
THOMAS E. JACKSON, who cre-
ated the role of Detective Dan
McCorn in the stage version of
"Broadway" and who also enacted
the same part in the screen version
of the play, has an important role in
"Yonder Grow the Daisies," which
Alfred Werker is directing at Fox.
In addition to his activities as an
actor, Jackson was the original pro-
ducer of "Gentlemen of the Press,"
when it made its bow on Broadway.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Jack Warner,
Irving Thalberg, William LeBaroyi,
Sol Wurtzel, Harold B. Franklin,
Harry Cohn, Mike Levee, and Har-
ry Rapf at "The Rogue Song" pre-
miere; Jack Warner being forced to
sign an autograph fan's book; An-
drew J. Callaghan, smiling, and
singing the praises of his Technicol-
or in the picture.
* * *
J. Grubb Alexander, who wrote
the screen play and dialogue for
"General Crack," starring John
Barrymore, is fashioning the
screen play and dialogue for
"Sweet Kitty Bellairs," which
will be made by Warner
Brothers.
* * *
Sharon Lynn, one of Hollywood's
most beautiful leading women, has
been borrowed by Paramount from
Fox to play an important role oppo-
site Charles Rogers in his next pic-
ture.
C. EDGAR SCHOENBAUM
Technicolor Photography
On
"THE ROGUE SONG"
"SALLY"
"BRIGHT LIGHTS"
"BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT"
100% Technicolor Pictures
Christie Co. to Continue
Star and Story Policy
Continuance of its production policy
adopted last year in the selection of
fetars and material for its two-reel
talking comedies is announced by the
Christie Film Co. Short plays and
stories by successful stage and screen
writers include short plays like "Meet
the Missus," by Kenyon Nicholson;
Dangerous Females," by Florence
Ryerson and Colin Clements, and
"Faro Nell, or in Old Californy," by
Willis Steell and stars such as James
Gleason, Marie Dressier and Louise
Fanzenda will be in the casts. Other
noted authors include Octavus Roy
Cohen, E. P. Heath, Wilson Collison,
Charles Divine, Mann Page.
"The Gay Nineties" Started
Marion Davies has begun work in
her latest starring vehicle for M-G-
M, "The Gay Nineties," with Law-
rence Gray as leading man. Walter
Catlett, John Lewis Bartlette, Jed
Poutry, Sam Hardy, Claude Allister,
Mary Forbes and Maude Turner
Gordon comprise the supporting cast.
All-Technicolor for "Lasca"
The talker version of "Lasca," be-
ing produced by Tiffany, will be in
full Technicolor, it is announced by
Grant L. Cook.
Elmer Harris Quits Columbia
Elmer Harris, scenario editor for
Columbia, has resigned.
Warner Assignments
Herman Raymaker has been
assigned to head Vitaphone
short subject production with
Bryan Foy, formerly in charge
of shorts, scheduled to direct
features, it is reported here.
"Paramount on Parade"
is Finally Completed
Competion of production on "Para-
mount on Parade," is announced by
Jesse L. Lasky. The cast includes
35 stars and featured players under
contract to Paramount in addition to
various free-lance personalities, writ-
ers and music composers. The pro-
duction is made up of 15 separate
starring units, each in itself a com-
plete short feature. Eleven directors
contributed to the production which
was made under the general super-
vision of Albert Kaufman, assistant
to Lasky, aided by Elsie Janis, and
B. P. Schulberg, general manager of
West Coast production.
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy"
"Mysterious Island"
Written and Directed by
Lucien Hubbard
(Now under contract to Warner Brothers)
N. Y. World — "A very impressive suggestion of the beauties of
Jules Verne's undersea romance."
N. Y. Sun — "The spectacle is fascinating."
J. C. M. in the New Yorker — "Superb stuff for the movies."
Film Daily — "Intensely engrossing. Direction, fine."
Rose Pelswick, N Y. Eve. Journal — "Grand entertainment —
spectacularly startling."
THE
12
DAILY
Sunday, January 25, 1930
Theater Equipment
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN ,
LOCK SECTIONS FURNISHED
FORFILM-SAFEEQUIPMENT
Baltimore — In addition to separate
compartments or film safes, manu-
factured by the American Film-Safe
Corp., these safes can be equipped
with lock sections so as to lock each
compartment individually or in a se-
ries of five. Film-safes have been
developed as a receptacle for hous-
ing and protecting films. Each film
is housed in a separate insulated com-
partment Vi^ith no communication be-
tween it and any other compartment.
The floors of these safes close and
latch automatically, thus practically
sealing the film in an insulated cell.
The heat resisting medium which
is used in Film-Safes contains the
principal ingredients of "Kieselguhr"'
or diatomaceous earth, which, ac-
cording to the company, is the most
efficient heat insulating material
known to science. This material,
which is poured into the steel shell
of the safe in a semi-fluid state, is
allowed to set, and is then baked
until it becomes a strong monolithic
structure surrounding each film com-
partment separately. This insulation,
in addition to its fire-proofing quali-
ties, has the properties of quickly
extracting and absorbing abnormal
heat from film sections and main-
taining it at a normal temperature,
thereby increasing the life of the
film. It also maintains humidity in
the section, thus averting the brit-
tleness which is caused by film being
stored in dry places.
In construction of Film-Safe, all
joints are tenoned and pinned to-
gether, making the complete section
practically indestructible. The ex
terior surfaces are finished in baked
enamel, while the interior is thor-
oughly protected to preclude the pos-
sibility of rust. The standard finish
is olive-green with bronze hardware.
Kramer Organ Moving
Kramer Organ Co., is moving from
1600 Broadway to 334 West 44th St.
They will be established in their new
quarters about Feb. 1.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuQaQHBys
▼▼UO West iZ^SLNewyorfc.My*^
Phone Penna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie
Chemical Process Available for
Making Wood a Fire Retardant
Washington — With fire restrictions
being rigidly enforced throughout
the country several processes are now
in use involving the injection of
chemicals into wood to make it more
or less fire retardant, according to
the Bureau of Standards. For in-
terior work ammonium phosphate
and ammonium sulphate and combi-
nations of them have been much used
for this purpose. Other chemicab
proposed by the Bureau were am-
monium chloride, sodium borate and
zinc chloride. It has been found that
most of these chemicals arc so'uble
and would be washed out where ex-
posed to the weather and possibly
when used on floors, if the floors arc-
cleaned by washing.
For outside use a combined treat-
ment with sodium borate and zinc
chloride has been proposed and in
laboratory tests found fairly efficient.
The resulting salt, a zinc borate, is
less soluble then the other salts men-
tioned.
If a sufficient amount of the above
chemicals is injected it will make
the wood fire retardant in the sense
that it will not flame at ordinary
temperatures although at higher tem-
peratures it will char and the vola-
tiles will distill off and burn.
Bilmarjac Lights Prove
Aid in Seat Checking
The seat indicator recently put out
by the Bilmarjac Corp. of New York,
is among the newest eflliciency aids
in theater operation to be placed on
the market. The device makes it
easy to locate empty seats, every
seat being represented by a light on
a switchboard. When a seat is un-
occupied the corresponding light is
turned on. The apparatus provides
for the wiring of every seat. Wires
connect with an aisle box on whicii
every seat in the row is indicated
and run to a master board in the
foyer or some other part of the the-
ater. This board is patterned after
the seating diagram of the house.
When a person sits down the light
for that seat is automatically swilclied
off. The device is said to cut down
ushering expenses and to reduce ac-
cidents.
Improving Booth in Nyack House
Nyack, N. Y. — The Fox Broadway
has completed alterations in the pro-
jection booth, Manager Vogt an-
nounces.
Altering Colemans' Theater
Southington, Conn. — Alterations tc
the extent of $10,000 are being madi.
at Colemans' Theater. They include
installation of a reproducer.
Nezv Screen Tested
Fire-resisting qualities of the
Vocalite sound screen were re-
cently demonstrated in a test
conducted by the Beaded
Screen Corp. of Roosevelt, L.
I., its manufacturers state. Fire
was applied simultaneously to
sections of the new screen and
the type commonly used in
sound picture houses. The Vo-
calite screen was not totally
consumed until it had burned
for more than three minutes,
the company says.
Start Work on Warner House Soon
San Francisco — Construction work
on the new Oakland, to cost $750,000,
and to be built by Warners, will
start within sixty days. G. Albert
Lansburgh, San Francisco architect,
drew up the plans.
Tivoli Installs Magnascope
South Bend, Ind. — The Tivoli has
installed Magnascope.
NEWMAN CO. NARKEIG
NEW METALCRAFT FRAMES
Cincinnati — One of the features in
marketing the new "Metalcraft"
Ijronze lobby frames, being put out
by the Newman Manufacturing Co.,
is that the company guarantees the
frames to last forever. The frames
are made up in two styles, one-piece
and two-piece. Each are construct-
ed of standard bronze. The one-piece
frame is screwed to a wood back,
while the two-piece frame is made
throughout of bronze. Either style
is made with backboard covered
with velour of any desired shade so
that photographs can be mounted
thereon, when posters or cards are
not in use. The back of each frame
is covered with sheet metal and
painted to resist rust.
Cass Improving Willard
Creston, la. — Henry Cass, owner
of the Strand and Willard, is having
Western Electric apparatus installed
at the latter house and after chang-
ing the name to Iowa, he will run
shows on full time schedule instead
of four days a week.
The Only Screen
for Color Pictures
Clear, realistic pictures, freedoin from eye-strain,
and natural tone quality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalite Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically and chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
Sommd Screen
Tlie First Screen Scienlificiilly Perfected for Soiiinl Pictures
Beaded Screen Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Approved by Electrical Re-
search Products, Western
Electric Co., Inc., and other
makers oj Sound Equipment.
Porous but not perforated
Fire Proof
Non Inflammable
LOW-COST TINTS
that match every mood in
SOUND PICTURES
XHE widest range of tints ever offered the
industry is embraced by Eastman Sono-
chrome Tinted Positive Films. They can be
used to match every mood in the story, or
to reproduce the one lighting or tone that
predominates throughout the picture ....
In either case Sonochrome gives beautiful
color. It gives faithfully reproduced
sound. And it costs no more than regular
black-and-white positive.
EAS 1 MAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
and
Do Things! Big Things!
with Sure Things like
L-J
4-
I
\
A fast farce of fast workers
going places and doing
things in Hollywood. A sing-
ing and dancing whirl all
around the town-Hollywood
parties/ studio sound stages,
cafes and premieres. With
sweet sweeties, song hits and
laughs all along the way.
Ready now and rarin* to go
SRO!
iTHE
o/'FILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 22
Monday, January 27, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Warners' First Foreign Talker to Open in 9 Cities
WORLDI^HEATERS "up only 402Tn 1929
Directors to Make Both\\Stage Shows and Shorts
The yiirroY
— a column of comment
AMERICAN producers are not go-
ing to lose their supremacj' of the
foreign market in the sound shuffle.
Concrete proof that the industry in
this country is preparing to insure
its domination of the markets abroaa
is found in the production sciicdv.lci
now being set. Multi-lingual pictures,
with dialect that rings true in the
country in which it is to he shov/n,
are being made. American producers
realize that nothing is more tiistaste-
ful to a nation than to have its
language mispronounced — counter-
feited. Without producers turning
out product that stands ace high m
entertainment and is faithful in dia-
lect, there's no reason in this wide
picture-enthusiastic world why Amer-
ica won't hurdle that sound obstacle.
IT'S A gratifying fact that the pub-
lic's taste in pictures is improving.
Polls conducted by enterprising news-
papers and magazines throughout
the country verify this statement. In
a large majority of cases where fans
have been asked to select the best
pictures of the past year, their choices
have indicated a more widespread
appreciation of worthwhile films.
Let's hope that the day is not far
distant when a producer can con-
sistently present product made along
radically new and different lines and
have the public really appreciate it.
THIS IS a day of co-operation — of
getting together for mutual benefit.
The latest branch of the industry to
tangibly recognize this fact is the
laboratories. They've formed an as-
sociation which no doubt will prove
an important factor in prescribing
the necessary remedies for their
problems.
Publix Stage Producers
Form Nucleus of
Revised Staff
Doubling of directors between
Publix stage shows and Paramount
dialogue shorts is planned at the
Paramount Long Island studio by
A. J. Balaban, in charge of all short
subject productions. The nucleus of
the revised directorial staff will com-
prise Publix presentations producers.
At present Frank Cambria, Jack
(Lontvmied on Fagc 5)
GERMAN SOUND SITUATION
ALARMINUANTY SAYS
Berlin (By Cable) — • Declaring
that the sound film situation in Ger-
many has reached alarming propor-
tions, U. Sv Trade Commissioner
George R. Canty, in an interview
with "Lichtbildbuehne," said that un-
less an early agreement is reacheo
(^Continued on Page 5)
Forming Exploitation
Staff for "Unborn Child"
A staff to exploit "Her Unborn
Child" throughout the country is be-
ing organized by Windsor Picture
Plays. Jack Wiesian will publicize
(.Contimied on Page 5)
To Advise Producers
Appointment of a consulting
committee to ai4 producers in
the East, along lines now be-
ing followed at the Coast, is
expected to be made soon by
Alfred M. Cohen of Cincinnati,
president of the International
Order of B'nai B'rith. The com-
mittee will indicate what it con-
siders offensive to Jews and
also provide authentic data and
information required for pic-
tures involving the race. Cases
of this type have heretofore
been handled by the Anti-
Defamation League of B'nai
B'rith.
BELIEVES 65 M. FILM
£ TO BE ADOPTED
Convinced that 65 mm. film is cer-
tain of adoption for wide screen pic-
tures, Colorcraft is ordering equip-
ment for its new laboratory to con-
{Continued on Page 2)
Wider Camera Being Made
for Goldwyn Productions
]\ est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — ^A 11x14 camera with
11x14 negatives is being specially
constructed by technicians at the
{Continued on Page 2)
'* Royal Box/' German Dialogue
Film, to Play Indefinite Runs
Three Title Changes
on M-G-M Productions
New titles have been selected for
three forthcoming M-G-M produc-
tions. The next William Haines pic-
ture, formerly known as "Fresh from
College," has been rechristened "The
Girl Said 'No'." Joan Crawford's
"Montana" is now "Montana Moon,"
and the first Buster Keaton talker
will be called "Free and Easy," in-
stead of "On the Set."
Warners' first all-talking Vita-
phone production made in a foreign
dialogue, "The Royal Box," which
now is in the sixth week at the Fifth
Ave. Playhouse, New York, is sched-
uled to open shortly in nine principal
cities. The picture will play day-and-
date on Feb. 14 at the Orpheum,
Chicago, and Majestic, Milwaukee.
On Feb. 21 the picture will have its
premiere at the Midtown, St. Louis.
All of the above engagements will be
{Continued on Page 2)
27,379 Houses in Europe-
Latin America, 3,981 —
Canada, 1,100
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Number of motion
picture theaters throughout the world
m 1929 showed an increase of only
402 over the previous year, accord-
ing to statistics gathered by the Mo-
tion Picture Division of the Depart-
ment of Commerce. The grand total
is given as 57,743, of which 27,379
houses are in Europe, 20,500 in the
U. S., 3,981 in Latin America, 3,976
in the Far East, 1,100 in Canada, 755
in Africa and 52 in the Near East.
Number of theaters in individual
countries are: Germany, 5,266; United
Kingdom, 4,426; France, 3,113; Italy,
{Continued on Page 2)
UNWIRED HOUSES HARD
HIT IN MINN. SICTION
Minneapolis — Numerous unwired
theaters in the outlying sections of
this territory have been compelled
to close their doors due to the in-
ability to compete with houses show-
ing sound pictures. While manufac-
turers of sound equipment have low-
ered their costs considerably, still the
lack of patronage prevents these
bhowmen trom purchasing sound de-
vices. The owner of the Majestic,
lona, for the first time in 16 years
was compelled to close attributing
the cause of business falling off due
to his patrons' demand for sound
pictures.
Talking Picture Epics to
Roadshow Johnson Film
Talking Picture Epics' latest pro-
duction, "Across the World With
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson," which
is now playing at the Geo. M. Cohan,
New York, will be roadshowed
throughout the country under the
same plan as was "Simba," accord-
ing to M. J. Weisfeldt, director of
distribution.
THE
DAILY
Monday, January 27, 1930
Vol LI No. 22 Monday, January 27, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisiier
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., anO
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. tn-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside oi (jreater New
York SIO.UO one year; 6 months, $5.00; J
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: FilmJay.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralpb
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Gramlc
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, Ihe
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cmematographie Francaise, Kue de id
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
{QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 22^8 22^8 22 M 200
Con. Fm. Ind 22 21^8 2ly. 500
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23j4 23 23/. 400
East. Kodak 189^8 188 189 200
Fox Film "A".... 29J4 26/8 29/. 19,200
'Keith AG 26>i ....
♦do pfd 34 Ji
Loews, Inc 57/2 56/. 57/. 700
*do pld. WW (6J4) 86
•do ptd. xw (b/a) 86
•M-G-M pfd 24
Para. F-L 59 57M 59 500
Pathe Exch 3Vi iVi ^/s 500
♦do "A" '^
R.K-O 2754 26J/8 27/. 1,500
* Univ. Pict. pfd 36 . - . ■
Warner Bros .... SOJi 50/8 50/. 3,600
do pfd 46M 46/8 465^ 300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 30 30 30 00
Fox Thea. "A".... 7J4 (>% 7^ 'I""
Gen. Thea. Equ. ..37- 36^ 365^ 600
•Intern. Proj 25
*Loew do deb rts 19
*Loew's, Inc., war 554 ■••■
*Nat. Scr. Ser 1554
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25 ....
*Univ. Pict "^Vi
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-0 6s 46 ^^
•Loew 6s 41ww 104 . . . .
do 6s 41 x-war.... 93% 93% 93>4 20
Paramount 6s 47.. 99Ji 99^ 99/8 20
•Par. By. 5}4s51 lOOs/s ....
Pathe 7s37 47^ 47K 47^ 30
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
ft New York Long Island City j-{
U 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. V;
§ BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
h i}
I Eastman Films |
p J. E. Brulatour, Inc. \l
fi "" iji
\\ Chicago Hollywood \\
it .„-.,, J- A . 6700 Santa Monica K
S 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j ».♦
g CAlumet 2691 Hollywood 4121 }^{
The Broadway Parade
ONLY two changes in the Broadway long-run schedule, with "The Rogue Song"
and "Sons of the Gods" at the Astor and Warners respectively opening the
end of the week. They replace "Devil May Care" and "General Crack."
Picture Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov. 19
"General Crack" Warners Warners Dec. 3
"Sally" First National. . . . Winter Garden Dec. 23
"The Mighty" Paramount Rivoli Dec. 28
"Party Girl" Tiffany Gaiety Dec 30
"Seven Keys to Baldpate" RKO Globe Jan. 12
"Hit the Deck" RKO Earl Carroll Jan. 14
"The Locked Door" United Artists. . . . Rialto Jan. 18
"Across the World With Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Johnson". Sono-Art Cohan Jan. 20
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan. 28
"Sons of the Gods" First National. . . . Warner Jan. 30
BELIEVES 65 MM. EILM
SURE TO BE ADOPTED
(Continued from Page 1)
form to this size, states William
Hoyt Peck, vice president of the
company. This equipment will be
installed in a new laboratory to be
constructed at 3614 35th St., Long
Island City, The cornerstone will bt
laid tomorrow with Marilyn Miller
officiating.
It is expected that the laborator.,
will be completed about April 1 bu.
camera equipment and improved ma-
chinery will be ready for mstallation
about Mar. 15, states Peck, who on
baturday said:
"We will be prepared to meci
the demands and requirements oi
the industry on a third dimensiona.
basis no doubt this year. I am no>
at liberty to disclose the plans w^
have in mind for stereoscopic im-
provements which we are takm,
step by step in our present pro
cedure. The engineering brains oi
the industry are to be comphmentec
on the rapid advancement of intri-
cate work. It is my belief that ;
wide film in color with a 'lifelike
naturalness' and sound will be tlu
ultimate of the 'picture beautiful' b\
the end of 1930. Stereoscopacy wil.
be attained a bit later. There wil.
ue an appreciable increase in rentals
for the producer and distributor on
lilms which are produced in sound
where their stars appear with a "life-
life naturalness" together with a uni-
formity of prints carrying tints, huet.
and shades and true color accuracies
and as we are prepared to do this
on a commercial basis we have but
one further goal to attain and that is
the stereoscopic picture."
First Warner Foreign
Talker for Nine Cities
(Continued from Page 1)
indefinite runs. Other cities sched-
uled for early dates with "The Royal
Box," are Detroit, Buffalo, Cincin-
nati, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and
Hoboken.
Showing Second-Run Talkers
Norfolk — The Strand and Ghent-
Paramount have adopted a policy oi
second-run sound pictures.
NUMBER OFWORLD HOUSES
UP ONLY 402 IN 1929
(Continued from Page 1)
2,405; Russia, 2,131; Spain, 2,074,
Czechoslovakia, 1,2U0; Sweden, 1,182,
Poland, 750; Austria, 7^0; iselgium,
/OO; Hungary, 495; Yugoslavia an^
Alb_ania, M/; Roumania, 35/; Switz-
erland, 302; Finland, 2y7; Denmark,
270; Methedands, 236; Greece, 224,
N^orway, 2l2; Bulgaria, 136; Portu-
gal, loO; Turkey, 104; Latvia, 6y,
r,stonia, 60; i^ithuania, 45; Malta, lo,
Canary Islands, lo; Azores, 14; Dan
zig, 12; Gibraltar, 4; Brazil, 1,4J1,
Mjxico.. 615; Argentina, 4U0; Cuba,
dM; Chile, 215; CoioniDia, 2u/; Uru-
guay, 122; Venezuela, 121; Porto
Kico. HI; Peru, 70; Salvador, 4/,
British West Indies, 40; Panama, 36;
Dominican Republic, 31; Bermuda,
Z/ ; Honduras, 2/; Guatemala, 2d;
Ecuador, 25; Nicaragua, 24; Bolivia,
2U; Paraguay, 9; Haiti, 9; Costa
Kica, 6; British Guiana, 5; IMeth.
West Indies 4; British Honduras, 2,
Australia, 1,250; Japaji,- 1,120; JNe\,
Zealand, 443; India, 3^0; Pnilippinc
Islands, 275; Neth. East Indies, ZI4,
China, 185; Siam, 42; British Malaya,
35; French Indo-China, 34; Ceylon,
17; Fiji Islands, 6; Society Islands,
5; South Africa, 480; North Africa,
202; Egypt, 60; East Africa, 9; Mad-
agascar, 4; Syjia, 20; Palestine, 15;
L'ersia, 10; Ira_q, 7.
Famous Canadian Issues
50c Quarterly Dividend
Montreal — Regular quarterly divi-
dend of 50 cents, payable from Mar.
1 to stockholders of record Feb. 15,
has been declared by Famous Play-
ers Canadian Corp.
Sound at 55th St.
The 55th St. Playhouse inaugu-
rated a new policy Saturday with the
installation of Western Electric re-
cording apparatus. In the afternoon,
"Sombra de Gloria," the Spanish
version of Sono Art's "Blaze O'
Glory" was shown. At evening per-
formances the attraction was "The
Country Without Women," Conrad
Veidt's first talking picture, made in
Germany with English dialogue.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Opening of "Hell Harbor" at the
lampa, Tampa, Fla.
Jan. 28 Premiere of "The Rogue Song" at
the Astor, N. Y.
Luncheon tendered Oscar Straus,
by H. M. Warner at the Ritz-
Carlton, N. Y.
Jan. 30 Regular meeting of the AMPA, at
the Paramount, N. Y.
Opening of "bons of the Gods," at
tha Warner, N. Y.
Jan. 31 Opening of "Little Johnny Jones"
at the Strand, N. Y.
Feb. 1 "Condemned," opens at Rivoli, N.
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppchn" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
t'eb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball ai
the A»ior, iMcw York.
f'eb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. (juild at Los Angeles.
Mar. 5 First Day of Lent.
.^lar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.U. olnterj at Baltimore,
."^pr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.U. at Memphis.
june2-7 international Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Wider Camera Being Made
for Goldwyn Productions
(Continued from Page 1)
United Artists studios for use ou fu-
ture Samuel Goldwyn production.s,
starting with "Whoopee." Kenneii.
Alexander, head still photogiapne.
ior Goldwyn, discovered that by us-
ing the larger size camera and pates,
together with a special imported lens,
a stereoscopic eltect can ue secuiCu
and in addition the picture will havt
a clarity of detail and a sharpnes.s
which cannot be obtained by suiaiiei
cameras.
Columbia in Australian Deal
Negotiations for the distribution
of CoiumDia pictures in Australia
have been completed with Stuart F.
Uoyle, managing director of Union
Theaters, Ltd., and John C. Jones,
head of Greater Australian Films.
Aberdeen, Wash. — Bids have beeni
taken for the proposed Wishkah St.
theater which is to be erected by D.
Constanti. The house is expected to
be ready in April.
Vacationing at Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Fla. — Sam Katz, Ali
Lichtman and Arthur W. Stebbins'
are here vacationing.
fl
SERVICE
STOP SCRATCHING
Use "PERFEXIT PROTECTIVE FILM
PROCESS" and insure long life of your film
1. Changes "green" prints to smooth-running seasoned
prints.
2. Prevents emulsion deposits on projection machine.
3. Prevents scratching of either picture or sound
record.
4. Effectively retards warping, buckling and shrinkage.
5. Increases life and maintains pliability.
6. Processes impregnates coats, and cleans emulsion
of new prints in a single operation.
7. Yields a cleaner and better picture on screen.
8. Does not increase thickness of film.
9. Eliminates need of wax or other lubricant.
10. Stops penetration of emulsion by oil.
11. No fire risk in application since solution used is
nonflam.
12. Coating may be applied as an integral part of con-
tinuous film developing process or by a simple
machine working independently thereof.
13. No artificial heat is necessary to dry coating.
w DO IT YOURSELF — Perfexit Process ^
"^' Machines Can Be Placed in Any Exchange "^T"
PERFEXIT IS THE INVENTION OF DR. L. L. STEELE
(Formerly of Bureau of Standards, Wash., D. C.)
ESSEM LABORATORIES, Inc.
TOM MOORE, Pres. L. L. STEELE, Vice Pres.
1359-61 KENYON STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D. C.
THE
DAILV
Monday, January 27, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€>—
Comedies Should Not Exceed
Three Reels, Says Hal Roach
PRODUCERS and stars who
produce independently, make
a mistake when they go beyond
two or three reels and turn out
a comedy of so-called feature
length. Five and six reel come-
dies usually consist of a series of
short pictures. Invariably you
can take any feature length
comedy and divide it up into a
distinct and separate group of
short films.
The purpose of comedies is to
make people laugh, and if you
stick to that purjiose you must
of necessity be brief and to the
point. The moment you intro-
duce love interest or any other
element you distract from your
primary purpose. No produc-
tion that lasts beyond thirty
minutes, whether it is on the
stage or on the screen, can rely
solely on its comic situations.
Hal Roach
Suggests Letup of Mergers
While Other Work is Done
WHATEVER this year brings
forth it is perfectly evident
that the whole industry can do
with a rest from consolidation.
There is plenty of work to be
done in experimental production
and the advance of dialogue film
and the development of colour
and stereoscopy. These things
are undoubtedly realized, and
therefore it is not likely that the
merger will develop and disturb,
as it has done in the past period
of eighteen months. Should Mr.
Laemmle's prophecy come true,
that a number of the mergers
that have already taken place
will come unstuck, it will be in-
teresting to follow the fortunes
of the post-merger units.
"Daily Film Renter"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
G. SEARS
driving cows at 50c per
month per cow
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
"CRNEST MAAS, production man. recently at the Paramount
Long Island studio and Frederica Sagor, scenarist, leave for
the Coast on Saturday, after spending one full year in New
York. Happy folks, I'll bet, and how? In "The Son of
the Gods," which gets under way at the Winter Garden Thurs-
day, they promise us we'll hear Rich Barthelmess speak Chinese.
Here's hoping M-G-M doesn't spring that line about Lon Chaney
hissing like a real snake in his next talker
4> * * 4i
Don Roberts tells one about a Scotchman who, some way
or other, celebrated a punch in the nose in front of the Capitol
and started running to the Polyclinic looking for somebody to
buy a blood transfusion. Don, by the way, is going to do his
actin' stuff in a dialogue short for Sammy Burns at Fort Lee
Metropolitan studios, of course After a series of guess-
ing contests, the new Loew house, uptown New York was
finally named Loew's 175th St
* * * *
Bert Lytell, who has been touring with the stage show
"Brothers" is scheduled to anchor back in Hollywood along
about the 3rd of Feb., where he will make his first talker
Capt. Ben F. Murray, traveler and lecturer, has been engaged
to make personal appearances and lectures with "Jango" the
African jungle picture made by the Davenport-Quigley Expedi-
tion. The company now has .six roadshow crews m cTrculation
for the film
« « * *
"A Peer's Son on the Screen," is one of the heads on a bit
of news coming from Lunnon. Lord Churchill's son, the Hon.
Victor Spencer, will be seen playing a leading role in "The
Blue Peter" a British Filmcraft picture. Now you all heard
about that other Pier story, well, forget it Things sure
did hum Saturday night at that Fox party thrown at the Com-
modore. It started out in great fashion and ended up with no
styles barred
4i * * *
Sam Zierler, who has climbed into the job of business man-
aging James Cruze, Inc., has done a lotta producing both in the
East and West. He recently made "The Talk of Hollywood"
in this great big town. Harry H. Thomas, who is associated with
Cruze in his production activities, has been through the movin'
pitcher mill from A to Z 31 prints of "Rio Rita" went
to work Saturday in houses in the Greater New York territory,
Sam Warshawsky informs
If * * *
Livia Marracci, who recently worked with Martinelli in a
Vitaphone short, opens in "The International Revue," produced
by Lew Leslie, in Philly Thursday "Hit the Deck" came
in for some free publicity Saturday afternoon when a short cir-
cuit caused a trivial fire at the Earl Carroll
* * * *
A complete buying and accessory guide is incorporated in the
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK— Out Shortly.
JANUARY 27-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Paul E. Burger
George K. Arthur
Leon Levy
George G. DeSylva
Joyce Compton
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
WTILL ROGERS has interviewed
Bernard Shaw, the great British
dramatist. According to Montmo-
rency Gloop, our roving correspon-
dent, they discussed the Hollywood
fillum situation and tore it all to
pieces. As both these world-famous
humorists have done their bit for
Mr. Fox before his jumping cameras,
Mr. Gloop's following report of the
interview is very timely:
Rogers: Hello, Bernie, old scout.
How's the red whisker makeup?
Don't you find that it intereferes with
your voice recording?
Shaw: Not at all. Bill. The Amer-
ican public doesn't understand Eng-
lish anyway. So they think I'm put-
ting on a Swedish ventriloquist act.
Rogers: That gives me an idea.
Let's do a real ventriloquist act for
the talkies. I'll be the dummy.
Shaw: You're just the tvpe. Bill.
But you're too heavy to sit on my
knee.
Rogers: Well, Bernie, vou sit on
my knee, and let the public try to
figure out which is the dummy.
Shaw: Don't you think the fans
have enoueh to figure out with the
present state of sound recording
without adding to the general con-
fusion?
Rogers: Righto. What do vou
think about the future of the talkies?
Shaw: Very bright, old bean. When
the British screen players have taught
the great American public how to
■sneak English, it will be possible for
British producers to book their films
over American circuits and get some
real dough.
Rogers: You don't mean to tell me
that British producers would accept
money for their pictures. However,
what chance d'yuh think I got of
goin' over in the talkies in England?
Shaw: Marvelous. I think vour
nicture "They Had to See Paris" is
the greatest western thriller ever
filmed. Good day, and take your
chewing gum off the door knob on
your v/ay out.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Goldwyn purchases controlling in-
terest in Bray Pictures Corp.
>ii * *
Sol Lesser and Gore Bros, of Los'
Angeles, buys First National fran-
chise from T. L. Tally.
* * *
F. C. Quimby leaves Pathe to be-
come general manager for Associated
Exhibitors, Inc.
Monday, January 27, 1930
— .g^*i
CAILY
GERMAN SOUND SITUATION
ALARMING, GANTY SAYS
{Continued from Paqe^ 1)
on the equipment question it will be
necessary for American exchanges to
discontinue serving this country with
talkers. Canty, who is here on a
visit from his Paris headquarters,
made the following statement:
"The silent film can practically be
considered as a reliquary today. This
fact is very noticeable today, since
the American exchanges in Germany
have almost no good silent films to
ofTer for distribution in Germany.
One should take into consideration
that it necessitates a monthly aver-
age of 30 films to cover the needs
of the German moving picture thea-
ters. Consequently, if the American
exchanges won't be in a position to
distribute their sound films in Ger-
many, they will be compelled t'
close their offices, in order to save
useless expenses. On the other hand,
if the patent disputes continue in
Germany, where are the German ex-
hibitors going to find their quota oi
30 films per month in order to cover
their needs?
"The German film industry ^hoiil
be a large industry. The German
market for American films should be
a very large market. But artificial
obstacles preventing the free expan-
sion of the industry, should be done
away with once and for all for the
good of the entire world."
Forminsf Exnloitation
Staff for 'TTnborn Child"
{Continued from Pai/e 1)
the film in Wisconsin, Minnesota, the
Dakotas and upper Michigan: Al
bert J. Blasko in Indiana and Illi-
nois; George Gatts in New England
and Harry Sterns in Iowa and Ne-
braska.
Max Weiss is now in London tc
arrange for the distribution of thf
production in the United Kingdom
and on the Continent.
Directors to Make Both
Stage Shows and Shorts
(Continued from Pacje 1)
Partington, Louis McDermott and
Boris Petrofif are lined up for as-
signments and Ray Cozine and Mor
Blumenstock, who have been con-
cerned with the studio staff for more
than a vear. will also direct shorts.
Experimental shorts are beinp
made at present and will be preview-
ed in and around New York to de-
termine the studio's production ooli-
cies. No regular program work ]■
expected to get under wav before
.April or May.
Razing Sites for New House
Nashville, Tenn. — Buildines now
occupying the site at Eighth Ave.
and Church St., will be torn down to
make way for the new $500,000 the-
ater and building Paramount is to
build. Contracts for construction
nave already been let
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
COLOR AIMS AT ILLUSION
SAYS DIRECTOR ROY MACK
That color photography does not
aim at realism, but instead tends to
create poetic illusion, is the asser-
tion of Roy Mack, director of Vita-
phone \^arieties in Technicolor.
"Realism and realistic motion pic-
tures do not aim primarily at beauty,"
Mack says. "They are so concen-
trated uoon truth to reality that
beauty is well nigh forgotten. Yet
beauty is the life-blood of any art.
The gift of color to the screen gives
it a more powerful lever upon the
emotions and instincts of the peo-
ple. It can give the public more
exhibition of beauty than any other
one art medium for it combines
practically all arts now that it has
a voice and color. Color, I am pre-
dicting, is going to play a higher and
more important part in motion pic-
tures than it does today. Color pho-
tography will be perfected until we
can catch on film and reproduce on
the screen the delicate color har-
monies of the sunset."
Mack has directed a numljcr of
Vitaphonc color shorts including
"Dance of the Paper Dolls," "Poor
Little Butterfly," "The South Sea
Pearl," "A Holiday in Storyland,"
"Contrary- Mary" and "The Sultan's
Jester."
Ous Edwards' Baby Film
A group of youngsters between the
ages of four and twelve is being used
by M-G-AI for the new Gus Ed-
wards' short colortone subject, "Baby
Follies."
Added to "High Society Blues"
In addition to Louise Fazenda and
Lucieti Littlefield in the cast of "High
Society- Blues," William Collier, Sr,.
Toyce ("ompton, Brandon Hurst and
ttedda Ifopoer will be seen in small-
er parts. David Butler is directing
for Fox.
De Mille Preparing "Madame Satan"
Cecil B. De Mille is making nrepa-
rations to start work about Feb. 1
on "Madame Satan," comedy with
music, written by Jeanie MacPher-
son Gladys Unger did the dialogue
and Elsie Janis is assisting in the
musical scenes. Reginald Dennv and
Roland Young are the onh' players
cast for the picture so far.
Nixon Lead for Warner Film
Marian Nixon will have the lead-
ing role in the Warner production,
"Sweet Kitty Bellairs," David Belas-
co stage olay. Others in the cast are
Arthur Edmund Carewe and Lionel
Belmore.
Maude Fulton to Write
Next Clara Bow Vehicle
Maude Fulton has been assigned
to write the next picture for Clara
Bow, it is announced by Paramount.
Miss Bow is expected back here
shortly from the East.
Tiomkin in Coast Concert
Dimitri Tiomkin, composer under
contract to M-G-M^ appeared recent-
ly at the Biltmore Hotel, Los An-
geles, in a program of modern com-
posers.
Boyd Added to Benson Murder Film
William Boyd has been added to
tlie cast of Paramount production
"The Benson Murder Case." Boyd
is not to be confused with the player
of the same name who has been ap-
pearing in Pathe pictures.
Al St. John's Sound Debut
Al St. John marks his debut in
sound talking comedies by apoearing
in "\\'estern Knights," for Educa-
tional.
Holland Gets Columbia Lead
John Holland has been selected for
the male lead ooposite Virginia Valli
in "The Black Sheep," Columbia pro-
duction being directed by George B.
Seit?:.
"U" Renews La Cossitt Contract
LTniversal announces that it has
renewed its contract with Henry La
Cossitt, who wrote "Night Ride"
and several others for this company.
A Little
from *' Lots'*
w^m^ By RALPH WILK ^^m
Hollywood
J)AN DOUGHERTY, who wrote
the music for "Glad Rag Doll"
and other well known hits, has been
signed by Columbia to take charge
of its Musical Department. Dough-
erty, until a few weeks ago, was un-
der the Pathe banner. He wrote the
score for "The Grand Parade," in
collaboration with Edmund Gould-
ing.
* ♦
Lew Seller, director for the past
twelve years for Fox, has returned
from several iveeks vacation in New
York, where he has been reviewing
'•urrent staffe attractions. A Ithounh
he has received several flattering
offers, Seiler is still in the free lance
field.
* *
Our Passing Show: Dale Van
Every, Lawrence Stallings and Max-
well Anderson conferring at M-G-M:
Sig Schlager on his way to a ten-
nis match: Peter Gridley Smith, Vic-
tor Shapiro, Harry "Ham" Beall,
Sam W. B. Cohn, Bill Newberry,
Howard Strickling and George
Brown among the press agents at
"The Rogue Song" premiere.
Several members of the cast of
"The Birth of a Nation," headed by
Mae Marsh, held a re-union when
the picture was shown at the Acad-
emy of M. P. Arts and Sciences.
Frank E. Woods, secretary of the
Academy, was a mem,ber of D. W.
Griffith's staff when the pichire was
produced.
Carl B. Adams of
The Cincinnati Enquirer
picked
"Mysterious Island"
as the best picture of the year.
Written and Directed by
Lucien Hubbard
(Now under contract to Warner Brothers)
"The direction is subtle and impressive."
Thomas Otway, in the N. Y. Review.
THE
-.^Bg^
DAILY
Monday, January 27, 1930
Fox Athletic Club Ball
a Bright, Merry Affair
A large and merry crowd was on
hand for the fourth annual dinner,
dance and entertainment of the Fox
Athletic Club held Saturday nigh'
(and Sunday morning) at the Hotel
Commodore. The event was votec'
the brightest affair ever held by this
live-wire organization. Jack Loci)
booking manager for the Fox thea-
ters, assembled a strong lineup o'
talented entertainers for the occa-
sion. Harry Reinhardt, as chairmar
of arrangements, was commended fo
the handsome 88 page souvenir pro
gram.
The ball committees were as fol
lows:
Ktitp'-taiimient — Abn E. Freednian. cVia!^-
man ; Harrv ReinliarHt. T. GeoiRe Fne. Lewis
S. I.evin, Maurice GooHinan. Roster Ferri.
Arrangements — Harry Rc'iiliardt. c'-a'rnian •
George BlaVe. Frfd Bi-llock, Jr., John F.
Coneyhear, Roger Ferri, Lews S. Levin, Alan
E. Frecdnian, !\rai'rice Goodman.
Advertising — Lewis S. Lev'n, chairman!
Leo Adams. Ted Altman, Frank Con'-lin, J
Geortre Fine, Alan E. Freedman. Eilward
Freedman. Ahe Goodman, Alexander Kemp
ner, C. D. I^oewe, Dan J. Smolen. Frank
Seltzer, B'.inche T,ivingston, R. RL Yost,
Dwight Palmer, Harry Kosiner.
Tonrnal — J. C-eo-ije Fi^e. chairman ; Fred
Bi'dlock, Jr., William Freedman, Minerva
Harris. Harry Reinhardt.
Pnhlic'ty — Rocer Ferri, chairman.
Ticket — Maurice Goodman, chairman: Dori
Adelman. Fred Bullock, Jr., Edward H
Collins. Be'tina Fr^-t'■m. Ah» Blunistein. Ed
ward Freedman, Helen Go'dnn Toe Hart
Peggy Kelly, Anna Lewis, Ella Lifshey. Isi
dor Lincer, Elliott McManns, Txjuise Paul
sen, Sally Regan, Anna Schneider. Blanche
Strauss, Florence Vogel, Louis Weber, Jack
J. Wolff.
William Fox is honorary presiden'
of the club, with Jack G. Leo anr'
Winfield Sheehan as honorary vice
presidents. Regular officers are:
Pres'dert, Georee Blake; vice nresident
Herman Btumenfeld; ere^surer, R. B. Simon
son; secretary. Pegey Kelly.
Executive Cotincil— Georce B'ake. Fred
Bullock, Jr., John F. Conevhear, Roqer Fer
ri, Alan E. Freedman, Maurice Goodman.
Lewis S. Levin.
Honorary Committee on Arrangements —
Jack G. Leo. Saul E. Rogers. Winfie'd Shee
han, Alexander Kempner, James R. Grainger,
Jack Loeb.
Pnhl'city — Roger Ferri, Glendon Allvine,
J. M. Jerauld.
Souvenir Journal — J. Georee Fine, editor;
Greeory Dickson, associate editor.
Athletic Committee — Alan E. Freedman.
director of athletics; hasehall. Irving Rappa
port, manager: basketball, Harry Weiner
manager; bowling, Moe Krane, manager; ten
nis, Fred Bullock, Jr., manager; swimming.
Harlan Gluck, manager; fencing, Vernon
Fox, manager.
Sound for Norfolk House
Norfolk, Va. — Frank Norton haf
installed Western Electric equipment
at the Ghent-Paramount.
Move Into Larger Quarters
Washington — Quality and Trio
Productions have moved from the
eighth floor of the Mather Building
to larger quarters on the ninth.
Neon Lights for Auckland
Lighting system of Claude Neor
Lights of New Zealand has been in-
stalled at the 4,000-seat Civic theater
Auckland, recently completed at a
cost of $2,000,000.
Shea's Seneca Opened
Buffalo, N. Y. — Shea's Seneca has
opened and Robert Murphv is man-
ager of the new house which seats
2,500.
Early History of Wide Film
is Outlined by C L. Gregory
The following article, prepared
by Carl Louis Gregory, and appear-
ing in the current issue of the
monthly Journal of the Society of
Motion Picture Engineers, gives a
detailed outline of the development
of wide film:
It has been claimed that there is only one
standard of measurement which is common
to all nations of the earth. That measure-
ment is the width of a piece of standard
theatrical size motion picture film.
Many persons actively engaged in the in-
dustry seem to be unaware that other widths
and dimensions of film were ever used and
-ome even believe that the use of wide film
is a recent invention.
History moves in cycles and recent events
in the use of wide film of various gauges
«how that we are in the midst of a repetition
of the unstandardized efforts and struggles
that marked the work of so many of the early
pioneers of the industry.
To those who have never had occasion to
refer to the early history of the motion p'c
ture it may come as a surprise that scores
of scientists, mechanics, and inventors in
nearly every civilized country were working
imultaneously during the 90's to perfect
a system for taking and showing motion pic-
tures. While they were all, in the main,
working along the same lines, yet each adopt-
ed whatever width of film seemed to him to
'le best suited for his experiments.
That the 35 mm. width of film came to be
'he measurement which survived and even-
tually became standardized is so far as the
.vriter has been able to ascertain, a coin-
cdence. It was not foresight that caused
Kd son in this country and Lumiere Freres
in France to select film widths that were so
nearly the same that they were practically
interchangeable. It was pure chance, al>o,
'-hat the=e two firms happened to be the most
powerful commercially in their respective
countries.
Edison selected If^ inches as the width of
film best suited for his Kinetoscope only
ifter a long series of experiments w.th film-
in cylinders, disks, and narrow ribbon form
run horizontally instead of vertically.
This measurement coincides within 1-100
of an inch with the 35 mm. width selected
by Lum ere and, while Lumiere u'ed only
one round perforation on each side of the
film and lidison used four rectangular ones,
it was possible, by altering sprockets or bv
rejierforating the Lumiere film, to use them
interchangeably. Lumiere later reluctantlv
aliandoned the two-hole perforation and cop en
the Edison standard in order to sell film
to users of Edison machines.
In the early days France led the rest of
the world in production, and many a pioneer
film man in this country profited by pirating
and duping French films for distribution in
the Nickelodeons here.
It is a difficult and almost impossible task
to locate chronologically all the different sizes
of films. Often the details of perforation^
and frame size are entirely omitted in the
records which have been preserved.
An advertisement in Hopwood's Living Pic
tures, edition of 1899, offers the "Prestwich''
pec'alties for animated photography — "nine
different models of cameras and projectors in
three sizes for Vz in., If^ in., and 2JI in.
width of film." Half a dozen other adver-
tisers in the same book offer "cinematographs"
for sale and, while the illustrations show
machines for films obviously of narrow oi
wide gauge, no mention is made of the size
of the film.
During 1899 there were in England and
on the Continent Mutograph films 2J4 inches
wide, Demeny Chrononhotographs 60 mm.
wide, Skladowsky film 65 mm. wide, Prest-
wich wide film 25^ inches wide, Birtac film
11-16 inch wide. Junior Prestwich Vz inch
wide, besides the present standard established
by Paul, Ed-s-m ard Lumiere.
H»nry V. Hopwood in 1899 described more
than fifty different models of projectors made
by different manufacturers and gave tht
names of aboxit seventy more. Curiously
enough the size of film used in the var'ous
machines is mentioned only in two or three
instances. It is probable that most of them
u^ed the Edison standard, although it is ob-
vious from the descriptions that many of them
used other sizes.
Probably the first example of motion pic-
ture "film" as it is photographed today was
a scene taken in the Champs Elysees in Paris
in 1886 by Dr. E. J. Marey. Although the
"film" was paper, sensitized celluloid not be
ing available until a year or two later, and
cine projectors having not yet been invented,
this paper negative could be printed as a posi
tive film and run as a Fox Grandeur film
today.
In May, 1889, William Friese-Greene, 9?
Piccadilly, London, made a motion picture
negative of a scene on the Esplanade. Br'VV.
ton. Entrl.Tnd .using naper film neeative with
frnmes 2V5 inches wide and l''? inches hi^h.
'ntpr in the same year he used celluloid film
d'sn'acine the paper used earlier.
One of the first to proiect su'-'-essfid'v
"I'm a lartre sized screen w.ns Mr. Wnodvi'I<-
T.athnm, Inventor nf the Lntham Conn wh'rh
'•aused miir-h patent litigat'nn in the early
d.nvs. Latham railed his machine the Eidnlo.
scope and used film 2 inches w-de with frames
Vi inch hitrh by 1'/$ inches long.
In the fall of 1897. Enoch J. Rector, an
inventor and promoter, showed pictures nt
the Corbett-Fitzsitnmons prize fight in the
A,~,idemy of Music on 14th St.. N. Y. C.
His apparatus was called the Veriscope and
the "ame mechanism used to show the pictures
v-ns employed in the camera with wh-ch 11.
1^0 feet of film were taken at Carson City
Nev.. March 17. 1897. Thereafter about
twenty machines for projecting this large size
film were manufactured and thee fight film'
were exhibited all over the country.
In the late 90's the motion p-cture was re-
garded as a preat novelty which would soon
d'e out. Conditions were chaotic and every
one who went into the business worked with
frantic eagerness to reap the rich harvest
liefore the fickle interest of the public should
pass on to some new fancy. Just as there
was no standard of film, no rate of frames
ner second was established and the taking
rr\te varied from 8 per second to 60 per
second among the different systems, each of
wh'ch was distinguished by some fantastic
and polysyllabic name. Out of the hundreds
if stirh coined trade names only a few, such
as K'netoscope, Vitacraph. Biograph, and Mu
tosrone, are remcmliered today.
Subjects were confined almost entirely tr
news events, prize fichts, short scenic shots
and theatrical or spectacular bits many of
which were considered verv risque in those
conservative days. The May Irwin Kiss
r.ittle Feypt, Lnie Fuller's Fire Dance.
Br'dget Serves Salad Undressed, and many
others brought gasps of amazement at their
audacity.
On November 3, 1899, the Jeffries-Sharkev
(^ght was held at Coney Island at night.
Wm. A. Brady, now well known in the
theatrical and motion picture world, and a
promoter named O'Rourke sponsored the bout
nnd induced the American Mutoscope and
Biograph Company to film the fight. Wm
Bitzer, a cinematogiapber still on the staff
of D. W. Griffith, bad charge of the pho-
tography. Four hundred arc lights were
hung over the ring. The film used was 2>4
inches wide and each frame was 2J4 inches
h'gh. Three hundred and twenty feet of this
wide fi'm w^re used per minute, the per-
forations being made in the camera at the
instant of taking. The fight lasted for
twenty-five rnimds of three minutes each, and
more than seven miles of film were exposed
Four cameras were on the job so as to obtain
a continuous record. Bucking of the film in
the cameras was frequent although the film
could be watched through a red glass peep
hole by the light of a small ruby lamp inside
the camera box. The perforations in the largr
Biograph film were used in printing, but not
in proiecting. The projector pulled the film
down by means of a set of mutilated rubber
rollers and the projectionist had to watch
the frame continuously to prevent creeping of
the frame line on the screen.
Oscar B. Depiie, a member of this Society
and partner of Burton Holmes, in 1897 pur-
chased a machine in Paris from Leon Gau-
moiit for taking 60 mm. wide film, then put
up in one hundred foot lengths. It was a
diirkroom model, not a daylirht proposition.
Unwinding and rewinding were done inside
the camera on a'uminum spools. This ma-
chine he took to Italy and the first motion
picture turned out on the machines was of
St. Peter's Cathedral with the fountain play-
ing in the for-eground and a flock of goats
passing by the machine. He then took other
pictures of Rome and from there visited
Venice, making pictures of the canal and
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Devil May Care"
Beacon — "Show of Shows"
Cameo — "Fragment of an Empire"
Capitol— "Tl-eir Own Des're"
Carnegie— "Untamed" (Jan. 25-28) ; "The
Isle of Lost Sh'-ps" (Jan. 29-31)
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Night Ride"
Criterion — "The Love Parade"
''arl Carroll— "Hit the Deck"
Fifth Ave.— "The Royal Box"
'^•'"fty-fifth St.— "The Last Flight"
Film Guild— "The Kaiser in Peace and War"
Gaiety — "Party Girl"
•^-lobe — "Seven Keys to Baldpate"
George M. Cohan — "Across the World with
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jchnson"
Mipoodrome — "Hell's Heroes"
LittH Pi'-ture House — "The Letter"
Loew's New York — Monday, "Taming of the
Shrew"; Tuesday, "Love at First Sight";
Wrdne'day, "Parade of the West"; Thurs-
day, "Hunting Tigers in India" ; Friday,
"Ha'lelujih": Saturday. "Murder on the
Roof" : Sunday, "Peacock Alley"
'trand— "Show of Shows"
Paramount — "Seven Davs Leave"
''■'alto — "The Locked Door"
Pivoli— "The Mighty"
"oxy — "Sunny Side Up"
^Varners — "General Crack"
Winter Garden— "Sally"
i
Doges Palace and the waterfront along the
canal with views of feeding the p'geons at
St. Marks with the .great cathedral in the
background. From there he went to Milan
for a scene of the Plaza in front of the Milan
Cathedral ; thence to Paris where pictures of
the Palace de la Concord with its interesting
traffic and horse drawn busses, fountains,
obe'isks, statues, bicycles, wagons, trucks, and
carriages were made. These negatives are still
in his possession although the prints from
them have long since been lost on account
of our having changed from that size of pic-
ture to the standard size. This Gaumont !
wide film camera was used for five years by
Afr. Depue and most of the negatives, many
of which are of great historical value, are still
in good condition, so that either full s'ze or
standard sired reduction prints can still be
made from them.
During the first few years of the new
century a'l of the si^es of wide film died out
or changed to the Edison standard and. until
'he present vogue for sound pictures caused
a revolution in the cinematoerapbic w-^rld,
'he Edison standard with very slig'-'t modi'ica-
'ions seemed to be so well established t^a\
"othing could shake its supremacy. During
*hese quiet years a few inven'ors cried aloud
n the wilderness that t''ey had worked oni
'irger and better methods for m'^king cine-
matograph films, but their p'eas fell, for thi
most part, upon deaf ears. Spoor and Be-greii;
'•avc worked for more than ten years upon aj
^"^ mm. film called NatPr.il Vision p'ctnres]
Widescope sponsored a double frame picturq
"in standard film. After that an Italian paten
was acquired in which a film about 2'4 incl'ei
'v'de is held in cvlindr'cl form about thi
•'xis of rotation of a revolvine 'ens so tha^
■'ach frame is photoo'ranhed nsinqr the s^ni
-Principle as a panoramic st-ll camera. JJxt.
'nrt.'Patelv this method of tak-'ng plr-tnre'
►-odnrps the snme rnn-''="p^r distortion offer
•loti'-ed in panoramic still phntogranhs.
Fnx Grandeur pictures are 70 mm. ir
■>'idth with a frame 48 mm. by 22.5 mm..;
'cTving space available for a sound tracli
■ibont 10 mm. wide. Lorenzo Del Riccio. ;
-I'-mber of this Society, is nerfe'-ting th<
Magnafilm for Paramount. Th's fi'm is S(
mm. wide and the frames are 19 '4 mm
■liMi. Several other sizes of wide film an
'le'ng used experimentally and other nev
"izes are being advocated but these are cur
rent and not early history and do not prop
erly belong in this chronicle.
We have been looking back over the year
SMice 1886, when Dr. E. J. Marey, of Pari;
made the first paper band of negative o:
the same princ'ple as motion pictures ar
made today. We shall look forward ove
the years to come with a strong convictio
that the Society of Motion Picture Engineen
will bring the sponsors of the'e new fill
sizes together to work out standards whic
will prevent a repetition of the chaotic cpr
dit'ons which hampered the industry in il
early days.
About 1200 Pages
550 Advertisers
FILMDOM'S
ENCYCLOPEDIA
Used By Executives All Over
the World
Out On Time As Usual in
About Two Weeks —
COVERS EVERYTHING
GETS EVERYWHERE
Bigger and Better Than
Ever Before
^^The Film Daily Year Book is
not only the finest informative
volume in the motion picture
business9 but, as far as I knoiv,
the finest published in any in-
dustry in America.""^
This from one of the fortmoti ad-
vertising and merchandising txperti
in America.
FEBRUARY
12
L I N CO L N'S
BIRTHDAY
Celebrate
LINCOLN
BIRTHDAY
WEEK
With
the Ml TALKING MOVIETONE
Lincoln Classic
CHIC SALE
{as the Civil War veteran who knew Lincoln)
IN
Marching On
Directed by hKkRCEl SILVER
Presented by 'H\ll\^hA FOX
[ Two Reels — Running Time 23 Minutes ]
They^re all tour Sale: aetor
"A highly interesting character
study by Chic Sale as a Civil War
vet at the unveiling of a Lincoln
statue. Containing that certain
comedy Sale injects into all his
work makes it the more valu-
able as a real staple in talking
shorts for any house. A thing that
can't miss," jr . ,
— Variety
iTHE
pyPILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 23
Tuesday, January 28, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Lightman, Myers Comment on Thacher Decree
WM. FOX OFFEp RESIGNM'IONS
S.M.P.E. Body Discusses Wide Film Standards
The l^ational
Board of Review
— looks over the situation
^=By JACK ALICOATE^^
NE PASSED UP our regular noon-
e blue-plate at the Empy Club
)n Saturday to become the guest of
he National Board of Review and
jred'K bread with the literati who in-
labit Madison and Park Avenues.
The occasion was the fifteenth an-
lual luncheon of this organization,
low twenty-one years old, and the
Festivities were held in the grand
allroom of the Roosevelt Hotel,
bome five hundred people, impor-
tant in the affairs of the country,
,vere present and the affair was broad-
cast over the Columbia system from
Canada to Mexico and from Sandy
Hook to Catalina. If, by this time,
you are not sufficiently impressed
with the importance of this worthy
organization let me add that it is
national in scope, has considerable
power, is opposed to censorship in
any form and has among its mem-
[bers some of our foremost educa-
'tors and men of letters.
A Businesslike Affair
AS A GENERAL thing we dislike
luncheons and dinners of this sort.
They are usually made of the same
mold. Some forced enthusiasm, a
little bunk humor, plenty of blarney,
the manifest political plug and an oc-
casional but fleeting serious thought.
This luncheon, however, seemed to
this reporter to be a trifle different.
It had a certain serious, business-like
atmosphere. It seemed to be headed
.somewhere and knew exactly where
it was going. From those who ad-
dressed the gathering we gleaned a
thought here and there that impressed
us. Perhaps they are worth handing
on.
Big Little Thoughts
Congressman Franklin Fort of N.
J.; "Modern thought is controlled
too much by the headlines in the
press."
George W. Kirchwey, dean of Co-
(Continued on Page 2)
Standard Wide Film Width
Offers Committee
Problem
Fixing of a standard width for
wide film was discussed by the stand-
ardization committee of the S.M.P.
E. yesterday at a meeting at the En-
gineers' Bldg., New York City, but
no decision was reached as to what
constitutes a practical and propei
width. Sessions will continue at the
call of the chairman, A. C. Hardy.
The recommendation of the commit-
(Continued on Page 3)
WARNERSMiGTERN
LEASE ON WINTER GARDEN
Under a lease understood to in-
volve $2,000,000, and covering 10
years, with an option providing for
20 more, Warner Bros, have extended
their control of the Winter Garden,
N. Y. A grind policy, at popular
prices, will be inaugurated. Warner
Bros, get their fourth popular priced
(Continued on Page 3)
Sills, Back After Illness,
Gets Role in Fox Picture
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Milton Sills will mark
his return to pictures following a
long illness by playing a featured
role in Fox's "A Very Practical
Joke." Berthqld Viertel will direct
from George Manker Watters' adap-
tion of the Ben Ames Williams story.
Proposes New Refinancing Plan That Galls for
Quitting of Majority of Directors
A refinancing plan for the Fox companies, calling for the resignation
of at least a majority of the directors of Fox Film and Fox Theaters and the
formation of a new voting trusteeship, was proposed yesterday by Samuel
Untermyer, attorney for Fox, before Judge Frank J. Coleman in the U. S.
District Court. This was in reply
to the order to show cause why a
receivership for the Fox interests
should not be appointed as applied
for by a group of stockholders.
The plan, as outlined in a letter
from William Fox to Untermyer and
submitted to the court, has the finan-
cial backing of Lehman Bros., Blair
& Co., and Dillon, Read & Co. Presi-
dent Edward C. Delafield of the Bank
of America, President Herbert P.
(Continued on Paga 4)
Nearer Solution
Lawyers representing both
sides in the Fox receivership
controversy, after yesterday's
hearing and closed conference
before Judge Coleman, were of
the opinion that the situation
is nearer solution than at any
time since action was started.
The handling of the case by'
Samuel Untermyer, Fox attor-
ney, as well as helpful co-oper-
ation from Judge Coleman and
a more liberal attitude by the
petitioning side, were ascribed
as the main factors in giving
the case a more hopeful out-
look.
ALL FOX TRANSACTIONS
SUBMIHED TO COURT
A 40-page affidavit from William
Fox, outlining all transactions made
by him in connection with his mo-
tion picture interests, was submitted
yesterday in U. S. District Court by
Samuel Untermyer, Fox attorney, to
Judge Coleman for the latter's
perusal in connection with the re-
ceivership action now pending.
M. P. T. O. A. and Allied States
Heads Give Opinions on Decree
No Fireproof Screen Edict
for Syracuse Theaters
Syracuse — There has been no or-
der, nor will there be one, compell-
ing local exhibitors to equip their
theaters with fireproof screens,
Charles Wilkes, inspector of Public
(Continued on Page 3)
Formal comments on the Judge
Thacher decree, which finds illegal
compulsory arbitration as practiced
under the Standard Exhibition Con
tract, were made yesterday by M. A.
Lightman, president of the M.P.T.O
A., and Abram F. Myers, head of
Allied States Ass'n.
"I can see no way, however, in the
(Cmtinued on Page 4)
END or SILENT ERA IN
RUSSIA SEEN FAR OFF
Despite the coming of sound there
will be no decline in silent picture
production in Russia for some time
to come, according to Leon I. Monos-
son, president of the Amkino Corp.,
who recently returned from a Rus-
sian trip.
"In Soviet Russia," he reports, "the
Russian engineers have worked out
(Continued »n Page 2)
Barrymore to Remake
"Sea Beast" as Talker
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — "The Sea Beast" will
be remade by Warner Bros, ms a talk-
ing picture with John Barrymore in
(Continued on Page 4)
Straw Vote "Out'*
Columbia, Mo. — Deciding of
a Sunday shows controversy
through a straw vote is "out"
as far as this city is concerned.
Circuit Judge Collier, on appli-
cation of the Columbia The-
aters Corp. has issued a per-
manent injunction restraining
the City Council from such an
action.
THE
sSgg^
PAiur
Tuesday, January 28, 1930
YeL II No. 23 Tuesday, Janaarif 21, 1931 Price 5 CeoU
JtHN W. ALICOATE : Uitar nil PeUisfeer
Publl*bcd daily exctpt Saturday and holiday*
at 1650 Broadway, New York, Jf. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
folkf, Inc. J. W. Aliooate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Merserea*
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the poet-offic« at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, S5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
municatioDS to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. (Sable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Bird. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Parte— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue dt la
Cour-de8-Noue6, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 22$^ 2254 22-^ 400
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 22^4 2\'A 2^ 1.900
Con. Fm. Ind, pfd. 23 Ji 23 23 600
East. Kodak 19454 189J4 194>4 1,600
Fox Fm. "A" ... 31>^ 26-% 31 146,200
Keith AG 29 28 29 200
do pfd 96^ 95 96/8 200
Loew's Inc S9}4 57 SS'/s 4,700
•do pfd. WW (654) 86 ....
«do pfd. xw (6H) 86
M-G-M pfd 24}i 24H.2Ayi 100
Para. F-L 6154 5854 6154 40,900
Pathe Exch 4 3J4 4 2,500
do "A" 7Vs IVx 7J4 1.300
R.K-O 3054 27^ 30 98,700
♦Univ. Piot. pfd 36
Warner Bros 53^ 505^2 iiVt 98,600
do pfd 47J4 46^ 47)4 600
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*B.-il. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 315i 30?i 30?^ 400
Fox Thea. "A" ..854 IVi 854 13,500
Gen. Thea. Equ... 38 36^8 375i 9,100
*Intern. Pro] 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts 19
*L-oew's Inc. war 554 ■■■•
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
*Nat. Scr. Ser 1554
*Univ. Pict 95i
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 7854 785^ 78/2 20
Loew 6s 41ww ...10454 104 104 30
do 6s 41 x-war... 9454 94 9454 20
Paramount 6s 47 . 9954 995^ 995^ 180
Par. By. 554s 51.10054 10054 10054 20
Pathe 7s 37 50/2 SO 50/2 120
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City
1540 Broadway 164 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940
Eastman Films
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
K
Hollywood K
§700 Sanu Monica *A
Blvd. g
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 )'{
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
fis»u<»»»»uu»s»»'»»n-MK:n-u-»3:<tt'»
The YiationaX
^oardi of Review
— looks over the situation
(Continued from Page 1)
lunibia University Law School; "Re-
strictive legislation under no condi-
tions should relate to thought."
John M. Casey, licensing officer of
Boston; "If there is censorship it will
be because the dollar is placed high-
er than artistry and beauty by the
producer."
Dr. Harry E. Bernard, director of
White House Conference on Child
Health and Protection; "We see pic-
tures and read books for entertain-
ment but much of our education is
derived therefrom."
Ex-Governor Nellie Ross of
Wyoming; "Motion Pictures are like
a brilliant shaft of light in cheering
the lives of men, women and children
all over the world."
Harry Warner; "Picture making
depends on public opinion. It is just
as easy to make pictures that peo-
ple like as those they don't. Their
collective taste must be catered to."
Fanny Hurst, noted writer; "Talk-
ing pictures do not seem destined to
rise higher in their artistic possibili-
ties than the silent movie and will not
until there comes into being a new
race of authors with a technique spe-
cially fitting them to write for the
screen."
Mayor John T. Aslop of Jackson-
ville was speilcing on the climate of
Florida when we made our departure
from the intellectual East side and
started back to our own Times
Square.
Youth Gets 3-Day Term
for "Fire" Cry at Show
Westmont, N. J. — ^Raising the cry
of "Fire!" as a joke during a per-
formance at the motion picture the-
ater here brought Roy Conwell, 21-
j'ear-old youth of Barrington, a sent-
fence of three days in the Camden
County Jail. The boy nearly caused
a panic among the audience.
French Juvenile Arrives
Andre Luguet, French juvenile
star, arrived in New York yesterday
and left for Hollywood in the eve-
ning. His first appearance will be
in a French version of "The Unholy
Night" to be produced by M-G-M.
Camp Gets World Wide Post
Jack Camp has been appointed spe-
cial feature manager of Sono Art-
World Wide for Milwaukee territory.
Realart, Baltimore, Sold
Baltimore — Levin Brothers hav«
turned over their interest in the Real-
art, a residential house here, to
Sacks Brothers. The theater has been
equipped with RCA Photophone at
a cost of $3,000.
Tiffany Moves In Washington
Wasliington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Tififany offices in this
city have been moved from the fourth
to the eighth floor of the Mather
Building.
END or SILENT ERA IN
RUSSIA SEEN EAR OFE
(Continued from Page 1)
and are applying their own inventions
for sound recording and reproducing.
Because of the tremendous progress
that they are making, with sound and
talking motion pictures, and the tech-
nical achievements of production of
sound apparatus in the United States,
the people connected with the motion
picture industry in Soviet Russia are
very much interested in the develop-
ment and success of the sound films
in the United States.
"In Soviet Russia, the Russian engineers
have worked out and are applying their own
inventions for sound recording and reproduc-
ing apparatus. Leningrad and Moscow have
their sound studios, one each, and they are
at present producing short subjects and mak-
ing plans lor feature productions. In one of
the best theaters in Moscow there is now in-
stalled a reproducing set of KCA, and there
are installations of Russian systems. In
the near future there will be sound reproduc-
ing apparatus installed in the theaters of
the laiger cities. At the present time the
largest motion picture companies of Soviet
Russia have groups of scenario writers, di-
rectors, artists, musicians and teclinicians
ad i-'iidying and developing new methods and
forms diflferent from those already applied
in other countries. Educators together with
actors are working on sound educational films.
Several pictures that are in production at
the piesent time under the directorship of
men like Eisenstein, Pudovkin and Dovz-
henko, will have not only the original silent
version, but also sound version.
"It is probable that in a very short time
a lar^o group of directors, cameramen and
technicians will visit the United States to
faidy these achievements. This commission,
totjtther with Amkino, will negotiate with
American concerns regarding sound equip-
ment for the new sound studios and also
about joint production of sound motion pic-
tures.
Lasky Narrowly Escapes
Death in Mexican River
Mexico City — Jesse L. Lasky, va-
cationing in Mexico, had a close call
from drowning while on a trip along
the Balsas River, in the wilds of the
state of Guerrero, when his canoe
was caught in the rapids and cap-
sized. Lasky was thrown into the
strong current, but being a good
swimmer he was able to make his
way toward the shore, where his
son and another member of the party
reached him before he became ex-
hausted.
Theaters at Auction
A number of Bronx and Yonkers
theaters will be offered at auction by
James R. Murphy, Inc., on Friday.
The Bronx parcels to be sold are the
Interboro and the theater at 1320
Castle Hill Ave. The leasehold on
the Rosedale will also be disposed of.
I^ooler-y^ire
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1V14 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Premiere of "The Rogue Song" at
tha Astor. N. Y.
Luncheon tendered Oicar Straus,
by H. M. Warner at the Rita-
Carlton, N. Y.
Jan. 30 Regular meeting of tha AMPA, at
the Paramount, N. Y.
Opening of "Sons of the Gods," at
the Warner, M. Y.
Jan. 31 Opening of "Little Johnny Jones"
at the Strand, N. Y.
Feb. 1 "Condemned," opens at Rivoli, N.
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club aanual ball at
the Aitor, New York.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholie
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Mar. S First Day of Lent.
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr. 6-7 Spring conyention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
English Actress Arriving '
Miss Gillian Sande, English act-
ress, arrives in New York from Lon-
don tomorrow aboard the Olympic on
her way to Hollywood to play the
feminine lead in Will Rogers' next
film, "So This Is London?" for Fox.
She is the "discovery" of Joseph
Pincus. Following her work in the
Rogers film Miss Sande may be cast
for "The London Revue."
Spanish Version Opens
tVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — "Sombras de Glo-
ria," Spanish version of "Blaze O'
Glory," Eddie Dowling picture which
Sono Art-World Wide is distribut-
ing, opened at the Criterion Saturday
night. Reginald Denny acted as mas-
ter of ceremonies. The picture will
have its Newj York premiere Feb. 15
at the 55th St. Playhouse. ,
Weiss Leaves Loew's for Publix
Buffalo, N. Y.— Harry Weiss hasj
resigned as manager of Loew's State!
to become city manager for Publix|
in Tampa, Fla. Victor Frank, assist-
ant manager, is taking over Weiss' 1
former duties until a manager is ap-j
pointed.
Kent Retnrns Feb. 4
Sidney R. Kent is due in New i
York Feb. 4 on the Aquifania after
a trip of about two months.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Perm. 3580
THE
Tuesday, January 28, 1930
-e^H
DAILV
Camera Plays Hero
Buenos Aires — A motion pic-
ture camera in the hands of a
cool-headed Spaniard averted
possible loss of life when the
German steamer Monte Cer-
vantes went down off the
Tierra del Fuego coast. As the
panicky passengers rushed for
the boats, the man set up a
small camera and began to film
the scene. This action calmed
the passengers, permitting the
filling of the boats to proceed
orderly.
No Fireproof Screen Edict
for Syracuse Theaters
(Ccmtinued from Page 1)
Assemblies here said yesterday. Al-
though such an order had been con-
sidered, recent investigations in var-
ious sections of the state, have con-
vinced Willies that the issue was un
necessary, pointing out that few fires
have been known to have their origi'
in a screen and that screens now in
use are of slow burning material. Tin
larger houses, he claimed, had asbes
tos curtains between the screen and
the audience for use in event of fir<
backstage. To force the installatioi
of new screens at the present tim
would work an unwarranted hardship
on smaller exhibitors already facing
heavy cost of sound, Wilkes said.
Receivership Asked
for De Forest Radio
Paterson, N. J. — An order, re-
turnable Feb. 4, has been issued
against the De Forest Radio Corp.,
of Jersey City, requiring the com-
pany to show cause here on that
date before Vice Chancellor Vivian
M. Lewis as to why a receiver
should not be appointed on the pe-
tition of H. C. von Korff, stockhold-
er. Von Korff charges that the com-
pany is operating at a loss, and also
alleges irregularity in an exchange
of 345,680 shares of De Forest stock
for 604,940 shares of (he Jenkins
Television Corp.
; R. F. Woodhull, vice-president of
General Talking Pictures, 3'esterday
pointed out that the suit is "solely
against DeForest Radio Co. and has
I nothing whatever to do with talking
jpicture equipment."
I 3,000 Ask for New House
i Ridgewood, N. J.— -Over 3,000 pe-
titions have been signed asking for
ja new theater here. Warners have
[plans under way for a new project,
but when submitted recently were
rejected for revisions. The new
plans will probably come before the
February meeting of the Ridgewood
Board of Adjustment.
1 Gets Council Bluffs Post
Council Bluffs, Iowa — Robert Ful-
ton has taken over the management
jof the Broadway as successor to J.
N. Krier. He was formerly with
the Princess, Sioux City.
United States
Omaha — Several changes in the
personnel of its local theaters have
been announced by the Nebraska The-
aters Corp. H. F. Shorty has been
transferred from the Uptown and
Avenue theaters to the management
of the Circle. He has been succeeded
at the Avenue by Edward Monahan
and at the Uptown by John Roz-
niajze. Lou H. Kahn has been
placed in charge of the Maryland.
Aberdeen, Wash. — Work will get
under way soon on the new theater
planned by D. Constanti on Wishkah
St. here. The structure, which will
seat about 1,200 and will cost more
than $100,000, is expected to be com-
pleted by April 1.
Milwaukee — Harry Wren, formerly
assistant manager of Universal's Al-
hanibra here has been named man-
ager of R-K-O's Palace-Orpheum in
this city. He succeeds Harry Bil-
lings, who will manage R-K-O's
Riverside.
Cleveland — jack Conant, formerly
with Universal, is now representativt
in Northern Ohio for the Fowler
Studios, of Hollywood, and will han-
dle the 104 one-reel vaudeville "Va-
rieties" being released at the rate of
two a week.
Marion, Ohio — R. W. Waterson
has been transferred from the Marion
to manage the Indian, Bedford, Ind.
Sioux Falls, S. D.— Bryn Griffiths
has. resigned as publicity manager for
Publix in South Dakota to become
advertising manager of two R-K-O
houses in South Bend, Ind.
Chelsea, Mass. — Herman Clanian
has assumed the management of the
Olympia. He has been succeeded
at the Broadway by Charles A.
Goldreyer.
Mangum, Okla. — Sunday shows
have won out in a public election
here, with a vote of 640 to 496.
Rockford, 111. — Harry Ellis has
been appointed to succeed Louis St.
Pierre as manager of the Coronado
here. Pierre was recently promoted
by Publix to Northern Indiana man-
ager.
Washington — Margaret Mae Whal-
ley, formerly cashier of the M-G-M
exchange here, has been added to
the staiT of the Fox branch in this
city.
Lansing, Mich. — Peace has been
declared between the management of
the Prudden Auditorium and the lo-
cal motion picture operators' union.
Cleveland — Fred Schram and Nate
Schultz have bought eight Continen
tal dialogue pictures for release in
Ohio. The features are "The Hearl
of a Clown," "Phantom of the
House," "The Rampant Age," "Bur-
ied Evidence," "Worldly Goods,"
"The Unforbidden Sin," "A Life for
Sale" and "The Second Honey-
moon."
Hudson, Mass. — Netoco Corp. in-
tends to spend approximately $50,000
for remodeling the Elm and Marl-
borough, James T. McManus, dis-
trict manager states. Installation of
sound equipment is included in the
alterations.
Kansas City, Mo. — Under a lease
just closed, Publix immediately takes
over operation of the four Grubel
Bros, houses here.
Sanger. Cal.— The new $50,000 the-
ater built here by William T. Gustine
has opened. The house has been
equipped with Western Electric ap-
paratus and has a seating capacity of
700.
New York
Lester Morrison is now managing
the Park West during the absence of
Morris Needles, who is away ill.
Eddie Schnitzer, Fox Long Island
manager, is taking a brief respite in
Florida. He will be back at his desk
next week.
Irving Sher, former Fox manager,
is manager at the Halsey, Brooklyn.
Aaron Schusterman has abandoned
plans for the remodeling of one of
his Jersey houses. Aaron recently
visited Atlantic City, where he got
over a chest cold.
William "Bill" Scully, New Jersey
manager for M-G-H, is not only the
beau brummel among local branch
managers, but is the tallest one as
well. Take a bow. Bill.
Eugene Elmore, formerly operator
of the Rose, W. 102 St., is now man-
aging the Subway, Brooklyn, for the
owners.
Buffalo — Seneca, the latest addi-
tion to the Shea chain and said to
be the largest community theater
in New York State, has been opened
here.
Elmira — G. B. Odium has been
transferred from the Capitol here to
the theater of the same name in
Wheeling, W. Va.
Foreign
Budapest — Thirty Hungarian pic-
ture houses are to get Klangfilm
sound equipment.
Paris — Artistes Reunis has signed
Mary Costes, wife of the French air-
man, for a role in "The King of the
Gnomes." Mme. Marie-Louise Iribe
will direct.
$.M.P.E. BODY DISCUSSES
WIDE FILM STANDARDS
(Continued from Page 1)
tee will be submitted to the S.M.P.E.
for adoption at its Spring meeting
which, it is expected, will be held in
Washington late in April or early in
May.
In an effort to get closer to a de-
cision, sub-committees will be ap-
pointed by Hardy to work out various
problems. Widths under discussion
are 65 mm. and 70 mm. Both Para-
mount and RCA are using the former
width while Fox, with Grandeur, has
adopted the latter.
WARNERS GET LONG TERM
LEASE ON WINTER GARDEN
(.Continued from Page 1)
house on Broadway under this deal,
arranged by Harry L. Charnas, man-
aging director of Warner Bros. Met-
ropolitan Theaters.
It is planned to build a second en-
trance and box-office on the 7th Ave.
side of the theater, opposite the Roxy.
About $250,000 will be expended in
re-seatinjg and redecorating the house.
P. D. C. is Starting New
Production Program
London — Producers Dist. Co., Ltd.,
this week starts work on a produc-
tion program which will be available
for distribution in America by Pathe.
Stephen Fitzgibbon, formerly con-
nected with Pathe Sound Studios in
New York, is identified with the work
here.
A series of revues are planned. Two
pictures will be made by Andre Char-
lot and two by Gordon Bostock. The
first film on the schedule is "Eve's
Fall," featuring John Stuart. Pro-
duction is at British International
studios at Elstree, which is equipped
with RCA Photophone.
American Sound Adds Lewis
American Sound Recording Corp.
has added to its staff Clinton Lewis,
former Times Square manager of
Photomaton, as script and lyric writ-
er. He is known to radio fans as
Lou Gardner.
New Troy House Opens
Troy, N. Y. — The new Astor,
owned by Oscar and Moras Horo-
wich, has opened here with a seating
capacity of 500. Western Electric
apparatus has been installed.
Reopens as Publix Unit
Sumpter, S. C. — The Rex has been
reopened as a Publix house after con-
siderable alteration, including the in-
stallation of sound equipment.
Charlottesville House Wired
Charlottesville, Va. — The Jeffer-
'>on-Lafayette Theaters, Inc., have
wired the Lafayette in this city.
THE
■SBtH
DAILY
Tuesday, January 28, 1930
||5/ior^ Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR «b
BERT CANN has been signed as
first cameraman by Colorcraft
Corp. Cann, who has been mak-
ing a study of color photography
was formerly connected with Thomas
H. Ince and other prominent pro-
ducers, after coming here_ from Eu-
rope, where he received his training.
* * *
Louis Brook, who claims to be the
only producer of- original slapstick
talking comedies in the east, has
decided to make a series of four
what he terms "semi-slaps'' follow-
ing the enthusiastic reception given
"Hot Bridge," his latest picture.
* * *
That almost human police dog,
"Lobo," who is a feature of Horace
Heidt's Californians jazz band, has
just completed a barkie at the War-
ner Vitaphone studio, under the di-
rection of Murray Roth. Experts at
the University of California declared,
'tis said, after an examination that
the dog actually understands words
and that his tricks are not governed
by voice inflections.
* * *
Robert Presnell and J. W. McCon-
aughy, of Paramount's writing staff,
have been assigned to adapt the
screen version of Maurice Cheva-
lier's next picture, the latest work-
ing title of which is "Too Much
Luck."
* • *
One of the greatest air enthusiasts
among the movie crowd here is Ray
Cozine, Paramount short subjects di-
rector, who has just been appointed
a flying instructor by the Sunset Fly-
ing Club, on Long Island, of which
Jimmy Brush is president.
* * ♦
Betty and Jerry Browne, who
originated the John Held, Jr., char-
acters in vaudeville, recently com-
pleted a Vitaphone Variety entitled,
"Let's Elope," under the direction
of Edtnund Joseph.
William Fox Offers to Resign
from All Fox Companies
(^Continued fr
Howell of the Commercial National
Bank, and Bernard Baruch have
agreed to act as trustees under the
new plan, the Fox letter stated, and
the trustees would elect a new board
including William Fox, Jack G. Leo,
Winfield Sheehan, Bernard Baruch or
Bernard Baruch, Jr., E. R. Tinker,
Louis Abrons and another member to
be chosen by the trustees.
In order to go ahead with the new
arrangement, the letter further stated,
it would be necessary for J. E. Otter-
son and Halsey, Stuart & Co., to de-
posit with the court the 50,101 shares
of Fox Film "B" voting stock and the
100,000 shares of the same stock now
on deposit with the Bankers Trust
Co. under the old trusteeship.
Untermyer stressed the fact that
the new plan would not constitute a
reorganization of the Fox companies.
Following some opposition by counsel
representing the petitioners, and after
a closed conference between Judge
Coleman, Untermyer; Morton Bogue,
attorney for Electrical Research
Products; Robert T. Swain, repre-
senting the three banking houses;
om Page 1)
Isidor J. Kresel, attorney for Susie
D. Kuser, and others, the hearing
was continued to 3 o'clock today to
give the petitioning side time to con-
sider the suggested plan.
In his letter offering "to procure
the resignations of at least a majority
of the directors of Fox Film and Fox
Theaters," Fox also stated that, "in
the event the formation of the new
trusteeship is not satisfactory to the
court, the resignations deposited are
to be redelivered to the parties who
signed them."
The letter also stated "that the vot-
ing trust agreement will provide that
the trustees will re-elect the same
board that is now to be put into of-
fice, upon the resignation of the pres-
ent directors, for a further term of
one year or until a new setup has been
arranged under the financing plan."
A receivership action against Fox
Theaters Corp. has been brought by
Maurice Sutte, a resident of Alle-
gheny County, Pa., who is a holder
of 100 Class "A" stock.
Barrymore to Remake
"Sea Beast" as Talker
(Continued front Page 1)
the same role he played in the silent
version. The film will be released
on the 1930-1931 program under the
title of the book from which it was
adapted, "Moby Dick." Lloyd Bacon
will direct, with either Marian Nixon
or Joan Bennett playing opposite.
Coast Theater Sold
Montrose, Gal. — Building housing
the Dreamland theater has been sold
by Mrs. Mary Reed to Webber Bros.
Warner House Improved
Ererett, Ma»s. — Warner Bros,
have remodeled the Mark Capitol at
a cost of $80,000. The theater has
been equipped with a Daytone mag-
nascopic screen.
Lightman and Myers Comment
on Judge Thacher Decree
(Continued from Page 1)
court's decision, that exhibitors cai
be bound by any such agreements or
negotiations (referring to a standard
exhibition contract) unless practically
every exhibitor in the United States
were personally represented — to ne-
gotiate such contract and rules for
arbitration and to be bound by such
agreement," said Lightman.
"The decree conforms to settled
principles of law and affords a defi-
nite guide for the industry in work
ing out a new system of arbitration
that will be legally unobjectionable
and can commend the support of all
branches," declared Myers.
Following is the Lightman com-
ment:
"I have carefully read both Judge Thacher's
decision and decree, and while the court
says that distributors have a right to enter
into negotiations with exhibitors with refer-
ence to a form of .standard exhibition contract
and with refer< nee to provisions for the
arbitration of disputes, the court also clearly
indicates that only these distributors and ex-
hibitors so negotiating would be bound by
any such agreement.
"Tn other words, as I interpret the court's
decision, if all distributors entered into such
neRotiations through their representatives they
could all be bound. T see no way, however,
in the court's decision, that exhibitors can
be bound by any such agreements or negotia-
tions unless practically every exhibitor in the
United States were personally represented —
to negotiate such contract and rules for arbi-
tration and to be bound by such agreement.
"I do not think that the present exhibitor
organizations or committees, could bind a
majority of individuals, firms, partnerships
and corporations engaged in the exhibition
of motion pictures. A great number of the
theater owners in the United States are not
members of any national exhibitor organiza-
tion. It would seem that the distributors are
3 New Releases Listed
by Talking Picture Epics
Three new productions have been
added to the list of pictures to I>e
released by Talking Picture Epic,-,.
They comprise the Harold McCrack-
en story of the discovery of Amer-
ican mummies in the Arctic, Captain
Jack Robertson's adventures in the
Yukon and Dr. C. Ernest Cadle's ac-
count of the discovery of the birth-
place of the human race in the Kali-
hari desert. Working titles are "Aleu-
tian Islands," "The Break-Up" and
"Wild Men Of Kalihari." Several
novelty short subjects also will be
released shortly.
Claudette Colbert Signs
Contract at Paramount
A contract releasing her from all
stage obligations and under which j
she will appear in talkers for Para-1
mount was signed yesterday by
Claudette Colbert. The agreement
runs for several years.
Comer Succeeds Jossey
as Warner Omaha Mgr.
Omaha — Mike Comer, former as-
sistant manager, has succeeded J. S.
Jossey as manager of the local War-
ner exchange. Jossey has resigned
and no successor for Comer has been
appointed as yet.
in a position to go ahead with such negotia-
tions, but exhibitors are not ; and unless some
feasible plan can be devised whereby a great
majority of the exhibitors in the country can
likewise be bound by such agreements, and in
such negotiations, I cannot see what can be
accomplished by continuing the conferences.
However, if such a plan can be suggested
by anybody, or by Mr. Kent on his return,
the group from the M. P. T. O. A. is, of
course, ready and desirous of going ahead
and accomplishing anything that will prove
to be constructive and helpful.
"Judge Thacher's decision does one thing
— it is conclusive. Its intent and purpose
leaves no half-way ground. Perhaps, after
all it is best that this is so. There are some
people in this business who seem to prefer
having the courts settle our differences, and
my impression is that they will certainly
have this opportunity. My personal observa-
tion is that it might prove a 'noble ex-
periment' to return, for the time being,
to the old method of doing business."
Myers Comment
Following is the comment from Myers :
"It is with some satisfaction that we note
the completeness with which the decree clears
the way for a system of arbitration such as
proposed by the Allied States Association
at the S-.S-5 conference.
"There would seem to be no reason why
the distributors should further delay calling
the conference again into session, to the end
that the industry, conforming to the principles
laid down by the court, may quickly resolve
all remaining differences.
"If, however, the distributors take a nar-
row view of the decree and get the notion
that they can continue the old system by
acting 'individually' — a presumption that will
never be indulged so long as they are so tight-
\y* banded together — we may find that a solu-
tion is farther away than ever.
"For my part, I am an optimist and be-
lieve that all elements are tired of the exist-
ing choas and are anxious to get on a basis
of stability and understanding, and will turn
a cold ear on those who may seek by wangling
to vindicate a course of action that has been
condemned."
Blossburg Victoria Installs Sound
Blossburg, Pa. — Arrangements
have been completed by the Bloss-
burg Amuse. Co. to install sound at
the Victoria. A. Norequist assumes
management of the house when the
equipment is installed.
Hiawatha Reopens With Sound
Denver, Colo. — • The Haiwath;
which has been closed for seven
weeks to permit installation of soum
has reopened. De Forest apparatui
was installed. A. J. Hamilton is man
ager.
Farmington Theater Destroyed
Farmington, Minn. — Fire destroyed
the only theater here causing a los
of $12,000.
No. Canaan House Goes Sound
No. Cannan, Conn. — Photo-tone
has been installed at the Millerton.
Gets New Sound Equipment
Omak, Wash. — Gem has received,
new sound equipment and its seat-
ing capacity has been increased to
500.
Maine House Modernized
Bangor, Me. — The Park has been
modernized by Publix.
Sound for Bisbee, Ariz.
Bisbee, Ariz. — The Fox Lyric has
been equipped for talking pictures.
Placerville Grants Permit
Placerville, Cal. — City Trusteesl
have granted R. W. Browne a per-|
niit to build a theater here.
l^faJZjaJSfafHfBfEfHfHJHfHfEfEfHfHJHJHfEfBJHJHJfaraJEJHfarajafHfHJEI^^
Just As You Are Non^
Reading The Film Daily
So Are Thousands of
Others ¥ You^U Find It
on the Desk of Practi-
cally Every Executive
In the Industry ^ Every
Morning of the Year ^
Advertising in The Film
Daily Is Result- Pulling
Recause It Goes Direct-
ly To 90 Per Cent of
the Ruying Poiver of
the Industry ^ A Test
Will Tell ¥
IgfSfEfariLfHfHJirafHfHfHfHJHrejzitUBrararararajHmHmHm^^
THE
■cS^
DAILV
Tuesday, January 28, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
^€) —
Talkers Will Bring Opera
To the People at Large
THE day, not far distant, when
grand opera comes to the
people is foreshadowed by Met-
ro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which has
signed Lawrence Tibbett, of the
MetropoHtan, for its singing,
dialogue and Technicolor pic-
tures.
Opera is not opera without
stage, scenery, costumes, light-
ing. Great as the influence of
radio has been in bringing it to
remote listeners, the complete il-
lusion can never be created ex-
cept on the screen.
Every little corner movie the-
ater is a potential opera house.
Through the medium of the
singies, Americans may in time
learn to appreciate music as
keenly as Germans and Italians
do now.
"New York Evening Journal"
* * *
Talkers Must Avoid Ruts
To Assure Permanency
W/'HERE talkies will eventu-
ally get to is as academic a
question as where movies them-
selves will get to. It is the same
question, after all, unless you
choose to insist that the silent
screen is fundamentally a differ-
ent thing from the audible screen.
A contention which one would
have a hard time proving. Per-
sonally I believe that, depending
on the perfectibility of mechani-
cal apparatus, talkies will go as
far as a cash-paying public will
encourage them to go. This same
cash-paying public seems to be
more articulate in its reactions
to sound than it used to be to si-
lent pictures. Audiences are
known, frequently, to talk back
to talkies, in the form of hoots
and laughter and even ribald
comment. Sappy love scenes do
not go so well nowadays, when
the full sappiness of them emerges
ill uttered words."
James Shelley Hamilton in
"National Board of
Review Magazine"
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
DANIEL B. CLARK
assistant cameraman at
Fox
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr,
QNE of the non-English-speaking stars to survive the talkers
arrives in New York this week. He's Rin-Tin-Tin, who is
set to parade in vaudeville and then go abroad for a tour. With
him, naturally enough, is Lee Duncan, his owner, who inciden-
tally is writing a book about Rinty's discovery and career
Lily Damita, who burns 'em up in the celluloid, will try it over
the ether Thursday night when she sings "It's You I Love,"
from Station WEAF. The song's from her current stage vehi-
cle, "Son O' Guns."
The Hollywood-to-vaudeville migration continues with Ri-
cardo Cortez, John Bowers and Marguerite De La Motte among
those to shake incandescents for footlights Three impor-
tant executives of M. Witmark & Sons are all under 27 years
of age. They are: Lewis Warner, 21, son of Harry Warner;
Edwin Morris, 22, son of Sam E. Morris, and Julius Witmark
Jr., 26
George Batchellor, president of Chesterfield, is en route to
the Coast where he will produce his next all-talker, "Ladies in
Love," which Charlie Beahan will prepare RKO, through
the company's house organ, is playing up the holiday month,
February, which has Lincoln's, St. Valentine's, and Washing-
ton's birthdays set down for special occasions
Major L. E. Thompson is preparing a series of articles on
"Sound" for "Voice of R-K-O." The first is scheduled to ap-
pear in the March issue of the publication Bert Lytell
when in Hollywood, will not make his first all-talker, sez the
Columbia space grabber, Hort Schorr. She gently reminds us
of "The Lone Wolf's Daughter" and in it Bert did his talking
first, for pitchurs
Tested exploitation stunts are listed in the 1930 FILM
DAILY YEAR BOOK— Out soon.
JANOARY 2$-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Florence Dudley
Charles Klein
Ernst Lubitsch
Robert W. Bischoff
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
"THE ONTARIO board of censors
has made its annual report, and
shows about 60 films rejected and
over 600 subject to minor changes.
One of the reasons given for censor-
ship was "too much Americanism."
That's a laugh. With all those
American tourists journeying through
Canada and spending heavy jack, has
anyone heard the hotel proprietors
and the storekeepers complaining:
"Too much Americanism?" What
is tliat old wheeze about biting the
hand that feeds you?
Scotty (to his gal) : "Are you fond
of moving pictures, Jennie?"
Jennie: "Ay, Sandy."
Scotty: "Then give me a hand in
moving mine to my new lodgings."
New House Manager: (to gent
hanging round theater lobby for an
hour) : "Come, my man. Can't you
buy a ticket? Whatja want around
here?"
Stranger: "Guess I want a new
house manager. I'm the owner."
Gus: "Darling, in the movie the-
ater j'our teeth shone in the darkness
like pearls."
Gertie: "Oh, yeah? And when
were you in the movies with Pearl?''
Friend, to independent theater
owner: "Cheer up, old man. Things
aren't as bad as they seem to be."
Theater owner: "No, but they seem
to be."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Nat C. Olds joins Goldwyn as pub-
licity chief.
* * *
Capitol, N. Y., to change to week-
ly stand beginning Feb. 1.
* * *
Sydney Olcott signed to direct for
Goldwyn productions.
* * *
United Exhibitors Ass'n of New
York is formed with capital of
$25,000.
I
THE
Tuesday, January 28, 1930
■e&m
DAILV
ON COAST READY MARCH 1
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Activity is scheduled
to start at Technicolor's third plant
here on March 1. The laboratory,
costing $1,000,000, will be the sixth
to be placed in operation by the com-
pany. Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, pres-
ident of the firm, is now on his way
to the coast from New York, where
he has been conferring with film exe-
cutives since his arrival from Europe
six weeks ago.
Song Writers Will Get
$1,000,000 for 4 Songs
Contracts involving $1,000,000 un-
der the terms of which De Sylva,
Brown & Henderson will write two
songs each for United Artists and
Fox, are understood to have been
signed.
Garbo to Start "Romance" Soon
Greta Garbo will begin work in
the next week or so on "Romance,"
M-G-M's talker version of the Doris
Keane stage vehicle. Clarence Brown
will direct. After this production is
completed, Miss Garbo will do a
German version of "Anna Christie,"
also directed by Brown.
Added to "Sin Flood" Cast
Anders Randolf, William Orla-
mond, Ivan Simpson and Louis King
have been added to the cast of "Sin
Flood," which Frank Lloyd will di-
rect for First National with Doug-
las Fairbanks Jr. in the leading role.
Armstrong and Gleason Teamed
Robert Armstrong and James Glea-
son have been cast for roles in
"Dumbbells in Ermine," which John
Adolfi now is directing for Warners.
Both played in the stage play, "Is
That So?"
Fox Titled Changes
"Double Cross Roads" is the new
title for "Yonder Grow the Daisies,"
Fox Movietone production adapted
from William Lipman's novel.
Paramount Buys "The General"
With the arrival of Ludwig Zil-
ahy, Hungarian playwright, here,
Paramount has purchased his stage
play, "The General." Lothar Mendes,
who will direct the picture version,
accompanied the playwright from the
east.
Two in "Oh Darling!"
Norman Peck and John Litel will
appear in "Oh Darling!", a new Edu-
cational— Jack White talking comedy.
Bradley King Gets Assignment
Bradley King, now under contract
to Fox, has been given her first as-
signment to prepare the script and
dialogue for "Road House," from the
story by Philip Burn.
M-G-M Signs Arnold Korff
Arnold Korff, stage director and
actor, has been signed to a long-term
contract by M-G-M.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
LON YOUNG PREPARING
TWO TALKER FEATURES
Lon Young Productions are pre-
paring two all-talkers which will go
into work soon at the Tec-Art stu-
dios. The first is "Broadway
Nights," with music. There will be
a Spanish version with a special cast.
Norma Shearer Film Set
With the selection of Robert Z.
Leonard as director and rounding
out of the cast. Norma Shearer is
set to begin work in "The Divorcee,"
for M-G-M. Chester Morris will
play the lead while Robert Mont-
gomery, Zelda Sears, Florence El-
dridge, Tyler Brooke, Mary Doran,
Helen Johnson and George Irving
are in the supporting cast.
Schayer Signs New Contract
Richard Schayer, who did the scen-
ario for "Trader Horn" and other
M-G-M pictures now in production,
has signed a new long-term contract
with this company.
Wyler Gets Assignment
William Wyler will direct "The
Storm," for Universal while his
brother, Robert, will be production
manager of the unit. The picture
formerly was presented in silent ver-
sion but now is being made into a
dialogue version.
Emma Dunn With Gary Cooper
Emma Dunn has been signed by
Paramount for an important role in
"The Texan," companion picture to
"The Virginian." Gary Cooper will
be starred.
Two to Direct "Good News"
Edgar McGregor and N'lck Grinde
will co-direct "Good News" for
M-G-M.
Second for Eddie Lambert
Eddie Lambert, recruited from
vaudeville for a group of Educa-
tional talking comedies, will appear
in "The Big Jewel Case" as his sec-
ond release.
Harolde in "Officer O'Brien"
Ralf Harolde, stock favorite, plays
the role of Mike Patello in Pathe's
"Officer O'Brien," William Boyd's
latest.
Hal Evarts To Write for Fox
Hal Exarts has been signed by Fox
to write the story for "The Oregon
Trial," which Raoul Walsh is to di-
rect.
Reeve Contract Renewed by "U"
Contract of Winifred Eaton Reeve,
scenarist, has been renewed by Uni-
versal
A Little
from '*Lots'*
^S£ By RALPH WILK 1^^
Hollywood
J])R. HUGO RIESENFELD is
still receiving birthday cards con-
gratulating him on. his recent anni-
versary.
* -If tf
Indications are that "the wo-
man will not get in the last
word" in "I'm a Bum," star-
ring Reginald Denny. In his
current vehicle, Denny talks to
the heroine continuously for
five minutes and fifty seconds
without permitting her to re-
ply once.
+ * *
Our Passing Show: Dave Epstein,
Ivan St. John and Jinjmy Ashcraft
among the publicity men at "The
Rogue Song" premiere; Bill Goetz
on the way to his dentist; Geoffrey
Shurlock hurrying at Paramount.
* * *
Producers are showing much in-
terest in Edwin Justus Mayer's play,
"Children of the Darkness," which
is being presented on Broadway. It
is expected that a deal for the pic-
ture rights will be consummated
soon. Mayer, who is with Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer, also wrofe "The
Firebrand."
Pathe Signs George O'Neil
George O'Neil, writer, has beei
placed under contract by Pathe. He
is now on his way here.
Revier Loaned to F. N.
Columbia has loaned Dorothy Re-
vier to First National for the leading
feminine role in "The Sin Flood."
"Chatterbox" for Bebe Daniels
Screen and dialogue rights to "The
Chatterbox," one time popular stage
vehicle for Fay Bainter, have been
acquired by RKO for Bebe Daniels,
it is announced by William Le Baron.
Maude Fulton Signed
Maude Fulton, stage and screen
actress and authoress, has joined the
Paramount writing staff. She will
adapt the next vehicle for Clara Bow,
as y,et untitled.
Barrymore in "Oliver Twist"
Lionel Barrymore will play the
role of Fagin in addition to direct-
ing "Oliver Twist," for M-G-M.
Ruth Chatterton will have the role
of Nancy Sikes.
New "Color Symphonies" Series
A new series of "Color Symphon-
ies" is being directed for Tiffany by
Aubrey Scott.
Ao Chaplin Talker
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Despite sever-
al rumors in circulation that
Charles Chaplin plans to do a
talker, the comedian denies
that he has such intentions.
Work Starts at Burbank
on F. N. Music Building
Work has started at Burbank on
the $250,000 building which will house
the musical activities of First Na-
tional. The latest plans make provi-
sions for a library of more than 200,-
000 manuscripts, which, it is said, will
be the most complete collection of its
kind in the picture industry. The
new department will be in charge of
Robert Crawford, president of De-
Sylva, Brown and Henderson, with
Erno Rapee serving as director-in-
chief.
Fox Borrows Toomey
Regis Toomey has been borrowed
by Fox from Paramount for a fea-
tured role in "In Love With Love,"
to be directed by Hamilton McFad-
den. Others already signed are Joan
Bennett, Kenneth McKenna, Sharon
Lynn and Lumsden Hare.
Pathe Signs Riggs
Pathe has added to its roster of
.vriters Lynn Riggs, playwright, who
has written "Knives from Syria,"
"Sump'n Like Wings," and "Big
Lake." The playwright, who will
write original screen plays for the
company, is now on his way here
where he will assume his new duties.
Seiter Directs Griffith Again
William Seiter, who has directed
Corinne Griffith in her last three pic-
tures for First National, will again
direct the star in her nextj "The Lost
Lady." The star plans to leave for
Europe on a short vacation upon
completion of this picture.
"U" Assigns Collins
Universal has assigned Lew Col-
lins, who directed "The Devil's Pit,"
to direct Mary Nolan in her next pic-
ture, "Carnival." The play by Wil-
liam R. Doyle is being adapted to
the screen by Winifred Reeve with
continuity by Matt Taylor.
Added to Novarro Picture
Dorothy Jordan, Renee Adoree,
Ernest Torrence and Marie Dressier
have been cast by M-G-M to play
important roles in Ramon Novarro's
latest picture, "The Singer of Seville."
Charles Brabin is directing.
Garrett Get Warner Contract
Oliver H. P. Garrett has been
added to the Warner scenario staff.
Fox Borrows Joan Bennett
Fox has borrowed Joan Bennett
from U. A. for the feminine lead in
"In Love With Love." Hamilton
McFadden will direct.
First Radio Romance Film
A radio romance will be made by
Fox under the title of "Alone Witli
You." Whispering Jack .Smith will
be starred.
,"^»-^
V
only one
could return
to the world
of men — the
other must die
with his ship
and his secret —
Which was it to be?
Thrill after thrill will hold you
spellbound in the Movietone
melodrama of submarine service
MEN without
WOMEN
vrith Keiinetli I^acKeima
Farrell Macdonald Stuart Erwin Paul Page
Frank Albertson Warren Hvmer Walter McGrail
Presented by William Fox
Another great contribution to the
talking screen by the Gold Medal
winner director, John Ford
Story by John Ford and James K. McGuinness
Screen play and dialog by Dudley Nichols
Opens at the ^^>XyW next yridaij^
^i^
t)
;^^ NEWSPAPER
o/'PllHDOH
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 24
Wednesday, January 29, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Illinois Independents to Line Up Members Today
FOX receivership^obabilitFfades
Columbia Sets 38 Shorts for First Half of 1930
The Mirror
-a column of comment
NOT SO MANY years ago a lot
of pessimistic individuals within the
bounds of our industry threw up their
hands in a gesture of horror when the
radio came into popularity. This
etherized form of entertainment, they
'shrieked, was a substantial menace
to picture house box offices. But
not so. Film producers, being good
(business men, saw in the radio an
asset— not a liability. Consequently
nearly every major company is using
this medium to obtain publicity for
its product and its stars. All of which
leadi; us to draw the conclusion that
frequently "impending perils," so-
called, are in reality Santa Clauses
in disguise — providing you know how
to adapt them for your own uses.
LOOKS LIKE the foreign invasion
is on. Foreign language pictures are
gradually getting into distribution
throughout the country. Some of
them, our scouts inform us, are good
entertainment entirely apart from
their conversation. Such pictures no
doubt will not only find a warm re-
ception in sections where filmgoers
understand their language but will
also hit the entertainment bulls-eye
elsewhere, as well. It seems to us
that good, mute pictures, which base
their appeal principally upon their
optical entertainment, with dialogue
only a supplementary aid, ought to
help solve that foreign market prob-
lem.
IN ADOPTING a grind policy for
the Winter Garden, Warner Bros,
get their fourth popular-priced house
on Broadway. With the new Holly-
wood scheduled to open in the
Spring, this company, which a few
years ago was not considered a factor
in the Broadway first-run situation,
is now one of the leaders. Put this
down on your list of industry achieve-
ments.
Releasing Single Reels at
the Rate of Six
Per Month
Columbia's program of releases of
short subjects during the first half
of 1930 consists of 38 single reel
novelties. This includes productions
from five different series including
Talking Screen Snapshots, Krazy Kat
Cartoons, Disney Silly Symphonies,
Phgtocolor Sensations and Columbia
Victor Gems. All of the subjects are
either all-talking or synchronized.
The latter is applicable to the two
(Continued on Page 8)
admissioIWbill
crops jpjn virginia
Richmond, Va. — Upsetting local
calculations, efforts are being made
by Lucian H. Shrader of Amherst
to have the Virginia Legislature pass
{Continued on Page 2)
KANSAS CITY EXHIBITOR
DIES IN AIRPLANE CRASH
Kansas City, Mo. — William Flynn,
pioneer exhibitor of this city, is dead,
the victim of an airplane smash. He
was killed Monday night when the
(Continued on Page 8)
Money Available
From 45 to 50 million dol-
lars is available, between Ban-
camerica-Blair & Co., Lehman
& Co., and Dillon, Read & Co.,
to meet immediate obligations
of the Fox corporations, ac-
cording to a statement by Rob-
ert T. Swain, representing the
three banking houses that are
to be behind the new Fox
financing plan.
VAN BEUREN TO MAKE
SIX SOUND FEATURES
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — In addition to a ser-
ies of sound short subjects, Van Beu-
ren Corp. will produce six sound
feature productions for 1930-31. Ame-
(Continucd on Page 8)
4 WEEK SILVER JUBILEE
TO
M. E. Comerford's 2Sth year in the
exhibition business will be celebrated
in the houses of the Comerford The-
ater chain starting Monday, Feb. 3.
His silver jubilee, to last four weeks,
will be observed in all the 70-odd the-
CC^ntinued tm Page 4)
Myers, Steffes and Richey
to Talk at Chicago Confab
NEW COLOR SURFACE NOW
USED BY DA-LITE SCREEN
A new egg shell color surface, re-
placing the former plain white, which
according to F. F, Sturgis, general
sales manager of the Da-Lite Screen
(Continued on Page 2)
Chicago — With object of extending
scope of the Illinois Independent
Theater Owners, Inc. to embrace ex-
hibitors throughout the state, a meet-
ing is scheduled for this afternoon at
the Hotel Stevens. Addresses will
be made by Abram F. Myers, head of
Allied States Ass'n, with which the
new organization is to affiliate; W.
A. StefTes and H. M. Richey.
President Aaron Saperstein, in an-
(Continued on Page 8)
Judge Grants Two Weeks*
Delay to Aid Bankers
in New Plan
Probability of a receivership for
the Fox companies was practically
eliminated yesterday when Judge
Frank J. Coleman, in U. S. District
Court, granted a delay of two weeks
to give the new Fox bankers time to
work out the refinancing plan pro-
posed at Monday's hearing.
Request for the delay was made by
Robert T. Swain, representing Banca-
america-Blair & Co., Lehman & Co.,
(Continued on Page 8)
Song-Writing Trio Sign
Contracts for $1,000,000
Following opening at Boston of
"Flying High," George White play,
for which they wrote music, De
Sylva, Brown and Henderson will
(Continued on Page 4)
"The Rogue Song"
A rather self-assured young
man came out of a certain stu-
dio of the Golden West last
evening and took a sophis-
ticated first rught Broadway
cinema audience like Grant
took the metropolis of Vir-
ginia. His name is Tibbett,
Lawrence Tibbett, and from
now on only between pictuies
will he probably continue to
receive his mail in care of the
Metropolitan Opera House,
New York City. Remember
his name because you will hear
it many times more in pictures.
What difference if this oper-
etta itself is delightful, if its
score is brilliant, if its entire
color work is about the best
yet and if the humor, in our
modest estimation is terrible?
It has Tibbett and that's
plenty.
As a matter of record it is
called "The Rogue Song," is
at the Astor for a Broadway
run, was ably directed by
Lionel Barrymore and is an
M-G-M production.
Jack Alicoate.
THE
i^H
DAILV
Wednesday, January 29, 1930
VtL LI No. 24 Wed. January 29, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holida>^
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. AKcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
raunications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolflsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedriehstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close sales
Am. Seat 2lK 2m 21'^ 100
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 21M 21}i 21>4 1.100
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 237/8 22 /j 2lVi, 2,500
East. Kodak 194^4 192^ 193/2 900
Fox Fm. "A" ... 33J4 28^ 30?^155,500
•Keith A-0 29
do pfd 97 97 97 200
Loew's Inc 59^ 57!^ 57J4 5.000
do pfd. WW (6}4) 85 84 84 200
do pfd. xw (6/j) 88 88 88 200
M-G-M pfd 24/2 24/2 24/2 100
Para. F-L 62/2 59/2 61 44,500
Pathe Exch ^Vt 3% 4J4 6,300
Ho "A" Sn IVi 8 4,500
R.K-O iW* 28/2 29^115.200
*Univ. Pict. pfd 36
Warner Bros. ... 54 Ji 52 /j 52 Ji 94,300
do pfd 48H 47/2 48^ 700
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 30 Ji
Fox Thea. "A" .. ZM 7/2 TVt 16,500
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 37Ji 37^ 37^ 2,800
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
♦Loew do deb. rts 19
*Loew's Inc. war 554 ••.•
*Nat. Scr. Ser 155^
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
*Univ. Pict 9'4
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith AG 6s 46 78)4
Loew 6s 41ww ..104 104 104 10
do 6s 41 x-war.. 94 94 94 10
Paramount 6s 47 .. 100 99^ 99^ 120
Par. By. 5/2S 51. 99^4 99^ 99/2 120
Pathe 7s 37 5^ 49M 49J4 110
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
ix
!New York Long Island City f{
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ft
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 5
I Eastman Films |
Ij J. E. Brulatour, Inc. t
a ft
8 ^^
h Chicago Hollywood K
§ 1727 Indiana Ave. "00 Sam^a^Monica j|
ft CAIumet 2691 HOUywood 4121 jj;
NEW COLOR SURFACE
USED BY DA-LITE SCREEN
(Continued from Page 1)
Co. of Chicago, is claimed to relieve
eye strain and better adapted for the
projection of color productions, re-
cently has been developed by the
company.
The company, which now has more
than 4,400 sound screens installed in
leading theaters of the country, has
been manufacturing screens since
1909 and recently rearranged its fac-
tory facilities whereby it is in a po-
sition to produce 50 screens a day.
Arrangements are under way where-
by theaters equipped with Da-Lite
screens will be given liberal allow-
mces on their old screens. The new
egg shell screen can be installed
within 48 hours after placing of con-
tract.
The screen recently was tested by
the Electrical Testing Laboratories
of New York, to determine its bright-
ness characteristics and inflammabil-
ity. The results of the test proved
that its reflection factor was 0.77 and
the screen did not ignite when either
a lighted match or Bunsen burner
flame was applied to it.
Pathe Making Spanish
"Grand Parade" Version
Pathe will make a Spanish version
of "The Grand Parade," which has its
New York premiere Friday at the
Colony. Lucio Villegas, forrner pro-
fessor of Spanish at the Lniversit}
of California, has been engaged to
write the adaptation and direct. He
also prepared the Spanish versions of
"Broadway" and "Rio Rita."
J. C. Graham Coming with Kent
J. C. Graham, managing director
of Famous Players Film Service,
Ltd. who has been nominated as
president of the Kinematograph
Renters' Society, of London, is ac-
companying Sidney R. Kent to
United States. Both are aboard the
.'^quitania due to arrive in New York
Feb. 4.
Film Men Off to Havana
Harry M. Warner, president of
Warners, and J. L Schnitzer, have
booked passage on the Cunard liner
Caronia which leaves for Havana to-
day.
ADMISSIONS TAX BILL
CROPS UP IN VIRCINIA
(Continued from Page 1)
his bill providing for a theater ad-
mission tax. No such measure haa
been expected to crop up during
the current session. Shrader will use
the money derived from tins taxation
tor tne Denetit of public schools.
Two bills to impose an aamission
tax have been introduced in the
i^egislature during the past hve yearb.
i here is nothing to indicate that the
Shrader measure stands much of a
chance of passage.
Oscar Straus Honored
at Warner Luncheon
Oscar Straus, noted \ iennese com-
poser, was guest ot honor at a lunch-
con given bj' Warner Bros, yester-
uay at the Kitz-Carlton. 1 he event
was just a clay alter the 2oth an-
niversary of Straus as a composer.
In recognition ot the latter occasion,
the Austrian government conferrea
upon btraus the Uruer of Aierit,
wnich corresponds to the Frencn
J-egion of Honor.
In a short address, Straus ex-
pressed his gratitude to the Warners
lor bringing him here to write for
Vitaphone productions which woula
uring his works to audiences of mil-
nons in contrast to the comparatively
binall numbers reached by the stage.
Harry Ai. Warner, in reply, said the
.-signing of Straus was just another
step in the fulfillment of the Warner
promise to present the world's best
talent through the Vitpahone.
The reception committee for the
luncheon consisted of H. M. Warner,
Gene Buck, John Philip Sousa,
George Gershwin, Henry K. Hadley,
Vincent Youmans, Alax Dreyfus and
Uley Speaks. Also present were:
:drs. Oscar Strau,-, /ji^ert Warner,
Herman Starr, S. Charles Einfeld,
A. P. Waxinan and J. C. Rosenthal.
Sound studio equipment for
sale, including excellent disc
recorder, amplifiers, micro-
phone, lights, etc. Communi-
cate with
E. K. ELLIS
152 W. 42nd St. N. Y. C.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Jan.
Jan.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar,
Mar.
Apr.
June
30 Regular meeting of the AMPA, at
the Paramount, N. Y.
Opening of "Sons of the Gods," at
the Warner, N. Y.
31 Opening of "Little Johnny Jones"
at the Strand, N. Y.
1 "Condemned," opens at Rivoli, N.
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
S First Day of Lent.
20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Quigley pn Loyola Council
Chicago — Aiartin J. Quigley, pub-
lisher and editor of "Exhibitors Her-
ald-World," is a member of the ad-
ministrative council of Loyola Uni-
versity. The council, which is com-
posed entirely of laymen. Catholic
and non-Catholic, was organized by
the trustees at a dinner last night
and will direct the business opera-
tions of the institution.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with sound.
VIRGINIA MAY A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
AD -VANCE -AD
"You have always treated me more
than fair in all of our dealings, using
every effort to please me in every
respect, and I want you to know that
I appreciate it greatly."
— Bixie Theater
Rockdale, Tex.
*WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
INCORPORATED
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YORK.
Phone: WlSconsin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES.CEN.MCR.
ELECTRIFYING THE
AMUSEMENT WORLD!
he Biggest
*2 Picture
Ever Made!
CATHARINE DALE OWEN
Stan LAbREL — Oiiver HARDY
Directed by
LIONEL BARRYMORE
Based on the-operetm "Gypsy Love" by
Franz Lehar, Dr. A. M.Willner, Robert
Bodansky. Story />> Frances Marionand
./ofin Colton. Suggested by Wells Root.
Music by Franz Lehar and Herbert
Stothart. Lyrics by Clifford Grey.
TIBBETT
Standing them out at
ASTOR THEATRE, New York
CHINESE THEATRE, Los Angeles
METRO-GOLDWYN -MAYER'S
Triumph ENTIRELY in TECHNICOLOR
in the immortal
singing masterpiece
The
ROGUE
SONG
THE
4 WEEK SILVER JUBILEE
TO HONOy OMERFORD
(Continued from Page 1)
aters operated by the circuit in New
York State, Pennsylvania and Rhode
Island. , • .
In making pubhc the chain s
jubilee plans Comerford spoke of the
improvement in the business ethics
of the industry that had taken place
since he first entered it.
"It is true," he said, "that through-
out the early years of the business
many practices crept in that were of
a condemnable character. The de-
velopment of the business, however,
has brought with it splendid produc-
tion, much higher ideals, a standard
of ethics that is much cleaner and
more worthwhile, and a stability and
a standardization that merit placing
the motion picture industry in the
fore-front."
The first theater to be operated by
Mr. Comerford was the Bijou at
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He was the pres-
ident of the first exhibitors' organi-
zation to be formed in Pennsylvania
Publix Establishes Real
Estate Office in K. C
Kansas City, Mo.— Publix Theaters
Corp. has, esfabhshed offices here for
its real estate operations. Arthur S.
Metzger, brother of Lou B. Metzger,
general manager of Universal, is in
charge. Operations will cover Mo..
Kan., Neb. and Iowa.
Song-Writing Trio Sign
Contracts for $1,000,000
(Continued from Page 1)
fulfill contracts involving $1,000,000
with United Artists and Fox, it is
understood. They will prepare scores
and stories for two pictures for each
company.
Hollywood House Goes Sound
We^t Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILV
Hollywood — Newest in sound
equipment has been installed at the
Orpheum. Other new equipment at
the house includes a wide screen.
New L. I. Theater Soon
Thomson Hill, L. I., N. Y.— Plans
for a new $500,000 theater have been
filed. The new structure will rise
at Greenpoint Ave. and 55th St.
110 in Brit. Chain
London — Associated British
Cinemas now has 110 houses
in its chain, according to John
Maxwell, chairman of British
International Pictures, in a
statement sent to stockholders.
The theater company is a sub-
sidiary of British International,
which produced 20 features
during the past year. Of this
total 12 were talkers, says the
statement. British Internation-
al product is released in Amer-
ica through Sono Art-World
Wide.
DAILY
Wednesday, January 29,
1930
185 Seats— and Sound
Omaha — "The smallest talk-
er house in the world" is the
claim made by the Palace, at
Clearwater, seating 185. The
Lyric, a 248-seater at Atkinson,
is another small house on the
wired list.
Government's 1929 Survey
Requests Additional Data
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — In addition to the
usual questions regarding days of op-
eration, employment, wage and sal-
ary payments and costs of material,
the annual Government survey of
motion picture production for 1929,
now being conducted, requests data
on the number of negative films com-
pleted during the year, expenditures
thereon and total cost of production
for sound, dialogue and silent nega-
tives for theatrical, educational or
advertising purposes.
French Producers Support
Ban on Educational Tax
Paris — French producers who re-
cently met on the question of abolish-
ing the custom tax on Educational
films decided that they would do all
•n their power to support this plan
if the League of Nations, limiting,
'■(>\\cver, the appelation of "education-
I film" to "scientific and instructive
"Inis." Consequently, films of na-
'onal propaganda will not be included
■n this category.
Delac and Vandal Expand ;
to Make Bi-Lingual Films
Paris — In line with their expansion
program Messrs. Delac and Vandal
have opened new offices at No. 6.1
\ve. des Champs Elysees. The offi-
cial title of the new company is
"Societe Generale de Cinemato-
i^raphie." Four laree studios will be
built bv the company in Epinav.
"here they will make English, French
snd German versions of "Les Deux
Mondes," and "La Ville Chantante"
''n Italian, German, F'-ench and Eng-
lish.
New Neb. Theater Coro.
Lincoln. Neb. — The Island Theater
Corp. of Grand Island has filed in-
corporation papers with an auvhor-
ized capital stock of 3:150,000. In-
f-orporators are E. A. Leavitt, John
Knickehm Sr., and A. C. Afenck.
Brewer Makes Anoointments
London — W. A. Brewer, ereneral
'lanno-er of .Showman Films. Ltd. has
appointed Betram C. Grant, '^ales
Kinaeer; Fred Kinp. South Coast
■representative and E. C. Agnew
Home Counties representative.
Coroohone Approved
London — Corophone sound eauip-
ment, whirh has been installed at the
Cinema, Hendon, has met with ap-
proval of exhibitors who have heard
it demonstrated. It is both film and
Talkie-Phone Installed
Cannelton, Tnd. — The New Irvin
has installed Talkie-Phone.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Carl Laemmle's Niece to
Play in "King of Jazz"
Carla Laemmle, niece of Carl
Laemmle, will do a dance number in
the Paul Whiteman revue, "King of
Jazz." Before adopting the stage
name of Carla in compliment to her
uncle, she appeared in several pic-
tures as Beth Laemmle.
Added to Colman Cast
Cast of "Raffles," Ronald Colman's
new vehicle for Samuel Goldwyn, will
include Kay Francis, Fred Kerr, Al-
lison Skipworth, David Torrence,
■"ranees Dade and Wilson Benge.
Harry d'Arrast will direct.
"Lights Out" as RKO Talker
Dialogue rights to "Lights Out,"
stage play of several years ago, have
been acquired by RKO, which al-
ready owned the screen rights, and
the picture will be made as a talker
this year.
Hamilton Finishes Another
Lloyd Hamilton has finished his
latest Educational talking comedy,
"Polished Ivory," written and direct-
ed by Alf Goulding.
Wheeler, Woolsey for RKO Film
Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey
soon will start rehearsals for Radio's
"Radio Revels," which Paul Sloane
will direct. Guy Bolton, Bert Kalmar
and Harry Ruby are authors and com-
posers of the picture.
Two for "Big Jewel Case"
"The Big Jewel Case" will feature
Fred Kelsey, and Anita Garvin,
'^'ddie Lambert is making the film for
Educational-Mermaid Comedies.
Preparing "Votes for Men"
Al Dubin, staff writer, and Ster-
ling Sherwin, free lance, are putting-
the final touches on the book, words
and music of a musical farce, tenta-
tively titled "Votes for Men." due
for early production bv Warner
Bros, either here or in New York.
Sharon Lynn for Fox Film
Sharon Lynn has been added to the
fast of "In I^ove With Love," which
Kenneth MacKenna and Hamilton
MacFadden will direct for Fox.
Warner Oland Returns
After a short vacation in the East,
Warner Oland, has returned to the
Paramount studios here.
Enright for "Sweet Mamma"
Ray Enright has been selected to
direct Alice White's latest First Na-
tional production, "Sweet Mamma."
A Little
from **Lots*'
=i^ By RALPH WILK ^H^
Hollywood
gRADLEY KING, well known
scenarist, is now housed on the
Fox lot, where she is writing the
story, adaptation and dialogue for
"Road House." Miss King has been
borrowed from First National for the
picture, but will in all probability do
another before she will be allowed
to return. She recently completed
"The Sin Flood" which Frank Lloyd
is now directing.
* * *
Lother Mendes, fully rested, has
returned from a vacation spent in
New York. While in Knickerbocker
toivn, he found time to visit the
Cosynopolitan studio, where he di-
rected several pictures before com-
ing to California.
* * *
Oliver Garver, one of Holly-
wood's best known publicity
men, has joined Arch Reeve's
staff at Paramount. He has
been with Harry "Ham" Beall
and Pathe.
* * *
George O'Brien is in upper Ore-
gon, where he is on location in "The
Girl Who Wasn't Wanted," which
A. E. Erickson is directing. George
is specializing in outdoor roles, his
latest vehicles being "The Lone Star
Ranger" and "Salute."
Beery for "The Big House"
Wallace Beery has been selected
for the leading role in M-G-M's "The
Big House," a story of prison life,
to be directed by George Hill. It is
an original by Francis Marion.
Joan Bennett for Fox Film
Joan Bennett has been borrowed by
Fox from United Artists to appear
in "In Love With Love," which Ham-
ilton McFadden will direct as a talk-
er. The story is an adaptation of Vin-
cent Lawrence's stage play.
Maynard Set for "U" Film
Ken Maynard is preparing to start
work on "Songs of the Saddle" for
Universal. Kenneth C. Beaton and
Norman Sper did the dialogue and
story. Harry C. Brown will direct.
Bing Added to "On the Level"
Herman Bing is a new addition to
the "On the Level" cast which Irving
Cummings is directing for Fox with
Victor McLaglen and Lee Tracy.
Novarro Starts New Picture
Ramon Novarro has begun work
on his new picture, "The Singer of
Seville," being directed by Charles
Brabin.
This thought is directed
to those advertisers who like to
shop on a busy street.
The 1930
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
contains
431 PAGES of
ADVERTISIl^G
representing
OVER 600
Individual Advertisers
If you are looking for the principal
buying street of motion picture town
you'll find it on Year Book Avenue.
The 1930 Film Daily Year Book is now on the press and within ten days will be distributed to
important film folk all over the world. It contains over eleven hundred pages and is bigger
and better than ever.
THE
-^s&mk
DAILY
Wednesday, January 29, 1930
Newspaper Opinions
"Hot for Paris"
Fox
Roxy, New York
AMERICAN—* * * has a lot of action
but doesn't get anywhere. Obviously design-
ed to capitalize the popularity of "The Cock-
Eyed World," this one revels in the same
robust, not to say Rabelaison, type of humor
* * * thoroughly masculine type of entertain-
ment and the hilarity came mostly from the
male contingent.
DAILY MIRROR — The comedy is very
frank. The dialogue is very stag. The in-
nocents may miss a few of the laughs, if
there are any innocents still at large * * *
hacked out of the same humorous red meat
which was the substance of "The Cock-Eyeil
World." It isn't quite as long. Frequently
it isn't quite as funny. But it's still an
hilarious comedy, particularly for the men.
EVENING JOURNAL — McLaglen i;
again the ribald husky, who pursues amoroue
adventures in a vigorous rather than subtle
manner. But the story, if any, is weak:
the situations, because of their repetition in
each McLaglen film, are pretty shoddy by
now, and the dialogue is flat.
GRAPHIC— Both Walsh and the star had
too many obstacles to overcome if they were
attempting the standard they achieved in
"The Cock-Eyed World." The dialogue in
"Hot for Paris" is so obvious in its efforts
to gather in the laughs that stale wise-cracks
and stilted conversations fail completely in
their purpose.
HERALD-TRIBUNE — For those with a
taste for broad, loud slapstick, "Hot for
Paris" will entertain. Its humor is neither
subtle nor sharp, its antics always good na-
tured, its pace brisk and lively. It is not
nearly so ribald as "The Cock-Eyed World"
in its situations or dialogue.
SUN — Perhaps Mr. Fox has another "Cock-
Eyed World" on his hands, and again perhaps
not. "Hot for Paris," although it lacks the
engaging Edmund Lowe and jokes a little
less spontaneously than its forerunners, is
sure to be popular. It can boast the robust
comedy of Mr. McLaglen; the Swedish dia-
lect of El Brendel; the Parisian winks of
Fifi Dorsay, and sufficient alkisions to the
charms of French women.
TIMES — * * * a rowdy, raw affair with
(luite a number of humorous incidents. In
fact Mr. Walsh has given too much attention
to the flamboyant cavortings of his performers
and not enough to the actual story ♦ ♦ *
WORLD — * * * superb comedy of bad
manners, dame chasing and rowdiness * * *
It would be inaccuracy to report that "Hot
for Paris" equals the mad pace of "The
Cock-Eyed World," or that in heft or vol-
ume it is comparable to that masterpiece of
audacious clowning. It is none the less, pre-
cisely out of the same mould in spirit and
mood, and this is good enough and sufficiently
off the beaten highway.
Ritz, Cameron, O., Remodeled
Cameron, O. — The Ritz has been
remodeled and equipped with sound
at a cost of $20,000.
Buys Felix Cartoons for Ohio
Cleveland — Meyer Fischer, of the
Fischer Film Exchange, has bought
the "Felix the Cat" cartoons for
Ohio.
Theater Changes Name
Santa Paula, Cal. — Name of the
Mission has been changed to the Co-
lumbia.
To Have Smoking Gallery
Hot Springs, S. D. — A smoking."
gallery will be a feature of the new
theater being built here by the Black
Hills Amusement Co.
Strand Installs Sound
Canton, N. C. — The Strand has in
stalled sound equipment. Prices
have been advanced with the new
policy.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
IOWA
Changes in Ownership
Clarence — Liberty, sold to F. Liercke by A.
Gangstad; Dubuque — Majestic, sold to Mr.
Scensley by Jake Rosenthal; Fort Dodge —
Plaza, sold to Joe Cassidy by W. H.
Schultz; Fort Madison — ^West End, sold to
Mrs. J. Bovie by M. Thompson; Green —
Crystal, sold to A. T. Chado by Amos
Engalls; Minden — Rex, sold to Mr. Ken-
nedy by G. W. Schwen; Missouri Valley —
Rialto, sold to Publix by Hostettler; Mora-
via— Crystal, sold to H. G. Firkins by M.
Battista; Nevada — Circle, sold to C. F.
Martin by Charles Merrick ; New London —
Alamo, sold to W. D. Berry by Shipley
& Synes; Pierson — Amuzu, sold to David
Voght by J. H. Brownmiller ; Radcliffe —
Opera House, sold to Mr. Hinds by O. L.
Drake ; Rockford — Rockford, sold by C.
Mosher ; Stanhope — Lincoln, sold to L. E
Snyder by C. Wood; Strand — Newton, sold
to E. W. Miller by Fred Wayt ; Thornton —
Thornton, sold to L. D. Larson by E. W.
Lilly; Victor — Strand, sold to H. M. Heef-
ner by J. S. Parkinson; Walnut — Lyric,
sold to Otto Brehmer.
Minden — Rex.
Closings
Coin-
Openings
-Sun ; Farmington — New.
KANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Eureka — -Princess, sold to J. C. Bright by M.
J. Oley; Regent, sold to J. C. Bright by
M. J. Oley : Grenola — Pastime, sold to
Evans & McCammon by Moreland & Mc-
Carney : Hanover — Rex. so'd to Austin E.
Childs by Cropper 8i Derr; Tola — DicJcin-
son, sold to Glen W. Dickinson by J. O,
Al'en ; McCraken — Strand, sold to Mrs.
Bertha Crahtrpe by J. T. Warta : Nafoma —
Reel, sold to Herman Urban by H. P. Mc-
Fadden ; Ottawa — Pastime, sold to Midland
Theater & Realty Company by O. W.
Goddell.
Closings
Aurora — Onera House; Burden — Airdome;
Devon — Rex : Fall River — Fall River ;
Solomon— Isis.
New Theaters
Dodee City — Dodge, owner — Midwest The-
aters, Inc. ; Emporia — Granada, owner —
Strand Theater Corp.
Rfi-Openings
Topeka — Cozy ; Wi'lis — Community.
KENTUCKY
Chanees in Ownership
Beech Greek — Beech Creek, sold to J. W.
Parker by Mrs. J. L. Wvatt ; Burkesville —
Kentuckv. sold to Mike Brown : Florence —
Rho, sold to S. L. Lucas and T. B. Castle-
man by Albert Metzg-er; FuHon — Orpheum,
s'^ld to Leo F. Keiler by Lev! C'isholm ;
Hebron — Hebron, sold to E. H. Ernst by
Cecil Burns ; Leitchfield — To-Ton, sold to
Moran & Hocker by Moran & Thomas ;
Louisville — Aristo. sold to Thompson by
4th Ave. Amusement Co. ; Crescent, so'd
to Crescent Am. Co. by B. J. C"rry ;
Newrport — Temple and Hinoodrome. sold to
Prager & Brown by R. Frankel.
Closings
Albany — Clinton County H. S. ; Fulton —
Ornbeum : London— Southland ; Pinsonfork
— Pinsonfork.
Openings
Ravenna — Lynwood.
Re-Openings
Bermce — Royal.
MAINE
Closings
York Village— Town Hall.
Ooenings
Santord— Loew's State.
MARYLAND
Changes in Ownership
Baltimore — Princess. sold to Cincinnatus
Major by Klein Am. Co.
MASSACHUSETTS
Changes in Ownership
Amherst — Community, sold to M. A. Shea
by M. Barnet; Fitchburg — Majestic, sold to
E. M. Loew by L. Forkey ; Leominster —
Metropolitan, sold to Massachusetts Theater
Corp. by F. Tragia; Monson — Capital, sold
to Roman Boduck by J. .Rapulus; New
Bedford^ — Rialto, sold to Tessier Bros, by
O. Z. Tessier, Sr. ; Royal, so'd to Tessier
Bros, by O. Z. Tessier, Sr. ; Roslindale —
Bellevue Community, sold to New England
Theater Operating Co. by H. Goetschal.
Closings
Roslindale — Bellevue Community.
Openings
Brighton — -Egyptian ; Springfield — Paramount.
MICHIGAN
Changes in Ownership
Bay City — Victory, sold to R. Carrow by F.
J. Rinehart ; Brown City — Rialto. sold to
Bernard Leach by Harry Hoboltb : Camden
■ — Pastime, sold to Camden Commercial
Club by W. K. Rogers; Detroit — Burnie,
sold to E. M. Jackson by Fred Cochrane;
Greenfield, sold to Michael Kuruc by Mrs.
E. Wa.gner : Junction, sold to G. Blondell
by Nathan Schwartz ; Quo Vadis, sold to
Quo Vadis Theater Co. by M. W. Stockie :
Ritz, sold to T. F. Sikorski by Bernard
Brooks; Elk Rapids— Elk, sold to G. E.
and L. M. Finch by Silver Bros. ; Ferndale
— Ferndale. sold to Mrs. E. R. Murphy by
Kimmel Brothers; Grand Rapids — Ga'e-
wood. sold to John Schultz by N. L. Mc-
Carthy; Onaway — Dean. s"M to Grace
Dean by G. E. and R. L.ning : Portland —
Sun. sold to John Kortes bv O. S. Rice:
Wyandotte — Rialto, sold to Frank W. Wad-
low by Henry Haag. ,
Closings
Baraga — Baraga ; Coral — Peoples.
MINNESOTA
Changes in Ownership
Amboy — Star, sold to Tsable Getter by C. G.
OUnn : Belle Plaine— State, sold to Joseph
Widmer by Henry Wiecks ; Brook Park —
Community, sold to Brendt & Rvpkema b--
A. V. Buch : Brooten- — Opera House so'd
to T. T. Toverud bv Riene Realty Co.:
Flv — Opera House, sold to ArcTiie Swanson
by M. Miltenberg ; Olencoe — Crystal, so'd
to T Gould by C. J. Norals : Grand Marais
- — Wifwam. sold to George Lang ami .\. B
Tobnson bv Luella Crandall : Jordan —
Grand, so'd to J. J. Schultz bv P. C
Larson; Keewatin — Our. sold to Rav Lan-
d:is bv Thomas D.indra : Lonesdale — New
Gr.ind, sold to M. T. and Richard Smi<!el-
by F. T. Smisek ; Nashwauk — Grand, so'd
to Kdelstein Bros bv Crocket Brown-
Pine River — Memnrinl H.all. snM to C W.
Potbgam bv E. S. French; Robbinsdale—
State, sold to H->rry Dirkerman by F. S.
Schwab: Rush City — Sh.idowland. sold to
■R. O Palmer bv Mrs. H. B. Johnson:
St. Paul — Astor. sold to George Garrish bv
Pi'b'ix : Garden sold to Max Toreador bv
Pi.Viy; AToutids. sold to Mix Torfndor bv
P'-blix; Seafo'-th — State, sold to Dnncnn &'
Tobnson bv Duncan R- Ott ; iSherburn —
Star, so'd to G F. Wngner bv M. T.
Pool: Watervi'le— ■NTpw Gem, sold to A. C.
Lloyd by L. G. Ballard.
Closings
Chokio — Hippodrome ; lona — Majestic.
MISSISSIPPI
Changes in Ownershin
Ba»esvi11e— T»x. sold to W T. Williams bv
H. T. W;ii;-.ms; Hazlehunit- H-'7l<'hnr=»
«o'd to E. F Tones bv R. L. The'-rell •
Lamb-rt — Lambert, sold to T. O, Tackett
by Domrlas Carr : Moorhead — Regent, so'rl
to D. L Sanderson bv P. F. Mo^-ris ■
Rardis — Pastime, s'^ld to R. R. '^Titclic'1 bv
H T. Wniiams; Tishomino-o — Tishomintro
sold to T^Trs, C. B. Waldrin bv W. H-
Fa;-tes=: West Point- Star, sold to L. B.
McKachin by H. E. Mayer.
Closings
Blue Mountain — Bine Mountain : Columbus —
M.agnolia State; Magnolia^Divie : No. Car-
rollton — Liberty , Picayune — Ideal.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^^a By HARRY N. BLAIR ^
3OMETHING of a military air per-
vades the work of J. Fred Coots,
composer of the music featured in
"Sons O' Guns," current musical hit,
who has just completed a Vitaphone
Variety entitled "A Battery of
Songs." Waite Hoyt and May Ques-
telle assisted, with Murray Roth di-
rectipg.
// Helen Kane should need a voice
double while making "Dangerous
Nan McGrew," she has only to call
on the script girl, Peggy Quis, whose
"hoop boopa doop" voice is familiar
to everyone along "writers' row" at
the Paramount Long Island studio.
Incidentally, Peggy makes her debut
as a script girl with this picture,
having formerly been a stenogra-
pher.
Heruian and Joe Mankiewicz have
left for Paramount's West Coast stu-
dios, to assist on the script of Jack
Oakie's next picture, "Marco Him-
self."
Pat Henning & Co., vaudeville
performers, have just completed a
comedy short, "A Family Affair,"
under Murray Roth's direction. The
title is no misnom^er since Henning
is supported by his father and
mother. They sing, dance, talk and
juggle.
There is an old saying, "Little
pitchers have big ears," which is cer-
tainly true in the case of Ernest
Zatorsky, sound expert on "Young
Man of Manhattan," who was star
pitcher on the home town baseball
team, not so long ago.
Acting runs in the family of Les-
ter Neilson, assistant director on
Paratnonnt's short comedy, "Sailor's
Luck." That's why this good-na-
tured Nordic couldn't resist the op-
portunity of taking part in an ex-
terior scene made atop a Fifth Ave.
bus.
Ear-phones in Cleveland House
Cleveland — D. L. Schumann, own-
er of the Lorain-Fulton, is the first
local exhibitor to install Western
Electric ear-phones for patrons who
are hard of hearing.
Better-Quality Policy Adopted
Greeley, Colo. — Policy of better-
quality entertainment has been adopt-
ed at the Rex, Publix house in this
city.
Reopens with New Manager
Anaheim, Cal. — United has reopen-
ed under the management of Lloyd
Davis.
Recovers From Injuries
Richmond — William B. Walsh has
recovered from injuries sustained
when he fell in the Capitol, where j
he was employed as an electrician.
I
Wednesday, January 29, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— € —
Pictures Not to Blame for
Stage Decline, Pastor Says
TT is ridiculous to say that the
'movies' are killing the thea-
ter. As well say that baseball
with its throngs of people is kill-
ing tennis or golf. Or that our
popular jazz orchestras are kill-
ing our symphony orchestras.
Toscanini has nothing to fear
from Rudy Vallee. Neither has a
fine sensitive play like "Journey's_
End" anything to fear from "The
Cock-Eyed World." Things of
this kind move on different
planes — in different worlds. The
drama in its best estate, is an art.
Our theater managers have
changed it into a business. And
not even into an honest business!
For years, now, the theater has
been used to exploit the public
by managers who, with a few
honorable exceptions, are ignor-
ant and vulgar men who know
nothing of the traditions and see
little of the glories of the theater
and who are moved by no higher
passion than that of lust for
money. The people see nothing
in the theater now but a place in
which they are either robbed or
betrayed, and they go elsewhere
or stay at home.
' Rev. John Haynes Holmes in
"The World"
I * * *
Says Good Story Will Be
First Demand of Film-Goer
■QEFORE long the public will
pay to see and hear only those
pictures in which the story is
good to begin with and the pho-
tography and sound are good af-
ter that.
Carl Dreher, director of
Sound Department, RKO
Studios, in "Radio News"
THE
■^Stk
DAILY
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
ROY J. POMEROY
newspaper artist
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
"DILL HEALY, who has sold film as well as staged exploita-
tion stunts, is doing the latter for Columbia Sid
Taube, who has been in town on business and such, has jumped
back to Toronto, where everybody knows his exchange
Hal Skelly and Mary Duncan are rehearsing in a new stage
play, "Roman Gentlemen." Both have been doing some pitcher
actin' recently
4> * * *
Flo Ziegfeld is reversing things. While Hollywood i;
snatching a lot of Broadway talent for talkers, he now steps in
and grabs Nacio Herb Brown back to the Big Stem. Mr.
Brown, you ought to remember, is the chap who wrote "Sing-
ing in the Rain," which is a good song, too. The same Mr.
Brown wrote music for the "Hollywood Revue" and "The Pa-
gan" as well as "The Broadway Melody."
Oscar Bower is new manager of the Colony, N. Y., under
Henry Siegel, managing director Columbia, via Hank
Linet, sends one to the desk with the fact that five of the com-
pany's shorts now are playing Broadway, and Educational, via
Bob Doige, claims two in the same class for his organization.
Herbert MacDonald is doing publicity for Colorcraft
Corp., and doing it well
* * * *
"Men Without Women" will follow "Sunny Side Up" into
the Roxy Friday Compositions by Tschaikowsky will be
presented by the Capitol Studio Orchestra with Yasha Bunchuk
conducting, as' the feature of Major Edward Bowes' Sunday
night broadcasting Harms, Inc., has moved its profes-
sional, radio and orchestra offices to the Strand Bldg. The busi-
ness offices remain at 45th St Chicago office of M. Wit-
mark & Son have effected another tie-up with the Bish'op Co.,
putting out poster for "Once Upon a Time."
* * * *
Col. E. W. Hawkins of General Talking Pictures has re-
turned to Manhattan after a three weeks' swing around the
company's branches. His trip took him as far west as Dallas.
Eddie Buzzell will make personal appearances at the
Brooklyn and New York Strand theaters Friday in connection
with the showing of "Little Johnny Jones." Blake Mc-
Veigh, who publicizes Technicolor, is scheduled to tell the world
about it from Station WGBS at 5:30 o'clock this afternoon in a
12-station hookup. Michael L. Simmons (in person) will guide
the proceedings
* * * *
Edward J. O'Leary, assistant to Joseph P. Kennedy, has
left New York for a coast to coast tour of Pathe exchanges. He
will be gone about two months.
* * * *
Activities of the Hays Organization are outlined in the
forthcoming 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
JANUARY 29-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Arthur Clayton
Albert Conti
Johnnie Cassidy
Hope Loring
Churchill Ross
Earl G. Gulick
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
npHEY WON'T let that spelHng
bee die out, even though it be-
came a personal pain in the neck to
us long ago. Now along comes our
old British friend of college days,
Frank Fowell, Joint Acting Editor
of "The Bioscope" in dear ole Lun-
non. Well do we recall the times
when Frank and ourself strolled
along the Thames in our Oxford
college days, picking dandelions and
wild turnips. Ah, fond memories I
How easv it is to forget them. And
why not?
So frank ups and writes us that
they have a much more tricky gadget
than a spelling bee on the other side.
He assures us it is "a fairly sure wa\
of making money on small bets."
That "fairly sure way" doesn't
sound so hot. There seems to be a
slight suspicion almost amounting to
doubt, even in Frank's mind. So if
any of you guys want to go ahead
and bet your stenogs like Justin Her-
man did in Philly, here's the gag.
It's a misspelled test sentence:
"A harrased cobler met an em-
barassed pedlar outside a cemetarj'
watching with unparalelled ecstasy
the symetry of a lady's ankles."
Now if you want to make a bet
with somebody that they can't write
that sentence with corrected spelling
the first try, we'd say that you have
a fifty-fifty chance of copping. Per-
sonally, we believe that this is a sin-
ister movement on the part of the
British industry to get our minds oft'
making pictures so that the English
producers can start to commence to
begin to get ready to catch up to us.
But in anv event, Frank, we like the
sentiment and romance of an em-
barrassed cobbler outside a cemetery
giving a lady's ankles the once over.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Charles Ray signed by Arthur S.
Kane Pictures Corp.
* *
Maryland Exhibitors' League pass
resolution against percentage book-
ings.
Pioneer secures service of Marie
Doro.
::.: j;^ ... ^
Fresno operators demand wage in-
crease.
THE
■^^
DAILV
Wednesday, January 29, 1930
ALLEN HOUSES IN CANADA
REVERT TO OTTAWA CO.
Pembroke, Ont. — Theaters here
and at Renfrew, Arnprior, Almonte
and other towns in eastern Ontario
operated by the Allen Theater Co.
have reverted to their owner, the Ot-
tawa Valley Amusement Co. headed
by M. J. O'Brien. Preparations now
are under way by the Ottawa Valley
Co. to equip all the houses in the
chain for sound. J. H. Bruck, for-
mer general manager with Allen
Theater Co. has been retained by the
O'Brien interests and will have full
charge of the circuit. Michael J.
Sulpher of Renfrew, has been award-
ed the contract for the construction
of another house of the Ottawa Val-
ley chain. The new house will re-
place the Renfrew which was opened
during 1909 and will be equipped
with sound apparatus.
Eldon, Mo., Exhib Obtains
Writ Against Sunday Ban
Eldon, Mo.— H. M. Dewitt, man-
ager of the Electric, has been grant-
ed a temporary injunction against the
city, prohibiting enforcement of an
ordinance banning Sunday shows.
Dewitt's contention is that the ordi-
nance is illegal because it was not
passed by a majority vote of the
council members and because it is
a local and special act violating the
constitution of the state of Missouri.
Columbia Sets 38 Shorts
for First Half of 1930
(Continued from Page 1)
series of animated cartoons, the Dis
neys and the Krazy Kats.
The shorts are to be released at
the rate of six a month or two Talk-
ing Screen Snapshots and one each of
the other productions.
Van Beuren to Make Six
Sound Feature Pictures
{Continued from Page 1)
dee Van Beuren has arrived and is
preparing the new season's program
which tentatively consists of 26 Talk-
ing Topics; 26 Aesop Fables; 26
Grantland Rice Sport Talks; 26 Song
Sketches and an additional series of
one reel novelties.
Probability of Receivership
for Fox Companies Fades
{Continued from Page 1)
and Dillon, Read & Co., the financial
houses behind the new Fox plan.
This development followed the re-
port of Morton Bogue, attorney for
J. E. Otterson (Electrical Research
Products)' and Halsey, Stuart & Co.,
that his clients were not prepared
to resign from the present trusteeship
to make way for the new one until
they are given a more definite and de-
tailed idea of how the obligations
jue them would be fulfilled under the
new voting trust agreement.
The resignation of the Otterson
and Halsey, Stuart interests and the
surrender of 50,101 shares of Fox
Film "B" voting stock and 100,000
hares of Fox Theaters "B" voting
-.tock, belonging to William Fox and
now on deposit with the Bankers
Trust Co., are necessary in order to
jut through the new program.
Judge Coleman ruled that, during
the two weeks' interim, any banks or
other creditors who so desire may
enter judgments against Fox, but no
judgments are to be executed without
the court first being consulted. The
judge also imposed a requirement
that Fox would not, at any time in
the next two weeks, consent to the
Illinois Independents to
Line up Members Today
{Continued from Page 1)
nouncing the meeting, says that the
three speakers will go to New York
"to negotiate a better contract, satis-
factory arbitration and a national ex-
hibitor organization that will be free
from producer-distributor-exhibitor
affiliations."
Sound for Five in Cleveland
Cleveland — Five local houses, the
Windameer, Euclid, University, Ario
and Crown are being equipped with
Western Electric system.
filing of a separate receivership with-
out giving the court due notice and
opportunity to notify the present peti-
tioners. This stipulation was made
in order to cover the possibility of
unforeseen developments coming up
that might cause the Fox interests
to consider a voluntary receivership
advisable.
Another ruling by Judge Coleman
was that there shall not be any dis-
position of Fox properties, except in
the ordinary coujse of business, be-
tween now and Feb. 11 when the next
hearing will be held.
According to a re-wording of the
new financing plan, which was sub-
mitted in rough form Monday, the
resignations of officers and directors
of the Fox companies do not include
William Fox, Jack G. Leo or Win-
field Sheehan. These three would
serve with E. R. Tinker, Louis
Abrons, Elmore S. Higgins and Ber-
nard Baruch or Bernard Baruch, Jr.,
as the board of directors under the
now voting trusteeship, which is to
consist of President Edward C. Dela-
field of the Bank of America, Herbert
P. Howell of the Commercial Na-
tional Bank, and Bernard Baruch.
Coffee Free
Rochester — Loew's Roches-
ter is serving free coffee to
patrons waiting for shows to
begin. The tie-up was ef-
fected with a coffee company
and H. M. Addison, manager
of the house.
KANSAS CITY EXHIBITOR
DIES IN AIRPLANE CRASH
{Continued from Page 1)
plane in which he was returning from
a trip to Wichita, Kans., crashed.
Flynn introduced sound pictures in
this city when he wired the Globe,
of which he was the owner. The
house was closed some time ago, but
he had planned to reopen it in March.
No Immediate Amendment
Likely for Brit. Films Act
By ERNEST IV. FREDMAN
Editor, ''The Daily Film Renter"
London (by Cable) — President of
the Board of Trade stated here yes-
terday that there would be no im-
mediate amendments to the Films
Act likely to be introduced in the
near future.
John Maxwell, chairman of British
International Pictures, has been
selected to fill the vacancy on the
producers' side of the Advisory Com-
mittee. He also proposed that the
Films Act Advisory Committee
should be given power to refuse a
certificate to a picture which in their
judgment is not a bona-fide attempt
to produce a picture for marketing
but merely a device to defeat the
purpose of the Quota Act. This pro-
posal, it is claimed, would keep con-
trol of the workings of the Films
Act within the industry itself and
would provide a means of close con-
tact with public requirements.
Burlington House Blasted
Burlington, Wis. — Damage esti-
mated at $100,000 was done to the
Burlington here by an explosion and
fire of undetermined origin. No one
was in the building at the time of
the blast.
Dixon Assistant Director
London — George Banfield of Brit-
ish Filmcraft Prod, has signed Cecil
Dixon as his assistant when he be-
gins direction of three talkers, "The
Lure," "The Man at Six" and "Bees
and Honey."
Talkers for Coast House
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Long Beach, Cal. — Talking pic-
tures have come to the Pomona here.
Remodeled House Reopens
San Antonio, Tex. — G. Uhl has re-
opened the new Empire after remod-
eling and installation of sound equip-
"Mark of Zorro" Will be
Remade by Fairbanks
Remaking of "The Mark of Zorro"
as an all-talker by Douglas Fair-
banks with the star in the same role
he created several years ago when the
picture was made in silent form, will
begin at once. United Artists states.
W. E. for Wilmington House
Wilmington, O. — Western Electric
apparatus is being installed at the La
Marx. The house will also install
new seats and reopen about Feb. 1.
Time to REDECORATE!
The MICHEL ANGELO STUDIOS, Inc.
200 West 57th Street, New York
Specializing in
Artistic, Snappy and Unusual
Redecorating anil Refurnishing
Modern — Atmosplieric — Formal
Schemes
ITHE
o/'FILMDOM
ML THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 25
Thursday, January 30, 1930
Price 5 Cents
379 Theater Circuits in United States and Canada
NEW PETERS' CONTRACT BEINGJRAMED
New Vitaphone Studio To Do 300 Shorts This Year
The Coming of
— "Dich hah' ich gelieht"
^By JACK ALICOATE^=^
THE OTHER evening we made a
social call on the recently imported
German talker, "Because I Loved
You," now playing at the Mansfield
theater, and were rather agreeabh
surprised. For a first effort from
any man's country it is a splendid
piece of craftsmanship. It is well
recorded, acceptably photographed
and the cast gave an honest, restrain-
ed performance. Best of all, most
excellent judgment was used in the
cutting. Our knowledge of German
is confined to "how much," "thank
you" and "large glass of beer, please"
and yet, we were able to follow the
story closely from start to finish.
As a flyer this German-made produc-
tion can be recommended to almost
any size house, up to the top notch-
ers, located in German communities.
In Milwaukee, Cincinnati, some parts
of Pennsylvania and other spots it
should prove a welcome innovation.
The musical score is tuneful and
most agreeable. However, we sus-
pected one thing and were not sur-
prised. Those clever Germans must
have been opening mail from Holly-
wood for they have not only chosen
the highly original back stage theme
around which to build their produc-
tion but have added the little pal
angle as well.
Pictures — Press — Public
THE UNIVERSAL talking news-
paper, with Universal doubling as the
newspaper and Graham McNamee
doing the talking, is a highly credit-
able piece of work. We have given
it rather careful inspection and find
it interesting, amusing and instruc-
tive. The newsreel has long since
proven its usefulness to the show-
man and is definitely here to stay.
It is really the liason officer between
pictures, press and public. Any in-
novation then, in newsreel showman-
ship or presentation, is a progressive
(Continued on Page 2)
Average of Six Subjects
Each Week Being
Turned Out
Approximately 300 shorts will be
turned out this year at the new \'ita-
phone studio in Brooklyn under the
supervision of Murray Roth, direc-
tor-in-chief, with Arthur Hurley and
Edmund Joseph as directors. Two
stages now are available for produc-
{Continucd on Page 7)
WARNER IsTCQUIRE
GREEN AMEPT FIRH
Warner Bros, have acquired Green
& Stept, music publishers, gaining
complete control by buying the re-
maining 75 per cent of the firm. Un-
der the agreement both Buddy Green
^Continued on Page 7)
HEARING SET EOR MARCH
Albany — Arguments in the case
brought by Pathe to test the right of
the state censors to require the com-
any to submit picture dialogue in
cript, are expected to be heard in the
(Continued on Page 2)
Lauds Judge
An expression of apprecia-
tion for the helpful manner in
which Federal Judge Frank J.
Coleman has presided at the
Fox receivership hearings was
contained in a statement issued
yesterday by Samuel Unter-
myer, Fox attorney, to stock-
holders. "If a receivership is
avoided, which now seems
more than likely," Unter.myer
said, "it will be due in large
part to the tact, patience, ear-
nestness and intelligence of
Judge Coleman."
Untermyer also reassured
stockholders that "any financ-
ing plan will, of course, pro-
vide for payment of all debts
in full."
FIRE DESTROYS WINNIPEG
Winnipeg — The Capitol, western
divisional headquarters of Famous
Players Canadian Corp. and key the-
ater of the chain, was destroyed by
fire of unknown origin here yester-
day. The house, recently renovated
and containing the offices of H. M.
Thomas, western general manager,
(Continued on Page 7)
Film Daily Survey Covers
Circuits of Four or More
Montgomery Exhibitors
Settling Union Difficulties
Montgomery, Ala. — Difficulties be-
tween the International Alliance of
Theatrical Stage Employees and
Moving Picture Operators and ex-
hibitors here are being ironed out
with Ike Katz of the Tivoli having al-
ready secured the services of union
operators and expectations of union
men going into the new Paramount
which is to be opened by Publix.
Final check-up of producer-owned
and independent circuits in the United
States and Canada, for the 1930 Film
Daily Year Book, reveals there are
379 circuits active in these exhibition
fields. Included in this survey is a
complete rating of the number of
houses in the various subsidiary com-
panies of the major chains in the in-
dustry. Companies with four or
more houses are figured as the basis
of the compilation.
Coast Actors Conferring
on Standard Working
Agreement
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Sessions are being
held here, independent of Equity, by
i group of players seeking to draw
ip a standard working contract. One
)f the important points in the pro-
losed agreement is a clause limiting
ihe number of working hours a week
I'or freelance actors, also providing
for overtime where other work is
equired.
Another feature is that the "on or
(Continued on Page 7)
TAB REVUE AS EXPERIMENT
IN PUBLIX DELUXE HOUSES
A new experiment in stage presen-
tations will be tried by Publix when
a tabloid version of Balieff's "Chauve
Souris," famous revue, will begin a
tour of the Publix de luxe houses,
opening at New Haven Feb. 15 and
plaving the Paramount, N. Y., Mar
28.' This will be the first time th.
show has played at less than $5.5U.
tates Publix.
CENSORSHIP OF lAlKERS
SEEMS mm FOR VA.
Richmond, Va. — Talking picturc-
whose dialogue have never been de-
leted in \'irginia owing to the cen-
sors lacking reproducing apparatus,
now seem destined to undergo cen
sorsliip. A bill appropriating $7.0J ■
(Continued on Page 2)
Montiel Given District
Post with Publix in South
Mobile — Changes eftected by Pub-
lix in the South make Ricardo Mon-
tiel manager for the Gulf Coast di-
vision of Saenger houses and Morris
F. Barr, whom he succeeds, is placed
(Continued on Page 2)
THE
■S^Hk
PAJLV
Thursday, January 30, 1930
Vol LI No. 25 Thursday January 30,1930 Price 5 Cents
JQHH W. ALICOATE
: Editor and Publisiiei
Pulilished daily except Saturday and holiday-s
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, Tht
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Courdes-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat 21 J4
On. Fm. Ind. .. Z\V% 2VA 2m 200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23/2 23 23 200
East. Kodak 194/^ 190 19^ 1.700
Fox Fm. "A" .... 32^ 30}^ 31^ 52,800
*Keith AG 29
do pfd 97 97 97 100
Loew-s Inc. SSJi 57^ 58 2,300
do pfd. WW (6J4) 84
do pfd. xw (.O'/i) 88 ....
•M-G-M pfd 24-^ ....
Para. F-L 63!^ 61 63-^ 42,900
Pathe Exch 4Ji 4 4 700
do "A" 8 7H 8 600
R-K-O 30'A 29% 30 46,100
*Univ. Pict. pfd 36
Warner Bros 54J^ 52^ 53/, 54,000
do pfd 48J4 48"^ 48'A 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 31"^ iOVs iWi 400
Fox Thea. "A" ..854 7^ 7M 3,500
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 40 37^4 39J4 22,300
*Loew do deb. rts 19 ....
*Loew's Inc. war 5}4 ••••
Nat. Scr. Ser 15^ .. ..
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 9%
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 78^
*Loew 6s 41ww 104 ....
do 6s 41 x-war... 93;^ 93Y2 93'A 30
Paramount 6s 47 .. 99J4 99}4 99J4 160
Par. By. 5}^s 51.. 100, 99% 99% 140
Pathe 7s 37 50 50 SO 30
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940
Eastman Films
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
Hollywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121
The Coming of
— "Dich hab' ich geliehi"
{Continued from Page 1)
step in the direction of modern
thought. This Universal idea of a
personally conducted news tour with
each newsreel with such an interest-
ing word-picture painter as Mc-
iNamee behind the gun is the most
notable advancement in newsreel
progress since the advent of sound
Itself.
German Studios Making
Big Strides, Actor Says
Germany has passed the experi-
mental stage in the making of talk-
ers, and studios in that country now
are making big strides toward a
prominent place in the world market,
m the opinion of John Batten, Amer-
ican and English actor, who return-
ed to this country yesterday after
some work abroad.
Batten appeared over here in the
silent version of "The Last of Mrs.
(Jheyney," "Battle of the Sexes,"
"Back Stage" and other pictures. He
was brought over to England by
British International Pictures foi
Under the Greenwood Tree," di-
rected by an American, Harry Lach-
man, after which he played the male
lead in the English dialogue version
of Ufa's "The Love Waltz " producea
by Eric Pommer and directed by
Wilhehn Thiele, with Carl Winston,
another American, assisting in the
supervision. This musical romance
IS due over here in about a month.
Batten has been re-engaged for an-
other picture to be made in a few
months. Meanwhile he is going to
Hollywood.
Jay Amusements Co. Formed
Buftalo, N. Y. — Jay Amusements
Enterprises, Inc. has been incor-
porated at Albany to operate theaters
here. Capital is listed at 200 shares
at no par value with Alfred M. Zis-
jcr, Gertrude F. Marion and Ben-
jamin D. Reisman as directors.
New Loew House Opens Feb. 22
Loew's new 17Sth Street, 4,000-
seat house at Broadway and 175th
St., is scheduled to open Feb. 22. A
civic boosting celebration is being
planned for the occasion by the
Washington Heights Chamber of
Commerce.
Reed Brings Color Novelties
Roland Reed, representative of the
jilliam Reed Co., arrived from the
;oast yesterday with a series of 12
Dne-reel novelties in color called
'Daffy Funnies."
Goss Manager of Publix Maine
Portland, Me. — Eugene Goss has
succeeded Leon F. Gorman, as man-
ager of the Publix Maine here. Law-
rence Dandeneau remains as assis-
tant manager.
V#lS&M.**V««W*t*«**4^
VanBuskirk at South Bend
South Bend, Ind. — Howard Van-
Buskirk now is managing the Misha-
waka. He was last at the Temple,
Richmond, Va.
CENSORSHIP OF TALKERS
SEEMS CERTAIN TOR VA.
(^Continued from Page 1)
for equipment is now pending in the
Legislature and all indications arc
that it will be passed. Slight oppo-
sition developed yesterday from
Vivian L. Page of Norfolk in the
House of Delegates.
Dialogue Censorship
Hearing Set for March
{Continued from Page 1)
Appellate Division, Third Dept. in
March. The action in no way ques-
tions the authority of the censors to
pass on silent pictures. Coudert Bros,
are counsel for Pathe.
$185,000 Estate Left by
Senator Joseph Mogler
St. Louis — An estate valued at
$185,000 was left by State Senator
Joseph Mogler, who was murderea
in the lobby of the Mogler here on
Dec. 2, last. It is understood Mog-
ler left no will.
Rocco Vocco Assistant
to Radio Music Co. Head
Rocco Vocco, identified with Leo
Feist, Inc., has been named assistant
to President E. C. Mills of Radio
Music Co., whose directors include
many well-known film industry fig-
ures. Vocco was recently general
manager in Chicago for Feist.
Same Directors on 5 New Cos.
Buffalo, N. Y. — Constantine J.
Basil, Theodore J. Basil and Nicholas
J. Basil are directors on five new
corporations that were recently in-
corporated, each at $1,000 capital. The
incorporations are the Niagara Enter-
prises, Inc., Basil Enterprises, Basil's
Central Park Theater, Basil's Genesee
Theater and Basil's Strand Theater.
3 Chains After Ohio House
Middletown, O. — Judge Walter S.
Harlan and the Hamilton Theatei
Corp. will erect a $770,000 theater
here, it is announced by James J.
Redding of Chicago. Three circuits
are reported bidding for the lease on
the project.
AMPA to Honor Jack Harrower
Testimonial luncheon in honor of
Jack Harrower will be given toda>
at the Paramount Hotel, N. Y., by
the A.M.P.A. Harrower leaves his
position with THE FILM DAILY
Feb. 8 to become managing editor oi
"Cinema," fan magazine.
Sound studio equipment for
sale, including excellent disc
recorder, amplifiers, micro-
phone, lights, etc. Communi-
cate with
E. K. ELLIS
152 W. 42nd St. N. Y. C. \
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
Jan. 31
Mar
5
Mar.
20
Apr.
6-7
June
2-7
Regular meeting of the AMPA, at
the Paramount, N. Y.
Opening of "Sons of the Gods," at
tha Warner, N. Y.
Opening of "Little Johnny Jones"
at the Strand, N. Y.
"Condemned," opens at Rivoli, N.
Y., at popular prices.
"Lost Zeppelin" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. ofticera at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International (.menia Congress at
Brussels.
Three Publix Managers
Are Given New Posts
Fort Smith, Ark. — New changes in
the managerial staff of Publix have
been made with D. L. Johnson, man-
ager of the New, being transferred
to Witchita Falls, Kans., where he
will take charge of the Majestic;
Ewell Bingham of the Queen, Hous-
ton, comes here as assistant to tht
city manager in charge of the J die,
and Ellis Ford, for the past year
manager of the Jolie, becomes assis-
tant to the city manager in charge --
of the New.
Montiel Given District
Post with Publix in South
{Continued from Page 1)
in charge of theaters in the New
Orleans district.
Montiel has been manager of the
Saenger here for the past 10 years.
He is succeeded by Harry Marchand,
who has been in charge of the Lyric.
Chakeres Announces New House
Springfield, O. — Plans for the erec-
tion of a $750,000 house to seat 2,500
have been announced by Phil Chak-
eres, president of the Springfield
Theaters Co. The company now
operates four of the nine theaters
here and several in towns nearby.
Rex Equipped for Sound
Toronto, O. — Sound equipment has j
been installed at the Rex, G. A. Ma-
nos, owner, states.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
I Vaudeville Acts
j 1600 Broadway, New York City
I Phone Penn. 3580
Cpawmount
I*
tures/i^St^Kx^
wmm^,
u^^
■'\ %
A STEADY flow of big
pictures. Packed with
ultra - modern showman-
ship. Studded with big star
names. New faces. New
voices. Perfect sound qual-
ity. Color — and all the other
marvelous new discoveries of
the New Show World. Given
to you FIRST and BEST by
PARAMOUNT. That's the
reason for PARAMOUNT'S
overwhelming leadership of
this business and the grati-
fying prosperity of PARA-
MOUNT exhibitors !
ffrr
$rt
CONSTANT
AND
POWERFUL
AS
NIAGARA
Maurice Chevalier in Ernst Lubitsch
Production, "THE LOVE PARADE" with
Jeanette MacDonald.
•
DENNIS KING in "The Vagabond King"
with Jeanette MacDonald, Warner Oland, O. P.
Heggie, Lillian Roth*
The Festival of the Stars! "PARAMOUNT
ON PARADE".
Startling! WILLIAM PoWELL in "THE
STREET OF CHANCE".
Different! "ROADHOUSE NIGHTS" with
all-star cast.
•
Sweeter than "Sweetie"! NANCY CARROLL
in "Honey" with big singing cast.
AND 25 MORE!
rT:
m
nrr rr.i
rrf
i, .i;;v^i.,.vii,
«HI:.;'/lV.M-!, ..'Ml
Paramount New Show World
mbia Picturd
based on the sensotionol sfage
p/ay... produced with gorgeoui
sequences in TECHNICOLOR
w/fh William Collier, Jr
Alice Day and
j^ ' John St. Polls
Directed by
R. WM. NEILL
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€) —
Declares Talking Films
Will Aid Cause of Health
npALKIES promise to popular-
ize public health by develop-
ing the human interest appeal
with the result that health will
become a habit. Human interest
in public health has not been
lacking; it has lain dormant for
centuries, waiting for some meth-
od of presentation to the people.
The advent of talkies in public
health has more than trebled the
value of the use of motion pic-
tures and has increased its scope
by more than sevenfold. Almost
every one of the scores of phases
of health can be recorded on film
and projected at will with little
initial expense in comparison to
the costs of securing high sal-
aried physicians, surgeons, and
specialists to speak at lectures
and meetings. Indirect instruc-
tion may be gained in personal
hygiene; the early detection of
disease or physical defects; pre-
vention of lowered physical re-
sistance; the maintenance of bal-
anced diets; proper sanitation;
prenatal, infant, child, and ma-
ternal hygiene; food and drug
laws; industrial hygiene; nurs-
ing care; and many other sub-
jects which, generally, are little
known except among skilled
technicians.
Theodore H. Sierks,
Division of Health Education,
Los Angeles County Health Dept.
Music on the Screen
Bringing Nations Together
npHE motion picture audiences
of America and of the world
have -some great treats in store
for them. Little by little the
screen is welding the races and
nations of the world into one
great brotherhood. In this Oscar
Straus is scheduled to play a
mighty part.
"Neiv Yo7-k American"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
DAVID NEWELL
worked on oil tanker from
New Orleans to Bordeaux
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr,
J. E. McINERNEY, Criterion publicist, does not allow any
superstition to get in the way of his announcing that "The
Love Parade," starring Maurice Chevalier, starts its 13th week
on Broadway next Tuesday In case you read in the
papers about the plot discovered in Friedrichshafen to wreck
the Graf Zeppelin, you may be interested to know that Al Selig
and Jimmy Loughborough are prepared to sign affidavits that
this is not a publicity stunt in connection with "The Lost Zep-
pelin," Tiffany special, which opens Feb. 1 at the Gaiety
* * * *
Fannie Brice, back in New York from Hollywood, will
warble a new song over the National Broadcasting network the
night of Feb. 13 Walter B. Pitkin and William M. Mar-
ston are the authors of "The Art of Sound Pictures," first book
on how to write for the talkers, just published by Appleton.
The tome has a complimentary introduction by Jesse L. Lasky,
so it must be good
>i< * * «
Dal Clawson, formerly chief cameraman at the RCA
Gramercy Studios, is now in charge of making all tests made at
the Fox Studios in New York Lorin Raker is en route
to the Punch and Judy, near Detroit, to make a personal ap-
pearance. Afterwards he goes to the Coast for a vacation,
later returning to Gotham to work in a play
* * 4i *
Richmond, Va., had a big time the other night when Ron-
ald Colman's monkey was presented to the Richmond Tent of
Saints and Sinners of America. The monkey, a gift, was ac-
cepted by Dr. ClifTord Rudd, president of the local tent. Harold
W. "Chick" Evans, manager of Loew's aided in arranging the
presentation. Colonel Zack Miller, of the 101 Ranch, not to
be outdone, gave the same tent a buffalo and family of prairie
dogs
y ♦ « » ♦
\ Pierre Collings, writer of b. o. originals and adaptations, is
ill \«;ith sinus trouble. Pierre's been doing some work at Para-
mount's Long Island studio Edward B. Marks has pub-
lished "There's No Use Crying When Your Sweetheart Goes
Away," which is the American version of a German song hit
from which the film, "Why Cry at Parting," is adapted. The
picture, Sam Datlowe tells the hemisphere, opens at the Fifth
.'\ve. Playhouse Saturday
* * * *
Warren Nolan of U. A. is doing his stuff out in Detroit for
a week with Ed Finney holding the fort at the home office
Eddie Leonard, master of minstrelsy, will open a week's engage-
ment at the Capitol beginning Feb. 7. The same day Joe Bonomo
is scheduled for an appearance at the Palace, N. Y Law-
rence Tibbett did not attend the opening of "The Rogue Song'
at the Astor, N. Y., owing to a concert scheduled in Arizona.
but todav is headed for the Coast for more recitals
« ♦ ♦ ♦
Views of leaders of the industry regarding the future of motion
pictures are outlined in the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK—
Out Soon.
Thursday, January 30, 1930
JANUARl30-MflNY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
C. C. Burr
Wid Gunning
Percy Heath
Henry McCarthy
Greta Nissen
Kamiyama Sojin
G. Sears
E. V. Richards
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
What has happened to all the fillum
fans who, only a year ago, professed
to be unalterably devoted to the
silents?
They are now writing long letters
to picture editors gushing forth en-
thusiasm over the talkers.
She was beautiful, but dumb. But
more beautiful than dumb, so the
smitten lad did his best to make a
hit with her by telling funny stories.
"Here's another good one" he be-
gan once more courageously after six
of his best brand had fallen flat. "A
theater manager, who used to have
lots of trouble with newspapers over
publicity for his shows, died sud-
denly one night. His partner tele-
phoned the news to the newspapers,
but next dav he couldn't find an\
mention of the death in the leading
paper, so he called up the editor to
ask why. The editor insisted that
the story was run.
" 'In what part of the paper is it,
then?' the partner asked.
"'On the .'Xnuiseinent page!' the
ed. roared.
And the boy friend roared too a>
he finished. But the blonde beauty
did not.
"Don't you get it?" the lad asked.
"They classed the man's death under
the head of amusements."
"Oh, yes," replied the looker, sud-
denly brightening up, "I know now.
The naper probably didn't have a reg-
ular obituary column."
Ricardo Cortez is the only film
player who was named after two
cigar bands.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY'
wsm ■
Louis Burston arranging pooling of
interests for production of serials.
* *
Fox organization planning to oc
cupy new 55th St. building.
Nathan Ascher confirms report
that Goldwyn has purchased half in-
terest in circuit.
* *
Washington reports that industry
will not be included in 1920 census j
data. I
THE
Thursday, January 30, 1930
<XI^
DAILV
* Sally' Radio Review
What is believed to be an in-
novation occurred when "Sally"
was made the subject of in-
formal review by the National
Motion Picture League, Inc.,
over station WPCH, yesterday.
NEW VITAPHONE STUDIO TO
DO 300 SHORTS THIS YEAK
{Continued frotn Page 1)
tion work and a third for scoring
and an average of six subjects a weel^
is being maintained.
Preparation is under way for tlu
four series of comedy Vitaphont
Varieties to be made by four prom-
inent Broadway comedians, includ
ing Eddie Buzzell, Bert Lahr, Wil-
liam Gaxton and Lester Allen. Mil-
ton C. Work, the bridge expert, i^
Hsted to make a number next week,
and Lionel Mike Ames, vaudeville
headhner, also will appear soon in t
number. Buzzell already has madt
two Vitaphone Varieties and is nov\
working on another entitled "The
Royal four-Flusher."
Warner Bros. Acquire
Green and Slept Firm
(Continued from Page I)
and Sammy btept will jom the War-
ner song writing staff at the coast,
leaving New York Feb. 15.
Mack Stark is president of the
company, which has published such
hits as ""I'll Always be in Love With
You," "Do Something" and "Con-
gratulations."
To Remodel Hastings Theaters
Hastings, Neb. — Plans for remod-
eling the Strand and Rivoli here
lave been made public by Homei
iarvin, manager, who expects to
spend oyer $1S,000.
N. D. House Installing W. E.
Mandan, N. D. — Western Electric
jsquipment is being installed at the
-heater in New England, it is an-
nounced by Arvid Wilkund. The
■ouse is closed while installation it
eing made.
* \ Steinway Not to Close
', , Long Island City, N. Y. — Man-
I iger Rantifle denies rumors to t';e
tt'ect that the Steinway will close
ts doors. The manager also deniea
; hat Mutual Wheel Burlesque com-
■ any would take over the house as
lentioned in a local newspaper.
Publix Takes Two
1 Anderson, Ind. — Publix announces
jiking over the Rivera and Starlanci
iieaters here, formerly owned by the
Irinciple Theaters Co.
Soimd for Kinema
i Escondido, Cal. — Manager Rex
j/illiams announces installation of
|>und apparatus at the Kinema. RCA
luipment was installed.
NEW PLAYERS' CONTRACT
BEING ERANED ON COAST
(.Continued from Page 1)
about" stipulation in the present
.greement is changed to make the
^aie of pa\ begin within' 48 hours
,i the da> named. .\ good part of
lie renia.iiiiig clauses are said to
.ave been the same a^ those advocat-
.d by Equity last summer.
While me new aKieeuicnt is re-
jrred to as an "Acadeiii\ contract,"
eport has it that representatives of
ne producers and oi the actors are
.rawing it up together.
Fire Destroys Winnipeg
Capitol; $300,000 Loss
(Continued from Page 1)
was damaged to the extent of $300,-
JOO. Walter Davis, manager, suf-
lered personal losses consisting of
nistorical books and valuable the-
atrical relics.
Kaufman Plans Tucson House
Tucson, Ariz. — A. Kaufman, own-
er of the property at W. Congress
St. and Plaza, will build a $50,000
theater to seat 650, it is announced.
Joe Gross, formerly pf Los Angeles,
is the lessee of the new hoiise. Com-
pletion of which is expected by
April 1.
R-K-0 Manager Gets Radio Post
Portland, Ore. — Jack Hayes, man-
ager of the R-K-O Orpheum here,
has left for Hollywood where he will
assume an executive position with
Radio Pictures. Joe Cooper, pub-
licity and promotion director for R-
K-O northwest theaters, is tempo-
rarily in charge.
Ark. University to Build Theater
Fayetteville, Ark.- — -The University
of Arkansas has announced plans for
the building of an open air theater
on the campus. The house will seat
2,750 and is expected to be com-
pleted by June 1.
Starland Reopened by Publix
Anderson, Ind. — The Starland here
has been reopened by Publix and
will only operate on Saturdays and
Sundays. No date has yet been set
for the reopening of the State.
Sound for Red Bluff
Red Bluff, Cal. — Sound apparatus
has been installed at the State here.
Waupun Majestic Goes Sound
Waupun, Wis. — Jack Draginis,
manager of the Classic, has an-
nounced the installation of sound.
Johnson Managing State
Portland, Me. — Frederick Johnson
of Boston is now managing the State
here. It is a Publix house.
Majestic to Install Sound
Concord, Cal. — With the sale of
the Majestic by Henry Sturke, the
new owners will renovate and in-
stall sound apparatus.
Coast Wire Service
Warner StudioBeing Remodeled
COMPANY ALSO USING 40
ACRE VITAGRAPH STUDIO
Extensive remodeling of the War-
ner studio, which has been under way
lor the past three months, now is
■ apidly nearing completion. In addi-
tion to the company's main studio on
;5unset Blvd. the organization is also
utilizing the 40 acre Vitagraph studio
and Warner ranch just north oi
rlollywood.
New wings have been added to the
executive building providing larger
offices for production chiefs as well
as writers and scenarists. Ihe co-
lonnaded white front of the main
studio now provides dressing rooms
.or the various stars under contract.
Megley Gets RKO Contract
to Assist Stage Direction
Macklin M. Megley, for five years
general manager of the RKO vaude-
ville production department, has
signed a contract with Radio to as-
sist in stage direction on forthcom-
ing productions. Megley formerl>
was connected with Moore and Meg-
ley, New York theatrical producers.
Last Episode for "Sporting Youth"
The 10th and last episode of the
Universal "Sporting Youth" series,
"Chinese Blues" now is in production
under direction of Ray Taylor. Ann
Christy, Alice Doll, Sumner Getchell,
Bob Foster, Tom Carr and Edward
Morgan are in the cast.
Lyman in "Hold Everything"
Abe Lyman and his orchestra will
be featured in the Warner Techni-
color production "Hold Everything,"
which Roy Del Ruth is directing.
Zilahy at Paramount Studio
Lajos Zilahy, Hungarian dramatist,
has arrived here to fulfill his contract
with Paramount. B. P. Schulberg,
general manager of Coast production,
engaged Zilahy when he was abroad
last year.
"The Divorcee" for Shearer
Norma Shearer's next for M-G-M
will be "The Divorcee," which will
be directed by Robert Z. Leonard.
Chester Morris will have the prin-
cipal male role.
Eddie Kane in "Framed"
Eddie Kane has been signed by
Radio for a part in "Framed."
F. N. Picks BilHe Dove's Next
Billie Dove's next for First Na-
tional will be "One Night at Susie's."
John Francis Dillon will direct.
"Ramblers" Half in Color
At least half of "The Ramblers"
will be filmed by RKO in Techni-
color.
A Little
from "Lots'*
^^ By RALPH WILK f^^
Hollywood
J^OWARD EMMETT ROGERS,
who wrote the dialogue and adap-
tation for "No, No, Nanette," is writ-
ing the dialogue for "Bride 66,"
which will be Arthur Hammerstein's
initial production for the screen.
* ♦ *
DeWolf Hopper, 71 years young,
was the honored guest at the Mas-
quers Revel. Other guests included
Sam H. Harris, Leon Errol, Grant
Mitchell, Louis Mann and William
Collier. The entertainment includ-
ed sketches written by John C.
Brownell, Joe E. Brown, Georges
Renavent, Robert Woolsey, Maverick
Terrell, Roger Gray and numbers
presented by Bert Wheeler, George
Olson and his band, Henry Clive,
Lynn Cowan, Felix Adler, Jackie
Hallor and Frank Warde. Henry
Clive acted as "Masquer of Cere-
monies," while Harry Joe Brown,
stage manager, was as busy as the
proverbial beaver.
* * *
Robert M. Haas, well knowm
art director, who furnished the
settings for "Hell Harbor," di-
rected by Henry King, has
joined the Warner forces. Max
Parker and G. Hartley are the
other Warner art directors.
Haas was with Paramount and
Inspiration for several years,
before coming to the Coast.
Leslie for "King of Jaza"
Frank Leslie, comedian, has ar-
rived at Universal City to do featured
specialties in "King of Jazz," atar-
ring Paul Whiteman under the di-
rection of John Murray Anderson for
Universal.
Rita La Roy in Dix Film
Rita La Roy will play the vamp
role in Richard Dix's next film for
RKO, which will be based on Wil-
liam Le Baron's play "I Love You."
Melville Brown will .direct.
St. Polls for Columbia Film
Following his part in "The Mel-
ody Man," John St. Polis, has been
engaged for a role in "The Black
Sheep," which George B. Seitz is di-
recting with Virginia Valli and John
Holland in the leading roles.
To Direct "Those Who Dance"
Lloyd Bacon, has been assigned to
direct "Those Who Dance," with
Monte Blue in the leading role.
Long Contract for Blackmer
Sidney Blackmer has been placed
under long-term contract by First
National. He is now at work in
"Sweethearts and Wives."
SUPIU:
i4ATIC
SEMSATION OFdTHE
CrNTURY! RICHARD
.: \
B^RTHEL
IN HIS GREATEST SCREEN TRIUMPH
SON OFfHE G0is
ON
E BENNETT
REX BEACH'S best selling novel
i -
SCREEN VERSION AND DIALOGUE BY BRADLEY KING
A FRANK LLOYD PRODUCTION WITH
iC^OR SCENES
ENS t^NIGHT F^^jg^bON^ RUN
ARNEW BROS. THEiNNlE, N.Y.
A FIRST NATWNAL AN
HONE PICTURE
; the registered trade mark of the
;^<> NEWSPAPER
p/'FILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 26
Friday, January 31, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Name Committees to Fight Adverse Legislations
ARBITRATION CLAUSEIN NEW P F-L CONTRACT
1929 Standard Casting Bureau Placements Drop
That Decision
— and other things
^By JACK ALICOATE-^
JUDGE THACHER decision has
most of the boys running around in
circles. Arbitration system and uni-
form contract now neatly wrapped up
and put back on the shelf for future
reference. Can't find anyone who is
satisfied. Here's one big opportu-
uty lor a few constructive minds from
both sides of the fence to formulate
1 practical working arrangement satis-
factory to everyone. And the sooner
he better.
THE OTHER evening we watched
i first night gathering sit at marked
ttention through the "Einsteii
Theory" film and an evening later
leard a full grown sophisticated audi-
;nce, mostly in evening dress, hiss
nd cat call so loudly at the remarks
)f the author of the Jones prohibition
jill that it was impossible to hear
his speaker in the sound news reel,
such is picture progress.
^ID KENT is now on the high seas
nd is expected back next week after
few weeks of mixed pleasure and
>usiness in England and the Con-
inent. As the impresario of the
low famous Columbus 5-5-5 confer-
nce he will shortly again call this
mportant gathering into action. The
iestinies of both producer and ex-
libitor are so akin that it is mental
usiness-suicide for them to constant-
y be pulling in opposite directions.
>Jow, more than ever, is there need
or co-ooeration all around.
'ROM LAWRENCE TIBBETT in
he "Rogue Song" to cinema grand
pera is but a short step. We are
iclined to think that most folks will
ake it. Will grand opera on the
creen make money? That's the big
uestion! At any rate we may soon
now for we understand there are
ome rather elaborate plans along
iiis line in the making.
Approximately 13,000
Fewer Actors Were
Placed in 1929
H^est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Placements of actors
by the Central Casting Corp. in 1929
totaled 262,958 as compared with 276,-
155 in 1928, indicating a drop of 13,-
197 for the first full-year of talker
production.
Extras earned $2,401,429.31 last
year, the average pay being $9.13
(Continued on Page 8)
PUNS STOCK COMPANIES
rOR FOREIGN TAIKERS
H-cst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Jesse L. Lasky, up-
on his return here from a hunting
trip to Mexico, outlined his plan for
handling the production of Para-
mount talking pictures for foreign
fields. The formation of a group of
(Continued on Page 8)
M. P. Academy Plans to
Boost Its Membership
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — The Academy of M.
P. Arts and Sciences will have foun-
dation and active members, if a pro-
posed amendment receives the ap-
proval of the Academy's board of di-
(Continued on Page 8)
Sue on Sunday Arrest
Fairfield, la. — Suits totaling
$20,250 have been filed against
the Mayor of this city by
Richard and Luther Day, of
Centerville, for arresting them
two Sundays in succession on
charges of giving a show with-
out a city license and in viola-
tion of the local Sunday ordi-
nance. The Days were acquitted
in court, and the damages
sought are for alleged loss be-
cause the trial prevented them
from attending to their busi-
ness.
FOX FOREIGN MANAGERS
Foreign sales and policies of the
Fox organization will be the chief
topic during the next two weeks by
officials of the company's foreign
branches now in New York. Clayton
Sheehan, general foreign manager, is
in conference with representatives
from non-English speaking countries.
(Continued on Page 2)
Howells Leaves for Sydney
to Open Pathe Branches
Edmund H. Howells, Pathe repre-
.sentative for the Orient, is en route
to San Francisco from where lie will
sail for Sydney, Australia, to super-
(Continued on Page 8)
Miss., Tenn., Ark. Theater Men
Line Up Against Adverse Laws
"Cock Eyed World" Clicks
in 48 Houses in Britain
During the week of Jan. 19 to 25,
"The Cock Eyed World," Fox pro-
duction, was shown in 48 theaters
in Great Britain an set an average
of 50 per cent greater business than
during any previous week in Fox
history, according to the company.
Memphis — Following determination
of the Motion Picture Theater Own-
ers of Mississippi, Tennessee and
Arkansas to conduct a fight against
adverse legislation, principally the
proposed 10 per cent tax on all ad-
missions in Mississipoi, the follow-
ing committees have been named by
(Continued on Page 2)
Company Issuing Revised
Agreement in About
One Week
A new exhibition contract, pro-
viding for arbitration, will be issued
by Paramount in about a week. As
the arbitration boards now existent
cannot function, owing to the Judge
Thacher decree, disputes under this
agreement will be settled through the
regular courts of law.
Other companies are still at work
considering exhibition contract revi-
sion plans made necessary owing to
the decree which deletes Paragraph
18 as illeeral, a check-up by THE
(Continued on Page 8)
VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION
UNDER WAY IN 'PHILLY'
Philadelphia — Adoption of a reso-
lution favoring arbitration was the
highlight of yesterday's meeting here
of the M.P.T.O. of Eastern Penn-
sylvania. A committee with David
Barrist as chairman was appointed
to devise some form of voluntary ar-
(Contiiiued on Page 8)
"Son of the Gods"
High-calibre talking picture
entertainment, the kind that
ought to click with almost any
type of audience, describes
"Son of the Gods," which had
its premiere last evening at the
Warner Bros. It's worthwhile
stuff — and minus a backstage
sequence. From the standpoint
of Richard Barthelmess fans,
the picture is surefire. They'll
see him in a role somewhat
reminiscent of "Broken Blos-
soms." Constance Bennett's
performance is splendid. The
story constantly grasps your
interest and sympathy and
there's an unique set of color
scenes in it. A class produc-
tion is this "Son of the Gods."
Eddy
THC
-;xi^
DAILV
Friday, January 31, 1930
M II No. 26 Friday JaDuary 31, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. AllCOATE
Editor and Publisiier
Published daily except Saturday and boliday-s
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. AKcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
raunications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
?ilm Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
£ GROUPS TO fIGHT
ADVERSE LEGISLATIONS
{Continued from Page 1)
President J. F. Norman of the Tri-
State organization:
For Mississippi: Ed E. Kuykendall,
Columbus; S. B. Johnson, Cleveland;
J. A. West, Houston. For Tennes-
see: M. A. Lightman, Memphis; E.
L. Drake, Jackson; W. F. Ruffin,
Covington. For Arkansas: T. W.
Sharp, Little Rock; Sidney M. Nutt,
Hot Springs; M. J. Pruniski, North
Little Rock; E. H. Butler, Russell-
ville; H. D. Wharton, Warren.
R. X. Williams, Jr., of Oxford,
-Miss, has been appointed chairman
of a convention committee to plan
the spring meeting to take place April
6 and 7 at Alemphis. Other members
of this committee are W. F. Rufifin,
for Tennessee, and H. D. Wharton,
for Arkansas.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am, Seat 21
Con Fm, Ind. ... 21Va
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23
East. Kodak 191
Fox Fm, "A" ... 32
Ktiih A-O 29
do pfd 97
Loew's, Inc 59
do pfd. WW (6^) 88
*do pfd. xw (61/2) ....
•M-G-M pfd
Para. F-L 63!^
Pathe Exch 454
do "A" 8
R-K-0 29 J4
*Univ. Pict. pfd
Warner Bros. 54^^
do pfd 49J^
20 21
20!4 20"^
221/^ 23
USVs nO'A
200
1,800
1,000
500
29^
29
97
57^
86 J4
6VA
4
28H
52^'
48'^
30!.< 40,300
29
97
57.54
86%
100
100
2,40n
200
24/. ....
62 "4 22'„?0n
4 1,900
8 300
28^ 26,500
35
53 35,600
484
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz . . .
*Columbia Pets. . ,
Fox Thea. "A" ..
*Gen. Thea. Equ. . .
Loew do deb. rts.,
Loew's Inc. war. . ,
*Nat. Scr. Ser. . ,
*Nat. Thea, Sup. .
Univ. Pict
19
4/.
65
7/2
39J4
19
4H
15^
25
9^
ROO
300
200
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
*Keith A-O 6s 46.
Loew 6s 41 WW . . .
*do 6s 41 x-war.
Paramount 6s 47 ,
*Par. By. 5j4s 51,
Pathe 7s 37
104 104
99J^ 99>4
SO
49
78 K2
104
93/2
99!^
997/^
49M
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
g J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
y
?t
n
♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦•A
Long Island City }'{
154 Crescent St. S
STIIlwell 7940 «
%
%
%
y
V
if
Chicago Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. "°° ^anta Monica
CAIumet 2691
Blvd.
Hollywood 4121
«usK-»«»n-M»:»»:^-»::
EQUIPMENT EIRM '29 NET
REPORTED AT $2,710,309
Net income for the year ended Nov.
30, 1929, after depreciation, interest
federal taxes and amortization, of
General Theaters Equipment, Inc. is
reported at $2,710,309. This is based
on the 2,026,250 no par shares o
common stock and is equal to $1.33
per share. The company showed net
sales for the year amounting to $10,-
701,086 and has listed on the New
York Stock Exchange 2,206,251
shares of common of which 1,944,510
are outstanding. The remainder is
reserved for exchange for minority
stock of subsidiaries and for con-
version of $6,000,000 six per cent de
bentures.
FOX FOREIGN MANAGERS
(Continued from Page 1)
Among the representative attending
the sessions here are: Julius Aussen-
berg, managing director of Germany
and Central Europe; Henry Kahn,
managing director for Scandinavia; J.
Carlo Bavetta, managing director for
France, Belgium and Switzerland; S.
S. Horen, managing director for
.Spain and Bruno Fox, managing di-
rector for Italy.
During the conferences in New
York representatives will be given
demonstrations of Grandeur, Fox
Color films, and will visit Fox the-
aters and study their methods of
management in the metropolitan
area. Winfield R. Sheehan, vice presi-
dent and general manager, will out-
line the $20,000,000 program planned
for the 1930-31 season.
J. P. Ryan, home office representa-
tive, is holding conferences in Cuba
and Mexico while Louis Moore,
assistant foreign manager is visiting
Brazil, Chile and Argentine.
Deluxe, Detroit, Reverts
to Steffes and Snyder
Detroit — Stefifes and Snyder, for-
mer owners of the Deluxe, have
again come into possession of the
house following expiration of the
lease held by Kunsky Theaters. Dow
Thompson has been engaged as man
ager of the 1,500-seat theater, which
will be closed for a few days while
Western Electric equipment is being
installed.
AMPAS Stage Razz Party
The AMPAS devoted their weekly
luncheon yesterday at the Paramount
hotel to the business of taking Jack
narrower "for a ride," on the oc-
casion of his resigning from the edi-
torial staff of FILM DAILY to be-
come managing editor of "Cinema,"
fan publication. Guests included
Judge Adam Ewald, Raymond B,
Bolton, James Daly, Captain Auten
of London, and John Sheehan, .\bout
100 members were present.
Hammons Leaves for Coast
Earle W. Hammons of Education-
al left for the coast on a business
trip yesterday. Besides his wife he
was accompanied by W. B. Frank,
eastern representative for Mack Sen-
nett.
Kooler-y^ire
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
Henry King To Hollywood
Henry King, who just returned to
New York from Tampa, where he
attended the world premiere of his
production, "Hell Harbor," leaves
today for Hollywood to begin work
on the 1930 Insniration program.
"Lummox" Opens in Detroit
Detroit — Herbert Brenon's all-
talker "Lummox" for U.A. will have
its world premiere today at the
L^nited Artists here.
Lawrence Johnson With M-G-M
Lawrence Johnson, author of the
stage play "It's a Wise Child," has
been placed under contract by M-G-
M to do originals. He will leave
for the Coast sometime in April.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Opening of "Little Johnny Jones"
at the Strand, N. Y.
Feb. 1 "Condemned," opens at Rivoli, N.
Y., at popular prices.
"L°st Zeppelin" opens at Gaiety.
Feb. 6 Regular meeting of the AM PA, at
Paramount Hotel, New York.
Feb, 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Feb. 15 Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at Earl Carroll, N, Y,
Feb, 19 Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Mar. S First Day of Lent.
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
U. A. Film Scheduled for
Carroll Opening Feb. 15
Negotiations have been completed
for the New York premiere of "Put- i
tin' on the Ritz," U.A. talker featur- '<
mg Harry Richman, at the Earl Car- j
roll, N. Y,, Feb. 15 following the
run of "Hit the Deck," now current.
Pathe Comedy Directors
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Monte Carter, Fred
Guiol and A, B. Heath are among
the short comedy directors working
at Pathe.
Joseph M. Schenck to Coast
Joseph M. Schenck, president of'
United .\rtists, leaves for the Coast i
todav.
AiXLMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with sound.
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
J
Sound studio equipment for
sale, including excellent disc
recorder, amplifiers, micro-
phone, lights, etc. Communi-
cate with
E. K. ELLIS
152 W. 42nd St. N. Y. C.
I'he Executor oj I he Last U til and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
Friday, January 31, 1930
— .^B^
WIIAJf .Ltli -^
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€—
Talkers Call for Greater
Concentration from Audience
COUND immediately introduced
•^ a complication which is large-
ly psychological. If much of the
story is told by the spoken dia-
logue it becomes practically im-
perative to maintain silence and
to pay strict attention to every
word. This demands concentra-
tion to a degree which is often
not relished by an audience
which demands a method of rec-
reation which permits more re-
laxation. It will readily be grant-
ed that the motion picture audi-
ence, taken by and large, is defi-
nitely different from the one
which attends the legitimate
stage or even the musical com-
edy. These people go with the
distinct knowledge that they will
have to pay attention to every
detail and will even have to
strain a bit to get it all.
Wesley C. Miller,
Chief Transmission Engineer,
M-G-M Studios
More Safety in Theaters
Than in Other Buildings
"NJO opportunity should be lost
to impress upon the public
the unassailable truth of the fact
that the average cinema today is
among the safest of all buildings.
Statistics would show that risk
of death or injury is far less in
a cinema than in a private house
and immeasurably less than in
the streets. Unfortunately, on
the rare occasions when cinema
disasters have occurred, the num-
ber of the victims (even though
they represented only a small
percentage of the audience) has
' often been gfeat enough to se-
cure widespread publicity. Such
publicity is apt to create an al-
together disproportionate idea of
danger. Actually, as we know,
the public is more secure at the
pictures than at almost any other
form of sport or recreation.
"The Bioscope"
t
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
RALPH CEDER
lath grader
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
V
'■JTAPHONE NEWS, a weekly publication issued to patrons
of the local Warner houses, has a circulation of 40,000. Jack
Lewis is acting associate editor Primo de Rivera, who
has just closed an eventful career as Premier of Spain, makes
his first appearance in a Fox Movietone release now holding
forth at the Embassy, N. Y
* * * ^^
Under the editorship of Hal Hodes, "The Beacon," Colum-
bia's pet house organ, a_gain increases its size. This time to 12
pages, but Hal, you should tell a guy whether the sheet is put
in circulation weekly, monthly or now and then Forrest
Yarnell, baritone, will appear at the Capitol today in "Venetian
Carnival," the new revue. Yarnell, just back from Australia,
makes his first la la in New York
* * * *
Victor records of Jeanette MacDonald singing "Dream
Lover" and "March of the Grenadiers" from "The Love Pa-
rade," will be placed on the market this week. Victor also has
an exclusive contract for her musical numbers in future produc-
tions, so it is said Dr. L. Forno, manager of the foreign
department for J. V. Cremonim, sails for Europe on Feb. 8
for a tour of studios in Italy, France and Spain
* * * tf.
Charles Ray will continue to be a prodigal from the films
for at least another 10 weeks, the length of a contract he has
just signed to appear in Loew vaudeville Albert S. How-
son, scenario editor of Warner Bros., is going strong as a pub-
lic speaker these days. His most recent oratorical appearance
took place last night in Philadelphia at a meeting of the State
Federation of Pennsylvania Women El Brendel is on his
way from the Coast to Philadelphia and New York for a vaca-
tion, with a stopover in St. Louis for a personal appearance at
the opening there of "Hot for Paris."
* * * *
An exhibit of photographs of old time minstrel notables
including such famous troupes as the Dockstader, Haverly, Don
Bryant and original Christy Minstrels, is on display next door
to the Colony, N. Y., where Pathe's "The Grand Parade" is the
current attraction. Helen Twelvetrees and Fred Scott ha\ v
the lion shares of the picture
>|: * * 4:
Herman Reese, who designed all the big sets and costumes
for Paul Whiteman's "The King of Jazz," has returned to this
little town east of the Hudson This musical one is Uni-
versal's big boy Joseph O'Brien, film editor of Pathe
Sound News, recently back from Paris, has left for the West
to visit the editorial headquarters and traveling units of the or-
ganization J. H. Seidelman, assistant general manager of
Paramount's foreign department, returned from a month's trip
to Jamaica
* * * *
Do you ever wonder where a certain exchange, independent or
otherwise is located? The 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
contains a complete list of all exchanges in the industry. Out
soon, watch for it!
JANUARY 31 -MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Adele Watson
Marcella Daly
Joyce Murray
AND
JHATS
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
Market speculators who were
caught short in Paramount, Warner,
Loew and Fox no longer call them
amusement stocks.
"England," declares one of 'is
Majesty's politicians, "undoubtedly
has made America what she is to-
day."
That's nothing. American pictures
are making the world what it will
be tomorrow.
Some talkers are described by
critics as butchered versions of good
plays or novels.
If the pictures come first, and the
novels or plays ivere adapted from
them, the critics would call the nov-
els or plays butchered versions of
good films.
* * *
SPECIALIST: Now, relax
and say "Oh."
SICK ACTOR: No, I won't.
I came here for a physical
exam., not a talker test.
Every one of the last seven news-
reels that we have seen and heard
has contained scenes of Al Smith in
various occupations from a golf act
to witty repartee with other notables.
Considering that Al recently stated
he positively did not contemplate go-
ing into pictures, it looks as though
somebody's been putting over a few-
fast ones on the happy warrior.
* * *
Clara Bow is quoted in "Life" as
saying that she always tries to be a
"good fellow."
'At's the way, Clara. And be a
good girl, too.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Educational to open 26 exchanges
in key cities with Joe Lee in charge.
* ♦ *
Net income of $4,000,000 estimated
for Famous during 1919.
♦ * *
"Fatty" Arbuckle will make fea-
tures, advises coast report.
i^ if <¥
Allen Holubar offered post with
Italia Film Co. of Italy.
I950 ir TiFi
TIFFANY PRODUCTION/ I
729 ^ EV EMTM AVE.
N E^\; YOPK CITY
ORDX XMATHED
SG TENrATIOM
It's a zippy, peppy, steppy story
of an astounding system by
which girls are hired to drum up
big contracts for big business
men. Talking, Singing, Dancing.
With Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.,
Judith Barrie, Jeanette Loff,
Marie Prevost
>o(
A Halperin Production
Directed by Victor Halperin
^%,
A
"Vc
if/ ^
,*V 't
wT'
IT'.^.n-C.A'^ -. ! .PARTY GIRL, I
f f-^ f \0\ DOUGLASS
FAIRBANKS..
%ik^^£SiSi^
COMING!
TO MAKE BIG MONEY!
"MAMBA," all-talking, all-Technicolor, with
Jean Hersholt, Eleanor Boardman, Ralph Forbes.
Directed by .Al Rogell.
'TROOPERS THREE," By Arthur Guy Empey, author o£ "Over
the Top." With Rex Lease, Dorothy Gulliver and star cast.
Directed by Norman Taurog.
"CYCLONE HICKEY" (tentative title) with James Gleason,
Marion Shilling and Johnny Walker.
Directed by James Flood.
AND MANY MORE BIG ONES
for Tiffany
Year.
voice
°/
HOLLYWOOD
STARS ANSWER FAN
QUESTIONS FnOM THE
SCREEN
produced by
LOUIS /
LEWVN
1 1 F F AM^ P R O D U C T ION/ INC.
729 ^ EV ENTH AVE.
HiW YOPK, CITY.
WALKAWAY
1 here is always one sure, quick proof of a product's success. That
is. Is it being bought? . . . The booking results on Pathe Comedies
show, as scientifically as analysis can, that the "pretties" who dance
all over and through them are literally walking away with the nation's
comedy business! . . . Thousands of theatres, scores of the most
powerful circuits in the theatre industry, have recognized the pulling
power of the Path6 laugh product and are novi playing these com-
edies for all they re worth. These include such impressive names as
PubUx, Loew's, Keith's, RKO, Fox, Stanley, Comerford, ' Butterfield
and so many others that space does not permit anything like
a full list . . . The reason is obvious: 25 years of comedy
leadership; btiilt by experts for box-office stimulation: combin-
ing gags, girls, and guffaws — Path6 Comedies rule the roost !
for PAT HE
Comedies
SOME PATHE
COMEDY HITS
NOW WALKING
AWAY WITH ALL
HONORS!
i
**NIGHT IN A
DORMITORY"
'CROSBY'S CORNERS"
"AFTER THE SHOW"
"BARBERS' COLLEGE"
8 OUT OF 10 WIRED
HOUSES NOW PLAY
PATHE COMEDIES!
THE
EBma
-;%g^
DAILV
Friday, January 31, 1930
'Thank You' Month
February has been desig-
nated as "Thank You Month"
in R-K-0 theaters. One of the
stunts will be to begin all tele-
phone calls with "Thank You"
instead of "Hello."
UNMRWAYIN'PHILLY'
(Continued from Page 1)
ijitration to function until the pres-
ent situation is cleared. Lewen Pi-
zor, president, condemned the prac-
tice of certain salesmen in inviting
exhibitors to break their contracts in
order to buy other product, and re-
quested exhibitors to call his atten-
tion to any such incidents.
Following a series of speeches,
election of officers took place with
Lewen Pizor being reelected presi-
dent; C. Floyd Hopkins, Jacob Fox,
Morris Wax and L. J. Chamberlin,
vice-presidents; Michael Lessy and
George P. Aarons were reelected
treasurer and secretary respectively.
C. H. Goodwin for the 11th straight
year was renominated to the board of
directors, but declined and was made
an honorary life member of the
board.
Members elected to Barrist's com-
mittee include; Jay Emanuel, George
T.essy, Mike Landow, Morris Wax
and Lewen Pizor.
Howells Leaves for Sydney
to Open Pathe Branches
(.Continued from Page 1)
vi^e the company's afifairs and open
distributing offices there. Among the
companies recently lined-up by
Howells are Alexander Hague Co.,
India; Lyric Film Exchange, Manila,
P. I.; U. Ono of Japan; Hertzberg
Peacock Enterprises, China and
United Film Services, Egypt. Howells
will remain in Australia for about a
M. P. Academy Plans to
Boost Its Membership
(Continued from Page 1)
rectors. The measure provides that
foundation members have jurisdic-
tion in all branches of the organiza-
tion, while active members will con
fine their activities to the particular
branch, in which they are most in-
terested. Foundation memberswouh'
pay $100 admission fee and nionthly
due.s of $5, while active member?
would pay $15 admission fee and $1
a month dues.
It is believed the adoption of the
amendment would result in the
Academy gaining 200 to 300 new
members.
Fried! Visits Montgomery
Montgomery, Ala. — John J. Friedl,
southeastern director of Publix thea-
ters, visited this city i^ecently pre-
paring plans for the opening of the
new Publix.
1929 STANDARD CASTING
BUREAUPLACEMENTSDROP
(Continued from Page \)
a day as compared with $8.59 in 1927
and $8.94 in 1928. Increase in the
average was due to the higher wages
paid to dancers.
Registrations with the casting bu-
reau reached a new total of 17,541.
Out of this number, only 329 aver-
aged one day's work every day in the
year. Veteran extras received 19,-
158 of the 262,958 jobs in 1929. This
compared with 16,775 in 1928 and
n,76i in 1927.
Number of children registered was
1,679, and 907 of them obtained one
day's work in the entire year, while
only 11 worked from 40 to 70 days
of the year.
The outstanding development of
1929 was the need of foreign types.
PLANS STOCK COMPANIES
FOR FOREIGN TALKERS
(Continued from Page 1)
stock companies composed of artists
from Spain, France, Germany, Ital\
and other nations to permit the sep-
arate and perfect filming of talkers
in various languages is the solution
to the problem, he believes.
"Hollywood will solve the prol.)-
1cm," said Lasky, "and I can see .
real influx to the screen colonv of
players speaking key tongues. We
can take no halfway measures. Ar-
tists must talk in the native languag(
of each country that is being served
with American-made pictures."
Motion Picture Salesmen
Install Officers for 1930
Officers for 1930 have been in-
stalled by the Motion Picture Sales-
men, Inc., as follows: president, J
J. Felder; first vice pres., Jack El
lis; second vice pres., Matty Cahan;
treasurer, Saul Trauner; recording
secretary, AI. H. Markowitz; finan-
cial secretary, H. J. Carlock; his-
torian, L. Lawrence Baren; sergeant
at-arms, J. J. Dolan; trustees, Ma>
Fellerman, N. Marcus; board of di-
rectors, Joe Weinberg, Me>'er Solo-
mon, Louis Weinberg, Sid Kulick
Moe Sanders, Sam Shapin.
First National Plans
Outdoor Color Picture
Wed Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — An all-color picture to
be filmed on natural locations will
get under way when First Nationa'
starts production on "Heart of the
North," based on a story by Willian
Byron Mowrey. The adaptation i;
being made by John Russell. The
feminine lead will be Loretta Young.
Odeon Is Improved
Bartlesville, Okla. — Odeon ha^
opened with sound pictures. The
house has also been remodeled.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE IS
IN NEW m CONTRACT
(Continued from Page 1)
FILM DAILY yesterday shows. The
decree makes compulsory arbitration
in group form illegal.
There is no danger of disbanding
of the Film Boards of Trade owing
to the Thacher decree, it is under-
stood. Their various functions are
considered of too great a value to
permit their elimination.
14 TO FACETrAND jury
FOR SUNJY VIOLATION
Wheeling, W. Va. — Seven local ex-
hibitors and seven projectionists, after
being arrested for the fifth time on
charges of violating the Sunday
ordinance against shows, are under
•500 bond each for appearance be-
fore the next grand jury.
Consolidated Enterprises
to Celebrate 25th Year
Twenty-fifth anniversary of Con-
solidated Amusement Enterprises,
operating 25 houses in Manhattan
and the Bronx, will be celebrated in
March. Rudolph A. Kuehn, general
manager of the organization, is
sponsoring the silver jubilee.
No Censorship Cuts Made
in Providence Last Year
Providence — No deletions wer<
found necessary in motion pictures
exhibited here during 1929, accord-
ing to the annual report of Captain
George W. Cowan, police censor. In
other lines of entertainment 543
changes were made, the report shows.
Captain Cowan declared that the
careful supervision of films by thi
National Board of Review has kep'
the pictures within all local require
ments.
Kay Johnson Injured
in Automobile Accident
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILV
Hollywood — Kay Johnson was seri-
ously injured in an automobile acci-
dent yesterday.
Contract Awarded for New House
Star City, Ark. — M. M. Redmond
of Pine Bluff has been awarded gen-
eral contract for the new one-story
theater which is to represent an in-
vestment of $20,000. Roland Seigle,
who operates two theaters in Pine
Bluff, has entered into a lease with
Senator Arthur Johnson for the
house.
Manager Returns After Operation
Montgomery, Ala. — W. A. Wolf-
son, manager of the Strand, has re-
turned to duty following an absence
of several weeks during which he
underwent an appendicitis operation.
New Trailer Idea
A trailer containing music
and sound effects descriptive
of the titles has been prepared
by Paramount in connection
with the exploitation of "Road-
house Nights" The idea has
been worked out by the adver-
tising department under Rus-
sell Holman's supervision in
cooperation vrith Al Wilkie,
publicity head of the Long Is-
land studio.
RKO Gets 3 Wide-Film
Cameras for "Dixiana"
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
'Hollywood — Three Spoor-Bergren
wide-film cameras have been received
by RKO for use in filming "Dixiana,"
which will mark the company's entr>
in the wide-film field. Production is
scheduled to start in a few weeks.
Manhattan Playhouses
in "Blue Ribbon" Month
February will be "Blue Ribbon"
month in the various Harlem, Bronx
and East Side theaters operated b\
Manhattan Playhouses, Inc. Special
programs, decoratjons and publicity
have been arranged for these weeks.
Benjamin Sherman and J. H. Stein-
man are in charge with Dave Lustig
assisting.
Second Talking Film Role
Set for Norma Talmadge
(!>.(/ Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — "Flame of the Flesh"
will be Norma Talmadge's second
talking film. Sam Taylor will direct.
The production will be distributed
l)y United Artists under this name.
Kuykendall After Macon House
Macon, Miss.- — Ed Kuykendall of
Columbus and owner of the Princess
and State theaters there has been
visiting this city with a view to add-
ing another house to his chain. The
only house here is the Dreamland,
which does not show talkers. Kuy-
kendall plans include a house for
sound pictures.
New Orleans Exchanges Move
New Orleans — First National has
moved its local exchange quarters
into the new Warner Building here.
Universal and United Artists are now
ensconsed in their new offices di-
rectly opposite the Warner Building.
Columbia has moved into Universal's
old offices.
Raulerson Reopens Strand
Lakeland. Fla. — Jimmy Raulerson
has reopened the Strand here which
has been closed for several vears.
Warner Plans Nearly Completed
Youngstown, O. — Plans for the
new Warner to be built here are
nearly completed. Warner architects
have been checking up with local
city authorities on requirements for
the new house.
oyPILMDOIifi
V" t ^ ■>'•> •.>•r:^:^-'''^■•V;^;:■'^'•^'v-^i'^^j^v
VOL. LI No. 27
ANDWEEKLY
FILR DIGEST
Sunday, February 2, 1930
50
Cdsmd
5tice.25 Cents
^^t.
^\3^>
PETER B. KYNE'S first story in
sound. With Charles Bickford, Ray-
mond Hatton, Fred Kohler, Fritzi
Ridgeway, Maria Alba. Directed by
William Wyler. Presented by —
CARL LAEMMLE
HEIIS HEROES
TiniversaVs New Sellinef Season is on.^OTV/
KEEP POSTED
ON DEPENDABLE
TIPS ON SILENT,
SOUND SHORTS,
AND FEATURES
All the news of the field
Theater Equipment
A service department that serves
LATEST PICTURE
BOX OFFICE REVIEWS
THAT EVERYWHERE
ARE RECOGNIZED
AS THE AUTHORITY
MACK SENIVETT
Presents
a Gatncdy tHat mjuUI wnaHc
SHart F^coLiurc Misiary
«
?>^
/
?►
^ "-".njm^^
>y
O^Kv^^
B\0
^to
CO
c^s■^
^^
^
^^Sugar Plum Papa'' is the sweetest
dish in the long line of tasty Sennett
film desserts. That means it's as funny
as any two-reel comedy that ever reached
the screen.
Note its great comedy cast — Daphne
Pollard, Andy Clyde, Harry Gribbon,
Marjorie Beebe, Bud Jamison, Rosemary
Theby. Listen to its two catchy original
song hits — ''''Sugar Plum Papa "and "T/ic
Same Old Thing Called Love.^^ Observe
the feature calibre of its story and pro-
duction. And just try to count the laughs!
'^ Sugar Plum Papa'' is a splendid
example of the highest achievement of the
Short Feature Comedy since its rebirth
through Sound. Two years from now
you'll still be talking about ''Sugar
Plum Papa". It's the kind of comedy
you simply can't afford not to play.
,X
with
DAPHNE POLLARD
ANDY CLYDE
HAHRY tilRIRRON
MARJORIE REERE
'"^^..r^^^^-o^.
ss.
^
•THE SPICE OFTHE PROGRAM"
'<^r.
fo
EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES, Inc.
'4'
E. W. UAM^W^S, President
roiluriTtt and Dinlribulors of America, In
, Will II. Ilav*, Tre^ident
p/'FILMDOM
AHDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
VOL, LI No. 27
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Price 25 Cents
New Pa. Fire Law Becomes Operative on Feb. 1 6
INJUNCTIONS KEEP CHICAGO THEAT^ OPEN
Four P-F-L Talkers Set for Production in East
Two Start Work in Week
Under Mai St. Clair
and Monta Bell
Paramount's Long Island studio,
the only plant in the East now reg-
ularly producing features, has four
pictures of this classification def-
initely set for production. Two,
"Dangerous Nan McGrew" and
"Young Man of Manhattan," go be-
fore the camera within a week. Mai
St. Clair will direct the first and
Monta Bell the latter. Two other
features scheduled are "Queen High,"
(Continued on Page 2)
lUOTA PiriTBRITISII
EXHIB INJOUGH SPOT
London — Shortage of British films
for quota purposes has put the Eng-
lish exhibitor in a tight position.
Present indications are that he has
no margin of choice for the second
year of the quota operation.
There are no expectations of the
Government acting to change the
aw. Its attitude seems to be in
effect that the industry sought the
luota law and will now have to make
'he best of it.
Kistler Succeeds Anderson
as Atlanta Pathe Mgr.
' I Memphis — H. R. Kistler, manager
;3f the local Pathe office for the last
year, haj been assigned to take over
the Atlanta office, succeeding W. W.
Anderson, who has resigned to join
iElectrical Research Products as
[southern district representative.
Drop Lobby Sales
Sale of sheet music in the
lobbies of Loew theaters is
being discontinued, it is an-
nounced by Louis K. Sidney,
managing director of the Loew
houses. The step was agreed
upon jointly with the Robbins
Music Corp., which publishes
the numbers for M-G-M.
56 TRAILER COMPANIES
SER1GEXIIIBSINU.S.
Film trailer service companies
serving exhibitors throughout the
United States total 56, according to
figures compiled for the FILM
DAILY YEAR BOOK. In Canada
there are five, the survey shows.
California leads the group of states
with 11, eight of which are located
in San Francisco and 3 in Los Ang
eles. Missouri is second with 7; Wis.
has 5; Colo., 3; Mass., 3; N. Y. State,
5; 111., Ind., La., Mich., Ore., Tenn.,
Tex., all have 2 while the following
states have only 1: Ga., la., Neb.,
Ohio, Pa. and Wash.
Fox Foreign Managers
Hear Product Outlined
The conference of Fox foreign
managers being held at the Park Cen-
tral Hotel were addressed at lun-
cheon Friday by Winfield Sheehan,
vice president and general manager.
J. R. Grainger, in introducing him,
said that Sheehan would give only
the highlights of production plans for
1930-1931.
Clayton P. Sheehan, foreign gen-
eral manager, is presiding.
Set Grandeur Opening
A Grandeur version of John
McCormack's initial picture,
"Song C My Heart," will
have its world premiere in New
York on St. Patrick's Day,
Mar. 17. The house has not
yet been selected by Fox.
Three versions of the film
have been made. One is made
in Grandeur film and is an all-
talker. A second is an all-dia-
logue picture made on stand-
ard-width film. The third is
for the foreign market, with
titles and McCormick singing.
ASSERT riLM INDUSTRY
IS IN STRONG POSITION
"The motion picture industry wat
one of the few major businesses to
enter the year 1930 in a strong and
favorable position," says Samuei
Engerleider & Co., investment firm,
in a survey just issued.
Continuing, the survey says: Fur-
thermore, the industry is not likel}
to suffer from the effects of the re-
cession in general business, whicl;
may or may not continue in man>
(Continued on Page 2)
Fire Regulations in Pa. Cover
Theater Projection Rooms
Louisiana Independents
to Demand Better Films
New Orleans — An effort to force
distributors "to release first-class pic-
tures" to them will be made by in-
dependent exhibitors in this city and
throughout southern Louisiana, it is
announced following a meeting pre-
sided over by H. A. Bettencourt and
Ben Halperin, officers of the local
group of the Louisiana Allied Assn.,
of M. P. Exhibitors. By uniting the
independents figure that they will be
sufficiently important to demand re-
cognition on the same basis as the
big chains.
Philadelphia — A state fire preven-
tion law involving regulations and
equipment for theater projection
rooms becomes operative Feb. 16. It
applies to houses which the measure
terms "third class" and does not, it
is understood, affect this city, Pitts-
burgh and Scranton as theaters in
these places are operating under local
regulations somewhat similar to the
new ones.
Theaters that show definite signs
of co-operating with Fire Marshal
James Mulhern in complying with his
order demandine installation of fire-
proof screens will not be compelled
(Continued on Page 2)
Exhibitors in a Muddle
Over New Acoustical
Material Rules
Chicago — Several exhibition com-
panies have obtained injunctions
against the fire department prevent-
ing the closing of their houses, pend-
ing a statement as to what constitutes
non-inflammable acoustical material.
A number of exhibitors who have put
in acoustical treatment have been
compelled to remove it by order of
the fire prevention bureau, which de-
cided that the treatment did not com-
ply with any existing municipal law.
Exhibitors expressed themsclv'.-s as
anxious to co-operate with the fire
regulations but pointed out that they
are unable to until definite ru'e^; are
set forth.
THREE WATERLOO HOUSES
TAKEN OVER BY PUBLIX
Waterloo, la. — iPublix has taken
over the Strand, Palace and Crys-
tal, formerly owned by the Ford-Die-
bold Co., with Arthur C. Stolte as
house manager. With the recent ac-
quisition of the Strand and Palace
in Cedar Rapids, Publix now has five
(Continued on Page 2)
RCA Photophone Type G
Contracts Rolling in
Contracts calling for installing of
the RCA Photophone Type G repro-
ducing equipment in 131 theaters in
41 states were received by RCA Pho-
tophone from Jan. 3 up to and in-
cluding Jan. 25, states Sidney E.
Abel, general sales manager.
Vetoes Sunday Shows
Binghamton, N. Y. — The
third effort in 10 years to le-
galize Sunday shows here was
defeated when Mayor Boyd
vetoed the latest proposed or-
dinance.
tHe
s^E^
DAILY
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Vol. LI No. 27 Sunday, February 2. 1930 Price 25 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK iSTOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 23 21 23 1,100
C^: Fm. Ind. . . 21 20J4 207^ 1,200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 2'3Ji 23^ 23Ji 200
East. Kodak 193)4 189 193M 2,200
Fox Fm. "A" ... 31 30J4 3m 3,100
Keith A-0 29 29 29 100
*do pfd 97
Loew's Inc 59^ 57J4 587^ 5,000
do pfd. WW (6'/i) 87Ji 87Ji 87)^ 100
•do pfd. xw (.e'A) 88 ....
M-G-M pfd 24J4 2454 24J4 200
Para. F-L 62^ 61Ji 6m 2,200
Pathe Exch 4^ 4 4Ji 700
do "A" 7J4 7H yy* 100
R.K-O 29J4 28^ 28M 36,800
Univ. Pict. Pfd. . 35^ 35J4 35;4 100
Warner Bros 53^ 525i 53 23,700
do pfd 49^ 49 4954 800
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 31^
Fox Thea. "A" . 75i 7H 7/2 2,700
*Gen. Thea. Equ 39J4 ----
Loew do deb. rts.. 20 J4 1954 1954
•Loew's Inc. war 4J4
•Nat. Scr. Ser 155^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 9}i
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46. 7854 78^4 78^4
Loew 6s 41ww ..105 105 105
do 6s 41 x-war.. 94 94 94
Paramount 6s 47 . 99^4 99 99
Par. By. S^s 51. 99^4 99^ 99'A
Pathe 7s 37 48^ 48}4 48J4
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
200
•.* ♦.♦ ♦.♦ ♦.♦ ♦.♦ ♦.♦ ♦.♦ •«
iy'"'*'
8 New York Long Island City j'j
™ 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. «
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 H
I Eastman Films |
I J. E. Brulatour, Inc. ^
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
Hollywood g
6700 Santa Monica >■«
Blvd. g
g CAIumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 v\
& it
INDEX
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 4
TIMELY TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions 4
THEIR FIRST JOBS 4
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. Daly, Jr 4
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 4
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files 4
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly 4
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 6
SHORT SHOTS FROM NEW STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair 6
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast Wire Service 7
"A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk 7
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 8-11
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Berg 12-13
PRESENTATIONS, by William Ornstein 14
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Don C. Gillette 14
REVIEWS
PAGE
A FRAGMENT OF AN EMPIRE 8
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU 8
BISHOP MURDER CASE 11
DEMON OF THE STEPPES.... 8
KAISER IN PEACE AND WAR. 8
LITTLE JOHNNY JONES U
LOVE COMES ALONG 11
PAGE
MEN WITHOUT WOMEN 11
NEW YORK NIGHTS 11
PAINTED FACES 8
PARADE OF THE WEST 8
SON OF THE GODS~. 8
STREET OF CHANCE 11
THE ROGUE SONG 8
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND 11 SILENT 11
THREE WATERLOO HOUSES
TAKEN OVER BY PUBLIX
(Continued from Page 1)
of the principal theaters in these two
cities.
Duluth — Purchase of the Lyceum
theater and building for $900,00ii
gives Publix control of six houses
here. J. B. Clinton and the estate
of Charles P. Meyers formerly op
crated the Lyceum.
New Pa. Fire Law to be
Operative on Feb. 16
(Continued from Page 1)
to close. This was made clear by
Mulhern Friday, which he had made
the deadline for installation of the
screens. An exhibitor committee is
working with Mulhern in the matter.
ASSERT m INDUSTRY
IS IN STRONG POSITION
(Continued from Page 1)
Other lines. The motion-picture-go-
ing habit is so deeply rooted in the
American public that even in times
of business depression theater atten-
dance is little affected.
In recent years the leading compa-
nies have pursued aggressive expan-
sion policies and have greatly en-
larged their property holdings by ac-
quiring independent theater chjins,
as well as by building new theaters.
Thus, they are in an admirable posi-
tion to benefit from the favorable
factors as outlined above.
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb.
6
Feb.
7
Feb.
15
Feb.
19
Mar
S
Mar.
20
Apr.
6-7
June
2-7
Regular meeting of the AMPA, at
Paramount Hotel, New Yorit.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor, New York.
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at Earl CarroU, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
First Day of Lent.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Macon Projectionists
Elect New OflScers
Macon, Ga. — Newly elected officers
of the local chapter of the LA.T.S.E.
& M.P.P. are as follows: Charles L.
Leonard, president; J. A. Sylvester,
vice president; A. Saunders, record-
ing secretary; R. ~A. Godfrey, finan-
cial secretary; R^^ E. Rankin, ser-
geant-at-arms; J. O. Morgan, busi-
ness agent; H. M. Specht, Henry
Bailey, Lawson Ashley, trustees.
Behrman En Route To Coast
S. N. Behrman, author of "Me-
teor," current on Broadway, and
"Serena Blandish," is en route to the
Coast to join the Fox writing staff.
His first assignment is "Lilliom,"
which will star Janet Gaynor under
direction of Frank Borzage.
»t«»«-»:s«::::»K-
m WW K»-'»t'«8'g'?^-
Union Gets Educational Product
Complete line-up of 76 two reel Edu-
cational shorts on the 1929-30 out-
put, has been bought by Union The-
aters, Ltd. of Australia. The deal
was consummated by L. J. Wool-
drige, foreign manager for Educa-
tional and the American representa-
tive of Union TheaterSj Ltd.
Hall at Work on New Film
James Hall arrived in New York
Friday, to work in "Dangerous Nan
McGrew" which will be directed at
the Paramount Long Island studio.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Washington's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
writh sound. i
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
Four P-F-L Talkers Set
for Production in East
(Continued from Page 1)
which Fred Newmeyer will make,
and "Too Much Love."
Walter Wanger is in charge of all
feature production. James R. Cowan
is general manager of the studio,
which has made 14 features since
its reopening on Oct. 16, 1928.
Mulhall Through with F. N.
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Jack Mulhall is com-
pleting his contract with First Na- .
tional.
La Maire Left $1,482 Estate
The estate of George La Maire,
producer and comedian who died re-J
cently, is set at $1,482 in a petition;
filed by his wife in Surrogate's];
I
Court.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
4Kin9Sof Comedy
Fresh from Broadway Triurril^hs
Bring ON
YOUR.
WILLIAM GAXTON
Featured comedian of the year's
biggest musical comedy hit
"Fifty Million Frenchmen."
VITAPHONE VARIETIES gives you
another winning hand with four of
Broadway's leading comedians. Each
in a series of deluxe short com-
edies. Supervised by Murray Roth.
EDDIE BUZZELL
Star of numerous successes. Opening
soon on Broadway as the featured
comedian in a new musical comedy.
UvC
tvoV
play
fill pi^y
lets
v^^^/t
ho^
LESTER ALLEN
Dancing comedian, featured in
the current musical comedy hit
"Top Speed."
oov^to
ft'
■5VA\S
Of
\2
co^^
cO\tS
ViTAPMOM vARf ETf ES
> m • • SUPPLY THAT DEMAND FOR VARIETY ^^^^
Vitatifunu" is Ou ntisUrtd traJe-Tnarli 0/ Tht Vitaphoru Cortmatum duignotint <ts prodiisii
THE
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
t)
Patrons Best Qualified
As Censors of Pictures
'T'HE only persons qualified to
endorse or condemn motion
pictures are those who pay their
money to see pictures because
they are seeking entertainment.
And that goes for critics, too,
present company not excepted. I
do not set myself up as author-
ized or qualified to endorse or
condemn a picture in behalf of
the public. I am a reporter, and
my reviews of motion pictures
are no more than reportorial ac-
counts of what the films have to
offer those >who are seeking a
particular kind of entertainment.
But these people who are in the
business of endorsing photoplays
do not confine themselves to any
such limits. Arbitrarily, they en-
dorse certain film products as fit
to be seen by the moviegoers of
the nation and, by omitting the
listing of other films, automati-
cally catalog them as unfit. And
their ideas of what films are
worthy of public patronage are
as ridiculous as the organizations
themselves and the people who
are guided by their advice.
Pierre de Rohan in
"Morning Telegraph"
Thinks Child Should See Only
Films Recommended by an Adult
T THINK that it is a very seri-
ous mistake for parents to al-
low their young children to go to
the average moving picture show
today, or to see any picture which
they themselves, or reliable peo-
ple whom they can trust, have
not seen beforehand. Forty or
fifty per cent even of the "fea-
ture" pictures today have sorne
intentionally indecent scenes in
them, and far too often in pic-
tures of decent titles are inserted
scenes of most objectionable
character.
Rev. Dr. Clifford Shay Twom-
bley. Rector, St. James Church,
Lancaster, Pa.
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
C. W. LARSEN
reading meters
DAILY
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
JOHN GARDINER, who directs publicity for Visugraphic Pic-
J tures, makes it known that his outfit is now making personal
talking pictures for various business execs Grossett and
Dunlap are putting out two editions on "Case of Sergeant
Grischa" in a tieup with RKO John Sheehan, who has
been cutting capers in "Follow Thru," which has been one of
the better Manhattan musicals for some months, leaves for the
Coast Monday to go to work for Pathe. He'll do his stuff under
the watchful eye of Joseph Santley, who's supervising musical
productions for that firm
Pierre de Rohan, cinematoligist on the Morning Telegraph, is
trying to organize a "shower" of unwanted articles for his new
office almost anything from an electric fan to a voice
tester will be welcome Irvin Shapiro, secretary and treas-
urer of Unusual Pictures Corp., left for Europe Friday aboard
the "Bremen" to look over foreign pictures with an eye to pur-
chasing the American rights Dick Anderson" pictorially
(via cartoon) shows how the doctor helped himself to the well
known vermiform appendix Henry Kaufman is handling
publicity and exploitation for the American General Film Co.
Fleischer's upper Broadway eating rendezvous suggests a
splendid tid bit in their "Hot for Paris" special in honor of the
picture playing at tlje Fox Japanese Garden, and Blanche Liv-
ingston claims it isn't steaming pastry, either! Down
South is Phil Reisman, general sales manager of Pathe, just visit-
ing exchange and things in general. ...... ."Sugar Plum Papa,"
Sennett Educational talking comedy, opens with Tiffany's "The
Lost Zeppelin" at the Gaiety, N. Y., says Gordon White
>•: * 4> *
After viewing a private showing of the "Bishop Murder
Case," S. S. Van Dine, author of the detective story, claimed it
had been splendidly done, M-G-M tells the world Mon-
day night M-G-M's country-wide radio broadcast over the Co-
lumbia chain, gets under way featuring the Duncan Sisters and
Lawrence Gray in song hits from "It's a Great Life."
* * * *
Lawrence Tibbett upon his arrival at the Coast was greeted
by an official reception committee consisting of Mayor John C.
Porter, Irving G. Thalberg, Paul Bern, Harold B. Franklin,
Lionel Barrymore, H. B. Wright, L. F. Behymer, Mrs. Law-
rence Tibbett, Catherine Dale Owen, Judith Vosselli, Anita Page
and the comedians. Laurel and Hardy
* * * *
Lyne Denig reports that "Son of the Gods" drew a big busi-
ness at its initial matinee Friday at the Warner Bros.
* * * *
Exhibitors, have you given any thought to re-equipping
your theaters? Watch for the John Eberson section of
the 1930 FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK, it contains a
wealth of helpful suggestions.
FEBROARY I-2--MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days:
February 1st
Gene Sheldon
Ernest Hilliard
Harold Rodner
Maxwell A. Silver
February 2nd
Ethel Doherty Benny Rubin
Molly Madone Frank Zucker
Bobby North Ralph Ceder
Frank Albertson
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
It used to be that 87 per cent of
the population had a drammer tuck-
ed away in the old trunk. Now they
stow away what are supposed to he
scenarios. If all the aspiring sce-
nario writers were put end to end,
they — well, let's leave them end to
end and get to the point.
One of them called on Paul Gu-
lick for advice on how to fit him-
self for the calling. And Paul, in
his genial way, said to him:
"First finish your school work and
four years of college. Then take a
few postgraduate courses over an-
other period of four or five years.
After that, familiarize yourself with
every variety of subjects and phases
of life. Spend about two years
studying sociology, four years of his- '
tory, two years of philosophy, two ;
years of psychology, five or six jears I
of foreign languages and customs,
six or seven years of sciences and
five years of theatrical history and
technique.
"The next step will be to put in
about ten years as a newspaper man, i
so you can get close to the dramatics I
of real life. Next get a job on a
cattle boat for Europe or Australia,
and continue from port to port until |
you've circled the globe several times, j
This ought to take you another ten :
years. '1
"Then you can hit for Hollywood, li
try to get in some studio as a hired '
boy, and work your way up. That's
my advice to all boys who want to,
become scenario writers." J
The lad wiped the beads from his\\
brow. ]i
"But, gee," he gasped, "by thei
time a fellow got through with allu
that he'd be about 90 and ready tdj
die." !
"Well," replied the unperturbea.l
Paul, "what do you suppose I /iadj|
in mind?"
4
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAl
IN
William S. Hart suing Thomas H.
Ince for $100,000 on percentage ar-
rangement.
* * *
Al St. John comedies to be state-
righted by Warner Bros.
:i> * *
U. A. secures Minneapolis house
due to split with F & R circuit.
* * *
Pathe Exchange will erect a 1'
story building on 45th St., New York
I Aiistocrats of Sound
From coast to coast, from north to south,
the map of the United States is dotted with
theatres equipped with RCA PHOTOPHONE.
These houses represent the aristocracy of the new
show world.
They are giving to their patrons the utmost in
sound reproduction — a quality of tone — a richness
of voice expression and the satisfaction that can
come only when the mechanism of talking picture
presentation is so scientifically perfect that the
audience is unconscious of the mechanical agent of
its entertainment.
Back of these theatres lies the vast resources, the
great manufactiu'ing plants, the laboratories and
inventive genius of RCA PHOTOPHONE, INC. and
its associated companies — the assurance of stability
and the guarantee of quality.
Your theatre, whether it be 500 seats or 5,000 can
belong to this group of De Luxe Houses — can have
the finest sound equipment in the world — at the
lowest weekly average cost for quality.
A FEW OF THE INSTALLATIONS
IN THE LARGER CENTERS
OF THE UNITED STATES
Baltimore, Md.
KEITH'S
Boston, Mass.
KEITH'S
UPTOWN
Chicago, III.
STAIE LAKE
MARSHALL SQUARE
Cincinnati, Ohio
FAMILY
Cleveland, Ohio
KEITH'S PALACE
KEITH'S 105ih ST.
Denver, Colo.
TABOK GRAND
OKPUEUM
Des Moines, la.
ORPUEUM
Detroit, Mich.
GREAT LAKES
KEITH'S UPTOWN
Los Angeles, Cal.
FORUM
Rochester, N. Y.
EASTMAN THEATRE
St. Louis, Mo.
ST. LOUIS
GRANU OPERA
Miltvankee, Wise.
MILWAUKEE
St. Paul, Minn.
PALACE ORPHEUM
PRESIDENT
Minneapolis, Minn. „ „ . _ ,
HENNEPIN San rrancisco, Cal.
SEVENTH ST. THEATRE GOLDEN GATE
New Orleans, La. Seattle, Wash.
ORPHEUM ORPHEUM
New York City Toledo, Ohio
EARL CARROLL KEITH'S
Pittsburgh, Pa, Washington, D. C.
HARRIS KEITH'S
PHOTOPHONE
SOUND EQUIPMENT
Address All Inquiries to Commercial Department
nCJL PHOTOPHO:KrE;. Inc
SlIKSIIHAHV Oh KAI>iO <:<)K MOHA IM) N OK AMFffTT-A
4il FIFTH AVENUE ♦ NEW YORK CITY
«7-iA«M.- lOI MARIETTA STREET C/y/CXCO; lOO W. MONROE STREET KANSAS ary,MO: DAlVIDSOH BIDC. OfA/l'f/?.- 817- I7TH STRE ET SAN FRANCISCO: 2ii MONTCOMERV STREET
THE
■e&mi
DAILY
Sunday, February 2, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
PHBTOCOLOUEASEIDEIIL
UNIILOWNSIUDIO READY
Photocolor Corporation has leased
the Ideal studio, at Cliffside, N. J.,
pending completion of the studio
building which they are now erect-
ing adjacent to their plant at Irvmg-
ton-on-Hudson, N. Y.
Production will be started this
week on another one of the Photo-
color fantasy series. The title is
"Ye Olde Heart Shoppe," by Au-
gustus Barrett, and Bradley Barker
will again direct, with Kathryn Reece
starred. Leigh Lovel, known to ra-
dio fans, has also been engaged for
a prominent role.
The new Photocolor studio will
have two large stages and six smah
stages, all of which can be used in-
dependent of each other. The ex-
terior work has already been com-
pleted, with electrical equipment and
other interior fittings now being in-
stalled. The building is expected t(
be ready for occupancy within the
next six or eight weeks.
Printing and developing machinery
is now being installed in the present
plant which will more than triple
present capacity. A number of color
cameras were recently completed for
which S. H. Davis of the Photocolor
Corporation is now in Germany to
pick up special lenses developed by
the Carl Zeiss optical lens factory.
Davis is expected back within the
next 10 days, after which the cam-
eras will be put in operation.
Writing Operetta
Jay Gorney and E. Y. Harburg,
who write musical numbers for
Paramount productions, have been
engaged by the Shuberts to also
write the music and lyrics for "The
Duchess of Chicago," forthcoming
stage operetta.
Klages and Greer Signed
Ray Klages and Jesse Greer, sons'
writers, have just been signed by
Pat Flaherty of the Red Star Mu-
sic Co. to write exclusively for Fox
MARK SANDRICH
Director
Just finished
"Hot Bridge"
now preparing
"Barnum Was Wrong"
(all Talking, all Color)
Louis Brock Productions
RKO release
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
YV7HILE many girls spend weary
months trying to break into pic-
tures, Anna May Ransom, a little
Texas dancer, succeeded in landing
a part in a Pathe short, three hours
after arriving in New York. Anna
was introduced to the director by her
chum, Jean Walters, who was cast
for the picture prior to going on
tour with an RKO dance unit.
* *t * '
Parartwunt seems bent on building
up an organization comprised of
stage talent excliisively. Close on the
heels of Claudette Colbert's formal
desertion from the legitimate, comes
an announcement that Frank Mor-
gan, who has a/ppeared in many
stage successes, has just been sign-
ed for a principal role in "Danger-
ous Nan McGreiv," following which
he will appear in "Queen High."
4i 1* *
Olive Shea, who just completed the
featured lead in "The Campus
Vamp," following her work in
"Glorifying the American Girl," will
take a flying trip to Hanover, N. H.,
to attend the Dartmouth Winter
Carnival.
* * *
James Hall has arrived here to
play a role in "Dangerous Nan Mc-
Grew," at the Paramount Long Is-
land studio, production on which is
scheduled to start this week.
* tf *
"Bill" Steiner, whose camera work
has been a decided asset to many
Paramount pictures, has recovered
from an attack of sinus troul)le,
which kept him away from the stu-
dio for several days.
* * «
Mrs. "Billy" Bitzer, ivife of the
camera wizard, has discovered a girl
ivhom she believes is star materia!
and whom she intends to take back
ivith her to Hollywood. The girl's
name is Claire Douglas, and she in
a blonde beauty who was formerhj
in the Ziegfeld "Follies."
<» * *
Robert Presnell, of Paramount'^
writing staff, has collaborated with
Achmed Abdullah on a play, "Em-
press," in which Florence Reed wil!
star, under the management of Hor-
ace Liveright.
* * *
Murray Roth, genial director-in-
chief, has a fanfare for prize fights.
He is a familiar figure at all the big
Garden events. Incidentally, Mur-
ray Roth is turning 'em out bigger,
better and faster than ever at the
Eastern Vitaphone studios.
Fir. St Color Slapstick
Louis Brock is about to pro-
duce the first slapstick comedy
to be made in color. Produc-
tion will be started within the
next two weeks, using the
Brewster color system. A new
team of comedians will be fea-
tured in the action which is
built around life in a side-show.
The boy wonder of Flatbush,
Waite Hoyt, who spends his sum-
mers pitching ball at the Yankee
Stadium, appeared in a Vitaphone
Variety with J. Fred Coots and Mae
Questelle. Murray Roth directed
them in "A Battery of^Songs."
Harold Levey and Milton Sands
in the garb of IQth Century tights
and buckskins, lent color and humor
to the orchestra in the Eddie Buz-
zell Vitaphone Variety, "The Royal
Fourflusher," just completed at the
Flatbush studio, at the sam^ time
affording the studio staff an oppor-
tunity to pass on their nether ex-
tremities.
With many of Broadway legitimate
players traveling over to the Flat-
bush studios to appear in Vitaphoni.
X'arieties, Arthur Hurley, director, is
renewing acquaintances with people
he has directed for the speaking
stage. Among the score or more
who recently appeared in several
sketches which Hurley directed are
Mary Phillips, Humphrey Bogart,
Jessie Busley, Leni Stengel, Wallace
i'Drd. Tiiurston Hall and Malcolm
I iiinii.
Eddie Buzzell brought his two
Chihuahua dogs down to the Flat-
biixh studios last week to appear iv
*hc pet shop scenes in "Keeping
Company," but the dogs refused tc
tjjpcar with the common run of
mongrels, bulldogs and terrien
•iliich had been engaged for the pro-
duction.
Hugh O'Connell, who closed ir
the show, "The Sap from Syracuse,'
the other night, recently appeared a'
the Eastern Vitaphone studio in an-
other Vitaphone Variety entitled
"I-'ind the Woman."
Fingerlin Back to Work
John Fingerlin, executive studio
manager of Paramount's Long Is-
land plant, returned from a business
trip to Cuba, yesterday (Saturday).
TALKING SCREEN TERMED
ULTIMATE IN EXPRESSION
"The screen of the future offers
greater potentialities than painting,
sculpture, the stage, or any other
form of visual and audible art, as a
medium of expression," according to
Frank Cambria, director of the Para-
mount Long Island studios.
"Because it really is a composite
of all the arts and many of the sci-
ences, the motion picture offers a
medium of almost limitless artistic
expression," Cambria adds. "Using
human beings instead of paint or
clay, we can fashion pictures of gen-
uine beauty and artistic merit. Color
is here for us and will be improved
to the point where a director can
achieve variations of shade such as
the painter might mix on his palette.
Sound also offers marvelous possi-
bilities for artistic expression."
Cambria is well qualified to judge,
having succeeded as a painter, sculp-
tor and stage director before turning
to motion picture directing. He is
best known for his success in stag-
ing Publix presentation acts.
Old Favorites Make Best
Talkies Says Al. Lewis
The "tight" situation existing in
the story market at present will re-
sult in many old favorites of the silent
days being revived as talkies, accord-
ing to Al. Lewis. New York repre-
sentative of the Fox West Coast stu-
dios. Original titles will not be re-
tained, however, except in unusual
cases, such as "A Connecticut Yan-
kee in King Arthur's Court," which
story has such a firm hold on the af-
fections of people that a repetition
will be welcomed. "The great ma-
jority of these old favorites will bear
new titles and will have the advan-
tage of improved production methods
so that they should prove more pop-
ular than ever" says Lewis, who
concluded with the statement that "by
following this policy producers are
taking much less chance than with
I new story since the success of the
silent version is proof that the story
contains the elements of popular ap-
peal, something which is almost im-
possible to determine in advance."
David Mendoza Honored
David Mendoza, of Paramount's
music staff, was among those men-
tioned in the list of "twent-- lead-
ing .American musicians," selected by
the vote of the National Federation
of Music Clubs.
.•\mong the vocalists chosen who
are now appearing in talking films
were John McCormack and Law-
rence Tibbett.
P/^ILY Sunday, February
^^^iLSf>>^L^IeMn^
More Sound Units for Darmour Studio
"Land of Blue-Sky Daughter" First on Schedule — Leslie Pearce with Mack Sennett — Lionel Barrymore to
Direct and Play in "Oliver Twist"— Title Search for RKO*s "Sergeant Grischa"— Ralph Wilk's Paragraphs
RCAflPPARATUSINSTALLED;
NORECOIDIESUNDERWAY
Additional RCA sound units have
been installed at the Larry Darmour
studio. The first production sched-
uled is "Land of the Sky-Blue
Daughter," an H. C. Witwer story
adapted by E. V. Durling. Lewis
R. Poster will direct this two-reel
talking comedy. Al Herman is pre-
paring to direct "Mickey the Romeo,"
a Mickey McGuire comedy.
Role for Marguerite Padula
Marguerite Padula will have a role
in "The Ramblers," which RKO will
make with Bert Wheeler, Robert
Woolsey, Jobyna Rowland, Mitchell
Lewis, Hugh Trevor, June Clyde and
Ivan Lebedeff in the cast.
Barbara Kent Gets Lead
Barbara Kent has been given the
leading feminine role in Warner's
"Dumbbells in Ennine," with Robert
Armstrong playing opposite her. John
Adolfi is directing.
Betty Pierce to Make Debut
Betty Pierce, remembered as "Tan-
deleyo" in the play "White Cargo,'
will make her first appearance in the
films in "Smooth as Satin," the
RKO film starring Bebe Daniels.
Anita Page for "Margin Mugs"
Anita Page has been selected for
the feminine lead in M-G-M's "Mar-
gin Mugs" an original by Willard
Mack, which Charles Reisncr will di-
rect.
! Keams in Dix Film
j Allen Kearns has been given a
I part in Richard Dix's next vehicle for
Radio which Mel Brown is direct-
ing. The picture is an adaptation of
["I Love You," a stage play by Le
Baron.
Wyler Starts "The Storm"
William Wyler, director, is prepar-
ing production on the dialogue ver-
sion of "The Storm," which was made
by Universal in silent form. Wells
iRoot has completed the continuity
and Tom Reed adaptation.
Clifford for Fox '30 Follies
Tommy Clifford, child actor, haf
been selected by Director Benjamin
Stoloff to do a harmonica specialt^
in "Fox Movietone Follies of 1930."
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy"
A Little
from *'Lots"
~ By RALPH WILK i^.^,^,^^
JOHN LANGAN is co-directing
J "Light of the Western Stars," for
Paramount. He is a former stage
director and has directed Jane Cowl,
Alice Brady and other stars.
* * ♦
Sigmund Ronnberg and Oscar
Hammer stein II, who are writing
original operettas for Warner
Brothers, attended the Coast pre-
miere of their stage operetta, "The
New Moon." Six companies are pre^
senting "The New Moon," in this
country and Europe, while Hamme"-
stein II will go to Australia in April
to direct the seventh company.
* « *
"Babe" Kane, who sang and
stepped in "The Great Gabbo,"
will play opposite Benny Ru-
bin in "Sunny Days," for Tif-
fany.
* * 4'
Introducing De Wolf Hopper at
the Masquers' Revel, Sam Hardy de-
clared Hopper made his first picture
in 1915 and his second in 1929.
"That is what I call 'between pic-
tures' " said Sam.
* « *
At 9 p. m. Friday, Howard Esta-
brook finished his vrriting duties at
Fox. The following m.oming, he
was at First National, starting
work on the screen play and dia-
logue for an untitled story. During
his leave of absence from Para-
mount, Estabrook has also written
material for Fathe and Caddo
Prods. Among recent productions
upon which he worked were "The
Virginian," "The Color of Money,"
"Hell's Angels" and "The Shopworn
Angel."
* * *
Maurice Black is keeping busy. He
is playing an important role in "Jail-
break." He appeared in "Playing
Around," "Show Girl in Hollywood"
and other First National pictures.
He played in the stage version of
"Broadway" before coming to Cali-
fornia.
* * ♦
Our Passing Show: Arthur Lan-
gan, Al Rosen and George Frank
among the agents at Pathe on busi-
ness; Fred Scott chatting with
friends at Pathe.
* ♦ •
Cornelius Keefe has completed an
•tnportant role in "His Woman," at
First National. He has had much
stage experience and played in "The
Poor Nut," before coming to the
Coast.
15,000 Wrong Titles
In seeking a better title for
Herbert Brenon's production of
the Arnold Zweig novel, "Case
of Sergeant Grischa," RKO
reports having received 15,000
suggestions, none of which
was considered suitable. So
the original title stands.
Lionel Barrymore to Play
Fagin in "Oliver Twist"
Lionel Barrymore has signed to
play the role of Fagin in the talker
version of Dickens' "Oliver Twist"
to be made by M-G-M. He will also
direct. Ruth Chatterton will handle
the role of Nancy Sikes.
MACK SENNETT SECyiiES
LESLIE PEARCE TO DIRECT
Mack Sennett has signed Leslie
Pearce to direct a number of new
talking comedies which are to be re-
leased by Educational. Pearce has
directed features for Metropolitan,
Warners and a number of the Edu-
cational-Coronet Talking Comedies
starring Edward Everett Horton. His
first assignment for Sennett is "He
Trumped My Ace."
Doris Kenyon in "Beau Bandit"
Doris Kenyon will appear in "Beau
Bandit," Radio production featuring
Rod La Rocque under the direction
of Lambert Hillyer.
THE
Bebe and Lyon Together 4'
Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon will
appear together in talking pictures
for the first time in RKO's "Smooth
as Satin," based on the play "The
Chatterbox," by Bayard Veiller.
George Archainbaud will direct.
Fox Signs English Composers
Pola and Brandt, English song writ-
ers, have been engaged by Fox, to
compose the entire score for Beatrice
Lillie's first starring vehicle for Fox.
These writers are best known here as
the composers of "Woof Woof," cur-
rent N. Y. stage musical.
"Sunkissed" Now "Lady to Love"
"Sunkissed" the M-G-M film with
Vilma Banky starred, has become "A
Lady to Love." The picture is based
on an original by Sidney Howard.
New Contract for Louis Mann
Louis Mann has been signed to a
new contract by M-G-M. The actor
was brought to Hollywood to play in
"The March of Time" with other old-
timers of the stage.
M-G-M Signs Dodge Sisters
Beth and Betty Dodge have been
placed under contract by M-G-M to
appear jn at least one musical pro-
duction.
Grinde Gets New M-G-M Contract
Nick Grinde, who with David Bur-
ton directed "The Bishop Murder
Case," has been signed to a new long
term contract by M-G-M. He now
is working on the screen adaptation
of "Good News."
/NTER th« 4t>orw«y af
dUa popular hoaulir ■od Tou fed ac boaa^
Th«r«'« an atmoaphera of cordial walao^M
which mark* cha diffarenca balwaaa tka
Hollywood Plaxa and ordinarr hotaU.
Tour room, too, haa that addad tavak
of dUtlnction. Pictura* on tha wall, ara*
•tnffad fumltura, a floor lamp and r»«<l«j
lamp . . . thata ara but a few of tha faaf a«
that maka you feci at home.
Plg'n WhUtla Dlnln* Service Innwaalika
boat of food. Therefore, when you ara mmat
la Loe Ansalaa ba mre to InTatdaata.
THE HOLLYWOOO
PLAZA
HOTEL
viae ttraat at Hollywood Boularaa^
HOLLYWOOD. CAUrOMNlA
THE
-:xm.
DAILY
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Lavfrence Tibbett in
"The Rogue Song"
unth Catherine Dale Owen
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 45 mins.
LAWRENCE TIBBETT THE
WHOLE SHOW IN THIS ALL-
COLOR OPERETTA. APART
FROM HIM IT'S MODERATELY
GOOD ENTERTAINMENT.
Made 100 per cent with color, and
generally excellent color, this talk-
er is the most entertaining when the
Metropolitan Opera star is singing.
His voice is splendid. The picture i;
based on an old operetta, "Gypv
Love," and is typically operetta in
character, containing little that is
new and being loosely tied up. It
tells of a bandit king in Russia who
falls in love with a princess. Her
brother wrongs his sister and he
kills him in payment, incidentally
abducting the princess. The Rirl es-
capes, brings about the bandits ar-
rest, has him flogged and then real-
izes she's in love with him. Stan
Laurel and Oliver Hardy are brought
into the narrative for comedy relief.
Cast: Lawreace Tibbett, Cathenne Dale
Owen, Nance O'Neil, Judith Vosselh, UUnc
Haupt, Elsa Alsen, Florence Lake, Lionel,
Belmore, Wallace MacDonald, Kate Price, H,
A Morgan, Burr Macintosh, James Brad/-
bury Jr., Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, d
Director. Lionel Barryraore; Authors, Frail.
ces Marion and John Colton ; Adaptor, Fromi
the oneretta, "Gypsy Love," by Franz Lehar,
Dr A M. Winner, Robert Bodansky ; Dia-J
loKuer, Not Listed; Editor, Margaret Booth
Cameraman, Percy HUburn; Monitor Mat'
Not Listed. . c Jt
Direction, fair. Photography, fine. -^t
Edyn.
"Painted Faces"
with Joe E. Brown
(All-Talker)
Tiffany Time, 1 hr., 11 mins.
SATISFACTORY PROGRAM
PICTURE WITH GENERAL AP-
PEAL PROVIDED BY SOME
CIRCUS ATMOSPHERE AND
COURT ROOM PROCEEDINGS.
Joe E. Brown, in a foreign dialect
role on the order of El Brendel, is
the center of attraction in this drama
of show life. At the start of the
picture, a member of a vaudeville
team is supposed to have shot and
killed another performer who was
trying to entice the former's girl
away from him. In the court trial
all but one member of the jury vote
for conviction. The holdout is a
slow-witted circus clown (Brown).
He refuses to change his stand de-
spite persuasion and threats. Finall
he attempts to swing the others
around by telling a circus story,
shown in a flashback, but the jury
refuses to give in till the clown plays
his trump and says he is the one
who killed the actor to avenge a
wronged girl. Holds interest pretty
.^ygU The Htai««^ ,.ry-^o>,rraitK, comes
an announcement that Frank Mor-
gan, who has a^ypeared in many
stage successes, has just been sign-
ed for a principal role in "Danger
ous Nan McGrew," following which
he will appear in "Queen High."
* 4i i> '
Olive Shea, who just completed tht
featured lead in "The Camnii<!
' Gillette
Mady Christians in \
"Because I Loved You" |
{Dich Hab Ich Geliebi)
(All-Talker)
American General Film
Time, 1 hr., 14 mins.
FIRST ALL-TALKER FROM
GERMANY FINELY ACTED
AND DIRECTED WITH FIRST-
CLASS RECORDING. A NAT-
URAL FOR GERMAN COMMU-
NITIES.
Drama. Produced by Aafa-Tobis
in Berlin, with Tobis system of sound
recording. One of the best films
that has come from Berlin since
"Variety." As the first German all-
talker, this carries a promise oi
worth-while things from the Berlin
market. So finely is it acted and di-
rected, that you do not have to un-
derstand German to follow clearlv
every scene of the action. That tc
us is the best proof of the sterling
quality of the director's and players'
ability. Mady Christians is superb,
and is ably supported by Walter Jan-
kuhn and Hans Stuwe. All the char-
acters are exceptionally well cast, and
give finished and restrained perform-
ances that get you with their sin-
cerity.
Cast: Mady Christians, Walter Jankuhn,
Hans Stuwe, Marion Konr.id, Carl Platen,
S<iphie Pagay, Trude Berliner, Fritz Alberti,
Hans Mierendorff, Jaro Furth, Hans Stern-
berg, Hermann Picha, Andre Pilot.
Director, Rudolf Walther-Fein ; Author,
Walter Reisch ; Adaptor, Not Listed ; Dia-
loguer. Not Listed ; Editor, Not Listed ;
Cameramen, K. Brodmerkel, W. Janssen ;
Monitor Man, Rudolf Schwarzkopf.
Direction, very good. Photography, fine.
narrower
"Demon of the Steppes"
(SUent)
Amhino Time, 1 hr., 9 mins.
AN UNPLEASANT CONCOC-
TION ABOUT A FEROCIOUS
RUSSIAN WOMAN. GENERAL-
LY INCREDIBLE AND BADLY
HANDLED IN ALL DEPART-
MENTS.
Even the arty cinemas are not
likely to fare well with this Soviet
)roduction dealing with a feminine
demon who struts about like a land
pirate, killing some persons and in-
.cting cruel punishment on others,
ill without much rhyme or reason,
and certainly without any sympathy
roni the audience viewpoint. The
heartless wench finally meets her
Waterloo in the person of an equally
plausible two-fisted adventurer of
the male sex, whom she is unable to
uiare with her wiles, and winds up in
front of a firing squad. Besides the
disagreeable taste created by the kill-
jigs, whippings and other outlandish
loings, all acted in heavy style, the
oroduction is badly handled from al-
most every angle, including continu-
ity, titling and much of the pho-
tography. Many of the revolution
scenes appear to have been patched
in. Only very special audiences are
likely to find it palatable.
Cast: lOxana Podelsnaya, Nikolai Saltykov,
Natasha Sokolova, Eugen Nadevui.
Director, Leo Scheffer ; Author, based on
novel by B. Lavrenev ; Adaptor, Not Listed;
Titler, Shelly Hamilton; Editor. Not Listed;
Cameraman, Not Listed.
Direction, poor. Photography, poor.
Gillette
Ken Maynard in
"Parade of the West"
(All-Talker)
Universal Time, 57 mins.
A FIRST CLASS WESTERN
WITH THE MODERN RODEO
ATMOSPHERE AND KEN MAY-
NARD PUTTING IT OVER
STRONG. SUREFIRE FOR THE
THRILL FANS.
Western. Ken Maynard is given
a made-to-order story in this one,
and sends it in for the count. It ha;
everything that the western fans
want. The action is fast, the stc)rN
nicely balanced with sentimental in-
terest, and Ken Maynard does some
of the best work of his career. As
a cowboy with one of the old-time
medicine shows. Ken joins a Wild
West show, gets entangled in love
with a girl in the show, and incur?
the enmity of the manager. He has
a buddy, a youngster he has adopted,
in the show. The kid thinks his big
pal is yellow because he refuses to
ride the horse he has been thrown
from in a frame-up. Hearing this,
it restores Ken's nerve, and he comes
back and conquers "Man Killer."
Has all the thrills the fans like.
Cast: Ken Maynard, Gladys McConnell,
Otis Harlan, Frank Rice, Bobbie Dunr>,
Jackie Hanlon, Fred Burns, Frank Yaconelli,
Stanley Blystone, Blue Washington, Tarzan,
Rex.
Director, Harry J. Brown ; Author, Ben-
nett Cohen; Adaptor, the same; Dialoguer,
Not Listed; Editor, Not Listed; Cameraman,
Ted McCord; Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Direction, good. Photography, fine.
Ha/rrower
"The Kaiser in Peace and
War"
(SUent)
Rex Time, 41 mins.
AN ASSEMBLAGE OF NEWS-
REEL SHOTS, MODERATELY
ENGROSSING AS ENTERTAIN-
MENT AND INTERESTING
FROM A HISTORICAL POINT.
Since it has been demonstrated
that there is a paying audience for
the newsreel theater, it is reason-
able to expect that this pieced-to-
gether narrative will attract some
patronage. The record covers the
period from just before the war,
when the German militarist was in
his glory, to his present status as
plain Wilhelm HohenzoUern exiled
in Doom. Considered in its his-
torical aspects and with due allow-
ances for the unavoidable shortcom-
ings of a feature compiled from
newsreel shots, the picture has a good
deal of educational value besides
proving fairly engrossing as enter-
tainment. The kaiser is shown at
many state celebrations and civi<
functions, reviewing troops, launch-
ing ships, visiting near the front
lines during the war, presenting iron
crosses, conferring with generals,
princes, rulers of other countries, etc.
The photography is surprisingly good
throughout. Short length of the fea-
ture makes it specially suitable for
inclusion as part of a double feature,
this being about the only outlet for
vsuch a picture.
Gillette
'A Fragment of an Empire*
(Silent)
Amkino Time, 1 hr., 16 m,ins.
ONE OF THE BEST OF THE
RUSSIAN FILMS, TELLS A
DRAMATIC AND POIGNANT
STORY WITH REAL BEAUTY
AND FINE DIRECTION. REAL
ENTERTAINMENT.
Drama of Russia. This picture is
marked by some excellent directorial
touches, acting that is realistic anu
gripping, and camera work that in
spots is outstanding. They have
gotten away from the propaganda a
lot in this one, so that the story be-
comes absorbing and refreshing. A
Russian sergeant in the Great War
is shell shocked, loses his memory,
and we find him holding a little job
at a railroad station. One dav he
glimpses the face of his former wife
in a railroad train, and this brings
back memory slowly. He finally re-
turns to Petrograd, his former home.
Then the film shows the effect on
him of the changed conditions in
everything from the Czarist regime
to the new Soviet order of things.
A fine product on with depth, beau-
ty, realism and color. Has some
unusual acting, and the direction is
almost as good as in "Potemkin."
Cast: Yacov Godkin, Fedor Nikitin, Lud-
mila Semenova, Valery Solovtzev.
Director, Frederick Ermler; Author, Not
Listed ; Adaptor, Not Listed ; Editor, Not
Listed ; Titler, Shelley Hamilton ; Camera-
man, Evgeni Eney.
Direction, very good. Photography, fine.
Harrower
Richard Barthelmess in
"Son of the Gods"
(All-Talker)
First National Time, 1 hr., 32 miv^
HIGH-GRADE SOCIETY EN
TERTAINMENT THAT WILL
ESPECIALLY CLICK WITH
THE BARTHELMESS FOL-
LOWING. A PICTURE YOU CAN
SELL AS WORTHWHILE.
Drama based on the Rex Beach
story. The story, which is a little
slow in getting under way, is the
type to arouse audience sympathy for
the star and holds your interest all
the way. Barthelmess plays a youth
who believes himself to be Chinese
and goes through life continually
bumping up against this barrier.
Abroad he falls in love with a
wealthy girl, played splendidly by
Constance Bennett, and upon learn-
ing of his origin, she publicly horse-
whips him. The death of the man
he believes to be his father brings
him back to America and finally a re-
union with the girl, preceded by the
revelation that he is white. The pic-
ture is competently enacted and
painstakingly made.
Cast: Richard Barthelmess, Constance Ben-
nett, Dorothy Matthews, Barbara Leonard,
Jimmy Eagle, Fraiik Albertson, Mildred Vac
born. King Hoo Chang, Geneva Mitchell, E.
•Myn Warren, Ivan Christie, .\nders Randolf,
George Irving, Claude King, Dickie Moore,
Robert Homans.
Director, Frank Lloyd ; Author, Rex Beach ;
Adaptor, Bradley King; Dialoguer, Bradley
King; Editor, Not Listed: Titler, Not Listed,
Cameraman, Ernest Hallor.
Direction, fine. Photography, excellent.
Eddy
il
Technicolor Pictures
ore Box -Office P/^cturej
More than one hundred pictures ... all or part
Technicolor . . . will be playing in America's motion
picture theatres during 1930 . . . "packing them in"
. . . north, south, east and west. Natural color lives
at last ... on the screen — and in the box-office.
Technicolor's sensational advertising campaign
is going full blast. It is the most aggressive and
sweeping support of its kind ever provided for
exhibitors and producers. Fifteen million Saturday
Evening Post readers are following Technicolor . ..
with increasing interest. Ten million more are "tak-
ing it in in the fan magazines. And the story is
just begun/
A mighty legion awaits each Technico/or an-
nouncement. Twenty-five million fans are ready
to go to the movies,' the moment they read in
your advertisement. . . . "it's in Technicolor."
Technicolor is a box-office name. The great
producers use it for the best. Advertise it! Feature
it for box-office results!
UNDER A TEXAS MOON
Warner Bros, first out-door Vitophone and Technicolor produc-
tion. FRANK FAY, ARMIDA and MYRNA LOY are in the cast.
h
y
ecnnico or
/s o Box -Office Nome
ADVERTISE IT
Techn
X
Hit
cnnicoior niTs
are the B/G hits
BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT, with
Vivienne Segal (First National);
BRIGHT LIGHTS, with Dorothy
Mackaill (First National);CHASING
RAINBOWS, with Bessie Love and
Charles King (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer); DEVIL MAY CARE, starring
Ramon Novarro (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer); DIXIANA, with Bebe
Daniels (Radio Pictures); FOOT-
LIGHTS AND FOOLS, starring
Colleen Moore (First National);
GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN
GIRL, with Mary Eaton. Eddie
Cantor, Helen Morgan and Rudy
Vallee in revue scenes (Paramount);
GOLDEN DAWN,withWaiter Woolf
and Vivienne Segal (Warner Bros.);
GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY,
with Win nieLightner, Conway Tearie,
Ann Pennington and Nick Lucas
(Warner Bros,); HELL'S ANGELS,
with Ben Lyon, Jean Marlow, James
Hall, Jane Win ton and Thelma Todd
(Caddo); HIT THE DECK, with Jack
Oakie and Polly Walker (Radio);
HOLD EVERYTHING, with Winnie
Lightner and Joe E. Brown (Warner
Bros); HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF
1929 (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer);
HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF 1930
(Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer);
IT'S A GREAT LIFE, starring the
Duncan Sisters (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer);John Barrymore in GENERAL
CRACK (Warner Bros.); MAMBA,
with Eleanor Boardman, Ralph
Forbes and Jean Hersholt (Tiffany);
MAMMY, starring Al Jolson (War-
ner Bros.); NO, NO, NANEHE, with
Bernice Claire and Alexander Gray
(First National); ON WITH THE
SHOW, with Betty Compson, Joe
E. Brown, Louise Fazenda (Warner
Bros.); PARIS, starring Irene Bordoni
(First National); PUHIN' ON THE
RITZ, with Harry Richman (United
Artists); POINTED HEELS, with
From The Vagabond King, starring
DENNIS KING, with JEANETTE Moc-
DONALD IPoramount).
William Powell and Helen Kane
(Paramount); RADIO RAMBLERS,
with Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey,
and Dorothy Lee (RadioJ; RIO RITA,
with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert
Wheeler and Robert Woolsey
(Radio); PARAMOUNT ON PA-
RADE, all-star revue (Paramount^;
THE ROGUE SONG, with Lawrence
Tibbett and Catherine Dale Owen
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer); SALLY,
starring Marilyn Miller (First Nation-
al); SHOW OF SHOWS, with 77
stars (Warner Bros.); SHOW GIRL
IN HOLLYWOOD, wi;h Alice White
(First National); SONG OF THE
WEST, with John Boles end \'ivienne
Segol I'Warner Bros.); THE DANCE
OF LIFE, wilh Hal SKeliy and Nancy
CarroJ (Paramount,; THE MYSTERI-
OUS ISLAND, wilh Lionel Barry-
more, Lloyd Hughes and Jane Daly
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer); THE
VAGABOND KING, starring Dennis
King (Paramount); THE VIKING,
with Fauline Starke, Donald Crisp
and Leroy Ma:on (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer); UNDER A TEXAS MOON,
all-star cast (Warner Bros.).
TECHNICOLOR INC.
NEW YORK • BOSTON • HOLl/WOOD
/ S
nTcoior
o Box -Office Nome
ADVERTISE IT
THE
Sunday, February 2, 1930
■a^m
DAILV
11
Eddie Buzzell in
"Little Johnny Jones"
(All-Talker)
First National Time, 1 hr., 5 mins.
FAIR PROGRAM RACE
TRACK MELODRAMA FROM
THE STAGE COMEDY WITH
EDDIE BUZZELL TAKING THE
NAME PART.
This melodrama of the turf has
some snappy lines reminiscent of
Geo. M. Cohan. The picture is drawn
out considerably. Eddie Buzzell is
generally okay in his first talker ef-
fort. The story centers about a
jockey who falls for a Broadway
show girl, the romance winding up
when the girl asks Buzzell to throw
the race, which he refuses to do. He
is suspended when a telegram from
Edna Murphy is intercepted. In Eng-
land a new chance is given Buzzell by
Alice Day's father, he makes good
and wins the heroine. Robert Edeson
as Day's father is excellent with
Wheeler Oakman coming in for a
good part of the acting honors. The
race track scenes are well done, bu
the big punch climax could hayt
been done much better. As the pic-
ture nears its end one can surmise
the outcome without any difficulty.
Cast: Eddie Buzzell, Alice Day, Edna
Murphy, Robert Edeson. Wheeler Oakman
and Donald Reed.
Director, Mervin LeRoy ; Author, Geo. M.
Cohan; Adaptor, Adelaide Heilbron; Dialogu-
er, same; Editor, Frank Ware; Cameraman,
Faxon Deane; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, good. Photography, clear.
Omstein
Norma Talmadge in
"New York Nights"
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., 21 mins.
GOOD DRAMA OF STAGE
LIFE, MADE SPECIALLY EN-
TERTAINING BY THE FINE
PERFORMANCE OF NORMA
TALMADGE.
Although the edge has been taken
of? the backstage story, this one is
set !or a welcome on two counts in
particular. The first is because of the
appealing performance by Norms
Talmadge, and the second is because
the picture is a neat little piece of
entertainment irrespective of how
many show life dramas have been
produced. This one is taken from
the stage play, "Tin Pan Alley," and
it concerns an irresponsible song-
writer with a beautiful wife who is
so faithful to him that even a rack-
eteer coining twenty grand a day is
unable to make an imjiression on her,
though he tries everything from flow-
ers to frameups. There is the usual
split of the team, because of the
man's drunkenness, and their reunion
at the finish. With deft direction
and excellent support acting by John
Wray and Gilbert Roland, the rather
played out plot is made to click in a
manner that should prove popular.
Cast: Norma Talmadge, Gilbert Roland,
John Wray, Lilyan Tashman, Mary Doran,
Roscoe Karns.
Director, Lewis Milestone; Author, Hugh
Stanislaus Stange ; Adaptor, Jules Furthman ;
Editor, Not listed ; Cameraman, Not listed ;
Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, first-class, Photography, good.
Gillette
"Men Without Women"
with Kenneth MacKenna
(All-Talker)
Fox Time, 1 hr., 17 mins.
GRIPPING DRAMA OF MEN
TRAPPED IN A DISABLED SUB-
MARINE. SPLENDID ACTING
AND DIRECTING. SOMETHING
DIFFERENT.
Here's a picture that not only is
out of the ordinary but manages to
hold the audience in gripping sus-
pense for more than an hour in a
single setting, the interior of a sub-
marine stuck at the bottom of the
sea. Believing that they have only a
few hours to live, the members of
the crew give vent to their thoughts
and emotions in various ways that
make for strong drama. There is a
powerful finish when, after the sub
is located by divers, it becomes nec-
essary for one of the men to face
certain death by staying behind in
order to make it possible for the
others to escape. The direction is
topnotch and some fine acting is put
across, with the outstanding perform-
ances coming from Kenneth, Mac-
Kenna and Frank Albertson.
Cast: Kenneth MacKenna. Frank Albert-
son, Paul Page, Walter McGrail, Warren
Hymer, Farrell Macdonald, Stuart Erwin,
George LeGuere, Ben Hendricks, Jr.. Harry
Tenbrook, Roy Stewart, Warner Richmond,
Charles Gerrard. Pat Somerset.
Director, John Ford ; Authors, John Ford
and James K. McGuinness ; Adaptor, Dudley
Nichols : Editor. Paul Weatherax ; Cameraman,
Joseph August ; Monitor Men, W. W. Lind-
say, Jr., and W. D. Flick.
Direction, aces. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
Short Subjects
SOUND
"The Gorno Italian
Marionettes"
Int. Photoplay Dist. Time, 9 mins.
Corking Novelty
A great little novelty for young and
old. Excellent manipulation of the
puppets, who perform several oper-
atic specialties, and the fine singing
that accompanies their antics make
this a delightfully amusing affair.
"The Benefit"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
Joe Frisco Knockout
Joe Frisco of vaude does his imi-
tations and other entertaining stuff
in this short, directed by Murray
Roth. The star is presented as a per-
former giving his services at a bene-
fit show. His impersonations are
knockouts, especially the one in
which he does a Helen Morgan.
This short ought to please 'em any-
where.
Bebe Daniels in
"Love Comes Along"
(All-Talker)
RKO Time, 1 hr., 17 friins.
COMEDY DRAMA THAT IS
ENTERTAINING DESPITE ITS
TRITE STORY, THANKS TO
THE ACTING OF ITS WELL-
BALANCED CAST.
Edward Knoblock's play "Con-
chita" has been turned into a film
which, for all its familiarity of pat-
tern, manages to carry enough enter-
tainment value to assure it success.
It is not for plot or treatment that
it deserves consideration, for its tale
is time-worn and the manner of tell-
iny by no means original. Its worth
is derived from the splendid acting
of a cast judiciously selected and the
fine strain of comedy that courses
through it. Bebe Daniels plays a
familiar role with considerable feel-
ing, revealing a keen dramatic sense.
i Her singing is a great asset to the
film. She sings in quiet fashion but
with much warmth of tone a number
of pleasant numbers. Good acting
is also done by Lloyd Hughes, Ned
.Sparks and Montague Love. The
story is about the young ship hand
who meets the stranded singer down
Havana way, falls for her and saves
her at the proper moment.
Cast: Bebe Daniels, Lloyd Hughes, Mon-
tague Love, Ned Sparks, Alma Tell, Lionel
Belmore, Evelyn Selbie.
Director, Rupert Julian ; Author, Edward
Knoblock ; Adaptor, Wallace Smith ; Editor,
Not Listed; Dialoguer, Not Listed; Camera-
man, J. Roy Hunt ; Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Direction, fair. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
William Powell in
"Street of Chance"
with Jean Arthur, Kay Francis,
Regis Toomey
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 16 mins.
FIRST-RATE GAMBLING
DRAMA EFFECTIVELY TOLD
AND SKILLFULLY PLAYED
BY TOP-NOTCH CAST.
A gambling tale that offers Wil-
liam Powell a robust role ideally
suited to his talents. Here is a pic-
ture crammed with action and un-
faltering in its interest from first to
last. It traces a gambler's road t(
doom with a sureness and vivid
power making for entertainment of
gripping quality. The film mounts to
a climax in which "Natural" Davis
meets his end in a manner strongly
suggestive of Arnold Rothstein's
passing. Powell gives a suave, full-
blooded portrayal as the gambler.
Carrying on his gambling activities
under the guise of a. broker, "Nat-
ural" is killed after he resorts to
cheating in a card game in an effort
to "break" a younger brother with
the hope of curing him of the gamb-
ling habit.
Cast: William Powell, Jean Arthur, Kay
Francis, Regis Toomey, Stanley Fields,
Brooks Benedict, Betty Francisco, John
Risso, Joan Standing, Maurice Black, Irving
Bacon. ,
Director, John Cromwell ; Author, Oliver
H. P. Garrett ; Adaptor, Not listed ; Dialoguer,
Oliver H. P. Garrett; Editor, Otto Lovering;
Cameraman, Charles Lang; Monitor Man,
Not listed.
Direction, fine. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
The Bishop Murder Case"
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 28 min.
BOX OFFICE MATERIAL.
THOUGH NOT SO GOOD AS
SOME PREVIOUS VAN DINE
MYSTERIES, HAS THE POPU-
LAR INGREDIENTS TO SATIS-
FY.
If it weren't for rhe fact that it
follows too closely the formula al-
ready done to death in murder mys-
tery productions, this would be a
smart picture of its kind. It has been
produced in class style, directed with
a keen eye for effective details and
acted in an unusually polished man-
ner by most of the principal char-
acters. What brings it down a few
notches from some of the other mys-
tery dramas by the same author is
the inclusion of a horrid looking
hunchback and another repugnant in-
dividual, very obviously planted for
the usual purpose of attracting sus-
nicion. Then there is the customary
dumbbell dick, for comedy, and many
of the familiar tricks from the old bag.
The identity of the murderer, how-
ever, is concealed with more than
ordinary skill.
Cast: B.Tsil Rathhone. Leila Hyams. 'Ro-
Innd Vounp. .Mec B. Francis, George Mar-
ion, 7elda Sears. Bndil Rosing, Carroll Nye.
Charles Quartermaine. Tames Donlan, Syd-
rev Brarev. Clarence Geldert, Delmar Daves.
Ne'lie Bly B.iker.
Directors. Nirk Grinde. David Burton :
Author, S. S. Vnn Dine; Adantor, Lcnore J.
Kossee; Dialoguer, Lenore J. Kossee ; Editor,
Wni. Le Vanwav; Cameraman. Roy Over-
baueh ; Monitor Man, Donald MacKenzie.
Direction, splendid. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
"Horace Heidt and His
Californians"
Vitaphone Time, 9 mins.
Fairly Entertaining
A fair amount of entertainment is
furnished in this number, which pre-
sents one of the band sensations of
the past season. The singing and
playing is okay. A highlight is Lobo,
a police dog who does stunts. Mur-
ray Roth directed.
SILENT
"The Post of Honor"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Western Hero Stuff
Here's one where the little brother
does not kill the villain. This west-
erner has the kid brother act as guard
for his sister against a renegade, who
finally succeeds in carrying her ofl
to an Indian camp. After making
their escape the sister and brother
are about to be captured, when in
steps the hero, the lover. A duel
follows and the villain is slain. Old
stuff for the silent houses. Direc-
tion by Jack Nelson.
Waterloo Palace Improved
Waterloo, la. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed at the
Palace here. The house which has
also been remodeled and redecorated,
was recently taken over by Publix.
Empire Changes Revised
Portland, Ore. — The Empire has
resumed Saturday openings, states
Abraham Goodside, owner. Formerly
new shows began on Mondays.
"Lost Zepoelin" Opens Today
Tiffany's "The Lost Zeppelin" opens
an indefinite run at the New York
Gaiety Saturday. The picture will
have three showings a day with a
midnight matinee every Saturday.
THE
12
■Stk
PAILV
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
ME DETECTOR DEVICE
BY GENERAL ELECTRIC CO.
Philadelphia — Among the features
of the General Electric display at the
International Heating and Ventilat-
ing Exposition which has opened here
is a smoke detector developed by
General Electric which may be used
for fire prevention. The device con-
sists of a long glass tube. In one
end is a light source and in the other
a photoelectric or light sensitive tube.
When the light intensity is dulled by
smoke, the photoelectric tube re-
sponds, throwing a relay which starts
an exhaust fan. The fan continues
until the atmosphere is clear. The
same device, it is claimed, may be
utilized for fire detection, in which
case the relay operates a buzzer or
bell instead of the fan.
Carter Install 50 Devices
Chicago — Carter Sound Equipment
Co. has equipped 50 theaters in this
territory with their sound reproduc-
ing apparatus, according to J. A. Car-
ter. The company manufactures
both sound-on-film and disc devices.
Articulation Test for Sound
Houses Outlined by Engineer
S. K. Wolf, theater acoustic engineer of Electrical Research Products,
inc. and author of the foljowing, is of the opinion that the efficiency of a
transmission system is in the percentage of disconnected, meaningless syl-
lables that can be understood through it. This is called an articulation test.
In the following article, S. K. Wolf outlines various factors which influence
the intelligibility of speech.
There is a great deal more to this matter
of sound than simply making a program uii-
derstood. Public psychology demands that it
be "easy to hsten to." We can discuss this
subject in terms readily understood by every-
one, namely percentages. A theater can be
rated in the percentage of intelligibihty of
speech, which is the index of "how easy to
listen to" the patrons find sound in that the-
ater.
An articulation test of normal speech direct
from speaker to listener under perfect condi-
tions gives 96 per cent. If there is any doubt
in your mind that speech cannot be trans-
mitted 100 per cent under ideal conditions,
try this simple test. Ask your listener to
close his eyes so that he may not read your
lips. Then you say the following words once
each — map, nat, map, nap, mat and nack, and
ask him to write them down as you say
them. Providing you do not unduly emphasize
the final consonant of these words, you will
find that one or more of them have not been
understood. This gives you an idea of the
difficulties encountered in speech transmission.
The loudness with which sound equipment
is operated is an appreciable factor in the
intelligibility of the resulting sound. There
is a fairly broad range of volume about
equivalent to the volume used in average con-
Don't Change Your
Low Intensity Lamps
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain,
and natural tone quality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalite Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically and chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
\7<D)calite
VSoinmdScreeii
Beaded Screen
enlijically Perfected for Sniinil Pictiiret
Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Apt>roved by Electrical Rt-
search Products, Wester*
Electric Co., Inc., and other
makers of Sound Equipment.
Porous but not perforated
Fire Proof
Non Inflammable
yersation, for which tliere is no depreciation in
intelligibility. However, as tests have shown
if the loudness is somewhat greater or some-
what less than the conversational loudness,
we can e.xpect a reduction of articulation of
one to five per cent.
Another factor influencing the intelligibility
of speech is the amount of extraneous noise
present. Audience noise is of two kinds. The
first includes whispering, coughing, laughing,
rattling of programs, etc.. and is not con-
trollable by the exhibitor. The other, scuffling
of feet on concrete floors, is controllable and
eliminated with the use of carpet. Further
noise is often introduced into a theater by and
through the heating and ventilating systems,
and street noises sometimes enter through
this channel. This, too. is controllable. Tests
have shown that if the aggregate noise is
20 per cent as loud as the sound, the articu-
lation will be reduced 10 per cent.
Excessive reverberation is still another fac-
tor tending toward decreasing the articulation
in the theater. If, in any given theater, the
reverberation exceeds by two seconds a cer-
tain optimum value a reduction of 10 per
cent in the articulation results. It can be
readily seen that this condition is often en-
countered in houses not properly treated acous-
tically when the audience present is small.
There are two more factors to be considered
before we can round out our estimate of the
probable articulation of the theater and these
are the percentage reduction necessary on ac-
count of the recording and on account of the
reproducing system. Since the articulation
rating for speech under the best conditions
from the original sound source is only 96
per cent, let us assume that tTie best pos-
sible recording and reproducing would be
9S per cent each, or a reduction factor of
5 per cent each.
To sum up these reduction factors and
to get an idea of how a theater would rate
under the conditions that I have outlined
aljove, we get the following:
Percentage articulation of original speech
under perfect conditions 96
'Percentage reduction due to incorrect
loudness 5
•Percentage reduction due to extraneous
noise in theater 10
•Percentage reduction due to reverbera-
tion ; 10
Percentage reduction due to recording... 5
Percentage reduction due to reproducing. . 5
•Controllable by exhibitor.
Applying the above listed reductions to
the original 96 per cent in the regular com-
mercial method of applying discounts, we find
the resultant percentage articulation to be 67
per cent.
Extensive tests by Dr. Fletcher of the
Bell Laboratories have enabled him to draw
a curve showing the relation between the
percentage articulation of meaningless sylla-
bles and the resultant conversational effi-
ciency in which the listener has the aid of
context of the sentences in which the sylla-
bles are found. From this curve we find
that in a theater having an articulation rat-
ing of 67 per cent, the conversational efficiency
would be 90 per cent. This means that the
patrons would miss about 10 per cent of what
was going on, which would keeo them_ under
a continuous strain to try to make it out.
This strain is perhaps not conscious but does
interfere with the ease and comfort of the
audience.
Loudness of operation, extraneous noise and
reverberation in the theater are controllable
by the exhibitor in ways described above. In
addition to these measurable factors there is
(Continued on Page 13)
PROBLEMS or LICHTING
SOLVED BY N.Y. EXHIBIT
In an effort to help solve lighting
problems, however complex, the
Lighting Institute has been set up
at the Grand Central Palace, New
York, as a permanent exhibition. Its
exhibits, occupying an entire floor,
apply to every type of lighting.
Among the most interesting of its
exhibits is one showing how an audi-
torium should be lighted for maxi-
mum efficiency without sacrifice of
artistic effect.
Moulded Thermoplax Base
Socket Made by Major Co.
Chicago — Major Equipment Co., of
this city, is marketing a new develop-
ment designed for those interested
in the maintenance of signs. The
development is the 54-B medium base
socket with an unbreakable moulded
thermoplax body, claimed to be non-
absorptive. Among the features of
the socket are: the current is carried
to the center contact by phosphor
bronze, its heavy upset screws at
the terminals, extra screws holding
the yoke and the solid machine but-
ton head for the center contact,
which, it is claimed, will not burn or
corrode away.
Install Air Conditioners
Brunswnck-Kroeschell air condi-
tioning and cooling systems are now
being installed by Publix in houses
in the following cities: Lynchburg,
Va. : Montgomery, Ala.; Denver,
Colo.; Salem, Mass.;. Lynn, Mass.;
Peekskill. N. Y.; Youngstown, O.;
Canton, O.; Newport, R. I.; Boston,
Mass.; Buffalo, N. Y.; Fort Wayne,
Ind.; Chicago, 111.; Hammond, Ind.;
Syracuse, N. Y., and other points.
Gets Enlarged Screen
Concord, N. C. — An enlarged
screen has been installed af the Con-
cord.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuoavHBys
▼▼ 110 West 32'*St,New MoricfiV ^
Phone Pcnna. 0330 ]
Motion Picture Department I
U. S. and Canada Agenu for Debrit U
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Zjg^
DAILV
ENGINEERING CO
Invisible Lubricant, Replacing
Wax, is Used in Stewart Process
Dallas — After considerable research
and experimentation, Silex, air dis-
tributing unit has been developed by
the Buffalo Engineering Co. and now
is mechanically fit for use in sound
theaters for cooling purposes, accord-
ing to George W. Thornton, general
manager of the company who re-
cently returned here from a trip to
the company's factory in Buffalo,
N. Y.
The new unit can be used separate-
ly as a ventilating equipment or in
conjunction with Carrier Air Wash-
er equipment, it is claimed. The
company, in addition to Silex, has de-
veloped other lines of cooling equip-
ment built to meet the requirements
of smaller houses which cannot af-
ford the washed air equipment.
Show Sells Poster Co.
Wilkensburg, Pa. — San Show has
sold his interest in the American
Poster Supply Co. here to Fred
Solomon, it is reported here. 'Chick'
Kiefer retains his share in the poster
company.
A new process of treating and lub-
ricating films so that wax is sup-
planted by an invisible lubricant
which entirely covers the film and
cannot be affected by heat, has been
developed by the Stewart Film Proc-
ess Co. The process renders the
emulsion impervious to the action
of moisture and oil, it is claimed,
and also toughens it to the extent
that instead of leaving particles on
the aperture. It polishes the gate
and allows unrestricted passage of
the film through the machine. In
addition to its lubricating treatment,
the process, according to the com-
pany, insures the film a longer life
and clearer projection.
The application of an oil on the film
is .not desirable, so by taking a
heavy oil combined with certain
volatile diluents permits the entire
film to be coated with this mixture,
the volatile diluents evaporate, leav-
ing an infinitesimal amount of oil
over the whole film, including the
insides of the sprocket holes. Wax
on the sprocket holes had been pre-
viously used to accomplish this end,
TRIJVISION
NATURAL VISION— GLASS BEADED
f IRE-PROOf SC
A FIRE-PROOF SOUND
LOSS OF THE INCOl
PERTAINING TO TH
BEADED SO
BRILLIANCE— DEPTH
DIMENSIO]
No Distortion Nf
EASILY WASHED— RETAI
Electrical Testing Laboratori
ROXY T
INSTALLS ANOTHER TRUVI
SCREl
GRANDEUF
Truvision Class Beaded Sound
Projection
Truvision Projectioi
841 Tiffany Stree
TEL. DAY":
Withstands Water
In the laboratory of the
Stewart Film Process Co. of
New York, a large quantity of
film treated by the company
was soaked in water for a con-
siderable period and then
brought out and dried and
proved to be ready for projec-
tion, according to the com-
pany. This process also pre-
vents the ruination of prints
shipped to foreign countries
where the humid conditions
affect films.
but it has been found that the heat
melts the wax and such melted wax
interferes with sound tracks causing
distorted sound.
Photophone K.C. Office Moves
Kansas City — The local offices of
RCA Photophone now are located at
their new quarters at 1717 Wyandotte.
Homer Ellison is in charge.
ARTICUIATION TEST TOR
SOUND HOUSES OUTLINED
(Continued from Page 12) '
another that has an appreciable place in sho*
psychology, illusion. The sound must ap-
pear to come from the picture and yet the list-
ener must be allowed to feel, that he is in
the same room with the speaker. With
present day recording the areas around and
mmiediately in back of the horns should be
sound reflecting, which allows the "room
tone" of the recording to become associated
with the "room tone" in front of the theater
so that the listener unconsciously feels that
he is in the same room with the speaker.
With so many factors bearing upon the
net result, each presenting its reduction fac-
tor however small, it behooves the exhibitor
who wishes to preserve and increase his
success, to see that all reduction factors with-
in his control are kept to the absolute min-
imum.
The best possible equipment obtainable,
properly operated in a theater that is acous-
tically correct and free from extraneous noise,
is the only possible answer to "easy listening"
and increasing receipts. '
Wonderphone for Fayette House
Fayette, O. — Wonderphone sound
equipment, manufactured by the Film
Sound Corp. of Cleveland, has been
installed at the Fayette here.
3^
We put it in writing and sign it
SO that you can make us prove it
^^Flameproof
2 in 1 Cement
Will MEND ANY film made of celluloid
it may be —
Nitrate or Acetate — Flam or Safety
Black and White— Color—
SOUND OR SILENT
16MM— 3r)MM— 6.5MM or what have you?
It Just Will Not Burn
"try th^t on your matchsticks
and whistle in comforting safety"
"Flameproof" 2 in 1 Film Cement at all
Reliable Dealers
TEST IT— AT— OUR EXPENSE
HEWES- GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
THE
14
iSu£^£^
DAILY
Sunday, February 2, 1930
Presentations
Si^ By WILLIAM ORNSTEIM \
PARAMOUNT STAGE SHOW I
fEATUR^ENNIS KING
Dennis King, whose screen ver-
sion of "The Vagabond King" will
open soon for a run at the Criterion,
is featured in the current bill at the
Paramount. Judging by the audience
response to his singing, as well as
to his engaging personality which
formerly graced the musical comedy
stage. King will create a batch of
new customers for his forthcoming
picture. Another strong attraction
on this week's Paramount stage pro-
gram is the U. S. Indian Reserva-
tion Band, headed and directed by
Chief Shuntona, a talented musician
and dramatic elocutionist, in a var-
ied and highly entertaining routine
of music, recitation and general
whoopee. Joy May and Dotty Oaks,
Geraldine, Buddy Carlell and the
Serova Beauties also contribute gen-
erously to the nicely devised show.
Jack Partington produced the unit,
which carries the title of "Red
Rhythm."
ZELAYA,SWirPlANIST,
TAKES GMTOL HONORS
In a semi-kidding demonstration,
in which he compared the genuinely
good music of years ago to the short-
lived jazz of later years, the popular
Spanish pianist, Zelaya, is just about
laying them in the aisles at the Cap-
itol this week. He has musical eren-
ius at his finger tips and pointed hu-
mor on the tip of his tongue. This,
plus his good-natured eccentric style,
makes him sure-fire. The current
Capitol production, staged by Arthur
Knorr, is labeled "Venetian Carni-
val," but the title is largely a mis-
nomer because about the only Vene-
tian thing in the proceedings is the
rich setting and a few bars of Ital-
ian music. Among the other per-
formers are a blackface hoofing quar-
tette, some travesty by a male ballet
AMALGAMATED I
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY I
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard j
Vaudeville Acts I
I I
I 1600 Broadway, New York City j
I Phone Penn. 3580 \
dancer and his partner, acrobatic
stunts by the Mangeans, some nifty
dancing and all-around work by Ted
Claire, the guest hiaster of cere-
monies, and various song and dance
ofiferings by Kathryn Lewis, Nina
Oginska, Jack Hanlon and Tom Ful-
mer, with the Chester Hale Girls and
the Capitolians providing a strong
background as usual. Yasha Bun-
chuk directs the "Marche Slave'
overture with effect.
DEUGHTFUL DIVERSITY
IN ROXY STAGE PROGRAM
Going back to a diversified rou-
tine .this week, the Roxy presents a
stage show of unusual deli^htfulness.
For novelty there is "The Shooting
Gallery," a most amusing travesty on
Coney Island types, with Patricia
Bowman and Leonide Massine head-
ing the Roxy contingent in this num-
ber. Also of unique caliber is "Mis-
fits," wherein M. Vodnoy and M.
Voljanin introduce an ensemble of
dress-suited duos doing drunk bits
around oldtime lamp posts. In
"Bubble Dance," a cleverly conceived
specialty, Miss Bowman and the Bal-
let Corps do some fanciful cavorting
to the rhythm of big balloons, while
Frances Cuce and Miriam Fields
throw in a song number from a sus-
pended ladder. "The Lost Chord,"
sung by Harold Van Duzee and the
Roxy Chorus, is built up with back-
ground into a stirring number. Some
interesting twists in lighting effects
are employed and plenty of striking
costumes are displayed. Joseph Lit-
tau's direction of the orchestral over-
ture, consisting of Gounod excerpts
arranged by Maurice Baron, is par-
ticularly pleasing.
Foreign Markets
By DON C. GILLETTE
J.H.MCGINLEY JOINS RCA
IN CLEVELAND TERRITORY
Cleveland — J. M. McGinley has
joined RCA Photophone, Inc. here as
assistant district supervisor in charge
of installation and service with head-
quarters in the Film Bldg. McGin-
ley formerly was connected with
RCA, spending three and a half years
in the company's laboratory and be-
fore that with General Electric under
the supervision of Dr. Leonard Mil-
ler, authority on soupd reproductioi
and amplification.
McGinley will supervise all instal-
lations in this territory and make
recommendations for securing the
best acoustical results.
Frank Buys Harvard, Neb.
Harvard, Neb. — J. V. Frank has
bought the Harvard from C. C. Pin-
kerton.
B. & D. - Gramophone Co.
Joint Agreement Dropped
London — Joint production arrange-
ment for talking pictures between
British and Dominion and Gramo-
phone Co. has been terminated b)
mutual consent, say current reports
British and Dominion will continut
to produce sound pictures, using
Western Electric apparatus, accord-
ing to a director of company.
British-Thomson-Houston
Handling Sound Device
London — British-Thomson-Hous-
ton is distributing a sound machine
here that is guaranteed full indemni-
fication against all patent infringe-
ments it is claimed. Twenty-five in-
stallations have been contracted for
in the Birmingham section.
Horst Three-Color Fihn
Process Demonstrated
London — Demonstration of the new
"Horst" three-color process met with
success and proved that there is a
complete absence of fringing. Three
primary colors are used and color
tones produced are very natural. The
prints are black and white, undyed,
..I'i cost no more than ordinary film.
50 W. E.'s for India by 1931
India — Installations of Western
Electric equipment in theaters here
are expected to exceed 50 By the end
of the year. Additional engineering
staffs have been dispatched from
London to augment the service and
installation denartments here.
French Film Merger is
Officially Confirmed
Paris — Official confirmation of the
merging of Aubert-Franco-Film and
Gaumont has been made, according
to "Cinematographie Francaise." The
new company includes the former
Aubert-Franco-Film Gaumont Com-
panies, the Radio Cinemas, Studio des
Reservoirs, G. M. Film, Societe Gen-
erale de Films and Societe des Ro-
mans Historiques. The unitinp' of
these interests disposes of all means
to construct sound devices and
plants for the printing of films as
well as to manage a chain of the-
aters in France and in Belgium and
distributing exchanges abroad.
Unemployed Musicians
Increase in Glasgow
Glasgow — ^Over two hundred the-
ater musicians have been thrown out
of work with the invasion here of
talking pictures. It is expected that
this number will increase inasmuch
as additional theaters are being wired
rapidly. The position is even worse
in Edinburgh, it is stated, and pros-
pects are very dull owing to the ex-
tension of talkers into the country
districts.
New Cine-Magazine
Paris — For the first time the
Cine-Magazine has issued a new pub-
lication similar in make-up to those
in the U. S. Jean Pascal is managing
editor of the magazine which will be
circulated publicly.
Removes Sex Ban
Paris — Police ban on the German
sex film, "Cabins" has been removed.
Start Work on French Film
Paris — Shooting on "Beneath the
Eaves of Paris" has begun at the
Tobis studios with Rene Clair di- i
recting. It will be an all-talker.
Confers Honor On Director
Paris — Legion of Honour has beer
conferred upon M. Bennefoi, direc- j
tor of the Nicea Film studios at )
Nice.
To Produce "Radieux Concert"
Paris — Pierre Colombier will pro
duce "Radieux Concert," as a talking i
film.
Richnount Pictures
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAM, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
tives for Rayart Pi. lures Corpo-
ration and othrr cading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJAY, London
Cable Address: RICH PIC. N Y.
Exporting only the
best In Motion Picturet
BE \EFIT OF COLOR
without
PE \ALTY OF COST
COLOR is the order of the day. Sono-
chrome brings it without the penalty
of added cost. Sixteen delicate tints
and a warm neutral tone are available
at the same price as ordinary black-
and-white. I'his, plus the fact that it
gives really faithful sound-on-film,
accounts for the success of this series
of Eastman tinted positive films.
EAS IMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
.■.^rfiiW»a-r.->.
The
One and
Only
WILL
ROGERS
World's Most
Famous
Humorist
THEY HAD TO
SEE PARIS
Will Rogers' first movietone com-
edy and an international tri-
umph. One of the outstanding
hits of the season, whether
in Paris, Kentucky, or in
Paris, France; whether in
London, Ontario, or in London,
England.
Directed by Frank Borzage from the
novel by Homer Croy. With Owen
Davis, Jr., Marguerite Churchill, Irene
Rich and Fifi Dorsay.
SO THIS IS
LONDON
The world is hungry for another
Will Rogers comedy- Here it is!
George M. Cohan's international
stage success, directed by John
Biystone. With Jillian Sonde,
English beauty and stage star, play-
ing the feminine lead. The New
York Times and 200 other leading
newspapers are now carrying a
daily message from Will Rogers in
London on the arms parley. ''So
This Is London" is a ready-made
publicity natural!
^l^
ft'^'
riii
IT
t/tei
ITf
iTHE
o/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
VOL. LI No. 28
Monday, Febniary 3, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Independent Producers Increase Despite Talkers
EXHIBITORS SEEK RETURN OF ARBITRATION
Coast Studios Experimenting With Wide Film
The yiirror
— a column of comment
FROM PHILADELPHIA and
other spots on the motion picture
map come reports that fire depart-
ment officials are demanding the
installation of fireproof screens.
\A'^iflT cnm^ '^xhi^'^itor'^ **till pavnis"
ofif the mortgage which sound
pasted on their houses, this addi-
tional expense probably hurts in a
good many instances. On the other
hand, any safeguard a theater can
give its patrons against fire ought
to be worth the investment and in-
convenience.
ENGLISH EXHIBITORS, or
renters as they call 'em over there,
are feeling pretty sick over the way
the quota law is working out.
Domestic production is at such a
low eblj that there's no margin of
.Droduct from which they can select
'heir pictures. The Government is
faking the attitude that the indus-
try urged the law and, well — now
it's just too bad. Legislations, like
antos, sometimes backfire.
MORE COMPETENT and un-
rstanding operation of sound re-
oducing equipment is a slogan
xhibitors throughout the country
ire adopting. The best recording
job made by any studio isn't worth
a hoot if it isn't properly served
to the audience. If you asked us
jour preference (which nobody
lias) we'd rather have our sound
bresented conservatively, with a
ertain restraint, than have a hair-
aising barrage trained at us.
Enlarged Film Picture
Being Made for
Sono Art
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Wide film experi-
ments are going on in practically
every major company studio, either
admittedly or secretly, mostly the lat-
ter.
A wide-film picture is being made
for Sono Art-World Wide. Both
Pathe and Universal are understood
to be among the studios experiment-
(Continued cm Page 8)
TRADE PRACTICE CONfAB
SET FOR TICKET MAKERS
Washingtan Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A trade practice con-
ference of manufacturers of roll and
machine tickets for use in theaters
will be held by the Federal Trade
Connnission Feb. 25. Commissioner
(Continued on Page 2)
M-G-M 12 Week Net Profit
Reported at $1,737,417
Net profit of M-G-M for the 12
weeks ended Nov. 22, 1929, before
taxes, is reported at $1,737,417. Gross
profits for the period amounted to
•1)3,192,240 while operating profit
reached $1,663,834.
Watching the Battle
Philadelphia — Exhibitors are
merely standing by in the fight
against the Blue Laws being
waged by local newspapers,
with the endorsement of Mayor
Mackey, who had declared that
they are obsolete. Local the-
ater owners are understood to
take the attitude that by re-
maining out of the row, they
will avoid further attacks from
the Blue Law supporters.
CHANCES IN EIRE LAWS
ARE PROPOSED IN MASS.
Boston — In a report by the special
connnission on fire prevention created
by the last legislature, numerous
changes in the state fire laws, under-
stood to involve theaters, are pro-
(Continued on Page 8)
About 75 P. C. of Philly
Screens to Be Replaced
Philadelphia — Order of the fire
marshal requiring installation of fire-
proof screens means replacement of
practically 75 per cent of the screens
in Philadelphia, it is estimated by the
.V[. P. T. O. of Eastern Pa.
367 Companies Active in 1 929
Against 338 in Previous Year
See U. S. Endangering
Latin America Market
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — American producers
will endanger their position in the
Mexican and South American markets
by distributing talkers with Castillian
Spanish, according to Latin American
actors, who claim that the studios
are discriminating against them in
favor of players speaking Castillian
Spanish.
Despite the theory that talkers had
dealt a death blow to independent
producers, a survey conducted in con-
nection with THE FILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK shows that the num-
ber of producers throughout the U. S.
and Canada in 1929 amounted to 367,
an increase of 29 over the previous
year. The U. S. companies are dis-
tributed among the following states:
California, 225 ; New York, 76;
Illinois, 7; Florida, 6; Ohio, 5; Penn-
{Continued on Page 2)
Appeal to Hays Office and
Film Boards of Trade
for Assistance
Requests asking for arbitration in
various forms are being received by
Film Boards of Trade throughout the
country and by the Hays office from
exhibitors who are apprehensive of
the situation developing from the
Judge Thacher decree.
At the Hays offive it was stated
that "a great numoci" of such ieticrs
have been received. Attorney Louis
Nizer, secretary of the New Yi,i'c
Film Boards of Trade, on Saturday
(CotUinued on Page 2)
NAMES DODCThEAD OF
NEWSALESDEPARTMENT
H. W. Dodge has been appointed
to head the new merchandise sales
department of Electrical Research
Products, C. W. Bunn, general sales
manager, announced Saturday. This
department will handle distribution
(Continued on Page 6)
U. S. Film Stars Block
Foreign Caricatures
London — Plans of the Associated
Sound Film Industries to make a
series of talker shorts, in which vari-
(Continued on Page 6)
90 P. C. Copyright
At least 90 per cent of the
music being played in this coun-
try is copyright, said John
Gregg Paine, chairman of the
Music Publishers Protective
Ass'n, Saturday, in stating that
only a few violations of the
copyright laws are coming to
his attention. Under the U. S.
laws a music copyright runs for
28 years with a renewal for 28
more possible. Foreign copy-
Irights cover the entire life of
the author and 50 years there-
after, Paine pointed out.
THE
PAILY
Monday, February 3, 193C
rol. LINo. 28 Monday February 3, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1050 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. AKcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wollfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 22 22 22 100
Con. Fm. Ind 21 21 21 200
*Con. Fm. Ind. pfd 23 Ji
East. Kodak 196/^ 193/2 195 400
Fox Fm. "A" 30Ji 30Ji 30^ 1,600
♦Keith AO 29
do pfd 93!4 93J4 9il/2 100
Loew's, Inc 617/g 59 61^8 900
do pfd. WW (6-/^). 87 Ji 87M 87)4 200
*do pfd. xw (6H) 88
*M-G-M pfd 24)4
Para. F-L 6i'A 61)i 6i'A 500
I'athe Exch 4/8 4 A'A 200
do "A" 7n 7Vt TVt 200
R-K-O 29^ 28!4 29 1,700
*Umv. Pict. pfd 35^
Warner Bros 54 53 54 2,700
do pfd. ...' 49/ 49 49 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 31%
Fox Thea. "A".... 7/ 7/ 7/ 200
*Gen. Thea. Equ 39 J4
Loew do deb rts... 22-4 20% 22^ 300
*Loew's Inc. war ^Vi ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser \S%
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 9%
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 78/
*Loew 6s 41ww 105 ....
do 6s 41 x-war... 94J4 94>i 94% 90
♦Paramount 6s 47 99
Par. By. 5/s51 .. 99% 99 99 60
Pathe 7s37 48 47% 47% 70
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
INDIE PRODUCERS INCREASE
DESPITE TALKER PICTURES
(Continued from Page 1)
Sylvania, 5; Minnesota, 5; Missouri,
4; Utah, 4; Micliigan, 4; Connecticut,
2; Indiana, 2; Louisiana, 2; Washing-
ton, 2; Nebraska, 2; Arkansas, 1;
Colorado, 1; Georgia, 1; Massa-
chusetts, 1; Oregon, 1; Texas, 1.
Canada has 10 producers.
An increase of two in the number
of studios also took place in 1929,
the total being 73 in that year against
71 in 1928. 1 here are located as fol-
lows:
California, 22; New York, 18; New
Jersey, 6; Florida, 2; Louisiana, 2;
Michigan, 2; Pennsylvania, 2; Colo-
rado, 1; Connecticut, 1; Indiana, 1;
Minnesota, 1; Missouri, 1; Nebraska,
1; Ohio, 1; Rhode Island, 1; Canada,
1.
New York Long Island City j*j
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. «
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
li
9
i Eastmain Films i
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. :|
if
(f
— jjt
Hollywood SS
6700 Santa Monica »
Blvd. K
CAlumet 2691 HOUywood 4121 •*!
,«My<V**A*>»*«'K.'>»>**
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
Ironwood Amusement Co.
Elects Annual Officers
Ironwood, Mich. — Charles Seaman
has been re-elected president of the
Ironwood Amusement Co., operating
several houses in northern Alichigan.
Other officers elected at the annual
meeting are A. D. Chisholm, vice
president, and F. J. Jeppesen, secre-
tary. A. L. Picker remains as gen-
eral manager. The board of direc-
tors will consist of these officials and
George Curry, R. P. Zinn and Joseph
Seaman.
Open Newsreel House
Chicago — The Randolph
opened Saturday as Chicago's
first talking newsreel house.
Frank Levin is managing direc-
tor.
The Industry's
Date Book
EXHIBITORS ARE SEEKING
OP
(Continued from Page 1)
said that he has had numerous re-
quests for the return of arbitration.
He told these exhibitors that although
the board cannot function, owing to
the decree, he is personally willing to
help them adjust their difficulties.
Action of the M. P. T. O. of East-
ern Pa. in adopting a resolution favor-
ing arbitration will be duplicated by
other exhibitor organizations, reports
reaching New York indicate.
Trade Practice Confab
Set for Ticket Makers
(,Continued from Page 1)
G. S. Ferguson, chairman of the com-
mission, will preside.
The conference is expected to deal
with various practices which are coii-
feidered unfair, including interference
with contracts, defamation of com-
petitors, enticement of employees,
price discrimination, etc.
Paper's "10 Best" Contest
Boosts Akron Attendance
Akron, O. — A stunt calculated to
swell picture attendance was recent-
ly tried out by the "Akron Times-
Press" in the form of a "ten best pic-
tures of 1929" contest. The idea was
to have movie fans pick their ten
best. The list that came nearest to
that selected by Evan Williams, Jr.,
the motion picture editor, drew a
first prize of $50. Fifteen thousand
answers were received by the news-
paper.
Stanton House Gets Bestone
Stanton, Neb. — Bestone sound
equipment has been installed here
at the Liberty.
Sound for Omaha House
Omaha — Minnie Lusa, a neighbor-
hood house, has installed sound.
DECISION RESERVED IN
BUEEALO UNION DISPUTE
Buffalo — -Judge George E. Pierce
has reserved decision on motion to
adjudge the union in contempt of
court and to enjoin the picketing of
seven theaters here in a dispute be-
tween neighborhood houses and union
projectionists.
Sidney B. Pfeififer, attorney for the
Rivoli, asked that the union officials
be punished for alleged contempt on
previous order issued by the Supreme
Court. The allegations were denied
by Attorney William B. Mahoney,
counsel for the union.
•Feb. 6 Reigular meeting of the AMPA, a
Paramount Hotel, New York.
Feb. 7 Paramount Pep Club annual ball ai
the Aster, New York.
Feb. IS Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at Earl CarroU, N. Y.
Feb. 16 Pa. state fire law involving theater
regulations becomes effective.
Feb. 19 Annual Benefit £ihow ot Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Mar. 5 First Day of Lent.
Mar. 17 Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Anderson Supervising Sales
Atlanta — W. W. Anderson, district
sales representative of Electrical Re-
search Products, Inc., with headquar-
ters here, will supervise sales in the
(States of Georgia, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana. Installa-
tion and service will continue to func-
tion under their respective department
heads.
Pathe Releasing Lincoln Reel
Pathe is releasing a special single
reel in which George Billings im-
personates Abraham Lincoln and de-
livers the famous "Gettysburg Ad-
dress." A quartet of "veterans" sings
Civil War melodies.
Open with Photophone
Cicero, 111. — The Grant has opened
with RCA Photophone Type G equip-
ment.
Warners Get Another
Philadelphia — Warner Bros, now
control the Germantown section
through acquisition of the German-
town from Walter Steumpfig.
Women*s Leader Urges
Co-operation with Films
Minneapolis — Co-operation of the
public and civic bodies in publiciz- !
ing and supporting the preferred
type of pictures was urged here by
Mrs. Thomas G. Winter, former na-
tional Woman's Club president and
now connected with the Hollywood
branch of the Hays organization, as
a means of bringing about censor-
ship at the source and thus doing
away with Federal activities along
this line. Mrs. Winter called upon
local women to work in a friendly
way with exhibitors and with the
Film Board of Trade.
A committee has been formed,
with Mrs. Henry S. Godfrey as chair-
man, to give publicity to selected pic-
tures from first-hand information ob-
tained after previews in Hollywood.
It is also planned to hold "attendance
parties," and week-end "family
nights," on which entire families will
attend particularly good pictures.
Columbia Issues Folder
on Sound Reproduction
With a view to aiding exhibitors in
obtaining maximum efficiency in,
sound reproduction, Columbia has is-j
sued a folder on the proper use of
the disc needle. The leaflet, which is|
being distributed gratis to the indus-j*
try as a whole, warns against the use!
of "bootleg" needles. A series of
diagrams shows some of the causes
of sound trouble arising from this
source.
AD- VANCE- AD
"You have always treated me more
than fair in all of our dealings, using
every effort to please me in every
respect, and I want you to know that
I appreciate it greatly."
— National Theater
Graham, Texas
I
Pretty isn't she? Like to meet her? Well . . . we can't
promise you'll see this young beauty but there'll be
hundreds of lovely ladies at the MOTION PICTURE
BALL. ^ The famous comedian of the talkies, CHARLES
RUGGLES, is master of ceremonies. Big entertainment
by CELEBRATED STAGE AND SCREEN STARS. You
can dance to the music of HAROLD STERN AND HIS
HOTEL AMBASSADOR ORCHESTRA, q At 1 A. M.
a big supper is being served, then more dancing. Make
a date! It's FRIDAY EVE., FEB. 7th, at the ASTOR
HOTEL. Tickets on sale at all leading agencies, Para-
mount Building and Astor Hotel. $10 each. ^ GivcK
under auspices Paramount Pep Club, Inc. — Paramount
Famous Lasky Corp. — Publix Theatres Corp.
IT'S The Smartest Party in Town ! J^
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Big Year is Seen Ahead
For British Film Industry
'T'HE prospects for British film
■*■ production were never bright-
er especially in view of the gen-
erally accepted fact that British
producers can make box-office
"talkies" m'ore successfully than
they were able to make "silents.
The mere fact that American
firms are coming over here with
their own money and utilizing
their own British staffs is a defi-
nite proof of this statement. A
big boom in the British indus-
try, from every angle and from
every branch, can be confidently
expected, and 1930 will be one
of the bieorest years in the an-
nals of the trade.
Sam Harris in
"The Cinema," London
Talking Films Have Created
No End of Screen "Finds." is View
riACK in the hey-day of the
^ silent drama it was the habit
of producers, directors, critics
and the dear public nightly to
petition the great god Cinema
for new faces. The discovery of
a single player with screen pos-
sibilities was something to write
home about in those days. But
today, ah today, how different.
The advent of the dialog film
worked a complete transforma-
tion. Where one "find" was
wont to bud in a producer gar-
den, we now have them in pro-
fusion. The trickle of new faces
has become a deluge, nothing
less, overwhelming the publicity
and advertising departments. No
longer is the "find" sold in ad-
vance to fandom; that major
task is left to the exhibitor. As
if he did not have enough to
worry about!
Chester B. Bahn in the
"Syracuse (N.Y.) HeraW
^^m
DAILY
Monday, February 3, 1930
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
'T'HE boys, Clayton, Jackson and Durante are holding a real
birthday party at Proctor's 86th St., where they opened Satur-
day, which will feature an hitherto unknown foodstuff called
"Schnozzlecake." The lads are eelebrating their seventh anniver-
sary with seven weeks of RKO vaudeville Helen Kane is ar-
ranging the entertainment program for the show to be staged
Feb. 13 by the Holy Cross R. C. Church of Clason Point, N. Y.
* * * *
Did you know that Charlie Chaplin is a swell tennis player,
Doug Fairbanks an accomplished juggler and Lupe Velez can
mimic anybody and does? Well, we did, but thought it would
strike you funny Hy Daab, in a letter to Harry Takif? at
the home office, mentioned that Hollywood has changed so since
he was last there that he hardly recognized the town. Wonder
if Hy wore smoked glasses?
* ♦ * *
Alan Forest, who has been gracing many screens for a long
time, now is quartered at the Algonquin Capt. Charles
Erard is official lecturer of "The World Tours of the Prince of
Wales," now doing his stuff at the SSth St., N. Y
* * * *
Harry Aitken, who is handling that undying "Birth of a
Nation," is planning to rejuvenate it with synchronized score and
dub in dialogue as well, providing he can buy the dialogue rights
from Thomas Dixon, who wrote "The Clansman," on which the
film yarn is based Elisha Cook, Jr., who plays a part
in "Her Unborn Child," being roadshowed by Windsor Picture
Plays, is now appearing in "Many a Slip," newcomer among the
Broadway legit attractions and housed in the Little Theater
* * * *
"Now," Fox West Coast Theaters house organ, cheers over
the exploitation stuff Bert Adler pulled in Brooklyn recently in
"ballyhooing Rube Wolf, master-of-ceremonies, at the Fox. Says
"Now": Four thousand one sheets on all Brooklyn Journal
wagons and newsstands. A tie-up with the Brooklyn Automobile
Show. Prizes ranging from two autos down to a radio. A mo-
tion picture of Wolf breaking all traffic laws. Bert Adler surely
has given everyone something to shoot at"
* * ♦ ♦
Perry Bros., who operate Perry's Egyptian at Ogden, Utah,
postcarded in to the effect that the Thacher decree is "God sent
news for the independent exhibitor." Their theater, by the way,
"represents an Egyptian auditorium or temple court with a dome
ceiling decorated to represent a desert sky"
* * * *
Terry Ramsaye states that Pathechrome subjects with sound
will be released by Pathe beginning with Issue No. 6 of the
Audio Review, available today
* * * *
Activities of all prominent organizations and clubs in the
industry are covered in one of the many sections of the 1930
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK. Out soon!
•
THEIR
FIRST
J O R S
WILLIAM RAND
refining staff, American
Sugar Refining
FEBRUARY 3-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foHow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
mi,^
Pat H. Harman
James A. Starr
Milton Silver
-AND
THATS
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
npHERE'S a little story about a big
film exec, whose frau dispatched
him to the kitchen to fire the cook.
Seems that the servant had caused
most of the household to get indiges-
tion by rushing them through dinner
nearly every night because she wanted
to get out early.
Preliminary to giving the hard
vvoiking gal her walking orders, the
head of the house demanded to know
what was her idea in rushing the
courses like she had a date to go to
_ fire. The cook replied that she was
a rabid picture fan and if she didn't
get away early she wouldn't be able
to get a seat at the theater.
So the film exec, being a regular
sport, raised the kitchen mechanic's
wages and fixed it so she could get
off in the afternoons to do her movie-
going.
Halsey Raines tells about the youth
who, on his daily call at the casting
office, was informed that the only
part to be filled was the role of a
veterinary.
"How about sending me around to
see the director about it?" the young
fellow asked.
"What's the use?" replied the agent.
"You look to young to have been in
the war."
No longer is silence golden. If you
don't think so, ask any exhibitor.
With Lehar, Straus, Romberg,
Rapee and other composers of th(
operatic class being inducted into
the talkers, the once heralded mar-
riage of Hollywood and Jazz ap-
parently has gone phttt, as the tab.
columnyist say.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Republic Distributing to release
six Lloyd Carleton productions.
* « *
Jesse D. Hampton and Robertson-
Cole involved in $100,000 lawsuit over
H. B. Warner.
« * *
W. H. Clune and William Swan-
son made directors of National Pic-
ture Theaters.
* * *
Grauman prologues to be used by
Famous on royalty basis.
THE
Monday, February 3, 1930
-J!Sm
DAILY
"No, No, Nanette
First National
Strand, New York
DAILY NEWS — There's comedy »nd color
in "No, No, Nanette" — enough to bring a
pggle and a gasp of appreciation from eren
the severest cinema followers. * * * » bright
cheery and, of course, tuneful and dancetul
talkie-singie version of the popular stage at
traction. It is full of laughs and quite beau
tiful in the Technicolor sequences, which,
nevertheless, are dragged out a bit too long.
EVENING JOURNAI^— • * " )ust a fair
programme picture, which moves very slowly
through a typically featherweight musical com-
' HERALDTRIBUNE^—Instead of mixing
up the story with the songs, the screen No,
No Nanette" insisted on placing the musi_
cal numbers at the beginning and end of
the picture and on making them fit in with
some fantastic plot about the production of
a show. Thus, the outdated narrative, de-
prived of the salvation of song cues, was
forced to wander on aimlessly to a tedious
conclusion, and all of the frailties of its for-
mula were cruelly exposed.
POST * • * does an incalculable lot to-
ward emphasizing the inherent stupidities of
the average musical comedy plot. The plot
of "No, No, Nanette," so inconsequential in
the stage production, permeates the screen
version to the point of suffocation * suf-
fers a good deal from a generally low leyel
of acting, though I suppose, in view of the
triteness of the parts and the lamentably un-
inspired dialogue, it would be unfair to blame
the actors • • •
SUN— Although following the usual lines
of movie musical shows, "No, No, Nanette
is happier than most in its comedy situations
and in its direction. Clarence Badger is re-
sponsible for this. The film provides a di-
verting evening.
TELEGRAM— During the process of be-
ing transformed from the stage to the screen
the production has lost much of its original
charm * • • „ . •..
TIMES — * * * quite a merry affair with
tunes that are now well known • • • It
is a show that stirs up mirth from persons
who might desire a more sophisticated type
of entertainment, for its comedy of wives
discovering the more or less harmless deceit
of their husbands is invariably unfailing.
Meyers Gets Publix Contract
Omaha— Billy Meyers, master of
ceremonies at the Paramount here,
has signed a two-year contract with
Publix, Manager Charles M. Pincus
announces. Previous to coming here,
Meyers toured the Publix circuit in
the "Honeymoon Cruise."
I Minden House Reopened
' Minden, la. — The Rex, after hav-
ing been closed several times be-
i cause of lack of support, has again
; been opened, this time by the local
I American Legion post, after leasing
it from G. W. Schwenn, owner.
Hays Managing Lansing Strand
Lansing, Mich. — Everett Hays is
now managing the Strand here hav-
ing succeeded C. W. Bedell. Hays
was formerly manager of the Orph-
eum at St. Louis.
W. E. For N. Dak. House
Whap'etown, N. Dak. — Gilles the-
ater here has installed Western Elec-
tric equipment. With the exception
of Fargo and Moorhead, it is the
only house in this territory to have
sound.
Grelle Handling Cinecrow
Wilkensbnre, Pa. — Harry F. Grelle
is handling sales for the Cinecrow
sound equipment here.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
MISSOURI
Changes in Ownership
Bagnell — Bagnell, sold to R. Kiplinger by O.
A. Boots; Blue Springs — Rex, sold to
Elmer E. Zavodsky by Mrs. Mae Edmonds ;
Crane — Electric, sold to Bennege & Carr by
A. H. House; Frankford — Liberty, sold to
Mrs. Gladys Bowen by Harry Bowen ;
Glasgowr — Electric, sold to V. G. Green
by Elmer Bills; Glenwood — Idle Hour, sold
to Dr. T. E. Trunnell by H. W. Daniels;
Holcomb — Twilight, sold to A. A. Conrad
by Pritchard & Rasberry ; lUmo — Illmo
Opera House, sold to H. C. Clark by J.
Anderson ; Kansas City — Central, sold to
John T. Graham by O. B. Reeder; Twin
City, sold to Alex C. Meshcon by Margaret
Thorstenberg ; Kennett — Lyric, sold to A.
A. Conrad by H. Ferguson; Kingston —
Majestic, sold to Business Men's Assn. by
R. K. Hartley ; Lawson — Electric, sold to
Mrs. D. D. Herrell by D. Murphy; Pollick
— Pollick, sold to M. Wilson by Creston
Ollinger; St. Joseph — Nickle, sold to R.
M. Hoyt by W. B. Colburn ; "Trenton—
Hubbell, sold to Glen W. Dickinson by
Harry 13. Cushman; Royal, sold to Glen
W. Dickinson by Harry B. Cushman;
Webster Groves — -Ozark, sold to Webster
Groves Theater Corp. by St. Louis Amuse-
ment Co.
Closings
Clarksville — Owens; Illmo — Opera House;
Mount Moriah — ^Community ; St. Louis —
Lange, Family : Stewartsville — Gem ;
Stotesbury — Peoples ; Walnut Grove —
Home.
Re-Openings
Kansas City — Elms, Liberty: St. Joseph —
Crystal ; Winfield — Winfield.
MONTANA
Changes in Ownership
Hall — Liberty, sold to Ted McKinnon by
F. E. Simons ; Hingham — Hi-Line, sold to
J. M. Morressey by J. O. Ostness; Mis-
soula— ^Bluebird, sold to West Coast by
Simons Amusement Co., Rialto, sold to
West Coast by Simons Amusement Co.,
Wilma, sold to West Coast by Simons
Amusement Co.
NEBRASKA
Changes in Ownership
Beatrice — Rialto. sold to Publix by Hostett-
ler, Rivoli, sold to Publix by Hostettler;
Bellwood — Community, sold to Frank
Kemenski by E. M. Michael; Blue Hill —
Sterling, sold to Albert Bang by O. W.
Persons ; Buchard — ^Wonderland, sold to
Hyland Schram by John McNeely & J.
H. Pepoerl ; Cedar Bluffs — Opera House,
sold to Frank Schroeder by C. H. Matson ;
Ohappell — Lyric, sold to A. F. Kehr by
S. B. Geating; Columbus — North, sold to
Publix by Hostettler, Swan, sold to Pub-
lix by Hostettler: Cotesfield — Opera House,
sold to H. R. Deland by L. E. Gusner;
Fairbury — Bonham. sold to Publix by
Hostettler ; Fremont — Empress, sold to Pub-
lix by Hostettler; Grand Island — Capitol,
sold to Publix by Hostettler. Empress, sold
to Publix by Hostettler, Majestic, sold to
Publix by Hostettler: Hardy— Liberty, sold
to Publix bv Hostettler: Hastings — Rivoli,
sold to Publix by Hostettler, Strand, sold
to Publix bv Hostettler: Kearney — Crescent.
soM to Publix bv Hostettler. Empress, sold
to Publix bv Hostettler, Majestic, sold to
to American Legion by H. P. Johnson ;
Norfolk — Granada, sold to Publix by
Hostettler; North Plat+e — Keith, sold to
Pnblix bv Hostettler : Woodriver — Gem,
sold to W. H. Cochran by W. L. Denny.
Closings
Alvo — ^Communitv : Hartley — Pal : Bassett —
Sutherland ; Edison — Sun ; North Bend —
Lyric : Seneca — Idle Hour.
Openings
Cedar Bluffs^ — Opera House: Craig — Art-
wood : Hendlev — Goldenrod ; Howells —
Howells; North Bend— Star: Papillion —
Central : Stuart — Sutherland ; Thedford —
Auditorium.
NEVADA
Changes in Ownershio
C^rlin— Eaele. sold to Walter C. Wilson by
T M. Keckler: Reno — State, sold bv Robert
Thomas: Sparks — Lsis, sold to Sparks The-
ater Co.
Closings
Reno — Nevada, State.
NEW JERSEY
Changes in Ownership
Butler — Butler, sold to S. Schlessinger by
Stanley ; Closter — Nemo, sold to John Mit-
chell by Perry ; East Orange — Brighton ;
Hawthorne — Hawthorne, sold to Charles
Robinson by Community ; Jersey City —
Palace, sold to Palace Theater Corp. ;
Keansburg — Cameo, sold to Ditri ; Maple-
wood — ' Maplewood, sold to Maplewood
Holding Corp. ; Midvale — Community Club,
sold to G. H. Sickler by J. Schlessinger ;
Netcong — Palace, sold to J. Rafael; Orange
— Palace, sold to D. J. Shephard by Stan-
ley ; Pompton Lakes — Colonial, sold to S.
Schlessinger by Stanley ; Ridgefield Park —
Rialto, sold to D. & S. Amusement Corp. :
Trenton— Gaiety, sold to T. D. McAuliffe
by George B. Ten Eyck; W. CoUingswood
— Crescent, sold to Hunt's Theaters, Inc.,
by Crescent Amusement Co.
Closings
Arlington — Arlington ; Browns Mills — Audi-
torium ; Califon — Boro Hall ; Cranberry —
Palace ; Dunnellen — ^Cameo ; East Orange —
Lyceum; Elizabeth — Capital, State; Fort
Lee — Fort Lee: Hamburg — Idle Hour;
Hasbrouck Heights — Strand : Highland
Park — Park; Hoboken — City, Manor; Ise-
lin — Tselin : Jersey City — Danforth, Lyric.
Plada ; Keansburg — Casino : Lavallette —
Lavallette; Little Falls — Oxford; Little
Ferry — Sokol Hall ; Lyndhurst — Star ;
Newark — Columbia, De Luxe, Grand, Lin-
coln ; New Brunswick — Cozy Bijou, Opera
House; New Milford — Park; Nutley —
Cameo : Orange — Washington ; Ridgefield
Park — Rialto ; Roselle Park — Roslyn : So.
Orange — Cameo : Verona — Verona : Wash-
ington— Opera House; Westwood — West
wood.
NEW MEXICO
Changes in Ownership
Dawson — Opera House, sold to W. B. Cook
by Phelns Dodge Corn. ; Hatch — Palace,
sold to J. O. Turner Tiy Walter & Hiatt.
Closings
Ft. Bayard — Veterans : Magdalena — Casino.
New Theaters
Mountainair — Tabot, owner — Tabot Mercan-
tile Co. _
Openmgs
Mogollon — Midw^v : Mountainair — Tabot.
NEW YORK
Changes in Ownership
Amityville — Star, soM to Allerton Theater
Corp. bv Jack Clifford; Bath — Babcock.
sold to Fox Metropolitan Plavhouses, Tnc
by Schine Ent. Inc. ; Camden — Carlton, sold
to John Aueello bv R. Ferro ; Carthage —
Strand, sold to Fox-Metropolitan P'ay-
bouses. Inc. by Schine Enterprises : Dun-
doe — Beekman. sold to Stnlker ft Brewer
bv Paddor-k 8z Stalker: East Rochester —
Roxie. sold to M. Albanese by M. Fitzer :
Friendship — Star. soM to Thomas Cotton
8.' Co. bv Mrs. H. J. Scott : Hammonds-
nort— Park. sMd to Mr. /k Mrs. T R.
r.rimadii bv H. Horton : Hastings — Hast-
ities. sold to V. Monncbeli; by G. Hurlev •
Hudson Falls— Strrind. sold to T. A. Fitz-
g-vnld bv T,. A. Bnetter: Mi'ton— Milton
■:^'d to Wi"iam H. Short by Seaman ■
Niagara Fall" — Strand Cataract, sold to
Fox Metionolitan Playhouses. Tnd by
Strand Theater Cornoration : Norwich —
Strand, sold to S. Berkowitz by Schine
Enterprises ; Oneonta — Oneonta, sold to
Fox M-'trorolJtan P'nvhouses. Inc. bv
Schine Enterprises: Palare — Oneonta, sold
to Fox Metropolitan Plavhouses. Tnc. bv
S'-''ine Enterprises : Rochester — Victoria
sold to Sam Tandler bv Efrem Amus^--
ment Co. : Ro'^pdale — Fireman's Hall, sold
to Pavmnn H TTonst ; Rcbenectadv — Happv
Hnnr. so'd trv GeoriTP A. Marcus bv H. A
Feinstein .^ Frank Shnv; Scottsville — Plav-
hnn^e. snld to John E. Allen bv W. E
Wood • 'Syracuse — St'-and. sold to Stanlev
Co. nf America bv Svrarii=e Strand The
atpr Co. ; Trnv — Bii'ou. snM to Charles F.
W;'son bv Pirhard Cnrrv : Wappineer Falls
— Park, sold to Fprroco bv AnsTpl : Water-
tnwn — ^Avon. sold to Fox Metropolitan
Plnvh-insps. Tnc. bv Schine Entnr.. O'vm-
pic. sold tr> Fox Metropolitan Plavhouses
Tnc. bv Schine Entcnrisps • We'dsoort^—
Oppra Honce. sold to Earl 7immer bv T. R
Pilmor: We<=tfield— Grand, sold to K^Ver
8- T^lakelv bv Zicofe Amusement Co. •
Yonkers — Parkhill. sold to A. Pharasles.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^ By HARRY N. BLAIR r^
JyflLTON C. WORK, whist expert.
will appear before the "mike" at
Warner Bros, studio in Flatbush to
make a Vitaphone Variety with a
bridge angle. Early in April, Work
is to broadcast a bridge game played
by four of Warner Bros, stars — Win-
nie Lightner, Marian Nixon, Monte
Blue and Grant Withers.
+ * *
Tommy Madden, formerly of the
ring, who helps to keep things in
order at the Paramount Long Island
studios, claims to be an expert in all
kinds of stars. There is one variety
that he used to see while fighting
and still another kind taking part
in Paramotint features. Besides
these, Tommy has made a study of
the stars in the sky which, he be-
lieves, control our destinies.
* * *
Ray Foster, cameraman at the
Warner Vitaphone studios, has just
experienced his semi-annual auto
wreck. This time it was a four way
smash up with the car badly dam-
aged. As usual, Ray escaped with-
out a scratch.
* * *
Norman Foster, who hr,g jnfit (,j.^„
chosen to play the i.-'hand of Claud
ette Colbert in Paranwuvt'n "Yautu;
Man of Manhattan," sho'lr' fii fji,
role perfectly since ' ■; ■in ' . ,,
lady's husband in . ■ ' ,
* *
Now that "Dangerous Nan AIc-
Grew" and "Young Man of Manhat-
tan" are finally cast, Frank Heath,
casting director at the Paramount
fetudios, has heaved a great sigh of
relief. With several good parts open
to anyone who could qualify, hun-
dreds of players trekked to the wilds
of Astoria to try for a test. Heath
is especially proud of one absolute
unknown whom he picked. The girl
combines rare beauty with a lovely
singing voice. Her name is Rober-
ta Robinson and she will inake her
screen debut in "Nan McGrew."
* * *
Mark Sandrich has just finished
directing "Hot Bridge" for Louis
Brock. His next picture will be
"Bamum Was Wrong," which will
be screened entirely in color.
* * *
Pathe Audio Revue staged an in-
teresting subject at the Audio Cin-
ema studios on Long Island. It is
designed to give the public an idea
of how motion pictures are synchro-
nized. An orchestra of thirty musi-
cians under the leadership of Signor
Attilio Marchetti doubled as actors
with Tom Hogan as director.
Musical Advisors Named
Frank Tours has been named mus-
ical advisor on "Dangerous Nan
McGrew," with David Mendoza act-
ing in the same capacity on "Young
Man of Manhattan," according to an
announcement from the Paramount
Long Island studios.
THE
DAiyr
Monday, February 3, 1930
Lobby Acts for SRO's
Minneapolis — Lobby enter-
tainment for S.R.O. patrons
have been instituted at the
Minnesota, ace Publix house in
the Northwest. Performers of
various kinds are stationed in
various parts of the entrance
way and their job is to keep the
standees in good humor.
German Will Introduce
New Recording Method
A new system of sound recording
will shortly be introduced in this
country by Karl Freund, German
studio technician and cameraman,
who recently left for Hollywood after
several weeks spent in New York,
where he made interior scenes at the
Paramount Long Island studios.
Freund, who produced the camera
effects in "Metropolis," "The Last
Laugh" and "Variety," is now under
contract to the Technicolor Corp.
Names Dodge Head of
New Sales Department
(Continued from Page 1)
of all replacement and repair parts
in connection with the Western Elec-
tric sound system.
Dodge has been located in Chicago
the past year as assistant to Frank
Rogers, Central Division manager of
Electrical Research. G. S. Applegate,
assistant general service superintend-
ent, becomes Dodge's assistant man-
ager.
Sound for Two at Youngstown
Youngstown, O. — Both the Rialto
and Mahoning, units of the Uptown
Theater chain are the latest houses to
install sound equipment in this city.
Marlboro House Reopened
Marlboro, Mass. — The Hudson
opened here yesterday. The house
was recently remodeled at a cost of
$15,000.
Talkers for Hortville
Hortville, Tex. — Sound equipment
is to be installed at the local play-
house here.
Sound for K. C. House
Kansas City — Charles Burkey's
Summit is being equipped with West-
ern Electric reproducer.
Install Bestone Equipment
Kansas City — The Penn Valley has
installed sound through Bestone.
Dickinson Adds House
Manhattan, Kans. — Glen W. Dick-
inson Theaters, Inc., has opened the
Warham here.
New Offices for S & A Studio
Chicago — S. H. Krimstein is in
charge of the newly opened offices
of the S & A Art Studios which now
are located in the Standard Oil Bldg.
Before joining S & A, Krimstein was
connected with the Essaness Theater
art studio.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Atlantic, la. — R. W. Steen, owner
of the Atlantic, destroyed by fire, an-
nounces that contracts had been let
for the erection of a new theater
building.
New Orleans — Work is practically
completed on the new Vitaphone
branch office here and the opening is
expected to take place about the mid-
dle of February. F. F. Goodrow,
branch manager for Warner in Atlan-
ta, will also have charge of the local
office.
Kansas City — J. J. Lennon, former-
ly assistant manager and treasurer of
the Midland here, has exchanged
posts with Frank Henson, assistant
manager of the Capitol, Atlanta.
Minneapolis — A. feature of the new
five-story exchange building being
erected by Warner Brothers at a cost
of more than $300,000, will be a 300-
seat theater to be used exclusively
for trade screenings. The building is
expected to be finished by Mar. 15.
Ulvalde, Tex. — City commissioners
have voted three to one to repeal the
ordinance prohibiting Sunday shows.
They take the attitude that the ques-
tion is one for the state, not the com-
munity, to handle. B. F. Hunter,
operator of the Strand, is expected to
inaugurate a policy of Sunday shows.
Minneapolis — Columbia Pictures
now is in its new exchange building
at 66 Glenwood Ave.
New York
Broadway Talking Pictures Corp.,
55 W. 42nd St.. New York, has com-
pleted its first production, filmed at
the Audio Cinema Studio, Long Is-
land City. The film has been made
from the play "Clouds" with the
original cast, headed by Louise Car-
ter. Other players are Betty Lee,
Ralph Bellamy, Buddy Blake and
Skip Whitely. Raymond Friedgen
directed, with Al Wilson, Frank
Zukor and Charles Levine as camera-
men.
Louis Heightman is managing the
Rige. Brooklyn, recently acquired by
the H. & S. Amusement Co. from
M. Behrman
Neslon & Renner, pioneer exhib-
itors, have reopened the Gem, Brook-
Ivn, having taken the house over
from the S. & S. Circuit. The house
will be called the Sun.
The Van Buren in Brooklyn has
been acquired by Lightsone &
Tabachnick from the K. & D. Amuse-
ment Corp.
Yonkers — The Warburton here
which had been the home of stock
companies, will reopen shortly as a
second-run picture house, according
to Valentine and Getty, agents.
Henry Liman has been appointed
buyer and booker for the St. Albans.
St. Albans; Garden, Spring Gardens,
and State, Ozone Park, by J. H.
Crochett, who recently took over the
houses from Sol Coleman. All the-
aters are being required for Western
Electric apparatus.
Rachmil & Katz have finally taken
over the Windsor, Brooklyn, after
several weeks of negotiations. The
same exhibitors operate the United
in the same borough.
Stanley-Fabian has disposed of the
Oxford, Little Falls, M. Church hav-
ing taken over the house.
Pauline M. Bacile is now operating
the American, Lodi, N. J. The Lodi
Amusement Corp. formerly operated
the house.
Exhibitor Gladstone has taken back
the Northport, Northport, L. I., and
is now operating the house. M. Hur-
ley recently leased the house from
Gladstone and abandoned it after run-
ning it for a short while.
Harry Brandt has changed the
name of the Brooklyn Newsreel to
the Brooklyn Theater after an unsuc-
cessful attempt to make the house
an exclusive newsreel. Features are
now being shown in addition to short
subjects.
Rochester — Jacob Golden, formerly
with the Knickerbocker Press, now
is manager of the Palace and Temple
here. Both houses are controlled by
RKO.
Syracuse — William "Bill" Tubbert
is managing the RKO Keith's here
succeeding John J. Burnes, who has
resigned.
Foreign
East London — United Picture The-
aters, Inc. has purchased the Savoy.
Leighton at a reported price of ap-
proximately $500,000. The house is
considered one of the largest in this
part of the city.
London — The Palace, Dunstable,
has been acquired by the recentlv
formed Southan Morris Circuit. With
the sale of the house Councillor J. F
Marchant retires from the industry
The house has a seating capacity
of 700 and sound apparatus will be
installed.
Madrid — A new photographing ap-
paratus manufactured by a German
and French concern is being used by
one of the studios here.
Metal Tickets
Boston — Metal tokens are
being used as theater tickets
at the Fenway. The coins are
dropped into a box at the door,
the same as paying fare on a
street car, and each deposit is
registered on an indicator at-
tached to the box, which also
is connected by wiring to a
similar indicator in the man-
ager's office. Later the indi-
cators may be connected with
the Publix home offices in New
York.
Elec-Tro-Fone to Handle
Vocalite Sound Screen
St. Paul — Arrangements have been
completed by Fred H. Strom, gen-
eral manager of Elec-Tro-Fone Corp.
whereby his company will have ex-
clusive distribution rights for the
Vocalite sound screen in Minnesota.
Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Wiscon-
sin and the Dakotas. Vocalite sound
screen is manufactured by the Beaded
Screen Co. of Roosevelt, L. I.
U. S. Film Stars Block
Foreign Caricatures
{Continued from Page 1)
ous .American film stars were to be
caricatured with the use of marion-
ettes, have been blocked through legal
action by the agents of Mary Pick-
ford, Charles Chaplin and Ronald
Colman. .A.s a result of the protest,
the ASFI has agreed to abandon its
plan to use the names of these pic-
ture celebrities and the proposed
marionette burlesques will be differ-
ently tagged.
Blank House Opens With W. E.
Oelwein, la.— A. H. Blank of Des
Moines has redecorated the Grand
here. Including Western Electric
equipment, the improvements cost
$17,000. "Sweetie" was the opening
picture.
Sound For Mt. Ayr House
Mt. Ayr, la. — A. R. Kremer, man-
ager of the Princess here, has com-
pleted the installation of sound
equipment and has chosen "Welcome
Danger" as his opening attraction.
Publix Opens Hibfoing House
Hibbing, Minn. — Publix has re-
opened the "Garden here with West-
ern Electric equipment.
Mabrey Managing Palace
Grand Ledge, Mich. — Harry Ma-
brey is manager of the Palace which
opened recently after being closed
for some weeks. Silent pictures con-
tinue to occupy the screen.
Gage Transferred to Seattle
Salt Lake Cit\ — Fred Gage, former
sales manager for United Artists here,
has been promoted and transferred
to the Seattle branch.
A News Event Carrying
Nation Wide Interest
The Ten Best Pictures
o£ 1929
^vill be released this iveek through
The Film Daily
and
Ne'wspapers Everywrhere
to
Millions o£ their Readers
This annual event has become the recognized reflection
of critical America and is now a national institution.
THE
-;gBg^
DAILY
Monday, February 3, 1930
Now On Broadway
(Feb.
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "On the Horder"
Cameo — "Fragment of an Empjre"
Capitol — "Bishop Murder Case"
Carnegie — "They Had to See Paris'
1-4) ; "Forward Pass" (Feb. 5-7)
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — ^"Grand Parade"
Criterion— "The Love Parade"
Earl CarroU— "Hit the Deck"
FUth Ave.— "Why Cry at Parting?
Fifty-fifth St.— "The World Tours of the
Prince of Wales" „
Film GuUd— "Les Miserables," Evolution
and "Day Dreams"
Gaiety — "Lost Zeppelin"
Globe — "Love Comes Along" ,„ , ,
George M. Cohan— "Across the World with
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson"
Hippodrome — "The Night Ride" _^
Little Picture House— "Village of Sm
Loew's New York— Monday, "Hollywood Re-
vue" • Tuesday, "The Crimson Circle ;
Wednesday, "The Battle of Paris"; Thurs-
day. "Laugh, Clown, I^ugh" ; Friday
"Hell's Heroes"; Saturday, 'Mounted
Stranger"; Sunday, "Sunny Side Up"
Paramount— "New York Nights"
Rialto — "Street of Chance"
Rivoli — "(Condemned"
Roxy — "Men without Women
Strand— "Little Johnny Jones"
Warners— "Son of the Gods"
Winter Garden — "Sally"
Studios Experimenting
With Wide Films
(Continued from Page 1)
ing in addition to the others already
announced. The latter had started to
make "The King of Jazz,' starring
Paul Whiteman, on wide film but
later abandoned the plan, convinced
that the time was not yet ripe for the
releasing of wide pictures.
Changes in Fire Laws
Are Proposed in Mass.
{Continued from Pagp 1)
posed with the object of reducing
losses in lives and property. Calling
attention to the large number of fires
developing because of defects in elec-
tric wiring, the commission requests
the legislature to meet the situation
by providing for the appointment by
cities and towns of wire inspectors
who pass upon all new installations.
Ward Heads Sono Art-
World Wide in Detroit
W. D. Ward has been appointed
manager of the Sono Art-World Wide
exchange in Detroit replacing George
Sampson.
Beier Appointed Head of
Warner Albany Exchange
Nat Beier has been appointed
branch manager for Warners at Al-
bany succeeding R. Sulley who has
been transferred to Cincinnati office.
The appointment was made by Sam
E. Morris, vice president.
Theater Managers Oppose
Plan for Sunday Shows
Iowa Falls, la.— In contrast to the
efforts being made by theater man-
agers in thousands of other commun-
ities to legalize Sunday shows, the
managers of the two houses here
are opposing a similar movement
started by the local public.
Coast Wire Service
YLollywood Happenings
Jetta Goudal in "Unholy
Night" French Version
Jetta Goudal will have a role in
the French version of "The Unholy
Night," which M-G-M will produce
at the direction of Jacques Feyder.
Andre Luguet, brought to this coun-
try under an M-G-M contract, will
have the principal male role.
Bernice Claire in Herbert Piece
Bernice Claire will be featured in
the talking picture version of Victor
Herbert's "MUe. Modiste" to be made
by First National. Production will
get under way in six weeks at the
direction of William A. Seiter.
In Mexico on Location
The company filming M-G-AI's
"The Sea Bat" has arrived in Mazat-
lan, the Mexican seaport on a loca-
tion trip.
Doris Hill Maynard's Lead
Doris Hill has been selected at
Universal for the leading female role
in Ken Maynard's next production,
"Songs of the Saddle," from the story
by Kenneth C. Beaton and Normao
Sper.
New Fox Title
"The Unknown Beauty," is the new
title of the Fox production "The
Golden Calf," which is being directed
by Millard Webb with Sue Carol,
and Jack Mulhall in the leading roles.
New Role for Cleason
James Gleason will play a leading
role in Warner's "Dumbells in Er-
mine," which he has dialogued. Also
in the cast are Robert Armstrong,
Beryl Mercer, Arthur Hoyt, Mary
Foy, Charlotte Merriam and Claude
Gillingwater. John Adolfi is the di-
rector.
20,000 Players in Fox Film
More than 20,000 extras will be
used in making "The Oregon Trail,"
which Raoul Walsh will direct for
Fox. It will take six months to com-
plete the film.
"Soldiers and Women" as Film
Columbia has secured the screen
rights to "Soldiers and Women," the
Paul Hervey Fox and George Tilton
play of the current season.
RKO Signs Louis Gottschalk
Louis Gottschalk, the chorus mas-
ter, has been engaged by RKO to
assist Victor Baravalle in preparing
to musical numbers for "Radio
Revels."
Tenbrook for "On the Level"
Harry Tenbrook has been assigned
a part in "On the Level," Fox pro-
duction featuring Victor McLaglen.
E 'kittle I
from '*Lots''
By RALPH IVILK m^^^X
L
Hollywood
OVERS of statistics will be in-
terested in knowing that 1,000
people, 10 cameras, 16 microphones
and 100 incandescent lamps were
used on the first day's "shooting" for
Radio "Revels," which Bertram Mill-
hauser is producing for RKO, with
Paul Sloane directing. Cyrus D.
Wood wrote the book for the pro-
duction, while Harry Ruby is the
composer. Nick Musuraca is in
charge of the camera crew.
* * *
Our Passing Show. Joseph Jack-
son, Wells Root, Dudley Nichols and
Oliver H. R. Garrett, among New
York "World" graduates, reminisc-
ing with Herbert Bayard Swope,
former "World" editor, at the Gar-
rett home; Hugh Trevor, Hari~y
Ruby and Cyrus D. Wood piaffing
baseball; Robert Woolsey rehearsing
his songs for Radio "Revels."
* * *
Excellent reports falter in on
"Cash and Marry," a Larry
Darmour-H. C. Witwer com-
edy. A strong cast was used in
support of Alberta Vaughn and
Al Cooke, the principals in-
cluding Dell Henderson of
"Hit the Deck"; Irving Bacon,
Arthur Housman, Lewis Sar-
gent and George Gray.
* ♦ »
Vivienne Segal, Broadway favor-
ite, is being kept busy. She has
played starring roles in four First
National pictures and is now ap-
pearing in "Viennese Nights," for
Warner Brothers.
Don Jose Mojica for Concerts
Don Jose Mojica, who recently
completed his first Movietone sub-
ject for Fox, now is on a concert
tour. Mojica sings several numbers
in "One Mad Kiss."
Arlen for New Westerner
Richard Arlen will be co-starred
with Mary Brian in "The Border
Legion," by Zane Grey, upon com-
pletion of "The Light of Western
Stars." William Wellman will di-
rect.
Ford to Direct "Louis Beretti"
John Ford will direct "Louis Ber-
etti" under the screen title "Born
Reckless." Edmund Lowe will play
the male lead.
"Jailbreak" Dialogue Completed
Tom Reed has completed the dia-
logue for "Jailbreak," for Universal.
Carol to Warners
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Sue Carol has
gone to Warners under a con-
tract to play in "Those Who
Dance," which Lloyd Bacon
will direct with Monte Blue in
the masculine lead. Others in
the cast are Eddie Phillips, Sid
Silvers and Vincent Barnett.
Players for "Manchu" Sequel
The players who appeared in "The
Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu" will be
used by Paramount in producing
"The Return of Fu Manchu." The
cast will include Warner Oland, Jean
Arthur, O. P. Heggie, Neil Hamil-
ton and William Austin.
Dual Role for Loretta Young
Loretta Young will play a dual role
in "At Bay," which First National
will present with William Beaudine
as director. Others in the cast are
Raymond Hatton and Kathlyn Wil-
liams.
Armetta to Play Musician
Henry Armetta has been selected
to play SagateJli, the musician, in
Richard Dix's next picture for RKO,
based on William Le Baron's play
"I Love You."
George MacFarlane Cast
Fox has assigned George MacFar-
lane to a role in "Double Cross
Roads," which Alfred E. Werker is
directing.
Frank McHugh in "Mile. Modiste"
Frank McHugh is the latest addi-
tion to the cast of First National's
screen version of Victor Herbert's
operetta "Mile. Modiste."
Madge Bellamy in Shorts
Madge Bellamy has been signed ti
work in shorts being made by Her^J
man Fowler.
Jason Robards Added to Cast
Jason Robards has been added td
the cast of "In Love with Love,'
Fox picture featuring Joan Bennett
Lumsden Hare and Kenneth Mac
Kenna.
Mary Astor Joins RKO
Mary Astor has joined the ranks o
RKO players, having been signed for
the principal role in "Cooking Hei
Goose," adapted by Jane Murfin fron
H. H. Van Loan's play.
Mary Forbes for Fox Film
Mary Forbes has been assigned tc
appear in "So This Is London," Fo>
production.
Nick Stuart Legalizes Name
Nicholas Stuart has had his sur
name legally changed from Brata ti
Stuart.
Sparks Gets Long Contract
RKO has placed Ned Sparks undei
a long-term contract.
iTHE
TAemfSPkm
o/'FILMDOM
i^LLTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 29
Tuesday, February 4, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Film Leaders to Speak at So. California University
CLEARSTCOUSTICALMATERIALS SITUATION
Seven Fox Pictures Scheduled to Start This Month
The M^iYYor
-a column of comment
U. P. T. O. OF Mississippi,
Tennessee and Arkansas have
: h o s e n Vigilante Committees,
:oniposed of wide-awake and
egal-wise exhibitors, to keep in
lirect touch with the pulse of
he situation during the coming
egislative sessions of these re-
spective states. Adverse meas-
ires many times pass state law-
naking bodies when but a small
unount of intelligent analysis
;hed upon the subject by exhib-
tors themselves might have kept
hese obnoxious laws from the
tatute books. A good offensive
s always the best defensive
veapon.
* * *
ACCORDING TO no less an
.uthority than the Standard
;"asting- Bureau itself there were
.^,000 less jobs for actors on the
i-oast in 1929 than in the previ-
us year. Ambitious young la-
lies and gentlemen with long
lovie ambitions and short pock-
tbooks might well tune in on
his piece of interesting statisti-
,al news.
* * *
PUBLIX, which usually can
e credited with knowing what
: is all about, is aliout to try an
iteresting experiment. A tab
lersion of Balieff's "Chauve
louris" will soon be routed over
jS extensive circuit. This is
lart of the imported bit of Rus-
pan artistry that most theatri-
illy-wise folk said would not
o outside of New York. It is
ur thought that thev will go
ir it anvwhere.
"Arizona Kid" Featuring
Warner Baxter Heads
February List
H'cst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — - Seven pictures are
scheduled to go into production at
Fox studios this month. They in-
clude; "The Arizona Kid," featuring
Warner Baxter directed by Alfred
Santell; "In Love With Love," fea-
turing Joan Bennett directed by
Hamilton MacFadden; "Fox Movie-
{Continned on Page 2)
T outIftheater
FIELD IN CLEVELAND
Cleveland — With the sub-leasing oi
the Cedar-Lee, Hilliard Square ana
Detroit to the Max Lefkowitz inter-
ests, Universal is entirely out of the
local theater field. Lefkowitz be
comes the largest circuit owner in
the city, with ^ total of 14 houses
Universal product will continue to be
booked in the three theaters just ac-
quired.
Columbia Appoints Zama
Aide to Milton Schwartz
As a preliminary in its program to
expand its activities in the foreign
field, Columbia has appointed Eman-
uel Zama assistant to Milton J.
(Continued on Page 6)
RK-O Midnight Shows
R-K-O will start midnight
shows each Saturday beginning
l^eo. 8. Tne new policy will De
introduced with the showing
of "Glorifying the American
Girl," in the chain's N. Y.
houses and the "Laughing
Lady," the attraction the last
half of this week in Brooklyn
houses. Theaters included in
the line-up are Coliseum, Jef-
ferson, Chester, Fordham,
Franklin, Proctor's 86th St.,
Albee, Bushwick, Greenpoint,
Madison, Kenmore, Orpheum
and Richmond Hill.
BODY OF ABE CARLOS
BEING BROUGHT TO U.$.
The body of Abe Carlos, who died
last Thursday in Paris, will leave
for the United States on board the
Mauritania when the ship sails to-
morrow from Southampton. Carlos,
(Continued on Page 2)
Trans-Lux 1929 Profits
Increased 100 Per Cent
Profits of the Trans-Lux Daylight
Picture Screen Corp. for the year
ended Dec. 31 were $525,388, after
charges but before taxes. This is an
increase of 100 per cent over tht
$258,746 reported in 1928.
Executives Will Give Lectures
in Course on Film Appreciation
LOEWS 28 WEEK NET TO
APPR0XIMATE$5A8HARE
Net of Loew's, Inc., for the 28
weeks ending Mar. 10 of the current
fiscal year, should approximate $7.-
650,000, equal, after preferred divi-
dends, to about $5 a share on 1,363,-
(Continued on Page 2)
llest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Through the co-oper-
ation of the Academy of the M. P.
Arts and Sciences, leaders in the film
industry will appear each Wednes-
day afternoon at the University of
Southern California as special lec-
turers in a course on "Appreciation
of the Motion Picture." Milton Sills
will be the first speaker in the ser-
ies, which starts tomorrow, and others
(Continued on Page 6)
Chicago Fire Prevention
Head Approves 25
Materials
Chicago — Local sound house opera-
tors, who have been trying to figure
out just what acoustical materials are
legally considered non-inflammable,
have had some light thrown on the
subject by Pat Egan, head of the fire
prevention bureau, who indicated 25
products as satisfactory. In his drive
to insure theater patrons against fire.
Egan has a crew of 35 inspectors
^Continued on Page 6)
DAVE ROSENZWEIG PLANS
TO REENTER EXHIBITION
Dave Rosenzweig and associates,
former Brooklyn ghain operators,
who sold their eight houses to Fox
Metropolitan Playhouses, will reenter
the exhibition fidd with a building
program of approximately $1,500,000
contemplated. Three houses are defi-
nitely planned to be built, the first
getting under way in March at Lib-
(Continued on Page 6)
Roadshowing is Planned
for African Picture
ll'est Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — "Ingagi" screen rec-
ord of Sir Hubert Winstead and Cap-
tain Daniel Swayne's Equatorial Af-
(Co^itinued on Page 6)
Most Dough from Paris
Paris — Almost one-third of
the total cinema receipts of
France are obtained in Paris,
according to statistics just
compiled covering 1929. The
year's aggregate for the whole
country is $28,000,000, of which
amount $8,000,000 was collect-
ed by cinemas in Paris.
The report also shows that
$6,000,000 went to the state
and municipalities for taxes,
leaving $22,000,000 for the in-
dustry. Renters received $5,-
000,000.
THE
DAILY
Tuesday, February 4, 1930
Vol LI No. 29 Tuesday, Februar) 4, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisliet
Published daily except Saturday and holiday-s
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Follcs, Inc. J. W. AHcoate, President
Editor and Publiaher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United SUtes outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, SS.OO; -
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
?ilm Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cineraatographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Atn ^pat 22 ....
Con Fm.'lnd. ... 2054 2O/4 205/, 600
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23^8 2VA liVt 400
East Kodak 195 190 190^8 400
Fox!'Fm "A- ... 3m 30/. 30/8 17.600
'Keith A-0 29 ....
•do pfd 93"^
Loew's Inc 637^ 60/8 605/8 10,401)
do pfd. WW (6J4) 88H 87 J4 87 M 200
*do pfd. xw (6J4) 88
•M-G-M pfd 2454
Para F-L 65J4 63 64/. 55,900
Pathe Exch '^Ys iVs 4 5,500
do "A" 77/g 7/. 7 'A 500
R-K-O 30/2 29H 29/8 64,500
*Univ. Pict. pfd 35/.
Warner Bros 57J4 S4!4 56/2ll7,00(i
do pfd 50'4 49/2 50^ 4,100
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 31^
Fox Thea. "A" . 7% TA 7V* 3,600
*Gen. Thea. E>i« 39M
Loew de deb. rts. 25 24% 25 300
Loew's Inc. war.. 6 Syi S'A 301'
*Nat. Scr. Ser 15%
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 9'A
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46 79 79 79 10
Loew 6s 41ww ..105K 105 105^ 90
do 6s 41 x-war... 94% 94 94% 20
Paramount 6s 47.. 99 Ji 99% 99^ 80
Par. By. 5^^s 51.100 99^4 100 70
♦Pathe 7s 37 47%
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
H It
« New York Long Island City ft
ti 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. h
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 ft
I Eastman Films |
§ 1. E» Brulatour, Inc. |^
§ (i
R ^^
ft Chicago Hollywood !•!
g 1727 Indiana Ave. ""O Sa^nW^Monica ||
ft CAlumet 2691 HOUywood 4121 !*«
The Broadway Parade
TJOUR important openings marked the past week on Broadway. "The Rogue
JL Song" replaced "Devil May Care" at the Astor and "Son of the Gods" followed
"General Crack" at Warners. "Love Comes Along" succeeded "Seven Keys to
Baldpate" at the Globe, while "The Lost Zeppelin" forced "The Party Girl" out
of the Gaiety Saturday.
Pictura Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov. 1 9
"Sally" First National. . . . Winter Garden. . . .Dec.
■Hit the Deck" RKO Earl Carroll Jan.
"Across the World With Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Johnson". Sono-Art Cohan Jan.
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan.
"Son of the Gods" First National. . . . Warner Jan.
'Love Comes Along" RKO Globe Jan.
"The Lost Zeppelin" Tiffany Gaiety Feb.
23
300 in Panic When Bomb
Explodes in Chicago House
Chicago — More than 300 women
and children escaped injuries and
possible suffocation in a panic at tht
Hinsdale here caused by a bomb ex-
plosion. Mrs. George VV. Kruger,
wife of the owner, ascribed the bomb
explosion to resentment on the pan
of local operators aroused by her
husband's refusal to employ two op-
erators, it is claimed. George Krugei
who was shot by three men in back
of the Paramount Exchange, is iii
a local Hospital recovering from the
wound.
Seven Fox Films Set
to Start This Month
{Continued from Page 1)
tone Follies of 1930," under direc-
tion of Benjamin Stolofif; "Born
Reckless," starring Edmund Lowe
with John Ford directing; "Solid
Gold Article," directed by Chandler
Sprague; "A Very Practical Joke,"
to be directed by Berthold Viertel
and Alexander Korda's first for Fox
with Fifi Dorsay and J. Harold Mur-
ray.
Loew's 28 Week Net to
Approximate $5 a Share
(.Continued from Page 1)
993 shares of common outstanding,
according to the "Wall St. Journal."
Net profit of the company for the
year ended Aug. 31, 1929^ was $11,-
756,956 equal to $7.91 a share against
$8,568,162 or $5.98 a share on 1,334,-
453 shares in 1928. Thus far during
the current period earnings have
shown a gain of around 50 per cent
over last year, continues the financial
publication.
Getting Traveltalk Material
Funchal, Madeira — James A. Fitz-
Patrick, producer, has arrived here
on the first stop of his round-the-
world cruise on the S. S. Columbus,
which left New York on Jan. 21. The
next ports of cajl to be visited are
Gibraltar, Algiers and Bombay, con-
cluding the first "leg of his journey
around the glob^ to secure additional
material for his Traveltalk Series.
FitzPatrick's stafY is equipped with
color and sound apparatus.
Newsreel Shows Started
in Fox Milwaukee House
Milwaukee — The first newsreel pol-
icy in this territory has been estab-
lished at Fox's Wisconsin here.
Thirty-minute programs will be of-
fered twice daily, at noon and at
6 p. m., as well as at midnight on
Saturday.
Unusual Photoplays Will
Open Three Exchanges
Opening of branch offices by Un-
usual Photoplays Corp. in Boston,
Philadelphia and Chicago is announc-
ed by Dave Brill, president.
Joseph Stock, former treasurer of
Ufa Eastern Distributors, has joined
the company as treasurer.
Hulling Joins Tiffany as
Seattle Branch Manager
Seattle — Mel Hulling, formerly
manager of the Warner exchange in
Los Angeles, has been made manager
for Tiffany here.
Mabel Normand's Father Dies
Claude G. Normand, father of Ma-
bel Normand, died yesterday morn-
ing at his home, 125 St. Marks Place,
New Brighton, Staten Island. Hi
was in his 60th year.
Luncheon for Editors
The leading motion picture fan
magazine editprs will be guests of
the AMPA at a special luncheon
given in their honor, Thursday at
the Paramount Hotel.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Washington's Birthday," and
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with talking and sound.
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
l^ooler-y^ire
SILENT PARTNER OF'
THE TALKIES
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb.
6
Feb.
7
Feb.
15
Feb.
16
Feb.
19
Feb.
25
Mar
5
Mar.
17
Mar
20
Apr.
6-7
June
2-7
Regular meeting of the AMPA, at
Paramount Hotel, New York.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball ai
the Astor, New York.
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theater
regulations becomes effective.
Annual Beneht Show ot Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Body of Abe Carlos
Being Brought to U. S.
(Continued from Page 1)
who died suddenly in his 54th year,-
was producing for Pathe-Nathan.
The deceased had been identified
with the American industry for many:
years and had produced for Fox, Par-
amount and other companies. He had
also been associated with TifTany and'
more recently with George Davis in'
Quality Pictures. His surviving rela-;
tives include an uncle, Sam Dembow
of Paramount.
Publix Sells Canton House
Canton, O. — Publix has turned
over control of the Palace to the.
Canton Enterprises, Inc., a subsidiary.
of the Stanley Corp.
U. S. Films Big in Sweden
New Orleans, La. — M. Enderstedt,«
secretary-general of the M.P.T.O.A.f'
of Sweden, while visiting here re '•
cently stated that 80 per cent of thej
motion pictures shown in his coun- '
try are made in the U. S.
iNGAGJi
k.
is Coming
A
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions Sor
Picture Tlieatret
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
---**
PAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Optnion
€
nds Love More Effectively
{pressed in Silent Pictures
fSjO amount of dialogue can
^ express the sweet, sincere
and invariably speechless emo-
tion we call love. In the old pre-
talk days we interpreted it by
means of expressive eyes, a ges-
ture of the hands and perhaps
20 to 30 feet of film just look-
ing at each other. It was these
delicate love scenes, so near to
real life, that tended to popular-
ize motion pictures. At the pres-
ent stage of sound technique,
where every foot of film must be
crammed with talk, producers
are reluctant to insert a more or
less static scene that, from the
standpoint of dialogue alone, dies
after the first "I love you."
Norma Talmadge
elieves Films Give Young
dult Ideas too Early in Life
TT does not seem to me desir-
^ able that the average child un-
der 10 should attend the movies
regularly, as vast numbers of
them now do. They need enter-
tainment which is less exciting
and, on the whole, in which
Ithere can be more participation
and not simply looking on. I be-
lieve that motion pictures as a
'whole are the means of initiat-
ling children into adult life too
'early, and unfortunately, that
ikind of life which is not the
tbest. I have no prejudice
against the moving picture as an
educator or as a form of recrea-
tion for children when it is
iflapted to children. But I think
lur wisest method is not to at-
empt to establish a new kind of
orohibition so much as to de-
i'elop the kind of pictures that
Lvould be of use to the younger
"people.
I! Dr. John L. Elliott,
I Ethical Culture School,
■ New York City
THEIR
FIRST
J O R S
JAMES WILKINSON
operator in Isisi Theater,
L. A.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
(TIIVEN strong exploitation under the direction of Al Selig,
"The Lost Zeppelin," Tififai/y special, which opened Satur-
day for a $2 run at the Gaiety, New York, is ahead of "Party
Girl," previous picture at that house, in the amount of business
for the first two days, the TifTany office reports.
* * * :¥
When the Aquatania docks tomorrow she'll bring in
Sidney R. Kent and J. C. Graham .Ed Delaney, who
heads publicity for Loew's, tells us that Van and Schenck are
booked to go over the circuit. And so is Roy D'Arcy, who had
temporarily walked out on the fillums
* * * *
Oliver H. P. Garrett, formerly of the New York
"World," is getting the congratulatory mitt from his former
Park Row associates for having made good in Hollywood as the
author of William Powell's latest talker, "Street of Chance," cur-
rent at the Rialto Graham McNamee will be announcer
next Tuesday for the first radio program broadcast from a bat-
tleship, the scene being the U.S.S. Pensacola, whose talent will
be utilized for a "Hit the Deck" plug on the RKO hour
* * * *
Lita Grey Chaplin is taking bows at the New York Palace
this week with her cycle of songs which includes one about
the girl in the case having left her "Lita Grey Home in the
West." Burton Holmes is taking his disciples on a de-
lightful Mediterranean cruise by way of a series of moving pic-
tures and colored views being presented at Carnegie Hall
* * * *
Edward G. Robinson, has arrived from the Coast and is
happy over the fact that he is not scheduled to return until
spring. In the meantime, it is hinted, he may be seen in a
N. Y. play Now that Martin Starr is on his merry w
to the Coast, Dave Bader is doing the 'big boy' stufT as secretary
of the AMPA E. B. Hatrick, executive head of all of
Hearst's motion picture interests, is en route to Los Angeles on
his quarterly trip. He will confer with Hearst and also with the
executives of M-G-M regarding new feature productions
Simplicio and Lucio Godino, Siamese Twins and their brides,
gave a supper and receptpon at the Astor last night for a part.\
of invited guests. This foursome comes from Manila and is
their first visit to N. Y. A Filipino band, which accompanies
them on their vaudeville tour, provided last night's music.
* * * *
Don Hancock, accompanied by a cane and disconnected
from his appendix, wandered into the Manger grill yesterday to
prove he can still eat — and laugh. He's looking for the bird who
sent him a copy of Will Rogers' "Ether and Me," which nearlj
caused another operation when he read it, so he told Walter
Eberhardt, Charlie Barrell, et al
FEBRUARY 4-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Kay Bryant
Milla Davenport
Pat Dowling
William French
Ethel Jackson
Paul Stein
Walter Tilford
Willard I. Scholes
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
H
ERBERT RAWLINSON, who
is playing hookey from the screen
to appear in "City Haul" on Broad-
way, was one of a group being bored
stiff by a boastful actor. ^^
"I've seen and done everything,
said the long-winded gent after a
flowery cantation of his experience,
"and now I'm writing my m_emoirs."
"How interesting!" exclaimed Raw-
linson. "I should like very much to
read them."
"But," said the boastful one, they
are not to be published until after my
death."
"In that case," retorted Rawlinson,
"I am more anxious than ever to
read the book."
* * *
USELESS INFORMATION
The idea for motion pictures did
not come from pinning postcards on
a roller towel.
"I see that Senator Brookhart now
is going after the Volstead law vio-
lators."
"Yes, and I'm glad of it."
"Why, I never knew you were a
dry."
"I'm not, but as long as the sena-
tor is kept occupied with the prohibi-
tion problem he won't be annoying
the film industry with legislation."
PATIENT:— Tell me the worst,
doc. Is my heart going bad?
DOCTOR— No. It's just trying
to do an imitation of Helen Kane.
Rin-Tin-Tin is now appearing
all-barking pitchurs.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Betty Compson forms own com-
pany to produce specials.
Lord Northcliffe, British publisher,
reported entering production.
W. W. Hodkinson to release series
of Irvin Willat productions.
Black New England Theaters, Inc.,
formed by A. S. Black of Rockland,
Me.
THE
DAILY
Tuesday, February 4, 1930
Oppose Sunday Shows
Iowa Falls, la. — Taking a
stand opposed to that of other
theater operators, managers of
two theaters here oppose the
showing of Sunday movies.
Residents favor Sabbath-day
showings.
Install DeForest Equipment
Among the theaters wired with De-
F"orest equipment last week, accord-
ing to General Talking Pictures
Corp., were: Dunlap, Clarksville, Ark.;
Plaza, Little Rock, Ark.; Capitol,
Newport, Ark.; Valley, Edinburg,
Tex.; Garden, Marshall, Mich.; Ham-
lin, Chicago, 111.; Colum.bia, Albe-
marle, N. C. ; Strand, New Bedford,
Mass.; Criertian, Elreno, Okla.; Star.
Ashton, Idaho; Kenton, Portland.
Ore.
Chagrin Falls House Sold
Chagrin Falls, O. — John Schlei-
fenheimer has sold the Falls here to
J. B. Cagney and associates. Mr.
and Mrs. Schleifenheimer sail short-
ly for an extended visit in Germany.
Study Effect of Thrillers
Columbus, O. — A study is being
made by Dr. Edgar Dale, professor
of psychology at Ohio State Univer-
sity, into the effect of Western pic-
tures on the sleep of children. The
reaction produced by war films also
is being investigated.
Equipment for Censors
Richmond, Va. — The projection
room of the State Building, used by
Virginia censors has been equipped
with DeForest Phonofilm and Phono-
disc.
R.C.R. Theaters Dissolved
Akron, O. — Dissolution of the R.
C. R. Theaters Co., which operates
the Regent, Cameo, Peoples and
Waldorf in this city, has been an-
nounced by M. M. Federhar, presi-
dent, who is retiring from the exhi-
bition field to enter another business.
Publix Transfers Manager
Fremont, Neb. — F. C. Crosson,
manager of the Fremont, has been
transferred by Publix to the Prin-
cess, Sioux Falls, la., Ray B. Thomas
succeeding him.
Sound for Boone, la.
Boone, la. — John Anderson, man-
ager of the Princess, has installed
Western Electric equipment.
New Job for Al Crooks
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco — Al Crooks has
been named manager of the West
Portal by the Uptown Theaters
Corp.
Seattle House in New Hands
Seattle — J. Casal has disposed of
the Royal to John McGill, who plans
to install new sound and other
equipment.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
Schine Adds to Chain
Sandusky, O. — Plaza has been
sold by Arthur Himelein to Schine
Enterprises, Inc.
NEfV YORK STATE
(Continued)
Closings
Bedford Hills — Community ; Central Valley —
Firemans Hall ; Chestertown — Plaza ; Clif-
ton Springs — Palace ; Dunkirk — Recent ;
Harriman — Opera House; High Falls — Fall
View; Howells — Rustic; Inlet — Gaiety;
Katonah — Katonah ; Kingston — Auditorium ;
Maybrook — Sweeneys Hall ; Mt. Vernon —
Embassy, Playhouse; Newburgh . — Star,
State ; Newfane — Arcade ; New Rochelle —
North Ave. ; Ossining — Parthenon ; Pelham
— ■Playhouse; Poughkeepsie — Best, Play-
house, Rialto; Rochester — Capitol; Saranac
Lake — New ; Sloatsburg — Henry Club ;
Woodbridge — Woodbridge ; Yonkers — Ham-
ilton, Orpheum, Park, Riverdale.
New Theaters
Rosendale — Fireman's Hall, owner — Raymon
Houst.
NEW YORK CITY
Changes in Ownership
.\polIo, sold to J. Steinman by M. & S.
Bijou, sold to J. Steinman by M. & S.,
Boerich Art. Cin., sold to Roerch Museum,
Inc., Castle Hill, so'd to Jack Springer
by Cocalis, Clinton, sold to T. Steinman
by M. & S., Cosmo, sold to J. Steinman by
M. & S., Delancey, sold to J. Steinman by
M. & S., Florence, sold to J. Steinman by
M. & S., Gem, sold to Lee Ochs, Harlem
Fifth Ave., sold to J. Steinman by M.
& S., Harlem Grand, sold to J. Stein-
man by M. & S., Harlem King, sold to
J. Steinman by M. & S., Harlem Opera
House, sold to J. Steinman by M. & S.,
Heights, sold to Lee Ochs. Hollywood, sold
to J. Steinman by M. & S., Interboro,
sold to Jack Springer by Cocalis Jewel,
sold to J. Steinman by M. & S., Majestic,
sold to Lee Ochs, Marble Hill, sold to Jack
Springer by Cocalis, Mt. Morris, sold to
J. Steinman by M. & S., New Law, sold
to J. Steinman by M. & S., Orpheum, sold
to J. Steinman by M. & S., Palace, so'd to
J. Steinman by M. & S., Palestine, sold
to J. Steinman by M. & S.. Regun, sold
to J. Steinman by M. & S., Rosedale,
sold to Jack Springer by Cocalis. Ruby,
sold to j: Steinman by M. & S.. Seventy-
Second Street Playhouse, sold to Whitney &
P.rodys, Stadium.
Closings
.Aime.x, Apollo. Bronx Plaza, Canal, Daytona,
Endieott, Fugazy, Golden Rule (Rivington
St.), Golden Rule (Third Ave.), Ke'ton,
Lyric, M & S, Palace, Melrose, Monroe,
Odeon. Rex, Royal, Tremont, Webster,
West End.
BRONX
Changes in Ownership
Crescent, sold to E. Frieberger by Joelson-
.Suchman.
BROOKLYN
Changes in Ownership
Cumberland, sold to Michael Rudin by Fox
Metropolitan Theaters, Empress, sold to
Century Cir., Endieott, sold to Irving
Renner by Langreen Realty, Gold, sold to
S. B. Amusement Co. by Bklyn. Heights
Theater Corp., Lakeland, sold to Brighton
Amusement by Brighton Amusement, New
United, sold to Rachmil & Katz by Zappa,
Normandy, sold to A. Manheimer by S. S.
Circuit, Sheridan, sold to Baxter Amuse-
ment Co. by D. Rosensweig, Tompkins,
sold to Ruth E. Rosen by Lightson &
Abrams.
Closings
.\mphiou, Art. Atlantic, Century, Court, De
Kalb, Eagle, Elite, Elton, Emanuel, Etude,
Fifth Ave., Fulton Auditorium, Gates, Gold,
Hendrix. Huntington, Liberty, Loew's Bi-
jou, Luxor, Montauk, No&trand, Park,
Pearl Movies, Senate, Sheridan, Sommers,
Tip Top, Victory.
LONG ISLAND
Changes in Ownership
Sayville — Community, sold to Joseph B.
Levy by Thompson, Sayville, sold to Albert
Kost, Jr., by Kost & Siman.
Closings
Arverne — .\rverne; Astoria — Arcade, Frank-
lin, Meridan; Bayside — Bayside; Bridge-
hampton — Community ; Cedarhurst — Play-
house; Central Park — Central Park; Corona
— Colonial; E. Quogue — Atlantic Hall;
Farmingdale — Dale; Floral Park — Lily;
Flushing — Flushing ; Forest Hills — Metro-
polis ; Hicksville — Hicksville; Huntington —
Park; Hyde Park— Hyde Park; Kew Gar-
dens — Kew Gardens ; Richmond Hill —
Garden, State ; Ronkonkoma — Fireman's
Hall.
STATEN ISLAND
Closings
South Beach — Strand ; West New Brighton —
""' "^ NORTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Aulander — Bertie, sold to H. P. Sewell by
Charles E, Myers; Bailey — Royal, sold to
N. D. Flowers by W. C. Finch ; Burlington
— New Dixie, sold to F. H. Williamson
by Nick Miras ; Charlotte — Pearl, sold to
S. W. Craver by Fletcher Ingram ; Clin-
ton—Gem, sold to J. L. Caudell by C. B.
West; E. Rockingham — Pleasu, sold to J.
R. Crowson by E. D. Baldwin ; Farmville
—Trio, sold to J. L. Caudell by C. B.
West ; Rocky Mt. — Cameo, sold to Arring-
ton Bros. Inc. by C. H. Arrington, Lyric,
so!d to Arrington Bros. Inc. by C. H.
Arrington, Palace, sold to Arrington Bros.
Inc by C. H. Arrington; iSt. Paul — Grand,
sold to T. L. Caudell by C. F. Caudell;
Tarboro — Opera House, sold to City of
Tarboro by Clift Amusement Co. ; Wallace
— Wanoca, sold to J. L. Caudell by C F.
Caudell.
Closings
AsheviUe — B. T. Washington; Littleton— Lit
tleton.
NORTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Douglas— lOOF Hall; Drake— Opera House,
sold to O. W. Fors by H. M. Rossebo ;
Linton — Willows, sold to R. R. Hogue by
S. J. Kaisler.
Closings
Geneseo — Opera House.
Re-Openings
Hanks — Unique.
OHIO
Changes in Ownership
Akron — Gem, sold to N. Spayne by P. Ra-
micone. Park, sold to A. C. Stachler by
Albert Ward; Cincinnati — Park Hall, sold
to Mrs. M. B. Schwenker by Frankle
Bros. ; Columbus — Capitol, sold to Knut
Kitzman by Raffled & Mosely, Lincoln,
sold to Mrs. M. Amorose by Mrs. J. Toro ;
Dover — Ohio, sold to George Chrest by
H. S. Brady; Granville — Opera House,
sold to E. M. Futerer by George M.
Kenberg; Lancaster — Hippodrome, sold to
Russell Evans by H. Ahiam; Leesburg—
Leesburg, sold to W. O. Kirk & Will
Spruance by A. & E. Hedges; Lore City
— Lore City, sold to William Roger by
G W Cole; Lynchburg — Lvric, sold to
Louise Sheible by W. T. Patterson; Mid-
dletown — Gordon, sold to G. Turlukis by
William Gordon; New Philadelphia — Bijou,
sold to F. R. Noland by J. W. M.-ithias:
No. Baltimore — Virginia, sold to P. G.
Miller by R. E. Bishop; Spencerville — Ohio,
sold to Mrs. W. H. Miller by E. L. Willis:
Youngstown — Paramount, sold to Publix
Ohio Corp. by Federal Holding Co.
Closings
Caldwell — Lyric; E. Columbus — Star; Men-
don — Town Hall ; S. Charleston — Garden ;
Yellow Springs — Opera House.
OKLAHOMA
Changes in Ownership
Byars — ^Empire, sold to Lon Runyon by J.
Forehand ; Goodwell — Majestic, so'd to
Posters in German
Ji'est Coast Bui: THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco — Something
new was tried out at the Orph-
eum recently when "Broadway"
was played for a number of
days with dialogue wholly in
German. Posters and adver-
tisements in German were used.
N.
G. A. Tucker by Brooks & Tucker; Jenks
— Jenks, sold to Mrs. A. Olansen by Tay-
lor & Bartlow; Tulsa — Palace, sold to Mid-
West Theater Operating Co. by CauMe &
Teeters.
New Theaters
Cordell — Ritz, owner — Cherokee Theater Co..
Tnc. : Cushing — Rialto, owner — Cushing
Theater Enter.
OREGON
Changes in Ownership
Arlington — -Arlington, sold to R. E. Louy
by Fortma & Warren ; Hood River — Liber-
ty, sold to Hood River Amusement Co. by
McMinniville Amusement Co., Rialto, sold
to Hood River Amusement Co. by Mc-
Minville Amusement Co. ; Portland — Clin- I
ton, sold to Frank Albergo by Victor de
Puito. Sunnyside, sold to M. Nudelman bv
H. Clement.
New Theaters
Jacksonville — Jacksonville, owner— Feninn
Frank.
Re-Openings
Portland — Jeflferson.
PENNSYLVANIA
Changes in Ownership
BentleyviUe— Majestic, sold to A. Klein by
Mr. Gordon; Berlin — Rialto, sold to H E
& W. C. Miller by F. E. McGary; Blair
Station— Ritz, sold to Z. Shaheen by S.
Thomas; Brackenridge— State, sold to Wil-
liam Pinkerton by D. Antonio; California
— Capitol, sold to Tames Retter by T
Saeli & T. Martin; Carmichaels— RosV
sold to Pearson Minor by M. Ross ; Char-
leroi— Majestic, sold to George W. Moody
by Joseph Prise; Chester— Washburn, sold
to New 7th St. Theater Operating Corp
by Ackers Amusement Co.; Conneautvil.e
—New Midway, sold to R. Flynn & W
Davis by J. A. King; Glen Rook— Glen,
sold to F. S. & C. S. Sechrist bv S. E
Hunt; Hanover— Strand, sold to Hanover
Theaters Co. by M. W. Sheaffer ; Middle-
burg— Keystone, sold to Leon P Eicker
by D. W. Goodling; Minersville— Opera
House, sold to William & Anthony, Wil-
lin.sky & Lewen Pizor ; Monaca — Penn sold
to Mrs. A. A. Maessner by Thomas Raiden;
^r^*^?"^T7'^'^'^' ^°'^ *° Louis Stein by
M. J. Wygonik; Newmanstown— Auditor-
ium, sold to Rex Weigley by Newmans-
town Fire Co.; New Salem— Liberty, sold
to Joseph McDade; Palmyra— Seltzer, sold
to Nathan Appell Ent. by H. L. Seltzer;
Parkesburg--Opera House, sold to Kathryn
McFadden by A. H. Levine ; Philadelphia
—Empress, sold to Standard Amusement-
Corp by YVolf & Berger, Eureka, sold
to Edwin Sheppard & E. P. Delahunty by
H. Rosinsky, Grant, sold to Warner-
Equity Theaters Inc. by Eli Resnick, Ideal, i,
\?j,r *"„ Standard Amusement Corp by '
Wolf & Berger. Ritz, sold to EsthCT :'
Gendler by 1106-08 N. 40th St. Corp.;'
Republic— Grand, sold to Frank L. Hall 1
by Charles Johns; Seminole-Seminole, sold '
to J. E. Zamboldi by C. Carrutti; Smeth- I
port— Star, sold to G. H. Mencer by C. '
; ■ ^""^'^l,' SummerviUe— Summerville, sold i,
fo t. E. Brocius by B. Anthony; Williams- 1;
port— Grand, sold to Robert Rook by Key-'
stone Amusement Co. 1
Closings i
AUentown— Capitol ; Apollo— Lyric ; Easton I
—Berwick ; Emporium— Tlieatorium ; Ger-
mantown — Lyric ; Philadelphia — Wayner; "
Six Mile Run— Old Home.
Openings
Erie— Grand ; Grindstone— Grindstone ; Lyn-
doro— Palace; Renovo^ — Strand. ,
SOUTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Anderson— -Central, sold to H C. Finch by
J. D. Brock, Ritz. sold to H. C. Finch by
J. D. Brock; Cheraw — Lyric, sold to Mrs.
H. M. Craft by H. R. Berry; Chestei^
Dreamland, sold to City Theater, Inc by
Eaves Theater Inc.; Iva— Iva, sold to H.
C. Finch by J. A. Cook; Sumter— Carolina,
sold to W. E. Fields bv Car. Ent. Inc.,
Garden, sold to Mrs. L. C. Sipe by Sou.
Amusement Co. ; Wagener — Wagener, sold
to Pope Gantt by J. C. Gunter.
Closings
SOUTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Lake Preston — Rex, sold to John Hojem by
H. L. Horten; Selby — Opera House, sold
to Walter Ress bv Patsv McNeely : Sioux
Falls — Princess, sold to ' L. G. Gimble by
McCarthy Bros. ; Summit — ^Strand. sold to
Lyle Mariner by Olson & Testrup.
Re-Openings
Volga — Rex.
Cheraw — Lyric ; Columbia — Majestic.
A Rather Compelling Example of
Einstein's Theory of Relativity
The World Almanac of 1930
45th Issue— Just Out^C overs The World
Contains 10S6 Pages
The 1930 Film Daily Year Book
12th Issue — Out This Week — Covers ONLY Motion Pictures
Contains 1122 Pages
Some Industry — Some Comparison — Some Book
11
-JX^
DAILV
Tuesday, February 4, 1930
Rebuild 'Ghost Town'
The "ghost town" of Rock-
ville, Utah, will be rebuilt for
the making of "Arizona Kid,"
with Alfred Santell directing.
All exteriors and interiors will
be shot at Rockville. "Arizona
Kid," which will star Warner
Baxter, is an original story by
Ralph Block, who also wrote
the dialogue and adaptation.
Vic Schram Now Selling
Fowler Studio Product
Cleveland — Victor Schram has
been appointed mid-West sales rep-
resentative for the Fowler Studios
of Hollywood. He will cover Ohio,
Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky.,
with his headquarters in Cincinnati
and Cleveland. Jack Conant is
handling sales in Northern Ohio.
Film Leaders to Speak
at U. of So. California
{Continued from Page 1)
who have accepted invitations to lec-
ture are William de Mille, Fred
Niblo, Dr. Hugo Reisenfeld, Su'
Grauman, Karl Struss, H. G. Knox.
Hobart Bosworth, William Le Baron,
Jane Muffin and Max Parker.
Dr. Karl T. Waugh has charge of
the motion picture classes. He is as-
sisted by Prof. W. Ray MacDonald.
Motion Picture Business
Improves in Indianapolis
Indianapolis— While theater busi-
ness here shows indication of recov-
ering from its recent slump, condi-
tions in other parts of the state show
no sign of iniprovement. Business
in the southern part of Indiana, which
has been affected by floods, is not
expected to become normal before
several months have passed.
Joseph Leon With Photophone
Cleveland — Joseph Leon, formerly
representttive for Van Beuren in
northern Ohio, has joined RCA Pho-
tophone, handling sales in southern
Ohio.
Flagstaff House Gets RCA
Flagstaff, Ariz. — The Orpheum is
l)eing equipped witr RCA Photo-
phone.
Pinkham at Bangor House
Bangor, Me. — Ralph W. Pinkham
succeeded Eugene F. Goss as man-
ager of the Park here.
Clark Purchases Utah House
Parowan, Utah — Dr. C. M. Clark
has purchased the interests of J. B.
McLean in the Aladdin.
Photophone For Alexander City
Alexander City, Ala.— RCA Pho-
tophone engineers are installing
sciund reproducing equipment in the
Strand.
Frisco House Goes Sound
.San Francisco — The Majestic has
reopened as a talking picture house.
THEATER STAFFS CHANGE
Milwaukee — Changes in personnel
have been in order here on both the
Milwaukee Theater and Fox Wiscon-
sin Theater circuits. On the Mil
waukee Theater Circuit, Universal
subsidiary, Arthur Wertheimer has
been transferred from the Juneau tu
the State". Reinhold Wallach, for-
merly of the Cherio Circuit, Seattle,
Wash., has succeeded Wertheimer a.
the Juneau.
At Fox, Julius Lamm, formerly
with Publix, has been named man-
ager of the Garfield de luxe neigh-
borhood house. W. M. Warren, for-
merly of the Garfield, has been trans-
ferred to the Strand, downtown the-
ater. H. S. Dunning, formerly in
charge of theaters in Seattle, Wash.,
is now manager of the circuit's Tiv-
oli.
R. R. Miller, formerly with RKO
in South Bend, Ind., has replaced R.
L. Honek as manager of Fox's
Strand theater at Madison, Wis.
Honek has been transferred to th<.
Majestic at Beloit.
In the advertising and publicit
department of the circuit, Sid Steii
has been named state advertising
supervisor. James Luntzel succeeds
him as city copy writer, while Benny
Katz is in charge of city exploitation.
Howard Herzog is a new member of
the staff, which is neaded by James
Keefe, advertising manager.
Columbia Appoints Zama
Aide to Milton Schwartz
(Continued from P,\ge 1)
Schwartz, European manager. Zama
has served abroad for Paramount and
Universal, coming to Columbia after
five years' service with Warner and
First National as a foreign manager.
He is sailing aboard the Olympic for
I'aris and will make his headquarters
temporarily at the Columbia office in
that city.
Photophone At N. M. House
Albuquerque, N. M. — :The Pastime
is being equipped with RCA Photo-
phone sound installation.
Sound at Queen, Ferris
Ferris, Tex. — Ernest Rockett, own-
er of the Queen here, has installed
sound.
Sachs Pathe Asst. Manager
Dallas — Sol Sachs, local represen-
tative for Pathe tor the past four
years, has been appointed assistant
manager of the company's local ex-
change.
Strand Installs Sound
Rogers, Tex. — The Strand has
ijeen remodeled and equipped for
sound. Photo-Talker sound was in-
stalled. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smitli
are the owners.
Sachs Gets Publix Prom )tion
Dallas — Harry Sachs, Publix dis-
trict booker, has been transferred to
the New York office.
CLEARS SITUATION ON
ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS
(Continued from Page 1)
paying official visits to local houses
nightly to test the materials now in
use.
"Slight inflammability does not
taboo a product," Egan said, and
pointed out that an ordinance for-
bidding use of inflammable materials
on walls was enacted 25 years ago.
The present drive to tighten its en-
forcement is motivated by numerous
recent theater fire^, he declared.
DAVE ROSENZWEIG PLANS
TO REENTER EXHIBITION
(CoiUinued from Page 1)
erty and 135th St., Brooklyn. The
project will cost approximately $400,
OOO^and will seat 1,800.
The second and third houses, sites
for which have already been secured,
will be built at Rockaway Blvd., So.
Ozone Park and Libertj' & Euclid
Aves. The former house will cost
about $600,000 and seat 2,400 while
the latter will seat 1,600 and cost
$400,000. A former house, now closed,
operated bj' the chain is also being
sought.
Roadshowing is Planned
for African Picture
(Continued front Page 1)
ricau adventures, will be roadshowed.
The picture, which is in eight reels
with a lecture, sound effects and
music recorded on Cinephone, will
be presented by Congo Pictures,
Ltd., the officials of which are Her-
bert Smith, William Alexander, Nat
H. Spitzer and William Campbell.
Lightner Picture Booked
in 3 N. Y. Warner Houses
"She Couldn't Say No," starring
Winnie Lightner, has been booked
day and date for Warners three New
York houses. The picture will begin
a simultaneous run at the New York
and Brooklyn Strand theaters and
the Beacon Feb. 14.
Beeville Rialto Remodeled
Beeville, Tex. — The Rialto here has
been opened by Hall Industries af-
ter remodeling. W. E. installed the
sound while King Studios handled
the remodeling.
New House in Villisca, la.
Villisca, la. — A $25,000 theater
with a seating capacity of 600 has
opened here.
Photophone For Hot Springs
Hot .Springs — The Royal will soon
open with RCA Photophone sound
reproducing equipment.
W. E. for Erie, Pa., House
Erie, Pa. — Western Electric ap-
paratus has been installed at the Co-
lonial. Victor Weschler is managing
the house.
169 — and Sound
The impromptu "smallest
sound house" contest continues
with the claim made by the
Gates Radio Supply Co., Quin-
cy, 111., that the Lyric at Pres-
ton, Iowa, is a contender for
the honors. This house seats
169.
4,610 Houses in World
Now Have W. E. System
Total world wide installations of
the Western Electric sound system
now number 4,610. Of this number
3,417 are in the United States and
1,193 in the foreign field. Outside
of the United States the largest num-
ber are in Great Britain, which has
502, and of non-English-speaking
countries the largest number are in
France, which has 40. In the Latin-
American countries Argentina leads
with 19. In the Far East, China
with seven installations, follows the
English-speaking countries of Aus-
tralia and New Zealand with tiie
most installations. One new foreign
country has been added to the list,
the Dutch East Indies, where an in-
stallation has been completed during
the last week.
National Pride Aroused
by Films, Speaker Says
.•\nnapolis, Md. — Motion pictures
constitute one of the greatest agencies
in promoting wholesome nationalism
and in arousing new pride in the
works of peace, said Mrs. William
Wolff Smith, of Washington, na-
tional vice-chairman of the commit-
tee on better films of the Daughters
of the American Revohition in a re-
port to the Eastern Division of the
D.A.R.
She said in part: "Such pictures as 'Abra-
ham Liucohr. 'Old Ironsides', and many
others l)riiig to our children — and to our-
selves, as well — in graphic and vivid form
the trials, the accomplishments, and achieve
ments and the fine traits of character of
those ancestors of mns on whose faith our
nation is founded," Mrs. .Smith declared.
"Tliey teach history as no hook can teach
it and T believe that in the not far distant
future history will be taught to American
children through means of the drama — e^
pecially through the talking picture which i^
Iho main form of drama."
Adopts 13 Month Year
Seattle — Adoption of a four-week
month, which constitutes a 13-month
year, has been made by Jensen-Van
Herberg circuit for all its houses in
the Pacific Northwest territory.
Reopens with Sound on Coast
San Francisco — The Wigwam has
reopened after being closed for a
month to permit the installation of
sound equipment. Eddie Hixon is
manager.
Mitchell to Install Sound
Honey Grove, Tex. — Sound equip-
ment will be installed at the Strand,
W. D. Alitchell states.
Photophone For L. A. House
Los Angeles— RCA Photophone
Sound reproducing equipment is
being installed in the Gaiety.
THE
ruesday, February 4, 1930
■c&Sl
OAILV
iLLYWOOD PANTAGES
OPENS EARLY IN APRIL
We^t Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Plans are being made
by Lloyd and Rodney Pantages for
the opening of the new Pantages
here the early part of April. Al-
though the policy of the house has
not yet been announced, it is be-
lieved the programs will consist oi
pictures and presentations.
Astor and Hughes to be
Co-starred in RKO Film
Mary Astor and Lloyd HuRhe;
will again be teamed together, this
time by RKO. William Sistrom,
new associate producer, has cast both
stars in "Cooking Her Goose," which
will get under way shortly. Jane
Murfin is doing the adaptation.
Young and Mulhall Co-featured
Loretta Young and Jack Mulhall
will be co-featured in "At Bay," soon
to go into production at First Na-
tional. William Beaudine is slated
to direct. Raymond Hatton and
Kathryn Williams will also play in
the picture.
McCormack Leaves for East
John McCormack left with his wife
and daughter yesterday for New
York, from where they plafi to sail
Feb. 22 on the Majestic on a visii
to their home in County Kildare,
Ireland. Upon his return to America
next fall the tenor will decide defi-
nitely about the making of a second
talking picture.
; To Film "Under Western Skies"
! First National is preparing "Under
Western Skies" for production with
[Lila Lee and Sidney Blackmer in the
chief roles. Clarence Badger will
direct. Howard Estabrook is the au-
ihor.
Wallace to Tour Globe
i Richard Wallace, film director, and
M^rs. Wallace will leave here Feb.
' for a 16-week trip around the
l/orld. They leave on the S. S. Presi-
lent Filmore from San Francisco.
Cooper for "The Texan"
i Gary Cooper will have the leading
ole in "The Texan," Paramount
vesterner, under direction of John
;>omwell. Fay Wray plays oppo-
|ite the star.
I Added to "Bellairs" Cast
Douglas Gerrard and Berthani
lohns are additions to the cast of
garner's "Sweet Kitty Bellairs."
[New Warner House Opens Feb. 6
j Los Angeles will have its third
l^^'arner house when the Forum open^
.11 Thursday with "So Long Letty"
■i the initial attraction.
I Warner Film Renamed
1 "The Agony Column," based on
1 Earl Derr Bigger's story, will be
■leased by Warner as "The Second
loor Mystery."
Coast Wire Service
Academy Sound School Opens in March
M0REIHAN550AT1ENDED
SCHOOL'S FIRST SESSION
Second semester of the "Academy
School in the Fundamentals of Sound
Recording," under the auspices of the
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Science, is scheduled to begin early
in March. These courses were insti-
tuted last fall with all the studios co-
operating through the medium of the
Academy to teach the principles ol
sound recording and reproduction to
cinema workers who.. were withou,
previous training in the making oi
sound pictures.
The course is being repeated for
the benefit of the several hundred
employees who were unable to gain
entrance to the school last autumn.
More than 550 film workers attended
the first school.
The forthcoming course will be
divided in two sections, each meet-
ing one evening a week for 10 weeks.
One section will be composed of
technical workers; and the other, of
non-technical.
Ill both sections, however, the same sub-
ject matter will be taught tiy the same in-
structors and lecturers, its presentation be-
ing varied to meet the make-up of the classes.
Authorities on different phases of talking
pictures will serve as lecturers. Instructors
will include Prof. A. W. Nye, of Univer-
versity of Southern California; and Dr. Vern
O. Knudsen, University of California, here.
Coordination of the course will be in the
hands of Lester Cowan, assistant secretary
of the Academy.
Only accredited studio employees are elig-
ible for admission in the course. Enroll-
ment at the various studios is in charge of
M. C. Levee, Paramount; Harry Kapf, M-
G-W; William Le Baron, RKO; H. Keith
Weeks, Fox; Hal Wallis, First National;
William Koenig, Warner; John W. Consi-
dine, Jr., United Artists; E. H. Aflen, Edu-
cational; Walter Stern, Universal; C. E.
Sullivan, Pathe; Phil Goldstone, Tiffany;
Samuel Bischoff, C:olumbia; Charles Christie,
Metropolitan; Hal Roach; Mack Sennett;
Larry Darmour; and Alfred T. Mannon, Tec-
Art.
Lee Tracey Reports Again
Lee Tracy will again appear as a
reporter in Fox's "Born Reckless,"
based on "Louis Beretti," Donald
Henderson Clarke's novel. Edmund
Lowe has the title role. Others in
the cast are Marguerite Churchill,
William Harrigan, Warren Hymer,
Paul Page, Joe Brown, Frank Albert-
son, Eddie Gribbon, Pat Somerset,
J. Carol Naish, Ben Bard and Mike
Donlin. John Ford is director.
Morton in "Margin Mugs"
Charles Morton has been given one
of the leading roles in "Margin
Mugs," which Gharles Reisner will
direct for M-G-M.
Grant for "Safety in Numbers"
Lawrence Grant has been selected
for an important role in "Safety in
Numbers," Charles "Buddy" Rogers'
new starring vehicle for Paramount.
EJttle ll
from *'Lots''
By RALPH tyJLK ^mmimmjX
D
Hollywood
ON RYAN, former Los Angeles
newspaper man and press agent,
is now represented by two books,
"Roman Holiday" and "Angels
Flight." "Roman Holiday" is jusi
off the press.
* * *
Speaking of Hollywood wr-iters,
we must mention Garrett and Car-
roll Graham, who are now m New
/ork, arranging for the publicatioji
of their book. It deals with Holly-
wood and is expected to attract
much attention. Garrett is a dia-
logue and title writer, while his
brother is a former press agent.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Edward
H. Griffith, George McManus,
Eugen O'Brien, David Rollins,
Charles Irwin, Con Conrad,
Lew Seller at "Chauve-Souris;"
Harry Langdon viewing the
Spanish version of his "The
Shrimp" and trying to under-
stand it.
* * *
John Reese, a Broadway juvenile, is
the latest Eastern actor to invade
Hollywood. Fie played in Elliott
Lester's "The Medicine Man" and
also worked in several Eastern-made
Vitaphone shorts. He played with
stock companies for three years be-
fore coming to New York.
* * *
Ralph H. Dixon, veteran film edi-
tor, has finished editing "Cameo
Kirby." He also did the editing on
"Frozen Justice" and several other
Fox pictures.
* * *
Fifteen consuls representing South
American countries attended the
world premiere of "Sombras de
Gloria," which is the Spanish version
of "The Blaze o' Glory." Reginald
Denny acted as master of ceremonies
and introduced Jose Bohr, the star,
Andrew L. Stone, the director, and
others.
Releasing Short Feature
"Match Play," starring Waltei
Hagen and Leo Diegel, will be re-
leased a short feature special. It was
directed and produced by Mack Sen
nett, with Majorie Beebe, Andy Clyde
and Addie McPhail supporting the
golf players. John W. Boyle was in
charge of the photography.
Schildkraut To Do Death Scene
Joseph Schildkraut will do Asa's
death scene from Peer Gynt" for
Universal's "The King of Jazz," star-
ring Paul Whiteman.
FILM PEOPLE TO GIVE AID
ATCATHOLICOUIID GAMBOL
Persons prominent in motion pic-
ture circles are listed among the pa-
tronesses for the sixth annual motion
picture gambol of the Catholic Mo-
tion Picture Guild of America to be
held at the Philharmonic Auditorium
Feb. 19. Among them are Lucille
Gleason, Vilma Banky, May Mc-
Avoy, Mrs. Robert McGowan, June
Collyer, Nancy Carroll, Mrs. John
Ford, Mrs. Sam Taylor, Mrs. Eddie
Bowling and I^ois Wilson.
Pathe Signs Beranger
and Cowan to do Originals
Clara Beranger (Mrs. William De
Mille) and Sada Cowan, two prom-
inent scenario writers, have been
signed by Pathe and now are engag-
ed in preparing originals for the com-
pany.
Fox Signs Middleton
as Associate Producer
George Middleton has been placed
under a new' contract as an associate
producer for Fox. He is now activ/e
on "In Love with Love" and "Double
Cross Roads."
F. N. Has New Leading Man
First National has selected David
Manners, the juvenile lead in the Los
Angeles production of "Journey's
End," as Alice White's leading man
in "Sweet Mamma."
Nance O'Neil in Novarro Film
Nance O'Neil has been added to
the cast of "The Singer of Seville,"
Ramon Novarro film now being di-
rected by Charles Brabin. Others in
the cast are Dorothy Jordon, Renec
Adoree and Ernest Torrence.
Constance Bennett for "Lipstick"
C-onstance Bennett now en route
to the Coast is scheduled to appear
in "Lipstick," the adaptation of H.
L. Gates' novel, which Clara Ber-
anger is now preparing.
Cohen-Kelly Film Completed
Universal has completed "The Co-
hens and Kellys in Scotland," which
William J. Craft directed. The cast
includes George Sidney, Charlie
Murray, Vera Gordon and Kate
Price.
Betty Compson with Bancroft
Betty Compson has been signed
i)y Paramount to play the feminine
lead opposite George Bancroft in the
talking picture version of Re.\
Beach's "The Spoilers," which Ed-
win Carewe will direct.
'me WW
MEN WITHOUT
WOMEN
anof/ier JOHN FORD production
The World predicts
a 1930 leader!
"'Men Without Women' represents the Finest of the new year's
dramatic productions ... it is early in the year to begin predicting
those fortunate film dramas which are likely to be chosen by the
bright critics as representing the ten best of the season, but it will
not be surprising to see this William Fox feature well at the head
of most of these lists." — The World
exceptional . . .
gallant . . .
first rate entertainment
"Exceptionally cast, and John Ford has
achieved some remarkable effects."
— Evening Graphic
"a vigorous production which is so well
directed and acted and so different from
conventional screen material that it sustains
one's interest throughout."
— New York Evening Journal
"Positively Brilliant." — New York Evening World
"a distinctly worthy contribution to the art
of the cinema." —New York Evening Pojf
"There can be nothing but admiration for
the production and photography at the
Roxy." — New York Sun
"Here is a work that the screen can feel a
bit proud of . . . here are splendid portray-
als that help enormously in making 'Men
Without Women' so gallant a photoplay."
— New York Herald-Tribune
"'Men Without Women' is an unusually real-
istic and effective picture and is hereby
recommended as first rate entertainment."
— New York Telegram
F#X
Farrell Macdonald
Warren Hymer
Presinttd by WILLIAM FOX
with KENNETH MacKENNA
Frank Albertson
Paul Page
Stuart Erwin
Walter McGrail
Story by John Ford and James K. McGuinness Screen play and dialog by Dudley Nichols
NOW GOALING 'EM at the ROXY
iTHE
TAemfSPmft
o/'P\lMf>OH
V
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 30
Wednesday, February 5, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Imported Newsreel Negatives Put on Free Lht
playerTendorse free lance contract
More operatic Features on M-G-M Production Lis t
A Conference
— and other things
==By JACK ALICOATE—
SECRET MEETINGS have been
held on the Coast between repre-
sentative actors and producers pre-
liminary to a main conference to
irnn out studio working and con-
tract difficulties. We know they
are secret because several film folk
have wired us about the matter.
These ambassadors extraordinary
md ministers plenipotentiary can
accomplish a great deal if they will
ipproach the coming open meetings
n a sincere and constructive way
ind with an open mind. Good pic-
ures depend in no small measure
)n harmonious working conditions,
jood will in the studio comes from
in even break on both sides. Il
loth factions will check theii
hisels at the door of the confer-
:nce room it will probably amoun
0 something.
'HE RETICENT and reserved
.Ir. Samuel Goldwyn says for pub-
ication that there is no such thing
s the Ten Best Pictures of 1929.
31 daily newspapers, 40 fan and
rade papers and 3 newspaper syn-
icates say just the opposite and
le result of this poll will be an-
ounced in hundreds of papers all
ver the country this week-end.
'erhaps the reticent and retiring
Ir. Goldwyn is all right and it's
le rest of the world that's crazy.
* * *
HE GRAND COLOR handicap
f 1930 is on. Color to the right
;■ us, color to the left of us and
!>lor almost everywhere. New
iCotainued on Page 2)
33 Pictures Tentatively
Scheduled for Next
Six Months
Following up the success of Law-
rence Tibbett in "The Rogue Song,"
M-G-M has included several more
pictures of this type in its tentative
schedule of 33 films to be produced
within the next six months. Upon
completion of his concert tour, Tib-
bett will be starred in a new M-G-M
story. Grace Moore, another Metro-
(.Ccmtinued on Page 6)
N. J. CENSORSHIP BILL
HAS PADLOCK FEATURE
Trenton — New Jersey exhibitors
are having their legislative troubles.
.\ state censorship bill with a pad-
lock clause has been introduced by
.Assemblywoman Haines of Essex.
(.Continued on Page 6)
WARNER EARNINGS SHOW
UPTRENDJEP0RTSAY8
"Although Warner Brothers Pic-
tures common stock must still be re
garded as an unseasoned security, ii
nevertheless possesses enough intrin-
sic merit to warrant consideration fo
semi-speculative investment," stated
(Continued on Page 6)
Case Postponed
ti'est Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Hearing of the
Government's anti-trust case
Qgainst West Coast Theaters
and 10 producer-distributor or-
ganizations, scheduled for hear-
ing today, has been continued
till April 1. Judge Henning,
who was to have heard the case,
has resigned.
BOOKING SERVICE FIRMS
n»"
a
Detroit — Co-Operative Booking
Offices, serving 50 Michigan chfaters,
has merged with the Co-Operative
Booking Theater Service Corp., re-
cently organized to oflfer exhibitors
in the state service in every depart-
ment of theater operation. The merg-
er followed deliberations between R.
E. Moon, general manager of the lat-
ter organization, and George W.
Trendle and John H. Kunsky of Co-
Operative Booking Offices.
The chief reason behind the merger
(Continued on Page 8)
Plans Circuit of Twelve
by Next Selling Season
Twelve theaters by the next selling
feason is the minimum set by the
Windsor Theater Corp., which re-
cently purchased its third Brooklyn
house with the acquisition of the
(Continued on Page 8)
Senate Passes Amendment for
Free Entry of Newsreel Films
Harry F. Schiller Heads
Kansas City Film Board
Kansas City — Harry F. Schiller,
manager of the M-G-M exchange in
this city, has been elected president
of the Kansas City Film Board of
Trade, while C. A. Schultz, manager
of the Midwest Film Distributors,
(Continued on Page 8)
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Imported newsreel
films were put on the free list yes-
terday by adoption in the Senate of
an amendment offered by Senator
Smoot of Utah providing for the free
entry of undeveloped negative mo-
tion picture film of America manu-
facture, exposed abroad for silent or
sound newsreels.
Will Meet with Producers
to Draw up Final
Agreement
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — At a mass meeting
attended by 250 actors, the proposed
free lance contract, stipulating that
12 hours must elapse between the
time an actor is dismissed and the
time he must report back to ihc
studio, was endorsed a"'^ additio.'di
members were sc'ded to ihe aciors'
committee, a' ith will meet sc;';
with a producers' committee to d,.
the final agreement.
The players rejecte,J a 54 -hour week
(Contini.ed en Page 6)
CliA.iER'MOSES
EOX-ROXY CONTRACT
Disclosing details of the contract
between Fox Film Corp. and the
Roxy, James R. Grainger, Fox gen-
eral sales manager, yesterday pointed
(Continued on Page 6)
SOUND AIDED EXPORTS Of
AMERICAN..LMSIN'29
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Sound pictures are
lirectly responsible for the large in-
crease in exporls of American pic-
:ures, accordincf to a survey of 1929
(Continued on Page 6)
Foreign Sound
U'ash. Bur. of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — About 2,200
theaters outside of U. S. and
Canada are wired with some
sort of sound apparatus, accord-
ing to research conducted by
N. D. Go'den, assistant chief of
the M. P. Division of the Dept.
of Commerce. Of this total 1,-
500 are in Europe, 400 in the
Far East, 250 in Latin America
and the remaining 50 in other
parts of the world.
THE
DAILY
Wednesday, February 5, 1930
'ol. II No. 30 Widnisday, February 5. 1930 Prices Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
I'nlilished daily except Saturday and holidays
It 1050 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
• .i.vrigtii (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
KHitor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary Treasurer and General Manager;
\iiliiir W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
ii the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
'he act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
-hould remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
«7.?6 4737 4738 4739. Cable address: Filmday.
Vew York. Hollywood. California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
1607. London— Ernest W. Fredraan, The
?ilm Renter, 89 91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne
Kriedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle.
I.a Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de h
("our des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 21-^ 21 'A 21^ 100
Con Fm. Ind. ... 20J4 2'Ofi 20fi 700
ton'. Fm. Ind. pfd. Zi'A 23 Vi 23'A 300
East. Kodak .....192/2 190/8 192 1,600
Fox Fm. "A" ... 3l'A 30>i 3\'A 6,200
•Keith AG 29
,lo pfd 997A 977A 99H 100
Ixjew's Inc 64^ 61M 64!4 12,700
•do pfd. WW (6/2) 87^ ....
Mo pfd. xw (6/j) 88
•M-G-M pfd 24!4 .. ..
Para. F-L 66^ 03H 66 32,500
Pathe Exch 4 3% 3^ 1,300
do "A" yyi 7'A 7A 300
R KO 30ys 29ii 30 26,200
M'niv. Pict. pfd 35lA
Warner Bros 59 5654 59 63.000
do pfd 51J4 50/ 51^ 700
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 30H 30^^ 30^ 200
Fox Thea. "A" .. 7J4 7-^ 7% 2,800
•r,en. Thea. Equ 39J4
Loew do deb. rts.. 29-5^ 25 27 1,100
r.oew's Inc. war. . 6'A 5 6'A 400
•Nat. Scr. Ser 15-5^
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
I'niv. Pict 9% 9% 9A 100
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46.. 79 79 79 10
rx)ew 6s 41ww ...106 105?i 106 140
do 6s 41 x-war... 94 94 94 10
Paramount 6s 47 . 99J^ 995^ 99?^ 20
Par. By. 5J^s 51.100 100 100 50
Pathe 7s 37 46 46 46 50
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
11 New York Long Island City }'{
i| 1 540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. |x
W BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 h
Eastman Films i
ft
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. i|
Chicago Hollywood !•!
1727 Indiana Ave. <5700 Santa Monica ff
Blvd. ft
Hollywood 4121 (f
CAlumet 2691
A Conference
— and other things
(Continued from Page 1)
color processes are making a bow
to the industry as fast as gags in
a Lloyd comedy. This much is
certain. Color adds a very definite
value to almost any production and
is a decided progressive step in
picture presentation, but, if it is to
hold its own, now that the novelty
of its use is past, it must improve
measurably both in its technical ap-
plication and its artistic use.
"U" Dramatic Society
Plans First Performance
The Dramatic .society of the Uni-
versal Club will give its first etiter-
tainment at the True Sisters Club
Auditoriuni on Feb. 27. Two sketches,
"The Perfect Alibi," a comedy drama
by L. K. Devendorf and "The Red
Hat," a comedy by Elaine Stern Car-
rington, will be presented. In the
cast are members of the Universal
club. Following the presentation of
the sketches, dancing and genera! en-
tertainment will take place.
Portland Exhib Starts
Suit Against Picketing
Portland, Ore.— G. T. Woodlaw.
local exhibitor, has begun suit ir
Circuit Court here asking for a re-
straining order preventing local or>-
erators' union and the Central Labor
Council from picketing and distribut-
ing allegedly imfair circulars in front
of the Columbia. Woodlaw operate-
the Woodlaw Theater Co. which
controls the Columbia and Circle,
and has a similar connection with
the Circle pending before Circuit
Judge Tucker, who has it under
advisement.
FAMOUS CANADIAN NET
WELL AHEAD OF '29 NARK
Montreal — Improvement in earn-
ings of Famous Players Canadian
Corp. over last year is continuing
during the current three month pe-
riod, ending Feb. 28. During the
first quarter, ended Nov. 30, 1929,
the company is said to have earned
entire annual dividend requirements
of $2 a share. For the fiscal year
ended Aug. 31, 1929, the company
reported a net income, after all
charges, of $2,044,224, equal to $6.84 a
fihare on 327,540 shares of common
then outstanding. *
The Industry's
Date Book
Winnie Lightner Guest at
Warner Bros. Club Dance
Winnie Lightner, \\'arner star, was
the outstanding highlight of last
night's gala meeting and dance held
by the \\'arner Club in the Butterfly
Room of the Hotel Pennsylvania. N.
Y. Jack Gilbert, president, opened
the meeting and spoke about the "sec-
ond annual banquet and ball and the
Warner Gaieties," which opens at the
Chanin Theater on Feb. 16.
Joe Vogel is Host
A group of local house managers
and some division representatives of
the Loew Circuit, including Manag-
ing Director Louis K. Sidney, were
sruests of Joe Vogel yesterdav at a
luncheon gathering at the Motion
Picture Club.
New House For Atlantic, la.
.A.tlantir, Ta. — Replacing the house
recently destroyed by fire, a new the-
ater is planned by O. C. Johnson,
manager of the old house.
General Talking Names
Richards Atlanta Head
.\tlanta — General Talking Pictures
Corp. has advanced Will T, Richards
from local representative to manager
of the company's branch in this city.
He succeeds George Jones, who re-
cently resigned.
Name Wallace Chicago
Manager for Columbia
Chicago — C. C. Wallace has been
aDpointed local branch manager for
Columbia, succeeding Phil Dunas.
who has become district manager for
the company with headquarters here.
Midnight Shows in 'Frisco
San Francisco — Midnight showing-
have proved successful at the Fox.
INGA6I
^is Coming^
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Apr.
June ;
Regular meeting of the AMPA, a
Paramount Hotel, New York.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball a
the Aster, New York.
Premiere of "Puttin" on the Riti'
at Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theate
regulations becomes effective.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholii
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu
facturers of machine and roll thi
ater tickets at Washington, D. C
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart'
in New York. House undetermined
Annual election of Maryland M.I
T.O. officers at Bahimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress a
Brussels.
Paramount Pep Club Now
Ready for Annual Bal
I'inal arrangements have been com
pleted for the annual Paramount Pej
Club motion picture ball which wil
be held Friday night at the Hote
Astor, N. Y. Edward A. Browr
president of the club and Chris Beut(
chairman of the entertainment com
mittee, are in charge of the ball. Th
committee has lined up an arrav o
Broadway stage and screen star
through the efforts of Walter Wang
er, James Cowan and Henry Sals
bur\-. Charles Ruggles will act a
master of ceremonies.
Fox House Celebrates
Kansas City — Fox Theater her
has just completed a week's celebra
tion of its first anniversary.
AD -VANCE- AD
"I believe that you have a good
thing for a theatre's business. The
trailers are certainly very good."
Princess Theatre
Republic, Pa.
"WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
INCORPORATED
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YORK
Phone: WlScontin 6876
ALLAN 4|pWNES. CEN.MCR.
ELECTRIFYING
■^
WORLD!
As usucX
wo-Goldwyn-Mayer
and no wonder
The Two
Outstanding
attractions
of any season
Lawrence TIBBETT
The Cir^at New Star
THE
ROGUE
SONG
with Catharine DaU
Owen, Stan Laurel,
Oliver Hardy Di-
rected b) Lionel
Barrymore. Muiic by
Frani Lehar and
Herbert Srothan.
Standees matinee and night
at both Astor, N. Y. and
Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles.
The biggest $2 picture ever
made.
li
Greta GARBO
in her first TALKIE
ANNA
CHRISTIE
Sensational! Garbo's voice is
a revelation in talkies. The
star of stars bigger than ever
now! Breaking every record
at Criterion, Los Angeles.
You're Next!
wuhCharleiBtckford
George F Mar, on.
Mane Dressier. Di-
rected by Clarence
Brown. Adapted by
Frances Marion jrom
Eugene.O'NeUi splay
"Anna Christie."
You know about this one!
Youll know about this!
i^
I/I
O
O
(D
Q
CO
>s
D
CO
CO
CO
0
D
Q
0)
Q
0
c
d
X
c
s
0) £
c
o
O
I- c
0) o
-Q c
Q) 1-
X CO
o
0
0)
Q
o
E
0
<D
X
§
Q
O
"5 0)
<D >
Q-
E
to
0
< S
c
D
(D
O
E
0)
c
o
u
0
I
o
C
UJ 0
U £
LU ^
O
c
c
oc
' > 4
3:
ui 0= ^^
S -J U
c gz E
c X^ 111 =
LU
E
o
WINIFI
Willie
to
O
-"1
o
lo
<A
<
z
3
THE
-<^sl
DAILY.
Wednesday, February 5, 1930
Blames Operators
Montreal— H. E. Reilley of
McGill University, after a sur-
vey of the sound houses in
Canada, reported that 40 per
cent of the distribution and
other screen vagaries were due
to the inexperience of projec-
tion macnine operators.
ARNtfi EARNINGS SHOW
UPTKOil),KtP0KISAYS
{Continued from Page I)
a hnancial summary in "The New
i'ork Telegram" yesterday. The re-
port adds:
■ Karmngs distinctly are on an up-
ward trend, the company is soundij
nnanced and it occupies a com-
niandmg position in the motion pic-
ture industry. This is in markeu
contrast to the situation as it exist-
ed only a few years ago. At thai
time, while the possibilities of War-
ner were conceded, the compan\
had virtually no earning power an^
such a condition always is fraught
with danger.
"l-inaliy development of talking
motion pictures to the extent thai
they gained the approbation of the
puDlic enabled Warner to progress
Dy leap, ancj bounds. Within the
last two ycc- the earnings of the
organization hav , increased phe-
nomenally and for the hscal year
ended August 31, 1929, esubhshed a
new record for any company in the
industry.
N. J. Censorship Bill
Has Padlock Feature
{Continued from Page 1)
The measure, aimed at "obscene, in-
decent and immoral" pictures, makes
a house showing films so classified,
a common nuisance and under the
^tate law, a common nuisance can be
padlocked.
Another piece of legislative grief
pending is a bill which would set up
boards of censorship in each municip-
ality in New Jersey. There is no
state censorship law at present.
These matters and also the reac-
tion of the industry to the Judge
Thacher decision will be discussed by
the M. P. T. O. at a meeting Mon-
day at the Elks Club, Newark. Arbi-
tration will be another topic.
Wiles Charges Plagiarism
Suit for plagiarism has. been insti-
tuted by Frank Burr Wiles against
M-G-M, charging his original story,
"Underground Tracks," was used
with slight changes to make "While
The City Sleeps." M-G-M had no
comment to make.
Start New Portland, Ind., House
Portland, Ind. — Work has been
started on the Hines, to be located
in what is known as the old Auditor-
ium Bldg. Mailers Bros., of Ft.
Wayne, will operate the theater in
conjunction with their other houses
in Ohio and Indiana.
COAST PLAYERS ENDORSE
TREE LANCE CONTRACT
{Continued from Page I)
in favor of the 12-hour interval. Eight
hours will constitute a day's work
for actors employed by the day, ex-
tra pay being provided for overtime.
The contract is automatically can-
celled at the option of the actor if
the producer does not sign it within
24 hours after the player has signed.
A resolution was passed calling for
the actors to refuse to support or
countenance a strike or any radical
action by any group of actors that
might be injurious to the industry so
long as the letter and spirit of the
contract is observed.
Ben Lyon, Ben Bard, Mae Murray,
Francis X. Bushman, Frank Reich-
er, Monte Blue, DeWitt Jennings,
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., William
Courtenay and Helen Ware were
named additional members of the ac-
tors' committee, which includes Rob-
ert Edeson, Jean Hersholt, Richard
Tucker, Rod LaRocque, Lloyd
Hughes, Sam Hardy, Wallace Beery,
Mitchell Lewis, Lawrence Grant and
Conrad Nagel. The producers' com-
mittee consists of Jack Warner, chair-
man Sol Wurtzel, Irving Thalberg,
William Le Baron and M. C. Levee.
The players who attended the
meeting will be invited to attend the
actors' branch of the Academy of
M. P. Arts and Sciences.
Technicolor Gets Artist
to Judge Color Values
Andre Durenceau, French artists,
has been signed by Technicolor, and
will join the color direction depart-
ment of tiie company, which cooper-
ates with film producers in obtaining
the effective color values. Durenceau
will work under the supervision of
Natalie M. Kalmus, wife of Dr. Her-
bert T. Kalmus, president.
Predicts Evil Results
From Thacher Decision
Cleveland — Judge Thachcr's decis-
ion against arbitration is interpreted
as a severe setback to the film indus-
try by J. J. Harwood, president ol
the Cleveland M. P. ^Exhibitors
Assn. Frank Drew, president of the
local Film Board of Trade, said
that the decision will throw the in-
dustry back to where it was 10 years
ago.
Quits Theater for School
Rockville, Conn. — Francis H. Dil-
lonsnyder, for two years manager of
the Palace, has resigned to enter
Temple University, Philadelphia, for
a two-year course in business admin-
istration.
Melincoff at Torrington
Torrington, Conn. — Max Melin-
coff, former manager of the Capitol,
Pawtucket, R. I., has arrived here
to manage two local houses.
More Operatic Features on
M-G-M Production List
{Continued from Page \)
politan star, will be his leading wo-
man in this production or the next
one in which he is to appear. Both
will have light operatic themes.
Among the important features with
a musical background on the present
M-G-M production list are:
"Rosalie," the Ziegfeld success;
"The March of Time," with Weber
and Fields and many old-time stars;
"Good News,'' musical success; Cecil
B. De Mille's new picture, "Madame
Satan," and Joan Crawford's new
starring film, "Montana Moon," de-
scribed as the "first musical West-
ern."
Other features in the block of 33 produc
tions due from MGM within the coming
six months arc: "The Ship From Shanghai,"
with Kay Johnson and Conrad Nagel; "They
Learned About Women," starring Van and
Schenck; "Anna Christie," starring Greta
Garbo; "Lord Byron of Broadway," with
Ethelind Terry, Buster Keaton and Charles
Kaley; "A Lady in Love," starring Vilma
Banky; "The Girl Said 'No,' " starrmg Wil
liam Haines; "Free and Easy," starring Bus-
ter Keaton; "Redemption," starring John
Gilbert and Eleanor Boardman; "The Song
Writer," with Lawrence Gray and Helen
Johnson; "This Mad World," with Basil
Rathbone and Kay Johnson; "The House of
Troy," starring Ramon Novarro, "The Cir-
cle," with Catherine Dale Owen, Lewis Stone
and Alison Skipworth; "The Divorcee,"
starring Norma Shearer; "The Gay Nine
ties," starring Marion Davies; "The Sea
Bat," with Charles Bickford, Raquel Torres
and Nils Asther; "Trader Horn," with
Harry Carey, Duncan Renaldo and Edwina
Booth; "The Big House," with Wallace
Beery; "Father's Day," with J. C. and El-
liott Nugent; "The High Road," starring
Norma Shearer; "New Moon," musical pro-
duction; "Remote Control," with an all-stai
cast; "Romance," starring Greta Garbo; "The
Singer of Seville," starring Ramon Novarro;
"Margin Mugs," starring Marie Dressier and
Polly Moran, and an untitled Lon Chanej
picture.
First National Preparing
2 Victor Herbert Operas
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Preparations are un-
der way at the First National Stu-
dios for the production of two Vic-
tor Herbert light operas, "The For-
tune Teller" and "Mile. Modiste," it
is announced by C. Graham Baker,
co-executive with Hal B. Wallis, in
charge of production. "The Fortune
Teller" will be filmed in Technicolor
throughout. "Mile. Modiste" will
feature Bernice Claire, with William
A. Seiter directing.
C. A. Dentelbeck Elected
Head of M. P. Operators
Toronto — Charles A. Dentelbeck,
for the 14th consecutive year, has
been elected president of the M. P.
Operators Union No. 173, branch of
the I.A.T.S.E. Dentelbeck, as chief
projection engineer of Famous Play-
ers Canadian Corp. for six years, has
visited practically every city and
town in the Dominion.
Midnight Shows for Zanesville
Zanesville, O. — Saturday midnight
shows have been inaugurated at the
Liberty here. The house is con-
trolled by the Brown Theatrical Co.
Organist Is Transferred
Kansas City — Milton Slosser has
been transferred by Skourjs Bros,
from the Missouri to the Ambassador.
GRAINGER DISCLOSES
EOX-ROXY CONTRACT
{Continued from Page 1)
out that during 17 weeks of the year,
S. L. Rothafel is free to book an)
pictures produced by any firm. The
statement was issued as a result oi
Monday s Roxy stockholders' meei-
mg when Rothafel and Saul E. Rog-
ers, vice-president of the theater com-
pany, were questioned by Class A
stockholders concerning the relation^
between the two companies.
Grainger called attention to the
fact that during 1929 Roxy playeu
three more Fox pictures than the 3j
legally required in the contract. Ht
sam:
"Theoretically -Mr. Kothatel can book auj
picture tie pieasta during tile 1/ weeks
not contracteu tor witu t ox. Film Corp. How
ever, in this connection it =i.oe.ia be pointeu
out that all ol tlie priiic . a. vf'Jducers oi
talking pictures ha\e thtu unii broadwa)
outlets which absorb prac y all the pic
tures produced in the L....v^ .jiates.
"This leaves an actual a...^.iage ol Aniei
icaiiproduced pictures other tnan tox tui
exhibition at the Koxy. Mr. ivotlia
his stockholders are fortunate in tiaving nrsi
choice ol tox pictures which during the yeai
1V29 tiavc established new high records, no
only at the Koxy, but at the principal theater;
throughout the United States .and abroad.
"During August, the worse month in thi
year so lar as motion picture theaters are
concerned, the house record oi the Koxy wa:
broken, both tor total paid admissions and
total amount of money paid in the box ottice
when almost three Quarters ot a million
dollars was paid into the box ottice for
Fox picture."
Computation is made that the average bus
ness done by the four non-Fox pictures
played by the Roxy was $85,875. This con
trasts "with the average for 48 weeks fo
Fox pictures, amounting to $108,685," said
Grainger.
Adoption of a motion that practically as
sures Che class A stookholders a dividend on.
Mar. 1 was one of the highlights of tht
meeting of the Roxy stockholders. Net in
come of the company for the year ended Oct
25, 1929, after all charges and provision
for federal taxes, was reported at $643,047
which compares with $607,676 for the pre
vious fiscal year.
The following ofiicers were reelected ; S
L. Rothafel, president; S. E. Rogers, vie
president; Charles Levin, secretary; Jack G
Leo, treasurer and Arthur A. Jones, assistan
treasurer. In addition to the above oflfic«r
the board of directors also includes Willian
Fox, Felix Jenkins, E. VV. Niver, Willian
Chanler, Harry L. Jones, Frederick Pop
and Aaron Fox.
Sound Aided Exports ol
American Films in '2?
{Continued from Page 1)
exports made by N. D. Golden oi
the M. P. Division of the Dept. ol
Commerce. During 1929, it is dis
closed, 282.215,480 feet of Americac
films, at a declared value of $7,622,316
were exported as against 222,122,58(
feet valued at $6,473,990 during 1928
The advent of sound picture*
abroad, the foreign producers' i«
ability to produce sound pictures, ki;
fear of producing silent ones, gave tc
the American producer an open fielc
in the past year in marketing of »«
increased number of silent picturesi
are other factors that have hclp«c
to make American export the larges'
in the history of the industry, con
tinues the report.
THE
iVednesday, February 5, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Optnion
€
Saya Films for Young
Should Be Carefully Picked
(WIENER ALLY speaking, I
think that children under ten
should be prohibited from going
to movie theaters. The surround-
ings, the excitement, the uncer-
tainty of the program — or rather
the certainty of it — do not meet
the conception of what is suit-
able in the judgment at least of
those who believe in a protected
childhood. But I believe that
we should utilize the education-
al and entertainment possibilities
in good movies, and that they
should be given in surroundings
and in circumstances suitable to
children. There are of course oc-
casional pictures produced by
moving picture theaters that are
good and children might well be
directed to them. I think that
when such pictures are available
a morning and afternoon exhibi-
tion should be given and the fact
that they are good advertised in
the school or wherever children
congregate and wherever leaders
are interested in finding good
material of educational and pleas-
ure-giving values.
Lillian D. Wcdd, Director,
Henry St. Settlement, N.Y.C.
Would Keep Child from
(Viewing Unselected Films
TN my judgment, children under
ten years of age should not be
allowed to attend the movies ex-
cept those shown under the aus-
pices or at the instance of schools,
churches or other agencies dedi-
cated to the promotion of child
welfare. The ordinary commer-
cial film is intended for a gen-
eral audience and cannot possibly
be expected to take into account
the mentality of children under
ten. Such children are likely to
obtain the most twisted and un-
real ideas of life from following
the ordinary commercial film.
E. A. Ross, Professor of
Sociology, University of Wis.
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
ELIAS A. BRUCKER
animator old Barry Ford-
ham Ave. Studio
■J%^
DAILY
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
T GEORGE FEINBERG is going to Chicago to attend the
mid-west sales convention of the Public Seating Division of
Heywood Wakefield. He is properly puffed up over having copped
first prize in their 1929 sales contest Well now that the
Kolarac, Belgrade, is wired A! Jolson is making another appear-
ance in film form there
Film and Radio Review is the new pub. hailing from Mem-
phis, Tenn., with R. W. Henderson and Annie Mae Day up on
the flag as president and editor respectively. The publication
makes its debut every Thursday containing this and that about
films and the radio field
On the eve of his departure for his home in Ireland, John
McCormack, Irish tenor, was presented with an honorary mem-
bership to the Catholic Motion Picture Guild of America in Holly-
wood One close-up of Louis Wolheim in Universal's "All
Quiet on the Western Front" is sufficient to convince anybody
the boy is "hardboiled" in that picture, or at least so som. ••■( t'-
stills show
Five of the seven major theaters in Los Angeles are present-
ing M-G-M productions this week. The list includes, "The Rogue
Song," at Grauman's Chinese, "Anna Christie," at the Criterion,
"Devil May Care," at the Carthay Circle, "Not So Dumb," at the
State and "Dynamite," at the Palace, says Howard Dietz
Warners have changed "A Women's Game" to "Three Rooms."
Al Altman of Mmmmgggg-mmmm is calling attention to the
fact that world famous masters of magic will perform at the
Heckscher Theater, 104th St. and Sth Ave., Sunday night, Feb.
23
FEBRUARY 5-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Monta Bell
J. A. Miller
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
"VTEXT thing you know there'll be
an epidemic of rooster pictures.
RKO hired Caeser, a trained henyard
papa, to crow once in a scene for
"Beau Bandit." Price for the per-
formance was $50. But the ambitious
Caeser, after fulfilling his contract,
kept right on crowing, while the
sound camera went on clicking, until
eight perfectly good specimens of the
crowing art had been recorded — all
for the price of one. RKO figures
itself $750 to the good, but we can't
see any cash value in a flock of
rooster yodels reposing in a vault.
Our suggestion is that RKO try to
make some kind of a deal with Pathe.
* * *
Bill Yearsley, having a penchant
for facts, and being told that moi-e
than 350,000 persons are employed in
the industry, wants to know what all
these boys and girls did for a living
during the thousands of years while
they were waiting for moom pitchurs
to be invented.
* * *
Five or ten years from now silent
fillnmns ou?:ht to draw some trade
the basis of being » ' 'city.
* ,,.-■'* *
A critic wants to know wliy filui
pior'iurers V .^ on turning out the
murder mystery and backstage
brands.
We wouldn't swear to it on a tele-
phone book, but our guess is that
it's for the same reason that the
cigarette companies keep making the
Camel, Lucky and Chesterfield
brands.
* * *
USELESS INFORMATION
// it were not for film stars' fan
mail, Uncle Sam's income would be
materially reduced and lots of postal
employees would be thrown out of
work.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Maurice Maeterlick signed to write
one a year for Goldwyn.
* * *
Colleen Moore to appear in Chris-
tie comedies.
Marcus Loew
house in Dallas.
to build $300,000
Goldwyn purchases Tabor Grand
in Denver.
THE
:%g^
DAILY
Wednesday, February 5, 1930
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
•yWO Vitaphone Varieties made
in German will be shown
with "The Royal Box," Warner's all-
German dialogue feature when the
latter opens in nine principal citie:
throughout the country, during thi-
month. One of the Varieties features
Codec & Orth in "Meine Frau" whilt
the other has Gregory Ratoff in "Eir
Echtiger Amerikaner." These, as
well as the feature, were producer
at the Flatbush studios under super-
vision of Murray Roth.
"Happy Landings," a Vi!iiigmphi(
educatioTial picture, is now being
shown in Shansi proviyice, China, un-
der the sponsorship of the Peking
office of the U. S. Dept. of Com-
merce, to instruct young Chivesi
pilots in training at the Chines(
military flying school.
At last we can expect a motion
picture with a newspaper backgrounr'
that will be authentic in all detail
^ince Monta Bell, who is directing
"Young Man of Manhattan," at the
Paramount Long Island studios, be-
gan his career as a newspaper re-
porter.
Ginger ^^"e.rs, cyclonic corne-
dienne of the & „,^p musical, "Top
Speed," used the satnu formula as
Helen Kane in arriving at the top
in speedy fashion. Both first uf-
tracted attention in a Paramount
theater presentation act which led to
featured roles in stage productions,
followed by a chance to appear in
talkies. One year ago. Ginger Rog-
ers was unknown to Broadway and
now she is one of its shining lights
and on the brink of what looks like a
successful screen career.
Harry F. Schiller Heads
Kansas City Film Board
(Continued from Page 1)
Inc., has been named to the vice-presi-
dency. Besides them the board of
directors consists of the following
branch managers: Leo J. Doty.
United Artists; William Warner.
First National; Roy Churchill, RKO
and Oscar Morgan, Paramount. Mjss
Catherine Northern has been re-
elected, secretarv-treasurer. She wil'
be assisted by ^Dorothy DeHonev.
Plans Circuit of Twelve
by Next Selling Season
(Continued from Page 1)
Windsor. The chain operates the
.Stilwell and New ITnited and is now
negotiating for several other houses.
Isaac Katz is president and Hyman
Rachmil is secretary and treasurer of
the circuit.
New House for Arverne
Far Rockaway, L. I. — Plans are be-
ing completed for a theater to be
erected in Arverne, near Beach 67th
St. and the Boardwalk by the June
Theater Corp. of Manhattan.
BOOKING SERVICE HRMS
(Continued from Page 1)
is Trendle's desire to retire from ac-
tive participation in the theater busi-
ness in order to devote himself to
other activities.
In uniting its interests with those
of the Co-Operative Booking Offices
the Co-Operative Theater Service
Corp. has extended its service to 100
theaters in Michigan.
Theaters Change Owners
in Wisconsin Territory
Milwaukee — A number of Wiscon
sin theaters have changed hands dur-
ing the past week, among them bein-
the Columbia, Milwaukee neighbor-
hood house, which has been taken
over from the Walnut Theater Co.
headed by Sam Ludwig, by the C^^
lumbia Theater Co. Another loca'
neighborhood theater, the Hollywoof'
has been taken over by A. C. Guten-
berg from Sam Pylet. Gutenberg alsr
operates the Grand in Milwaukee.
At Kilbourn, Wis., the Mission ha
been taken over by C. E. Mathew.'
Ben Louthaine and W. A. Ashman
from G. C. Olson, while the Pearl a
De Pere, Wis., was recently opened
by its new owner. W. R. Vincent
The house was closed for several
weeks to allow for a complete reno-
vation and the installation of sound
equipment.
McNerney is Transferred
to San Francisco for U. A.
Salt Lake City — D. T. McNernev
in charge of the LTnited Artists office
here for some time and then trans-
ferred to the managership of the Seat-
tle office, now is running the San
Francisco branch for that company.
E. J. Drucker, formerly with Pre-
ferred Pictures here as branch man-
ager, now is in charge for United
Artists.
No Duty in Britain on
Negative Sound Track
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAIIA'
Washington — After considerable
dispute Brrlish Custom officials have
decided that the extra dutv chargrr
on negative sound track and matrice
is unnecessary, according to a reoor*
to the M. P. Division of the Den'
of Commerce. In accordance with th(
decision, distributors' deposits are be-
ing returned.
16 Vitaphone Varieties
Now Playing on Bway.
Sixteen Vitaphone \''arieties arc
being shown on Broadway at pres-
entt in houses controlled by Warner
Bros. In two instances the same
number is being played b>' two dif-
ferent theaters.
Rossee Takes Dixie
Eatonton, Ga. — P. C. Rossee ha
taken over the lease on the Dixie
from Byron Cooper.
=^^ Coast Wird^Service ^^^-^^^
Hollywood Ylappenings
Crosland Casts Purcell
for "Viennese Nights"
Alan Crosland has added June
Purcell, radio singer, to the cast ol
"Viennese Nights," which he is di-
recting for Warners. The picture is
a transcription of the operetta by
Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Ham-
merstein II.
"Father's Day" in Work
Production has started at M-G-M
on "Father's Day," which Sam Wood
is directing with J. C. and Elliott
Nugent in the leading roles.
Raoul Walsh Seeking Talent
Director Raoul Walsh is seeking a
man and a girl to be featured in a
production of the West, which he will
direct for Fox.
Davis On Rogers Film
Owen Davis, Sr., has been assigned
to adapt and prepare the dialogue for
"So This Is London," which will fea
ture Will Rogers for Fox. Lillian
Sand, who recently arrived from Lon-
don, will be Rogers' leading lady.
Fairbanks, Jr. Opposite Dove
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. has been
cast as male lead opposite Billie Dove
in "One Night at Susie's," which
John Francis Dillon will direct for
First National.
Harolde for "Dixiana' Role
Ralf Harolde has been selected for
a role in "Dixiana," featuring Bebe
Daniels for Radio. This production
is being made with the Spoor-Berg-
gren stereoscopic wide-film process.
Sells English Rights
Harry Tierney, composer of "Rio
Rita" has sold the English rights to
fhe play to the London producer
Ephriam.
Two Added to F. N. Film
Claude Gillingwater and Albert
Gran have been added to the cast
of First National's "Mademoiselle
Modiste," Victor Herbert operetta.
M-G-M Gets "New Moon"
-Screen rights to the musical ro-
mance. "New Moon," have been se-
cured bv M-G-M.
Warners Change Title
Warner Bros, has changed the titlt
of "A Woman's Game" to "Three
Rooms."
Norman and Paige Signed
Al Norman and Lucille Paige were
signed by M-G-M through the Wil-
liam Morris West Coast Office.
Margaret Seddon Cast
Margaret Seddon has been given
a role in Warner's "Those Who
Dance."
A Little
from
Lots**
^^_ By RALPH WILK^m,^
Hollywood
T AJOS Biro, who wrote "The Last
Command" and "Hotel Imperial,"
has returned from a long stay in
England. His stage plays includf
"The Czarina," "The Moon-Flower"
and "The Highwayman."
* * *
Harold Schuster will edit "Hell's
Belles." He has been with Fox for
several years.
* « *
Frank Murray, who has been
writing and directing commer-
cial films for Fox in New York,
is spending his vacation in
Hollywood. He was with the
Fox studio publicity depart-
ment for many years.
* ♦ ♦
Love interest is not necessary ti
a successful story, according to W;il
lace Smith, novelist under contract
to RKO, but, he declares emphaticall
it requires genius and the most e>
pert treatment to put over a sto
without it.
* * *
Om- Passing Show: Stan Laurel.
Fred Kamo and Charles Rog-r
partaking of their usual aftemoo
tea at the Hal Roach studio; Wil-
liam Seiter enthusing over his trip
to Mexico.
* * *
Leo Forbestein, First National
music director, who scored the music
for "Sally" and "No, No, Nanette,"
is preparing the musical arrangement
for "Bride of the Regiment" anc
"The Song of the Flame." He al ;-
scored the music for "The Son c'
the Gods."
* * *
John G. Adolfi, who directed "Th
Show of Shows" and "Evidence," is
completing "Dumbbells in Ermine,'
which is based on "Weak Sisters,'
the stage play.
Archainbaud for Daniels' Film
_ George .Archainbaud has been as-
signed to direct Bebe Daniels in her
third Radio production, "Smooth as
Satin," adapted from Bayard Veiller's
stage play "The Chatterbox."
Roach Signs Stepin Fetchit
Stepin Fetchit, colored comedian,
who appeared in Fox productions,
has been given a long term contract
b\ Hal Roach atid will appear in
comedies to be released by M-G-M.
Adapting Erskine Book for "U"
Helen Grace Carlisle is adapting
John Erskine's novel "Sincerity" foi
Universal.
o/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 31
Thursday, February 6, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Philly Exhibs Demand Fireproof Screens from ERPI
THREE^MGATIVES ONALL NEW FOX FILMS
Derr Takes Charge of Pathe Production at Coast
The yiirroY
-a column of comment
THAT INDEPENDENT pro-
ducers in the United States and
Canada increased during 1929 is
one of the interesting surprises of
the year. Despite increased nega-
tive costs it looks Hke the small fel-
low, comparatively speaking, has
weathered the sound tempest. This
in the face of rumors of his collec-
tive demise. Good product, whether
of domestic or foreign origin, al-
ways has and always will find a
spot in the American distribution
and exhibition fields. Customers
are principally interested in enter-
tainment and not who makes it.
LOEW THEATERS through-
put the country are discontinuing
" [the sale of sheet music in their
lobbies. A wise move, it seems,
( pis eliminating of the music stand
iwhich in many instances has im-
jpaired the beauty and attractive-
iiiess of numerous de luxe houses.
[The hawking of pop corn and
, jtnusic may be within bounds of
jetiquette in small theaters but its
put of place in the modern up-to-
!the-minute Picture Palace.
. JESSE L.-\SKY is going to give
paramount's foreign talkers just
[:hat right dialect flavor by forming
jitock companies of imported play-
'?rs who speak their own languages
vithout any April fooling. As
oreign audiences become more
ophisticated as per talking pic-
ures, they're going to demand dia-
>gue served right from the original
•ackage.
Series of New Features
to Start Off with
"Swing High"
E. B. Derr, executive vice-president
of Pathe, now in Cahfornia, assumes
active charge of the studios in Culver
City and will immediately launch an
increased production program, it is
announced by Pathe.
The executive staff assisting Derr
includes C. E. Sullivan, vice-president,
general studio manager; H. C. Leavitt,
studio superintendent; L. E. Clark,
chief sound engineer; Carroll Clark,
(^Continued on Page 3)
WARNER BROS. FAVOR
UNIFORM WIDE EILN
llest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — At a luncheon honor-
ing Oscar Straus, the Viennese com-
poser, Jack L. Warner yesterday
urged a uniform wide film. Warner
declared that his company will use
wide film favored by the majority
of producers.
Quarterly Dividend for
Roxy "A" Stockholders
Roxy Theaters Corp. has declared
a quarterly dividend of 87^^ cents a
share on the class "A" common stock
payable Mar. 1 to holders of record
Feb. IS.
Outdoor Films Dept.
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Formation of a
Fox Movietone department, de-
signed especially for produc-
tion of all-talking outdoor pic-
tures, is cmnounced by Sol
Wurtzel, Fox studios general
superintendent. Zane Grey's
"The Last of the Duanes" will
be the first picture made by
the department.
SYDNEY TOWELL MADE
FOX FILM COMPTROLLER
Sydney Towell has been appointed
comptroller of Fox Film Corp., suc-
ceeding Emanuel Preiss, who has re-
signed owing to ill health. Preiss has
been in the film business 15 years,
spending eight with Fox. His suc-
cessor had also been identified with
Fox for eight years being engaged in
the financial end of the business.
Educational Secures
Sound Cartoon Series
Negotiations have been completed
by Educational and Audio-Cinema.
Inc. whereby a new series of aminated
sound cartoons, called "Terry-Toons,"
will be released every two weeks
beginning Feb. 23 by Educational.
The new series of cartoons are being
{Continued on Page 3)
Call Upon Electrical Research
to Substitute Fireproof Screen
Graham Won't Ban U. S.
Talking Films in England
By ERNEST W. FREDMAN
Editor, "The Daily Film Renter"
London' — Advisability of banning
certain American talkers and limiting
the importation of such films gen-
erally, in order to "protect the Eng-
lish language as spoken over here"
{Coniitnted on Page 2)
\ committee consisting of George
P. .-Karons and Lewin Pizor, repre-
senting Philadelphia exhibitors, called
upon Electrical Research Products
yesterday to demand that the screens
furnished in connection with West-
ern Electric sound apparatus be re-
placed by new screens of fireproof
material.
This action by the Philadelphia
(Continued on Page 15)
Silent Versions to be Made
on All New Season
Product
All future Fox features will be
made with three negatives — Gran-
deur, standard size Movietone film
and standard size silent — said a state-
ment issued by Fox yesterday from
Winfield R. Sheehan. This policy,
which applies to the 1930-31 program,
will provide silent versions on all
Fox product, compared with about
38 silents on the current releasing
program.
"Happy Days," the first film de-
(C«ntinued on Page 2)
12 INCH DISC CARRIES
RECORDING OF 16 INCH
Demonstrations of a new con-
densed disc, which, although of the
12-inch size, carries as much record-
ing as a 16-inch record, are being
made by Consolidated Recording
Corp., 8 West 32nd St. Several ma-
(Continued on Page 2)
Ten Best Pictures Poll
Results to Be Listed
Results of the Film Daily's
nation-wide poll to determine
the "Ten Best Pictures of
1929" will be announced to-
morrow. These selections were
made by critics of 331 daily
newspapers, 40 trade and fan
papers and three news syn-
dicates serving an aggregate
of 27,000,000 people in the
United States. The poll, which
was the most extensive in
scope of any annually conduct-
ed by The Film Daily, em-
braces 212 cities and towns in
43 states and the District of
Columbia. This contribution
of critical America is an im-
portant feature of the forth-
coming 1930 Film Daily Year
Book.
THE
DAILY
Thursday, February 6, 1930
Vol. UNO. 31 Thursday, February 6, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York. N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months. $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
X Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Am Seat 21 J4 ....
cT' Fm Ind. . . 20^8 26^ 20H 800
Co : fT Ind. pfd. 23^ 23H 23H 2 000
East Kodak 195 192J4 193-/. 2,700
Fox Fm. "A" ... 35 M 31 H 1^^.^^^'^'^,^°
Keith A-O 30 30 30 100
do pfd 9974 997/8 997/8 100
Loew's Inc 647/8 63H 64 9,900
•do pfd. WW (6J^) 87f«
•do pfd. xw (6}^) 88
•M-G-M pfd 24J4
Para. F-L 66Ji 64J4 66 35,600
Pathe Exch 4 37/8 4 1,500
do "A" 8 7H 7J4 400
R-K-O 31!4 30 31 93,000
Univ. Pict. pfd... 37/2 37/, 37'A 200
Warner Bros S9/3 57-/8 57-/8 93,200
do pfd 52 515/8 51./8 1.400
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 30^
Fox Thea. "A" .. 8/3 7/8 8/8 H.SOO
♦Gen. Thea. Equ 39fi
Loew do deb. rts. 28^ 28 28 300
♦Loew's Inc. war 6'A ....
Nat. Scr. Ser. ... \SU 1554 ^^Vi 10«
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 9%
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith AG 6s 46 79
Loew 6s 41ww...l08V^ 108^ IO8/2 10
do 6s 41 x-war... 94*4 93-4 93^ 270
Paramount 6s 47 . 99J^ 9954 99?i 180
Par. By. S^s 51.100 100 100 40
♦Pathe 7s 37 46
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
jy*"'* ft
t.t New York Long Island City Jj{
li 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ij
8 BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
ti Eastmain Films i
tl T. E, Brulatour, Inc. li
ll if
!•: *^
« Chicago Hollywood .'j
it .«— .J- A » 6700 Santa Monica »'•
S 1727 Indiana Av*. g,^j •.♦
h CAIumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 {i
fe ?t
THREE NEGATIVES
ALL EOX
(Continued from Page 1)
>igned especially for presentation on
the Grandeur screen, opens at the
Ro.xy Feb. 14 on a 42-foot wide
screen. Grandeur was first shown
last September at the Gaiety when
"Fox Movietone Follies of 1929"
was exhibited. The film is the re-
sult of eight years' experimental
work on the part of John D. Elms,
William E. Waddell for several years
has been associated with him and
has aided him in the financing of his
experiments.
Waddell claims that a person can
sit even in the front row of the Roxy
and enjoy the picture without dis-
tortion from any angle and that the
pictures will be as clear and large a,--
a full-size stage show.
Former Indie Exhibitor
Purchases Bronx House
Ben Knoble, former partner of the
Grob and Knoble chain which sold
out to Fox Metropolitan Playhouses,
is returning to the exhibition field. He
has acquired the Bedford, Bronx,
which was closed last year by Felder
Bros. The house now is being re-
modeled and wired for sound.
Warners' "Green Goddess"
to Open Feb. 13 in N. Y.
George Arliss' second Vitaphone
production for Warners, "The Green
Goddess," will have its New York-
premiere at the Winter Garden Fel).
13. The change of policy to continu-
ous showings tor that house will not
go into effect until after the run of
"The Green Goddess."
Warner Bros, to Build
Two Theaters on Coast
Ifest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Warner Bros, will build
two theaters on the coast, one to seat
1,800 at Huntington Park and another
at San Pedro to have a seating cap-
acity of 2,000.
Two More Additions to
Sono Art Sales Staff
Rudolph Skirboll has been ap-
pointed in charge of feature sales at
the Cincinnati exchange of Sono Art-
World Wide and Nat Ross, formerly
connected with First National, now
is associated with the company's
sales staff at Boston.
Gilman in Baltimore
Baltimore — Sam Gilman, formerly
managing in Cleyeland, has been made
manager of the Loew's Parkway here.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Washin^on's Birthday," and
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with talking and sound.
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
12 INCH DISC CARRIES
RECORDING OE 16 INCH
(.Continued from Page 1)
jor companies are understood to be
dickering for rights to use the system,
invented by Charles C. Hasin, presi-
dent of the company.
Hasin points out that owing to
the reduced size of the disc, less
breakage in handling is likely to oc-
cur. A diminished cost in shipping
is also a feature of the condensed
record, which weighs 12 ounces com-
pared with 30 or 32 weighted by 16
inch discs, he said. The disc is cap-
able of performing for 15 consecutive
minutes, Hasin declared.
Graham Won't Ban U. S.
Talking Films in England
(Continued from Page 1)
and also encourage the home indus-
try, was discussed in the House of
Commons. William Graham, presi-
dent of the Board of Trade, replied
to the contentions by declaring that,
while talkers are within the scope
of the film act, he is not prepared tti
place direct restrictions upon the im-
l)ortation o f American pictures.
which at present are at the height
of popularity with English audiences.
Michael Mindlin to Reopen
Cedarhurst House Feb. 22
Remodeling of the Playhouse, Ce-
darliurst, L. I., is now under way
by the Fifth Ave. Playhouse Group,
Michael Mendlin announces. The
house will be an intimate theater
with a seating capacity of aljout 400
and designed in old English style.
Specialties such as a ping-pong room,
intimate lounge, with coffee and cig-
arettes served gratis will be included.
Pacent equipment is being installed
in the 400-seat house which is ex-
pected to open Feb. 22. Silent and
sound pictures will be the policy.
LeRoy Sees His First Talker
Jean A. LeRoy, who is claimed to
have first shown a motion picture in
1894 at Riley Bros' Optical Store, lo
Beekman St., New York, last night
celebrated his 76tTi birthday by see-
ing his first talker, "Hit the Deck,"
at the Earl Carroll.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
j Picture Tlieatres
I Standard
I Vaudeville Acts
I 1600 Broadway, New York City
i f^hnnt' Penn. .iSSO
The Industry \s
Date Book
Today:
Feb. 7
Feb. 13
Feb. 15
Feb. 16
Feb. 19
Mar.
S
Mar.
17
Mar.
20
Apr.
6-7
June
2-7
Regular meeting of the AMPA, at
Paramount Hotel, New York.
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Astor. New York.
Opening of "The Green Goddess'^
at Winter Garden, N. Y.
Premiere of "Puttin" on the Ritz'
at Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theatei
regulations becomes effective.
Opening of "The Vagabond Lover'
at the Criterion. N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Weeks En Route to Coast
George W. Weeks, of Sono Art-
World Wide, is on his way to tl^e
Coast for a short business visit. He
returns to New York the latter part
of the month.
Frisco House Qolng Sound
San Francisco — RCA is equipping
the Pompeii.
INGA6I
is Coming .
<aeMADISON
Illinois Avenue Overlooking Boardwalk
and Ocean
"A Hotel Diitinctively Difiercot"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAL
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER. Inc.
EUGENE C. FETTER. Managing-
Director
Thursday, February 6, 1930
DERR TAKES CHARGE OF
PATHECOASTPRODUCTION
(Continued from Page 1)
art director; Charles Richards, cast-
ing director; Joseph Zuro, music de-
partment head and Donn McElwaine,
pubHcity director.
"Swing High," the first of the new
productions, is a romantic comedy
drama with music. This is an original
story of early circus days by Joseph
Santley and James Seymour, both of
whom have been recently placed un-
der contract by Pathe. Santley will
direct it. Helen Twelvetrees and Fred
Scott will be the featured players and
important roles have been assigne'd
to John Sheehan, Broadway stage
comedian; Bryant Washburn, Stepin
Fetchit, Daphne Pollard, Ben Turpin,
Robert Edeson, Chester Conklin, and
Little Billy, midget. An entirely new
musical score has been written for the
production and among the composers
who have contributed hit numbers are
Ted Snyder, Henry Sullivan, Abner
Silver, Ray Eagen, Mort Harris and
Mack Gordon. Mr. Zuro has direct
charge of the musical features.
Norway 1929 Admission
Receipts Total $158,423
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Admission receipts
during the fiscal year of 1929 in Nor-
way amounted to $158,423, almost
identical with the amount reached
during the previous year, according
to advices to the M. P. Division ol
the Dept. of Commerce.
Firms Increase Capital
Richmond, Va. — An increase in the
authorized capital stock from $100,-
000 to $200,000 has been granted the
Bluebird Theater Co. of this city
and the Bluebird Theater Co. of
Petersburg, Va. T. Justin Moore
represented the two corporations in
making appHcation for the charter
amendments.
St. Louis Showman Buried
St. Louis — Ben P. Stromberg, 69,
part owner and manager of the Ritz,
here was buried recently in this city.
Stromberg died of pneumonia at his
home in Afaplewood, Mo.
Fire Destroys Cobden House
Cobden, 111. — Fire of unknown
origin gutted the Cobden here re-
cently.
"Vagabond King" Opens Feb. 19
"The Vagabond King," in which
Dennis King plays the role he created
on the stage, will have its premiere
at the Criterion on Feb. 19.
Florida House Being Wired
Lake Wales, Fla. — ^The Scenic the-
ater is being wired with RCA Photo-
phone.
RCA For Denver House
Denver — RCA Photophone equip-
ment is being installed at the Cam-
eron.
United States
San Francisco — Henry Wisnia has
been transferred from the Warner
Bros. Los Angeles exchange to the
local office of that company. He is
in charge of the shipping department
for Vitaphone and Warner Bros., re-
placing Cris Dale, who has joined the
local Columbia force.
Minneapolis — ^Excavation has been
completed and construction work is
getting under way for the Warner
Bros, exchange being erected at First
Ave. North and Seventh St., next
to the Paramount branch. Plans call
for the $300,000 structure to be fin-
ished by March 15, according to L.
E. Goldhammer, Warner branch man-
ager.
Algona, la. — A waiting-room for
patrons of the Call here has been
opened in a store building next door
to the theater.
Detroit — Herb Fowser has left the
Universal sales staff here, while
Wade Allen has retired as office man-
ager. Sid Hackford has taken over
the duties of both.
Detroit — Fred De Lodder has re-
named the Crosse Point Park the
Aloma.
Atlanta — Alex Callen has resigned
as salesman for First National to
join RCA Photophone. He will cov-
er Alabama and northern Florida.
Atlanta — Harry M. Williams has
been transferred from Tennessee to
the Florida territory by Universal.
Oklahoma City— R. W. Thrash has
been appointed representative for De
Forest sound equipment in Texas.
Dallas — Sam Hefley of Cameron
has taken over the Parkway here
from S. G. afid H. O. Howell.
Del Rio, Tex.— The R & R Casino
here has been remodeled for sound
installation and new ticket booth and
projection machines have been in-
stalled.
San Antonio — City officials have
are arranging for the erection of an
open air theater to cost approximate-
ly $50,000.
Blackwell, Okla. — James Lucas has
been appointed manager of the
Rivoli, the Griffith Bros, house.
Paris, Tex. — Bill Ricketts has been
appointed art director for Paris The-
aters, Inc.
Middletown, Del.— The Everett is
being equipped with RCA Photo-
phone.
Lakeland, Fla.— J. G. Attanasio
has secured the Busnell and Frank
lin and the Caleatha at Mulberry.
Headquarters of the Columbia
Amusement Circuit will be estab-
lished here. Sound equipment will
be installed in all houses.
Wallace, N. C— The Wanoca will
soon open with RCA Photophone
sound installation.
San Francisco — RCA Photophone
engineers are installing sound repro-
ducing equipment in the Pompeii.
Evanston, 111. — The question of
Sunday shows will be put to a vote
at the April city election.
Salina, Kan.— RCA Photophone
sound reproducing equipment is being
installed in the Jayhawk.
San Francisco — Louis Hyman has
resigned as manager of the western
division of Sono Art-World Wide.
New York
Louis Straus has been appointed
manager of the Crystal, Brooklyn,
which was recently opened by Char-
lie Schwartz and Hy. Gainsboro as
an exclusive newsreel house. The
house is located in one of the busiest
business sections and bids fair to re-
maining the only house of its kind
in that borough.
Gates, Brooklyn, is closed for three
weeks to permit installation of sound
equipment.
C. James, president of the Adswin
Corp., has taken over the Major, at
Broadway and Canal Sts.
Al Gould, former partner of Charlie
O'Reilly, has taken possession of the
Orient, 125th St. Boneltz and John'
son were the former operators.
Foreign
London — Several of the British
producing companies have extra spact
open at their studios where distrib-
utors can make pictures. At least
five of the big companies find this
so and are looking forward to rent-
ing out space.
Scotland — Teachers here are seek-
ing a ban on inflammable film which
is said to place a great risk on the
lives of children in picture theaters.
London — Sari Maritza will soon
play in her first picture "Greek
Street." The film is to be made at
the Gaumont studios and will be an
all-talker.
New Type Theater
H'est Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Described as
the first coliseum type of pic-
ture theater in the world, the
Fox Stadium is being con-
structed on Pico Blvd., be-
tween Robertson Blvd. and La-
vonia St., by Fox- West Coast-
Hollywood Theaters. The the-
ater, which will be equipped
for soimd, will open next Fall,
states Harold B. Franklin.
Educational Secures
Sound Cartoon Series
(Continued from Page 1)
made by Paul Terry, originator of
die Aesop's Fables, and Frank Moser.
Phihp A. Scheib, former musical di-
rector for the Spri.nger Circuit, is in
charge of music. Joseph W. Coffman
and F. Lyle Goldman, executives of
Audio-Cinema, are working with the
production units at the company's
Long Island studio where the plant is
equipped with Western Electric ap-
paratus.
With the acquisition of the "Terry-
Toon" series. Educational now is re-
leasing eight sound series. Included
in the group are: Mack Sennett, Cor-
onet, Lloyd Hamilton, Jack White.
Lupino Lane, Mermaid and Tuxedo
Talking Comedies. The first subject
scheduled for release Feb. 23 on the
Terry-Toon series is called "Caviar."
258 Wired in Missouri
and 51 in Montana
There are 258 houses in Missouri
that are wired for sound and 51 in
Montana, it is indicated by additional
data obtained by the 1930 FILM
DAILY YEAR BOOK.
Named Advertising Director
South Bend, Ind. — RKO has
named B. A. Griffiths director of ad-
vertising and publicity for the Gra-
nada and Palace.
Sunday Shows Issues Coming Up
Bloomfield, la. — This city and Bel-
mond, la., will vote upon the Sun-
day shows question this month. Local
voters induced the city council to call
a special election and business men
will pay for it.
Virginia Theaters Leased
Marion, Va.— R. W. Sherrill, oper-
ator of the Lincoln here since last
June, has leased the onlv house in
both Norton and Appalachia. Sound
equipment will be installed in the
houses.
Theater Company Elects
Indianapolis — Louis B. Goulden has
been continued in office as president
of the Fountain Square Theater Co.
Other officers are Issac Nier, vice-
president Ben Sagalowsky, secretary,
and Morris Horowitz, treasurer.
Another for Photophone
Albuquerque, N. M. — The Pastime
s getting RCA Photophone.
Big National Tie-up
PARAMOUNT
and
PHILCO
Means Money to YOU !
^cwamotmt on the screen/-^- pHi;LCo in radio/ ^
7 vlitirniinij i oicf .
MAURICE CHf.VALIER
Star of
THE LOVE PARADE'
a (paiHimmuit ^pkUirv
'l/i v'^fSS^- RMWCKD-UNIT RADIO
NATIONAL BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN. 14,000 24-sheets on each
of three pictures as shown above.
Paramount has made with the manu-
facturers of the famous Philco Radio
Receiving Set, with over 17,500 local
distributors in the United States, a
tie-up that will sell tickets for you on
"THE LOVE PARADE," "THE
STREET OF CHANCE," "THE VAGA-
BOND KING" and other coming big
Paramount Pictures.
The tie-up involves National Bill-
board Campaign ("LOVE PARADE,"
Jan. 15; "STREET OF CHANCE,"
Feb. 15; "VAGABOND KING," Mar.
15). National Magazine Advertising
Campaign (as outlined on page op-
posite). National Radio Broadcast
Mar. 12 on"VAGABOND KING." All
done by Philco at no expense to you.
Schedule
of National Ads
"THE LOVE PARADE"
Saturday Evening Post Jan. 18
Time Magazine - - Jan. 20
Collier's Weekly - - Jan. 25
THE STREET OF CHANCE"
Saturday Evening Post Feb. 15
Time Magazine • - Mar. 3
Collier^s Weekly - • Mar. 1
"THE VAGABOND KING"
In March — dates to be announced
Grreat Philcos in i92-9
made possible these
still greater Philcos for
1Q30
H
. ^ K 71NF CAMPAIGN. Reaching 20,000,000. ^^gQND
TSATIONAL MAGAZINE CAM^ THE
..THE LOVE PARADE, ^^i^^ , ^^^ ^^^^^^ ,„ ^o^e.
Every Philco dealer has complete
broadside showing 12 big ways of tying
upwithyou locally TO MAKE MONEY
FOR YOU! Get in touch with him.
Paramount press sheet on every
picture in tie-up has special section
showing unique stunts. Read it.
Philco dealers have special ad mats
for local newspaper ads on YOUR pic-
ture and their merchandise. Make
arrangements to have them run.
FAN PHOTOS of stars
involved can be
obtained for Philco
tie-up at Paramount
exchanges
ROTOGRAVURE SECTIONS adver-
tising picture, with Philco tie-up on
back. See Paramount exchange and
local Philco man.
Consult the ad sales manager at your
local Paramount exchange. He has
fvill details.
Make Philco tie-up GIANT aid to your
own campaign on these three sure-
fire hit pictures AND CLEAN UP!
'♦ills*:
HERALDS on all
pictures, with
Philco tie-up
shown on back.
See Paramount
ad sales manager
.\.%.MI-: OF TIIEATHE
iHih.S IIEHE
TllliVK OF IT!
.( 7-liihf Strr>:n CrUl ill-Eleclric
pHSLCO TIalamalVml Radio
Only "112 ■"^■
It K A L K II - S .> A >l K
Paramount Service
THE
DAILV
Thursday, February 6, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Pictures Seen As Aid
In Preserving Dance Art
"WTE personally believe that as
far as the dance is concern-
ed, the motion picture is the
greaest boon yet granted it. The
camera can give the dance the
permanance that phonograph re-
cordings are giving our most fa-
mous musicians. We know, now,
the value of a single record of
Caruso's and in a measure can
realize what a motion picture of
the most incidental of Isadora's
numbers would mean today. And
of Otero who was the Argentina
of a past generation. Think how
invaluable a recording of the first
performance of the Sacre du
Printemps by the Russian Ballet
would be now and of "Spectre de
la Rose" in which Nijinsky did
some of his greatest work. The
idea isn't particularly original,
we'll admit. The Denishawns
have been experimenting with it
for years, but it has yet to be ac-
cepted generally.
Verna Carleton m
"New York World"
♦ * ♦
Holds Films for Children
Should Have Educational Value
T BELIEVE that children under
ten are far more apt to be in-
jured than benefited by being
taken frequently to unselected
picture shows. Nevertheless, one
must not forget that when wise-
ly used the moving picture and
the talking moving picture can be
fine educational agencies. By
these means it is possible to bring
to children many educational op-
portunities that without them
would be out of reach. It re-
quires little reflection to under-
stand that such educational op-
portunities are priceless. The
multiform ways in which talking
moving pictures might be used to
further educational projects re-
quires little reflection.
Dr. Helen T. Woolley,
Director, Child Development
Institute, New York City
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
ALFRED SANTELL
architectural draughtsman
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
CCREEN and stage folk will help to brighten the Eleventh
Aviators' Ball to be given Tuesday at the Ritz-Carlton under
the direction of Reginald Barlow, actor and commanding officer
of the 349th Infantry, A.E.F. The Blair Niles novel, "Con-
demned to Devil's Island," from which the Ronald Colman film
was made, is now to be dramatized for the stage under the tenta-
tive title of "If God Made the World"
* * * *
George K. Arthur, after eight weeks in vaudeville, which
incidentally gave him a chance to develop his voice, will trek
back to Hollywood in a few daj's to appear again with his comedy
sidekick, Karl Dane, in M-G-M talkers Joe Leo, president
of Fox Metropolitan Playhouses, has arrived in Milwaukee in
connection with the company's expansion program. During his
stay in this territory Leo will attend the opening of the new Fox
house in Green Bay, Wis
* * + *
Eighteen former members if the Cosmopolitan Productions
in New York, now are members of the Radio staff on the Coast.
Heading this line-up is William Le Baron, vice president in charge
of production. Others are Henry Hobart, William .Sistrom,
Luther Reed, Fred Fleck, Harry Wilde, William Hamilton, and
Georgette Deom "The Phantom of the Opera," the talking
version, invades the Colony, N. Y., tomorrow
* ' * * *
First National now has three pictures playing on Broadway
in New York. "Son of the Gods," is at the Warner, "Sally," at
the Winter Garden and "Little Johnny Jones," at the .Strand,
cheers Lyne Denig
* 4> * *
Mack Sennett, in addition to his producing abilities, recently
turned music writer and batted out the music for "The Same
Old Thing Called Lo\e," which will be used in conjunction with
Educational's "Sugar Plum Papa." John A. Waldron is accredited
with the words for the music Joe Cook is en route to
the Columbia studios where he will make a talking version of
stage production, "Rain or Shine"
* * * *
Publix informs us that no k;ss than 31,791 patrons paid to
see "Street of Chance" at the Rialto during its first week-end,
or to be exact from Friday at 6 P. M. when the flicker started
to 5 A. M. Sunday jean A. Leroy, who is said to have
been one of our fillum pioneers way back in 1894, was the guest
of RKO at the Earl Carroll last evening Wonder what
his thoughts were after the show? Will Rogers arrives
from Europe today when the He de France docks.
Richard Barthelmess who, with his wife, has been enjoying a
European vacation will sail for New Xork on the Bremen, Febru-
ary 13th.
FEBRUARY 6-MilNY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Louis Nizer
Charles S. Goetz
Joseph P. Kennedy
Jack Luden
Ben Lyon
Ramon Novarro
Marion Orth
William Gary Duncan
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
'T'HIS is the sad tale of how Bruce
Gallup lost to David Loew in the
big ping pong contest at the M. P.
Club on Tuesday. It was the last set
of the deciding game and Bruce was
sitting pretty to win. Arthur was
sending the celluloid pill across with
lightning speed — and at the same time
calmly smoking a cigar. Bruce,
stripped to the waist, was meeting the
onslaught and making returns like an
indoor Tilden. The table was so hot
from the rat-tat-tat, ping-pong-bing.
that you could have cooked flapjacks
on it.
Just then Lee Ochs, participating in
a calm game of pool, ambled around
to the corner near Bruce. As Lee
bent far over to try one of those
three-cushion fancies, Bruce's eye sud-
denly was distracted and, instead of
watching the fast one that Dave was
sending his way at that moment, he
obeyed a primal impulse and dealt a
resounding smack on the well-filled
portion of Lee's trousers that cus-
tomarily is reposed on a chair.
When the vociferous glee had died
down, Bruce learned that the digres-
sion had cost him the ping pong vic-
tory.
"It was worth it," Bruce declared.
Lee's remarks were not audible.
* * *
The largest woman in films, ac-
cording to our Hollywood statistical
expert, is Josephine Williams. She
weighs around 555 and is an extra.
That's what you call a real all-
around extra.
* * *
Bill Ferguson was missed from his
usual quiet corner at the M. P. Club
the other noonday. A searching party
found him farther upstage breaking
bread with Bill Rabell. Wonder who
signed the check?
* * *
USELESS INFORMATION
The producers of cartoon comedies
are not the least bit worried over
foreign dialogue versions.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Consohdated Film Laboratory Co.
plans coast-to-coast chain of labs.
* * *
Special Picture Corp. capitalized
with $250,000 to produce comedies in
L. A.
* * *
John Zanft, general manager of
Fox Theaters, visits coast studio.
* * *
Allen Theatrical Enterprises plans
1,500 seat house in Sault Ste. Marie.
7Qsentin_
A New And
ElecMfyin^
Screen Star
APersonaliy
That Will Faso
inateTheNadon
To Rind Round
The World ^
nona other than
Americans foremost
Baritone
'~PO brin^ you the new, vital figure for the further glory of your talking screen Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer has reached into the highest realm— the Metropolitan Opera From
this renowned company of immortal voices has been picked the greatest, your new star
LAWRENCE TIBBETT
Noted Star of the
METROPOLITAN OPERA
The God of the
Diamond Horseshoe!
■ . s
LAWRENCE TIBBETT
with a voice to ring 'round the
world and the personality of a
hero he plays a dashing love-
vagabond in his first amazing
METRO^GOLDWYN^MAYER
production entirely in TECHNICOLOR
The Talking-Singing Sensation
of the New Year
The ROGUE SONG
with CATHARINE DALE OWEN — Stan LAUREL — Oliver HARDY
yLove" hy Franz Lehar, Dr. A. M. WiUner, Robert Bode
<y Wells Root. Music by Franz Lehar and Herbert Stoi
directed by LIONEL BARRYMORE
Based upon the operetta, "Gypsy Love" hy Franz Lehar, Dr. A. M. Willner, Robert Bodansky. Stdry by Frances Marion
and John Cohon. Suggested by Wells Root. Music by Franz Lehar and Herbert Stothart. Lyrics by Clifford Grey.
Thursday, February 6, 1930
DAILY
11
"The Rogue Song"
M-G-M
Astor, New York
AMERICAN— The presence of Tibbett
dwarfs all the other achievements that Metro
with modest pride presents to the public in
"The Rogue Song-" And these indeed are
not a few. The settings include many of
the most pretentious seen in many years of
screen entertainment. Every part of the pro-
duction is handsomely mounted. Lavishness
is apparent in every scene. And the techni-
color in which the picture has been filmed
throughout is more nearly perfect from start
to finish than any which occurs to memory.
DAILY MIRROR— Magnificent. Here ij
the most pretentious of the new musical
movies.
The Lawrence Tibbett voice is Buperb.
"The Rogue Song" is new, different, im-
mense. Good music and good movie in a
perfect combination.
DAILY NEWS—' ♦ * as lovely as any
production we can recall. Technicolor cam-
eras have photographed exteriors — mountains,
plains, sunsets. The effect is glorious. lt«
pictorial beauty brings a lump to the throat.
EVENING WORLD— Musical romance
such as it never has been presented upon the
screen * • ♦ may be put down unequivocally
as one of the great achievements of the
cinema. Of course, it need hardly be added
that Lawrence Tibbett makes it so; it presents
musical romance as it has been dreamed of
since the advent of sound, and it will bring
an epidemic of imitations. The picture has
everything in it which human ingenuity could
give to it. It has the most gorgeous settings,
all in color, seen on any screen in months,
and the color is so adeptly handled that not
once is there evidence of that peculiar lack
of focus which appears in most Technicolor
films.
HERALD-TRIBUNE- Certainly the Tib-
bett picture has no more of the cliches of its
school than the stage offers, and it is, properly
melodious. It even has the advantage of
several effective dramatic moments. It is
chiefly of interest, however, as an expert
pioneer step in the exploration of the new
cinema's potentialities and for the chances it
affords to the finest voice it has yet captured.
POST— Mr. Tibbett sings beautifully. His
resonant voice is given as excellent a repro-
duction as could be mechanically provided.
Yet a motion picture becomes a little tedious
when, after two hours of scenery and cos-
tumes, all that emerges is a program ol
Viennese melodies rendered by Mr. Tibbett,
soloist.
SUN — Easily the best of the operettas that
have tinkled and reverberated from the talk-
ing screen * * * so professionally has the
director, Lionel Barrymore, held to his plot
line, so successfully has the graph of the
Vomance been turned upward that "The
Rogue Song" has melodramatic and romantic
interest.
TELEGRAM — The romantic, light operettic
mood of the film is sustained throughout.
But when all is said and done it is Mr. Tib-
bett who is the film's most valuable asset.
The photography — it is all in color — is ex-
cellent, the recording is well nigh perfect
and the story moves forward at all times.
TIMES — When Mr. Tibbett sings, _ one
cares not why, for the story, such as it is,
takes second place in this film. The comedy
of that clever team, Stanley Laurel and Oliver
Hardy, may slip from quiet fun to slapstick,
but, so long as you know that soon again
Mr. Tibbett's stentorian singing is to be
heard, one laughs with the crowd.
WORLD — * * * the handsome young
operatic baritone, Lawrence Tibbett, sang
and acted the leading role in a sound motion
picture, sang and played it with distinction,
with, indeed, a magnificent dramatic effect.
"Son of Gods" at Palm Beach
A gala opening is planned for "Son
of the Gods" at the Paramount in
Palm Beach on Feb. 13. The film
will have a preliminary showing at
the Circle, Sebring, Fla., from Feb.
9 to 12.
Wire Alabama Theater
Alexander City, Ala.— RCA Photo-
phone engineers are installing sound
equipment at the Strand.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Vilma Banky Film Title
is Changed by M-G-M
"A Lady To Love," has been se-
lected as the final title of Vilina
Banky's latest starring production
for M-G-M. Victor Seastrom di-
rected from an original by Sidney
Howard. Edward G. Robinson and
Robert Ames support the star.
Robertson for Boles Film
John S. Robertson has been as-
signed to direct John Boles in "Moon-
light Madness," for Universal. The
story is an original by Houston
Branch. Jeanette Loff appears op-
posite Boles.
Harry Gribbon for Columbia
Harry Gribbon has just completed
the part of master of ceremonies in
the all-talking Screen Snapshot, num-
ber 15, directed by Ralph B. Staub
for Columbia release.
Irene Rich for Fox Film
Irene Rich has been assigned one
of the featured roles in "So This Is
London," Fox production featuring
Will Rogers.
"Man Hunter" for Rin Tin Tin
The title of "The Ivory Trail,"
featuring Rin Tin Tin has been
changed to "The Man Hunter." The
production was recently completed
by Ross Lederman from the story
by Lilly Hayward.
Barbara Stanwyck for Columbia Lead
Barbara Stanwyck has been as-
signed the leading female role in
"Ladies of Leisure," which will be
directed by Frank Capra.
Boy Roles for Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy portray two
little boys in "Brats," their latest
comedv for M-G-M.
Cast for "Bride 66"
Jeanette MacDonald, Robert Chis-
holm, Dorothy Dalton, Joe E. Brown,
Joseph Macauley and Zasu Pitts now
are in the cast of "Bnde 66," Arthur
Hammerstein's first musical film.
Lois Moran was withdrawn due to
laryngitis.
Two Directors for "Good News"
Edgar MacGregor and Nick Grinde
will co-direct "Good News," for
M-G-M. The cast includes: Bessie
Love, Lola Lane, Frank McGlynn,
Cliff Edwards and Stanley Smith.
Breese For "Sea Bat"
Edmund Breese is the latest addi-
tion to the cast of "Sea Bat," which
Wesley Ruggles is directing for M-
G-M.
Two Get Warner Contracts
Conrad Nagel and William Blake-
well have been given new contracts
by Warner Bros.
A Little
from
'Lots'' I
^^ By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
"^CCENTS IN LOVE," a sketch
written by Lou Heifetz, will
serve as a starring vehicle for Nils
Asther, when he starts his tour of
important first run houses in De-
troit Feb. 21.
* ♦ *
Our Passing Show : Lawrence Tib-
bett, Mary Lewis, Herbert Bayard
Swope, Elsie Janis, Irving Berlin at
the "Devil May Care" opening; Ar-
chie Mayo and his assistant, Ben
Sih'ey, conferring at Warner Bros.
* ♦ *
Louis J. Gasnier, who direct-
ed "Slightly Scarlet" and
"Darkened Rooms," for Para-
mount, is making plans for his
next story, which is, as yet,
untitled.
* » ♦
Victor Heertnan is keeping busy.
He is directing several numbers for
"Paramount on Parade," the revue,
and recently finished "For the Love
of LiV ", for Columbia. Following
his assignment at Paramount, he
will direct two more pictures for
Columbia.
* * *
Masters of ceremonies are becom-
ing conspicuous by their absence.
During the past three months, not a
single master of ceremonies was used
at an important Hollywood opening.
* * *
Henry Gerrard, who photograph-
ed "The Vagabond King," is han-
dling the camera on "Safety in Num,-
bers." He also did the camera work
on "Thunderbolt" and other Para-
mount pictures.
* ♦ ♦
Benny Rubin's makeup box is now
parked on Sunset Boulevard. He is
starring in "Sunny Days," which is
being made by Tiffany.
Kellard Added to Cast
Ralph Kellard has been added to
the cast of Alexander Korda's pro-
duction now in work at the Fox
studios. J. Harold Murray and Fifi
Dorsay have the leading roles.
Production Under Way on "Raffles"
Harry d'Arrast will shortly start
production on Ronald Colman's lat-
est for Samuel Goldwyn, "Raffles,"
in which Kay Francis and Frances
Dade will have the leading female
roles.
"U" Changes Gibson Title
Title of Hoot Gibson's "Hand 'Em
Over," has been changed to "Trail-
iiig Trouble." The production was
directed by Arthur Rosson with Mar-
garet Quimby opposite Gibson.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
_i By HARRY N. BLAIR i^
PJAVING just closed a 20 week's
engagement in "The Nut Farm,"
a stage play about motion picture peo-
ple, Wallace Ford decided to try the
movies for himself. Accordingly, ar-
rangements were made with the War-
ner Vitaphone studio with "Absent
Minded," a comedy short directed by
Arthur Hurley.
Janet Velie, the original "Mary"
of the famous stage play of that
name, has the leading feminine role
in John Hobble's "The Bubble
Party," recently filmed at the War-
ner Vitaphone studios.
Roberta Robinson, who was picked
by Paramount for a prominent role
in "Dangerous Nan McGrew," with-
out previous stage or screen experi-
ence, last year won a scholarship at
the New England Conservatory of
Music, one of four out of a total
student body of four thousand, to be
chosen for that honor.
John Hobble, who has ivritten sev-
eral screen plays, as well as past
stage successes, is author of "The
Flight," a blackout sketch which will
f>e a feature of the "9.15 Revue," a
forthcoming stage venture sponsored
by Ruth Selwyn.
RCA for Nine Cal. Houses
RCA Photophone installations are
being made at the following theaters
in California: Minor, Areata; Egyp-
tian, Indio; Valley, Lancaster; Home
and Pike, Long Beach: Arrow, Art.
and Optic, Los Angeles, and Los
Gatos, Los Gatos.
Woodside Without Theater
Woodside, Alinn. — This town is
now without a picture theater with
the closing of the Bertha Liberty by
Clarence Johnson. The house will
be remodeled into a store.
George Orth Resigns
George. Orth, general manager of
Metropolitan Studios, Fort Lee, yes-
terday resigned. Before announcing
a new affiliation he will spend a vaca-
tion in the South.
Kempenich at Moorehead
Fargo, N. D.— Mark Kempenich
has succeeded William M. Brown as
manager of the Moorehead, Moore-
head. Kempenich was formerly man-
ager of the Garrick here.
Eldon New Installs Sound
Eldon, la.— The New has installed
sound. Walter Enyart is manager.
Sound at Lake Preston
Lake Preston, S. D.— The Rex has
been equipped for sound.
Improves Mason City House
Mason City, la. — The Bijou is be-
ing remodeled. Sound has been in-
stalled.
Vi&ffief SrOS. present
§^^^ W€f Jfiei • M^JraS. present
She Couldn t Sau No
The ^^w Personality Girl
of the Singing — Talking--
Dancing Screen
Following her sensational hit in "Gold Diggers of Broadway",
exhibitors and public clamored for more of Winnie Lightner.
"She Couldn't Say No" answers that demand with this viva-
cious, dynamic comedienne in a role that gives full scope to
her talent and versatility. Singing new hits! Creating more
loughs! Winning new fans!
SHE'LL STAMPEDE THE
"Vitaphone'" is the registered trade-mark of the Vitaphone Corporation designating its products
Wl
th Winnie Li^hiner/
Solly Eilers, Johnny
Arthur, Tully Marshall,
Louise Beavers. From
the story by Benjamin
N. Kaye. Adapted by
Robert Lord and Arthur
Caesar. Directed by
LLOYD BACON.
CROWDS TO YOUR BOX-OFFICE!!
DAILY
Is The
Paper Most
"Quoted" In The
Motion Picture Industry
''There Must Be A Reason"
THE
Thursday, February 6, 1930
mrifain
DAILY
15
'Marker' Filmed Most
Who is the most photo-
graphed man in talking pic-
tures at the RKO studios?
Dix, La Rocque? No. None
other than 'Pete' Bernard, offi-
cial sound 'marker'. His duties
consist of marking each scene
by clapping blocks of wood to-
gether, ^ving the camera and
microphone time to record the
action, as each scene is taken
during production. But the cut-
ting department makes sure
that he is snipped out before
the film is released.
Big Campaign Put on for
Tiffany's 'Lost Zeppelin'
Tiffany's special "The Lost Zep-
pelin," was ushered in with a big
campaign that garnered considerable
space in New York newspapers for
its premiere at the Gaiety. In addi-
tion to having the front of the the-
ater completely flooded with arc
lights, the company had 10,000 Zep-
pelin balloons with imprints distri-
buted and dropped from windows in
the Broadway district. Tie-ups were
effected with newspapers for various
contests.
Merchants Want Shows
as Help to Town Business
Beverly, N. J. — Declaring that the
absence of picture shows here is caus-
ing local residents to go to other
towns for their merchandise as well
as amusement, a group of Beverly
business men are petitioning for the
reopening of the Bever-Lee. The
house was closed several months ago
because of "lack of patronage," ac-
cording to Jacob B. Fox.
Koch Concludes Contest
Wilkinsburg, Pa. — Harry Koch,
manager of the Rowland, has con-
cluded an eight weeks' screen test
contest. Movies were taken on the
stage each Friday evening. A silver
loving cup was awarded the winner.
Steinberg Joins Tiffany
Pittsburgh — Sam Steinberg has
joined the local Tiffany branch.
i !
To Stage Screen Tests
Pittsburgh — Stage screen tests will
be conducted shortly by the Roxian,
McKees Rocks and the Arsenal, But-
ler St.
Wiring Hot Springs House
Hot Springs, Ark. — The Royal
soon will open with RCA Photo-
phone.
Gets New Indianapolis Post
Indianapolis — Earl Cunningham
has become general manager of the
Fountain Square Theater.
Handling Show Advertising
Indianapolis — Clarence Hanson has
been placed in charge of theatrical
advertising for the "Indianapolis
Star," succeeding Charles Gardner.
PHILLYEXHIBS DEMAND
FIREPROOF SCREENS
(Continued from Page 1)
theater men was the outcome of a
discussion of the subject at the last
meeting of their exhibitors' associa-
tion, and fellows upon the recent or-
der from the Philadelphia fire de-
partment that every theater in the
city must install a fireproof screen
complying with the safety code.
Efforts to reach Electrical Re-
search officials for a statement were
unavailing.
Philly Construction
Reached Peak in 1929
Philadelphia— The largest total cost
ever recorded here for theater con-
struction was reached in 1929 with
the granting of permits for three
operations, construction of which rep-
resent an investment of $5,052,000.
The city's investment in amusement
house building has averaged more
than $1,000,000 annually for the last
quarter of a century. Since 1905 the
city has issued permits for 277 struc-
tures representing an expenditure of
$26,009,355.
During the year of 1913 there were
more amusement houses erected than
during any other year. Permits
granted during that period reached a
total of 74 operations, completion of
which cost $1,729,745.
Wren With RICO House
Milwaukee — -Harry Wren, former
assistant manager of the Alhambra,
here has been appointed manager of
the RKO Palace-Orephum, succeed-
ing Harry Billings who has been
transferred to the Riverside. No suc-
cessor to Wren at the Alhambra has
been announced.
Film Men on Committee
Baltimore — Frank Price, Jr., man-
ager of the Rivoli and Jack L. Whit-
tle of Pathe are on the committee
to select a name for the new or-
ganization planned by the old Deputy
Sheriff's Assn. of Baltimore.
Matson Liner to Get RCA
Sound picture equipment will be
installed by RCA Photophone aboard
the Matson Liner Malolo, the largest
passenger ship plying the Pacific.
Going On Winter Cruise
Philadelphia — Bill Goldman and
Abe Einstein have made bookings
on the Republic for a winter cruise
to the West Indies. The boat sails
from here Feb. IS.
Declines M.P.T.O. Presidency
Baltimore — ^After having served as
president of the M.P.T.O. of Mary-
land, Inc., Herman Blum declined to
be nominated for another term.
Acoustics Corrected
Middletown, Conn. — Warner Bros,
have given a special acoustical treat-
ment to the Capitol here and the
house now is properly equipped for
sound pictures.
FILM BOARDS OF TRADE
REPORTTHEATER CHANGES
TENNESSEE
Changes in Ownership
Adamsville — Kemp, sold to Roy M. Durbin
by Kemp Bros. ; Bradford — Dixie, sold to
E. E. Bevils by A. S. Alexander ; Jones-
boro — Lyric, sold to W. H. Thompson by
O C. Testerman; Madisonville — Norka,
sold to R. A. Hicks by B. A. Wliite ;
Manchester — Colonial, sold to Griswold &
Lester by R. L. Alexander; Memphis —
Newman, sold to Miss Mary Newni.in by
E. F. McCall; Roan Mountain — Pastime,
sold to Mrs. Ethel Moreland by H. L.
Moreland.
Closings
Memphis — Eureka ; Parsons — Elite.
New Theaters
Camden — Maryland, owner — H. L. Bradley.
TEXAS
Changes in Ownership
Claude — New Rialto, sold to Ernest L. Betts ;
Daisetta — Twin City, sold to Mart Cole,
Western, sold to Mart Cole; Dallas — Bison,
sold to R. Z. Glass & R. M. Flynn; Hale
Center — Ritz, sold to Max L. McClure ;
Marlin — Rex, sold to W. D. Crowell ; Nix-
on— Grand, sold to Thomas Reding ;
Stockdale — American, sold to Thomas Red-
ing.
Closings
Hamlin — Mutual.
UTAH
Changes in Ownership
Hyrum — -Rex, sold to Seldy Roach by H.
H. Jensen ; Salt Lake City — ^Star, sold to
A. B. Floor by L. N. Strike.
Closings
Enterprise — Star; Mt. Pleasant — Elite; Salt
Lake City — Liberty.
VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Temerpanceville — Lyric, sold to W. C. Tyndall
by T. H. Taylor.
WASHINGTON
Changes in Ownership
Benton City — Virginia, cold to Mr. Rich-
mond by Mark Carter; Coulee City-
Gregg, sold to G. D. Arnold by H. Mit-
chell ; Eilma — Armour, sold to M & E.
Corp. by Armour Estate; Ephrata — Kam,
sold to Si. Whittaker by T. W. Harris;
Gig Harbor — Empress, sold to Rollin Bur-
field by O. M. Jacobson; McCleary — Arm-
our, sold to M. & E. Corp. by Armour
Estate ; Montesano — Armour, sold to M.
& E. Corp. by Armour Estate ; Seattle —
Arabian, sold to West Coast by Uni-
versal Theaters, Cheerio, sold to West
Coast by Universal Theaters, Granada, sold
to West Coast by Universal Theaters,
Grand, sold to Mrs. Catherine Scott by
H. E. Cawthorn, Madrona, sold to West
Coast by Universal Theaters, Mission, sold
to West Coast by Universal Theaters, Por-
tola, sold to West Coast by Universal
Theaters, Ridgemont, sold to West Coast
by Universal Theaters, Woodland, sold to
West Coast by Universal Theaters.
WEST VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Dunbar — Princess, sold to Zain Bros, by W.
M. McLeod; Fairmont — Dixie, sold to
Reno Fleming by N. E. Morgan ; Gauley
Bridge — Jewell, sold to S. F. McClung by
Tilden Steel; Huntington — Avenue, sold to
J. F. Walters by John Koon, Strand, sold
to Smith Amusement Co. by G. W. Hall;
Kistler — Kistler, sold to L. Williams by
C. C. Alitzen ; Manbar — Manbar, sold to
William Clemens by H. D. Morris ; Oak-
hiil — Lyric, sold to W. A. Stanley & D. C
Meadow by Lyric Theater Co. ; Scarbro —
Rialto, sold to E. Henderson by C. D
Crawford; Sharpies— ^Sharpies, sold to B
S. & lO. Sanders by J. Kovach.
Closings
Algonquin — Algonquin; Dehue — Dehue; Fol
lansbee — Strand ; Leslie — Victory ; Lorado
— Lorado ; Matewan — Matewan ; Montcoal
— Y.M.C.A. ; Parkersburg — Broadway.
Magna Screen in Can-
Toronto — Arrangements are
under way by Charles A. Den-
telbeck for the installation of
the Magna screen equipment in
various key houses of the Fa-
mous Players chain. Dentel-
beck recently supervised the in-
ptallation of W. E. apparatus in
the company's home office here.
Raymond Transferred to
Kansas City by Loew's
Baltimore — ■ Charles Raymond,
Loew's city manager here, has been
transferred to the Loew's Midland,
Kansas City where he will take over
the reins of the house. While in this
city, Raymond had under his super-
vision the Century, Stanley, Valencia
and Parkway. Howard Price Kings-
more succeeds Raymond in the Monu-
mental City.
Springer Circuit Acquires
Second Brooklyn House
Increasing his number of theaters
in Brooklyn to two. Jack Springer
has taken over the Momart, Brooklyn,
former newsreel house. In addition
to operating the St. George the
Springer circuit includes two houses
in the Bronx and a string on upper
Broadway.
RKO Seventh Street DeLuxe House
Milwaukee — The RKO Seventh
Street Theater, which has been closed
for a short time, will reopen as a
de luxe house, states J. L. McCurdy,
Northwest division manager.
More Publix Manager Changes
Fremont, Neb. — F. C. Croson, man-
ager of the Fremont, has been trans-
ferred to the Princess at Sioux City,
while Ray B. Thomas, who is man-
aging the Empress, will also super-
vise management of the Fremont. I
Los Angeles Theater Wired ^
Los Angeles — RCA Photophone is
being installed at the Gaiety.
Opening With Photophone
Wallace, N. C. — The Wanoca will
soon open with RCA Photophone.
Openings
Huntington — Family.
New Theaters
Rush Run — Rush Run.
WISCONSIN
Changes in Ownership
Berlin — Opera House, sold to Jack Plant
by Ed Starkey ; Bloomer — Ideal, sold to
George Gassen by W. L. Crouse ; Clinton-
ville — •Palace, sold to Bohn Bros, by Sam
Ludwig; Kennan — Opera House, sold to
Henry Fagg by F. J. Stephan ; Milwaukee
— Park, sold to M. Prohap & J. P. Michol-
ski by E. J. Wagner ; Oshkosh — Rex, sold
to J. J. Theater Corp. by Joseph Win-
ninger; Shel)<>ygan — Butterfly, sold to
Arthur Lugg by Gust Radtke, Rex, sold
to Fox-Midwesco Theater by Rex Thea.
Co.
Closings
Clinton — Gem; Eagle River — Eagle; Foun-
tain City — Auditorium ; Livingston — Park ;
Shawano — Community.
New Theaters
Cameron — Diamond, owner — Harold Gunn.
MAIL TUE SUPPEME
SENSATION T% CENTLPY/
"An unusual drama, packed with
interest, played with skill, pro-
duced with taste. First rate en-
tertainment" —N. Y. Daily Mirror
"Barthelmess once again gives a
real living performance"
-N. Y. Daily News
"Lavish production and fine char-
acterizations. Audience broke
into spontaneous applause"
— N. Y. American
"Triumph for Dick"
— N. Y. Evening Journal
"Elaborately treated both in sets
and photography"
—N. Y. Evening Graphic
"Brought a volley of applause
from first night audience"
-N. Y. Eve. World
"Worth seeing for the acting of
Barthelmess and fine perform-
ance of Constance Bennett"
—TV. Y. Eve. Post
"Mr. Barthelmess's performance
is sincere,intelligent and likable"
—N. Y. Herald- Tribune
RICHARD
mneiMfss
in
SON
OF
I
THE
GODS
Constance Bennett
From Rex Beach's sensational best-seller
ond dialogue by Bradley King
a FRANK LLOYD PRODUCTION — with TECHNICOLOR scenes
STANDING THEM UP TWICE DAILY AT THE
WARNER BROS. THEATRE, N. Y.
FIRST NATIONAL
HAS THE BIGGEST ONES
;^^ NEWSPAPER
oypiLMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 32
Friday, February 7, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Foreign Talkers Still Experimental, Kent Says
10 BEST PICTURES OF 1929 NAMED
Producers, Actors Adopt New Free-Lance Contract
Agreement Now in Effect
— May be Revised if
Not Feasible
li'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Producers and
Actors, through their appointed com-
inittees, have adopted the new free-
lance contract, which provides that
a 12-hour rest period must be guar-
anteed between calls; that all disputes
are to be taken up with a committee
of actors, three of whom will be free-
lance players, and that appeals from
this committee can be taken to a con-
ciliation committee of the Academy
of M. P. Arts and Sciences. The
agreement becomes effective immedi-
ately.
A clause also provides that the
contract, if found to be unfeasible,
may be revised.
I). A. TO
" By a deal just conr I'-^ed, United
I'Artists will distribute product of
;Radio Pictures in F . =, Switzer-
land, Belgium, Italy ana Algeria. The
'arrangement is eflective immediately,
according to Arthur W. Kelly, foreign
! (Continued on Page 2)
Sets Distribution Plans
for Continental Pictures
\West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
! Hollywood — W. Ray Johnston,
;who has been discussing production
plans for Continental Talking Pic-
tures Corp. with Trem Carr, pro-
ducer of the "Continental Eight," has
contracted with Supreme Exchanges,
(Continued on Page 7)
Foxcolor to Make Debut
in John McCormack Film
I Foxcolor, the color film process
]recently developed by Fox, will make
jits first appearance in "Song O'My
jHeart," John McCormac.k's initial
screen venture, it is announced by
(Continued on Page 2)
The Ten Best
"Disraeli"
"Broadway Melody'
"Madame X"
"Rio Rita"
"Gold Diggers of
Broadway"
"Bulldog Drummond"
"In Old Arizona"
'Cock-Eyed World"
'The Last of Mrs.
Cheyney"
"Hallelujah"
mmii WILL PASS
ON LINGUISTIC ABILITY
li'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Heads of foreign de-
partments in the studios have formed
a committee, with Paul Cohner as
chairman and Geoflrey Shurlock as
secretary, to pass on the linguistic
ability of actors. The competency
of foreign technical advisors also will
be examined.
Survey Shows Business
in Northwest Healthy
Minneapolis — That the film indus-
try in the Northwest is free of any
business depression is revealed in a
survey conducted by the "Movie
Age," regional, which asserts that
(Continued on Page 7)
MINNEAPOLIS THEATERS
START OPEN SHOP MOVE
Minneapolis — Small exhibitors here
and in St. Paul have started a move-
ment for open shop in their theaters.
At present the union regulations re-
(|uire them to employ two men in
the booth at $48.50 a week, and the
(Continued on Page 8)
Special Holiday Shows
for All R-K-0 Theaters
Special holiday programs will be in-
stituted in all R-K-O theaters this
coming week in view of the coming
national holidays. Joseph Plunkett,
general manager, Ben J. Piazza,
George Godfrey and Charles Freeman
of the vaudeville booking exchange
(Continued on Page 8)
No Prospects of Increase
in Film Production Abroad
Ellis Appointed Head
of RKO Atlanta Office
Atlanta — Charles B. Ellis has suc-
ceeded C. L. Peavey as manager of
the RKO exchange here. Peavey is
en route to New York from where he
is expected to announce his new affi-
liation. Ellis was formerly connected
with the RKO Jacksonville office.
Production of talkers abroad still
is largely in the experimental stage,
and there is not much likelihood that
foreign countries ever will be able
to turn out sufficient product to fill
the demand of their exhibitors, Sid-
ney R. Kent told a FILM DAILY
representative yesterday on the Aqui-
tania as he returned from an eight
(Continued on Page 2)
Fihn Daily Poll Reflects
Opinions of Nearly 400
Critics Throughout
the Country
"Disraeli" gets first place, with
"Broadway Melody" and "Madame
X," second and third, respectively,
in the "Ten Best Pictures of 1929"
poll conducted by THE FILM
DAILY in connection with the
1930 FILM DAILY YEAR
BOOK. The poll, which reflects
the opinions of critics in every sec-
tion of America, was conducted in
co-operation with 331 daily news-
papers, 40 trade and fan publica-
tions and three news syndicates,
representing an aggregate of more
than 27,000,000 readers.
Warner Bros. "Disraeli," which is
the first choice of the poll, is based
on the George Arliss stage success
and has Arliss as its star. Alfred E.
Green directed this Vitaphone produc-
tion. Bessie Love, Charles King and
Anita Page are the principal players
in "Broadway Melody," which Harry
Beaumont made for M-G-M. "Ma-
dame X," which won third position
in the poll, stars Ruth Chatterton and
is based on a stage play. Lionel
Barrymore directed it.
"Rio Rita," fourth in the list, had
its origin as a Ziegfeld musical hit.
This Radio production, starring Bebe
Daniels, was directed by Luther
Reed. In fifth position "Gold Dig-
gers of Broadway" was based on a
stage play by Avery Hopwood. Roy
(Continued on Page 8)
All the Facts
A complete section of more
than 20 pages containing the
entire cast and production crew
engaged on the "Ten Best," as
well as the names of the crit-
ics who participated in the poll,
are contained in the 1930
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK.
THE
Vol. II No. 3 2 Friday. February 7, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOIN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
PuWished daily except Saturday and holiday-s
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks Inc. J. W. AKcoate. President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1V18,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York N. Y Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 HoHywood Blvd. Phone Granite
66fl7. London— Ernest W. Fredi^n. The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St , W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat • •••; 2154 ••••
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 20^8 20/. 20!/. 600
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23/; 23/8 23/8 500
East. Kodak 192M 190/ l^O/s 800
Fox Fm. "A" ... 39/2 35/ 37/174,300
-Keith AC 30 ....
• rlo Dfd 99%
LoewWnc 6'iV, 62y, 63/8 6.600
♦do pfd. WW (6/) 11% •■■•
•do pfd. xw (6/) 88
*M-G-M pfd 24^^ ...•
Para F-L 65.>4 63^ 6454 26,400
Pathe Exch 4 37/, 31j 1.000
do "A" yH 7/ 7/ 500
RK-O 31 29/ 29/ 39,200
•Univ. Pict. pfd 37/ ....
Warner Bros 58^ 56j4 57 69.700
do pfd. ..♦ 51 50/ 50/ 600
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Hal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 30^
Fox Thea. "A" . 854 7H 'V* 14,300
•Gen. Thea. Equ 3954
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 28/ 27/ 27^4 300
Loew's Inc. war .. 6/ 654 6/ 300
Nat. Scr. Ser. .. 18J^ 1854 IWi 100
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 9>4
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 79
Loew 6s 41ww ...108/ 10754 108/ 20
do 6s 41 x-war.. 94 93 5/^ 93-54 60
Paramount 6s 47 . 99/ 99 99 70
Par. By. 5/s 51.100 99 99 120
•Pathe 7s 37 46
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
Sf»'» ••• ••♦ v* ••• ♦•♦ ••♦ ♦*♦ ♦•♦ ♦•♦ ♦•• *•• »•# •*• ♦•♦ ♦•♦ *•# ••♦ •'♦ ♦'• ♦•• ••♦••* 4i
♦.♦ J j
S New York Long Island City ft
1540 Bjoadwa; 154 Crescent St. U
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 g
I Eastman Films i
I J. E. Brulatour, Inc. %
% I
u Chicago Hollywood S*|
1727 Indiana Ave. «"" Santa Monica jj
LBlvd. »V
CAlumet 2fl91 Hollywood 4121 i^
■S^Hk
DAILY
Friday, February 7, 1930
FORQCN TALKERS STILL
EXPERIMENJIKENTSAYS
(Continued from Page 1)
weeks' business trip abroad. The
Paramount general manager was ac-
companied by Mrs. Kent; J. C. Gra-
ham, European managing director of
Paramount, and Mrs. Graham; Mel-
vin A. Shauer, Paris representative
of Paramount, Mrs. Shauer and son.
Talking picture producers in Eng-
land and Europe are just feeling their
way along, Kent said, and the out-
come is anybody's g^uess. No greater
activity is evident or in prospect now^
than under the silent regime. One
English studio, the Wilcox Grama-
phone, has just shut down. On the
Continent, Ufa is the most active
companj% with Emelka also produc-
ing some talkers. Good pictures,
whether made here or abroad, will
always find a market, Kent declared.
Asked about the Robert T. Kane
undertaking in Paris, Kent said it is
still somewhat in a formative stage.
The company is making shorts only,
and these will be distributed in
France by Paramount.
Another meeting of the 5-5-5 con-
ference of exhibitors and distributors
will be called, Kent said, as soon as
he has had time to get in touch with
the various members and decided
upon a suitable date.
Editors of Fan Papers
Entertained by Ampas
Continuing their "free lunch" policy,
the Ampas yesterday entertained fan
paper editors at the Paramount Hotel
at their weekly gathering. The guests
were: Fred Gardener, Billie Goldberg,
Natalie Messenger, Jack Harrower,
Epes Sargent, Ethel Rosemon, Ernest
Heyn, Kenneth Batten, Wayne Hais-
ley, May Nimomyia, Elizabeth Wil-
son, Radie Harris.
Attorney Louis N. Nizer, comment-
ing on film advertising* deplored the
use of too many superlatives but said
that industry advertising copy is be-
ginning to show a more conservative
tendency. He urged the advertising
men to "win reader confidence" and
complimented them on the general
attractiveness of their copy.
Protection System Under
Fire From Pa. Exhibitors
Pitstburgh — Independent exhibi-
tors here are planning to seek lecal
action against the present system of
protection. This action was decided
upon at a meeting of the M.P.T.O.
of Western Pa. at its last session.
RCA to Wire Detroit House
Detroit — RCA sound equipment
will be installed at the Boulevard.
NATURE'S HEALTHFUL
REFRIGERATION
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
PARAMOUNT BUILDING
0. A. TO
RKO PRODUCT
IN EUROPE
(^Continued from Page 1)
manager of U. A., who represented
Joseph M. Schenck in the negotia-
tions. Ambrose Dowling, RKO's
foreign manager, acted for Joseph I.
Schnitzer.
Financial details of the new dis-
tribution plan were not announced,
but Kelly said that his company
would be acting as the sales organi-
zation for RKO product in the five
countries named and share the income
on a prearranged percentage basis.
No particular significance as to
future relationship of the two organi-
zations is contained in this special ar-
rangement, it was stated by the rep-
resentatives of both companies. Radio
previously has been selling its prod-
uct outright in those countries to local
distributors.
Among the first RKO pictures to
be released by U. A. abroad are "Rio
Rita," "Hit the Deck," "Street Girl"
and "Seven Keys to Baldpate."
Fox Foreign Managers
End Conferences Today
Conferences of Fox's foreign man-
agers with General Foreign Manager
Clayton Sheehan will come to a close
today and the visitors will leave to-
morrow for home. Last night the
foreign representatives attended a
performance of "Strike Up the
Band," and tonight they will be
guests at a dinner given by Mr. and
Mrs. Clayton Sheehan in their Park
Ave. home. Among the guests will
be Mrs. Sol Wurtzel, wife of the
general superintendent of the Fox
West Coast Studios, and Mrs. Ber-
thold Viertel, for"»r continental act-
ress.
Foxcolor to Make Debut
in John McCormack Film
{Continued from Page 1)
Winficld Sheehan. The picture has
been made in both Grandeur and
standard film. It will have its world
premiere March 17 in New York.
Breaks Budapest Record
"Fox Movietone Follies of 1929"
has broken all long run records in
Budapest, where it is playing to S.
R.O. business at the Royal Apollo,
according to a cable received by
Clayton Sheehan.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
Feb. 13
Feb. 14
Feb. 16
Feb. 19
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mar. 20
Apr. 6-7
June 2-7
Paramount Pep Club annual ball at
the Aster, New York.
Opening of "The Graen Goddess"
at Winter Garden. N. Y.
Premiere of "PuttLn' on the Ritz"
at the Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state firs law involving theater
regulationa becocnea effective.
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at th« Critedoa, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angalea.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll tiM-
ater tickets ^t Washington, D. C.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermiaad.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltlraora.
Spring convention of Tri-Statc M.
P. T.O. at Memphis.
Internatioaal Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Joe Goldberg on Coast
Joe Goldberg, .general sales man-
ager for Columbia, is on the coast
conferring with Jack Cohn, treasurer,
and Harry Cohn, vice-president in
charge of production, on the com-
pany's production program for the
year.
To Manage Hartford House
Hartford, Conn. — Harvey G. Cocks
has been appointed successor to
Clarence Millett as managing direc-
tor of the Allyn-Publix. He was
formerly manager of the Capitol,
Allston, Mass.
Wanted Theateri
For Sale or Lease
Adolph Sol f erman
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 3607
)aUk Out^
mmm
I he Excculor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
NOT just another "Record Smashed'^ ad, though it starts off like one
a
^fm^-'
SMASHES
HOUSE'.
BECOW)
THE STORY THE NEWSPAPERS PRIHTT
THERE'S A
VALUABLE
LESSON IN
jramounl's Expose' of Broadway^ Greatest Mystery f
^llllNl 1 1 HUtb- RiAlTO .......^
^ D STREETOFCHANCE ;(j-
THE RIALTO THEATRE, NEW YORK,
probably averages more big hit pictures
than any other one theatre in the world.
Breaking its record is a real achievement.
THIS EOR EXHIBITORS
^ We didn't need to frame this ad around William Powell's fine first starring picture, "THE
STREET OF CHANCE." ^ We could have used the great business and rave notices Gary
Cooper in "SEVEN DAYS LEAVE" got at the Paramount, N. Y., the previous week. Or any
of a hundred record engagements of "THE LOVE PARADE." Or Dick Arlen and Mary
Brian in "BURNING UP." Or, in a week or so, "ROADHOUSE NIGHTS." Or any of a
score of other Paramounts. ^ The lesson is: EVERY Paramount Picture is a potential record-
breaker. AS LONG AS THEATRES STAY OPEN MORE THAN SIX WEEKS A YEAR,
PARAMOUNT NATURALLY IS THE LEADER OF THE PICTURE BUSINESS!
Paramount New Show World
The One Company Giving Quality in Quantity!
SURE
the pleasure ts all yours!
HAPPY DAYS
• • The greatest
'■^
' box-office smash,
the talking ;^
J and singing Here's a brilliant, tuneful
screen has ^"^1 peppy production def-
#Vet offered ^ initely tied to a real, honest- to -
f/ goodness story; one without a single
^ blackout or sister act, that outsmarts the
best of the musical pictures to date.
To save the fortunes of an old time river-boat
showman, roguish Marjorie White rounds up the
assembled wits of the stage and screen club
for a benefit show that saves his honor, carrying
|e promise of happy days ahead for him just
ipjsame as it means happy days ahead for you!
Now playing to
''SUNNY SIDE UP'' business:-
STATE New Bedford, Mass.
GREAT LAKES Buffalo, N. Y.
ROCHESTER Rochester, N. Y.
FOX Worcester, Mass.
PARK Youngstown, Ohio
FOX Springfield, Mass.
LOEWS MIDLAND Kansas City, Mo.
RITZ Tulsa, Okia,
FOX • • ; New Haven, Conn.
LOEWS STATE New Orleans, La.
FOX Hartford, Conn.
tuith this MIGHTY CAST o\ STARS:
Janet Gaynor
Charles Farrell
Marjorie White
Victor McLaglen
El Brendel
Tom Patricoia
Dixie Lee
Frank Albertson
"Whispering" Jack Smith
William Collier, Sr.
David Rollins
J. Harold Murray
Rex Bell
Sharon Lynn
Charles Evans
James J. Corbett
(Interlocutor)
Will Rogers
Edmund Lowe
Walter Catlett
Frank Richardson
George Jessel
Nick Stuart
Lew Brice
Gilbert Emery
Clifford Dempsey
Richard Keene
Ann Pennington
Warner Baxter
Paul Page
Farrell Macdonald
The Slate Brothers
Martha Lee Sparks
George MacFarlane
flnterlocutoT)
George Olsen and His Mmic
StoT> oTia dialog by Sidney Lanfield and Edwin Burke
Dances itattd by Earl Lindsoy Staged by Walter Catlett
Directed by BENJAMIN STOLOFF
DAILV
Friday, February 7, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Specialization Necessary
To Production of Good Films
I
T does not seem reasonable
that any one company can pro-
duce the best of dramatic mo-
tion pictures and the best of
musical films. Each requires its
special kind of brains and re-
sources. Only the specialist can
do things right. The company—
and nearly all of them seem to
be aiming in that direction— that
attempts to compass the entire
field of amusement is pretty like-
ly to turn out a majority of
mediocre productions. No man,
and certainly no motion picture
company, can serve two masters,
music and the drama. Sooner
or later separate companies must
enter the production field and
separate theaters must be set
aside to serve separate audiences.
The sooner these conditions be-
come effective the better for pic-
tures, both as an art and as an
industry. Specialization is the
watchwrord of the day.
Pierre de Rohan in
"The Morning Telegraph,"
New York
Says Talkers Have Increased
Necessity for Good Projection
DAMAGE to prints has ever
been an industry sore spot.
The seriousness of this problem
has increased with sound prints.
Replacement costs are heavy and
placing the blame has become a
"buck-passing" game. Careless-
ness of this kind should have gone
out when talking pictures came
in. Worn parts on projection
equipment, that may be causing
the damage, should be replaced
without delay. Projection can
make or break a picture. Good
projection has ever been a neces-
sity— it has never been in great-
er demand than today. Careful-
ness will eliminate the damaged
print evil.
Ben Shlyen in
"The Ohio Showman"
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
NAT S ALAND has moved his Craft Film Laboratories from
the 12th to the seventh floor at 729 Seventh Ave. in order
to get more space for his expanding activities Mrs.
Thomas A. McGoldrick points out that the M. P. Bureau of the
Int'l Federation of Catholic Alumnae has a weekly broadcast
over nine stations to review pictures which have been given the
organization's endorsement. Forty-two newspapers regularly
print these reviews
* * * *
Merritt Crawford pinch hit in the matter of introducing Jean
Acme LeRoy to the Earl Carroll audience the other night when
the inventor celebrated his 76th birthday and the 36th anniversary
of his first showing of a motion picture
* * * *
In addition to the premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz," at the
Earl Carroll, N. Y. on Feb. 14, the U.A. gang is going to have
the star of the film and a dance orchestra on the stage. Just
before the screening Harry Richman is scheduled to do his usual
chit-chat with the first nighters from the stage William
Raynor, Pathe manager for shorts, is heading west and D. E.
Rice, Chicago representative for Celebrity is in N. Y
4< « * *
Paramount's "The Vagabond King," will open simulta-
neously at the Criterion, N. Y. and Paramount, Palm Beach on
Feb. 19. The film is completely done in Technicolor
"Street of Chance," due to splendid business has settled down
for a long run at the Rialto, N. Y., says Alexander Gottlieb
Louis B. Mayer, after a "musical morning" at the May-
flower in Washington in which Grace Moore appeared, signed
the star to a three year contract
* * 4> *
The Columljia house organ, "The Beacon" bigger and more
promising, copped a leaf from Roger Ferri's "Dynamo" in oflfer-
ing a prize* for box office titles to their features. But aside from
that the sheet is well edited and contains snappy news from all
the company's branch offices. Hal Hodes is editor Many
local colleges are represented in the group of German students
attending the matinee today of "Because I Love You," at the
Mansfield. This German production is being released by Ameri-
can General Film Co.
* * * *
Motion pictures through their continual presentation of at-
tractive home settings and tasteful furnishings are wielding a
tremendous influence throughout America in the interest of more
beautiful homes, Carl E. Milliken, former governor of Maine and
now secretary of M.P.P.D. of A., Inc. told members of the N. Y.
State Federation of Women's Club yesterday at the Home Mak-
ing Centre, Grand Central Palace, N. Y
* * * *
Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, song writing team,
left Chicago yesterday en route to the M-G-M studios
Wallace Beery, Lew Cody and Dorothy Sebastian will be pre-
sented over the Columbia chain Monday night in the M-G-M
broadcasting program.
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
HENRY HOBART
sang solos in church
FEBRUARY 7-HANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Fred F. DeSilva
Paul Guartzman
Edward Nugent
Fred Stanley
Gertrude Kingston
Doris Schroeder Green
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
"W7HILE hobnobbing around at a
*^ performance of a Broadway mu-
sical comedy, Warren Nolan spied a
big film shot of his acquaintance.
The show was good and a rip-roaring
time was being had by everyone ex-
cept the bigfilmer. He looked about
as glum as a small-town exhib who
has billed "Parisian Eyefulls" strong
all week as his Saturday night pro-
gram and then gets a can containing
"The Life of Joan of Arc" by mis-
On the way out Warren went up
to the celluloid chieftian and asked
how he had enjoyed the show.
"Rotten!" the big boy sneered.
"But everybody else seemed to like
it a lot," Warren protested. "How
come you didn't?"
"Because I was a dumbell," said
the aggravated lad. "After paying
eleven bucks for a ticket, I find out
that the angel of the show is an old
business partner of mine."
* ♦ *
The talkers, sez Jerry Hoffvmn,
should have a right to free speech.
* * *
In case you haven't heard it —
there's a story about a supervisor who
came on a set while some shooting
was in progress.
"What's the name of this picture?
he sskcq.
"It's called 'The Optimist'," replied
the director.
"Well, you better change it.
"What for? It's a very appropriate
title." ,
"Maybe so. But how many people
know that an optimist is an eye doc-
tor?"
* * *
USELESS INFORMATION
Although actors and actresses have
to do a lot of spatting with each
other in their pictures, they can re-
main good friends in real life.
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY
IN
Associated Exhibitors, Inc., to re-
lease 26 features a year.
:)< * *
Hiram Abrams, of United Artists,
sees industry headed for straight per-
centage.
* * ♦
D. W. Griffith addressed the Vir-
ginia legislative committee on cen-
sorship.
♦ ♦ ♦
Thomas H. Ince to arrive in N.
Y. to make distribution arrangements
for Associated Producers.
THE
Friday, February 7, 1930
s2^
DAILY
Hollywood Happenings
Lila Lee Secures 5 Year
First National Contract
First National has signed Lila Lee
to a five year contract as a featured
feminine lead. Her first assignment
under the new contract is in "Under
Western Skies," opposite Sidney
Blackmer. Clarence Badger will di-
rect.
Lubitsch Picked to Direct
Jeanette MacDonald Film
Ernst Lubitsch has been definitely
selected to direct Jeanette MacDon-
ald in her first picture under her
contract with Paramount.
Chorus Gals Prefer Hollywood
Fifteen of the 24 chorus girls
loaned by First National for the
Broadway production of "Fifty Mil-
lion Frenchmen" have returned to
Hollywood. Those remaining are
expected to start coastward as soon
as the New York theatrical season
closes.
Wallace Gets New Contract
Paramount has renewed the con-
tract of Richard Wallace, director,
who shortly leaves for a trip aroiyid
the world,
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
"Sweet Mamma" Starts at F.N.
"Sweet Mamma" has gone into
production at First National with the
following cast: Alice White, David
Manners, Rita Flynn, Kenneth
Thomson, Lee Moran, Lou Harvey,
Lee Shumway, Richard Cramer and
Robert Elliott.
With Norman
From the n(
Sound on disC'
* Chancy' 8 rol4
portrayal .
f I Algier Made Supervisor
; Sidney Algier, former production
Manager, has become general produc-
tion supervisor for Franklyn Warner.
Craft for Schildkraut Film
'' I William Craft has been selected to
•direct Joseph Schildkraut's next for
jUniversal, "The Czar of Broadway,"
" |by Gene Towne.
!■ I
i Lloyd for "Heart of the North"
] Frank Lloyd will, upon completion
" pf "Sin Flood," direct "Heart of the
IB JNorth," for First National with Lor-
';tta Young and Fred Kohler.
ALABAMA
Changes in Ownership
Ensley— Palace, sold to T. B. Culver by M.
H. Gray ; Montgomery — Mecca, sold to
Pastime Amusements, Inc. by David &
Harry Katz.
Closings
Gilbertown — Paramount.
ARIZONA
Changes in Ownership
Tucsoni — Temple, sold to J. J. Goodstein by
A. H. Yoemans.
ARKANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Cherry Valley — American, sold to John I.
Walls by A. J. Seaton ; Crawfordsville —
Kew, sold to H. P. Van; Dierks — Laveme.
sold to F. J. Bennett by Mrs. L. B.
Taylor; Fort Smith — Palace, sold to M. A.
Lig-htman by Hoyt Kirkpatrick ; Gentry —
— New, sold td M. C. Bailey by Phipps &
Fleemister; Gurdon — Imperial, sold to Earl
Powell by Arkansas Amus. Ent. Inc.,
Wright's, sold to Doane Yeager by Douglas
Wright; Harrisburg — Regal, sold to Don
Landers by M. H. Thompson ; Harrisons-
Old Lyric, sold to Edwards & Simmons
by W. J. Myers ; Hot Springs — Sna, sold
to Ernest C. Parsons by J. Earl Housely;
Pangbum — Liberty, sold to Harvel H. Mil-
ler by American Legion ; Waldran — Gem,
sold to John Forrester, Jr., by Kemp &
Hughes.
New Theaters
Crawfordsville — New, owner — H. P. Vann ;
Harrison — Old Lyric, owners — Edward &
Simmons.
CALIFORNIA
Changes in Ownership
Alturas — Alhambra, sold to John Sharp &
John Dolezal by Emil & Henry Heber;
Chico — National, sold to T & D Jr., Ent.
bv National Theaters ; Daly City — Daly
City, sold to Jefferson Theater Corp. by
Barron & Nathan; Delano — Star, sold to
T. Nittos by H. Nomura: Dunsmuir —
Strand, sold to R. A. Weschau by Byard
Sr Chapin; Eagle Rock — Yosemite, sold
fn G. Burt Davis by Young & Allen;
1 Fowler — Strand, sold to H. Najarian &
William Grisso by Fred Morrow ; Haw
thome — Plaza, sold to Fox-West Coast by
Mo'stad & Haas; Jackson — Ratto, sold to
A. L. Pierovitch & W. D. Tam by John
Ratto; Lodi — Tokay, sold to T & D Jr.
Enterprises by Liberty Amusement Co. ;
Los Angeles — Florencita, sold to C. C.
Jones & C. J. Leasy by Valuskis Pictures
Corp., Merrvland. sold to David A. Miller
hv Gladys Howell. Union Square, sold to
P. Posner &• A. Sandnw by F. E. Daniel
Virginia, sold to Carl Bums by Joe Gross;
Mayfield — California, sold to W. C. Brem-
er bv A. Blanco ; Montrose — Montrose, sold
to E. R. Skirboll by W. C. Mays: Oak-
land— Imperial, sold to Robert Helm by
W. Janssen ; Sacramento — Mexico, sold to
Juan Esteves bv Walter Lnckhoof. Mission,
sold to Emil Heber by Henry Heber. Se-
nuoia. sold to Emil Heber by Henrv
Heber; San Francisco — Balboa, sold to S.
H. T,evin bv Uptown Theater Comnanv,
Bayshore, sold to Michael Enright & W.
M. Sanders by Mrs. Viola Laneer, El
Capitan, sold to Fox West Coast Theaters
bv Ackerman & Harris. Princess, soM to
Charles Peterson by Bert Levey. RKO
Orpheum. sold to R. K. O. by Pantages
Circuit. Untown. sold to T. R. Saul by
Toe Richards ; Sunnyva'e — iStrand, sold to
Frank A. Cassidv by Kinema Theaters &
T. Belessis ; Uplands — Colonial, sold to
G. J. Dowding and Warren S. Record by
John Anderson : Uoner Lake — Upper Lake.
•=oM to Sarah A. "Fuel bv Cla'-ke Green:
Val'eio — Valleio. sold to Fox West Coast
Theaters by Thomas O'Dav Estate. Vir-
einia. sold to Fox West Coast Theaters
by C. F. McCa"lev.
Closings
Armona — Armona; Fresno — Liberty: Lone
r>!n8 — Lone Pine; Los Angeles — Division:
Liberty; Madera — Progress: Plymouth —
Pb-mouth ; Sacramento — Canito! ; San
Francisco — Gough : San Jose — Hester.
New Theaters
Hanford -~ Fox, owners — Fox-West Coast
Theaters; Kcttleman Hills — Kettleman Hills,
owners — Earl M. Amos; Los Deltai — Los
Delta, owner — Joe Del Carlo ; Pasadena —
Tower, owners — Berinstein & Lustig ;
Ripon — Ripon, owner — Clarence Bailey ;
San Bruno— El Camino, owner — Charles
Peterson.
Openings
Fresno — Majestic ; Los Molenas — Dales ;
Sunnyvale— Strand.
Re-Openings
Los Angeles — Rex, Riverside; Pasadena — Ray-
mond ; Victorville — Victor.
COLORADO
Changes in Ownership
Denver — Annex, sold to Mexican Amusement
Co. by Kate Cramer; Johnstown — Gem,
sold to G. W. Boss by W. F. Churchill;
Victor — Isis, sold to B. W. Downing by
M. W. Kessey.
Closings
Denver — Yates ; Pueblo — Broadway ; Wel-
lington— Commu nity .
CONNECTICUT
Changes in Ownership
Cheshire — Town Hall, sold to Fred Jodo-
wich by L. Newmann; Seymour — Seymour,
sold to H. Feldman by E. H. Rolston;
iStafford Hollow — Town Hall, sold to E.
H. Cady by Mr. Wood; West Hartford-
Central, sold to Schumann & Maxfield by
Central Theater Co.; West Haven — Rivoli,
sold to Mass. Theaters, Inc. by W. H.
Theater Corp. ; Windsor — Tunxis, sold
to A. Daney by L. Turner.
FLORIDA
Changes in Ownership
Bartow — Ernada. sold to Bartow Amusement
Inc. by D. V. Marquis ; Dade City — Co-
lonial, sold to Morris by Thrasher & Swin-
ney; Miami Beach— Biscavne Plaza, sold
to Edgar B. Pearce by Mrs. A. H. Ses-
sions ; Orlando — Ark, sold to Sol Samuels
by E. J. Sparks ; Pahokee — Lyric, sold to
H. T. Williams by J. R. Averitt ; St.
Petersburgv^Tangerine, sold to F. N. Bar-
hydt by Thomas L. Heard ; Sulphur Springs
— Nebraska, sold to B. E. Gore by M. C.
Moore.
GEORGIA
Changes in Ownership
Clayton — Rabun, sold to Herschel Tomlin
by C. Wallace Smith; Cordele — Cordele,
sold to Braswell & Croom by W. R.
Roberts : Fort Valley — Franklin, sold to
L. G. Hobgood by A. H. McCartv ; Sparta
— iSparta, sold to D. T. Clary by R. R.
Bryan.
Openings
Carrollton — Carroll.
IDAHO
Changes in Ownership
Eastport — Bliss, sold to M. M. Dehlbom by
Charles Bliss; Ririe — Rine, sold to Arthur
E. Harris by George H. Thomas.
INDIANA
Changes in Ownership
Albany— Strand, sold to Clavton Deer by
Mrs. McKinzie: Corydon— Dream, sold to
Gilbert May by J. S. Grimes; Ellettsville—
Oriental, sold to L F. Sowders bv Mr.
Stevens: Gary— Grand, sold to Dr. G.
Anthoulis by James Bikos; Grandview—
Grandview, sold to Claude Titus by J.
G. Gabbert: Hessville — Family, sold to
Ignatms Duron by Petritz & Trov : Indian-
apolis— Broadripple, sold to Mrs. N. Brock
bv Dr. Osterheld, Howard, sold to J. F
McCoy by Mr. Sanders; Kempton— Liber-
ty, sold to H. «! R. Phares bv K. Good-
night ; Milan — Empira, sold by George
Goss; Morristown — Libertv. sold to Harry
R. Thalls by E. D. Copeland : Pennville—
Colonial, sold to B. C. Mackey by B. S.
Andrews: Pierceton^ — Libertv. sold to N.
D. Wood by John Swain ; Wolcott — Lyric
sold to W. C. Mvers by Mr. Spenard.
Closings
Lawrenceburg— Gem ; St. Paul— St. Paul;
Stmesville— Star ; Syracuse— Communitv ;
Terre Haute — Alhambra.
Sets Distribution Plans
for Continental Pictures
{Continued from Page 1)
Inc., to handle the Continental output
in southern Cal. and Arizona. He
has also signed with Greater Features
of Seattle for the territory of Alaska,
Washington, Oregon, Montana and
Idaho. Arthur C. Bromberg of
Southern Independent Pictures Corp.,
Atlanta, will distribute the product
in the Southeastern territory, com-
prising North and South Carolina,
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennes-
see, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Johnston expects to arrive back
in New York about Monday.
Survey Shows Business
in Northwest Healthy
(.Continued from Page 1)
trade in the territory surveyed shows
an upward trend. The publication
adds:
"Despite a protracted cold wave
which has cut heavily into patronage,
Publix Northwest theaters' grosses
for the past three months have been
running considerably ahead of those
for the corresponding 1928 and 1929
periods, according to Publix officials
in the Minneapolis offices. Except for
the long stretch of below zero tem-
peratures, the gains would have been
even heavier, these officials declare."
Two Managerial Changes
Made in "U" Sales Force
J. E. Garrison, formerly manager
of the Universal Albany exchange,
has been appointed manager of the
company's Minneapolis office and A.
J. Herman has succeeded Garrison in
Albany. Both appointments were
made by M. Van Praag, general sales
manager.
Sound for Bay City, Mich.
Bay City, Mich. — RCA talking pic-
ture equipment has been purchased
for the Temple.
Maine House Changes Hands
Fort Kent, Me. — The Savoy has
been purchased by H. T. Powers and
R. R. Johnson of Fort Fairfield.
$750,000 R-K-O House for Spokane
Spokane, Wash. — R-K-O plans to
construct a $750,000 theater here to
seat 2,000.
Erie Theater Gets Oliver
Erie, Pa. — Oliver Reproducer has
been installed' at the Lyric.
Reopens in Lowell, Mass.
Lowell, Mass. — The Victory has
reopened here as a talking gicture
house.
Theater Being Wired
Hudson, Mass. — The Hudson has
shutits doors temporarily to permit
the installation of sound equigmient.
Sound at Film Guild Tomorrow
The Film Guild Cinema will pre-
sent its first talking picture program
tomorrow.
Buys RCA Photophone
Flagstaff, Ariz.— The Orpheum has
purchased RC.A^ Photophone.
THE
o^mf.
Friday, February 7, 1930
Critics Select Best Films of Past Year
RESULTS OF "TEN BEST"
POLLS OF SEVEN YEARS
The "Ten Best Pictures" of the
past seven years, as selected by news-
paper, trade paper and fan magazine
reviewers in national polls conducted
by the FILM DAILY YEAR
BOOK, are as follows:
1928— "The Patriot," "Sorrell and
Son," "The Last Command," "Four
Sons," "Street Angel," "The Circus,"
"Sunrise," "The Crowd," "King of
Kings," "Sadie Thompson."
1927— "Beau Geste," "Big Parade,"
"What Price Glory," "Way of All
Flesh," "Ben Hur," "Seventh Heav-
en," "Chang," "Underworld," "Resur-
rection," "Flesh and the Devil."
1926 — "Variety," "Ben Hur," "The
Big Parade," "The Black Pirate,"
"Beau Geste," "Stella Dallas," "The
Volga Boatman," "What Price
Glory," "The Sea Beast" "La
Boheme."
1925- "The Gold Rush," "The Un-
holy Three," "Don Q," "The Merry
Widow," "The Last Laugh," "The
Freshman," "The Phantom of the
Opera," "The Lost World," "The
Big Parade," "Kiss Me Again."
1924— "The Thief of Bagdad,"
"The Sea Hawk," "Monsieur Beau-
caire," "Beau Brummel," "Secrets,"
"The Marriage Circle," "The Ten
Commandments," "Girl Shy," "Abra-
ham Lincoln," "America."
1923 — "Covered Wagon," "Merry
Go-Round," "The Hunchback of
Notre Dame," "Robin Hood," "Green
Goddess," "Scaramouche," "Safety
Last," "Rosita," "Down to Sea in
Ships," "Little Old New York."
1922 — "Orphans of the Storm,"
"Grandma's Boy," "Blood and Sand,"
"Prisoner of Zenda," "When Knight-
hood Was in Flower," "Nanook of
t h e North," "Smilin' Through,"
"Tol'able David," "Robin Hood,"
"Oliver Twist."
Honoring a picture in two polls
occurred occasionally in the early
stages of the FILM DAILY poll ow-
ing to variance in dates of showing
throughout the country. Under the
system at present, however, re-
viewers are furnished a list of pic-
tures actually released during the
yearly period.
Films for Society
Plans for a film salon to
serve as a rendezvous for the
social elite are being worked
out by the Cinema Guild, Inc.
The idea is to present talking
pictures to audiences restricted
to New York bluebloods in the
theater on the 50th and 51st
floors of the Chanin Building,
known as "The Playhouse in
the Clouds." Membership will
be limited to 100.
1929 Roll of Honor
Film No. of Votes
The Lady Lies 87
The Letter 81
The Virginian 72
They Had to See Paris 63
The Cocoanuts 61
Gentlemen Qf the Press 61
Wings 60
Trial of_Mary Dugan 60
Taming of the Shrew 57
Show Boat 57
Alibi 56
Welcome Danger 48
Desert Song 47
The VaUant 40
Dance of Life 39
Coquette 38
Doctor's Secret 37
Drag 35
Bridge of San Luis Rey 34
Thunderbolt 32
A Woman of AJfairs 30
Flight 30
On With the Show 29
Four Feathers 27
Paris Bound 26
Noah's Ark 26
Interference 24
Shopworn Angel 24
Film No. of Votes
Great Gabbo 23
Sonny Boy 22
Weary River 22
Innocents of Paris 21
Hearts in Dixie 21
'Fox Movietone Follies of 1929... 21
Iron Mask 21
Charming Sinners 19
Young Nowheres 19
WoU of WaU St 17
Show of Shows . ^ 16
Marianne , 16
Three Live Ghosts 15
Bellamy Trial 14
Four Devils 14
Canary Murder Case 13
Trail of '98 13
Sweetie 12
Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu 12
Alias Jimmy Valentine 12
Greene Murder Case 12
Fast Company 11
Condemned 1 1
Divine Lady 10
The Barker 10
The Pagan 10
Rainbow Man 10
10 Best Pictures of 1929
Named in Film Daily P»
ON 1929 ROLL OF HONOR
Paramount had 22 out of the 55
pictures on the Roll of Honor in
connection with the "Ten Best" poll.
In addition, six of the first seven on
the honor list were Paramount films.
Next in number of pictures on the
Roll of Honor is M-G-M with eight,
followed by United Artists and First
National with six each. Fox with five,
Warner Bros, with four, Bono Art-
World Wide with two (one of which
was released by Paramount), and
Pathe, Universal and Columbia with
one each.
(.Continued
Del Ruth directed for Warner Bros,
with Ann Pennington, Winnie Light-
ner and Conway Tearle featured.
Others in the "Ten Best" list were
as follows: "Bulldog Drummond,"
with Ronald Colman starred in a
United Artist production directed by
F. Richard Jones; "In Old Arizona,"
a Fox production with Edmund
Lowe, Warner Baxter and Dorothy
Burgess under the direction of Raoul
Walsh and Irving Cummings;
"Cock Eyed World," also Fox, with
Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglen
fr<nn Page 1)
featured in another Raoul Walsh pic-
ture; "The Last of Mrs. Cheyii';:-,"
directed by Sidney Franklin for "i
G-M with Norma Shearer star, '. .
and "Hallelujah," directed by I .;.
Vidor for M-G-M.
The distribution of votes cast '
each of the "Ten Best" was as
lows: "Disraeli" 192; "Broad- ••
Melody" 163; "Madame X" 161; "■<'o
Rita" 158; "Gold Diggers of Broad-
way" 139; "Bulldog Drummond" 125:
"In Old Arizona" 121; "Cort-
Eyed World" 113; "The Last of l^lrv
Cheyney" 110; and "Hallelujah" 1 ■
Special Holiday Shows
for All R-K-0 Theaters
{Continued from Page 1)
and Jules Levy, general manager of
the film booking department yester-
day launched plans for programs to
be shown during Lincoln's Birthday,
St. Valentine's Day and Washington's
Birthday.
Vincent Lawrence to Coast
Vincent Lawrence, playwright, is
en route to the Coast to fulfill his
contract with Paramount to do adap-
tations and dialogue.
Holyoke House Reopens
Holyoke, Mass. — The Playhouse is
again in operation here.
W. E. for Cleveland House
Cleveland — Sam Lurie is installing
Western Electric equipment at the
Crown.
To Add Perforated Screen
Brattleboro, Vt. — A perforated
Walker screen is to be added to the
equipment of the Latchis.
Minneapolis Theaters
Start Open Shop Mo^
{Continued from Page 1)
small theater owners, especially
the outlying districts, contend ti i
cannot afTord this.
Six independent houses already .
operating on a non-union be .
These are the Wonderland, Elite ;.
lona in Minneapolis, and the F ■
Aster and Mohawk in St. Paul.
Case Postponed
Cases against John C. Flinn :
Harry Lally, charging second d(
manslaughter as an outgrowth o. .. .
Pathe studio fire on Dec. 10, yester
day were adjourned for three week:
More Sound for Louisville
Louisville, Ky. — Sound equipmc;
has been purchased for the Palac*'.
Historic Chamber in Film
The room in Independence Hall,
Philadelphia, in which the Declara-
tion of Independence was signed
serves as one of the settings in "One
Day," a historical film produced by
Visugraphic Pictures, Inc. This is
to mark the first time the cham-
has been used as a background
motion picture.
■ hanges in Sterling Theaters
ittle — A number of changes have
Du a set wnue some snooting
progress.
at's the name of this picture?"
:d.
called 'The Optimist'," replied
ector.
:^ ■: named assistant at fne Xapitol
ai^d Johnny Fall at the Colonial.
•ory of Monel Metal in Film
wo-reel film, with Monel Metal
- subject, has been released by
othacker Film Corp. of Chicago
s being offered without charge
'dths of 35mm. and 16mm.
n their pictures, they can re-
ood friends in real life.
YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
■vHEflRiiiiaa
IPCS ^^^fl WV^^^LLTHE NEWS
>us Players Canadian Corp. at
iway and Branville St.
eases Pantages in Vancouver
ncouver, B. C. — The Pantages
been leased by U. P. Dewes,
■r of the Strand.
Installing Earphones
Cleveland — Earphones will be in-
stalled at the Lorrain-Fulton by
Dave Schumann to aid those hard
of hearing.
W. E. Wires Another
< eveland — The Arion is being
egi; pped with Western Electric by
M' ris Kaplan.
Reopening After Alteration
Derry, N. H. — The Broadway is
abcit to reopen after extensive al
teration.
:Sf^ NEWSPAPER
oyPILMDOM
AMD¥fEEm
FUiiDIGfiST
VOL. LI No. 33
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Price 25 Cents
vroken Records
Full Houses!
Crowds! Crowds!
Crowds!
Phantom
m ION CHANE
"Opened first run downtown to
standout business, jamming theatre
from opening to closing."— Oriental
Theatre, Detroit, "Broke house
record against strongest competi-
tion. Dialogue and music perfect."
— Roxy Theatre, Perth Amboy, N. J.
"Broke house record." — Rialto
Theatre, Washington, "Broke all
existing records.*^ — Alhamhra
Theatre, Milwaukee* "Opened
Saturday to 100% increase over
previous Saturday.** — Lyceum
Theatre, Winnipeg,
With Noi-man Keri-y and Mary Philbin.
From the novel by Gaston Leroiix.
Sound on disc only. Presented by
CARL LAEMMLE
*Chanev'y •"'«■ '■' "" ri...ut.,„. ,. „ .,/■„/
portrayol
WITH
DIALOGUE— MUSIC
TECHI\'ICOLOR
TiniversaVs New Sellina Season isonMOTV/
SHORT SUBJECTS
ARE COMING BACK
INTO THEIR OWN
AGAIN THIS YEAR
For Shorts or Features, Sound or Silent
Film Daily Revie^rs
are the recognized authority
KEEP POSTED ON
SHORTS THRU
THE INDUSTRY'S
LEADING MEDIUM
r^ _
Will your theatre pass
the Voice Test?
Today the public chooses the theatre >vhere every word
in a talking picture is clear and distinct — where it feels
all the charm of living personalities. Western Electric
equipped theatres are setting the standard — are you
meeting it?
i
nmmf
Westerii
sot) N D
Electric
SYSTEM
Distributed by
Etectricat Research Products fnc,
250 West 57th Street, New York, N. Y.
Member of Motion Picture Pro<Ji!<;e(B and Distributors of America, Idc. —"WiU H. Hays, Preaident :
;^eNEWSPAPER
oyplLMDOM
AHDWEEKLY
riLH DIGEST
VOL. LI No. 33
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Music Ass 'n Wages War Against Copyright Pirates
FORMERSTANLEY MENPLANNING BIG CHAIN
Nine Productions in Work at First National Studios
At Least 20 Pictures to be
Finished in Next
Six Months
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — After a brief letup,
Hal B. Wallis and C. Graham Baker,
co-production executives at the First
National Studios, again are operating
the immense plant at close to ca-
pacity, with nine productions now in
work and at least 20 scheduled to be
finished in the next six months. The
program is being balanced so as to
avoid over-emphasis on any one type
(Continued on Page 4)
E88EM lABUOOPEN
THREE r«N PLANTS
opening of laboratories in Eng-
land, France and Germany is
planned by Essem Laboratories, Tom
Moore stated Friday. The English
branch will be the first to be inaug-
urated.
The new New York plant, opened
at 521 West 57th St., will go into
(Continued on Page 2)
Sunday Shows Question
Pops up Again in Minn.
Minneapolis — Question of Sunda\
movies in the Northwest has again
come up as a prominent voting issue.
At a special election in Belmond, la.,
379 voted in favor of the question
while 115 were opposed. In Bloom-
(Continued on Page 2)
Byerle Appointed F. N.
Mgr. in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City — Tom Byerle of
Kansas City has been appointed man-
ager of the local First National ex-
change succeeding Ed. D. Brewer.
Byerle has been with the company
for nine years. Two other members
of the Kansas City staff are sched-
uled to join Byerle here. They are
Charles Knickerbocker and J. L
Franconi.
GLORIA SWANSON'S NEXT
WILL BE COMEDY DRAMA
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Gloria Swanson's next
all-talker will be "What a Widow!",
comedy drama in which she will sing.
The story is by Josephine Lovett.
Owen Moore and Ian Keith have
been cast for the principal male roles
in this United Artists picture.
Remaking of "Queen Kelly" has
been postponed until "What a Wid-
ow!" is completed, owing to delay in
the Franz Lehar score, states United
Artists.
JOSTICE DEPT
RCA AND
Dickinson Theaters Plan
Big Expansion Program
Kansas City — An expansion pro-
gram, called the most extensive ever
attempted by an independent operator
in this territory, is planned by Glen
W. Dickinson Theaters, states Chest-
er D. Bell, general manager.
The newest house to open is the
Wareham at Manhattan, Kan., the
theater being wired by RCA Photo-
phone. At Hiawatha, Kan., the new
Dickinson, seating 900, will open Feb.
12, with Flyod Ward as manager.
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — The Dept. of Justice
is investigating RCA and its affiliated
companies in connection with com-
plaints alleging monopoly in viola-
tion of the anti-trust laws. This
statement has been made by John
Lord O'Brian, assistant attorney gen-
eral, to the Senate Committee on
Interstate Commerce.
The department will define its at-
titude in the matter within three or
four weeks, said O'Brian. The case
is being given "preferred attention."
Winkler Cartoon Staff
is Moving to California
Transfer of activities of Winkler
Film Corp., makers of Krazy Kat
cartoons, from New York to the
Coast is planned by Charles B. Mintz,
president of the firm. Among those
leaving Saturday are the chief anima-
tors: Ben Harrison, Manny Gould,
Artie Davis, Al Rose, Harry Lieblich
and Joe DeNat, musical director.
War on Popular Song Racket;
Paine and Others Threatened
232 English Theaters
Changed Hands in 1929
London — Approximately 232 thea-
ters in England changed hands dur-
ing 1929, a report from the secretary
of the K. R. S. reveals. This condi-
tion is largely attributable to the un-
certainty of the exhibitor owing to
tlie invasion of sound. Comparing
the preceding year the report states
that as much speculation was in evi-
dence then as in 1929, although the
number differs by 120. Figures for
the previous year changes are: 1922,
338; 1923, 297; 1924, 216; 1925, 162;
1926, 132; 1927, 154; and in 1928,
112.
Protecting music copyrights owned
by film producers and other interests,
the Music Publishers Protective Ass'n
is waging a national campaign to
stamp out a new racket involving the
piracy of popular songs. The music
is being sold on sheets for a nickle
apiece by sidewalk peddlers.
An energetic campaign is being
carried on by Henry Gerson, assistant
U. S. district attorney, who has been
assigned to the case by U. S. Attor-
ney Tuttle.
When two men, charged with crim-
inal violation of the copyright laws,
were arraigned before Federal Judge
Thomas in New York Thursday, re-
(Continucd on Page 16)
A. R. Boyd Enterprises
Set for Invasion of
Warner Territory
Philadelphia — A big-time theater
war is in prospect in this territory
.vith formation of A. R Boyd Enter-
prises, officered principally by former
Stanley Co. executives, which will
operate in Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Delaware, Maryland, District of Co-
lumbia, Virginia and West Virginia.
Warner Bros, at present dominates
the situation, principally through
ownership of the Stanley chain.
The new organization, known a.s
"A R B E," is headed by Alexander
R. Boyd, formerly vice-president of
Stanley. Associated with Boyd is
(Continued on Page 2)
lECT BROIpRESIDENT
Of WASJUILM BOARD
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Harry Brown, Tif-
fany manager, has been elected presi-
dent of the local Film Board of Trade.
Rudolf Berger, M-G-M, has been
named vice-president and John Dil-
lon, Fox manager, is secretary-treas-
urer. James Fitzgerald continues as
(Continued on Page 16)
Regulates Sound
In the interests of better
sound reproduction, enter the
observer operator. The Earl
Carroll, N. Y., is believed "to
be the only house having an at-
tache assigned to this duty. He
remains in the auditorium dur-
ing each performance and,
through the means of a remote
control system, regulates the
volume of sound. A dial in-
stalled at the rear of the house
is used. Men who act as ob-
server operator work under the
supervision of Sidney Schine,
chief projectionist at the Earl
Carroll, of which Harry Gittle-
son is manager.
THE
-SE^
DAILY
Sunday, February 9, 1930
FILMDOH'S .^XtfWWli^
NEWSPAPER ^^Tjl* ^^
AHD WEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
Vol. II No.33 Sunday, February 9. 1930 Price 25Cents
lOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUDLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. AUcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Kalph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W,
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne
Frledrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle
La Cinematographie Francaise. Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
{QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 2054 20'4 20'/4 6,100
S^- Fr^ lAd. 205/8 20^8 205/8 1,500
C^^: Fm] Ind. pfd. 2VA ZiH 23fi 600
East. Kodak 193/^ 190 190 2,600
Fox Fm. "A" .... 3SH i6H 37/8 53,400
♦Keith A-0 •••• 30 ...■
i:.r-.™.-;::;:2?« .
do pfd. WW (6/.) 90 90 90 100
♦do pfd. xw (6K) 88 ....
♦M-G-M pfd 24!4
Para F-L 6A% 61/. 62/. 12,300
Pathe Exch 4 3% 4 900
do "A" 7H 7'A 7'^ 500
RK-O 30 29/8 29/8 9.000
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 37/ •;•■
Warner Bros 58?^ 57 573^ 39,700
do pfd 50 J4 50/2 50H 300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65 ....
Columbia Pets. ...297^ 27 29'/^ 500
Fox Thea. "A" . S'A 7/ 7/8 5,700
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts.. 27 26 26 200
♦Loew's Inc. war 6/ ....
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 18^
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ Pict 9%
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 79
Loew 6s 41ww ..107!^ 107/ 107y$ 20
do 6s 41 x-war... 93/ 93/ 93/ 20
Paramount 6s 47 . 99/ 99/ 99/ 2(
♦Par. By. 5/s 51 99
♦Pathe 7s 37 46
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940
Eastman Films
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
Chicago Hollywood
1727 1-dIa.a Ave. ^"0 SaM^a^Monioa
CAIuimt 2C91 HOllywood 4121
INDEX
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
PRESENTATIONS, by Don C. Gillette -f
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 5
SHORT SHOTS FROM NEW YORK STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair 5-6
NEWSPAPER OPINIONS 6
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 7
TIMELY TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions 7
THEIR FIRST JOBS 7
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. Daly, Jr 7
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 7
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files 7
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly 7
FOREIGN MARKETS, by William Ornstein 10
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast Wire Service 11
"A LITTLE FROM LOTS." by Ralph Wilk 11
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 12-13
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Berg 14-15
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of News 1 1-
-REVI
VVJ <^
ANNA CHRISTIE ....
PAGE
12
MURDER ON THE ROOF .
PAGE
....12
BATTLE OF PARIS .
12
NOT SO DUMB
13
BURNING UP
13
ON THE BORDER
....12
CAMEO KIRBY
12
PEACOCK ALLEY
5-0 LONG LETTY
12
....12
CRIMSON CIRCLE ...
12
LOST ZEPPELIN ....
13
SECOND WIFE
....13
SOUND
SHORT
16
SUBJECTS
SILENT
U.
French Ambassador Lauds
American Films for Ideas
Paul Claudel, Frencli Ambassador,
at a luncheon of the Franco-American
Society of N. Y. at the Ritz Carlton,
said that American pictures were one
of the reasons for a "perpetual treaty
of friendship" between the two coun-
tries. He declared that "your movies
and talkies have soaked the French
mind in American life, methods and
manners."
Sunday Shows Question
Pops up Again in Minn.
(Continued from Page 1)
field, la., a temporary injunction re-
straining the holding of an election
was obtained by three citizens on
their contention that the election
would be unlawful because of insuf-
ficient publication, the inability of
absent voters to cast ballots, and the
offer of H. E. Hayfield, Bloomfield
exhibitor, to pay for the election.
Essem Labs, to Open
Three Foreign Plants
(Continued from Page 1)
operation about Feb. 15 and early in
March will be capable of handling
20,000,000 feet weekly, he said. A
Coast lab will be started early in
April.
Within a few days, two more deals
will be closed giving companies the
right to use Perfexit, protective film
orocess, Moore stated.
naas
THE NAME YOU GO BY
^WMEN YOU GO TO BUY
ISIMI
Former Stanley Men
Planning Big Chain
(Continued from Page 1)
Frank W. Buhler, former general
manager for Stanley, and Louis N.
Goldsmith, who was once special
representative for Stanley and also
formerly assistant director of public
welfare in Philadelphia.
In formation of the chain some
houses will be built and others ac-
quired. Headquarters have been
established at 1700 Sansom St.
Claude Saunders Makes
Headquarters in Wash.
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Claude Saunders
RKO division manager, will make
his headquarters here with offices at
the local Keith theater. Saunders has
charge of Baltimore, Washington and
Philadelphia. Corbin Shield will as-
sist him.
New 2,000-Seat London House
London — Northern Olympia, Ltd.,
has announced plans for the erection
of a 2,000-seat theater on the side of
the old Salford Cattle Market.
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb. 13
Feb. 14
Feb. 16
Feb. 19
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mar. 20
Apr. 6-7
June 2-7
Opening of "The Grtan Goddess"
at Winter Garden. N. Y.
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at the Earl CarroU, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law inTolving thrater
regulations becomes effectiv*.
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at tho Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los AneeUs.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Start Midnight Shows
A policy calling for midnight shows
on .Saturday will be established at
the William Fox Academy of Music,
Audubon and Crotona. The change
is being made in connection with the
playing of "Sunnyside Up" simul-
taneouslv at these houses.
Yearsley Leaving Sono Art
Bill Yearsley, director of publicity
and advertising for Sono Art-World
Wide, ends his connection with the
company Mar. L He plans to spend
the summer fishing at his place in
New Jersey.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Washington's Birthday," and
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with talking and sound.
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
msMA
isCominq ^
Let Us Solve Your Problems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
ROY DEL RUTH
DIRECTOR
€
''The Gold Diggers of Broad^vay''
[Voted One of the 10 Best Pictures of 1929 in the
Film Daily^s Annual Poll of Critics]
€
Coming Releases
^^Hold Everything''
[All -Color]
44
The Second Floor Mystery"
^^Three Faces East''
THE
DAILY
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Presentations
By DON C. GILLETTE
JED DOOLEY IS A RIOT
ON PARAMOUNT STAGE
Jed Dooley is just about laying 'em
in the aisles at the Paramount this
week as the chief feature of Boris
Petroff's "Ace High." Dooley has
a repertoire of comedy chatter and
business that is guaranteed to make
folks shake with laughter until they
are weak around the belt. A varied
assortment of dancing is offered by
Healy and CliiTord, Audree Evans,
Jean Myrio and Ayres, and the Dave
Gould Syncopated Steppers.
Rudy Vallee, in his final week be-
fore going over to the Brooklyn Para-
mount for a run, has an augmented
group of 28 musicians in his stage
band and they participate in some
clowning specialties that go across
well. The scenic and costume back-
ground, patterned on the playing card
idea, reveal some ingenious effects.
IS
Nine Productions in Work
at First National Studios
OF BILL AT THE ROXY
The old South fills the Roxy stage
this week. A background of tremend-
ous visual beauty has been built for
some mass singing that succeeds in
be.nig highly inspiring and touching-
ly melodious. Music of extremely
haunting quality is delivered by the
Hall Johnson Negro Choir. Also a
fine number is an Irving Berlin tune,
"Call of the South," sung by Wally
Clarke and Claude Reese, accompan-
ied by the Roxy Male Chorus. Others
on the bill are Harold Van Duzee,
Robert Evans, Charles Weaver, Pa-
tricia Bowman and Leonide Massme.
Here is a collection of southern music
that is irresistible.
SOUTHERN ATMOSPHERE
ON CAPITOL PROGRAM
The current week finds on the Cap-
itol stage a revue studded with a num-
ber of first-rate performers. They
have been set against a background
remindful of the south. At the top
of them all is Eddie Leonard, whose
appearance is disappointingly brief
but well-remembered. He sings a
number of old favorites in quiet but
effective style. The show, gathered
together under the title "Southern
Melodies," serves to introduce a per-
sonable and versatile young fellow
named Bobby Gillette, who is billed
as master of ceremonies. The Four
Flash Devils, a colored dancing team,
,show a class of dancing that is fast
and furious. Also on the program
are the Dennis Sisters, who offer some
crooning of a pleasant order, and a
pair of swell comics known as Bayes
and Speck. Berta Donn completes
the bill. Here's just the thing for
those who like the southern stuff.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
i Phone Penn. 3^580
W. E. Installations in
British Isles Now 502
London — Total Western Electric
installations in the British Isles is
now 502. The following installations
were completed week ending Jan. 25.
Plaza, Longford; Malvern, Malvern;
Empire, Havant; Victory Palace,
Parkstone; Grange Super; Small
Heath, Birmingham; Cinema, Lough-
ton; Bruce Grove, Totenham; New
Cohseum, Whitley Bay; Bamboro,
Newcastle; Grand, Failsworth, Brigh-
ton, Newcastle; Tennson, Bradford;
Strand, Hull; West Park, Hull;
Plaza, Northwitch, Vernon, Basford,
and the Coliseum, Leigh-on-Sea.
of entertainment. Technicolor will
be used in many of the big produc-
tions and something of an advanced
nature is promised in out-of-door
talkers. As the First National policy
calls for completion of pictures well
in advance of release dates, the stu-
dio staff is operating on a strict
schedule.
Productions now in work are:
"Under Western Skies," directed
by Clarence Badger, with Lila Lee
and Sidney Blackmer. Part Techni-
color.
"Jail Break," from a play by
Dwight Davis, directed by Mervyn
Leroy, with Conrad Nagel, Bernice
Claire, Raymond Hackett, Ralph
Ince, Tully Marshall.
"Sin Flood," directed by Frank
Lloyd, with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.,
Dorothy Revier and Noah Beery.
"Sweet Mamma," from a story by
Earl Baldwin, directed by Eddie
Cline, with Alice White.
"At Bay," from a play by F. Hugh
Herbert, with Loretta Young and
Jack Mulhall.
"Mile. Modiste," Victor Herbert
(Continued from Page 1)
B. I. P. Puts Five New
Pictures in Production
London — British International Pic-
tures have put the following pictures
into production: "Enter St. John,"
mystery drama; "Loose Ends," com-
edy drama; "Young Woodley," ro-
mance, "Suspense," war drama, and
"The Two Worlds," drama.
Starts French Film
Joinville, France — Work has start-
ed on "The End of the World," at
the Pathe-Natan studios here. The
picture is being synchronized with
the Gaumont-Peterson-Poulson sys-
tem.
Wiring Salina (Kan.) House
Salina, Kan. — RCA Photophone
equipment is being installed at the
Jayhawk.
Maritza in "Greek Street"
Loudon — Sari Martiza has been
given the feminine lead in "Greek
Street" which will go into production
soon at the Gaumont studios.
Big Campaign to Usher in
P-F-L "Vagabond King"
An extensive exploitation campaign
has been started by Paramount for
the premiere of "The Vagabond
King," featuring Dennis King, at the
Criterion, N. Y., on Feb. 19 followed
by key city release in 35 theaters on
Mar. 7. One of the effective tie-ups
by the company has been completed
with Philco. All Philco dealers
throughout the country have broad-
sides showing methods of tying up
with local dealers, thus aiding exhibi-
tors. Paramount will utilize the en-
tire Philco hour on Feb. 26 for a
"Vagabond King" program, over the
coast-to-coast network of the Co-
lumbia chain. Newspaper, trade and
fan magazine advertising also is being
used.
Cinephone Installed in
Three London Houses
London — Powers Cinephone equip-
ment has been installed at the Gow-
erville and Star, Preston, Vic. The
Balwyn, controlled by Bill Edmonds,
of Gowerville, is also installing the
same service. Harrington's, Ltd.,
are the local agents.
Payette May Succeed Silver
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — George Payette,
formerly with F. N. exchange here, is
expected to succeed Harry Silver, who
recently ended his affiliation with Sid-
ney Lust to take charge of the Over-
lea in Baltimore.
Sound for Wilmington House
Wilmington, N. C. — Sound pictures
were inaugurated here with the open-
ing of "His Glorious Night," shown
via RCA Photophone apparatus.
operetta, directed by William A. Sei-
ter, with Bernice Claire and Frank
McHugh. In Technicolor.
"One Night At Susie's," from the
"Liberty Magazine" story, directed
by John Francis Dillon, with Billie
Dove and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
"Heart of the North," all-Techni-
color, based on a "Red Book Mag-
azine" story, starring Loretta Young.
"The Dawn Patrol," aviation spe-
cial from a story by John Monk
Saunders, directed by Howard
Hawks, starring Richard Barthel-
mess.
Future productions include the first
of the original compositions by Os-
car Straus, who is now at the studios.
Otto Harbach and Jerome D. Kern
also will be represented with a pic-
ture. A play now is being selected
for Otis Skinner, and there will be
another Victor Herbert operetta,
"The Fortune Teller," as well as
Marilyn Miller's second musical pro-
duction in color. There also will be
productions with Corinne Griffith,
Dorothy Mackaill, Lois Wilson and
.A.lexander Gray.
Australian Exhibs Ready
to Back Brit. Producers
Sydney — Australian exhibitors as a
whole are ready to back British pro-
ducers to take a more prominent
place in world production, Stuart F.
Doyle, managing director of Union
Theaters, Ltd., big commonwealth
circuit, said at a recent meeting of
representatives of Melbourne's com-
mercial and motion picture world.
"Twelve months ago," he said, "the
phrase 'British film for the world'
would have almost been laughable.
Today it is a challenge and a proph-
ecy. Within the next year I hope
and believe this will be a statement
of fact."
City Goes All Sound
Morpeth, England — This town has
gane entirely talkie with the wiring
of the Playhouse and Coliseum. The
latter house has adopted the slogan
"Now we're talking" as an incentive
for business.
Prepares "Two Worlds"
Berlin — Preparations have been
completed for "Two Worlds," which
will be a 100 per cent talking film to
be produced by Greenbaum. It will
be made at the B. I. P. studios in
London under direction of A. E. Du-
pont.
Sound for Plainville, Conn.
Plainville, Conn. — The Strand is
opening with RCA Photophone.
Andrews Resigns
London — John A. Andrews has re-
signed as sales manager of Carlton
Films, Ltd.
DeSoto House Goes Sound
DeSoto, Mo. — The Jefferson will
open soon with RCA Photophone
equipment.
A
THE
Sunday, February 9. 1930
-e^m
DAILY
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO^S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
Plans Sound Studio
at Asheville, N. C.
A modern sound studio is being
contemplated in Asheville, N. C, by
Southern Pictures Corp. of New
York.
J. L. Thompson, formerly of Amer-
ican Sound studios, who is in back
of the enterprise, believes that Ashe-
ville has natural advantages that will
ultimately make it the Hollywood of
the East. He is leaving for Asheville
today to complete final details with
local business men who are said to
be behind the project.
Para. Adds Louise Closser Hale
Louise Closser Hale, who scored a
decided hit in both stage and screen
version of "Paris," has been added
to the cast of "Dangerous Nan Mc-
Grew," which goes into production
at the Paramount studio here, in a
few days. Monta Bell is directinc
the picture, the cast of which already
includes Helen Kane, Victor Moore,
James Hall, Stuart Erwin, Frank
Morgan and Roberta Robinson.
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
"'THE LADY LIES," produced at
Paramount's Long Island stu-
dios, with Hobart Henley directing,
led off the Roll of Honor pictures
selected by leading critics of the
country in the FILM DAILY YEAR
BOOK annual poll. Following this
came "The Letter," another product
of Paramount's East Coast studios,
with "The Cocoanuts," also made
here, closely following.
John MacDowell, young actor,
who has just been added to the
cast of Paramount's "Young Man
of Manhattan," is a protege of
Paul Ash, who discovered him in
a Publix presentation act.
"Mike" Ames, Michigan's famous
female impersonator, has just com-
pleted a Vitaphone Variety, under the
direction of Edmund Joseph, to be
known as "The Varsity Vamp."
Ames is a former U. of M. athlete
who gave up a career as engineer to
follow his present profession.
Frank Heath, Paramount's genial
casting director is not above takinf.
a joke but he'd like to get his paw;
on a certain guy who has been visit-
ing the various bakery stores in th(
vicinity of the Long Island studio,
and ordering 20 dozen rolls delivered
to Heath. The jokester's usual meth-
od of payment is a rubber check
which never fails to bounce right
back at the indignant baker.
Stanley Rauh, who has been con-
nected with the Eastern Vitaphone
studio for six weeks, will have his
fifth sketch "shot" next week. It is
titled "The No Account," and will
be produced with an all-star cast
under the direction of Murray Roth.
Feminine hearts galore fluttered in
delightful anticipation when the word
was passed along that James Rennie,
matinee idol of Broadway, was due
at the Eastern Vitaphone studio in
(Continued on Page 6)
Popular Screen Comic
Strong for Talkies
"The public does not as yet realize
the marvels of talking pictures," de-
clared Chester Conklin seriously, dur-
ing an interview at the Warner Vita-
phone studios where he recently
made "The Master Sweeper," a short
comedy, under Murray Roth's direc-
tion.
"Aside from their value as enter-
tainment, talking pictures will play a
prominent part in world affairs and
in the history of nations.
"Comedies are the most difficult of
all talking pictures to make," con-
cluded the comedian, "because of the
necessity of timing for laughs. This
is practically impossible to gauge in
advance since no two audiences re-
act alike."
Lewis Warner at Studio
Lewis Warner, son of Harry M.
Warner, has transferred his activi-
ties from the music and theater man-
agement and to the Eastern Vita-
phone studios in Flatbush. Monroe
ShafT, formerly an assistant director,
is now assistant to Warner.
1
JULIEN JOSEPHSON
SCREEN PLAY AND DIALOGUE
DISRAELI
VOTED
THE BEST PICTURE OF 1929
In the Film Daily^s Nationwide Poll of Critics
THE
■^Sl
DAILV
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
iContinued fiomParie 5)
Brooklyn, to appear in a Vitaphone
Variety entitled "Three Rounds oi
Love," to be directed by Arthur
Hurley.
trvhig Kahal and Sammy Fain,
Param,ount's talented song tvritinff
team, don't allow a little thing like
illness to interfere ivith their work.
When Sammy developed grippe in
the midst of composing "Good and
Plenty," for "Young Man of Man-
hattan," Irving hied himself to the
bed-side where together they fin-
ished the composition.
Katherine Brush had the thrill of
seeing her fictional characters come
to life the other day when she vis-
ited the "Young Man of Manhat-
tan" set at the Paramount studio.
This popular young authoress ex-
pressed herself as well pleased with
the selection of Norman Foster for
the title role.
Eddie Buzzell, the pint-sized
comedian, who just completed a
Vitajphone Variety at the Warner
Brdh. studios in Flatbush, under
Murray Roth's direction, is greatly
elated over the swell notices given
his first feature talkie, "Little John-
ny Jones," which played the Strand
theater last week.
Slapstick Principals Chosen
Louis Brock announces that he will
feature Tony Martin and Nick Basil,
Italian comedians, in "Barnum Was
Wrong," the first slapstick comedy
to be produced in color.
Production will start ne.xt week at
the Ideal studio, ClifTside, N. J., with
Jilark Sandrich directing.
il Leslie Austin in "Young Man"
Leslie Austin, stage and screen
actor, will make his talkie in Para-
mount's "Young Man of Manhat-
tan," now being directed at the Long
Island studios, by Monta Bell. He
ibins a cast headed by Claudette Col-
bert, Charles Ruggles, Norman Fos-
ter and Ginger Rogers.
"Heads Up" in Technicolor
. The first feature-length Technicolor
production to be made in the East
will be "Heads Up." which Para-
n,iount will film at its Long Island
sjudios within the next two months.
I Another Specialist
fl IVest Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood— Because of the
number of blisters, bruises and
sprains resulting from the fact
that the platoon of soldiers
used in "The Case of Sergeant
Grischa" had to march five
miles a day, RKO has added a
podiatrist — otherwrise known
as a foot specialist — to its stu-
dio hospital StafL.__. ,:srr-.i
Optical Problems of Wide Film
Processes Outlined by Rayton
Difficuhies encountered in designing adequately optical systems to
meet the problems of wide film motion pictures are outlined in the fol-
lowing article by W. B. Rayton, who in addition to being an associate
editor of the Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers, is con-
nected with the scientific bureau of the Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.
The employment of film wider than the
standard 33 mm. seems imminent. No one
can say whether we will have to deal with
one size or several, but, however that ques-
tion may be settled, the ditficulties encoun-
tered in designing: adequate optical systems
are of the same kind in all cases but differ
in degree with the variations in width of
film and size of projected image. It seems
probable that they are of sufficient interest
to this Society to justify a brief statement of
them and of the degree to which we have
been able to meet the requirements.
It will probably not be out of place first to
set forth the reasons which are impelling the
industry to take a step involving such dras-
tic changes in equipment while it is still
struggling with conversion of equipment to
permit sound pictures to be made and repro
duced. While there may be other reasons.
there are two, at least, discoverable by a
1)rief consideration of sound pictures. The
first rests on the fact that in the sound-on
film processes part of the area formerly avail
able for the picture now has to be given
up for the sound track. The second reason
rests on the possibilities inherent in sound
pictures which were lacking in the silent
pictures of presenting entertainment more
of the nature of spoken drama of the stage
Although the second of these conditions leads
to a demand for a larger picture area, the
first results in an actual decrease in picture
area.
As soon as speech was added to the picture
it was found that the picture area did not
allow enough characters to be included in a
scene if the projected images were to appear
large enough to be commensurate with a
sufficient volume of sound. The effect of a
series of conversations between two or three
characters appearing in a small, practically
square frame in the remote distance is dis
tinctly not entertaining after the novelty has
worn off. Further, the producers are am-
bitious to attempt to record the stage settings
as well as the music of opera and musical
comedies.
To meet the situation it is necessary to
project a picture in which the figures remain
of a sufficiently large size l)ut which includes
more of them. This means, obviously, a
wider included angular field of view and a
larger projected picture.
To accomplish this, two methods of attack
occur at once. One method would consist
in moving the camera farther from the set or
in using lenses of shorter focal length there
by reducing the size of the images of the
individual components of the set and per-
mitting more of them to be included. Now.
if this picture is proiected through a pro
iection lens of sufficient power to restore
the figures to the customary size on the screen
a much larger total picture size will result.
It will be larger in height as well as in
width. Since we are only infrequently in
terested in any great amount of space aI>ove
the heads of the human figures in the set we
would be embarrassed with this superfluous
space, in general. It would be possible, how-
ever, to reduce the frame height, let us .say.
to the point wheVe its relation to the height
of the human figures was restored to some
thing like what we have been accustomed to.
Mow this all sounds very good. Several more
frames, possibly twice as many, could be
recorded on a foot of film: film consumption
would be decreased and film magazines re
dnced in size or else hold a much longer
record.
This procedure, however, ij impractical,
first because the resolving power of photo
gr.nnblc emulsions of adequate speed is in-
sufficient to permit a satisfactory screen
imatjc to be obtained by such a process,
(".raininess would be very pronounced and de
tail would be lost. It would, furthermore.
be impractical in the present state of de
yclonment of the optical systems employed
•n the sound-on-film processes since it would
be impossible to get a satisfactory reprodtic-
•"Jt of sound because of the loss of high
fre<)uencies.--- FHrally, h'Ts not at all sure
that such a picture could be projected with
anything like a satisfactory degree of bright
ness.
A modification of this solution was demon-
strated at the meeting of the Optical Society
of America at its meeting in Washington in
Nov., 1928, which is interesting enough to
justify examination. You have probably all
observed that if you hold a telescope of any
kind before your eve in a reversed position
all objects seen through it are apparently re
duced in size and look more remote. If you
hold a telescope before the lens of your
camera you will Ije able to observe the same
effect on the ground glass. If the telescope
be held before the camera lens in its or
dinary operative condition" the image on the
ground glass will be lafger than the image
formed by the camera objective alone. To
be more specific, if we hold a 2X Galilean
telescope in front of the camera lens with the
objective lens of the telescope facing the
camera the size of all the individual details
in the image, on the ground glass will be just
half as large as they are without the teles
cope. If you try this experiment do not be
surprised, however, if the total image fails
to cover the who'e ground glass area ; the
ordinary Galilean tclescon.- optics ser\»e only
to demonstrate the principle but will not give
results of any value. Provided, however, the
optical system was satisfactory we would have
achieved a result identical with the result
we might have obtained with a new camera
objective of just half the focal length of the
original. You will remember that this is one
of the expedients mentioned a moment ago
for increasing the angular field of view. The
proposal under examination, however, is
unique in that instead of lenses with snherical
surfaces it employs lenses with cylindrical
surfaces so that the added telescope, if we
may still call it such, has magnifying power
in one direction only, while in the direction
at right angles it has no optical effect at all.
If such a system be addeil to a camera lens
it will have the effect of apparently altering
the focal length of the latter in one diameter
while having no effect on focal length in a
second diameter perpendicular to the first.
If the added system be located such that its
active plane is horizontal we would }ye in
effect taking a picture through a lens of, let
us say, two inches in the vertical plane and
one inch in the horizontal. The result would
be that all vertical lines would be brought
closer together and more space could be cov-
ered in the horizontal plane while the height
of the figures would be normal for a 2 in.
lens. The image on the film would be a very
unusual looking image but projected through
a projection lens with a similar added cylind
rical system it will be restored to normal
proportions and theoretically the projected
picture would give no indication that it has
been subjected to such unusual treatment.
If an optical system of this type could be
designed to work satisfactorily in respect to
speed and image quality, a task bristling with
difficulties, it would overcome the difficulty
mentioned earlier of poor sound reproduction
and it would proTiably be somewhat easier
from the illumination standpoint. From the
standpoint of image quality, however, even
neglecting the effect of aberrations in the
added system itself it is not obvious that we
would obtain results of any better quality than
we would secure by photographing with an
ordinary photographic lens of correspondinglv
short focus and projecting with correspond
ingly higher magnification.
We would, to be sure, have the great re
duction in photography and the extraordinary
magnification in projection in the horizontal
plane only instead of in all directions but it
does not seem likely that this would reduce
in any appreci.nb'e degree the difficulties due
to grain and limited resolving power of the
film.
The successful application of the nietho<ls
previously outlined imposes problems on both
the lens designer and on the emulsion maker.
There is one possibility, however, which leaves
the film manufacturer free from embarrass-
ment in so far as his emulsions are con-
cerned but which still depends for its sitccess
(Continued on Page 10)
Newspaper Opinions
"Glorifying the American Girl"
Paramount
Paramount, New York
AMERICAN—* * * turns out to be a very
weak sister, which is saved from utter banal-
ity by the introduction of an Eddie Cantor
skit in which the comedian makes fhe audi-
ence laugh so heartily as to forget everything
else. There are the same old ballet shots,
unremembered songs, and some technicolor
th.at is not so good.
DAILY NEWS—* * * the long-awaited
spectacle which isn't really much of a spec-
tacle at all. ♦ * * The colored sequences
are lavish and lovely. They've injected any
number of silent scenes into a talkie movie,
and you know how dreadful that seems. And
they switch quickly from colored episodes to
black-and-white, and back again. Millard
Webb has given us a sloppy piece of direc-
tion.
EVENING JOURNAL—* * * a spotty
mixture that resembles nothing so much as a
-cries of Movietone shorts weakly strung
together with an inept story that has in it
bits of "The Broadway Melody" and other
back-stage yarns.
GRAPHIC — * * * a familiar and often
feeble tale of the rise of Mary Eaton from
small-time vaudevillian to a Ziegfeld star,
garnishing its story weakness with gayly dec-
orative sets of imposing grandeur and sprink-
ling feminine pulchritude over its final reels.
HERALD TRIBUNE— * * * the result is
hardly worth all the effort. At least the
picture is entertaining in its revue scenes.
WTien it gets to the story, though, the film is
hardly triumphant. The cast, gathered from
the local stage, is less than exciting. • * •
MORNING TELEGRAPH—* * * Starting
off with the handicap of an unattractive title
the picture presents a trite and poorly writ-
ten story, childishly directed and amateurishly
acted. Obviously, the whole thing was thrown
together carelessly to provide a framework
for production numbers.
POST — * * * there is nothing about "Glori-
fying" that has not been done in the talkies
many times before. Its plot fairly reeks with
familiarity. * • *
TELEGRAM — * * * an outmoded and dis-
mally tiresome film, with only one or pos-
sibly two short sketches that are worthy of
any particular attention. * * * a long drawn
out affair, that gasps pitifully for breath as
it staggers along. The photography is bad;
the color sequences are even worse; the di-
rection is neither fresh nor imaginative; the
acting on the part of all the players con-
cerned is pretty amateurish, and the tnusic is
from several seasons back.
TIMES — The only really bright spots in
this production are the episodes in which
Eddie Cantor, Helen Morgan, Rudy Vallee
and Mary Eaton officiate in "Ziegfeld Fol-
lies" numbers. Some of the Technicolor
■sequences are rather impressively staged, but
the coloring is never especially striking.
WORLD — There is nothing noticeably
Ziegfeldian in the production with the excep-
tion that it is ample and that its music at
times is catchy and agreeable. The grace
and pictorial beauty of Mr. Ziegfeld's stake
is nowhere upon it. And still, "Glorifying:
the American Girl," unwieldy as it is, i*
as acceptable as are most of the musical'
comedy films wTiich to date have reached-
Broadway. It is just a fair show, made now
and again spirited by the introduction of one
or the other of the Ziegfeld celebrities.
I
Manager Making Local Film
Bradock, Pa. — Sam Byler of the
Capitol is making a community com-
edy picture.
Manaeing New Haven House
New Haven, Conn. — Morris Ro-
senberg Jiow Is managing the Yictory
here.
THE
^finday, February 9, 1930
^e^s
G4il^
timely Topics
A Digest of
' Current Opinion
€>
Pictures Help Child Tear
Veil of Mystery from Life
A/fOTION pictures and talking
movies are as rotten today
as they can possibly be. We
have peopije directing the movies
with a minimum of brains, and
we have authors writing for them
with even less brains, and most
of the actors have still less
brains. But while most motion
pictures are an insult to our
adult organization, nevertheless
they form a part of the child's
environment. I believe in bring-
ing children up from their in-
fancy to face everything there is
to be faced in their environment,
and to so organize them about life
in general that such things as
movies and sex and crime and
death fit into their general
scheme of life. So I should say
by all means send them to the
movies — the best and the rotten-
est — once in a while, to remove
all mysterv from them.
John B. Watson,
Author of "Psychological
Care of Infant nivd Child"
Many Big Houses Held Unsuited
To Talking Picture Projection
EXFERIEN'CE has demon-
strated conclusively enough
that many of our large first run
houses are delivering an inferior
quality of sound, not because of
any neglect, carelessness or ignor-
ance on the part of their tech-
nical staffs, but because they are
very badly suited to the showing
of sound pictures.
Some of the best sound and dia-
logue, on the other hand, is being
offered by smaller houses where
the newspaper critics seldom or
never put in an appearance, the
reason being that these smaller
houses labor under no such
acoustical handicaps as the large
theaters which were constructed
to house capacity audiences for
silent pictures.
"Moving Picture Review
& Theater Management"
•
Z
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
ALEXANDER GRAY
advertising manager for
truck company
Along The Rialto
^ / with
\ PhilM. Daly, Jr.
DA. D,ORAN, who is New Yorking these days to set Colum-
• bia's story material for the new program, finds life is just
one show after another. After seeing one of Broadway's legit
offerings the other night he commented: "All work — and no play."
Which, in our modest opinion, is a good review in tab form
Will Rogers, just back from London, had such a case of sea-
sickness on the Westward passage that he did not come out of his
stateroom for the first three days, thereby giving the other
passengers the impression that he got aboard in mid-ocean
* *■ * *
Charles P. Cohan, formerly connected with Fox in various
managerial capacities now is doing the big thing for Loew's State
in Syracuse Let's know how things go, Charlie
The contest recently held by Columbia for the President prize
offered personally by Joe Brandt to be given to the salesman
leading the country was just closed. The prize, a Ford sedan,
was won by Saul Trauner, Bklyn rep. of the N. Y. exchange
William Morris, president of the Jewish Theatrical Guild of
America, announces that the memorial services of the Guild will
be held in the Temple Emauu-El on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2:30
P. M. Rev. Dr. Nathan Krass will officiate Out on the
Coast preparations now are under way for a big time at the
Sixth Annual Gambol of the Catholic M. P. Guild of America.
Hedda Hopper, appearing in Fox Movietone pictures, will be
guest star for the Paul Whiteman Old Gold hour the night of
Feb. 18. The time is scheduled at 6 and 7 P. M. at the Coast
but may be heard between 9 and 10 P. M. Eastern Standard time
in New York
Finally out of 300 titles for the John McCormack film com-
pleted by Fox, "Song O' My Heart" was selected and is scheduled
to open St. Patrick's Day in New York Tell me, Glenn,
are you giving green ties away for an exploitation stunt?
El Brendel, Fox Movietone comic is scheduled to arrive in N. Y.
tomorrow
Stephen Barutio is now house managing the Paramount. He
was formerly in charge of the Rialto and before that, ran the
Metropolitan in Boston. Some time ago Steve was identified with
the Paramount as assistant to Manager Leaper, who has now
been promoted to city manager for Publix
FEBRUARY 8-9-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who on these days are cele-
brating their birthdays:
February 8th
Samuel J. Briskin
HdUam Cooley
Billy Dooley
Charles A. Logue
Jack Luden
Louis Morrison
Lon Poft"
King Wallis Vidor
A. J. Dash
February 9th
Ronald Colman
Dan Mason
James Murray
Albert De Sart
L. VirgU Hart
Richard L. Smith
Joe King
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
AL JOLSON gave the Viennese
^^ managers a heap big shock when
he asked a price of $5,000 for one
performance.
"But Mon Dieu!" exclaimed one
of the impresarios, who happened to
be a Frenchman (because we don't
know any Viennese). "For $3,000
we can engage Galli-Curci or Chalia-
pin or Gigli."
"Oh, yeah?" said Al. "And how
big a house do you get with those
yodelers?"
"Maybe, two, three thousand," re-
plied the manager.
"Welf, big boy," laughed Al,
"that's just the standing room crowd
in the cohseums, auditoriums and ice
rinks where I sing."
* * *
From a country newspaper we
glean the information that one Pat-
trick Aloysius Jeremiah McGilli-
cuddy has left the old home town
for Hollywood to make a naine for
himself. A pure case of misdirected
energy, if you ask us. He's got too
much name already.
* * ♦
"Why is it that a certain element
always likes to sensationalize any-
thing that might be construed as
derogatory to pictures?"
"Maybe it's for the same reason
that Florida newspapers like to play
up California's earthquakes."
* * *
Although the Aquitania, bringing
Sidney R. Kent back from Europe,
was two days late, no refund was
made by the steamship company like
they do on the Twentieth Century.
However, Kent figures himself pret-
ty near even. The ship had to house
and f'ced him for those two extra
days.
* ♦ ♦
USELESS INFORMATION
Lack of applause from film audi-
ences doesn't offend picture players,
because they couldn't step out and
take bows anyhow.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Censorship defeated in Virginia.
* * *
Zukor pledges support of Famous
Players to National Board of Review.
* ♦ ♦
F. A. Gudger, Du Pont official, ap-
pointed vice-president of Goldwyn
Pictures.
Gus Edwards to produce
Days."
'School
THE NEWS
BEFORE IT
HAPPENS!
s
EE THE NEXT
IN PATHE SOUND NEWS N^ 15!
If or when there is a next war. Uncle Sam is ready.
He proves it to the American people in a gigantic war demon-
stration staged by the Infantry School at Ft. Benning, Ga.
Pathe Sound News*, the screen journal of the nation, carries
his preparedness message.
Tanlcs, gases, explosives, big guns, airplanes — you see and hear
them all in the most startling manoeuvres ever filmed by any
sound or silent newsreel.
Pathe Sound News goes its own motto one better — here you
see the news before it happens.
Exclusive in Pathe Sound News. Number 15 is the issue, cur-
rently released. Screen it — hear it — see it- — advertise it I
*(Pathe News, silent, still as ever leads the silent field.)
STAGED EXCLUSIVELY
EDITED BY TERRY RAMSAYE AND RAY
L. HALL ♦ RECORDED BY THE
RCA PHOTOPHONE SYSTEM
-ig_A3_M n 1 1 nil
FOR PATHE BY UNCLE SAM'S ARMY
THE
10
■e&Sl
DAILV
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Foreign Markets
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN
SEES NO NEW TROUBLE
IN FRANCE FOR U. S.
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — ■ Legislation difficul-
ties between the American distribu-
tor and the French exhibitor in 1930
will be no greater than in 1929, N. D.
Golden, assistant chief of the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce,
believes. The outstanding legislative
problem in 1929 for the European
market was the determined stand of
the American distributors and the
French exhibitors against tightening
up of the quota. During the prog-
ress of settling the terms of this
quota legislation no new contracts
for distribution of American films in
France were made for a period oi
over six months. The temporary
settlement on the basis of status quo
placed a decided check on the spread
of similar legislations in other coun-
tries which consider the adoption of
the quota laws providing France was
successful in carrying through her
new quota demands.
Capt. Hawkins Handling
Auditone Sound Device
London — Auditone, de luxe all-
electric sound equipment, has made
its appearance and is being handled
by Captain S. W. Hawkins. It is
manufactured to be adapted to Pow-
ers, Simplex, Kalee, C. & W., and
Ernemann projector heads, thus do-
ing away with the expense of new
projectors and any structural altera-
tion to the booth for installation.
A movable tone-arm is one of the
device's features which permits im-
mediate adjusting of synchronization.
Ihe complete equipment consists of
two sets of universal bases fitted with
disc oil-float turntable, Auditone pat-
ent movietone projection head, syn-
chronous and variable speed motors,
lamphouse carrier, movable tone-arm
and pick-up.
Sandberg Completing Film
Paris — M. A. W. Sandberg is com-
pleting "The Yellow Captain," at the
Billancourt studios. Filmophone sys-
tem is being used for synchroniza-
tion.
RIchmount Pictures
i 723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAM. Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
tives for Rayart Pi.tures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJ.W. London.
Cable Address: RICHPIC, N. Y.
Exporting only the
best in Motion Picturet
BRITISH FilN STUDIOS
OPEN FORQUOTA FILMS
London — British Assn. of Film Di-
rectors announce that the followmg
companies will enter into contracts
with distributors tor making pictures
irequired by the British ^uota Act.
British Fiimcraft Prod., Ltd., Bri-
tish Instructional Films, Ltd., British
Intl. Pictures, Ltd., British Lion Film
Corp., Ltd., British Screen Prod.,
Ltd., London Screen Plays, Ltd., New
Era Prod., Ltd., StoU f icture Prod.,
Ltd., 'iwickenham Film Studios,
Ltd. The following studios will rent
space to any producers: British Film-
cratt, British Instructional, British
international, British Lion, Stoll,
ilntish Screen and Twickenham,
oaumont occasionally has space open
tor extra production work.
Optical Problems of Wide Film
Processes Outlined by Rayton
(Continued from Page 6)
Schlesinger Heads New
$5,UUU,000 Sound Corp.
London — Associated Sound Finn
Industries has been registered witn
a capital of $5,00U,UU0 with object to
acquire the beneht ol inventions con-
nected with the photographic metnod
oi recording sound on turn or otner
material, and method of projecting or
translating sound so recorded, and to
carry on the business ot manutactur-
ers of and dealers in talking machines,
gramaphones, wireless instruments,
cinematographs and telephones, the-
ater, concert, music halls and picture
show proprietors. The new company
IS headed by i. W. Schlesinger, head
of the South African Theaters Cir-
cuit, of British Talking Pictures and
of United Pictures, Ltd. The move
IS primarily designed to build up
sound recording companies in direct
>.onipetition with American electrical
interests.
Admits Deal Under Way
for Two London Houses
London — That negotiations be-
tween A. E. Abrahams and Sir Alfred
Butt for the purchase of the Drury
Lane and Dominion theaters are now
under way has been admitted by
Abrahams' son, who said that noth-
ing yet has actually been accom-
plished. Nearly $75U,000 is reported
to be involved in the deal
Scotland Teachers Seek
Ban on Inflammable Film
Scotland — A request from the Re-
frewshire branch of teachers to ask
support of the National Union of
Teachers in England for a proposal
that the Government should pass an
act preventing the use of inflammable
films has been made to the National
Executive of the Educational Insti-
tute here.
on the leus designer. The method referred to
consists in enlarging the picture area without
changing the focal length of the lenses. This,
translated in optical language, calls for both
photographic and projection lenses of larger
ne.d of view. For the sake of any who may
I'C unfamiliar with the meaning of the term
held of view it may be well to explain that
.he quotient of half the diagonal of the pic
cure area divided by the focal length of the
length of the lens is the tangent qj half the
angular field of view.
ihe commonly used focal lengths in motion
picture practice run from 4U mm. to 15u mm.
senses both shorter and longer are used on
uccauion but not frequently. The following
table presents the values ot the angular fields
of view demanded by three different picture
areas for lenses within these limits.
Table of Angular Field of View
Focal Length I'icture Area
of Lens iyx25Mm. 18X36 Mm. 23X46 Mm.
40 mm. 42° 52' 53° 24' 65° 28'
50 34 52 43 50 54 26
75 2i 38 30 02 37 50
100 17 50 22 46 28 50
Beyond doubt the must popular lens in
motion p.cture photography is the 50 mm.
lens. On standard Him the field of view
covered is slightly less than 35°. For the
^i X 40 miu. picture area the field covered
is practically 54/2°. This is not by any
means au uuheard-of angie iti lcn;^es of re~
laiive aperture of //4.5 or even //3.5 but no
puotograpnic lens appeared to be available
iVith suuic.eut speed and batisfactorily sharp
uennition to cover a p.cture size 2j X 4u
inin. at ihe time this size was first attempteu.
J. am happy, however, to announce that i
uave been auie to design a 50 mm. lens of a
relative aperture of t/2.i which covers this
area very satistactoniy. lo cover the heiu
with lenses ol longer focal length is a lasK
ut lecS diificuity, out here one must guaru
against a oeteriorat.on of general definition
uuu to res.uuai aberrations which become
the more noticeau.c me longer the local length.
^ow, it would not be strictly necessary loi
the production of the wide him pictures to
nave lenses as short as 50 mm. in toca.
length. If the distance from camera to set
couiu be chosen at will, any given area
wmch can be photographed with tne desireu
reuuction on a him ot given size can be
pnoiographed at the same scale of reduction
uii a him of the same size with a longei
locus lens. Two obstacles present themseive^
However; first, the d.stance trom camera to
set becomes too great involving excessive
expense in studio space and, second, tht
perspective of the view becomes fiatLcr. The
latter might be overcome by a dirterent ar-
rangement of the set but this agaio involves
incieased expense as compared with the pos-
sibility of varying perspective by the simple
process of selecting the camera lens of most
appropriate focal length.
Alter the pictures have been taken the
problem of projection otters difficulties in il-
lumination and in nnumg a projection lens
competent to project them with satisfactory
definition.
It is obvious that if the same amount o.
light which passes through the aperture of
the film gate in an ordinary projector b.
spread over a screen area twice as large the
illumination of the screen image will be only
half as great. If a. pair of ordinary 4^i in.
condensers and high intensity arc be employed
in their usual adjustment it will be found
impossible to illuminate an area 23 X 46
mm. The illuminated area in the plane of the
Attanasio Buys Two Houses
Lakeland, Fla. — J. G. Attanasio,
who owns the Columbia, La Belle,
has purchased the Franklin at Bus-
nell and Caleatha at Mulberry and
plans to operate the three houses un-
der the name of the Columbia
Amusement Circuit with headquar-
ters here.
Multiphone for La. House
Gretna, La. — Multiphone sound ap-
paratus has been installed at the Hol-
lywood, according to Ed Thomasic,
manager.
film is not large enough. The size of the
illuminated area can be incireased, however,
by reducing the distance from arc to con-
denser. An adjustment can be found in
which the spot at the film gate will be large
enough to circumscribe the 23 X 46 mm, rect-
angle. It is obvious that much light will be
intercepted by the film gate, but still the
illumination will be greater than we might
expect as a result of comparison of screen
image sizes. In reducing the distance from
arc to condenser we have increased the amount
of light picked up by the condenser and we
are not limited entirely to the light flux which
passed through the aperture in the ' film gate
while we were projecting ordinary, 35 mm.
film.
The old 4}^ in. diameter condensers with
the high intensity arc, however, did \not ex-
haust the possibilities of the projection lens
in respect to its angular aperture. One ob-
vious means of increasing illumination, there-
fore, lay in employing condensers of larger
converging angle. Since the approach of the
arc to the condenser cannot be carried on in-
definitely this led at once to larger con-
densers. We foiind it possible to obtaiti a
marked increase in angle with condensers of
6 in. diameter With aspheric surfaces, of
course. A substantial inerea'^e in illumina
tion resulted.
Some additional illumination, however, is
possible by using an astigmatic condenser,
one whose focal length in one meridian is
shorter than its focal length in the other
principal ineridian. Such a condenser can be
realized by employing one cylindrical sur-
face, as we have done for several years in
one of our ophthalmic instruments, or by
employing a toric surface. Such a condenser
will yield a spot of light in the plane of the
film. A preliminary investigation subject
to jwssible correction indicates a gain of
something like 25 per cent obtainable in this
manner.
If, now, the arc be run ai something like
150 amperes with condensers as described
above a satisfactory illumination will be found
possible. It still remains a question as to
just what degree of illumination will be re-
luired. It is possible that the relatively
enormous picture on the screen may prove
more satisfactory at a level of brightness
lower than we have been accustomed to in
the smaller picture. Certainly, a projected
picture of, say, 23 X 46 feet illuminated as
lirightly as some of the news reels we see
might be expected to raise the general il
lumination of the theater to an undesirable
level.
For the projection of the pictures ordinary
projection lenses are entirely out of ques-
tion except in the longest focal lengths be-
cause of objectionable curvature of field. It
happened that I had been working on aii im-
proved form of lens for the shorter focal
lengths for the projection of ordinary film
when the demand came for lenses to project
the large pictures. The design had pro-
gressed to the point where it was possible
to offer lenses of 4 in. equivalent focal length
and of a speed of //2.2 which projected a
picture 23 X 46 mm. with satisfactory re
suits. Since then it has beep found entirely
possible with lenses of 3 in. focal length.
These lenses are, of course, anastigmats.
For the benefit of those who may have
seen the demonstrations, I might say that
both the Grandeur film shown at the Gaiety,
New York and the earlier demonstration bv
Paramount were for the most part accom-
plished with the aid of the optical develop-
ments described above.
Warner Office to Open Feb. IS
New Orleans — New quarters for
Warner and Vitaphone Corp. are
scheduled to open here on Feb. IS.
F. F. Goodrow, Warner branch man-
ager, will have charge of both com-
panies.
De Forest for Shelby House
Shelby, N. C. — The Carolina open-
ed with its first showing of sound
picture. "Sweetie" was the opening
picture shown via De Forest appa-
ratus.
DAILY Sunday, February 9, 1930
■M^if»!Zm&^id£S.
"Floating Floor" for Radio Studio
To Assure Accurate Recording of Sound on Specials — New Series of Colored Shorts Under Way at Tiffany —
Beaudine Working on "At Bay" for F. N. — Veteran Talker Actor With Warners — Ralph Wilk's Paragraphs
NEW TYPE FLOOR CLAUD
IDEAL FOR SOUND STAGE
Latest installation at the Radio stu-
dio is a "floating floor" now nearing
completion and built, it is claimed,
to insure the successful recording of
"Case of Sergeant Grischa," "Dixi-
ana" and "Radio Revels."
This new type of floor, according to
technicians, is ideal for sound stages
as it provides enough resiliencv to
absorb all floor sounds. The floor is
constructed so that it is not connect-
ed with either of the outside walls
and rests on a base of flax linum, a
sound absorbing material. It is built
of No. 2 vertical grain Oregon pine
and is nailed together in the same
manner as a high grade hardwood
floor. Ground noise caused by the
earth's vibration from city traflfic has
baffled the problem of proper record-
ing of sound pictures. This new type
of "floating floor" is expected to re-
duce this to a minimum.
Beaudine Will Direct
First National's "At Bay"
William Beaudine will soon start
work on "At Bay," for First Na-
tional. In the cast are Loretta
Young, Jack Mulhall, Raymond Hat-
ton, Georgette Rhodes, George Bar-
raud. Winter Hall and Kathryn
Williarns. _ Beaudine's contract with
F. N., it is understood, expires next
month.
Eason for Gibson "U" Film
Reeves Eason has been selected by
Universal to direct Hoot Gibson in
his next for the companv titled, "Who
— Me?"
Lloyd Bacon for "Moby Dick"
Lloyd Bacon has been selected by
Warners to direct John Barrymore
in the talker version of "Moby Dick."
Barrymore made the film in silent
version a few years ago for the same
company.
Manners Gets F. N. Contract
David Manners has been given a
long term contract by First National
and will appear opposite Alice White
in "Sweet Mamma," which Eddie
Cline will direct.
writing dialogue for
"Paradise Ahoy"
A Little
from **Lots**
mm^ By RALPH WILK =^^
Hollywood
'TWO former Keystone Komed>
Kops are busy on "The Se;:
Bat," which M-G-M is producing a
Mazatlan, Mexico. The forme
"kops" are Wesley Ruggles, who i
directing the picture, and Mack
Swain, who is playing a comedy bar-
tender.
♦ * ♦
Robert Kurrle, ace cameramav.
who photographed "Rio Rita" and
"Hit the Deck," will do the cam-
era work on "The Sea Beast" and
"Those Who Dance," for Warner
Bros.
♦ * *
Rex Bell, popular Fox play-
er, who appeared in "Harmony
at Home," has been borrowed
by Warners to play an impor-
tant role in "Courage."
♦ * *
Our Passing Show: Bertram Mill
hauser, Samson Raphaelson, Myler
Connelly, Harry Braxton, Schuyler
E. Gray, Arthur Hagerman, Henrv
Dunn, Rex Bell at the Writers Club;
Noel Francis motoring to the Fox
studio in her new Ford; Ralph
Block breaking in a new pair of
shoes.
♦ * *
Harry Slott, well known
Hollywood figure, has assumed
the management of the Johnny
Blue Orchestra of Joliet, 111.
♦ * *
Glenn Tryon, Universal's com-
edy star, is the owner of a colorful
tenor voice. He at one time was a
leading member of an opera com-
pany that toured the West.
♦ ♦ *
Howard Estabrook, who was re-
cently loaned to First National by
Paramount, has received approval of
his screen treatment of "Under West-
ern skies." This is an original story
by Estabrook.
♦ * *
A Fox press agent has discov-
ered that Owen Davis, Sr., has had
283 of his plays produced; that Har-
old Lipsitz taught public speakinr
back in Henry Ford's town before
he became a shock absorber for ama-
teur writers; that Marjor'ie White
and Eddie Tiernev had a corkina
big time vaudeville offering; that
Frank Richardson was a silver-
voiced tenor with Emmett Welch'r
Minstrels; that Charles Judels
speaks a brand of French particu-
larly his ovm; that Bill Kemell
once wrote a song for John Mc-
NATURAL COLOR DANCE
FILMSPLANNEDBYTIFfANY
An elaborate series of short fea-
tures, devoted to the theme of dances
ind containing songs, in natural color
will shortly enter production at the
TiiTany studios. Norma Gould Pro-
ductions, recently organized, will pro-
duce the series under the supervision
of Tiffany executives at their studio.
P'ach of these two reel subjects will
portray a dramatic situation in which
the dance is used symbolically to con-
vey emotions and so place in strik-
ing relief the theme of the plot. The
first of these shorts will be made
with a Spanish version and is taken
from a story prepared by Anadia,
tentatively titled, "Tambourine."
Cormack; that Hassard Short was
an actor before he became a stage
director; that Howard Green was at
least 65 per cent of the firm ol
Green and Hockey, writers of 200
successful vaudeville playlets.
A Talker Veteran
Edward Earle is one of the
oldest as well as one of the
newest of talking picture stars.
He made his first debut in the
talkers 15 years ago in Thomas
A. Edison's Vitascope pictures
in which he attempted to syn-
chronize the voice of an actor
on phonograph records with
their actions upon the screen.
His first appearance in Warner
talkers was with Edward Ever-
ett Horton in "The Hottentot,"
Earle was recently featured in
"A Master of Ethics," made by
Vitaphone.
John Dillon Assigned
John Francis Dillon, has been as-
signed by First National to direct
"The Girl of the Goldent West".
VValdemar Young is adapting the
story to the screen.
Replaces Mae Clarke
Dorothy Mackaill replaces Mae
Clarke in the leading role of Fox's
"A Very Practical Joke."
LUTHER REED
!
Adapted and Directed
Rio Rita
Hit The Deck
R. K. O.
Establishing a new two
picture money-making
record for one year for
one director.
THE
12
^E^
DAILV
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Greta Gar bo in
"Anna Christie"
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 70 mins.
INTENSELY ENGROSSING
AND DRAB DRAMA OF THE
WATERFRONT. GARBO FASCI-
NATING AND CONVINCING IN
HER FIRST TALKER. A WOW
FOR SOPHISTICATED AUDI-
ENCES.
Based on Eugene O'NeiU's play and
produced as a picture some years acre
with Blanche Sweet starred. Garbo
displays a voice which is somewhat
heavy and accented at times, but i.'
mellow and understandable. She give-
a superb performance. Clarence
Brown's symnathetic and painstakinp
direction is always evident. The stor'
is that of a girl, embittered by her
experiences with men, who joins her
father, a drunken captain of a coal
scow. A man thev rescue from a
raft falls in love with her and she re-
turns his affection. Owing to her
past, she feels that she cannot marr\-
him. Cornered as to her reasons fo'
refusing to marry, the girl tells her
story. The man disillusioned, leave--
but finally returns for a happy end-
ing. Work of Charles Bickford, the
lover: George F. Marion, the father,
and Marie Dressier is splendid.
Cast: Gret.T Garbo, Chales Bc'-ford.
George F. Marion. Mnrie Dressier. Lee Phelps.
Director, Clarence Brown; Author, Eii?ene
O'Neill; Adaptor, Frances Marion; Editor,
Hn(;h Wynn : Dialoguer. Eugene O'Neill ;
Cameraman, William Daniels ; Monitor Man,
Donglas Shearer.
Direction, aces. Photography, beautiful.
Eddy\
Fox
"Cameo Kirby"
(All-Talker)
Time, 1 hr., 10 mins.
PLEASANTLY TUNEFUL. RO-
MANTIC MUSICAL DRAMA FA-
MILIAR IN PLOT BUT OF
SIMPLE AND CHARMING
QUALITY.
This is another of those Southern
stories with gamblers and river boats
and opening on a Mardi Gras scene.
Although it moves along a familiar
i^th in traversing the road to a clos-
ing embrace, it has a nlensant qual-
'tv that gives the production a cer-
'^in standing. Foremost among its
-"jspts are its nhotnoranhv and the
'^Nving of .7. Harold Murray in the
-ole of a garnbler of h'^ior. There
^re scenes of the Southland full of
the charm of drow-^v beautv and act-
''ng on the nart of Murray that ought
to strengthen his hold on screen
audiences. Though its storv strikes
no new note, it strangely holds the
mterest, chieflv because of Mu-ray's
nresence in the cast. Norma Terris
'^asn't much to do but does it to com-
nlete satisfaction.
Cast: J. Harold Mnrray. Norma Terris
Douglas Gilmore. Robert Edeson, Cl^arles
Morton, Steoin Fetchit, John Hvams. Mme
Daumery, Myrna Loy, Beulah Hall Jones.
Director, Irving Cummings ; Authors, Booth
Tarkmgton and Harry Leon Wilson
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Gertrude Lawrence in
"The Battle of Paris"
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 9 mins.
FAIR ENTERTAINMENT.
GERTRUDE LAWRENCE PUTS
THIS ONE OVER IN SPITE OF
BEING MISCAST.
Gertrude Lawrence, the English
comedienne, comes to the talking
screen in a comedy possessed of lit-
tle distinction and thoroughly negli-
gible except that it provides the oc-
casion for some good acting. The
film manages to entertain, however,
because Miss Lawrence and Charles
Ruggles prove a pair of very capable
performers. They make the most of
an unoriginal story heavily laden with
poor hokum. With these two to watch
and listen to, one need have no diffi-
culty in finding the picture fair di-
version. In the role of a French
crooner Miss Lawrence sings several
pleasing tunes in her usual clever
manner. As her partner Ruggles is
well-nigh perfect. The plot revolves
around the adventures of a singer of
the Paris streets who becomes at-
tracted to an American art student
only to find herself separated from
him by the war. Another woman
enters the scene and how the singer
wins him back is real entertainment.
Cast: Gertnide I^^wrence. Charles Rug-
elrs, Walter Petrle. Gladys Du Bois, Arthur
Tie-'cher. Joe King.
Director. Robert Florey ; Author, Gene
Markey : Adaptor. Gene Markey : Dialoguer,
Gene Markey; Editor, Emma Hill; Camera-
man, William Steiner : Monitor Man, Edward
Schabbehar.
Direction, fair. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Charlotte Greenwood in
"So Long Letty"
(All-Talker)
W(ii-ner Bros. Time, 1 hr., 4 mins.
CONSISTENTLY AMTTSTNG
WARCE COMEDY. WORTHY
TAT.TCER VERSION OF THE
^OPTTLAR STAGE HTT OF
VEARS RACK WITH THE SAME
STAR CLICKING.
Picture fans who never had the
nleasure of seeing and hearing the
'anky and limber Charlotte Green-
wood^ are pretty sure to get a heap
of enjoyment out of seeing her cavort
m the talker version of her most pop-
ular stage hit. It's one of those do-
mestic farces involving newlyweds, a
rich uncle, mixed identities and lots
of fast ^ fun. Lloyd Bacon caught
♦he spirit of the original nicely in the
direction. The action holds to a
Tood level of entertainment, due not
'^nly to the merits of the vehicle, and
the comic abilities of the star, but .
tlso to the excellent work of Bert
Roach, Patsy Ruth Miller, Claude
Gillingwater, Harry Gribbon, Grant
Withers and Hallam Coolev. The
musical numbers are few and appro-
priately distributed.
r-^^'*-„rV'''°"'^ Greenwood. Bert Roach,
Grant W.thers. Claude Gillingwater, Patsy
^"ti Miller He'-n Foster. Marion Byron,
H,iHnm Coolev. Har-v- Gribbon.
Director. L'ovd B-con; Author, Elmer
Ferris; AHaptors, Robert Lord, Arthur
Caeser; Dialoguers. Robert Lord. Artbur
fr>eser: Editor. T.nck Killife.-; Cameraman,
Van Trees; Monitor Man Not listed.
Direction, fine. Photography, goo''.
Gillette
"The Crimson Circle"
(Part-Talker)
New Era Time, 1 hr., 10 mins.
EXTREMELY POOR-GRADE
BRITISH MELODRAMA POS-
SESSING LITTLE TO RECOM-
MEND IT.
With an Edpar Wallace script to
toy with, British International has
turned out a celluloid mysterv which
does little to aid the cause of British
films. Deficient from any angle vou
look at it, this exhibition provides
entertainment mediocre to the nth
degree. As melodrama it is tame to
the point of dullness, with all its
color confined to its title. Some of
the scenes intended as serious incite
laughter, so crudely and amateurish-
ly are they handled. The central figure
is a blackmailer known as "The
Crimson Circle" who conceals his ac-
tivities under the masnuerade of a
Scotland Yard man. The inspector
assigned to track him down is on the
verge of being fired for failure to
make any headway when his little
girl steps into the case. She makes
herself an accomplice of the scound-
rel and uncovers his identity at the
proper moment.
Cast: Edgar Wa'lace, Lya Mara, Stuart
Rome, Hans Marlow, Lewis T^erch, John
Castle, Albert Seiniueck, Otto Walllrug.
Director, Sinclair Hill; Author, Edgar Wal-
lace ; Scenarist. Not listed ; Adaptor. Edgar
Wallace : Tit'e Writer. Not listed ; Dialogue-.
Not listed ; Editor, Not listed ; Cameraman,
Not listed.
Direction, sloppy. Photography, poor,
Pelegrine
Mae Murray in
"Peacock Alley"
(All-Talker)
Tiffany Time. 1 hr., 3 m^v^
CHAPMTMO T. OVF STORY
nTrT.Tr-HTT7TTTT,Y DOMTNATTTT)
RV MAT7 MURT?>\Y. PRODTTr'Trr)
DTPTJTXT^D AND ACTED WITH
FINESSE. wiiH
Mae Murrav comes through 100
ner cent as a talking artist in this light
hut aE"-eeable romance of New York
life._ She has the role of a show girl
de<;ired bv two men. The one she
reallv loves doesn't believe in the
marriage ceremonv, while the other
lad, her childhood sweetheart from
Texas, is a stickler for the proprie-
ties. In the end she brings the pre-
ferred boy around to her way of
thinking. It's a drawing room type
comedv-drama with little heavy "ac-
tion, although some of the scenes are
trenuinely touching, and the very fact
that it strolls along leisurely and
without jarring exaggerations gives it
an aspect of individuality that is
pleasingly welcome. A short color
sequence, in which Miss Murray
dances in striking costumes, is a
choice morsel. Good judgment was
exercised in picking the cast, and
Marcel De Sano's direction shows a
keen eye and ear.
Cast: Mae Murray. George Barraud, Jason
Robards, Ricbard Tucker, Billy Bevan.
Director, Marcel De Sa-'o; Author, Cary
Wilson; Adaptor, Frances Hvland; Dialoguer,
Wells Root; Editor, Clarence Kolster ;
Cameraman, Benjamin Kline; Monitor Man,
Buddy Myers.
Direction, first-rate. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
"The Murder on the Roof"
with Dorothy Revier and
Raymond Hatton
(All-Talker)
Columbia Time, 1 hr.
FILLS THE BILL AS A MUR-
DER MYSTERY WITH A NIGHT
CLUB BACKGROUND SMOOTH-
LY DIRECTED AND WELL
ACTED.
For anv exhibitor whose clientele
is keen for the blood-spilling melo-
dramas, this one will answer the pur-
pose very nicely. It has a night club
setting on the order of "Broadway,"
and Paul Porcasi, of that same pro-
duction, plays the senior partner of
the racketeering owners of the joint.
A hot diamond about the size of a
walnut furnishes the cause for several
killings, and the action is intensified
by clashes between the club's chief
crook and a society lad over a femin-
ine entertainer. Raymond Hatton at-
tracts a large part of the interest by
his amusing work as a gin-lovinsr
nlaybov, revealing himself in the end
as a Sherlock-inclined newspaper re-
porter helping to round up the gang.
Cast: Dorothy Revier. Ravmond H-'tton,
\[argaret Livingston, Paul Porcasi-, Pietro
««sso. Richard Cramer, Fred Kelsey, David
Newell, Hazel Howell, Virginia Brown Faire,
VV'illiam Demond, Louis Natheaux.
Director, George B. Se'tz; Author, Edward
Doherty; Adaptor, F. Hugh Herbert: Dia-
loguer, same: Editor, Robert Jahns; Camera-
man, Joe Waller ; Monitor Man, John P.
Lividary.
Direction, effective. Photography, good.
Gillette
I Riv-Tin-Tin iv
"On the Border"
w^'fh. A mi ida
(All-Talker)
Warner Bros. Time, 46 mins.
SATISFACTORY PROGRAM
PICTURE OF ITS KIND, WITH
THE SPRIGHTLY ARMIDA GIV-
ING IT AN EXTRA DASH OF
FNTFRTAINMENT VALUE FOR
GENERAL FANS.
In addition to the usual heroic per- I
formance of Rin-Tin-Tin, this West-
ern will have some appeal for fans in
general because it includes the
sprightly and talented Armida.
Though her opportunities are not ex-
tensive, she manages to add an
agreeable note to the proceedings and
is especially pleasing in some vocal
and guitar work. Plot of the picture
deals with the smuggling of Chinese
over the Mexican border. The villain
figures to kill two birds with one
stone by framing an innocent old-
timer and stealing his daughter. But
through the efforts of the dog star
and a government scout, the law-
breaking gang is rounded up. While
not such a hot story, it has enough
entertainment value to get by, espe-
cially since its brief length makes it
suitable for a double bill or as part of
a program with several good shorts.
Cast: Rin-Tin-Tin, Armida, Dave B. Litel,
Philo McCullough, Bruce Covington, Walter
Miller. Wil'iam Irving.
Director, William McGann; Author, Lillian
Hayward ; Adaptor, Not Listed ; Dialoguer,
Not Listed; Editor, Not Listed; Cameraman,
William Rees ; Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Direction, Okay, Photography, Good.
Gillette.
THE
Sunday, February 9, 1930
■e&ank
DAILV
13
"Second Wife"
w\th Conrad Nagel, Lila Lee
(All-Talker)
RKO Time, 1 hr., 2 mins.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE
DOMESTIC DRAMA, EXPERT-
LY DIRECTED AND NICELY
ACTED. PARTICULARLY FINE
PERFORMANCE BY LILA LEE.
Lila Lee comes through with fly-
ing colors in this tale of a second
wife who is tortured by thoughts of
her husband's first spouse and their
son. It is a fine human interest plot,
developed in a plausible manner, di-
re :ted by Russell Mack with a good
eye for effective dramatic touches,
and smoothly acted by a fine cast.
Conrad Nagel is in good form, Mary
Carr gives a corking performance as
an old servant who is somewhat of a
inother as well, and there is ex-
cellent work by Hugh Huntley and
that talented little youngster, Freddie
Biu-ke Frederick. A strong vein of
human nuerest is sustained through-
out. Til! *'e!id theme should be a big
factor in pi/ling trade.
Cast: Conrad Nagel, Lila Lee, Hugh Hunt-
ley, Mary Carr, Freddie Burke Frederick.
Director, Russell Mack ; Author, Fulton
Oursler ; Adaptor, Bert Glennon ; Dialoguer,
Not listed ; Editor, Not listed ; Cameraman,
William Marshall Monitor Man, Lambert
Day.
Direction, expert. Photography, good.
Gillette
Richard Arlen in
"Burning Up"
ivith Mary Brian
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 57 tmns.
BREEZY AND HUMOROUS
ROMANCE OF A DAREDEVIL
DRIVER AND A SMALL TOWN
GIRL. DIRECTED FOR THE
PUNCHES. GOOD POPULAR
APPEAL STUFF.
A neat little country love story
that crowds at large ought to gobble
up with satisfaction. Richard Arlen
appears as a daredevil, first in a
"globe of death" on a carnival, and
then as an auto racer on the fair-
grounds. At the fair he spots a girl
after his own heart, whereupon he
breaks away from his racketeering
pals and wins an exciting race which
had been framed in order to take a
wad of dough from the girl's father.
The action trots along in a breezy
manner, and Director Eddie Suth-
erland has made clever use of plen-
tiful opportunities for swell comedy,
to say nothing of the nice little hu-
man interest touches, while the rac-
ing finale produces a strong climax.
Good acting all around.
Cast: Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, Francis
McDonald, Sam Hardy, Charles Sellon, TuUy
Marshall.
Director, A. Edward Sutherland ; Authors,
William Slavens McNutt, Grover Jones ; Ad-
aptors, William Slavens McNutt, Grover
Jones; Dialoguers, William Slavens McNutt^
Grover Jones ; Editor, Not listed ; Cameraman,
Allan Seigler; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, aces. Photography, fine.
Gillette
Marion Davies in
"Not So Dumb"
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 16 mins.
FIRST-RATE COMEDY
BRIGHTLY DONE, WITH
SURE-FIRE APPEAL AND CAP-
ITALLY ACTED.
"Dulcy," the George S. Kaufman
and Marc Connelly play, has been
brought to the talking screen in a
production that loses little of the
original comedy. Its bright lines
have lost none of their sharp edge,
while the central character still re-
mains the same familiar type that
made the play the success it was.
Marion Davies is a fortunate choice
as Dulcy. She does the character full
justice and proves conclusively that
she is a comedienne of no mean abil-
ity. The star is ably supported by
a cast of high calibre. Not an oppor-
tunity is lost to point up the humor
of the piece. King Vidor's direction
catches to a nicety the mood that
comedy of this sort needs to keep it
moving. It is the story of the talka-
tive girl who nearly ruins a busi-
ness deal upon which depends the
fortune of her fiance — simply because
she is forever saying wrong things.
Cast: Marion Davies, Elliott Nugent, Ray-
mond Hackett, Franklin Pangborn, Julia
Faye, William Holden, Donald Ogden Ste-
wart, Sally Starr, George Davis.
Director, King Vidor; Authors, George S.
Kaufman and Marc Connelly ; Dialoguer, Ed-
win Justus Mayer; Adaptor, Wanda Tuchock ;
Cameraman, Oliver Marsh ; Editor, Blanche
Sewell.
Direction, first-rate. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
"The Lost Zeppelin"
(All-Talker)
Tiffany Time, 1 hr., 10 mins.
FAIR DRAMA OF A SOUTH
POLE EXPEDITION IN WHICH
ALL PERISH EXCEPT TWO
MEN WHO LOVE THE SAME
WOMAN. WELL ACTED.
Generous glimpses of South Pole
atmosphere, consisting almost exclu-
sively of ice mountains, raging snow-
storms, and a disabled Zeppelin, are
the highlights of this drama. It con-
cerns an expedition party which in-
cludes a young officer who is in love
with the commander's wife. The air-
ship goes haywire and death takes
ail of the crew except the two rivals.
When a relief plane finally spots
them, but can take back only one, the
chief insists on his subordinate get-
ting aboard because he is the man
whom the woman really loves. The
commander's heroism, however,
causes his wife to have a change of
heart, and his subsequent rescue
inakes everything come out according
to Hoyle. The story is well acted,
but the spectacular scenic effects are
too obviously artificial. Has timely
tieup possibilities.
Cast: Conway Tearle, Virginia Valli, Ri-
cardo Cortez, Duke Martin, Kathryn McGuire,
Winter Hall.
Director, Edward Slonian ; Authors, Frances
Hyland, Jack Natteford ; Adaptor, Frances
Hyland ; Dialoguer, Charles Kenyon ; Editors.
Martin G. Colin, Don Hayes ; Cameraman,
Jackson Rose; Monitor Man, Jerry Eisenberg.
Direction, fair. Photography, good.
Gillette
CLASS OF SERVICE DESIRED |
TELEGRAM
DAY LETTER
NIGHT MESSAGE
NIGHT LETTER
Patrons should mark an X oppo-
site the class of service desired;
OTHERWISE THE MESSAGE
WILL BE TRANSMIHED AS A
FULL-RATE TELEGRAM
WESTEJIM UNION
AM
NEWCOMB CARLTON. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. E. ATKINS. FIRST VICB-PRESIDBNT
NO. CASH OR CHG
CHECK
TIME FIL^
FEB. 9, 1930
THE FILM DAILY
1650 BROADWAY NEW YORK NY
GENTLEMEN:
PLEASE EXTEND MY DEEP APPRECIATION AND SINCERE THANKS TO THE
CRITICS WHO HAVE SELECTED MY PICTURE, "THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY,"
AS ONE OP THE TEN BEST PICTURES OF 1929.
SIDNEY A. FRANKLIN
n
THE
14
DAILY
Sunday, February 9, 1930
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
CLAUDE NEON,ELECTRICAL
REPORTS $718,840 NET
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Net income of $718,-
840, after expense and federal taxes,
is reported by Claude Neon Electrical
Products Corp. Ltd. for the year end-
ed Dec. 31, 1929. This is equal, after
preferred dividends, to $3.08 a share
on the 205,580 no par common shares
outstanding. For the preceding year
the company's net was $295,649
equivalent to $1.03 a share on the
same common basis.
Dubray on Committee
Chicago — Joseph Dubray, manager
of the technical service department of
the Bell & Howell Co., has been ap-
pointed to serve again as a member
of the paper committee of the So-
ciety of Motion Picture Engineers.
Dubray also is a member of the
standard and nomenclature committee
of the same organization.
Representing Screen Ad Co.
Philadelphia — Steve Toth and Her-
bert Lewis have been appointed to
represent the Screen Advertising Co.
of Pittsburgh in this territory.
Qualifications of New Western
Electric Sound Horns Outlined
R. H. McCuUough, soioid engineer
for Fox West Coast Theaters, in the
following article outlines important
features of various type of Western
Electric sound horns :
Western Electric supply exponen-
tial horns with all sound projector
system installations. With the first
installations the 12-A and 13-A horns
were supplied. The 15-A and 15-B
type horns have been installed with
all installations during the last year.
These new horns are much lighter in
weight, but occupy more space.
The Bell Laboratories place three
layers of white flannel inside the IS- A
and 15-B type horns near the out-
put of the air column. We have
found that this flannel absorbs many
high frequencies. By removing this
flannel, sound reproduction in many
theaters has been improved. Early
installations employed two upper and
two lower horns, but now with sim-
ilar installations two and three horns
are installed alongside each other
about two-thirds height of the screen.
The 12-A, 13-A and 15-A type horns
have single throats, whereas the 15-B
TRUVISION
NATURAL VISION— GLASS BEADED
riRE-PROOfSCREENfor SOUND
A FIRE-PROOF SOUND SCREEN WITHOUT ANY
LOSS OF THE INCOMPARABLE QUALITIES
PERTAINING TO THE TRUVISION GLASS
BEADED SOUND SCREEN
BRILLIANCE— DEPTH— DEFINITION— THIRD
DIMENSION ILLUSION
No Distortion No Visible Perforation
EASILY WASHED— RETAINS ORIGINAL BRILLIANCE
Electrical Testing Laboratories' Report 48114, Jan. 22, 1930
ROXY THEATRE
INSTALLS ANOTHER TRUVISION GLASS BEADED SOUND
SCREEN FOR
GRANDEUR PICTURES I
Truvision Glass Beaded Sound Screens Are the Last Word for
Projection and Sound
j Truvision Projection Screen Corporation
841 Tiffany Street, Bronx, New York
TEL. DAYTON 8886-8887
type horns have two throats for two
units and replaces the 12-A and 13-A
type horns.
The air column on these horns
must be small in area at the input end
to place an appreciable pressure-load
on the diaphragm, and it must be
large at the other end to radiate the
sound effectively into the free air.
For best results the cross sectional
area should gradually flare from the
small end to the large end according
to an exponential curve and mathe-
matical formula. The 555-W West-
ern Electric receiver should never be
used without the horn. Without the
horn sound will not come forth with
full resonance and amplification. The
receiver does carry the sound, but
it is unable to transmit it without
the horn.
Acoustical conditions in theaters
must be taken into consideration, for
good sound reproduction. When
sound comes from an exponential
horn, sound waves spread at angle
of 45 degrees with a directional ef-
fect and the speed of these sound
waves is about 1100 feet per second.
In a small fraction of a second these
waves strike the walls, ceiling and
floor of the auditorium. Some of the
sound waves are reflected back into
the room and some are absorbed by
the surfaces they strike. Ordinary
plaster, glass or wood surfaces ab-
sorb only about three percent of the
sound, leaving ninetjr-seven percent
to be reflected back into the room,
to repeat the action of the original
sound wave.
5 RCA Photophone Devices
Being Installed in Minn.
The following theaters in Minne-
sota are being wired for sound by
RCA Photophone engineers: Cecil,
Cokato; Alhambra, Minneapolis;
Heights, Minneapolis; Oxford, Sauk
Center; Forest, St. Paul.
Chain Signs for Air System
London — Union Theaters and
Hoyts have signed contracts for the
installation of Brunswick Kroeschell
air conditioning system for their
houses.
To Install Steel Sheets
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Loew's Palace here
has ordered steel sheets to meet the
requirements of the local fire de-
partment. The house will not be
closed while the installation is being
made.
Mass House Gets RCA
Pittsfield, Mass. — RCA Photo-
phone engineers are wiring the Tyler.
PUBLIX CHAIN ADOPTS
KOOLEyiRE SYSTEM
Kooler-Aire system of ventilation
has been adopted for all Publix
houses, according to George F. Dem-
bow, vice president of Kooler-Aire
Corp. Installations now are being
completed in 107 Publix houses
throughout the country.
Tone-0-Graph Office
Opened in Cleveland
Cleveland — Rube Traube has
opened a service office for Tone-0- i
Graph in the Film Bldg. here, and ' '
will provide continuous service from j
8:30 a. m. to 11 p.m. including Sun- i
days. Traube reports having sold 33
Tone-O-Graphs in northern Ohio
since Nov. 1.
Benner Opens Ofcace for
Handling RCA Device
Cleveland — Van Wyck Benner, dis-
trict sales representative for RCA
Photophone, has returned here from
Detroit where he opened an office in ;
the Fox Theater Bldg., for the dis-
tribution of RCA Photophone equip-
ment in the Michigan territory.
Electric Sign for Derry House
Derry, N. H. — In addition to a new
electric sign for the front of the ■
house, other improvements being ;
made to the Broadway here include J
decoration for the entire interior. The
house will have sound equipment and'
is scheduled to open in about two}
weeks, according to M. Clifford, man-i
ager. j
To Install Leather Seats !
Albion, Neb. — The Rex here is^
having all new leather upholstered
seats installed. The walls of the
house are being decorated with felt^
to improve sound reproduction.
Gets New Walker Screen
Brattleboro, Vt. — The Latchis here
is to install a new Walker screen to
augment its present RCA sound ap-
paratus.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us a/nd Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuociQHBys
▼▼no West SZ^St.NcwMDrh.My**!
Phone Penna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debria I
Sunday, February 9, 1930
DAILY
15
Theater Equipment
JUNIOR MOD[L or NEW
TflLK-A-PHONE NOW READY
Dallas — A new junior model Talk-
A-Phone with complete new rack and
panel amplifier and new type dynamic
speakers, has been announced by the
Southwestern Electrical Products Co.
distributors of the reproducer. The
disc model with sufficient power for
houses up to 650 seats is priced at
$1200 installed, less wiring and
freight. Talk-A-Phone has already
been installed in more than 30 the-
aters in this territory.
Auslet and Wade Secure
Territory for Motio-Tone
Quincy, 111. — ^Two more representa-
tives have been appointed for the
distribution of Motio-Tone talking
picture equipment and Electrograph
public address system, both manufac-
turers by the Gates Radio and Sup-
ply Co. here. Jack Auslet will super-
vise sales in the Kansas City terri-
tory with headquarters at 1818 Wyan-
dotte St. while J. A. Wade, with
offices in Vandalia, Mo., covering the
entire St. Louis district.
Southwestern Electrical
Marketing New Screen
Dallas — Many new features are con-
tained in the new Minusa screen,
manufactured by the Southwestern
Electrical Product Co., distributors of
the Talk-A-Phone, sound apparatus.
In addition to a maron tan b'lCK,
which it is claimed, makes the sur-
face more opaque and efficient, the
Minusa screen is larger and contains
more uniform perforations arranged
so as to be invisible during the pro-
;jecting of the picture and yet allow
clear sound transmission.
Photophone For Ely House
Ely, Nev. — ^The Ely is being wired
for sound by RCA Photophone.
FLAME PROOF
IT JUST WONT BlM
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
IOWA
Changes in Ownership
Boone^Strand, sold to Roy Benson by M.
Fairfield; Calamus — Audtorium, sold to
Ivan Heiier by W. F. Siegmund ; Curor
berland — Lyric, sold to T. H. Hendershot
by George A. Brown; Dexter — Princess,
sold to G. Foster by J. L. Reid; GUddenr—
Princess, sold to C. E. Brackeny by Bar-
land Bros. ; Kellerton — Kellerton, sold to
P. K. McCullough by F. R. Bandy;
Manly — Rex, sold to William Pinta by
F. J. Barr; Nashua — Grand, sold to C.
J. Granthem by O. P. Laird; New Lon-
don— Almo, sold to W. D. Beery by Ship-
ley & Synes ; Newton — Strand, sold to Earl
Miller by Fred Wayt ; Oelwein — Grand, sold
to Central States Theater Corp. by C. L.
Niles, President, sold to Central States
Theater Corp. by C. L. Nile» ; Pilger—
Paragon, sold to Otto J. Kleeman by C.
G. Gragson ; Pomeroy — Pomeroy, sold to
Lyie Lynk by V. A. Noble ; Primghar —
Princess, sold to R. R. Williams by Leslie
O. Hamer ; Rockford — Rockford, sold to
D. L. Mosher by C. E. Mosher.
Closings
Allison — Legion ; Bennett — O. H. ; Cedar
Rapids — Grand ; Clearfield — Art ; Conroy —
O. H. ; Dunkerton — Service Hall ; Grant —
Legion; Hubbard — Electric; JanesviUe —
O. H.; Menlo — Menlo ; Mt. Sterling— Gem ;
Namaha — Star ; Nashua — Grand ; Oelwein
— Colonial; Packwood — ^O. H.; Pleasanton —
Liberty ; Plymouth — Com. Club ; Rippey —
Star ; Rowan — O. H. ; Russell— tO. H. ;
Swaldale — O. H. ; Thornton — Thornton;
Toledo — ^Strand ; Van Meter — Cozy ; West
Branch — Consolidated School ; Wiota —
Community.
Openings
Aurelila — Community ; Burt — Ourtown.
KANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Agra — Legion, sold to A, H. Clark by M.
M. Hull ; Great Bent — Andress, sold to
O. K. Mason by W. H. Weber, Echo,
sold to O. K. Mason by W. H. Weber;
Osage City — Strand, sold to J H. Borrar
by J. H. Campbell ; Overland Park — Star,
sold to C. D, Wilgus by Dr. F. H. Riley;
Strong City — Twin City, sold to C. E.
Dickinson by Whitney Bros.; Wichita —
Uptown, sold to Fox Theaters, Inc. by Up-
town Theater Corp. ; Yates Center — Tem-
ple, sold to S. A. Mudd by J. M. Hobbs.
KENTUCKY
Changes in Ownership
AUais — Columbia, sold to R. H. Sizemore by
B. J. Clutts; Blackey — Mountain, sold to
Dr. K. Shitaker by E. D. Portwood ;
Butler — Comet, sold to Martin & Holland
by S. W. Gray ; Glencoe — Glen, sold to W.
W. Alderson by Venion Kemper; Hender-
son— Audibon, sold to Smullen & Craig-
head by H. E. Culley; Latonia — Grand,
sold to J. C. Calahan by L. Rice; Lex-
ington— Kentucky, sold to Publix Theaters
by Switow Bros.. State, sold to Publix
Theaters by Switow Bros. ; Louisville —
Crescent, sold to C. Koch by B. J. Curry ;
Maysville — Peebles, sold to Mrs. Lizzie
Potts by A. M. Potts.
Closings
Beattyville — Lyric ; Golden Pond — Pastime ;
Henderson — Audibon ; Hitchens^Y.M.C.A.
Wingo — Pastime.
Re-Openings
Maysville— Peebles.
LOUISIANA
Closings
Monroe — Grand ; Jena — I-aSalle.
MAINE
Changes in Ownership
Showhegan — Opera House.
MARYLAND
Changes in Ownership
Baltimore — Park, sold to W. I. Silverberg
by F. A. Klimes ; Mt. Rainer — Cameo, sold
to S. B. Lust by Crawford. Spire Corp.
MEXICO
New Theaters
Tia Juana — Concordia, owner — Daniel Gon-
zales.
MICHIGAN
Changes in Ownership
Big Bay — Bay, sold to A. J. Fleury by Bay
Theater Corp. ; Breitung — Capitol, sold to
E. I. Weed & Clyde Neldberg by G. W.
Brassington ; Detroit — Bandbos, sold to Hy-
man Coffman by John Candea ; Clairmoimt,
sold to A. L. Fifer by Herbert Skelton,
Fine Arts, sold to J. Schreiber by William
C. Guenche; Forest Grove, sold to B. Scott
and C. Wilson by Fred Cochrane ; Library,
sold to Herbert Taylor by William W. SIo-
cum ; Vendome, sold to G. E. LeVeque by
J. G. Portell; Vern, sold to Louis S.
Morton by L. Wilczynski ; Flint — Family
sold to J. G. Trombley and J. P. Stomos
by Harry Weinberg ; Grand Ledge — Palace,
sold to Henry Walton by Asa Stevens; Grand
Rapids — Southlawn, sold to George Mercer
by M. H. Randall; Temple, sold to H. A.
Lewis by Temple Theater Co. ; Morenci —
Princess, sold to Frank McArthur by C. J.
Auble ; Reading — Capitol, sold to P. A
Barre by R. J. Howell; Rose City— Rote,
RE-SYNCHRONIZED DEVICE
IS CLAIMED EORBESTONE
Kansas City — F. C. Largen, who
developed the BesTone sound repro-
ducer as well as the Blizzard fan, has
perfected a new device, which it is
claimed, will lighten the work of pro-
j.'ctionists considerable. The device
is patented and enables an operator
to place the film or record in perfect
synchrony without halting any of the
projection machines, according to the
company. Frank Smith is local rep-
resentative for the BesTone appar-
atus.
Canopy for Sioux Falls House
Sioux Falls, S. D. — A canopy con-
taining more than 2,000 lights and
costing approximately $3,500 will be
placed in front of the Granada. This
house is controlled by the Berger
Amusement Co.
Marketing Cooling Plate
New Britain, Conn.— The G & M
Manufacturing Co. is marketing a new
cooling plate which has been designed
to reduce fire hazards. Other ob-
jects of the plate are to lengthen the
life of film and aid better projection.
No unsightly
Perforations
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain,
and natural tone quality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had before Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalite Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically and chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
Yi
ScflimdScF©®!!
Tf,e Firs. Srr...„ Srirnnl.c.lly rerfcctcl fnr >„,„„/ Pi„„r„
Beaded Screen Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Approved by Electrical Re-
search Products, WesterH
Electric Co., Inc., and other
makers of Sound Equipment.
Porous but not perforated
Fire Proof
Non Inflammable
16
THE
DAILY
Sunday, February 9,
1930
■Km
Week's Headlines
Monday
Exhil)itors throughout the country seek re-
turn of arbitration.
Independent producers increase on coast de
spite talkers, FILM DAILY survey shows.
Coast studios experimenting with wide film.
Trade practice confab set for ticket makers.
Tuesday
Pat Egan, Chicago fire chief, clears acous
tical materials situation.
Kilm leaders to speak at Southern California
University.
•Seven Fox films scheduled to start this month.
"U" out of theater field in Cleveland.
Wednesday
Coast players endorse free lance contract.
Imported newsreel negatives are put on free
list.
More operatic features on M-G-M produc-
tion list.
Warner earnings show up-trend, report says.
Thursday
Fox to make three negatives on all pictures.
Philly exhibs demand fireproof screens from
ERPL
Derr takes charge of Pathe Coast production.
.Sydney Towell made Fox comptroller.
Friday
Ten best pictures of 1929 FILM DAILY
poll named.
Foreign talkers still experimental, Kent says.
Producers, actors adopt new free-lance con
tract.
Today
Former Stanley men plan big cliain in Phila-
delphia.
Music Ass'n wages war against copyright
pirates.
Nine productions at work at First National.
Justice Dept. probing RCA and subsidiaries.
Music Ass'n Wages War
on Copyright Pirates
(Continued from Page 1)
velation was made that John Gregg
Paine, chairman of the protective
association; Police Commissioner
Whalen and Tuttle have been threat-
ened with death if they continue their
campaign against the racket. They
have received letters reminding them
of the fate of a man stabbed in Brook-
lyn recently for trying to interfere in
the situation. In giving this informa-
tion to the court, Nathan Burkan,
counsel for the publishers' organiza-
tion, said it "is our impression that
this racket originates in Chicago."
Morris Shapiro and Samuel A.
Cohen, the two men arraigned, are
being held in bonds of $5,000 each
for a hearing which will be held early
this week.
Elect Brown President
of Wash. Film Board
{Continued from Page 1)
executive secretary of the board. Five
governors have been chosen including
Howard Beaver, Educational; Harry
Hunter, Paramount; Ralph Binns,
Warner; Nat Sauber, Universal, and
John Dillon.
Levy Succeeds Brother
Baltimore — Succeeding his brother
Joel, Lee Levy has been elected di-
vision manager of the M.P.T.O. of
Maryland, Inc.
140 W. E.'s in Australia
Australia — There are now 170
W. E. installations here. In Nov.
41 theaters were equipped.
Short Subjects
SOUND
"Sugar Plum Papa"
Educational Time, 21 mins.
A Humdinger
This Mack Sennett comedy is aces
all around. It's about a diminutive
widow (Daphne Pollard) marrying
an old doughbags (Andy Clyde) and
then letting him in on the fact that
she has a son. The "little boy" turns,
out to be a husky sailor (Harry Grib-
bon). Mother and the new dad want
to hook the lad up to a foreign prin-
cess, but the gob is keen on the
shapely housemaid and marries her
amid much whoopee. Contains some
of the most hilarious slapstick that
has come along lately.
"The Under Dog"
Vitaphone Time, 18 mins.
Mildly Entertaining
James Barton, featured, is at his
best when singing or dancing, but
the first half of the picture is de-
voted to some rather mild sentimen-
tal stuff about a down-and-outer and
his dog, Oscar. The man takes part
in an amateur night raudeville show
and wins first prize, whereupon they
indulge in a grub feast.
"The Voice of Hollywood"
Tiffany Time, 12 mins.
Short Bits by Stars
With Nick Stuart officiating in a
capable manner as master of cere-
monies, this edition of "The Voice"
presents short bits by Jack Mulhall,
Mildred Harris and Sam Coslow.
Bebe Daniels, Ben Lyons, James
Gleason, Marguerite Churchill and
Sanmiy Cohen. The individual spe-
cialties are very entertaining. Will
appeal to fans generally on the per-
sonal angle as well.
Frances Alda
Vitaphone Time, 7 mins.
Good Singing
Almost any vocal number by this
operatic star will find appreciation,
and the two used here, "The Last
Rose of Summer" and "Birth of
Morn," are well chosen and beauti-
fully delivered. Class audiences par-
ticularly will welcome Miss Alda's
work.
Buck and Bubbles in
"High Toned"
Pathe Time, 21 mins.
Quiet Fun
The negro laugh-getting team ap-
pears in pleasant film comedy con-
cocted from "Wildcat," a Hugh Wiley
story. Though far from riotous, it
does possess pretty fine entertainment
value. The southern atmosphere has
been faithfully recorded, and there
are any number of fetching Dixie
tunes to add to the enjoyment of the
Buck and Bubbles antics.
"Vengeance"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
Slightly Different
The familiar theme of the venge-
ful tight-wire walker on a somewhat
different kej'. This time the husband
does not get even on his wife's lover
by dumping him. He simply gives
the hot fellow such a scare during the
act that he falls to the safety net —
unharmed but his nerve broken.
Rather effective and thrillingly done
and capably acted by Gardner James.
Natalie Moorehead and Warner Rich-
mond.
Pathe Audio Review No. 6
Time, 10 mins.
Pathe Audio Review takes to color
with this number. The Pathechrome
process is employed and it captures
delicate shades with remarkable
beauty. The subjects in this one lend
themselves to such treatment. The
camera has captured the fantastic
shapes assumed by dye in water and
recorded the dances of various climes,
while the new boudoir styles for men
are shown in all their resplendency.
"Singing Saps"
Pathe Time, 7 mins.
Aesop Fable
An entertaining little gem intended
to prove that "faint heart ne'er won
fair lady." Chock-full of fun from
beginning to end. For an animated
cartoon it proves itself not a little
exciting. A wise addition to any
program.
"The Operation"
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Good Fun
A first-rate filler featuring Edgar
Bergen, the ventriloquist, who does a
fine bit of work with his dummy,
"Charlie MacArthur." Charlie is
found ill on a park bench by Berger.
who plays a doctor, and is taken to
the medico's office for treatment. All
the incidents in the film are so skill-
fully treated that one almost forgets
that Berger is working with an inani-
mate thing. A little masterpiece of
the ventriloquist's art.
"Doing Phil a Favor"
Pathe Time, 15 mins.
Flat Comedy
Comedy sketch of extremely poor
order with a brand of humor lacking
iall sparkle and intelligence. The
comedy is forced and highly unnatur-
al and is dished out by a cast that
overplays badly. Mackenzie Ward,
in particular, mugs until it hurts. The
story is about the husband who gets
his best pal to cure wifey of the flirt-
ing habit by proposing to flee with
her. Inferior stuff.
SILENT
Pathe Review No. 5
Time, 10 mins.
Interesting and beautifully done and
given added effectiveness through the
use of color. First we arc shown
how pottery is made in Araliia. We
then see the latest in silk fashions
with patterns of African origin.
Here is decidedly a treat for the
ladies. The closing scenes are a
study in color and shadows of a win-
ter landscape. A good filler.
Pathe Review No. 6
Time, 10 mins.
A feature of great educational
worth. It starts off with a view of
monkey life in the jungles of Bor-
neo and shows the method of trap-
ping the little tree dwellers. Next
we are transported to Japan and are
given a glimpse of Japanese stenog-
raphers at work. The closing scenes
are in the character of a nature study,
with birds, bees and blossoms as the
subject of study.
THE
Doorvrajr of IIo«pit*li«v
InNTER tha ^oorwmr •<
lUa popular koatalry an<l Tou t»ml at koaa
Thara'i an atmoiphera of cordial w«la«^
which marki tha diffaranca bacwaaa ih<
Hollywood Plasa and ordlnarr hotaU.
Tour room, too, ha« that addad fa*
of dlatlnctlon. Plcturai on tha wall. my*»
•tuffad fumltura, a floor lamp and raadlat
lamp . . . ihaia ara but a few of tha faan>*«>
that maka you feci at home.
PIc'n WfaUtla Dining Sarvlca ln«ura« *•
boat of food. Tharafora, whan you ara mam
la Lee Aaaalaa ba mr* to InvaatlSBta.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
viae ttraat at Hollywood Boulavafrf
HOLLYWOOD, CAUFORhOA
N
BE VEFIT OF COLOR
without
PE NALTY OF COST
COLOR is the order of the day. Sono-
chrome brings it without the penahy
of added cost. Sixteen delicate tints
and a warm neutral tone are available
at the same price as ordinary black-
and-white. I'his, plus the fact that it
gives really faithful sound-on-film,
accounts for the success of this series
of Eastman tinted positive films.
EAS i MAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
Directed hy
IRVING
CUMMINGS ^3®j
irom the W^^
play by Booth ^'iJ'illli"
Tarfeington and
Harry Leon Wilson
em^^
He Staked His
Fate on a Card
Gay cavalier, duelist and . . . gambler
The most fascinating figure in Dixie
whose romance with a Patrician belle
has immortalized the Crinoline Days
A movietone musical drama of the
thrilling, intriguing New Orleans
Mardi Gras with
J. HAROLD MURRAY
NORMA TERRIS
Douglas Gilmore ^ Stepin Fetchit
Robert Edeson - Myrna Loy
Charles Morton
presented b> WILLIAM FOX
Hear the Songs
"ROMANCE
Now
J)la>aTig tl
ROX"
RECORD a\tcr RECC
F
.ki r^rn-A L k c
\h.l CCI^ ^(f/7^- \tJ tlV
:Sf^MEWSPAPER
o/'FILMDOM
i^LLTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 34
Monday, February 10, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Company Union Unlikely to Succeed, Gillmore Says
UNIT TOTAKE PROTECTION HGHT TO COURT
Center War Against Music Racket on Nine Cities
Be Artistic
hut he commercial too
= By JACK ALICOATE^^
WE GET AN occasional chuckle
from the well meaning but super-
ficial idealists within this industry
who become artistic and highl}-
esthetic upon argumentative occa-
sions but whose bread and butter
and future depend on the cinema ship
constantly speeding forward on an
even business keel. This industry,
like every other, is obliged to make
profits, and, if it does not is in dan-
ger of being eliminated by other
forms of amusement. Motion pic-
tures in their present form are a
great blessing to the peoples of the
world. If they were not commer-
cially successful they would soon
I fade into anemic insignificance as
entertainment. Dollars, as fuel for
the engine, are important to pictures
in the same proportion that they are
useful to the runnjpg of other indus-
tries, arts arTd governments.
The Educational Side
lOHN E. ANDERSON, director of
'he institute of Child Welfare of the
'University of Minnesota takes his
ivoung children to the movies and
'finds the efifectg beneficial. He says,
"Each attendance stimulates a host
of questions, the answering of which
can be looked upon as a worth-while
educational process." Motion pic-
jtures today are as definitely a part
of American life as the daily news-
paper, the automobile and the corner
drug store. An old Chinese proverb
says that one picture is as good as
'ten thousand words. Motion pic-
tures are probably the greatest single
educational factor in the world to-
day. But educational or not, no force
that we know of can keep the
younger generation from seeing 'em.
! Millions for Advertising
'THREE AND A HALF million dol-
lars for advertising in 1930 is quite
•a bundle in any man's league. This
|is the appropriation set aside by
Professor Harold Franklin of tht
i'ox West Coast outfit to tell hii
{Continued cm Page 2)
Chicago Publisher Has
Police Protection
Owing to Threat
Efforts of the Federal Government,
coupled with those of the Music Pub-
lishers' Protective Ass'n, to wipe out
organized infringing on music copy-
rights by racketeers is now being cen-
tered on nine cities, said John Gregg
Paine of the protective organization
Saturda)-. Drives to end this practice
(Continued on Page 10)
PHOTOPHiECONFER[NCES
START IN N. Y. TODAY
The first of two conferences sched-
uled for the sales organization of
RCA Photophone gets under way to-
day at the company's offices here
with Sydney E. Abel, general sale.-,
manager, presidir- and executives
(Continued on Page 10)
New Foreign Agent
Appointed by Pacent
Gelaki Elie, former executive of
the Commercial Investment Trust in
this country, has been appointed a
foreign representative of Pacent Re-
producer Systems, it is announced h\
Louis Gerard Pacent. Elie, who is
(Continued on Page 10)
Two-in-One Scenes
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILi
Hollywood — A revolutionary
advancement in wide film, mak-
ing it possible to show two or
more rooms at once instead of
jumping from one to another,
is predicted by J. L. Warner
as a development that is due
within the next few months.
SCREEN REPLACEMENT
OFFER MADE BY ERPI
A screen replacement proposition
is being offered by Electrical Re-
search to all exhibitors in the Phila-
delphia territory who have purchased
Western Electric equipment and with
it screens. The special ofifer is made
owing to the fact that Philadelphia
now requires non-inflammable screens
installed in all houses in the city.
A letter, mailed to Western Elec-
tric-equipped houses in this territory,
in part, reads as follows:
"Although this type of replacement
(Continujd on Page 10)
"Journey's End" to Have
N. Y. Premiere April 1
"Journey's End," Tiffany special,
will have its New York premiere
April 1, Al Selig states. The pic-
ture has been completed at the Coasx.
Equity Head Doubts Success
of New Free-Lance Contract
URGE REMOVAL OF ALL
DUTIES ON EDUCATiONALS
Paris — Removal of all customs
duties on educational films has been
i^ecommended by the League of Na-
tions through its new International
Cinematographic Institute. The com-
(Conii-.tucd on Page 10)
A company union plan like the one
just adopted bj" the producers and the
free-lance players on the West Coast
is not likely to work out successfully,
Frank Gillmore, president of Actors'
Equity Assn., declared Saturday in
commenting on the report of the new
agreement. He based his opinion on
the results of similar arrangements
in other trades.
Gillmore added that many of the
points for which Equity fought last
(Continued on Page 2)
M. P. T. O. Raising Funds
in Pittsburgh Sector
for Legal Battle
Pittsburgh — Settlement of the pro-
tection situation in the U. S. Courts
of Equity has been decided by the
^LP.T.O. of Western Pennsylvania
and West Virginia, which has al-
ready raised $7,000 to finance its
campaign. The organization intends
to spend between $12,000 and $15,000
in its legal battle, basing its case on
the findings of a committee which
has investigated the situation and
compiled considerable data.
Archie Fineman is chairman of the
committee on protection. Oliver K.
Eaton, counsel for the association,
who handled its successful case in
the equity arbitration suit, will have
charge of the scheduled battle.
CAMERAMEN, UNIONS
TO DISCUSS """-'^CT
Renewal of contracts aetwcen prin-
cipal Eastern studios ai d the camera-
men's union, locals 64. aaU 52, wili
be discussed at a meeting scheduled
for Feb. 13 betweei h" cameramen's
studio committee ard studio repriiseti-
(Continued 1 1. Page 2)
Latin Attendance Jumps
50 Per Cent DuO l- ^ :r>ni;d
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM U/n^.
Los Angeles — Theater attendance
in Latin-American countries has in-
creased approximately 50 per cent
(Continued o^i Page 10)
22nd Birthday
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Hollywood has
just celebrated its 22nd anni-
versary as the world motion
picture capital. The first stu-
dio was established in a Chi-
nese laundry and, according to
the records, "Across the Di-
vide," a feature 750 feet in
length, was the initial produc-
tion made here.
THE
i^E^
DAILY
Monday, February 10, 1930
Vol. II No. 34 Monday, February 10, 1S30 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holiday-3
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., .and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3. 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Kue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK iSTOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 21 21 21 100
Co"n. Fm': ind.::.:20/. 20/4 20/. 900
On. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23Ji 23'A 23'A 100
East. Kodak 190/8 189J4 190^ 2,000
Fox Fm "A" 36V» 34^ 36/8 59,900
Gen. Tbeat. Equ... 43}| 42 /a 43 /* 10.400
•Keith A-O 3"
do ofd 100J4 lOOJ^ 100'4 200
?^ew's; iAc 63/4 6VA 63Ji 3,600
*do pfd. WW (6!4) 90
*do pfd. xw (654) 88
•M-G-M pfd 24^4 ••■•
Para F-L 65 625i 65 38,900
Pathe Exch 4 3H 4 700
do "A" 7% 7^ 754 300
R-K-O 30H 29'4 30 12,700
«Univ. Pict. pfd 3754 ....
Warner Bros 605i 57Ji 60J^ 92,800
do pfd S3 51!^ 52H l.<>00
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 29?i 29 i^ 29^ 100
lox Thea. "A" .. 17 16^ 16/8 300
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts 26 ....
*Loew's Inc. war 6/ ....
♦Nat. Scr. Ser UVs
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ Pict 9% ...
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 79
♦Loew 6s 41ww 107/ ....
J. 6s 4 Ix-war.. 94 94 94 20
Paramount 6s 47 . . 99J4 99^ 99^ 20
♦Par. By. S54s 51 99
♦Pathe 7s 37 46
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
*$ it
U New York Long Island City ft
U 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. JJ
g BRYant 4712 STIIlwell 7940 «
11 Eastmain Films i
y ft
II J. E. Brulatour, Inc. H
II :Jt
g *-^
n Chicago Hollywood »>
♦3 t7.»7 t„j;,„, A„. 6700 Santa Monica it
^ 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j ♦..
p CAlumet 2691 HOllywood 4121 i'
The Broadway Parade
'TpHERE are two important openings scheduled for this week. On Thursday
"The Green Goddess." with George Arliss in the chief role, replaces "Sally" at
the Winter Garden. The next day will see the premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at the Earl Carroll, where "Hit the Deck" is now playing.
Pictura Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov. 1 9
"Sally" First National. . . . Winter Garden. . . .Dec. 23
"Hit the Deck" RKO Earl Carroll Jan. 14
"Across the World With Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Johnson" . Sono-Art Cohan Jan. 20
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan. 28
"Son of the Gods" First National .... Warner Jan. 30
"Lost Zeppelin" Tiffany Gaiety Feb. 1
Be Artistic
— hut he commercial too
^Continued from Page 1)
prospective customers on the Pacific
Coast just why they should spend
part of their Hves in Fox theaters.
And some folks are wondering if the
picture business is still growing.
SILENT riLM DIRECTORS
CLICKING WITH TALKERS
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Directors who were
successful in making silent pictures
are repeating this success in talking
picture production, said Jack L. War-
ner Saturday. The producers of Hol-
lywood are principally depending up-
on silent picture directors who have
adapted themselves to the new order
of things, he declared, and pointed
out that the nine directors under con-
tract to Warner Bros, are all men
who were established before the ad-
vent of the talking film. His refer-
ence was to Alan Crosland, Lloyd
Bacon, Michael Curtiz, Archie Mayo,
Roy Del Ruth, Ray Enright, John
Adolfi, Howard Bretherton and Al-
fred E. Green.
Columbia Enlarges Quarters
Columbia has enlarged its home
office quarters in New York where in
addition to the entire 11th floor at
729 Seventh Ave., the concern has
taken half of the 12th floor in the
same building.
NATIONAL
SCREEN
ERVICE
|2!!SSILENT
COMPANY UNION UNLIKELY
TO SUCCEED -GILLMORE
(Continued from Page 1)
summer have been granted in a large
measure by the producers in the con-
tract accepted last week. In spite of
this, the Equity official expressed
himself of the opinion that the plan
is not likely to bring happiness and
content to the players who accept it.
Full details of the new working
agreement have not yet reached
Equity headquarters in New York,
and Gillmore said he could not make
kny further comment until this in-
formation is in hand. The new de-
velopment, however, will not cause
Equity to abandon future efforts for
a uniform contract in pictures.
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb. 13
Feb. 14
Feb. 16
Feb. 19
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mar. 20
Apr. 6-7
June 2-7
Opening of "The Green Goddes^
at Winter Garden, N. Y.
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Rit
at the Earl CarroU, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theate
regulations becomes effective.
Opening of "The Vagabond King
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholj
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined. '
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Klein Appointed Editor
Chicago — Joseph Klein has been
appointed editor of "Motion Picture '
Digest," succeeding Al Blasko, who
has resigned to enter publicity work.
Zukor Leaves for Coast
Adolph Zukor leaves today for a
six weeks' trip to the Coast.
8th Week for "Sacred Flame"
Philadelphia — "The Sacred Flame,"
Warner Bros. Vitaphone production, '
is in its eighth week at the Stanton.
Cameramen, Unions to
Discuss Wage Contract
(Continued from Page 1)
tatives. It is understood no new wage
demands will be made by the union.
The following day industrials pro-
ducers, including representatives of
Pathel and Fox, will meet with union
jepresentatives in a contract confer-
ence and a similar session with news-
reel representatives is scheduled for
later in the month.
imim
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
lOPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
N PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE— MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
Thanks to All Who Selected
"DISRAELI"
as the Outstanding Picture of 1929
Alfred E. Green
Director
A Warner Bros. Vitaphone Production
IIARRYL ZAXVCK. Associate Producer
Ij^EORCJE
*f C rea \ Stage Success!
•f Gtyat^ r Screen Success!
with
H.B.lVAlA^feR ALICE JOYCE
RALi'H FORBE8
From the play by \ Scenario b>
WILLIAM ARC -\ IR JULIAN JOSEPHSOH
I DiTtcUd by
ALI HED E. GREEM
1/
GALA PREMIERE
at the
WINTER GARDEN
Broadway & 50th Street
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY 13
DAY & DATE SHOWING \S7 THEATRl
"Vitaphone" is the reRistered trade-mark of The Vitaphone Corporation designating its products
ARLISJ
Dootned to
Death • • • llMtess f
^ ARCH 8
A BEAUTIFUL v?oman, Ker Kusban
and tne man sKe loves — doome.
to deatk to satisfy the fanatical -Oenge-
ance of this Eastern Rajah. The price
of freedom was dearer than life itself.
Such is the intensely dramatic situation
^hich moves forward to a breathtaking
climax. Here is another Arliss triumph
— new thrills for the crowds that will
pack 3)our theatre.
te HEWSPAPER
/* FILMDOM
t^^^p-.. r:,
l^::^^^?^
YEAR
BOOK
»950
tDrrioN
THERE IS ONLY 0
m^% «««««*« ««i«««9«^ A. ^J^TVT
^s-
ALL THE TIM
THE 1930
FILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK
THE LATEST AND GREATEST
ADDITION TO THE MOTION
PICTURE INDUSTRY'S 5FT.
SHELF OF BOOKS.
NOW BEING DISTRIBUTED TO PAID
SUBSCRIBERS TO
THE FILM DAILY
FILM YEAR BOOK
the:
DAILY
Monday, February 10, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Don't Take Chances Handling
Film in Theaters, Is Warning
'PjOES any smoking go on in
vour operating box? Not even
few' quick draws on a cigarette?
Is there any fihn lying around un-
covered in the box? Not a foot?
In handling that film has familiar-
ity bred contempt in you and your
operators? "Oh, there's no dang-
er"— do you say that? Those
charges may be dismissed as gen-
eralities if you like; but to our-
selves musn't we admit occa-
sional laxity? And wouldn't it
be wiser to tighten up voluntarily,
before official restrictions are
made intolerably harsh? Fear-
fury rides wilder than the fire-
demon once the careless operator
gives it a start.
"Everymies," Sydney
Arbitration Is Called Ideal
Method of Solving Differences
THERE has been little concert-
ed objection to the principles
of arbitration. Where arbitration
has been impartially administered,
there has been none at all. It is
a fairly speedy and economical
solution of the problems which
always must arise between the
producer and the consumer, and
is, perhaps, more vital to the ex-
hibition of pictures than to many
lines of commercial endeavor.
Never before has it been more ap-
parent that the Film Board of
Trade is a protection for the
honest exhibitor as well as for
the distributor. It is, in efifect,
the protective power of the in-
dustry, providing a necessary reg-
ulation between exhibitor and ex-
change man. Regardless of the
fate of arbitration, the Film
Board should remain. It is neces-
sary.
Jay Emanuel in
"The Exhibitor"
1
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
RALPH J. DIETRICH
actor
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
"CDMUND JOSEPH, director of Vitaphone Varieties, directed
Milton C. Work, famous bridge expert, in a novelty short
last week. This is just by way of putting you on your guard
in case Ed should invite you to a game of bridge Wee
Willie Robyn, of the Roxy Gang, and Carl Goldner, one of S.
L. Rothafel's proteges who has risen from usher to pianist, have
been booked by Abe Feinberg for a tour of R-K-O theaters
The same agent arranged the current Roxy appearances
of Robert Evans and Charles Weaver, who were seen recently
in Fox films
Joe Fisher, the Singapore exhibitor who has been in this
country buying films and supplies for his new Capitol, sailed
for home Saturday from Vancouver As a symbolic ges-
ture in keeping with the name of the theater, two miniature light-
houses have been placed atop the marquee of the Beacon, new
Warner house on Broadway at 74th St. The beacons were de-
signed by the nautically-minded Arnold Van Leer, assistant to
Harry L. Charnas
Alexander Bunchuk, younger brother of Yasha Bunchuk,
director of the Capitol orchestra, will become conductor at
Loew's Valencia beginning Feb. 15. If he shows the same
ability as his illustrious big brother, the Loew management won't
mind how many boys there are in the Bunchuk family
By way of innovation. Smith Ballew's orchestra, a National
Broadcasting Co. unit, will play from the stage of the Earl Car-
roll just before the world premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz,"
Harry Richman-Irving Berlin film, due to open Feb. 14
Carl Lund, director of Van Beuren Song Sketches, leaves
this week for Florida where the Sportlight sound truck and
crew will be gathering exterior sliots for new material. Grant-
land Rice is supervising the Sketches Tom Hamlin burns
lip the wires with the fact that head man of his publication has
a l)irthday today
Pierre Collings and Paul Gerard Smith have "Dangerous
Nan McGrew" off their minds, for the time being. The "Nan"
in this case is a script which Paramount is now using out Long
Island way with Helen Kane and Jimmy Hall
FEBRUARY 10-HANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
day today:
Roy D'Arcy Henry Herzbrun
John Farrow Harry Beaumont
Alan Hale George Henry Leverett
Tom Hamlin
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
■LJAL ROACH has bought back his
polo ponies and once more is put-
ting tone into Filmland by swinging
a mallet from chukker to chukker.
Silent pictures practically did
away with applause, hut the talkers
are bringing some of it back.
Must be the auto-suggestion.
♦ * *
P. S., He Got the Job— Not
Exchange Manager— How long
have you been selling films?
Applicant for Job— Oh, about two
hours a day.
* ♦ *
We hear that quite a few records
are being broken in bicycling sound-
on-disc films.
Short Shavings from Latin Lou
Shorts salesmen often lose money selling short.
Exhibitors who pass up shorts will find them-
selves out of sorts.
Ten years from now shorts are not likely to
be made any longer.
With longer dresses being worn, the short- j
sighted boys might as well take a rest.
The swell ballet work provided by
Albertina Rasch for "The Rogue j
Song," "Devil May Care" and some
other recent production, has inspired!
Ray Coffin, the Hollywood pubHcity
wit who has puns and coffee forj
breakfast, to wisecrack that the cine-
ma capital has broken out in an A1-]
bertina Rasch.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY|
IN
Damage estimated $50,000 in fire
at Oliver Studios, N. Y.
* * *
Fox reported after Oak Theater,
Seattle.
* * *
Jackson Film Corp. increases cap-
ital from $10,000 to $150,000.
* * *
San Francisco Chinese societies
refused injunction after "Tong Man."
THE
Monday, February 10, 1930 y
J^^
DAILY
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Shutta Signed to Play
Opposite Eddie Cantor
Ethel Shutta, Ziegfeld star, has
been signed to play the feminine lead
opposite Eddie Cantor in the talker-
version of the stage play "Whoopee, '
for Samuel Goldwyn.
Universal Renews Helen Wright
Universal has renewed its contract
with Helen Wright, stage player,
who played the feminine lead in
"Dames Ahoy," starring Glenn Try-
on.
Armstrong in Warner Film
Robert Armstrong has been signed
by Warner Bros, for the featured
lead in "Dumbbells in Ermine,"
which goes into production this week
with John Adolphi directing.
Nance O'Neil in Novarro Film
Nance O'Neil, prominent stage
actress, has been added to the cast
of Ramon Novarro's next picture,
"The Singer of Seville," which Char-
les Brabin is directing. Dorothy Jor-
dan, Renee Adoree and Ernest Tor-
rence also are in the cast.
Changes at Fox
Robert Yost is the new scenario
editor at Fox Studios. He takes the
place of Harold Lipsitz, who wil!
join E. W. Butcher in the newly cre-
ated outdoor romances department.
Phil Freidman Promoted
Phil Freidman has been promoted
to casting director for Universal,
succeeding Harry Garson, who also
is slated for a promotion.
Berlin's First Original
"Love in a Cottage" is the title
definitely set for Irving Berlin's first
original for United Artists. It for-
merly was announced as "Upstairs
and Down."
Cast Selected for "U" Film
The following have been selected
,to compose the cast of Universal's
f"The Czar of Broadway," John
Wray, Betty Compson and Johnnv
Harron. William Craft is directing.
Gene Towne wrote the story.
Exteriors Made for "Sunny Skies"
Exterior scenes were made for Tif-
fany's "Sunny Skies," which Norman
Taurog is directing with Benny Ru-
bin, Marceline Day, Rex Lease, Babe
Kane, Harry Lee and Greta Gran-
stedt.
A Little
from
'Lots*'
Acoustic Control of Recording
for Talking Motion Pictures
The purpose of this paper, prepared for the Journal of the Society of
M. P. Engineers by J. P. Maxfield, of Electrical Research Products, Inc.,
is to describe the fundamental basis of sound recording as applied to mo-
tion pictures and to give certain results which have been obtained by the
use of these principles in the actual production of pictures for release.
^^ By RALPH IV ILK 5^^
Hollyzvood
■pANS are wondering who the vil-
lain will be in Bebe Daniels' next
picture, "Smooth as Satin." They
figure that he will have a right merry
job "menacing" her, because Ben
Lyon, Bebe's fiance, plays the hero
part.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Alma Ru-
bens, John Murray Anderson, Wal-
ter Percival, Eddie Silton, Alex
Moss, Raymond Hackett and Ed'
win Knopf at "Ladies of the
Jury"; Marcel Silver motoring to
the Fox studio.
* * *
Walter DeLeon has been
signed by Pathe to write an
original story for Eddie Quil-
lan.
* * *
The height of modesty is a young
actor hiding several packages of fan
mail under his coat. Robert Mont-
gomery, who is fast gaining popu-
larity as a leading man, is the young
actor we saw hiding his fan mail
under his coat.
* ♦ *
Arthur Briliant, Herbert
Crooker, Cliff Gill, Jim Keefe
and Frank Murray are among
the press agents who hail from
Minneapolis.
i^ * *
George Crone has finished the di-
rection of "The Dark Chapter,"
starring Regirudd Denny. Crone is
scheduled to direct two more pic-
tures for Sono Art.
* * ♦
Russell Hopton, who played
the leading male role in the
Los Angeles engagement of
"Lulu Belle," is playing a fea-
tured part in support of Ramon
Novarro in "The Singer of Se-
ville," for M-G-M. Charles
Brabin is directing.
* * *
An addition to our list of former
Minneapolitans who are now press
agents is Russell Phelps.
Clive for Carol Film
Henry Clive has been signed by
Fox to make his appearance in Sue
Carol's next Fox Movietone picture
as yet untitled. The story has a
Greenwich Village artist as one of
one of its principal characters.
John Wray for "U" Cast
John Wray has been added to the
cast of Universal's "The Czar of
Broadway."
Muni as Romantic Lover
Paul Muni will appear as a roman-
tic young lover in his next picture
for Fox, it is announced. The vehi-
cle is now being lined up.
Robertson to Direct Boles
John S. Robertson, who has just
finished "La Marseillaise," will di-
rect John Boles in his next starring
picture for Universal, "Moonlight
Madness."
The quantitative methods of applying the
material have not been completely worked put
and the work described is therefore largely of
a qualitative nature. Some indication has
been obtained, however, regarding the approxi-
mate magnitude of the more important factors.
The problem to be solved is that of obtain-
ing a sound record which correlates with the
picture in such a manner that a member of
the audience is given the illusion of being
an actual spectator in the scene. This prob-
lem readily divides itself into three parts:
First, a determination of the factors which
are of importance to an actual observer in a
scene in the appreciation of depth of sound
and direction of siijht. Second, a determina-
tion of which of these factors are usable under
the conditions of photography and acoustic
pickup for a talking picture. Third, the con-
trol of the acoustics in the set and the position
of the pickup device in order to best make use
of the available factors.
Wlien a person is viewing a real scene in
real life, he is viewing it with lenses — that
is. the eyes, and pickup devices — that is, the
ears, which are in a fixed relationship, one
to the other. This observer is equipped with
two eyes and two ears. The two eyes enable
bim to appreciate distance or depth with much
more facility than would be possible with
one eye, while the two ears enable him to
appreciate direction and perhaps, to a slight
extent, depth where sound is concerned. The
point of importance, however, is the fact that
the eyes and ears maintain a fixed relation-
ship to one another.
The method by which we determine direc-
tion with either one or two eyes is obvious
and need not be discussed. The factors which
enter into our appreciation of depth or
perspective in sound are the ones of interest
to this paper. It is probable that the most
important factor, particularly where monaural
hearing is concerned, is that which deals with
the relative change in loudness of the direct
and reflected sound. Since the intensity of
the reflected sound varies relatively little from
place to place in a room, while the direct
sound from the source to the pickup device
varies quite rapidly with its distance, the
ratio of the intensity of the direct to the re-
flected sound also varies considerably. Hence,
as a source of sound such as a person speak-
ing recedes from the microphone, the loudness
of the voice appears to decrease slightly while
the reverberation appears to increase mate-
ria!ly._ With binaural listening, this is un-
consciously interpreted as distance. It has
been found that this effect, when properly
controlled, can also be interpreted as distance
with monaural listening.
In the case of a talking motion picture,
the camera has only one lens and the record-
ing system only one ear, so that those effects
which were brought about by the binocular
seeing and binaural hearing cannot be made
use of. Long experience with the photog-
raphy has enabled the cameramen to create a
part of the depth illusion by the proper choice
of the focal length of the lens used and by
the proper type of lighting. Fortunately., for
the acoustic engineer, the impression of depth
depends upon factors which are almost as
effective with monaural as with binaural
listening; namely, the change in the ratio of
the intensity of the direct sound to the
reverberation present.
The loss of direction brought about by the
use of one ear only, causes some rather un-
expected results. When two ears are used,
a person has the ability to consciously pay
attention to sounds coming from a given
direction to the partial exclusion of sounds
coming from other directions. With the loss
of the sense of direction which accompanies
the use of monaural hearing, this conscious
discrimination becomes impossible and the in-
cidental noises occurring in a scene, as well
as any reverberation which may be present,
are apparently increased to such an extent
that they unduly intrude themselves on the
hearer's notice. It is. therefore, necessary
to hold these noises, including the reverbera-
tion, down to a lower loudness than normal
if a scene recorded monaurally is to satis-
factorily create the illusion of reality when
listened to binaurally.
This apparent increase in incidental noises
and reverberation may easily be heard by
completely stopping up one ear and listening
with the other only. It is easier to detect
this effect in a room where the incidental
noises are fairly loud and where the amount
of damping is frequently less than in the
normal living room.
Before starting the discussion of the third
part of the problem, namely, the control of
the acoustics in the set and the position of the
pickup device in order to best make use of
the available knowledge, it might be interest-
ing to point out some of the conclusions
which were drawn from the foregoing brief
analysis and which led to the method of
pickup and acoustic control to be described.
One of the most important requirements for
obtaining the illusion of reality is that the
sound shall appear to come from the visible
source on the screen.
Since it is possible to create the illusion
of depth or distance in both the visual and
audible parts of the talking picture, it is
necessar.v that the amount by which the voice
appears to move forward and backward in
the set should correspond with the amount
the image actually moves. This amount by
which the voice appears to move forward and
backward in the set depends upon the amount
of reverberation present and upon the relative
distance of the microphone from the fore-
ground and background action. In general,
the more reverberation present, or the further
the microphone from the source of sound, the
greater is the apparent distance of the voice
from the near foreground. It has also been
found by experience that if the conditions
have been made correct to obtain this illusion,
the voice or sound alfo appears to follow
the picture across the screen.
Before discussing the design of the acoustics
of the set itself, it is necessary to consider
the acoustics of the space in which the set
's built. Where outdoor sets are used or on
"location," very little acoustic trouble is ex-
perienced— the natural conditions of the out-
doors being satisfactory for recording. In
this connection it should be remembered that
most outdoor scenes are not free from re-
flection as the majority of them contain
buildings or other acoustically hard objects.
If, therefore, an outdoor scene is being
imitated in an indoor studio, this fact should
be taken into account. In the case of indoor
sets, it has been found desirable that the
studio in which they are built should be dead
and as nearly as ripssible imitate open out-
door conditions. This insures that any sound
leaving the set will not return and create an
echo.
It has also been found that the character
of the reverberations present should be that
which one would expect to find were he
actually placed in the scene being shown.
As mentioned previously, the amount of
reverberation should be somewhat less than
that actually occurring in real life. A set
which has no ceiling and virith one end opc.i.
approximately fulfills .c propei- acoustic con
ditions provided the .ir.iour;!. ,'.i' nature' of
the reflections from it.\ '., ■': ate the
amount and nature c; which
would occur from the- -ig de-
picted. Were it not .• v J,'.
be desirable to build --.„ oci ot the same
materials which would have been used under
actual conditions for a real building. In
practice, however, satisfactory materials can
(Continued on Page 11)
of Washington
•4
^^CBaiToR.
\mm\mmm
of Xe«- 'S'ork. Al-
bany and Buffalo
'T/.e ?ndi> of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4.600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
jou.nals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
rverjastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-6000WIN PUBLICATIONS
New York — Philadelphia — Washington
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
THE
10
■c^m
DAILY
Monday, February 10, 1930
SCREEN REPLACEMENT
OEFER MADE BY ERPI
(Continued from Page 1)
which under the contract is to be paid for by
the exhibitor, nevertheless in order to facili-
tate such a change if made necessary in your
theater as a result of this ordinance, we have
worked out a special arrangement by which
your present screen can be replaced with a
non-inflammable screen, the latter to be sold
outright by us, giving an allowance to you
of $.40 per square foot for the old type
screen, making the net cost to you of the
non-inflammable screen $.45 per square foot
f.o.b. factory or our Chicago warehouse.
"Orders may be addressed to either our
New York or our Philadelphia office and
should specify the dimensions of the screen.
We will make every effort to make prompt
shipment on these screens on receipt of or
ders and will fill the orders, of course, in the
order of receipt, but cannot guarantee de-
livery by any specified date.
"If you prefer to make your own arrange
ments for replacing these screens, it is quite
agreeable to us and you may consider yout
self free to do so, provided you use a screen
which will give satisfactory results."
URGE REMOVAL OF ALL
DUTIES ON EDUCATIONALS
(Continued from Page 1)
iniltee of experts which has drawn up
the proposed draft convention has
defined educational pictures as fol-
lows:
Films destined to make the League
of Nations known.
Films prepared with a view to edu-
cation in every respect.
Films for professional education
and information and for the scientific
organization of labor.
Films for scientific and technical re-
search.
Films intended for learned socie-
ties and scientific institutions.
Films on health and social preven-
tive work.
Each state signing the convention
will always have the right to exercise
its regular censorship over any such
films.
Center War Against Music
Racket on Nine Cities
(Continued from Page 1)
are going on in Cleveland, Detroit,
San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas,
Atlanta, St. Louis, Baltimore.
Milton Weil, music publisher and
a member of the association, is re-
ceiving police protection in Chicago
as the result of a racketeer threat
made on his life. He was ordered to
pay $4,000 which, racketeers claimed,
represented the amount of money
they had lost through his interference
In behalf of the association, said
Paine.
New Foreign Agent
Appointed by Pacent
(Continued from Page 1)
now on his way to the other side, iv
well known in France and Belgitun
He will cover the cities of Antwerp
and Brussels i n Belgium, all of
France, French West Africa. Mo-
rocco, Algeria, French Equatorial
Africa, Tunesia, Belgian Cong(-i
Cameroon, Togo and Madagascar.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
ILLINOIS
Changes in Ownership
Ashton — Pastime, sold to Kendel & Mussel-
man by H. E. Puterbaugh; Benton — Cap-
itol, sold to Fox-West Coast Theaters by
Reid, Yemm & Hayes, Star, sold to Fox-
West Coast Theater by Reid, Yemm &
Hayes; Berwyn — Ritz, sold to Berwyn
Amusement Co. by Biba Bros. ; Blandins-
ville — Romance, sold to R. E. Girgsby by
J. F. Woodward ; Centralia — Gem. sold to
Fox-West Coast Theater by Reid, Yemm
& Hayes, Grand, sold to Fox-West Coast
Theater by Reid, Yemm & Hayes, Illinois,
sold to Fox-West Coast Theater by Reid,
Yemm & Hayes; Charleston — Lincoln, sold
to Fox-West Coast Theater by Frisina
Amusement Co., Rex, sold to Fo.x-West
Coast Theater by Frisina Amusement Co. ;
Chicago — Biograph, sold to Greater Chicago
Theater Corp. by Lubliner & Trinz, Craw-
ford, sold to Greater Chicago Theater Corp.
by Lubliner & Trinz, Crystal, sold to Jerry
Di Giacomo by John Georgacopoulas, El-
lantee, sold to Greater Chicago Theater
Corp. by Lubliner & Triniz. Knickerbocker,
sold to Greater Chicago Theater Corp. by
Lubliner & Trinz, Lakeside, sold to Greater
Chicago Theater Corp. by Lubliner & Trinz,
Madison Square, sold to Greater Chicago
Theater Corp. by Lubliner & Trinz, Mad-
lin. sold to Madlin Theater Co. Inc. by
Gilford & Benesch, Michig'an, sold to
Greater Chicago Theater Corp. by Lubliner
& Trinz. North Center, sold to Greater
Chicago Theater Corp. by Lubliner & Trinz,
Oak Park, sold to Greater Chicago The-
ater Corp. by Lubliner & Trinz, Para-
mount, sold to Greater Chicago Theater
Corp. by Lubliner & Trinz, Pershing, sold
to Greater Chicago Theater Corp. by
Lubliner & Trinz, Stanley, sold to B. E.
Shaw by F. H. Seim, West End. sold to
Greater Chicago Theater Corp. by Lub-
liner & Trinz; Christopher — Globe, sold
to Fox-West Coast Theaters by Reid, Yemm
& Hayes, Opera House, sold to Fox-West
Coast Theater by Reid, Yemm & Hayes ;
DuQuoJn — Grand, sold to Fox-West Coast
Theater by Reid, Yemm & Hays, Majestic,
sold to Fox-West Coast Theater by Reid.
Yemm & Hayes ; East St. Louis — Majestic,
sold to Publix Illinois Inc. by H. Redmon ;
Elmwood — Palace, sold to S. A. Kastner
by H. L. Kitchcock; Jacksonville — Grand
O. H.. sold to Fox West Coast Theater
by Frisina Amusement Co., Illinois, sold
to Fox-West Coast TTieater by Frisina
Amusement Co., Majestic, sold to Fox-
West Coast Tbeater by Frinina Amusement
Co., Rialto, sold to Fox-West Coast The-
aters by Reid. Yemm & Hayes ; Marion —
Family, sold to Fox-West Coast Theaters
by Reid. Yemm & Hayes, Isis. sold to Fox-
West Coast Theaters by Reid. Yemm &
Hayes. Orpheum, sold to Fox-West Coast
Theaters by Reid, Yemm & Hayes, Majestic,
coutah — Grand, soM to Dewey Gray by
Noah Bloomer; Mattoon — Grand, sold to
Fox-West Coast Theaters by Reid. Yemm
Sf Hayes, "K". sold to Fnx-West Coast
Theaters by Frisina Amusement Co., Mat-
toon, sold to Fox-West Coast Theaters by
Frisina Amusement Co.. St'and. sold to
Fox-West Const Theaters by Frisina Amuse-
ment Co. ; Mt. Vernon — Majestic, sold to
Fox-West Coast Theaters bv Reid. Yemm
R- Hayes. Pbza. sold to Fox-West Coast
Theaters bv 'Reid. Yemm &• Hayes. Star,
sold to Fox-West Coast Theaters by Reid,
Yemm ffz Hayes; Niles Center — Niles Cen-
ter, sold to Arthur Kausal by R. S. Cramb-
let; Princeton — Orpheum, sold to A, T.
Kent bv William G. Teffries : Rockford—
Strand, sold to T. F. Walsh by Tobn A
Murray; Sesser — Opera House, sold to Fox-
West Coast Theaters by Reid. Yemm &•
H.iyes ; Sprinefield — Lincoln, sold to Fox-
West Coast Theaters by Frisina Amuse-
ment Co,. Tivoli. sold to Fox-West Coast
Theaters by Frisina Amusement Co.. Vaud-
pttp, sold to Fox-West Coast Theaters by
Frisina Amusement Co. ; Tavlorville — Can-
itnl. sold to Fnx-West Const Theaters by
Frisina Amusement Co,, Elks, sold to Fox-
West Coast Theaters bv Frii^iiia Amuse-
ment Co. : West Frankfort — Majestic, sold
tn Fox-West Coast Theaters bv Reid.
Yemm 8z Hayes, Rex. sold to Fox-West
Tnast Theaters by Reid. Yemm & Haves,
Strand-Orient, sold to Fox-West Coast The-
aters by Reid, Yemm & Hayes; Zeigler —
Empire, sold to Fox-West Coast Theaters
by Reid, Yemm & Hayes.
Closings
Bayliss. — Star ; Chicago — Kozy ; Cutler — Gem ;
DeSoto — Gem ; Hamburg — Crescent ; Hill-
view — Apollo ; Kempton — Royal ; Steward-
son — Liberty ; Villa Grove — Star.
New Theaters
Carterville — Horton, owner — John W. Horton.
MASSACHUSETTS
Changes in Ownership
Boston — Strand, sold to Huntington Theater
Corp. by F. Jacques; Monson — Capital,
sold to R. Docuck by J. Rapulus; Pitts-
field — Cameo, sold to American Amuse-
ment Entpr. Inc. by Peter Cimini.
Closings
Cambridge — Inman Sq.
MINNESOTA
Changes in Ownership
Duluth — Star, sold to E. A. Nelson by Clin-
ton Meyers Enterprise; Melrose — Olympic,
sold to Arthur Monroe by Melrose Theater
Company ; Ogilvie — Ogilvie, sold to Hodgin
& Folsom by Millbank ; Pelican Rapid)
Pelican, sold by C. C. Spies.
Closings
Mariette — Amuzu.
MISSISSIPPI
Changes in Ownership
Belgrade — Belgrade, sold to W. B. Bryon by
G. W. Owens; Itta Bena — Dixie, sold to
James C. Davis by Mrs. Joe Paluso ; Lam-
bert^Lambert, sold to J. O. Tackett by
Douglas Carr ; Moorhead — Regent, sold to
D. L. Sanderson by P. E. Morris ; Sardis —
Pastime, sold to Lex Arnold by R. R.
Mitchell ; Tishomingo — -Tishomingo, sold to
Mrs. C. N. Waldrip by W. H. Fairiess.
Closings
Moorhead — Regent ; Picayune — Ideal.
MISSOURI
Changes in Ownership
Belgrade — Belgrade, sold to W. B. Bryon by
Mrs. Belva Maxwell ; Cape Girardeau —
Lyric, sold to Fox West Coast Th. by S.
E. Brady ; New Broadway, sold to Fox
West Coast Th. by S. E. Brady; Orpheum.
sold to Fox West Coast Th. by S. E.
Rr.idy : Park, sold to Fox West Coast Th.
bv S. E. Brady ; Chaffee — Empress, sold to
McCarthy, Finley & Lane by Horstman &
McCarthy; Desloge — Grand, sold to W.
A. Collins by H. C. Tuttle ; Holt— Com-
munity, sold to A. R. McCIure by C. E.
Albright : Independence — Lewis, sold to
Flovd Taylor by Glen W. Dickinson :
Joplin — Hippodrome, sold to Fox Theaters,
Inc., by Ben Levy ; Kansas City — Twin
City, sold to O. L. Arens by Alex C.
Meschcon ; Kennett — Liberty, sold to L. P,
Tatum bv H, Ferguson ; Kirksville — Ken-
nedy, sold to Fox Theaters, Inc.. by Mid-
west Theaters Inc. ; Princess, sold to Fox
Theaters. Inc.. by Midwest Theater. Inc. :
Laddonia — Empire, sold to L, S, William-
son by Mrs, A, Kninfel ; Lilbourne — Rfx.
sold to Mrs. C. C. Cravens by L. B. Cra-
vens : Milan — Harmon, sold to Blaine Cook
bv Porter & Wood ; Pierce City — Strand,
sold to T. F. Cole by J, M, Leach; St.
Cl.iir— O^ark. sold to H. M. Licklider bv
William E. Horsefield ; St. Joseph— Olive,
sold to Nemzoff & Rosen by Georere Mon-
tray: St. Louis — .Ashland, sold to Rex The
ater Corp. by N. Fiorito ; IRth Street, sold
to Craft-Porter-Mullens by W. O. Reeve;
T.ong^ood. so'd to Lloyd & Hobson bv
Frank J. Miller; Majestic, sold to Maiestic
Theater Corp. by A. D. Papoas; Pesta-
1o72i. sold to H. Worack bv Jack Camp :
Plaza, sold to L. H. Meidner by Weise^
Bros, ; Seneca — Colonial, sold to Smith ft
Croiise by C, L, Higginbotham ; Steelvill-
— Gem. sold to R, T,,, Forkner bv Claude
Bass ; Waynesville — Fox. sold to War An-
derson by K. C H'cks.
Closings
Bellflower— -Gem : Gon'n — Colonial,
New Theaters
Bagnell Dam — Dam, owner — Mrs. Mae Ed-
monds,
Re-Openings
Fo»ter — ^Opera House,
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^_ By HARRY N. BLAIR H^
George W. Lederer has been ap-
pointed general manager of the Jess
Producing Co., Inc., which was re-
cently formed by George Jessel. Les-
ter Lonergan has been engaged as
general stage director. Their first
production will be "This Man's
Town."
♦ * *
Helen Kane and James Hall ap-
peared in the opening sequence of
"Dangerous Nan McGrew," which
has finally gotten under way at thr
Paramount Long Island studios. An
elaborate setting, picturing a section
of the Canadian Northwest, was con-
structed in the studio for this initial
episode.
* * *
William Gaxton, comedian of "Fifth
Million Frenchmen," has just com-
pleted a Vitaphone Variety entitled
"The Life of the Party," under the
direction of Murray Roth.
Paramount Pep Club Holds
Successful Annual Ball
Annual ball of the Paramount Pep
Club, held Friday evening at the Ho-
tel Astor, will go down on the en-
tertainment records as a smashing
success. Starting the program, there
was general dancing. About mid-
night an all-star entertainment show
was staged with Charles Ruggles as
master of ceremonies. Talent in-
cluded Rudy Vallee, Helen Kane, the
Pat Rooneys and Frances Williams.
Supper was served about 11:30.
Guests at the party included Adolpli
Zukor, James Hall, Stuart Irwin and
other Paramount officials.
Latin Attendance Jumps
50 Per Cent Due to Sound
(Continued from Page 1)
since the advent of sound pictures,
according to B. Fernandez Cue, who
has just completed a survey of the
talking picture field in Mexico and
South Ainerica. Cue is assisting on
Spanish version of Radio uictures.
"Only half of the population in
Latin-America can read," he said,
"but all understand the spoken lan-
guage."
Photophone Conferences
Start in N. Y. Today
(.Continued from Page 1)
and district manager from territories
east of Kansas City attending. The
other conference will open on Satur-
day in Los Angeles and will be at-
tended by the corporation's Western
representatives, with Edward Augei,
assistant sales manager, officiating.
The New York meetings will con-
tinue until Thursday, with a lunch-
eon at the New York Athletic Clul)
on Tuesday.
Ostrer, Bernerd Sail
Isador Ostrer and Jeffrey Bernerd,
prominently identified with the Brit-
ish industry, sailed Saturday on the
Aquitania.
THE
Monday, February 10, 1930
iS&<
DAILV
SEPARATE SOUND TRACK
GOOD TOR LONG RUNS
Although the practice is too expen-
sive and inconvenient for general
adoption, the use of a separate film
for the sound track has been found
advantageous in obtaining better
quality of reproduction, according to
officials of the Loevif projection and
sound department. The system has
been employed for some time at the
Astor, where M-G-M presents its
special Broadway showings,- and the
only other use made of the double-
reel method so far has been by Sid
Grauman on the Coast.
The system, which is under exclu-
sive patent, requires the use of a
dummy head mounted on a pedestal.
By having the sound on a separate
track, mechanical flutter and jerking
is eliminated because the reel carry-
ing the sound is permitted to move
continuously and uniformly; whereas
the reel with the picture must move
in frames with sufficient pause for
projection of the image on the screen.
Another advantage, applying espe-
cially to long-run houses, is that the
sound track, which usually wears out
quicker than the picture, may be re-
placed independently whenever neces-
sary, without substituting a new reel
for the entire picture. In the case of
productions filmed in color, the sound
track is recorded on black and white
film.
Because of the double cost involved
in the making and handling of two
sets of reels, the system is consid-
ered out of the question for theaters
at large and no efforts are being
made to install it in any other houses
controlled by Loew. For special run
showings at $2, however, it is be-
lieved that superiority of the perfor-
mance justifies the extra expense.
A separate sound track method,
on the same order as that used by
M-G-M, was tried out sometime ago
by RCA, and subsequently dropped
because no special advantages could
be seen in it for the trade at large.
Additional Changes Made
in Sono Art Sales Staff
Additional changes have been made
in the sales organization of Sono Art-
World Wide Pictures. Recent addi-
tions to the force include Russell P.
Collins, former special representative
for Vitaphone, as feature sales man-
ager at Boston; Harry O'Brien, for-
merly with M-G-M, is connected with
( Columbia, now is working out of the
Washington office. Hopcraft has been
' with George W. Weeks in Sono Art
Production, Inc., as special represen-
: tative.
Wilmington House Reopened
Wilmington, O.— The LaMax has
been wired with Western Electric
I equipment and reopened.
Jesse Clark at Miami
Miami, Fla. — Jesse Clark has been
j transferred from Jacksonville to man-
age the local Publix district. Char-
les G. Branham will succeed Clark
at Jacksonville.
Acoustic Control of Recording
for Talking Motion Pictures
(^Continued
be found which acoustically imitate the real
ones and which are considerably more economi-
cal to handle. Tlie extra deadness needed for
monaural recording has, therefore, been ob-
tained by the fact that the sound which would
normally be reflected from the ceiling and the
one missing wall, now receives no reflection
but spreads out into the dead studio and is
absorbed there. In some cases sets with
two walls only are built, usually for pho-
tographic reasons. In general, these sets do
no_t have sufficient reverberation and it is then
necessary to move in a third wall even though
this be behind the lights, in order that proper
acoustics mfty be obtained.
It is therefore seen that this method of
acoustic pickup really amounts to the building
of a set having proper acoustic conditions
inside of a very dead room. By this means
it is possible to obtain the desired acoustic
properties without continually changing the
nature of the surfaces on the large sound stage
itself. It is obvious that from a practical
standpoint this is a very important item.
Having obtained a set with the proper
acoustic properties, the next phase of the
problem might well be termed "The Trail of
the Lonesorne Microphone." The term "lone-
some" is used advisedly, for it has been found
that the use of more than one microphone
in a set at one time tends to destroy the
proper depth illusion and as a result the
voices very frequently fail to follow the artist
about the scene. The use of only one micro-
phone for each camera condition cannot be too
strongly stressed. In several cases where
difficulty has been experienced with one micro-
phone and a multirjicity was therefore re-
sorted to, the final sound track picked and
used was the one made with the single in-
strument. .This has happened so often that it
would appear as a reasonable conclusion that
for the same over-all artistic result, it is
easier and simpler to obtain high quality with
one microphone than with a multiplicity of
them.
While it is true that the eyes and ears of a
speaker are always maintained in a fixed re-
lationship, one to another, it is not possible
to obtain the correct eflfect for talking pictures
with a constant relationship between the posi-
tion of the camera and the microphone. If all
pictures were taken with lenses of the same
focal length, such a relationship would exist,
hut in actual practice lenses of various focal
lengths are used and each of these requires a
microphone position to correspond. For in-
stance, it will be noted that the microphone's
position for the long shot camera is quite
dififerent from the positions used for the three
close-up cameras occurring in the same set.
An interesting experiment was tried in this
connection, namely, piecing up the long shot
sound track with a close-up. While it was
not difficult to understand every word that
was said, the illusion produced was that of the
voices coming through the open window di-
rectly behind the speakers instead of coming
from their lips as should have been the case.
This effect is somewhat weird and is cer-
tainly quite displeasing if it occurs very often
or for any length of dialogue. It is, there-
fore, necessary to use separate sound tracks
for long shots and close-ups particularly where
the close-up is of action occurring in the back
of the set. This is no more than is to be
expected as a close-up is merely the photog-
•■apher's method of bringing distant action into
the near foreground and it is obviously neces-
sary that the voices corresponding to this
action should be brought into the near fore-
ground also. While a photographer may
obtain his close-up either by moving the
camera closer to the subject or by changing
the focal length of the lens, this double method
's not open to the acoustic engineer who cfan
change his perspective only by moving the
microphone. Were he able to decrease the
amount of reverberation in the set, he could,
of course, get a close-up sound track without
moving the microphone into as close a posi-
tion as would otherwise be necessary. This
latter method is, however, imnractic.ible.
Inasmuch as we are now recognizing the
difference in the sound of a voice in the
foreground and of one in the background, it
becomes necessary that the microphone be
placed in the same general direction from the
scene asi is the camera so that when an actor
recedes from or approaches the camera, he
also recedes from or approaches the micro-
phone. Under these conditions it is possible
to take a dialogue with the actors facing
directly at, across or even directly away
from the microphone, since the change in
quality which accompanies the changes iti
from Page 9)
direction is only that which would be ex-
pected as the person turns in the picture. In
this connection, it might be well to mention
that with many of the dead sets which have
been used, this statement does not apply, as
these sets in general tended to reduce the
intensity of the high frequencies and this
reduction often became so great when a speak-
er talked away from the microphone that the
intelligibility of the record was considerably
impaired. However, with a set having con-
siderable reverberation, the high frequencies
which fail to reach the microphone directly,
do reach it after reflection from the walls and
therefore leave the intelligibility relatively un-
impaired. This failure to get these higher
frequencies of speech directly, but by re-
flection only, is probably one of the factors
which bring abou.t the change in quality in a
voice when a person turns away and talks with
his back toward the listener.
It might be well at this time to summarize
briefly the proper type of arrangement of set,
microphone, and camera. It will be noted
that for the long shot, there is only one micro-
phone and that for the close-up conditions,
there is only one microphone for each close-
up. In some studios these three close-ups
would have been photographed separately, in
which case there would have been only one
microphone in the set at a time. However,
for continuity of action, the director in this
case preferred to photograph these three close-
ups by repeating the long shot action com-
pletely, and it was therefore necessary to set
up the three microphones and the three cam-
eras on the set. The use of this method of
pickup with its attendant improvement of
quality is causing the producers gradually to
use fewer cameras on the set at any one time
and to bring the talking picture practice more
nearly into line with the practice formerly used
on silent pictures. Discussions with the camera-
men regarding the desirability of taking close-
ups and long shots simultaneously indicate
that the cameramen prefer to take them
separately as it makes the problems of photog-
raphy, and particularly lighting, much simpler.
For simplicity of discussion, we will confine
ourselves to the use of a single camera aijd
a single microphone. It is seen from diagrams
that the camera and microphone are situated
in the same general direction from the action
and that the relative distance of the micro-
phone and camera from the scene depends
upon the focal length of the lens being used.
\Ve have found no occasion in the six pictures
which have been made by this method, to
deviate from this type of set-up.
When the set is arranged in this manner,
some very useful aod interesting results are
obtained. In the first place, very complete
freedom of action is permitted to the actors
as it is not necessary for the people speaking
to know where the microphone is placed and
they are therefore enabled to carry on their
action in a natural manner. This has done a
great deal toward helping the director and
actor improve the quality of action.
It has also been found that with such an
arrangement a mucb wider range of loudness
can be recorded without loss of intelligibility
and in a very few cases has it been necessary
to operate the mixer dials during a take.
This freedom from operation of the mixer
dials cannot be too strongly emphasized as
such operation during a take may completely
change the emotional effect which the director
is trying to obtain with the dialogue. If,
therefore, an arrangement can be found such
that the dialogue is recorded without any
mixer manipulation, the audience is much more
hkely to be presented with the emotional re-
sult which the director intended the scene to
portray.
With this arrangement in a set, the inciden-
tal noises occurring have been found to be
much more natural and very little faking is
necessary. In fact, the experience to date
with this new method has indicated that where
these noises have been faked, they have been
less convincing than when they were taken
naturally.
There is one other important matter in con-
nection with sound recording for talking pic-
tures and that is the addition of a musical
score to a silent picture or the recording of a
large orchestra or chorus. In the industry
th's is generally called scoring. The acoustic
conditions governing this type of recording
differ somewhat from those under which dia-
logue scenes are usually produced.
.\ considerable amount of work has been
done regarding the optimum time of rever-
beration which, an auditorium should have for
best conditions of music and speech. All of
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "So Long Letty"
Cameo^"Caught in Berlin's Underworld"
Capitol — "Not So Dumb"
Carnegie — "The Great Gabbo" (Feb. 8-11) ;
"Romance of the Rio Grande" (Feb. 12-14)
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Phantom of the Opera" (Sound
Version)
Criterion — "The Love Parade"
Earl Carroll — "Hit the Deck"
Fifth Ave.— "Why Cry at Parting?"
Fifty-fifth St.— "Co-Optimists-
Film Guild — "Sunrise"
Gaiety — "Lost Zeppelin"
Globe — "Second Wife"
George M. Cohan — "Across the World with
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson"
Hippodrome — "Seven Keys to Baldpate"
Little Picture House — "Paris Bound"
Loew's New York — Monday, "Navy Blues" ;
Tuesday, "Rio Rita" ; Wednesday, "Shan-
nons of Broadway" ; Thursday, "The
Climax"; Friday, "It's a Great Life"; Sat-
urday, "The Night Ride"; Sunday, "Men
Without Women"
Paramount — "Burning Up"
Rialto — "Street of Chance"
Rivoli — ^"Condemned"
Roxy — "Cameo Kirby"
Strand— "So Long Letty"
Warners — "Son of the Gods"
Winter Garden/ — "Sally"
this work has assumed a real audience and
therefore binaural listening.
It has been pointed out in the literature
that the best place for the production of
music is a place where there is conside^ble
reverberation, while the best position for list-
ening is one in which there is relatively little
reverberation. In rooms large enough to be
used for good scoring, namely, 50,000 cubic
feet or larger, these two sets of conditions
can be realized by placing the larger part of
the damping material on the end not oc-
cupied by the musicians. The microphone is
then placed in this end containing the maxi-
mum amount of damping material.
The arrangement of musicians used is that
which would be used were their end of the
scoring room a real stage and were the
microphone end occupied by an audience. It
is not necessary, therefore, that the musical
director make any special arrangement for the
purpose of recording. In scoring as in the
taking of talking pictures, the best results
have been obtained with the use of one micro-
phone placed at a considerable distance from
the orchestra, that is, 20 to 50 feet. This
statement applies and has experimental veri-
fications up to musical aggregations having as
many as 95 people. In case of an orchestra
up to thirty pieces, it has not been found
necessary to operate the mixer dials during
the recording as has been the practice in the
highly damped scoring rooms.
There is one very interesting effect which
has been noticed, both in scoring and in some
of the earlier work on phonograph recording,
where rooms with considerable reverbp's^ior
were u''^'' ' r . . ■ ■- i ti-.:. - .m s Ifi:
tions. It wouM he t^nrv ha' rc-^rds made
in these live rooms ir>pT' '! to be very much
louder i!'-^'; <;itnilar -eci;:,;s made r heavil ■
damped ''■.■':*it rlcad room -. ■ ; • use<i.
it seeme ■ to '•^'*.i n a*!: ..a*.* ' -n.;
ness wit 't\ - tii*; ■^■', .^ ..^.c i.u
another _ ^. a iccord, or overloading
the film recording system, in case of film.
On the other hand, no difficulty has been
experienced in obtaining the requisite loudness
under the same conditions of overload in live
rooms. This would lead one to believe that
the ear interprets loudness, not only by means
of maximum intensity which reaches it. but
that it also, to a certain Extent, integrates
this intensity in time.
Regardless of the exact nature of this
phenomenon, it is of considerable commercial
importance as not only the quality but the
loudness of such records is improved by the
use of scoring rooms having the proper time
of reverberation.
From the foregoing, it is believed that a
considerable improvement in the naturalness
of talking moving picture reproduction can
be obtained by a proper control of the fol-
lowing items :
1. Reverberation in the set.
2. Proper placement of the microphone.
i. The use of only one microphone at a
time.
4. Refraining from operating the "mixer"
to any extent during the take.
Biggest, Best.
r (ecuon m f ""» P'. — "Ot
not
1. fecuon u^- Producers, n^^
miracle speed. ^^^,^^^, result
content ^^* ,a\re stepping ^o"^
already ^^^l^^Jevement of nev^
--^'^ ? *Thi<^^servation results
triumphs, ^his ^^ y^^k o*
r ^ the arrival m , ^jra-
from tne a w ^^tone love
the first yo^'f\° Le Dangerous ,
L -Such Men Are ^^^^
'^^;'PRE pri^leged to see
W7E '^^^'^ _^ .„a it was a
this pictu^^^-
privilege
P"-^^g^ -- ll a mo^phcre deU-
for drama, class atm i^ ^^^.d-
1:;, .n treatment. ^-^ppeal, -
ling and m sum ^ ^^ one
confess that je nev
that v;as greater. ^ ^
r^^^^'tUrieonlv
I and powerful man ^^^
thought ^«„"^°;^^,"^S a beaut^^^^
P°^^^u"'aSy turned from
^,,a. who IS quick y n^oney
h.m, because of hi ^
madness and his s ^
^^^^^- "a S' re appears urid-er
plain and l^t^^ S '^th a new
Uher namyn\ ^^^j^e
ness.
,jhe greatness of the Fox organization
has never been better exemplified
than by this newest picture" —
Elinor Glyns
First All Talking
Story of
Love
.DO. , • ' ,
„„i<;p he wins the
^NHlSnewg-se,^^^^^^
^ HIS new g--^^ ^Ho left
1 love oij-"^^^ of revenge is
^^"^^ '■!' at'the Umax through a
swerved at tne ^^^ treat
most legitimate dram
"'^"*' * * * areat motion
H'^^ronrofC greatest
*^P''T'and without hesitation
ever made and w -oj^^l re-
^e predict for It a sen ^^
eept'^on througho-^^t
^^^'^ '' SaSer Catherine Dale
:i'''^"%^r Conti,HeddaHor
°^'"ckSe AlUster and BeU
per, Claude ^^^pals in a
Lugosi arc rne y tremen-
dous story ^^ii o^ ^ con-
color and so absorbmg a^ t.
statute surpassing ;nt^^,,gani.a-
The greatness oJ^Jf^A^r exemp-
tion has never been bet^
Ufied than by this, their
picture
SUCH MEN
lARE DANGEROUS
\ with
with
WARNER BAXTER
CATHERINE DALE OWEN
HEDDA HOPPER • ALBERT CONTI
CLAUDE ALUSTER • BELA LUGOSI
Adaptation and dialog by ERNEST VAJDA
Pusented by WILLIAM FOX
I
iTHE
:i^€>MEWSPAPER
o/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 35
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
Price 5 Cenis
Germany Modifies Imported Talkers Restrictions
70 COLO^FEATURESIrE now SETTOR 1930
Seven Features in Production at Universal Studios
The yiirroY
— a column of comment
ONLY THREE of the Ten Best Pic-
tures selected by critical America
in the annual Film Daily Year Book
poll may be classified as musicals.
That ought to be something worth-
while for producers to think about.
It's fair enough to assume that these
reviewers, located in communities in
every corner of this land of ours,
substantially reflect the nation's taste
in film fare. Then this being accepted
as gospel it looks like a good tip to
producers that the cash customers
don't exclusively have a yen for stage
and back-stage stories. Let's hope
this low-down will serve to stem the
tidal wave glorifying the Broadway
legit theater.
A FREE-LANCE players' contract
has come out of the \Vest through
the medium of conferences held by
producers and actors. Instead of
throwing bricks, as per a now-obso-
lete custom, both factions sensibly
sat down and wielded a harmonious
iron to smooth out their differences.
Furthermore, provision was made for
revising the new contract providing it
doesn't work out feasibly. It
amounts to another concrete victor\
ifor the principle of arbitration. Long
'md.y it wave!
TRAILER-MAKING outfits had a
good financial year in 1929 with in-
creases in business generally approxi-
mating 25 per cent. Trailers that are
being made today are not only good
advertising material but are interest-
ing to the audience and sometimes as
entertaining as a short. Exhibitors
have come to realize the value of
Using good trailers to increase busi-
ness and are using them to ad-
|Vantage.
rt rttttiniied oirTage 85
CARTOON SERIES JUMP
mWSHORTSTOI34
.A deal has been closed by Colum-
bia whereby that company now will
release a series of 30 Mickey Mouse
cartoons in certain territories of tin
country. With the addition of thi:
new group the company now is re-
'easing 134 short subjects, consisting
(Continued OH Page 8)
Playing Silent News
Between 6,000 and 7,000 ex-
hibitors in this country are
playing silent newsreels in
their houses, it was estimated
yesterday by Capt. George Mc-
Baynes of Kinograms News-
reel.
PARAMOUNTiWILL ISSUE
TWOSOUNDNEWSWEEKLY
Beginning Feb. 26, Paramount
Sound News will put out two issues
a week instead of one, states Emanuel
Cohen. Simultaneous, Paramount's
silent newsreel will issue once a week
instead of twice.
Cremation Services Held
for Lou Gardy in N. J.
Ridgefield Park, N. J. — Cremation
services were held yesterday for Lou
Gardy, who died here last Saturday.
Gardy was director of advertising and
publicity for the Rivoli and Rialto.
New York, during Hugo Rcisenfeld's
'.•egime.
DIRECTORS PROPOSE NEW
NAME FOR PARAMOUNT
In addition to recommendation for
an increase in the total authorized
number of shares from 3,000,000 to
4,000,000 shares, the board of direc-
tors of Paramount at yesterday's
meeting also proposed a change in
the name of the corporation from
Paramount Famous Lasky Corp. tc
i'aramount Publix Corp. Approval
(Continued on Page 8)
Modifying Restrictions Not
Expected to Change U. S. View
Elect Dickson President
of Buffalo Film Board
Buffalo, N. Y. — H. T. Dickson,
former vice-president, has been elect-
ed president of the local Film Board
of Trade. Miss Foley succeeds Emma
Ablanalp recently resigned as secre-
tary. A dinner-dance was recently
tendered Dickson in honor of his elec-
tion.
Berlin — Modification of the German
quota restrictions, according imported
talking films the same privileges given
ilent pictures, has been brought about
by Dr. Landwehr, Federal Commis-
sioner for Film Imports and Exports.
Under the new ruling American dis-
tributors will be able to bring in
about 150 pictures between now and
(Cofititiued on Page 2)
Entire Capacity of Color
Cameras Being Signed
by Producers
Evidence of increased demand for
color productions is shown in tin-
announcement by Technicolor that it
already has signed contracts with
producers for 70 feature pictures to
be made this year. In addition, the
company has a waiting list ready to
sign as fast as new cameras and fa-
cilities are made available, it is stated.
A similar demand is reported b\
Photocolor, which at present is un-
(Continued on Page 2)
MORRISItiiifMADEAN
INTERNATI§AL TRIBUTE
For the first time in the past four
years the Sam E. Morris Month, set
for May, as a tribute to Warner
Bros, vice president, will be interna-
tional in its score. In recent years
the campaign was confined to this
(Continued on Page 8)
Maurice Chevalier Signs
New Paramount Contract
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los .A.ngeles — Maurice Chevalier,
who has signed a new Paramount
starring contract, will be featured in
(Continued on Page 8)
Beating the Lazv
Portsmouth, O. — Local thea-
ter operators are getting about
the Sunday law question by
paying $50 fines each Monday
morning in violation of the city
ordinance. A recent attempt
of the Portsmouth Ministerial
Ass'n to stamp out Sunday
movies again failed when Com-
mon Pleas Judge Russell K.
McCurdy refused to grant a
writ of mandamus to compel
prosecution of Sunday opera-
tors under the more severe
state laws, which provides a
heavy fine and jail sentence,
rather than the local ordinance.
THE
-^E^
DAILY
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
Vol. LI No. 35 Tuesday. Febniam 11, 1930 PriciSCoots
JOHN W. ALICOATE :
Editor and Publishir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. E«i-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736 4737-4738-4739. Cable address: F'lmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Frednaan, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
t Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 20^ 20'4 20|4 200
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 21!/. 21 2/. 1,100
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23^ 23 >4 23/, 200
East. Kodak 194 ■/. 191 19 700
Fox Fm "A" ... 36M Wi 3'' 6^'^°°
Gen. Thea. Equ. .. 4354 42J4 43J4 12,500
*Keith AG JO ....
•do ofd lOO'A
Loew's Inc 64/8 61/8 631/4 3,800
♦do pfd. WW (6/2 90
♦do pfd. xw (6/2) 88 ....
M-GM pfd 25 25 25 200
Para. F-L 65 K OVA 64 18,500
Pathe Exch 4^ m 4 9,500
do "A" 8'4 7'A 8 3,800
R-K-O 30/2 29H 29/2 15,800
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 40 ....
Warner Bros 59?i SS'A 58/, 42,000
do pfd 52?4 Sm 51^8 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 29'/^
Fox Thea. "A" .. 7H (>V% 7 A 13,000
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. . 26}^ 26'/^ 26/1 100
Loew's Inc. war . dVi dVi ('% 200
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 18Ji
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 9ys
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46. 79 79 79 30
Ix)ew 6s 41ww ..107 107 107 10
do 6s 41 x-war.. 94 94 94 10
Paramount 6s 47 .. 99 "^ 99}^ 99/ 90
Par. By. 5/5 51.100i^ loo 100 40
Pathe 7s 37 47 45 47 60
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City ft
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. «
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 H
Eastman Films
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
Chicago Hollywood
.,.,„ T J- A . 6700 Santa Monica
1727 Indiana Ave. g|^j
CAlumet 2691 HOUywood 4121
^ii^xitfKii'ii^ii^n'iSiiii^imRmmtm^'
RESMTIONSONTALKERS
(.Continued from Page 1)
June 30, 1931-. Unused exhibition
permits may swell this total to 200.
American distributors of talking
pictures who have been inactive in
Germany owing to sound infringe-
ment difficulties will not change their
attitude in the situation owing to the
modified kontingent regulations, ii
was understood in New York yester-
day. It is expected that they will
protest against this trade barrier in
July when the anti-trade barrier con-
vention, signed in Paris some months
ago, becomes operative. Eleven na-
tions, including Germany and the
United States, have ratified this
agreement.
SEVENTYCOlORFEflTORES
ARE NOW SET FOR 1930
(.Continued from Page 1)
der contract for color work on 26
Columbia shorts. In another week
or so, Photocolor will place two
more machines in service, but offi-
cials of the company state that thi
will take care of only a small part o:
the requests on hand.
Pathe has not yet announced any
features with its Pathecrome process,
which has been used for some time
on shorts. The three color produc-
tions already released by Pathe were
made with Multicolor, and there is
a likelihood that this process will be
employed regularly by Pathe for
its feature pictures.
Eastman is ready with its Sono-
chrome color system, but no an-
nouncement is fortbrnnii'nrir -yc- ..^^
Ramsaye Spikes Reports
Net profits of operation of Path
News silent edition for the last fiv
weeks have exceeded $1,000 a weel
said Terry Ramsaye in denying re
port that the silent edition of Path
News would be discontinued.
Menjou Reported Returning
It is understood that Adolph Men
jou will return to Hollywood withii
the next three weeks. He is now
making "My Father's Child" in Parii
under the direction of Jean de Limur, I "W.uuu leet weeK.y, accoruuig lo lom
former Paramount director. Moore, of Essem.
German Talker Closes Sunday
"Dich Hab Ich Geliebt" ("Be-
cause I Loved You"), the first Ger-
man all-talker to be brought to this
country, closes at the Mansfield Sun-
day.
Plans Coast Premiere
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — "Happy Days," Fox
Grandeur picture, will open at the
Carthay Circle following the run of
"Devil May Care."
New Record for Embassy
The Embassy, Newsreel theater
here, broke its three previous rec-
ords for attendance established dur-
ing its 14 weeks of existence on Sat-
urday, Feb. 8, according to Fox.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Washington's Birthday," and
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with talking and sound.
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
Kooler-/^ire
<OOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP..
Carlos Funeral Wednesday
Funeral services for Abe Carlos,
who died in Paris and is being
brought back to New York for burial,
will be held Wednesday, 1 p. m., at
the West End Chapel, 91st St. and
-Amsterdam Ave.
"Troopers Three" for Gaiety
Tiffany's "Troupers Three," a
story of the U. S. Cavalry, opens at
the N. Y. Gaiety Monday. The com-
pany's "The Lost Zeppelin" closes
at that house the previous day.
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb.
13
Feb.
14
Feb.
16
Feb.
17
Feb.
19
Feb.
25
Mar
5
Mar.
17
Mat.
20
Apri
1
Apr.
6-7
June
2-7
Opening of "The Green Goddess"
at Winter Garden. N. Y.
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at the Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theater
regulations becomes effective.
"Troopers Three" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Sheehan Returns
Winfield R. Sheehan returned to
his desk at Fox yesterday follow-
ing a brief vacation in the South.
Wanted Theaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolph Sof f erman
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 3607
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions Sor
Picture Theatres
Standard
VaudeTille Acts
I 1600 Broadway, New York City I
Phone Perm. 3S80
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OP ERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE -MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
'■^A
r :"
?^V:^«?5S^^16:
1^
:^xs;
yy>c:
Ift^j^iW
K* ««■•■.. ^
i
Now with
by the famous • — -^
Pathe'chrome process
PATHE n If
A«d>oREVlEW
edited by terry ramsaye
The 12tli
and The
The 1930 FILl
IS NOW BEING DII^TRIBUTED
TO ALL PAID SUBSCRIBERS TO
EDITIO
jatest of All
If
" The 1930 Edi-
tion weighs 4 .
pounds 7 *
ounces, contains
over 1100 pages
and is cloth
bound and
stamped in red
^ and gold.
HE FILM YEAR BOOK is the
industry's finest reference
book. This year we feel that
we have turned out not only
the Biggest but the Greatest
of all editions. We give it to
our subscribers knowing full
well that they will find many
uses for this authoritative
volume during the coming
year. It is just part of FILM
DAILY SERVICE.
YEAR BOOK
IHE FILM DAILY
THE
■iXI^
DAILV
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Declares Thacher Decision
Assures Exhibs of Fair Play
JUDGE Thacher's final decree
in the case of the government
versus ten distributors, the Hays
organization and thirty-two film
boards of trade, declaring them in
conspiracy in restraint of trade
and operating in violation of the
Clayton anti-trust act should set
motion picture distributors at rest
regarding the methods to be pur-
sued in their business practices.
No doubt there will be long-
drawn out court actions to have
the Thacher decree set aside or
modified. That's what attorneys
are for. But the solution to the
problems now confronting the
distributors in carrying on their
business, seems to rest in com-
pleting deliberations started by
the so-called 5-5-5 committee late
in December, and which seems
to have been left to the stove
league champions for final deci-
sion. Allied appears willing and
eager to bring about peace and
understanding and distributors
should lose no time in cooperat-
ing to bring this about.
"Greater Amusements"
♦ * ♦
Would Prevent Children
From Seeing Films Too Soon
PERSONALLY I have always
urged parents not to build up
in young children a taste for
movies in the early days of child
life. At this period he lives in
a theater of his own making. He
is the actor, fiis playmates are
fellow-actors. He is making
stage settings with toys and play
materials and has little need of
observing professionally dramati-
zations in either the movie or
the legitimate stage form. At
what age there is a need for stand-
ards set by an adult artist is a
problem in my mind. I can speak
definitely for the child under
seven or eight Whether the
eight-to-ten has some need for
such performances I do not
know.
Professor Patty S. Hill,
Teachers College, N. Y. City
i
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
MICHAEL DEVANEY
FARLEY
cameraman
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr.
T YNN RIGGS, New York playwright, now connected with the
staff of Pathe's writing troupe, is the winner of a Guggen-
heim Drama Fellowship R. F. "Pete" Woodhull, vice
president, is en route to Kansas City, Col. E. P. Hawkins is in
Detroit and Irving Lesser is weaving his way into Detroit. All to
indicate that the spring drive of General Talking Pictures is on.
His first vacation in three years, so indicates David Wesh-
ner, general manager for Warners in New Jersey, will be spent
in Bermuda. Maybe the guy needs a break Russell E.
Markert is due back at the Roxy from Hollywood about Feb. 17.
Russell staged the dance numbers for Universal's "The King of
Jazz." Joe Cook is expected to grace Sunset Blvd.
shortly
Katherine Brush, who gave "Young Man of Manhattan" a
chance to make a name in a novel way and also Paramount ma-
terial for the screen version, will be the guest of Bamberger's
Women's Hour from WOR this Friday. She will discuss the
picturization of her novel Louise Dresser and her head
man. Jack Gardner, Fox casting director, are scheduled to hit
N. Y. tomorrow. Yeh, coming in on the Century
Aviators get a break tonight through the courtesy of TifiFany
and Al Selig. Aviators' Night has been declared at the Gaiety
for members of the Aviators' Post of the American Legion,
which is sponsoring the Aviation Show at the Grand Central
Palace. The body will witness Tiffany's "The Lost Zeppelin."
Jersey and Pennsy will be the haunts for Winnie Lightner
for the next few weeks when the Warner star will make a series
of personal appearances beginning Feb. 14. Upon completion
of her brightlight activities, Winnie will head for the Coast for
her next Vitaphone jubilee Mr. and Mrs. John McCor-
mack and daughter arrive in New York this morning. McCor-
mack will remain until Feb. 22, then sail on the Majestic for
Ireland
Alma Rubens just got into town to join her husband, Ricardo
Cortez, who is at present playing at RKO's Proctor's 58th St.
in a playlet called "Wanted." Miss Rubens plans to return to
the stage and otherwise resume her professional career
♦ ♦ • ♦
"Hell Harbor," Henry King directorial effort which was
premiered down Florida way not so long ago, is to have its
initial Manhattan displaying in March, quotes Lou Lusty. Lou
is happy over the notices the picture received in Florida
fEBRUARY Il-HANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Anita Garvin
Mike Mindlin
Joe
Rex Lease
Joseph Mankiewicz
Brown
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL U. DALY
TF the talkers are, as some critics
have called them, just the "shadow
and echo" of real actors, it strikes us
that a lot of players in the flesh are
pretty weak miniatures of their
echoes and shadows.
The signing of Ginger Rogers by
Paramount has caused the self-ap-
pointed Broadway talent-detecters to
remark once more that it's a shame
how clever young artists like Miss
Rogers, Helen Kane, John MacDow-
ell and others must spend years on
the stage making a name for them-
selves before the pictures give them
a tumble.
Well, the pictures, Wm. had to make
a name for themselvcb before lots of
folks would give them a tumble.
Although few theatergoers seem,
to be aware of the fact, it doesn't
require any more effort to cough
into a handkerchief or a derby or
up your sleeve than to let it fly
down somebody else's neck.
Sigmund Romberg's press agent j»
responsible for the quip that the
noted composer originates his tunes
exclusively on a pipe organ. Rom-
berg's quarters in New York, sez the
p. a., are equipped with an organ of
103 stops and 75 pipes for each
voice.
Maybe this — and the neighbors —
had something to do with Romberg
hitting the trail for the wide open
spaces of the West.
♦ * *
USELESS INFORMATION
Color photography is not going to
cause any merrymaking among the
manufacturers of paints for landscape
painters.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
North Dakota exhibitors combine
to fight Sunday closings.
* ♦ *
Famous after Jamaica, N. Y. house
being built by Schwartz interests.
* ♦ *
Eighteen story theater and build-
ing planned by Famous in St. Louis.
* * ♦
Minneapolis Exhibitors' Protective
League increases membership.
I-
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
Coast W
Hollywood
Eugene Walter Signed by =
Pathe as Scenario ChieL
PAILV
Wednesday, Febi
Eugene Walter, playwright, ha
been signed by E. B. Derr, executivi
vice president and studio chief, a:
■scenario editor and dialogue writei
for Pathe. Walter is the author o
"The Easiest Way," "Paid m Fu11,'p
"The Trail of the Lonesome Pine''
and other Broadway successes.
and 450 Shi
ERSHIPDB
Two Get M-G-M Contracts
New contracts have been given
Frances Marion and Arthur Freedu
•by M-G-M. Frances Marion
noted scenario writer while Freed
wrote the words of "The Pagan Love _ _ „ „ y-i. .
Song," "Singin' in The Rain" and 5-5-5 Conierencc Chairmai
°^hers. ^ Will Study Decree of
halty for Exi
Judge Thacher
McCarey Gets Assignment
Leo AlcCarey has been assigned to "Playing fast and loose with con-
direct "Road House," for Fox. Brad- racts brings its own penalty and if
ley King is writing the dialogue and
adaptation of the original story by
John Stone.
Abe Lyman for Paramount Film
Abe Lyman and his band have irbitration illegal. Kent, who
been signed to support Nancy Car- :urned from Europe a few days ago.
xhibitors consider this an advantage
hey are welcome to it," declared Sid-
ley R. Kent yesterday in touching
)n the effects of the Judge Thacher
iecree, finding compulsory group
roll in "Dance Mad," one of the fca
ture acts now being added to "Para-
mount on Parade."
(Continued on Page 2)
Loretta Young Gets F. N. Lead
Loretta Young has been assigned
the feminine lead in "Heart of the
North," an all Technicolor production
for First National under the direction
of Frank Lloyd.
REPORT RADIO CORP.SEEKS
CONTROL OF ENELKA CO.
Bft-lin — Radio Corp. of America is
seeking control of the Emelka Co
Fox Signs Song Team here by the purchase of 61 pei
Grace Henry and her writing part- cent of the shares of the compan)
ner Morris Hamilton, have been now controlled by the German Gov
signed to write number for "The Fox ernment, it is reported here. This
Movietone Follies of 1930." (Continued on Page 2)
Two Leads for Baxter
Carol Lombard and Mona Maris
will assume the leading female roles
opposite Warner Baxter in his next
for Fox as yet untitled, Alfred San-
tell will direct.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
Probe of Sound Equipment
Prices Askpd in (lo.vva.ax*-'
editor, is editinqf "Jn Love
With Love," which Hamilton
MacFadden is directing at Fox.
Inez Courtney Gets Fox Lead
Inez Courtney has been signed by
Fox for the leading role in "Solid
Gold Article," which will be directed
by Chandler Sprague.
Lilyan Tashman With McLaglen
Lilyan Tashman will appear with
Victor McLaglen in his next Fo.\
picture, "On the Level." , ^
'jcerns to pay high salaries to men
iwhose only duty is to steal space.
We are not finding fault with the
;legitimate publicity man in this or
liny other business. He is a posi-
itive^help to his publisher contacts.
N.1 . '- — -• -^-n^A
|"-Norton for "Sweet Kitty 6ellairs"
Edgar Norton has been signed by
! Warners to appear in the Vitaphone
1 version of David Belasco's stage play
"Sweet Kitty Bellairs."
Our Passing Show: Alan Hale anr*
Sig Schlager visiting t^iiversal; Na'
Levine motoring on Hollywood Bou-
levard.
David Manners is one of thfi- bnsi
"st actors on the Const. He hod v
"ooner fivish^d ny) important role r
"■Tournep's End" than he w"s siov'
for n lend hi "Sweet Mamma.''
^'"hieh Eddie Cline is directing at
FPr.st National.
Willv Wyler is all smiles
tbpse days. A nrominent exec-
utive urged all bis di'-«'-tors
and writers to view "Hell's
Heroes." whirh Wyler direct-
ed. Incidentallv. the executive
declared the picture the best
western he has ever seen.
United States
Duluth, Minn. — Following closely
the purchase of all theaters in Su
perior, Duluth and range towns,
Publix has purchased the Lyceum
building here from the Clinton-Myers
Co. Headquarters of Publix in thf
Arrowhead district have been moved
to the Garrick building here. Al
Anderson is district manager.
Antioch, 111.— William Brueckman
who recently resigned from Com
munity Theaters. Inc., after twc
vears, has leased the theater here
The house will only operate during
winter months, being opened onh
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunda}
evenings.
Humboldt, la. — Business men here
are leading a move for Sunday show;
having circulated petitions for a spe
cial election to decide the question
W. B. Franke, manager of the Hum
boldt, will install sound provided thi
measure goes through.
Lynn, Mass. — After 14 years o
service under various policies, the
Mark Strand will be remodeled and
renamed the Warner. John J. Scan-
Ion will remain as house manager.
with Jerry A. Parker as his assistant.
Stamford, Tex. — A recent fire a'
the Alcove caused heavy damage to
orojection equipment and the sound
installation. John King, operator,
suffered slight burns.
Madison, Wis. — Principal stock-
holders in the new Eastwood, whicb.
recently opened here, comprise East
Side business and professional men.
Minneapolis, Minn. — Manager J.
M. Heffner has spent approximate!)
$6,000 for improving the Palace.
Athol, Mass. — Goldstein Bros, havr
opened their new Caoitol here. The
house seats 1,225. all on one fioor,
and is equipped for talkers.
Chicago— The Diversey, 2814 N.
Clark St.. has been acquired by
Publix. The house, formerly owned
by Ascher Bros., seats 3,500.
Augusta, Me. — Augusta Theater
Co. will start remodeline the Goer
House about March 1. The Johnso--
Opera House at Gardiner also wil'
"le remodeled soon.
Sheridan, Mich.— Fire recentlv de-
=;troyed the interior of the Gould
'ausing damage of $10,000.
MMesto, C=.l.— National Theater.'^
Syndicate will wire the Strand fo-
*alkinff nictures and reopen the house
about Feb. 15.
Norton, Kan.— Miller and Mason
interests has purchased the Cozv
from Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Browne.
New York
Albany — Al Herman, formerly
managing Universal's exchange in
Buffalo until Dave Miller of N.
Y. was transferred to that post, is
now managing the company's branch
here. James Garrison, former local
manager, has been given a similar
position at the Milwaukee exchange.
Clifton Springs — After remodeling
and installing sound, Edward G.
Williamson, owner and manager,
has reopened the Palace. Seating
capacity is 350.
Syracuse — William J. Tubbert is
now managing the Keith's here hav-
ing replaced John J. Burnes.
Construction work has begun on
'he new A. H. Schwartz theater at
Greenpoint Ave. and Packard St.,
Queens County, L. I. C. The house
will have a seating capacity of 2,500.
Greenwich — Brandywine Amuse-
ment Corp. has leased the Star from
D. S. Regan. The house will be
wired for sound and reopened soon.
Rochester — Edward C. May has
been made manager of the Riviera, a
Schine house . May has been a fea-
tured organist in several Schine
houses.
Jack Bellman, N. Y. manager for
Columbia, yesterday returned to his
office after being home a week with
the grippe.
Louis Simon is managing the Stone,
Brooklyn, a Fox Metropolitan house.
Irving Sher is taking charge of
the De Kalb in Brooklyn.
Foreign
Glasgow — Approval of the Music
Copyright Bill has been made by the
Glasgow Corp. The company was
asked to consider it with a view to
taking such action as might be con-
sidered expedient to having the bill
passed as a law.
London — The German version of
"The Road to Dishonor," B. I. P.
picture, has been completed at Els-
tree. The English version was made
some time ago.
Berlin — "One Woman Will Never
Forget You," is now being synchron-
ized at a local studio under direction
of Leo Mittler.
Sydney — Frank Graham has re-
joined Hoyts and will supervise the
company's northern suburban circuit
here.
THE
jggS
DAILV
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€>
Declares Thacher Decision
Assures Exhibs of Fair Play
JUDGE Thacher's final decree
in the case of the government
versus ten distributors, the Hays
organization and thirty-two film
boards of trade, declaring them in
conspiracy in restraint of trade
and operating in violation of the
Clayton anti-trust act should set
motion picture distributors at rest
regarding the methods to be pur-
sued in their business practices.
No doubt there will be long-
drawn out court actions to have
the Thacher decree set aside or
modified. That's what attorneys
are for. But the solution to the
problems now confronting the
distributors in carrying on their
business, seems to rest in com-
pleting deliberations started by
the so-called 5-5-5 committee late
in December, and which seems
to have been left to the stove
league champions for final deci-
sion. AUied appears willing and
eager to bring about peace and
understanding and distributors
should lose no time in cooperat-
ing to bring this about.
"Greater Amusements"
♦ * *
Would Prevent Children
From Seeing Films Too Soon
PERSONALLY I have always
urged parents not to build up
in young children a taste for
movies in the early days of child
life. At this period he lives in
a theater of his own making. He
is the actor, fiis playmates are
fellow-actors. He is making
stage settings with toys and play
materials and has little need of
observing professionally dramati-
zations in either the movie or
the legitimate stage form. At
what age there is a need for stand-
ards set by an adult artist is a
problem in my mind. I can speak
definitely for the child under
seven or eight Whether the
eight-to-ten has some need for
such performances I do not
know.
Professor Patty S. Hill,
Teachers College, N. Y. City
i
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
MICHAEL DEVANEY
FARLEY
cameraman
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr,
T YNN RIGGS, New York playwright, now connected with the
stafi of Pathe's writing troupe, is the winner of a Guggen-
heim Drama Fellowship R. F. "Pete" Woodhull, vice
president, is en route to Kansas City, Col. E. P. Hawkins is in
Detroit and Irving Lesser is weaving his way into Detroit. All to
indicate that the spring drive of General Talking Pictures is on.
His first vacation in three years, so indicates David Wesh-
ner, general manager for Warners in New Jersey, will be spent
in Bermuda. Maybe the guy needs a break Russell E.
Markert is due back at the Roxy from Hollywood about Feb. 17.
Russell staged the dance numbers for Universal's "The King of
Jazz." Joe Cook is expected to grace Sunset Blvd
shortly
Katherine Brush, who gave "Young Man of Manhattan" a
chance to make a name in a novel way and also Paramount ma-
terial for the screen version, will be the guest of Bamberger's
Women's Hour from WOR this Friday. She will discuss the
picturization of her novel Louise Dresser and her head
man, Jack Gardner, Fox casting director, are scheduled to hit
N. Y. tomorrow. Yeh, coming in on the Century
Aviators get a break tonight through the courtesy of Tiffany
and Al Selig. Aviators' Night has been declared at the Gaiety
for members of the Aviators' Post of the American Legion,
which is sponsoring the Aviation Show at the Grand Central
Palace. The body will witness Tiffany's "The Lost Zeppelin."
Jersey and Pennsy will be the haunts for Winnie Lightner
for the next few weeks when the Warner star will make a series
of personal appearances beginning Feb. 14. Upon completion
of her brightlight activities, Winnie will head for the Coast for
her next Vitaphone jubilee Mr. and Mrs. John McCor-
mack and daughter arrive in New York this morning. McCor-
mack will remain until Feb. 22, then sail on the Majestic for
Ireland
Alma Rubens just got into town to join her husband, Ricardo
Cortez, who is at present playing at RKO's Proctor's 58th St.
in a playlet called "Wanted." Miss Rubens plans to return to
the stage and otherwise resume her professional career
« « * «
"Hell Harbor," Henry King directorial effort which was
premiered down Florida way not so long ago, is to have its
initial Manhattan displaying in March, quotes Lou Lusty. Lou
is happy over the notices the picture received in Florida
FEBRUARY 11-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congrattila-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Anita Garvin Rex Lease
Mike Mindlin Joseph Mankiewicz
Joe Brown
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL a. DALY
TF the talkers are, as some critics
have called them, just the "shadow
and echo" of real actors, it strikes us
that a lot of players in the flesh are
pretty weak miniatures of their
echoes and shadows.
The signing of Ginger Rogers by
Paramount has caused the self-ap-
pointed Broadway talent-detecters to
remark once more that it's a shame
how clever young artists like Miss
Rogers, Helen Kane, John MacDow-
ell and others must spend years on
the stage making a name for them-
selves before the pictures give them
a tumble.
Well, the pictures, too, had to make
a name for themselves before lots of
folks would give them a tumble.
Although few theatergoers seem
to be aware of the fact, it doesn't
require any more effort to cough
into a handkerchief or a derby or
up your sleeve than to let it fly
down somebody else's neck.
Sigmund Romberg's press agent J»
responsible for the quip that the
noted composer originates his tunes
exclusively on a pipe organ. Rom-
berg's quarters in New York, sez the
p. a., are equipped with an organ of
103 stops and 75 pipes for each
voice.
Maybe this — and the neighbors —
had something to do with Romberg
hitting the trail for the wide open
spaces of the West.
USELESS INFORMATION
Color photography is not going to
cause any merrymaking among the
manufacturers of paints for landscape
painters.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
North Dakota exhibitors combine
to fight Sunday closings.
* ♦ *
Famous after Jamaica, N. Y. house
being built by Schwartz interests.
* * *
Eighteen story theater and build-
ing planned by Famous in St. Louis.
* * t^
Minneapolis Exhibitors' Protective
League increases membership.
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
-^ PAILV
Coast W
Hollywood
Eugene Walter Signed by
Pathe as Scenario Chiel
Eugene Walter, playwright, ha
been signed by E. B. Derr, executivi
vice president and studio chief, a;
•scenario editor and dialogue writei
for Pathe. Walter is the author o
"The Easiest Way," "Paid in Full,'
"The Trail of the Lonesome Pine'
and other Broadway successes.
Two Get M-G-M Contracts
New contracts have been given
Frances Marion and Arthur Freed
by M-G-M. Frances Marion is a
noted scenario writer while Freed
wrote the words of "The Pagan Love
Song," "Singin' in The Rain" and
others.
McCarey Gets Assignment
Leo McCarey has been assigned to
direct "Road House," for Fox. Brad-
ley King is writing the dialogue and
adaptation of the original story by
John Stone.
Abe Lyman for Paramount Film
Abe Lyman and his band have
been signed to support Nancy Car-
roll in "Dance Mad," one of the fea-
ture acts now being added to "Para-
mount on Parade."
Loretta Young Gets F. N. Lead
Loretta Young has been assigned
the feminine lead in "Heart of the
North," an all Technicolor production
for First National under the direction
of Frank Lloyd.
Fox Signs Song Team
Grace Henry and her writing part-
ner Morris Hamilton, have been
signed to write number for "The Fox
Movietone Follies of 1930."
Two Leads for Baxter
Carol Lombard and Mona Maris
will assume the leading female roles
opposite Warner Baxter in his next
for Fox as yet untitled. Alfred San-,
tell will direct. »
Inez Courtney Gets Fox Lead
Inez Courtney has been signed 5y
Fox for the leading role in "Solid
Gold Article," which will be directed
by Chandler Sprague.
Lilyan Tashman With McLaglen
Lilyan Tashman will appear with
Victor McLaglen in his next Fo>,
picture, "On the Level."
^Norton for "Sweet Kitty^ellairs
Edgar Norton has been signed by
Warners to appear in the Vitaphone
version of David Belasco's stage play
Sweet Kitty Bellairs."
editor, is editino; "In Love
With Love," which Hamilton
MacFadden is directing at Fox.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Alan Hale anr'
Sig Schlager visiting Universal; Na'
Levine nigtoring on Hollywood Bou-
levard.
David Manners is one of the bnai
"st actors on the Const. He had v
"ooner finished nn important role i-
"Journep's End" than he %vas siciv'
^or^ a lend, in "Siveet Mamma.''
«^,ic/i Eddie Cline is directing at
^VKst National.
Willy Wyler is all smiles
tbpse days. A nrominent exec-
utive ursred all bis di'-^-'tors
and writers to view "Hell's
Heroes," which Wyler direct-
ed. Incidentally, the executive
declared the picture the best
western he has ever seen.
United States
Duluth, Minn. — Following closely
the purchase of all theaters in Su
perior, Duluth and range towns,
Publix has purchased the Lyceum
building here from the Clinton-Myers
Co. Headquarters of Publix in thf
Arrowhead district have been moved
to the Garrick building here. Al
Anderson is district manager.
Antioch, 111. — William Brueckman
who recently resigned from Com
munity Theaters. Inc., after twc
vears, has leased the theater here
The house will only operate during
winter months, being opened onh
Wednesday, Saturdaj' and Sunda}
evenings.
Humboldt, la. — Business men here
ire leading a move for Sunday show;
having circulated petitions for a spe
cial election to decide the question
W. B. Franke, manager of the Hum
boldt, will install sound provided th'
measure goes through.
Lynn, Mass. — After 14 years o
service under various policies, the
Mark Strand will be remodeled and
renamed the Warner. John J. Scan-
Ion will remain as house manager,
with Jerry A. Parker as his assistant.
Stamford, Tex. — A recent fire a'
the Alcove caused heavy damage to
projection equipment and the sounr'
installation. John King, operator
suffered slight burns.
Madison, Wis. — Principal stock-
holders in the new Eastwood, which,
t-ecently opened here, comprise East
Side business and professional men.
Minneapolis, Minn. — Manager J.
M. Heffner has spent approximately
$6,000 for improving the Palace.
Athol, Mass.— Goldstein Bros, havr
opened their new Caoitol here. The
house seats 1,225, all on one floor,
and is equipped for talkers.
Chicago— The Diversey, 2814 N.
Clark St.. has been acquired bv
Publix. The house, formerly owned
by Ascher Bros., seats 3,500.
Augusta, Me. — Augusta Theater
o. will start remodeline- the Goer-
House about March 1. The Tohnso--
■>pera House at Gardiner also wil'
ie remodeled soon.
Sheridan. Mich.— Fire recently de-
-^troyed the interior of the Gould
-ausmg damage of $10,000.
Mndesto, Cql.— National Theater?
Syndicate will wire the Strand fo-
^alkine- nictures and reopen the house
about Feb. 15.
Norton, Kan.— Miller and Mason
interests has purchased the Cozv
from Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Browne.
Nezv York
Albany — Al Herman, formerly
managing Universal's exchange in
Buffalo until Dave Miller of N.
Y. was transferred to that post, is
now managing the company's branch
here. James Garrison, former local
manager, has been given a similar
position at the Milwaukee exchange.
Clifton Springs — After remodeling
ind installing sound, Edward G.
Williamson, owner and manager,
has reopened the Palace. Seating
capacity is 350.
Syracuse — William J. Tubbert is
now managing the Keith's here hav-
ing replaced John J. Burnes.
Construction work has begun on
"he new A. H. Schwartz theater at
Greenpoint Ave. and Packard St.,
Queens County, L. I. C. The house
will have a seating capacity of 2,500.
Greenwich — Brandywine Amuse-
ment Corp. has leased the Star from
D. S. Regan. The house will be
wired for sound and reopened soon.
Rochester — Edward C. May has
been made manaeer of the Riviera, a
Schine house . May has been a fea-
tured organist in several Schine
houses.
Jack Bellman, N. Y. manager for
Columbia, yesterday returned to his
ofSce after being home a week with
the grippe.
Louis Simon is managing the Stone,
Brooklyn, a Fox Metropolitan house.
Irving Sher is taking charge of
the De Kalb in Brooklyn.
Foreign
Glasgow — Approval of the Music
Copyright Bill has been made by the
Glasgow Corp. The company was
asked to consider it with a view to
taking such action as might be con-
sidered expedient to having the bill
passed as a law.
London — The German version of
"The Road to Dishonor," B. I. P.
picture, has been completed at Els-
tree. The English version was made
some time ago.
Berlin — "One Woman Will Never
Forget You," is now being synchron-
ized at a local studio under direction
of Leo Mittler.
Sydney — Frank Graham has re-
joined Hoyts and will supervise the
company's northern suburban circuit
here.
DIRECTORS PROPOSE NEW
NAl FOR PARAMOUNT
(.Continued from Page 1)
of the above recommendations will
be sought at the annual meeting which
will be held April 15.
A quarterly dividend of $1.00 a
share was declared payable Mar. 29
to stockholders of record Mar. 7 and
inasmuch as 75 cents per quarter had
previously been the usual dividend,
this increases the yearly rated {roiii
$3.00 to $4.00 per share.
In commenting upon this action,
Adolph Zukor pointed out that there
are now issued and outstanding ap-
proximately 2,700,000 shares of stock,
with 250,000 additional reserved for
employees, as heretofore approved by
the stockholders, and that in view of
the fact that the total capitalization
is only 3,000,000 shares, there art-
only 50,000 shares now available for
possible expansion.
C. H. Ferrell Funeral
Services Held Yesterday
Funeral services were held yester-
day morning for Cuilen H. Ferrell,
veteran publicity man, who died of
pneumonia Friday night at the Med-
ical Center. Following the services
at Cooke's funeral parlors. New York
City, the body was shipped to Eustis,
Fla., for burial.
Ferrell, who was with Universal's
exploitation department had been
identified with the film business for
years, having started with George
Kleine. Before joining Universal he
was with Pathe. He was in his
forties. Ferrell is survived by his
wife, Mrs. Ruby Ferrell and his
parents at Eustis.
Funeral Services for
Fuller Mellish, Jr. Today
Funeral services will be held today
at the Fox Funeral Home, Queen's
Blvd., Forest Hills at 2 o'clock for
Harold I. Fuller Mellish, Jr., son of
Fuller Mellish, Sr., Shakespearean
actor. He died on Saturday, in his
35th year, of a cerebral hemmorrhage.
Testimonial Playdate Drive
Pittsburgh — The local Paramount
exchange has designated Feb. 24 to
March 1 as Goldstein Week. The
playdate drive is regarded as a testi-
monial to the manager.
EXrUBITiSFl
of Philadelphia
of Wasliington
«^
of Xe«- 'Sork, Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4.600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
joii nals in tlie in-
il 11 s t r y — Keeping
t virlast ngly at it for
the 12tli successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 3570 territory!
EMANUEL-6000WIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington
Ma n Office. 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
Suggests Riviera Studio
For Foreign Versions
H'est Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — That American pro-
ducers should establish a centrally
located studio on the Riviera for the
production of pictures in German,
Spanish and French is the suggestion
of Endre Bohem, Fox scenarist, who
recently returned from Europe, where
he made a survey of production con-
ditions.
Bohem believes that the American
producers should first make their pic-
tures in English and then have the
finished continuity sent to the Euro-
pean studio; that the continuity should
be followed very closely in the foreign
versions, thus preventing over-shoot-
ing and effecting important savings.
The tempo of the American-made pic-
ture would be followed, with leading
European stage favorites, who are
established drawing cards, filling the
nrincipal parts in the foreign versions.
Bohem believes arrangements could
be made whereby the pictures made
in the Riviera studio would meet
quota requirements.
European picture-goers are more
critical than American fans, accord-
ing to Bohem, and will not accept
"dubbed" pictures.
Milliken Lauds Comerford
at Silver Jubilee Meet
Scranton, Pa. — Appearing as the
nrincipal speaker at the Scranton
Rotary Club celebration of the Silver
Jubilee of the Comerford Theaters,
Carl E. Milliken. of the Havs office,
naid high tribute to M. E. Comerford
for his 25 I'Pars of service in the in-
dustry. Milliken said, in part:
"Mr. PomerforH lias seen motion pictures
develop from d'srnnnected scenes into drama-
tic presentations enacted by the world's
PTeatest actors. .And th-" end is not yet
It is not even in sifi:ht. Nr>« >niind is new
nnd I say to yon that already talkingr)ictiire =
have ceased to be .in experiment nnd have
become the swiftest and most complete snc
^ess of any business enterprise in the hts
tory of the world. Tomorrow there wi'l b'
something else — the wide screen, the thirf"
-'iniensinn, color. The time will soon b-
here when you will sit in yoi'r Comerf'^r''
•heaters and see the mo=t dramatic scenes d"
o'cted on a screen the size of the prosceninm
■>rch of yonr theater, the figures moving ir
lerspeefive, ,-nd all in t''e vivid colors o'
'■fe. Yonr children w"11 be taken to super
'heaters to he taught their geography lesson?
on screens 1 .SO feet wide."
Cartoon S«»ries Jump
Columbia Shorts to 134
(rr,„th!ue<1 jmm Pane M
-if 26 Columbia Vif-for Gpths: 2^
'^^'kino' Screen Snapshots- 13 Di«n''-
^'Ilv Svmphonies; 13 Krazv Kn
^•^^rtoons and 26 Photocolor sub'Tt'
The new series of cartoons will li^
-eleased at the rate of one a week.
N. F. Film Trnde Board
Elects Officers for 1930
Boston — Officers for the ensninr^
■"Par have h^en elected bv the New
'^nf'land Film Board of Trade, as
fol'ows:
Toseph PotVi. r,f Consolidated
Ej'ms, oresident: Thomas Sd'-v. o''
'^i'-^t- National, fi'-<;t vice-oresident:
William Erb. of Paramotint, second
viVp-nresident: C. M. McGerigle, of
RKO secretary.
Maurice Chevalier Signs
New Paramount Contract
{Continued from Paye 1)
at least four new pictures in the next
two years, ' according to Jesse L.
Lasky. Chevalier's next picture fo'
the company will be "Too Mucli
Luck," to be produced at the Lonj^
Island studio.
Tuesday, February 11, 1930
Lincoln Shorts
Two timely one-reel shorts
on Abraham Lincoln are draw-
ing special applause in Broad-
way houses this week. One,
produced by James A. Fitz-
Patrick and showing at the
Strand, is a novelty consisting
of several scenes, modeled in
clay, depicting highhghts from
the life of the great emancipa-
tor. The other, a Pathe pro-
duct being presented at the
Globe, has George Billings,
noted portrayer of Lincoln, de-
livering the memorable Gettys-
burg address.
T
(.Continued from Page 1)
country, but with the beginning of
the fifth annual celebration, in addi
tion to foreign offices, the Vitaphoii.
Corp. also will participate in the
drive. Norman H. Moray, Warner
manager at Chicago, has been ap-
pointed national chairman for the
United States and Canada while H.
.•\. Bandy, manager of Foreign dis-
trihutit>n, is chairman of the foreicrn
committee. In 1929 during the Sam
E. Morris month the company regis-
tered a total of 52,000 playdates, it is
stated.
Barrymore at Popular Price
Popular price showing of John
Barrymore in "General Crack," will
take place at the Warner Beacon
starting Feb. 21.
New Manager for Publix House
Eveleth, Minn. — Arthur J. Mol
stad, formerly assistant manager of ;
the State, Eau Claire, Wis., has been
made manager of the Regent here
by Publix. He succeeds Mike Wain- j
stock.
Whittemore (la.) House Closed
Whittemore, la. — The Princess has
been closed by Rice & Bandy.
G. D. Swaebe to Represent
Talking Epics in N. E.
Boston — Gerald D. Swaehe, once
with Pathe and Columbia, has been
named New England representative
for Talking Picture Epics, Inc. He
will have offices at 12 Piedmont St. I
Fined for Sunday Showing
Grand Forks, N. D. — Becaus
gave a special performance of
Rita" on Sunday, Bennie Bergei
erator of the theater here was
$25. The show began at 11:30
iTHE
o/'FILMDOM
i^LLTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
DUiiSP
VOL. LI No. 36
Wednesday, February 12, 1930
Price 5 Cents
30 Features and 450 Shorts from Pathe This Year
FOX REOTVERSHIP DKJSIOI^UE TOMORROW
Kent Sees Penalty for Exhibs Who Violate Contracts
Motion Pictures
— as business getters
^'^^By JACK ALICOATE ^^
OUR CANADIAN brothers from
across the border are becoming shght-
ly disturbed with the international
business situation and its relation to
the cinema. So much so that a re-
port has just been issued by Ontario
authorities urging the production of
Canadian films "to counteract the in-
fluence of American movies." The
trade influence of American-made mo-
tion pictures has long been a matter
of vital interest abroad. It is esti-
mated by the United States Depart-
ment of Commerce that for every
foot of American film shown in for-
eign countries a dollar's worth of
American goods is sold. In other
words films follow the flag and com-
merce follows the films.
Chiseling Space
NO PUBLICATION worthy of the
name could build the least bit of read-
er confidence, interest, prestige or
good will without a definite and
stringent set of rules in its editorial
rooms for the handling of the free
space grafter and his bogus goods
masked as legitimate publicity but in
reality chiseled advertising that
should be paid for at advertising
rates. It would be no less logical for
a publication to hire a crew of rack-
eteers to go out and steal a car load
of paper and a shipment of printers'
ink as for some so-called big con-
^cerns to pay high salaries to men
whose only duty is to steal space.
jWe are not finding fault with the
llegitimate publicity man in this or
aiii' other business. He is a posi-
tive help to his publisher contacts.
He who gets our goat is the so-called
big expert, in reality a chiseler, who
'figures he can cut the advertising
budget in half by stealing an equal
amount of space under the guise of
publicity.
5-5-5 Conference Chairman
Will Study Decree of
Judge Thacher
"Playing fast and loose with con-
tracts brings its own penalty and if
exhibitors consider this an advantage
they are welcome to it," declared Sid-
ney R. Kent yesterday in touching
on the effects of the Judge Thacher
decree, finding compulsory group
arbitration illegal. Kent, who re-
turned from Europe a few days ago,
(Continued on Page 2)
REPORT RADIO CORP.SEEKS
CONTROL or EMELKA CO.
Bft-lin — Radio Corp. of America is
seeking control of the Emelka Co.
here by the purchase of 61 per
cent of the shares of the company
now controlled by the German Gov-
ernment, it is reported here. This
(Continued on Page 2)
No 'Boston' Wanted
Chicago — The Chicago Board
of Moving Picture Censors has
no intention of "making an-
other Boston of Chicago." So
states the leading member of
this city's censorship body.
Probe of Sound Equipment
Prices Asked in Germany
Berlin — Motion picture owners in
Saxony are demanding a government
investigation of the high cost of
sound equipment in Germany. They
assert that the sound equipment field
in the country is under a monopoly
which has set prices outside the reach
(Continued on Page 2)
NEW RCA SALES M IS
AIMED AT SMAL HOUSES
Concentrating its calmpaign on
small theaters, RCA Photophone will
confine its activities to rnarketing of
three types of reproducing equip-
ment, stated Charles J. Rass, execu-
tive vice-president, yesterday. Con-
tracts covering the new plait will be
ready Feb. 15.
Under the new arrangemfent the
price heretofore established fo\ equip
(Continued on Page 11)
NEW JERSEY UNIT PLAl
SUITAGAINSTPROTECTlON
Newark — Institution of a suit
against the protection system is
planned by the M. P. T. O. of New
Jersey, said President Joseph M.
Seider in a statement issued yester-
day, following a meeting of the or-
(Continued on Page 12)
New Pathe Production System
to Divide Year in Three Parts
New Refinancing Plan Or
Receivership Must
be Adopted
Expected settlement of the Fox
receivership suit in U. S. District
Court yesterday ran into a snag when
Morton Bogue, attorney for the Hal-
sey, Stuart & Co. and Electrical Re-
search Products interests, objected
to the new refinancing plan backed
by Bancamerica-Blair & Co., Leh-
man & Co., and Dillon, Read & Co.
After some heated argument.
Judge Frank J. Coleman adjourned
the case until tonrn'-'-ow afternoon,
at the same time stating that the
next hearing it will have to be "either
this plan or a receivership."
Samuel Untermyer, attorney for
(Continued on Page 12)
THEATERInIrS AND
[UNIONS JIU. A. BAHLE
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Local theater man-
agers are preparing for a battle with
the unions of projectionists, musi-
cians and stagehands in connection
with the new contract to be drawn
in the near future. Managers will
begin taking a new account of the-
ater trends, of experience gained dur-
ing the expiring three-year union
contract, and will try to formulate a
basis for a new contract under
which they will be bound in the fu-
ture.
Film Board Executive
Receives Spanish Award
Washingtmi Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Through Don Ale-
jandro Padilla, Spanish Ambassador,
the Golden Cross of Lazo de la Real
Orden de Isabel La Catolica, yes-
terday was conferred by the King of
Spain upon Mrs. Irene C. Crisn, sec-
retary of the Washington office of
(Continued on Page 2)
A schedule of 30 features and 450
shorts, to be produced under a new
system whereby the season will be
divided into three parts, calling for
the completion of 10 features in each
of the four-month periods, is an-
nounced by E. B. Derr, executive
vice-president in charge of production,
as Pathe's program for this year.
The three groups of 10 features
(Continued on Page 9)
O'Brian Elected Member
of N. Y. State Regents
Albany — John Lord O'Brian of
Buffalo, assistant U. S. Attornev-
General, who has been identified with
the Federal Government's prosecu-
(Continued on Page 12)
Report George Cohan
Quitting United Artists
George M. Cohan, who recently
joined United Artists, is understood
to have terminated all arrangements
he has made with the company. He
(Continued on Page 12)
Vol LI No. 36 Wednesday, Feb. 12,1930 PriceSCenb
JOHN W. ALICOATE : : Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holiday*
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 20J4 20'/i ZO'A 100
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 2m 215i 21^ 500
*Con. Fm. Ind. pf d 23 ■/2
East. Kodak 192 190'/4 19154 700
Fox Fm. "A" ... 34 J4 30 33'/i 141,000
Gen. Thea. Equ. .4654 44 46 47,400
•Keith AC 30
*do pfd 100'/4 ....
Loew's Inc 64 63 Ji 63?^ 2,100
•do pfd. WW (654) 90
•do pfd. xw (6/2) 88
•M-G-M pfd 25 ....
Para F-L 65'/. 64 65 19,500
Pat"e Exch 4-/s 37i 4 3,900
do "A" 8 7W 8 700
RK-O 30/. 29-4 30 19.500
•TIniv Pict pfd '"' ■■•■
Warner Bros.'.... 60/. 58/. 60'/. 77.60U
do pfd S2V* 52/8 52/. 50ii
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65 ....
•Columbia Pets. ..•••• •••; 29% ....
Fox Thea. "A" .7'^ 6^ 7/. 4,500
•Intern. Proj •••• 25 ..•■
Loew do deb. rts.. 27 27 27 200
•Loew's Inc. war .... 6% ....
Nat. Scr. Ser. ..18 18 18 100
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict y/«
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46 80 80 80 30
Loew 6s 41ww ..1075^ 10754 107 54 10
•do 6s 41 x-war 94 ....
Paramount 6s 47 .. 99/. 995i 99^8 <;0
Par. By. S/2S 51.100 99 99 100
Pathe 7s 37 45 45 45 oO
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
TNC
<^^
DAILY
Wednesday, February 12, 1930
m] SEES PENllin FOR
CONTRACT VIOLATORS
(Continued from Page 1)
is chairman of the 5-5-5 exhibitor-dis-
tributor conference which is scheduled
to reconvene soon.
Kent said: "I have not had time as
yet to thoroughly study the Thacher
decree and am waiting for certain
members of our legal department to
return to the city. Will probably
have nothing to say about this until
next week. There is a certain amount
of contract trouble as a result of the
decree which is already evident.
"Nothing has been done in the way
of getting together yet. Will have
nothing to say until after I have
talked with a few people on both
sides. No two people have the same
opinion as to whether we can proceed
from here.
"As far as Paramount is concerned,
we are going to have our own form of
contract. In some cases we will arbi-
trate and other cases we will do the
best we can. Our policy at the pres-
ent time is an individual one."
New York Long Island City j*j
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. M
BRYant 4712 STIUweU 7940 ft
Eastman Films |
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
Chicago Hollywood »'J
.-,, T J- A . 6700 Santa Monica »>
1727 Indiana Ave. g, . g
Blvd.
CAtumet 2691 HOUywood 4121
Probe of Sound Equipment
Prices Asked in Germany
(Continued from Page 1)
of many exhibitors, adding that pres-
ent prices will hamper the develoo-
ment of sound pictures in Germany.
Film Board Executive
Receives Spanish Award
(Continued from Page 1)
the Hays organization. The award
was bestowed in recognition of her
interest and activities in attending to
requests of the Embassy here re-
garding films which were misleading
about Spain.
Storin to Manage Victory
Harry Storin, manager of the Le
Roy, Pawtucket, R. I. for the past
seven years, has been appointed
managing director of the Victory,
Providence, by Joseph Plunkett, R-
K-O general manager. He assumes
his new duties Saturday.
Changes to Friday Openings
Montreal — New shows at the Cap-
itol will in the future start on Fri-
day.
Sound Nears the Pole
Fairbanks, Alaska — Western
Electric eqiiipment has been
installed at the Empress in this
city, which is 60 miles from
the Arctic Circle. This is the
nearest that sound has ever
come to reaching either pole.
REPORTRADIOCORP.SEEKS
CONTROL Of ENELKA CO.
(Continued from Page 1)
deal in local circles is reported as
being looked upon favorably and if
consummated would swing about 45
theaters to RCA. The German Gov-
ernment secured its interests in
Emelka last Oct. to prevent the com-
pany from falling into the hands of
Dr. Alfred Hugenberg, who domin-
ates Ufa.
Efforts to obtain official comment
from RCA executives yesterday
proved unavailing.
Jerome Kern to Compose
for Warner Productions
Jerome Kern, who has written
music for such musical shows as
"Sally," "Good Morning, Dearie,"
"Stepping Stones," "Showboat" and
others, has been signed by Warners
as a Vitaphone composer. Kern will
shortly leave for Hollywood.
Chevalier Improved
llest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Maurice Chevalier,
who was ordered to his bed last Sat-
urday, is reported to be improving
considerably, according to his phy-
sician.
Metzger En Route to Coast
Lou B. Metzger, general manaper
of Universal, is en route to the Coast
for a production conference with
company executives. Accompanying
Metzger are Verne Porter, eastern
scenario head and N. L. Manheim,
export manager.
Charles Wilcox to N. Y.
London (By Cable) — Charles Wil-
cox is aboard the Majestic, which is
scheduled to arrive in New York
Feb. 18.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCOBPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.
Mar.
Opening of "The Green Goddess"
at Winter Garden, N. Y.
Premiere of "Puttin" on the Ritz"
at the Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theater
regulations becomes effective.
"Troopers Three" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
First Day of Lent.
AD -VANCE- AD
"Your Company and Service should
be represented in EVERY THEATRE
IN THE COUNTRY AS IT IS AN
ASSET AND WILL BRING IN
THE DOLLARS TO THE OLD
BOX OFFICE WHERE MONEY
SPENT FOR OTHER ADVERTIS-
ING WILL LEAVE ONLY EX-
PENSE AND NO RESULTS."
—RiaJto Theatre, Wilson. N. C.
A. J. Price, Jr., Mgr.
J
"WE NEVER DISAPPOINT'
CpowniH
CABORATORifr
INCORPORATED *
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YOAK
Phone: WIScontin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES. CEN.MCR.
America
GOES
METRO-GOLDWYN-M AVER !
Film Daily^s Annual Poll of
400 Leading Film Critics
Qives Metro-Qoldivyn-Mayer
FOUR OUT OF 10 BEST
PICTURES IN 1929
10 BEST PICTURES OF 1929 NAMED
The Ten Best
"Disraeli"
"Broadway Melody"
"Madame X"
•'Rio Rita"
*'Gold Diggers of
Broadway'*
"Bulldog Drummond'*
"In Old ArizoncT
"Cock-Eyed World"
"The Last of Mrs.
Cheyney"
"Hallelujah"
400 Leading Newspapers with 11,000,000 combined circulation are giving
front page space to Metro -Goldwyn -Mayer's 4 out of 10 triumph!
LAWRENCE
TIBBETT
THE
ROGUE
SONG
AND HERE ARE 2 HITS
CERTAIN TO BE PICKED
AMONG THE 10 BEST OF 1930
THE ^O-GOLDWYN-MAYER
Electrifying the Amusement World I
THE
■M^
DAILV
Wednesday, February 12, 1930
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^^ By HARRY N. BLAIR _.
XJUGH O'CONNELL has acted
the roving reporter so often that
he's beginning to feel hke a regular
newspaper man. His latest Vita-
phone Variety, entitled "Find the
Woman" has a newspaper back-
ground so Hugh is right in charac-
ter. Arthur Hurley, who was a real
reporter some years ago, directed the
picture at the Warner Flatbush stu-
dios.
Recent additions to Paramount's
sick list are William Saulter, head
of the art department, and Pat
Donahue, script girl, both of whom
are suffering from nervous break-
down.
I,ester Neilson, assistant director
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios, was formerly an actor, having
appeared in such well known stage
productions as "Broadway," "The
Royal Family" and "Spread Eagle."
Richard Bolton, son of Guy Bol-
ton, playwright, has been added to
the staff at the Eastern Vitaphone
studio, as assistant director. Young
Bolton, who was formerly employed
in Wall St., will now have a chance
to find out what makes the wheels
go round in a picture studio.
French gallantry held sway on the
"Young Man of Manhattan" set a
few days ago when Rene (Toto)
Guetta, french screen writer, visited
his friend, Monta Bell, at the Para-
mount Long Island studios. Upon
being introduced to Claudette Col-
bert, Guetta bowed low and kissed
her hand in true Continental fash-
ion. The boys at the studio are now
brushing up on their manners so
as not to be outdone.
The success of El Brendel, Joe
Caivthome and other dialect com-
edians in talkies has led Louis Brock
to engage a team of Italian com-
edians, Martin and Basil, which he
will feature in a series of comedies
to be directed by Mark Sandrich.
Ochs Leaves Sono Art
Cleveland — Herbert Ochs has re-
signed as manager of the local Sono
Art World Wide exchange to manage
the Falls, Chagrin Falls, which he and
J. B. Cagney bought recently from
John Shleifenheimer. Ochs and Cag-
ney also own a house in Massilon.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
RCA for Detroit House
Detroit- — Louis A. Chapaton has
signed for RCA Photophone for his
theater.
ANIMATED CLAY SUBJECTS
"Washington's Birthday," for
"Lincoln's Birthday," for
FitzPatrick's Pictures Inc.
Producers of Short Novelty Subjects
with sound.
VIRGINIA MAY— A. HALL
Tel. Sus. 9490
MONTANA
Changes in Ownership
Butte — Harrison, sold to A. T. Breining by
A. J. Warne.
Closings
Big Fork — Big Fork ; Lame Deer — Lame
Deer.
NEBRASKA
Changes in Ownership
Belgrade— Loyla, sold to A. P. Matthissen
by A. W. Knight; Thedford — Auditorium,
sold to George Gravely by H. Voth.
Closings
St. Paul — Victory ; Superior — Sterling.
New Theaters
Grand Island — Island, owners — Island The-
ater Corp.
Openings
Beemer — Gem; Brule — Brule, owner — - Bert
Kuske.
NEVADA
Changes in Ownership
Wells — Nevada, sold to George C. Goble by
Mis. M. E. Day.
New Theaters
Carson City — Carson City, owners — Messrs.
Buckner & Berger.
NEW MEXICO
Changes in Ownership
Grants — Grants, sold to Paul H. Haralson by
V. Bechechi ; Magdalena — Casino, sold to
Dr. L. B. Ford by Abdalla & Paez.
NEW YORK
Changes in Ownership
Altamont — Masonic Hall, sold to Daniel Rich-
mond by Charles Van Valkenberg ; Amenia
— Opera House, sold to Paul Wilde by J.
Koopman; Buffalo — Capitol Maxine, sold to
Fox Metropolitan Playhouses by Hall &
Hanney ; Unity, sold to Mr. and Mrs.
George Camel and Austin Ensminger by J.
D. Parmelee ; Cold Springs — Playhouse, sold
to Louis Barroco; East Syracuse — Roxie,
sold to M. Albanese by M. Fitzer ; Glens
Falls— Park, sold to A. M. Burdett by
William E. Benton; MargaretviUe — Galli
Curci, sold to C. A. Sanford by Unison
Theater Corp. ; Newburgh — State, sold to
Machella; Niagara Falls — Bellevue, sold to
Publix Theaters Shea's Operating Corp. by
Bellevue Theater Corp. ; Ovid — Franklin
Hall, sold to Kinee Bros, by D. R. How-
ard ; Pompton Lakes — Colonial, sold to
Schlenger by S. Tobian ; Portville — Opera
House, sold to V. H. Hunt by J. R. Bell;
Poughkeepsie — Strand, sold to Heron ;
Rensselaer — Columbia, sold to W. E.
Featherly by Miner & Manoyian ; Roches-
ter— Monroe, sold to George Kircher by
Staley & Loritz ; Roscoe — Criterion, sold to
Edgar Woods by S. H. Eason ; Watervliet
—Grand, sold to I. B. Tetrault & Sons by
Proietti & Forcaicci ; Yonkers — lOrpheum,
sold to H. Stern.
Closings
Cazenovia — Town Hall ; Clayville — Fireman's
Hall ; Dobbs Ferry — Washington ; Schenec-
tady— Lincoln; Sherman — Opera House.
Re-Openings
Newburgh — State ; Poughkeepsie — Rialto.
New York City
Changes in Ownership
Bohemian Annex, sold to Frank Valli by C.
O'Reilly ; Canal, sold to Ludlow Operating
Corp. by M & S ; Melrose, sold to Mr.
Reiss; Park Lane, sold to R-K-O by 10
Court Sq. Corp.
Closings
First Avenue, Regun.
Bronx
Changes in Ownership
Avalon, sold to Consolidated Amusement by
A. Gould ; Crescent, sold to Haring
Blumenthal.
Brooklyn
Changes in Ownership
DeKalb, sold to DeKalb Amusement Corp.
by S & S; Ideal, Tuxedo, sold to Becker
& Rugoff by Werner Theater Corp. ; Utica,
sold to Haring & Blumenthal.
New Theaters
Loew's Pitkin.
Newspaper Opinions
Re-Openings
Rockville
Circuit.
Long Island
New Theaters
Centre — Fantasy, owners — Century
NEW JERSEY
Changes in Ownership
Berlin — Palace, sold to Nicholas Torelli by
Jacob Stern; Hasbrouck Heights — Strand,
sold to Nicholas Coriaty ; Highland — Park,
sold to Cook Ent., Inc.; Landisville —
Landisville, sold to V. Somma by U. Ca-
voli ; Nutley — Franklin, sold to Fox Metrop.
by Tonkin & Collict ; Paterson — Majestic.
sold to Mr. Ginsberg ; Runnemede — Runne-
mede, sold to Robert Hanover by Braadt
& Braadt.
Closings
Beverly — Beverlee ; Swedesboro — Embassy ;
Woodbridge — Woodbridge.
Re-Openings
Iselin — Iselin.
NORTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Aulander— Bertie, sold to H. P. Sewell by
Charles E. Myers; Bryson City — Fryemont.
sold to J. R. Randolph, Jr., by A. M.
Frye; Swain, sold to J. R. Randolph, Jr.,
by C. R. and H. R. Browning ; Burgaw —
Burgaw, sold to F. E. Bullard by M. H.
Bloodworth ; Burlington — Dixie, sold to Y.
D. Coble by F. H. Williamson; Clinton-
Gem, sold to Sampson Theaters, Inc., by
J. L. Caudell ; Farmville— Trio, sold to H.
C. Cooke by J. L. Caudell ; Hertford —
Rex, sold to J. E. Kaus by W. M. Divers;
High Point — Ritz, sold to W. D. Cooke by
L. W. Unkle ; Rockingham — Garden, sold
to Sampson Amus. Co. by E. H. Aycock;
Rocky Mt. — Manhattan, sold to Strand
Amus. Co. by W. E. Armstrong; Tarboro
— Opera House, sold to Bright Leaf The-
aters by City of Tarboro ; Tryon — Strand,
sold to Jackson & Jackson by F. H. .Sikes.
Closings
Bailey — Royal : Burnsville — Gem ; King —
King: Micaville — Mic-i : Newlands — Night-
ingale; Sou. Pines — School.
NORTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Carson — Orpheum. sold to E. E. Stelch by
Geil Circuit: Glen Ullin— Palace, sold to
John T. Tkach by N, V. Seeberger; Hebron
—Rialto, sold to J. M. Tribes by D. A.
Rhvmer; Richardton — Strand, sold to J. M.
Tribes bv Kenneth Wiest; Sharon — .Sharon,
sold to Victor Olsen by E. N. Olsen.
Closings
Fullerton — Unique: Gilby — Gilhy ; Rogers —
Community ; Selfridge — Selfridge.
New Theaters
Beulah — Biielah, owners — Bevilnh .\niusement
Co.
OHIO
Changes in Ownership
Akron— Victor, sold to H. M. Giletli by H.
Fischer; Bradfcw-d — Strand, snid to G. A.
Freeman by J. W. Rouston : Canton — Moz-
art, sold to The Abrams Company by A.
H. Abrams; Chillicothe — Sherman, sold to
Schine_ Ent., Inc., by C. A. Smith ; Cin-
cinnati— Queen Ann, sold tn G. C. Jones
bv G. Bressler; Columbus — Hudson, sold to
W. C. Chesbroue-h bv L. Burns ; Dayton —
Villa, sold to H. H. Ritter bv Mrs. P.
Semrlroth ; Dover — Bexley. sold to Casto
Theater Corn, by J. E. Beck ; Middletown —
Lorenzo, sold to Joe Lorenzo by L. Stock-
ton; Montpelier — Kaufman, sold to A. E.
Kaufman by New Theater: Nelsonvilli
Majestic, sold to Hockinpr Valley Am.
H. Steenrnd ; Youngstown — Astor, sold
John A. Penizzi by N. Peruzzi.
Closings
Bremen — Columbia ; Clarksville — Clarksville
O. H. ; Columbus — Parsons : Portsmouth —
Lincoln ; Williamsport — New Electric.
Re-Openings
Franklin — 'Warren.
"The Lost Zeppelin"
Tiffany
Gaiety, New York
AMERICAN— The story is frayed with
age, the time-worn tale being told this time
against an Antarctic background which is
deadly monotonous and equally unconvincing.
The yarn has been woven into a picture ever
since Jesse Lasky's barn first housed a clicking
camera.
DAILY NEWS— * * * only fair talkie
celluloid, which could have been built into a
much bigger, a far more impressive produc-
tion if Director Edward Sloman had watched
tor the little warm details which make for
audience sympathy, instead of depending for
interest entirely on spectacle stuff.
EVENING JOURNAI^-It's a fair pro-
gramme picture; some of the studio shots are
devoted to blizzards, but the film concerns
itself more with the love interest than it does
with the exploration angle. Miss Valli is
attractive and both M^ Tearle and Mr.
Cortez are adequate in their speaking roles.
EVENING WORLD— ♦ * * too little at-
tention has been paid to a convincing story,
with the result that the general effect is a
trifle lower than it should have been. It is
in the supporting story rather than in the air
sequences in which "The Lost Zeppelin" falls
off. The plot is an old-fashioned one. and it
is not any too well expounded. "The Lost
Zeppelin" with a better story would be a very
good picture, but the lack of a convincing
plot takes away that "very."
GRAPHIC — Effective blizzard scenes are
introduced and the Zeppelin shots are im-
pressive. But the movie is more concernetl
with the personal relations of the characters
than with the drama of conquering the Pole.
It makes a fair program entertainment.
HERALD-TRIBUNE—* * * fair program
picture, including both beautiful and spec
tacular shots, but also, unfortunately, a trite
and unconvincing love triangle. As to plot
the uicture is mediocre.
SUN — Most of the sets are salty replicas
of the south pole. Some of them are mildly
effective, but most of them are not. At any
rate, little or no illusion is created.
TELEGRAM— So inexpertly has the fa
miliar plot of "The Lost Zeppelin" been
treated that, even in the old days of silent
pictures, it would have called for more than
an abundant share of courage on the part
(if a producer to present the equivalent of the
l>icture under discussion as a so-called "road
show" attraction. At that, the film wouM
have fared better as a silent production he
cause it would not have been burdened with
the stilted and unimaginative dialogue it
now has.
TIMES — Presumably the producers of "The
Lost Zeppelin" do not believe in a very high
iirder of intelligence among cinema audience-
fur the best that can be said of the film is
th-it it appears to have been fashioned with
a view to appealing to boys from 8 to 10
years of age.
\VORLD — Considerable of the old movie
oil is spread around over the picture in so
far as a plot is concerned, and for this rea-
son the Tiffany Company cannot be credited
with a picture drama of the first rank, but of
the score of quickening and stirring scenes
of adventure in the frozen South they ought
to he congratulated.
Fort Pierce Installation
Fort Pierce, Fla. — Rupert W. Kno-
blegard, Jr., has wired the Sample
with Tone-O-Graph so^und equip-
ment.
lOliTnii
INCORPORATED '
220 WEST42^-° STREET
NEW YORK
**bon#
^^rrrt .,^_
Quality Tone at Weeping Waters
Weeping Waters, la. — Quality
Tone has been installed at the Lib-
erty.
THE QUALITY ALl^COLOR
MASTERPIECE
DENNIS KING is the greatest romantic male
singing star of stage or screen.
r
Romance!
Glorious Action!
Adolpli Ziikor and Jesse L. Lasky present
DENNIS KING
(6j arrangement with Florenz Ziegfeld^
with
JEANETTE MacDONALD
Warner Olaiid, O. P. Heggie and cast of 1,000
.^3fSit
JEANETTE MacDONAiuD scores an even more
sensational hit than in ''^The Love Parade.^'
The Song of the J agabonds"'!
THE
VAGABOND KING
^5
Gorgeous ALL-TECHNICOLOR Musical Romance
A Ludwig Berger Production
A PARAMOUNT PICTURE
w
w-
''THE VAGABOND
KING' IS THE HIGH
i^POT OF THE YEAR!
YOU knew Paramount would make
the greatest all-color production
of all times! Here it is: "The Vaga-
bond King." The world's finest ro-
mantic male singing star, Dennis
King. Who leaped to undying fame
in the stage presentations of "Rose
Marie," "Vagabond King" and Zieg-
feld's "The Three Musketeers." With
Jeanette MacDonald, beautiful so-
prano star. And a great cast. In
the greatest of all song romances.
Flashing with action and adventure.
Sparkling with song hits like the
famous "Song of the Vagabonds,"
"Huguette Waltz," "Only a Rose,"PB
[HH^^^^H and others. 100% in
gorgeous Technicolor.
From 'If I Were King''' by Justin Huntly McCarthy
and^'The J agabond King"" by Wm. H. Post, Brian
Hooker and Rudolph Friml. Adaptation and added
dialog by Herman J. Mankietvics. B. P. Schul-
berg. General Manager, W est Coast Productions.
PARAMOUNT ALL-COLOR
IVEW SHOW WORLD HIT!
THE
Wednesday, February 12, 1930
•s^m
DAILV
30 FEflTyRE8,450 SHORTS
FROM PATHE THIS YEAR
(.Continued from Page 1)
will be supplemented by a continu-
ous supply of varied shorts, Derr
says, and the making of program pic-
tures is to be discontinued entirely.
Under the new arrangement Pathe
will be in a position to take advantage
of plays or stories that prove sudden
and sensational successes during the
year and to produce and distribute
them while they are riding on the
wave of popularity. The first group
of the new season's schedule is now
under way.
Pictures lined up are as follows:
"Swing High," directed by Joseph
Santley with Helen Twelvetrees and
Fred Scott; "Lipstick," starring Con-
stance Bennett; Ann Harding's first
on the new schedule, "Jane Eyre" di-
rected by Rollo Lloyd; "Beyond Vic-
tory," with an all-star cast; "The Last
Frontier," featuring William Boyd;
a sequel to Eddie Quillan's "The
Sophomore" being prepared by Rus-
sell Medcraft; Ina Claire featured in
"Lazy Lady"; William Boyd's second
"The Painted Desert"; and "Crash"
directed by Paul Stein.
The productions which will com-
plete the first third of Pathe's new
season program will be announced
shortly.
Industry Working to Bar
Fakers, Milliken Says
Meriden, Conn. — The picture in-
dustry is lending every effort to put
an end to fake film schools and other
fraudulent schemes contrived to trick
the public, declared Carl E. Milliken,
secretary of the Hays organization,
in an address here yesterday before
the Foremen's Club of the Y.M.C.A.
He added that frequent warnings are
issued to the public to investigate
thoroughly all projects which offer
easy access to motion picture acting,
writing and investment.
Bender Joins Columbia
Cleveland — George J. Bender has
joined the local Columbia sales force
and will cover the Toledo territory,
which he formerly handled for War-
ner Bros.
From Organist to Manager
Sioux Falls, S. D.— Raymond Ep-
pel, formerly organist at the Nichola,
Fairmount, has been appointed man-
ager of the Granada here.
White River Gem Now Rialto
White River, S. D.— The Gem has
been reopened as the Rialto.
Hatch Transfers Ohio House
Prospect, O.— W. N. Hatch, who
recently purchased the Ohio at a
sheriff's sale, has transferred the
house to W. M. Peak of Waldo.
Grossman Closes Market Sq.
Cleveland — Daniel Grossman has
closed the Market Sq. He will keep
the house closed until sound has been
installed.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Omaha — Al Danke has rejoined
the local Tiffany branch as sales rep-
resentative.
Detroit — Floyd Wadlow has re-
turned to the management of the
Virginia Park. He turned over his
interest in the theater to Joe Portel
two years ago.
Montevideo, Miim. — V. S. Mac-
Carthy, manager of the Eagle, has
installed Western Electric equipment
at the house, with "On With the
Show" inaugurating the sound policy.
Algoona, la. — In order to accom-
modate patrons waiting for shows
at the Call, the management has pur-
chased the store next to the house
and remodeled it into a waiting room.
Boone, la. — With the screening of
"Rio Rita," a sound policy has been
introduced at the Princess here. John
Anderson is manager of the house.
Villisca, la. — After being without a
showplace for several months, the
new $25,000 theater with a capacity
of 600 has opened here.
Oklahoma City — The Orpheum
has altered its policy from once a
week change to twice a week.
Newcastle, Pa. — The Nixon has
been reopened with Kranzfield and
Zansky in charge. John Newman
formerly operated the house.
Minneapolis — The Palace has re-
opened after installation of sound and
instead of running straight burlesque
shows as heretofore, four sound
shows will be included in the pro-
grams.
SmithfieH O. — With the taking
over of the Strand by Harry Sharp,
the new owner has changed the name
to lona.
Redfield, S. D.— C. F. Hansen and
R. F. Blum, proprietors of the Lyric,
have let contracts for the remodeling
of their house. New seats and equip-
ment will be installed.
Armour, S. D. — A new sound
screen and new arc projection light
have been installed at the Lorain.
Pierre, S. D. — The Bijou will have
240 seats added to its seating capacity
next summer. The house recently
installed sound.
Pittsburgh — R-K-O's Sheridan Sq.
has installed a new large sound
screen. The first picture to be screen-
ed on it was "Seven Keys to Bald-
pate."
Wheaton, 111. — Publix has leased
the Grand and will open the house
after installing sound equipment.
Albion, Mich. — George Bohn has
given his name to his new theater
here, which has opened for business.
With the opening of the new house
he has closed the Censor.
Lenoir, N. C. — Improvements are
being made at the Universal by Char-
les A. Peeler, head of the Lenoir
Amusement Co. He also plans to
equip the Imperial with sound.
Sheridan, Mich. — Plans are being
formulated by Lloyd Gould to re-
build the Gould, recently destroyed
by lire.
West Point, Neb.— W .M. Miller
has purchased the Rivola from A. M.
Herman. He is a veteran theatrical
man having operated theaters in
Omaha.
Indianapolis, Ind. — John R. Peters
is now manager of the Ritz, succeed-
ing Earl Cunningham who is manag-
ing the Fountain Square.
New York
Syracuse — Jack Sardino has suc-
ceeded Robert Case as manager of
the Brighton.
Ilion — Fox Metropolitan has taken
over the Temple. Robert Pearce is
manager.
Windsor, Bronx, is being wired for
Western Electric apparatus, and upon
completion will be leased by Con-
solidated to an independent exhibitor.
The Columbus, 8th Ave. and S8th
St., now is operating from eight a.m.
to midnight. Consolidated Amuse-
ments are trying out its new policy
with view to making this house a
24-hour grind.
New Gum Remover
Athens, Ga. — A dog fond of
gum is the object of negotia-
tion between a local theater
man and its owner. The hab-
its of gum-chewing individuals
being what they are, the ex-
hibitor feels the animal would
be a good thing to have around
his theater. It would save the
cleaning staff a lot of time.
Gets Sound and New Name
Clark, S. D. — -With his acquisition
of the Idle Hour here L. H. Altfillisch
has installed sound apparatus and re-
named the theater the Clark.
Gets Western Electric
Gilmore City, la. — Fred Sandham
has equipped the Metropolitan with
Western Electric device.
Bestone for Kansas City
Kansas City, Mo. — The Penn is
being wired with Bestone.
Bank Gets Sioux City House
Sioux City, la. — The Strand has
passed into the hands of the Sioux
City National Bank.
W. E. in New England, N. D.
New England, N. D.— Arvid Wik-
lund has installed Western Electric
equipment at the State.
Fox-Rialto Renovated
Butte, Mont.— The Fox-Rialto has
been completely renovated and re-
opened.
Kelliher Installs W. E.
Elkhorn, Wis.— Dan Kelliher has
equipped the Sprague with Western
Electric. It is the only house between
Milwaukee and Janesville that has
sound equipment.
Sound at Manchester House
Manchester, la. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the Plaza, Man-
ager W. A. Dutton states.
Answers all Questions
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
• • • JT £\ £j Jlj • • •
to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
10
—S&^
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
V
Sees Interest in Talkers
Spread by Electrical Firms
■"RUE, since the radio and talk-
ing film arrived, the elec-
trical combines in America and
Europe have assumed a pre-
dominance which would have
been inconceivable a few years
ago. But the results to date have
not shown that any of these
great combines are actuated by
nationalist policy or motives.
In fact, it was not until their
advent into the motion picture
business that the truly interna-
tional viewpoint in this industry
has found any powerful adher-
ents. So colossal are now the
ramifications of the electrical
trusts throughout the world that
they have to a large extent out-
grown the sense of competition as
between one country and another.
The great, combines have no na-
tionality. These business con-
cerns have already advanced far
beyond the lagging conceptions
of the politician, transcending
frontiers and tariffs, and patri-
otic sentiment. And the main re-
sult, so far, of the electrical in-
vasion of entertainment is that
the old ideas of national compe-
tition seem to be sinking already
into the background.
"To-Day's Cinema," London
New Ideas Held Vital Need
of Talking Films by Vidor
^HANGES in mechanical hand-
ling are inevitable, but I think
we can leave these matters to the
sound technicians, who are now
highly trained experts. Most of
us need original ideas for pic-
tures, and new twists in the
technique of presenting stories.
Color photography should be a
help in gaining realistic effects.
King Vidor, Director
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
DUDLEY NICHOLS
training wild apes in
Nairobi, Africa
Along The Rialtoi
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
j\^AJOR EDWARD BOWES, managing director of the Cap-
ru 'l°'',^n^ ^^ ^}'^^^^ °f ^^^ entertainment of the 13th annual
Chan y Ban of N. Y. Chapter Knights of Columbus which wa.
held last night in the Seventh Regiment Armorv Karl
l^ritzsche of Berlin is scheduled to arrive in N. Y. "Feb. 18. Dur-
ing his stay he will be located at the Ambassador
Owing to the increasing demand for children's movies on
Saturday mornings, the Little Picture House, N. Y. is planning
a series of three screenings of films which have been carefully
selected by a committee on pictures suitable and entertaining
for children up to twelve years of age. The first program takes
place Friday with "Lincoln," "Marionnettes," "A Sillv Svm-
phoney," "An Our Gang Comedy." "A Prodigal Pup" and a
Mickey Mouse subject.
Mike Simmons of Stan-a-phone, will be in charge of talking
picture lecturers and experiments on physics, nature studv and
biology, which will be demonstrated at the convention of Super-
intendents of the National Education Ass'n in Atlantic City Feb.
22 "Lummox" surpassed by 25 per cent in its world pre-
miere week at the United Artists in Detroit the excellent busi-
ness at that house of "Sorrell and Son," sez Warren Nolan
J. J. (Jeflf) McCarthy, accredited with storv and final title
for Fox's John McCormack's latest, "Song O' My Heart," will
personally arrange the picture's premiere in N. Y. Jeff is sched-
uled to arrive here sometime late this week
Krazy Kat and the staff of artists, musicians and sound
effect men, who are responsible for the antics of the feline
release by Columbia, are en route to the Winkler Corp. studio
on the Coast
John W. Epperson, eyewitness to the assasination of Abra-
ham Lincoln at Ford's Theater in Washington on April 14, 1865,
tells of the tragedy on Fox Movietone in the current issue now
at the Embassy, N. Y
* * * *
Julian Sand, English actress is en route to Hollywood
where she will play the female lead opposite Will Rogers in
"So This Is London," for Fox
Agnes Egan Cobb has resigned from Zit's Weekly to do a
weekly column for the Morning Telegraph on styles, the races
and the screen
FEBRUARY 12-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Tom Moore
Margarita Fischer
Adele Buffington
William Collier, Jr.
i
Gabriel L. Hess
Wednesday, February 12, 1930
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
^ PAIR of oldtimers, Jim and
Joe, met for the first time in a
dozen years.
JIM— Well, Joe, old scout, how
are things going?
JOE — No good.
JIM — How come? Last time we
met you were taking in a grand a
week from a picture companv for
that child wonder of yours. What's
happened to the little girl?
JOE — She grew up.
Vaudeville theaters are becoming
so scarce out in the wide open
spaces that when an actor runs
across one of them he writes to his
friends about it.
And when a legitimate playhouse
is discovered, it's worth a wire.
Irv Price, "Sun Dial" conrtib,
wails:
Movie audiences can't keep mum;
If they aren't talking, they're chewing
Rum,
If they aren't chewing, they're cough-
ing, sneezing.
Shuffling, snoozing, shaking, sciueezing;
Oh, tell me where a man can go
Who really wants to hear the show?
You've got us, Irv. But you
might try hiding in the amolifier
horn.
Florenz Ziegfeld, according to one
of his Boswells, sees about seven
features at home in his private the- |,
ater every Sunday.
Not counting the shorts, perhaps. |
Being apprized of the fact that
Lon Chancy is to make talkers in
Spanish and French as well as Eng-
lish, Pierre de Rohan remarked,
"Damn clever, these Chaneys!"
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
U. S. Navy plans film library con-
taining 20,000 reels.
Carle E. Carlton gets offers for]
screen rights to "Irene."
Louis W. Chaudet, director, mter-
ested in Hawaii production project.
Maurice Maeterlick en route to
Goldwyn studio.
THE
Wednesday, Februarv 12, 1930
n
3^E2S
DAILV
NEW RCA SALES PLAN IS
AIMED AT SMALL HOUSES
(Continued {rom Page 1)
merit for houses up to 500 seats will
be the same for theaters having a
capacity up to 1,000. Exhibitors will
have the right to cancel, at their
option, the obligation to receive and
pay for service after the first two
years.
The Ross statement in part, says:
"Prior to this time, RCA Photophone sound
reproducing equipment for theaters above
SOU seating capacity and up to 1,000 seats.
had been nearly double the cost of the modei
known as Type G, which was designed for
theaters having the smaller seating capacity.
"The three types of equipment to be dis
tributed in accordance with the provisions o;
the new policy, have been given three classi
fications, — Type B for theaters above 2,000
seating capacity; Type C for theaters be
tween 1.000 and 2,000 capacity and SmaL
Theater T>-pe for theaters up to 1,000 seatins.
capacity. In the small theater models the
exhibitor may choose between battery or
motor generator operation.
"In the three classes of equipment hence
forth to be distributed by RCA Photophone,
Inc., exclusive, of course, of the new port
able machine that has just been introduced
we cover any type of theater and any seatinj.
capacity. Because of existing conditions, dut
to the fact that the majority of the first and
second-run theaters in the country have beeri
wired, it will be our purpose to concentratt
our activities upon the distribution of the
Small Theater equipment. Nearly 200 models
of that type have been contracted for ami
shipped to exhibitors within the past 30 days.
The company will continue to sell its portable
reproducer."
Photophone Managers
Are Guests at Luncheon
I District managers and commercial
[ representatives of RCA Photophone.
Inc., who are in conference "•tth exe-
cutives at the home office, were
guests at a luncheon at the New
York Athletic Club yesterdav. Chas.
J. Ross, executive vice-president,
told of the various activities of the
RCA "family" as a whole.
Last evening the district manager^
and commercial representatives as-
sembled at the installation and ser-
vice departinent, No. 438 West 37th
Street, where they were given first-
hand information upon sound repro-
lucing equipment by H. Braun, who
is in charge of the school of instruc-
tion for projectionists which was or-
ganized a few weeks ago under the
direction of Manager J. E. Francis.
During the meetings at the home
office, talks are being given by
Charles J. Ross, executive vice-presi-
dent; A. E. Reoch, vice-president;
(Sydney E. Abel, general sales man-
lager; J. W. Rafferty, assistant sales
jinanager in charge of the educational
and industrial division; L. B. Mor-
ris, general counsel; C. C. Chappelle,
treasurer; H. L. Sommerer, manager
of the recording department; M. C.
Batzel, chief engineer and Gerald K.
Rudulph, director of publicity and
advertising.
Brawley House Wired
Brawley, Cal. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed at the
Brawley.
North Branch Installation
North Branch, Mich. — - Bernard
Leach will wire his local house for
sound pictures.
Coast Wire Service
Irlollywood Happenings
Emil Frost Gets Foreign
Post at "U" Coast Studio
Emil Frost has been appointed head
of the foreign literature department
at the Universal studio. He will
adapt and translate material. Frost
was formerly connected with Univers-
al's scenario department.
Scott and Lackey Head
Tiffany Outdoor Units
Lester F. Scott and William T.
Lackey, former independent proaucei,
will be in charge of Tiitany s outdooi
producmg units.
Asher and Garson Signed
to produce tor Universal
E. M. Asher and Harry Garson
nave been signed by Carl i^aemmit,
jr., as executives to produce picture^
lor Universal.
Dwan for Swanson's Next
Allan Dwan will direct Gloria
swanson in her next lor United Art-
ists titled, "What a Vvidow; Uweu
iVioore and Ian Jveith have been se-
lected tor supporting roles, iae pic-
ture will be nimed at the Pathe siu-
uios in Culver City.
Robert Agnew for White Film
Robert Agnew has been signed 1)\
Jack White tor a featured role in his
next Educational- iuxedo talking
comedy. Monty Collins is co-tea-
tured with Agnew.
Lambert in Second Comedy
Eddie Lambert's second all-talking
comedy for Educational is "The Big
Jewel Case," which Stephen Roberts
directed with Anita Garvin opposiit
Lambert.
RKO Buys "Fall Guy" Rights
Film and dialogue rights to the
"Fall Guy" stage play by James
Gleason and George Abbott has been
acquired by Radio Pictures. Produc-
tion is scheduled to begin next
month under the supervision of Wil-
liam Sistrom.
First for '30-'31 Set bv Fox
"The Man Who Came Back" has
been set as the hrst production on
the 1930-1931 sched-'" for Fox.
Val Paul at First National
Val Paul has been named assistant
studio manager at First National,
succeeding James Hartnett, resigned.
Theodore Von Eltz Gets Role
Theodore Von Eltz has been as-
signed to a featured role in the Al-
fred Santell production starring War-
ner Baxter for Fox. Others in the
cast are Mona Maris, Wilfred Lucas,
Carol Lombard, Arthur Stone and
Walter P. Lewis.
A Little
from
'Lots'
^^ By RALPH WILK i^ii^
Hollywood
WILLIAM JANNEY and Russell
Gleason will never forget the
first time they met. Young Jan-
ney was playing in "Merton of the
Movies" in New York. Russell's
mother, MrSw Lucille Webster Glea-
son, was a member of the cast, and
Russell had come on from California
to spend his school vacation with his
mother. One day, Mrs. Gleason
came to the theater and found the
boys throwing old electric light
globes on the floor of the stage to
see which was the better shot.
* * *
Herbert Brenon, Lewis Stone, Lew
Cody, Dell Henderson, George La
Guere and Walter Percival are
among the members of the film, col-
ony ivho acted iyi Minneapolis stock
companies. Most of them played fo)
Dick Ferris, ivho is now a resident
of Los Angeles.
* * *
Sing Foo, a Chinese actor,
recently had Mervyn LeRoy,
the director, puzzled. Sing act-
ed in Mervyn's picture, "Jail-
break," for a few days and one
day was informed by Mervyn
that he was through with the
picture. The next day, the
company was on location and
Sing appeared in makeup. He
explained that he used two
names and had been called un-
der his second name, Ah Yet.
* * *
Albert Deane, of Paramount's for-
eign production department, with
headquarters in New York, is having
a wonderful time on the Coast, dut
chiefly to his resemblance to Henry
Sal.sbury, who passes on many Para-
mount contracts. Several stars havt
confused Albert with Henry.
* :|c *
Frank Fay has scored in pictures,
with the result that he vnll be fea-
tured in "Playboy," which will be
made by Warner Brothers. Fay has
appeared in "The Show of Sho^vs,"
"Under a Texas Moon" and "The
Song of the West." He recently
finished ivork in "Bright Lights."
"True to the Navy" Bow's Next
Clara Bow's next starring vehicle
for Paramount is "True to the Navv."
which will be directed by Frank Tut-
tle. Production is to start following
return of Miss Bow.
Emmet O'Connor for Daniels' Film
Robert Emmet O'Connor has been
engaged by Radio for a role in Bebe
Daniels' "Smooth as Satin," which
George Archainbaud will direct. Ben
Lyon plays opposite the star.
Daily News Shots
Chicago — A half-hour pres-
entation of daily news occur-
rences through the medium of
the Universal Talking News-
reel is a regular feature every
evening at the Tower theater,
local Balaban & Katz house.
More Pacent Installations
Cleveland — Pacent sound on film
heads are now installed in the fol-
lowing houses in this section: Out-
look, Cincinnati; Temple, Bryan;
Yale, Cleveland; Pastime, Coshocton;
Monevista, Cincinnati; Ambassador,
Cleveland; Stratford, and Silver
Family, Detroit; Royal, Grand Rapids.
Maurice Lebensburger is in charge of
Pacent sales and installations
throughout this territory.
Snell With Tone-O-Graph
Cleveland — O. H. Snell has been
appointed chief engineer in charge of
Tone-O-Graph service in this terri-
tory. A service station and sales of-
fice has been opened in the Film Bldg.
Rube Traube is in charge.
Five More Get De Forest
Five more theaters have been
added to the list of houses already
equipped with De Forest sound
equipment. Among the houses were:
Strand, Boston; Plaza, Burlington,
Wis.; Argmore, Chicago; Uptown,
Racine, Mich., and Mingo, Armory,
Miss.
Now Managing Two
Fremont, Neb. — Ray B. Thomas
has been named manager of both the
Empress and Fremont. Heretofore
he has only been managing the Em-
press.
Theater for K. of C. HaU
Oklahoma City — Knights of Co-
lumbus Hall has been purchased by
James S. Glandish and associates and
will be converted into a 2,000-seat
theater to show first run pictures and
vaudeville. About $250,000 is expect-
ed to be spent on remodeling the
structure.
Mrs. Bialorucki Operating Ohio
Toledo — Mrs. Bialorucki has taken
over the Ohio from her son and is
now operating it herself.
Remodeling for Soimd
Honey Grove, Tex. — The Strand is
being remodeled for sound.
of New York. .\1-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
1 be "Home Town
Papers" of A.hOO the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in the in-
dustry — Keeping
tverlast ngly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100 7o coverage of
a 357o territory!
EMANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST.. PHILA.
me
12
DAILY
Wednesday, February 12, 1930
On the Coffee Line
Ottawa— During a recent
cold wave in this city people
waiting in line to enter the Re-
gent to see "Sunny Side Up"
were served with hot coffee as
a treat from the manager, T.
R. Tubman.
Rosenberg Made District
Manager for Sono Art
Ben F. Rosenberg becomes western
district manager of Sono Art-World
Wide, with headquarters in Los An-
geles, following his resignation as
circuit sales manager for Columbia
here. In his trip Coastward tomor-
row, Rosenberg plans stops at the
following cities; Miami, Atlanta, New
Orleans and Dallas.
Calvin _E. Bard, formerly with the
company at Des Moines, has been
named features sales manager at In-
dianapolis and Samuel B. Bahn sales
manager at Omaha, states "Bud"
Rogers, director of sales.
Social Club Organized
by Columbia Employees
Home office employees of Co-
lumbia have organized a social club.
At their second meeting, held recent-
ly, in addition to various committees
being appointed the following officers
were elected: Jeanne Dressier, presi-
dent; Mortimer Wormser, vice presi-
dent; Richard Philpott, treasurer;
Ruth Greenfield, secretary; Gertrude
Podolsky, assistant secretary: Ett?
Levotf, financial secretary, and Fred
Deitsch, sergeant-at-arms.
Receivership Decision for Fox
Companies is Due Tomorrow
(Continued from Page 1)
Report George Cohan
Quitting United Artists
{Continued from Page 1)
is now on his way East with "Gamb-
ling," his stage vehicle of the cur-
rent season.
It was stated at the offices of
United Artists yesterday that there
was no official knowledge of Cohan's
withdrawal from his recent agree-
ment to work for the company.
Another for Quality tone
Weeping Waters, Neb. — Quality-
tone equipment has been installed at
the Liberty.
HELLO
Never give a sheik an even break—
If he won't kick in give him the shake.
A Sono Art-World Wide Picture
Fox, gave a brief outline of the pro-
posed plan of refinancing Fox Film
and Fox Theaters. This calls for the
issuance of $65,000,000 in new securi-
ties. One lot is to consist of $40,-
000,000 in 10-year 7 per cent deben-
tures, each $1,000 units to have at-
tached to it a warrant entitlin'' the
holder to buy 25 shares of Fox Film
"A" stock at $20 a share for the first
three years, at $25 a share for the
second three years, and at $30 a share
for the last four years.
The corporation will agree to set aside 20
per cent of its net earnings, after dividends
on the preferred stock, for the redemption of
these debentures, and all sums paid into the
corporation upon the exercise of warrants
also are to be used for this purpose. The
debentures are to be redeemable at $110 for
the first three years, at $107.50 for the next
three years and at $105 for the last four
years.
in addition to these debentures there is to
be $25,000,000 of 7 per cent preferred stock,
convertible into Class "A" common at $20
a share for the first five years and at $25 a
share thereafter, and redeemable at $110.
The bankers are to underwrite the $65,
000,000 worth of securities at 91, and foi
their services they are to receive an addi-
tional 135,000 shares of Class "A" stock,
while the underwriting syndicate is to re
ceive 65,000 shares of the same stock.
All of the securities are to be offered a.
par to Fox Film stockholders, who will re
ceive either warrants or subscription rights,
but the 200,000 shares of stock to be re-
ceived by the bankers and the underwritinv
syndicate will not participate in these sub
scription rights.
Out of the approximately $60,000,000 net
that will be realized from the sale of thest
securities. Fox Film will lend to Fox The
aters approximately $18,400,000. in addition
to the $18,000,000 that is now owed by Fox
Theaters to Fox Film. In consideration ol
tliis $36,400,000. Fox Theaters will issue t<,
Fox Film $40,000,000 of Fox Theaters 20
year 7 per cent debentures, at 91, convertibii
I Fox Theaters "A" common stock at $1(
hare for the first year and at $15 a share
thereafter.
Stockholders of Fox Theaters are to bt
entitle<l to purchase this $40,000,000 in de
bentures from Fox Film at par at any tinK
wiihin one year, and warrants for this one
year privilege will be issued to Fox Theaters
stockholders.
At least 51 per cent of the Class "B" com
moil stock of Fox Film and all the Cla .
"B" common stock of Fox Theaters is to bi
placed in a voting trust for a period of at
least live years. If and when the Film de
bentures and preferred stock are paid off, a.
the rive-year period or thereafter, the votint
trust is to terminate, but in any event thi
voting trust is to terminate within 10 years
a the most.
Unteimyer said that, while a majority of
the Fox directors had studied and approved
the proposed plan, it had not yet been possible
to obtain adoption at a formal meeting of
the directors of the two corporations. This
is to be done tomorrow injiiing preceding
the resumption of the heai'ng before Judge
Coleman.
In opposing the new arrangement, Bogue
declared that his clients were being "left out
in the cold," that the clients to whom they
had sold securities for Fox in the past
would not be properly protected, and that
Halsey, Stuart & Co. and ERPI would be
obliged to sacririce certain future interests
under their present agreement with Fox.
Bogue also declared that Fox had broken
this agreement. Untermyer retorted that it
was the other side who had broken the con-
tract. He further declared that the new plan
provides for full payment of the Halsey,
Stuart and ERPI obligations, and that the
new capital to be brought into the Fox
organization would not jeopardize, but
strengthen. Fox securities put out by Halsey,
Stuart in the past.
Clarence Berenson, attorney representing
holders of 620 shares of Fox Film "A" stock,
was another to object to the new bankers'
plan. He said he believed the creditors
might have a better plan to offer. It was
also suggested that the Halsey, Stuart and
ERPI interests submit a different arrange-
ment if they would not consent to the one
now under consideration. Robert T. Swain,
representing the new bankers, said that the
plan drawn up by his people was for the
purpose of straightening out the Fox difficul
ties, and that they would not enter into
competition with the Halsey, Stuart group
if the latter had a better plan to offer, but
that in such an event the new bankers would
withdraw their proposition. Judge Coleman
remarked here that if Bogue offered to submit
a new plan it would almost certainly inean a
receivership for Fox. The judge also stated
that he had been in consultation with Wil-
liam Fox on several occasions and had been
told by hiin that he would not under any
consideration agree to any plan which would
give the Halsey, Stuart and ERPI interests
control of his properties.
Untermyer stated that William Fox, as
evidence of his desire to do everything in his
power to straighten out the affairs of his
companies, had agreed to turn over certain
of his profits from Fox Case and other in-
terests toward aiding the refinancing of his
companies.
The money to be realized from the new
securities, Untermyer said, would provide
for payment of all unsecured creditors, in-
cluding Halsey, Stuart, ERPI, Gaumont,
etc., and leave something over. Untermyer
also stated that Fox had received an offer
to buy West Coast Theaters for $22,000,000,
which would mean a profit of about $12,000,-
flOO for Fox but that there is no intention
to dispose of these properties nor the 700,000
shares of Loew stock, for which it was said
there has been a bid of around $85 a share,
because the proceeds acruing to Fox from
these two sources make their retention highly
advisable.
Definite action, either accepting the new
plan or placing the Fox companies in re-
ceivership, is looked for tomorrow. Swain
declared that he had no right to hold the
offer from the new bankers open longer than
that.
O'Brian Elected Member
of N. Y. State Regents
(Continued from Page 1)
tion of film industry cases, yester-
day was elected one of the three
members of the State Board of Reg-
ents. The other new members are:
George H. Bond of Syracuse and Dr.
Grant C. Madill of Ogdensburg.
Their election will be confirmed at a
joint session of the State Senate and
House today.
Photophone for Maine
Bucksport, Me. — The Alamo will
open soon with RCA Photophone.
NEW JERSEY UNIT PLANS
SUIT AGAINST PROTECTION
(Continued from Page 1)
ganization. "We are prepared to
carry it to the highest court for
determination," he declared.
Legislative troubles, protection and
the effects of the Judge Thacher de-
cree were principal topics discussed at
the meeting when a complete reor-
ganization was efl^ected. Seider was
induced to remain as president of the
organization, which decided to per-
emptorily drop all members who do
not promptly pay their dues. Re-
financing of the as.sociation, which
was also planned, will be furthered
developed at the next session to be
held Feb. 24 at the Elks Club here.
^ Opposition was voted to the Haines
"padlock" bill and to the proposed
county censorship measure. Presi-
dent Seider appointed a legislative
committee, consisting of: I. M.
Hirshblond, Toms River; Frank
Warren, Princeton; Sidney E. Sam-
uelson, Newton. This group, which
will work with the president and Sec-
retary Leon Rosenblatt as ex-officio
members, will watch legislative af-
fairs.
Seider, in a statement issued after
the meeting, declared that "the cir-
cuits are responsible for the censor-
ship bill in New Jersey," and as-
serted that "independent theater own-
ers refrain from playing the so-called
'sex' pictures." Seider urged mem-
bers of the M. P. T. O. to "live
up to the strict letter of their con-
tracts and avoid disputes. New
Jersey will resist the tendency of dis-
tributors to enforce the guarantee and
percentage method of selling," he
said.
S. I. Theater Robbed of
$2,100 by Three Gunmen
Stapleton, S. L — Thomas Reno
night watchman of the Liberty here
was overpowered by three gunmen
who opened the theater's safe an('
got away with $2,100, receipts check-
ed in for Saturday and Sunday.
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
o/'FILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 37
Thursday, February 13, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Racketeers Get Nearly Half of Theme Song Profits
FORM io^ENT EASTERN FILM HOUSE^ CHAIN
Compulsory Arbitration Continuing in Canada
The Mirror
-a column of comment
SIDEWALK RACKETEERS, who
disregard the music copyright laws
by selHng popular song sheets for a
nickel are being exterminated by the
Music Publishers' Protective Ass'n.
The days of this racket are num-
bered. With the protective organi-
zation training its big guns on the
situation and aided by Assistant U.
S. Attorney Henry Gerson and At-
torney Nathan Burkan, this illegal
practice is scheduled for a quick and
happy ending — from the standpoint
of the industry. Motion picture pro-
iducers are fortunate in having their
inuisic copyright interests under such
4iation-wide and alert protection a,-,
IS afforded by John Gregg Paine and
liib association.
THROUGH THE medium of an
'liscrver operator, the Earl Carroll
heater, one of Manhattan's busiest,
> putting its brand of sound repro-
lucmg under close and constant
.crutiny. This man, stationed in the
audience, and via remote control
doctors the sound. As a unit of
audience he is in a far better posi-
tion to gauge the volume than an
ioperator yards away in a projection
irooni. Naturally a medico who ex-
jamines you personally can product
ia more accurate diagnosis than one
(who works by correspondence, Gen-
-ral adoption of sound doctors would
lo doubt bring about a lot of pub-
ic improvements in sound.
fACK WARNER tells of a revolu-
.ionary advancement in wide film
jwhich will enable th6 making of
i>cenes showing two or more rooms
lit once. Another improvement, is
I his, which ought to allow the in-
(>erting of more b. o. action into
jproduct. Having pioneered sound
pV'arner Bros, apparently are going
|o keep 'way up front in wide pic-
ures as well.
Modified Clause Reduces
Number of Arbitrators
From Six To Two
Toronto — Regardless of the Judge
Thacher ruling in the U. S., the com-
pulsory arbitration clause, with modi-
fications, is bein"' retained in the new
standard film contract form for al'
of Canada, THE FILM DAILY
learns. The principal change is a
reduction in the number of appointed
arbitrators frorn six to two, and these
two will choose a third man when
necessary. This follows the contract
used in the British Isles.
There is no law in Canada cor-
responding with the Sherman Anti-
Trust Act in the U. S., and in every
Canadian province arbitration is pro-
vided for under existing statutes.
Consequently no occasion exists for
the dropping of compulsory legisla-
tion in the Dominion.
JERSEY EXHIBS TOriGHT
ANTI-STANDING ROOM Bill
Newark — Preparations are being
made by the M.P.T,0, of New Jer-
sey to fight Assembly Bill 117, which
seeks to prohibit the sale of theater
tickets unless seats are actually avail-
able. The measure, which has been
referred to the committee on mis-
{Continued on Page 12)
Third Attempt Fails
With the showing of sound
features at the New Crystal
the third attempt to put over
an exclusive newsreel house in
Brooklyn has failed. Other
houses which have tried this
plan are the Momart and
Brooklyn Newsreel.
EXPECT WARNER TO SHOW
11 $5,500,000 IN QUARTER
Net earnings of Warner Bros, for
the first quarter of the current hscal
year are expected to be in the neigh-
borhood of $5,500,000, or better than
$2 a share on the common, it is »«-
timated by "The Wall Street News."
This would be the record quarter to
date. In the corresponding three
months of 1928 the net equalled $3,-
400,000.
Copyright Music Royalty
Bill Up Again in Canada
Ottawa — With the opening of the
Canadian Parliament, L. J, Ladner,
Conservative member for Vancouver,
B. C, is preparing to submit his copy-
,right bill for the third time to pro-
vide for a royalty system in the use
of copyrighted music in Canadian
theaters and concert halls.
iV. Y. Suits vs. Music Pirates
To Be Used as Legal Precedent
$2,500,000 is Estimated
As RKO's Net for 1929
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Latest estimate of
the 1929 earnings of RKO olaces the
net at $2,500,000 or about $1 a share
on the 1,833,746 shares of common.
Net profit for the first nine months
was $1,637,900, of which $1,007,331
was earned in the third quarter.
$800,000 net profits for January are
figured.
From 25 to 50 per cent of the theme
song profits that should rightfully go
to picture companies through their
music publishing subsidiaries are be-
ing stolen by the racketeers behind
the street peddlers who are selling
broadsides of latest popular songs at
a nickel a sheet, according to John
Gregg Paine, chairman of the Music
Publishers' Protective Ass'n, which
(Continued on Page 12)
Double Feature Policy Set
for Farash Company
Circuit
An Eastern chain of 10-cent pic-
ture houses, playing double feature
bills, is planned by Farash Theater
Co, of Yonkers, backed bv several
exhibitors well-known in New York
state exhibition circles. Opening of
the Warburton at Yonkers Saturday
will add the second house to the cir-
cuit.
Guy A, Graves is secretary of the
conmany, of which William W. Far-
ley, owner of the Warburton, is treas-
urer. The plan was adopted follow-
ing an experiment made at Schenec-
tady when the Vanculer, stock house,
was converted into a 10-cent picture
theater. Seven houses in Schenec-
tady and immediate vicinity are con-
trolled by the new company and it
is understood some of these will be
given 10-cent policies.
W.E. ISSUING NEW STOCK
To provide $30,000,000 for expan-
sion of manufacturing facilities now
in progress, Western Electric direc-
tors have authorized the issuance of
750,000 shares of new no par com-
mon stock to be offered at $40 a
share to stockholders of record Feb.
17 in the ratio of one share for each
seven now held. Subscriptions for
the stock will be due March 31,
When this new stock has been i.s-
sued, Western Electric will have out-
standing a total of 6,000,000 shares,
according to Edgar S. Bloom, presi-
dent of the company.
Seating Industry Trade
Adopts Conference Rules
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington, D. C. — Acceptance of
rules adopted by the public seating
industry at its trade practice con-
ference here Dec. 19, has been an-
(Continued on Page 12)
DAILY
Thursday, February 13 1030
VoL LI No. 37 Thursday, Feb. 13, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York. N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl WolflEsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Markets Closed
All financial markets were closed
yesterday in observance of Lincoln's
Birthday.
War Films Aid to Peace
Production of war films in this
country is developing a hatred of
armed strife which serves to make
such pictures active agencies for in-
ternational peace, Carl E. Milhken,
secretary of the Hays organization
told members of the Mother's Club
of Brooklyn yesterday.
T. S. Delehanty Havana-Bound
T. S. Delehanty, vice-president and
general manager of Pathe Interna-
tional Corp., sailed yesterday for a
business trip to Havana. He will
remain about 10 days.
Maddox Dies From Injuries
Mansfield, O.— Injuries received in
an automobile accident resulted in
the death of Frank Maddox. 60, con-
nected with the Ritz here.
TO MANY MICH.TIiEATERS
Detroit — Powerless to meet the ex-
penses entailed by the installation of
high-grade sound equipment, many
theaters in the smaller Michigan
towns have been forced to call it a
day — if not permanently, then at least
temporarily. With poor apparatus in
operation, these houses have found it
impossible to retain their patronage.
Among the shut-downs are theaters
in Cassopolis, White Pigeon, Burr
Oak, Rife Lake, Coloma, Vermont-
ville and Berrien Springs.
Hill Replaces Dickson
for Tiflfany in St. Louis
St. Louis — Clarence Hill, formerly
manager for Pathe here, has suc-
ceeded Roy Dickson as local manager
for Tiffany. Dickson plans to enter
the merchandise field. He also has
resigned as president of the St. Louis
Film Board of Trade. Walter Bran-
son, formerly of Des Moines, has -p-
placed Hill as Pathe manager.
Arkush Circuit Acquired
by lox West Coast Chain
ilcit Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Fox West Coast
Theaters has acquired the Arkush
Circuit consisting of seven houses
in Northern Calitornia. The amount
involved is said to be in excess of
$1,000,000. EUis Arkush will be re-
tained as district manager for the
theaters.
I'T SUSPEND PERMITS
New York Long Island City )jt
I 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. g
I BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 8
i n
[ 8
\ Eastmcian Films |
I It
I J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
if
t ' in
\ ChicaKO Hollywood j'J
i .Bon . J- A . 6700 Santa Monica «
i 1727 Indiana Ave. B\vi. it
CAlumet 2691
".am
Hollywood 4121 tX
if
rt-j T-TT-jlW^-M'TWTTffl ?
Wilkerson Gets Trade Paper
William R. Wilkerson yesterday
announced his purchase of the "Mov-
ing Picture Review and Theater
Management" from the Exhibitor
Trade Review Publishing Co. The
initial issue under the new manage-
ment will be out Mar. 5.
Publix School in Greenville
Greenville, Missf. — Publix manag-
ers of the Delta division have com-
pleted a course of instruction under
the direction of C. W. Greenblatt,
division manager.
Publix Gets Chicago House
Chicago — Ascer Bros, have relin-
quished their interest in the Diver-
sey, 28th N. Clark St., to Publix.
AMALGAMATED ^
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatret
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Perm. 3580
I'aterson, N. J. — The fire and po-
lice commission has declined to sus-
pend recently-issued licenses to two
non-union operators employed at the
Majestic, despite the protests of At-
torney William W. Evans and a
delegation of union projectionists.
The two operators were brought
from New York when the regular
projectionists declined to work un-
less an organist at $50 weekly and
a stand hand as maintenance man ai
$75 a week were employed, according
to Attorney Abram Bluestein, coun-
sel for the theater management.
Harry Huffman Managing
Fox Houses in Denver
Denver — Harry E. Huffman, who
recently merged his Aladdin, Amer-
ica, Bluebird and Bide-A-Wee with
Fox West Coast chain, is now man-
aging all the Fox properties here.
Al Mertz Is Re-elected
By Cleveland Film Board
Cleveland — Al Mertz, local RKU
manager, has been re-elected presi-
dent of the Cleveland Film Board of
Trade. Clifford E. Almy, Warner
manager, continues as vice-president,
and William Weiss as treasurer.
Julian Johnson Promoted
To Associate Producer
Itcst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood— Julian Johnson, head
of Paramount's editing and titling
departments, has been promoted to
an associate producer.
Adam Gehrig Dies
Salisbury, Mo. — Adam Gehrig, 69,
owner of the Lyric, is dead at his
home here after an illness of two
weeks.
INGA6I
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
Feb. 14
Feb. 16
Feb. 17
Feb. 19
Feb. 25
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mar. 20
April 1
Apr. 6-7
lune 2-7
Opening of "The Green Goddess"
at Winter Garden, N. Y.
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at the Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving theater
regulations becomes effective.
"Troopers Three" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congresa at
Brussels.
Lichtman Returns Monday
Al Lichtman returns to New York -
Monday after a three-week vacation
in Florida.
Rents Antioch (111.) House
Antioch, 111. — A picture house has
been rented here by William Brueck-
man, who recently resigned from the
Community Theaters, Inc.
EXECUTIVE
18 years comprehensive experience all
branches of practical Theater Operation.
Thoroughly capable to assume responsibility
film buying, circuit supervision, publicity,
and complete managerial details. Hard
worker and strictly reliable. Seeking trial
to prove my efficiency. Highest references.
Box 0-191 c/o Film Daily
1650 Broadway New York City
:' ' ''!'''■• W
QTfeMADlSDN
IlHtuns Avenug Overlooking Boardtualh
and Ocean
"A Hotel Dittinctively Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAL
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, I»c.
EUGENE C. FETTER, Managiafi-
Director
THE
Thursday, February 13, 1930
■c&Sl
DAILY
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
lyfAURICE CHEVALIER is ex-
pected back at Paramount's
Eastern studio in about another
week, his next production, "Too
Much Luck" having been scheduled
to begin March 13.
Danny Doran, head property man
at the Paramount studios here, is
training several live carp to per-
form in "Dangerous Nan McGreiv."
When yon, see the fish make faces at
Victor Moore, comedian, credit
Danny's ingenuity for the feat.
The ingenuity of Paramount's
scenic dept. is proven by the lifehke
effect of an elaborate set, built at the
Long Island studios for "Dangerous
Nan McGrew." The scene is laid to
be in the Canadian Northwest and
snow covered hills, with clusters of
pine, roll off in the distance. In the
foreground is an ice covered lake
through which Helen Kane and Vic-
tor Moore are supposed to catch fish.
Louis D' Angela, baritone, who has
been connected with the Metropolitan
\ Opera for thirteen years, made his
; debut before the "mike" last week,
at the Warner Vitaphone studios,
[assisting Giovanni Martinelli, under
ithe direction of Arthur Hurley.
\ Harold Levey supervised the music.
Lulu McConnell, musical comedy
'comedienne, recently completed a
i short comedy at the Paramount Long
Lsland studios under the direction of
[Mort Blumenstock. The name of the
Iskit is "Introducing Mrs. Gills" and
Jane Jennings and Ruth Hayden also
lappear.
Great predictions have been made
'or Yvonne Bensen, American sopra-
\iio, who appears as Marguerite in a
'icene from the opera, "Faust," which
'was recorded at the Eastern Vita-
phone studios last week. Miss Ben-
sen, who recently made her opera
debut at the French Opera House in
Antwerp, is also an accomplished
violinist.
She is forbidden
to powder, paint, smoke, cuss or
drink for six months.
"HELLO SISTER"
A Sono Art-World Wide Picture
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Maiden, Mass. — For the fourth
time Mayor Hastings has signed per-
mits to hold Sunday shows at the
Auditorium, Strand, Granada and
Capitol. The mayor has been pre-
sented with a petition signed by
thousands of local residents who fa-
vor keeping the theaters open on
Sunday.
Bangor, Me. — Ralph W. Pinkham
has succeeded Eugene F. Goss as
manager of the Park. Goss has been
transferred by Publix to Portland as
manager of the Maine.
Hannibal, Mo. — Harry Schiedker,
general manager of the Hannibal
Theater Co., has been elected presi-
dent of the local Chamber of Com-
merce.
Macon, Mo. — A protest has been
filed by the Ministerial Alliance ur«r-
ing the city council aeainst the re-
peal of the ordinance against Sunday
amusements. Action is now pending
before the council and a majority are
said to favor Sunday shows.
Lvnchburg, Va. — In addition to the
1.600-seat house to be built here for
Paramount, it is understood that this
chain will open a 1.200-seat theater in
Bristol. Henry S. Spielbereer. of
Birmingham, is handling both deals
for the company.
Boston— RKO's local exchange,
managed by Larry Gardner, is now
in its new home at 60 Church St.
Medford. Mass. — License has been
granted the Medford for Sunday
shows from 3 to 11 p. m.
Mideldboro, Mass.— Frank P.Stan-
ton has handed in his resignation as
manager of the Park.
Boston — Remodeling work has
been completed at the Warner-Vita-
phone Exchange.
Dallas — J. W. Bilsboro, manager
of Lone Star Films Corp., has taken
over the agency for Tone-O-Grapli
for Texas and Oklahoma territory.
Phillippi, W. Va.— James S. New-
man has acquired the Grand here
from Dave Miller.
Blair Station, Pa. — The Ritz has
reverted to Z. Shaheen from Simon
Thomas.
Memphis — George D. Overhead is
now at the new Warners. He w^s
formerly manaeer of the Broadway.
Charlotte, N. C.
Newton, N. C. — Jack Warner for-
merly of the Rivoli. Hickory, is now
assistant to G. C. Mitchell, manager
of the Imperial here,
New York
Al Harstn is remodeling and in-
stalling Western Electric equipment
at the Regun, 116th St., whick he
will open shortly.
Rachmil and Katz will open this
week the Windsor, Brooklyn, recent-
ly acquired.
Louis Geller is installing Wesicrn
Electric apparatus at the 86th St.
Gardens.
Al Gould expects to open the
Orient, 125th St., very shortly.
Ben Rossasy, former Jersey exhib-
itor, is dickering for a house in
Brooklyn.
Foreign
London — A number of theaters in
West Country are now preparing to
install British Acoustic apparatus
with first installation most likely to
be at the Winter Gardens New
Kinema. Staple Hill, Bristol and
Palace, Bridgewater will be equipped
later.
Prague — Decision has been made
for the construction of a ♦alking pic-
ture studio here. Well-known Ger-
man and Czecho-Slovakian interests
are said to be behind the venture.
London — Total installations of
Western Electric equipment in the
British Isles up to the week ending
Feb. 1 were 519. This is an advance
of 17 over the previous week figure.
London — Proposal for liquidation
of Celebritone, Ltd., has been made
at a meeting of the company's direc-
tors recently held here. The direc-
tors of the company have under con-
sideration a plan for reconstruction
which they think will be acceptable
to stockholders.
Safe Film Storage Asked
in Canadian Legislature
Toronto — A bill to amend the mo-
tion picture act to provide regulations
governing the storage of motion pic-
ture film has been introduced by J.
D. Monteith, Provincial Treasurer, in
the Ontario Legislature. The mea-
sure is the outgrowth of an investiga-
tion into conditions at film exchanges
in the province.
Reisinger to Install RCA
Columbus, O. — R. E. Reisinger has
signed for RCA equipment to be in-
stalled at the Hollywood, formerly
the Holly.
Pacent Offers New Service
Cleveland — Pacent Reproducing
Corp. is offering exhibitors using its
equipment a weekly inspection ser-
vice at a nominal cost.
DeForest for Burlington House
Burlington, Wis. — DeForest Pho-
nofilm equipment has been installed
in the Plaza here by Community
Theaters, Inc.
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
THE
DAILV
Thursday, February 13, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Critic Deplores Borrowing
From the Legitimate Theater
CO long as novelists, play-
^ Wrights and musical-comedy
librettists keep on producing
their wares, the movies need
never suffer any dearth of ma-
terial. It has already become
one of the unhappy symptoms of
the industry that it can manage
to subsist so readily on the crea-
tive talents of others instead of
being compelled, as the publish-
er or stage producer is com-
pelled, to cultivate its own field.
And so long as the public com-
placently swallows these second-
hand ofiferings, it is doubtful if
the movie people will ever trouble
themselves to create from their
own resources the material which
properly belongs to the camera.
Those of us who look patiently
and longingly to the time when
something distinct and indigen-
ous will emerge from the me-
chanics of sound and visual re-
production cannot escape a feel-
ing of exasperation at this whole-
sale reliance of the movies on the
stage, particularly since the pros-
pects point to an increase, rather
than a lessening of this depend-
ence.
Thornton Delekanty in
"New York Evening Post"
Television Won't Empty
Theaters, Declares DeMille
T DON'T think it possible that
television will keep people from
the theater, any more than ra-
dio. The desire to leave home
one or two evenings a week to
seek entertainment is too strong.
Television will be a splendid
newsreel asset. I can visualize
the inauguration of a President
which we would see and hear in
our neighborhood theater the mo-
ment the new Executive takes
the oath of office.
Cecil B. DeMille
■
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
JOHN D. CLARK
newsboy
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
J^UDWIG BERGER, who directed "The Vagabond King" for
Paramount, will return from his trip to Germany in time to
attend the world premiere of the picture at the Criterion, New
York Hearst Metrotone News is being used by Judge
Max S. Levine and District Attorney C. T. Grain to tell the
world about the undue severity of the Baumes law, which
compelled Judge Levine to sentence Ruth St. Claire to life im-
prisonment for shoplifting
John Barrymore's initial all talker, "General Crack," will
open soon for first run engagements in 50 cities throughout the
country. Give A. P. Waxman credit for that sendof?
Harold Mirisch, who has been with the Warner here left last
night for St. Louis Jerome D. Kern will soon leave for
the Warner Coast studio Mervyn Le Roy, First National
director is scheduled to arrive in New York tomorrow. Of
course he's on the Century
Seen at the Embassy, N. Y. — Harry Hirshfield throwing a
theater party to witness his debut in Movietone News
Bet if Mayor Walker went in for such parties, he sure would
make b.o. history Winnie Lightner, Monte Blue, Grant
Withers and Milton C. Work, bridge authority, will play that
game for a broadcast hookup over 70 stations in a coast-to-coast
tieup Jules Levy, general manager of RKO booking dept.
got in N. Y. the other day after basking in the Havana sunshine.
Now that Ginger Rogers has been signed by Paramount, it
does not necessarily mean that she will not be seen on the stage,
for providing there is no confliction she will divide her time
between both, according to William Morris Warner's
"The Green Goddess" gets under way tonight at the Winter
Garden, N. Y And Friday night Harry Richman in
United Artists "Puttin' On The Ritz," will do his stufif at the
Earl Carroll, N. Y
Al Lichtman will be back at his desk Monday after spending
three weeks down Florida way on a much needed vacation. When
he returns, Paul Burger, his assistant, will catch a train for
the sunny South where he will take a few days off. ... Sammy
Fain, who writes songs for Paramount at their Long Island
studios, really should be called Feinberg. He never even took
a music lesson in his life and to think that he actually wrote
some of the most popular hits of last year Do you know
that there is a theater in New York which actually shows
Chinese motion pictures? Actually I mean.
FEBRUm 13-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Howard Bretherton
George Fitzmaurice
Dorothy Mathews
Kate Price
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
A PATRON walked up to Norman
Bauer, manager of the Colony,
where the vocalized "Phantom of the
Opera" is playing.
"This is the same picture that I
saw about four years ago," said the
patron.
"Well, in a way," Norman tem-
porized.
"Oh, I know it's the same pic-
ture," the patron insisted, "but at
that time I suppose it had just been
produced and wasn't old enough yet
to talk."
* * i^
Natural color and music are in-
separable in entertainment, says
Lawrence Tibbett.
And you can prove it by watching
avy Southern darky do his stuff.
* * *
"I see in the papers that Doris
Kenyon can sing a song in seven dif-
ferent languages."
"That's nothing. I have a piece
that I can do in about 20 languages."
"What is it?"
"A violin solo."
* ♦ *
SALESMAN— What are you look-
ing so gloomy about?
EXHIBITOR— I was in an all-
night bridge game.
SALESMAN— Did you play for
money?
EXHIBITOR— No, but the other
fellows did.
If 20,000 pounds of powder and
six tons of dynamite were used in
ITniversal's production of "All Quiet
on the Western Front," Lynn Far-
nol wants to know how much ex-
plosives would be required to make
a war picture that is not quiet?
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
John C. Flinn given executive po-
sition with Famous Players.
* * *
South Carolina committee votes
down proposed censor bill.
* * *
Universal planning to enter non-
theatrical field.
* + *
Famous Players Canadian Corp.
Ltd. capitalized at $4,000,000 eight
per cent cumulative first preferred
and $750,000 common stock.
J c
1 1
SONG
AMERICA'S foremost baritone,
Star of the Metropolitan Opera in
the Greatest of all Musical Ro-
mances entirely in TECHNICOLOR
NOTHING thus far of the talking screen approaches the thrill of this new personal-
ity. From the Diamond Horseshoe of the Metropolitan Opera House he comes to
your screen. When the mighty melodies of "The Rogue Song" resound in your theatre
you will be unfolding for your audience the newest magnificent advance of the talking
films, you will be first to present its newest celebrity—
LAWRENCE TIBBETT
L
CATHARINE DALE OWEN
patrician beauty with voice of gold
Stan LAUREL-O/ii'er HARDY
fun favorites, funnier than ever
THE ROGUE SONG
BEGINS A NEW ERA!
IT is fitting that the producer of this
industry's landmarks, the "Big Parades",
"Broadway Melodies", "Hollywood Revues",
should once again pioneer into new fields.
"The Rogue Song" will be imitated, as each of
the new strides of M-G-M are imitated, but this
glorious new phase of the Talkies begun by
M'G'M will long await a production to equal
its first brilliant operetta. The Opera world
offers no other personality to compare with
Lawrence Tibbett. The production resources
of this industry can never again achieve the
beauty, the thrill, the romantic surge of this
mighty entertainment, destined to be heard
'round the world!
LIONEL BARRYMORE
the supreme director of talkies
METRO
GOLDWYN
MAYER
The
Leader
JNot since Barnum
brought Jenny Lind
to America has there
been such a feat of
showmanship !
Go
vLcLluu
presents
N'
O event in the
industry today
can match in news
importance the screen
debut of Lawrence
Tibbett. Metro-
Goldwyn - Mayer
again gives evidence
of daring showman-
ship foresight, typical
of its years of alert-
ness in presenting the
new entertainment to
your public. You have
witnessed many
sensational surprises
since talkies began.
Here is the greatest!
|AWI\ENC t Tl BBtTT
in the first De Luxe Screen Operetta
ROGUtSoNG
Based on the ofieretta "Gytjsy Love" by
FranzLehar, Dr.A.M.WiUncr, Robert
Bodansky. Story by Frances Marion and
JohnColton. Suggested by Wells Root.
Music by Franz Lehar and Herbert
Stothart. Lyrics by Cliffo-^d Grey.
with CATHERINE DALE OWEN STAN LAUREL
OLIVER HARDY Directed by LIONEL BARRYMORE
ENTIRELY in TECHNICOLOR
THE
Thursday, February 13, 1930
■^H
DAILV
"Son of the Gods"
First National
Warner, New York
AMERICAN— Despite lavish production
and fine characterization, "Son of the Gods,
which had its premiere at the Warner Theater
last night, proves an unconvnicmg photoplay,
which fails to rise above programme calibre.
The photography is beautiful, except the
Technicolor, which is no better than it should
be. The sets and backgrounds are far more
impressive than the film itself.
DAILY MIRROR— An unusual drama,
packed with interest, played with skill, pro-
duced with taste. First-rate entertainment
The picture is produced most lavishly, with
beautiful settings and interesting costumes.
A technicolor sequence of San Francisco s old
Chinatown is fascinating and amusing.
DAILY NEWS—* * » based on Rex
Beach's novel, which read more colorfully
than it unreels. It is not at all lacking in
interest, because the theme is so vital. But
the dialogue is rather stilted, and there are
lapses in action, when the scene shifts froni
one locale to another. Nevertheless the
combined work of Barthelmess and Constance
Bennett lends brilliance and allure to an only
fair screen treatment.
EVENING WORLD— It has in it some
infinitely praiseworthy work, but it also has
its sleazy portions. The balance, however is
decidedly on the side of the praiseworthy
ingredients, so that the standard is far above
thi average. Sometimes the picture moves
very slowly, as if Director Frank Lloyd had
reached a triflle too far for effect. This was
most noticeable at the very beginning of the
story, with the result that the picture took a
I longtime to get started.
' HERALD-TRIBUNE—' * * there are
'; some moments of good drama and the per-
' formances of Mr. Barthelmess and in par-
i ticular. his leading woman. Miss Constance
, Bennett, are admirable, but it. must be con-
fessed that, on the whole, the picture is just a
J fair magazine story translated into screen
! terms. * * *
I SUN— The racial theme is always interesting
I and "Son of the Gods" has very efltective
moments, but it winds up as something of a
■ disappointment— a rather ambitious disappomt-
1 ment. A pood deal of the dialoeuc is bad,
j but some of it is quite good.
TELEGRAM — There are moments w;hen
the new Richard Barthelmess oflferinj; is a
I genuinely moving film, when it captures to
i a reiraris-ably fine degree the heartaches arid
I humiliation the young Chinese hero is made
I to suffer because of racial prejudKe. But
\ these moments are all too few.
I For there are lines that are heatiiifully and
1 poia-nantly written, situations which are dra-
i matic in their simplicity and actnig that i«
' excellent. But, on the whole, "Son nf the
Cnds" remains a stilted, highly artificial melo-
dramatic film which is never quite as con
vincing as it is intended to be.
TIMES — After a none too hopeful begin
. ning, Richard Barthelmes-s's !ate<t talking
j film plods its weary way through banal eni
, sodes until the final happy fade-out. When
■considered as seriously as it is possible, thi'
■yarn is violently inconsistent J n most of it
: action. There are. as in manv ill-fated stories
lieautiful scenes in this production but these
dimpses of Europe and other spots are not
.npt to atone for the childish narrative.
; WORLD — Mr. Barthelmess is an accom-
i plished nlayer. He has restrnint and convic-
Itioii. But he Is hardly equal to the task of
firinginiT this exaggerated varn to the point
fif credibility. Nor have the technicians ,-i"''
rhalogne writers assisted h'm noticeahlv. Th"
photograph tends to be routine and static Ci"
rliiding an incrediblv slonnv bit in Techni
""n'orV and many of the lines are trite an.'
artificial. It is a bad tumble fmni the be ♦
inf the Barthelmess pictures to this.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
starts French Version
of "The Unholy Night"
Production has started on the
French version of M-G-M's "The
Unholy Night," which Jacques Fey-
der is directing with Andre Luguet
in the leading male role. Others in
the cast are: Pauline Garon. Tetta
Goudal, Arnold Korff and others.
Hatton Gets Comedy Role
The comedv role in First Nation-
al's "Under Western Skies," lias been
assigned to Raymond Hatton. Lila
Lee and Sidney Blackmer have the
leading roles under the direction of
Clarence Ba'^'^er.
Male Leads for Columbia
Ralph Graves and Lowell Sher-
man have been chosen for the rr.qle
leads in "Ladies of Leisure." which
is being directed by Frank Capra.
Added to Dix Cast
Estelle Etterre. one of Pear'
Eaton's show girls, has been given
a part in Richard Dix's latest for
Radio, "Roughneck Lover."
A Little
from ''Lots'*
Tune Collyer for F. N. Film
Time f^nllvPr is the la*°';t nrlrlition
to the Fi'-<=t National cpct of "Mar'e-
moiselle Modi«te," -"vbifb ^vilI bo> di-
rected bv William A. Seitpr. Otl-ipr^-
in the cast are Bernice Cl^'re. Wa'+er
Pidtreon. Albert Gran. F'-^tik Mc-
hugh and Edward Everett TTorton.
-^a^ By RALPH WILK ^^^
Hollywood
"PRITZ FELD is again a familiar
figure in Hollywood. He re-
cently returned from a long road
tour in "The Miracle."
* * *
Judith Barrie is making rapid
strides on the screen. She was for-
merly a favorite model of James
Montgomery Flagg, the artist, and
was induced to enter pictures by Ed-
ward Halperin, the producer, who
met her in Flagg's studio, where she
was posing. Miss Barrie's initial
screen appearance was in "Party
Girl."
* * *
Jean Hersholt is considering
an attractive offer to appear in
a play on Broadway. During
the past year he has had three
offers to be starred in stage
productions, both on the Coast
and in the East. In each in-
stance the salary offered was
equal to what he has been re-
ceiving for his film work.
Two Tongues at Once
Ottawa— The English and
French versions of "The Love
Parade" opened simultaneously
here recently, one at the Im-
perial, the other at the Regent.
These are both Paramount
houses.
Wolfall at Idaho Falls
: Idaho Falls, la.— W. A. WolfaH
:lias been transferred from Butte to
jTianage the Fox Broadway.
M-G-M Starts "Father's Dav"
Production bac ctart'^d ^t the M-
G-M ■studio on "Fathpr'^ V\r,.," wbi'-Vi
1<J beinf? dirprted b\' Sam Wood -ivitti
J. C. and Elliott Nuorent in the lead-
ing roles.
Alice White in "Man Crazv"
Alice White's next starriner veViirle
for Fir.st National will be "Man
Crazv," an original by Frederick TC.
Bowen.
Sammy Lee for Shearer Film
Sammy Lee is stacing hi"; serotv'
all colored revue for Norma Sbearpr'c
starring vehicle for M-G-M. "Thf
Divorce," which Robert Z. Leonard
is directing.
Leases Glassboro House
' Glassboro, N. L— .Alfred W. Hill
nas leased the Roxv Theater Bide
and will reopen the house in March.
Astor and Hughes Reunited
Mary Astor and Llovd Husrhes will
appear together in "Cooking Her
Goose," which William Sistrom will
direct for Radio.
Two More for De Mille Film
Hal and Dick Rosson, brothers
have been signed by M-G-M to be
cameraman and assistant director, re-
spectively, on "Madam Satan," Cecil
B. De Mille's next for the company.
Lola Lane Gets Featured Role
Lola Lane has secured a featured
role in "Good News," which F'''^ar
MacGregor and Nick Grinde are to
co-direct for M-G-M.
Asher Joins Universal
Ephe Asher, formerly of Asher,
Small & Rogers, has identified him
self with Universal where he will
supervise pictures, his first assign-
ment being "The Czar of Broadway,"
Canadian Gaumont Issues
Its First Talking Film
Toronto — Gaumont British Corp. of
Canada, Ltd., is releasing its first
talking picture in the Dominion under
the title "High Treason." Distribu-
tion is through Canadian Universal.
Wiring Pitaluma House
Pitaluma, Cal. — Sound equipment
is being installed at the Mystic and
other alterations are being made
while house is closed.
Burlington House Destroyed
Burlington, Wis. — Fire recentlv de-
stroyed Fischer's Orpheum, 600-seat
house.
De Pere, Wis., House Wired
De Pere, Wis. — Merrit-tone sound
equipment has been installed at the
Pearl which was recently taken over
l)y Wilford Vincent.
Remodeling Berlin House
BerHn, N. H. — Alterations are be-
ing made on the Albert Theater
Bldg. to make room for more exits.
Perry, Okla., House Wired
Perry, Okla. — Henry Tate has
wired the Annex for sound pictures
and has redecorated the house.
Installs Sound Equipment
Lake City, Minn. — Gil Redding has
adopted a policy of talking pictures
at the Grand.
A Complete Reference Book
"(?J<S*r
IfYEARi
IBOOICI
YiAR
BOOK
^
tWTiON
PU»i)SHKt>M ii
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
Bound in Cloth. Weighs 4 lbs., 7 oz.
Stamped in Red and ZVi inches thick.
Gold.
• • • r £\, £4 £!j • • •
[to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
THE
10
■«^E2
DAILV
Thursday, February 13, 1930
C
Taxi Tieup
Madison, Wis.— As a Febru-
ary exploitation stunt, the
New Orpheum has made an
arrangement with the Madison
Checker Cab Co. to furnish
transportation both ways be-
tween the theater and any-
where in the city for $1.
VIENNESE BLAME TALKERS
FOR DECLINE Of HUSIC
Vienna — Substitution of canned
music for theater orchestras and the
consequent unemployment to date of
more than a third of the academi-
cally trained musicians in Austria is
credited with being one of the chief
factors in bringing about a serious
decline in the musical status of this
country. Excessive taxation of amuse-
ments is named as another contribu-
ting cause.
Wheeling, W. Va., Minister
Fighting Sunday Shows
Wheeling, W. Va. — Ministers and
church workers representing 29 of
the 33 Protestant churches here have
joined the fight against Sunday
shows. A petition has been drawn
up and will be submitted t- the city
council, Feb. 18, asking for a "closed
Sunday" ordinance.
Town Goes Theaterless
Woodside, Minn. — With the clos-
ing of the Bertha Liberty this town
has been left without a theater.
Wainstock Succeeds McEUigott
Sioux Falls, S. D.— M. Wain-
stock, formerly of Eveleth and Minn.,
Minn., has replaced Byron McEUi-
gott as manager of the Orpheum
here, a Publix house.
Talkers for Siloam Springs
Siloam Springs, Ark. — The Rialto
is being wired with RCA Photophone
equipment.
W. E. at Gilles
Wahepton, N. D. — Anton and Leo
Gilles have installed Western Elec-
tric apparatus at the Gilles here.
Belmond, la., for Sunday Shows
Belmond, la. — This town is for
Sunday shows by a vote of 379 to 115.
Amerophone in Minnesota
Lake Benton, Minn. — Amerophone
talking picture equipment is being
installed at the Opera House by
Oliver Roscoe.
Reopens as Picture House
Earleville, la. — Crystal has been re-
opened as a film theater.
Atlanta House Being Wired
Atlanta, Ga.— The West End will
open soon with RCA Photophone
equipment.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
OKLAHOMA
Changes in Ownership
Bamsdall — Runyon, sold to Mrs. C. A. Run-
yon by A. R. Bender ; Checotah — Cozy,
sold to J. L. Cooper by Bert St. John ;
Freedom — Lilierty, sold to H. F. Bocock
by E. C. Archer ; Harrah — Harrah, sold to
A. M. Connaway by M. Tytenicz ; Meeker
— Mutual, sold to A. M. Connaway by M.
Tytenicz; Muskogee — Grand, sold to Billy
Lewis by A. Bradley ; Picher — Gaiety, sold
to L. M. Browne by J. A. McConnell ;
Prague — Savoy, sold to Mrs. Ellen \V.
Mohrbacher by Frank Simpson.
New Theaters
Prague — Folly, owner — Frank Simpson ;
Woodward — Woodward, owners — Woodward
Am. Co.
OREGON
Changes in Ownership
LaGrande — Colonial, sold to A. G. Uoy by
LaGrande Theaters, Inc. ; Portland — Hutch-
ens Circuit, sold to W. J. Wood Circuit
by Charles H. Hutchens Circuit; Irvington,
sold to Circle Theater Co. by C. M. Dunn
and H. L. Aiken; Jefferson, sold to Pallay
& Choats by Pallay & Hanghey ; Lombard,
sold to Mrs. Anne C. Beardsley, Roy and
Margaret E. Fiffield by E. W. Glass;
State, sold to Al Barnard by Fox-West
Coast Theaters. Inc.; Victoria, sold to
Leonhardt & Lantz Theaters, Inc., by John
Washtok.
Closings
More — Region Hall ; Spray — Spray.
New Theaters
Portland — Columbia, owner — ^Colunibia Amuse-
ment Co.; Salem — Grand, owner — H. J.
Updegraff.
PENNSYLVANIA
Changes in Ownership
Beechview, Pgh. — Olympic, sold to I. Golden
by M. Schlessinger ; Clifton Heights — Pal-
ace, sold to George H. Kline by H. J.
Dick ; Harrisburg — Royal, sold to I.saac
Marcus by Robert Marcus; Russell, sold to
William E. Jones by R. P. Conrad ;
Hastings — Penn, sold to Paul Stitt and Mr.
Ott by C. A. Blatt; Milford— Milford, sold
to Charles G. and Caroline H. Peroz by
Thomas C. Pitney ; New Salem — Liberty,
sold to J. L. Paxson by Joseph McDade;
Philadelphia — Arcadia, sold to Arcailia The-
ater Co. by Stanley Co. of America ; Elm,
sold to Toseph Zaions by Embassy Amuse-
ment Ent.; Franklin, sold to Mack The-
aters, Inc., by Max Frank; Hippodronie,
sold to Mack Theaters. Inc.. by Max
Frank: Lorraine, sold to D. E. -Milgram by
M. Milgram ; Pittsburgh — Lincoln, sold to
F. P. Garber and H. A. Lande by S.
Krom; Rialto, sold to M. .\. Rosenberg by
I. Golden; Sheridan Sriuare, sold to R-K O
Corporation by Harris .'\musement Co. ;
Sonestown — Sonestown, sold to Jones &
Gavit by J. Houseknecht ; Tower City —
American, sold to J. F. Moore by J. Hawk
and H. Evans ; Waterford — LeBeouf, sold
to Waterford Civio Association by Evelyn
P. Ward.
Closings
AUentown — Astor; Dawson — Opera House;
Holmesburg — Garden; Millvale — Best;
Philadelphia — Chestnut Hill ; Pittsburgh —
Evaline ; Shinglehouse — Star ; Slovan — SIo-
van ; Wilson — State.
Openings
Fredericktown — Milford ; Vestaburg — Ameri-
can.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Anderson — Garden, sold to J. D. Mahaffy by
A. M. Pinkston ; Fountain Inn — Baty, sold
to Wilson & .Smith by Pauline Goodenough ;
Greer — Rialto. sold to Rialto Amus. Co. by
C. A. Herlong ; Manning — Garden, sold to
M. E. Nixon by Sou. Amusement Co. ;
Spartanburg — Omar, sold to Eaves The-
aters, Inc., by C. O. Goodenough.
Closings
Pacolet — Y.M.C..\. ; 'Sumter — Carolina.
New Theaters
Ridgeland— Ritz, owner— J. U. McCormick.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Milbank — Bentley Grand, sold to W. K.
Shaw by J. J. Nelson.
TENNESSEE
Changes in Ownership
Hollywood — New. sold to Mrs. A. Gerolomi
by W. T. Biggs ; KnoxviUe — Hurlington,
soid to George Denton by Tim W. Smith
Memphis — Lindon Circle, sold to Malco
Theaters, Inc., by Binswanger & Fisher
Malco, sold to Malco Theaters, Inc., by W
W. Fischer; Newman, sold to Mary New
man by E. F. McCall; Ritz, sold to W. T
Richards by Shapiro Amusement Co. ; Rose
mary, sold to Cinciola Bros. & Lightman
Ivy Cinciola Bros.
Closings
Jonesboro — Lyric.
TEXAS
Changes in Ownership
Brownwood — Gem, sold to I'ublix Theater
Corp, ; Lyric, sold to Publix Theater Cot-p. ;
Ganado — Iris, sold to Anton V. P. Sencik ;
Olton— Melba. so'd to J. E. Muller; Robs-
town — .^tenas ; Silverton — Palace, sold to
W. W. Flourney.
Closings
Bronson — Victory ; Brownwood — .American ;
Bryan — Queen ; Chilton — O. K. ; Daisetta —
Western; Huntsville — Dixie; Iraan —
Queen ; Kingsville — .\tenas : Plainview —
Rex ; Woodsboro — Woodsboro.
New Theaters
Alpina — Gran.ida. owner — Oskar Korn ; Cor-
pus Christi— Ritz, owners R &• R Theaters;
Cranfills Gap — Gap, owner — Harry Larson ;
El Paso— Plaza, owners — Publix Theater
Corp ; Ingleside — Rialto, owners — Hall
Bros. ; Plainview — Gr.'inada. owner — Oskar
Korn ; San Angelo — Ritz, owners — R & R
Theaters.
UTAH
Changes in Ownership
Smithfield— First Ward, sold tn G. R. Law-
rence by Clarence Brown ; Spring City —
Victory, sold to L. D. .S. Church bv Sophus
G. Bertelson and Ernest H. Nielson.
Closings
Salt Lake Citv — r.nmeo.
VERMONT
Closings
Manchester —.\rcade.
VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Bluefield— Little. sol(I_ to Blncfie'd Theater
Corp. by E. L. Keesline ; Pocahontas — •
Palace, sold to Pocahontas Theater Corp,
liy K. L, Keesling.
WASHINGTON
Changes in Ownership
Grandview — Colonial, sold to Pearl Brothers
by B. J. Pacins; Seattle — Fremont, sold to
Grace Keating by Mrs. I. Carstens ; Tacoma
^Lincoln, sold to C. M. Shulcr hy H.
Torkelson.
WEST VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Bramwell — Palace, sold to Bramwell Th. Corp.
by E. L. Keesling; Dan^— Bradshaw, sold
to C. E. Dove by J. T, Jennings; Glen
Jean — Glen Jean, sold to Essex & Trevey
bv C E. Crawford ; Hamlin — Lincoln, sold
to H. J. Mullins by C. M. Plumley : Key-
stone— Palace, sold to Keystone Theater
Corp. hy E. L. Keesling; Northfork — Free-
man, sold to Northfork Th. Corp. by E. L.
Keesling; Princeton^Royal, sold to Prince-
ton Theater Corp. by E. L. Keesling :
Wheeling — Capitol, sold to Capitol Enter-
prises, Inc, by Capitol Theater Co.; Tem-
ple, sold to Wheeling Pythian Association
by Mr. Shia.
Closings
Cabin Creek — Cabin Creek, Herbert; Coco —
Myers; Dan — Bradshaw; Henlawson —
Princess; Huntington — ■ Avenue. Family;
Lorado — Lor.ndo ; Parkersburg — Broadway ;
Soverign — Soverign ; Vienna — Vienna ;
Wharton— A llcnal.
Re-Openings
Lundale- -Lutidale.
Exhibitors
Daily Reminder
Get a copy of the
1930 FILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK. It
contains a wealth
of valuable infor-
mation !
W. D. Ward New Sono Art
Detroit Sales Manager
Detroit — W. D. Ward is the nev>
.sales manager for Sono Art-World
Wide in this city. He succeeds
George Sampson. For the last three
years Ward has been operating an
exchange of his own. Prior to that
he served as local manager for Fo.x
and Universal.
Takes Over State Rights
for "The Unborn Child"
St. Louis — Cecil Mayberry has
bought the states rights of "The Un-
born Child" for Missouri, Kansas and
Oklahoma, and has opened ofhces at
3320 Lindell Blvd.
Sells Madison, Neb., House
Madison, Neb. — O. R. Bottmer hasj
sold the Auditorium to Mrs. W. M.
Youngclaws.
No Publix Stage Shows in Dallas
Dallas — Publix will temporarily {
abandon its policy of presenting stage ,
shows at its local theaters.
WISCONSIN
Changes in Ownership
Ft. Atkinson — Fort, sold to National Amuse-
ment Co. by Norton Amusement Co. ;
Kaukauna — Colonial, sold to Naomi &
Thelma Becker by W. R. Vincent; Ken-
nan — Opera House, sold to Henry Flagg
by F. J. Stephan ; Mazomanie — Majestic,
sold to Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Slack by F. E.
Elmer; Milwaukee — Miramar, sold to Don-
ald Falvey by Mrs. K. Gregory; Sheboygan
Falls— Falls, sold to P. M. Cain by George
Herzog; Winegar — Winegar, sold to Ray
Morrison by C. A. Prat and Homer Reace.
Closings
Boscobel — Boscobel; Bowler — Opera House;
Burlington — Crystal ; Gratiot — Opera
House; Hixton — Hixton ; Livingston —
Park ; Medford — Germania ; Mukwonago —
Park ; Sheboygan — Gem.
New Theaters
Appleton — Fox, owner — Fox-Midwesco The-
ater, Inc. ; Marinette — Fox, owner — Fox-
Midwesco Theater, Inc.; West AUis — Para-
dise, owner — Fox-Midwesco Theater, Inc.;
West Bend — West Bend, owner — Commun-
ity Theaters, Inc.
WYOMING
Openings
Glendo — Legion, owner^American Legion,
NOW BEING DISTRIBUTED
The Industry's Greatest Volume of Information
The Film Year Book
contains everything and anything
anyone in any way interested in mo-
tion pictures might want to know
Published Annually
Eleven hundred pages
Everything about Production
Directors and their work
Players and their work
Work of Cameramen
11,350 Titles of Features
10 Best pictures of 1929 with
all credits
A complete list of all wired
houses
An up-to-date Showmanship
Manual
Censorship laws
Report of S.M.P.E.
What to buy and Where to buy
Equipment
Everything about Distribution
Eberson on Building
Chain theatres
2002 other features
Get the Hahit— Refer to the Film Year Book
published and distributed by
THE FILM DAILY
THE
12
DAILY
Thursday, February 13, 1930
BUTTERFIELD NOW HAS
80 THEATERS IN CIRCUIT
Battle Creek, Mich. — Col. W. S.
Butterfield now heads a chain of 80
theaters in 30 principal cities of this
state, points out the "Moon-Journal,"
in an article reviewing his career in
the exhibition field.
The interview, in part, reads: "The
25 years of theater business in Michi-
gan, with its humble start in Battle
Creek, developed naturally and sub-
stantially. I believe the statement
can be made without egotism that I
not only brought into Michigan a
new policy of amusement but the
quality of showmanship, necessary to
establish and develop it.
"For example, 25 years ago we
spent $600 to remodel an old opera
house in Battle Creek. Within the
past two years we spent $650,000
building a new theater.
"The art of the motion picture had
not arrived when I came into Michi-
gan, but it followed during the next
two years and it took me five years
to realize that the motion pictures
would succeed vaudeville in popular-
ity. The public in general now real-
izes that the talking picture with its
marvelous improvements now is
dominating the theaters throughout
the country.
"The growth of the Michigan cir-
cuit came as naturally as a snowball
rolling down hill. Gradually we
leased theaters, remodeled old build-
ings, built new theaters. Today our
slogan is: 'Eighty theaters in 30
cities,' and the trade mark still is:
'Always a good show in a Butterfield
theater.' "
Racketeers Get Nearly Half
of Film Theme Song Profits
(Continued from Page 1)
IS wagmg a strenuous campaign
against the practice.
Big producers like Warners, Para-
mount, M-G-M and Fox, who control
music publishing houses, are hardest
hit by the current evil, Paine said,
while the other companies, who usual-
ly turn over their songs to independ-
ent publishers and receive a royalty
on the sales, have experienced a big
decrease in their revenues from this
source.
Paine's organization, with the co-
operation of the government, is spend-
ing thousands of dollars in tracing
down the source of the racket, which
is believed to be sponsored by or-
ganized gangs, and suits already have
been instituted in New York, Philadel-
phia, Syracuse and Detroit. The New
i'ork case, which comes up Thursday
in the U. S. District Court, will be
used as a precedent to govern legal
procedure in other localities.
This is only the second time in his-
tory that the criminal provision of the
copyright statute has been invoked,
Paine said. The first occasion was in
connection with the illegal duping of
films. Inasmuch as the present situa-
tion is without precedent, a little time
IS required to make investigations and
.establish a course of procedure, but
as soon as the proper machinery has
been set to work the prosecutions will
be so vigorous that the song pirates
will be wiped out in about six months,
Paine declared.
U. S. District Attorney Charles H.
Tuttle and Asst. United States At-
torney Henry Gerson have been giv-
ing every co-operation to the cam-
paign and even have gone out of their
way to assist Paine in this work.
Tuttle has branded the pirating ot
copyright music as "a meaner practice
than bootlegging."
Publix Makes Manager
Changes In Fla. Houses
Tampa, Fla. — Harry Weiss, of
Syracuse, succeeds Guy A. Kenimer,
as city manager for Publix here.
Kenimer returns to the home office
for assignment elsewhere. William
Collier leaves the Victory for Bir-
mingham while Paul Short of Chat-
tanooga replaces him. Simultane-
ously with these changes it is an-
nounced that the Florida district will
split, with Chas. G. Branham as
manager of the west coast, and Jesse
Clark for the east coast. Branham
will headquarter in Jacksonville.
Tone-O-Graph For Southern Houses
Atlanta — Tone-O-Graph installa-
tions are scheduled for the following
houses: Capitol, Birmingham; Jab-
lix, La Grange; Toccoa, Ga.; Fort
Payne, Ala.; Sylvester, Lacoochee,
Fla.; Cauitol and Patio, St. Peters-
burg; Italian, Tampa; Bisca-<'ne
Plaza, Miami; and three SparksPub-
lix houses in Florida.
Lohrville House Wired
Lohrville, la. — W. A. Harley has
wired the Gem for sound.
Columbia Heights Gets Sound
Columbia Heights, Minn.— Arthur
Gluek has installed RCA Photophone
equipment in the Heights Theater.
N. J. Portlace is the. manager.
Gross Installs Sound at Grant
Cleveland — France Duophone has
been installed at the Grant here by
Frank Gross.
Wonderphone for Erie House
Erie, Pa. — Wonderphone equip-
ment has been purchased for the
American by John Hauer and will be
installed shortly.
Theater Is Reopened
Cedar Rapids, la. — The Majestic
has reopened.
Miller Now at Madison
Madison, Wis. — R. R. Miller, for-
merly of South Bend, Ind., is now
manager of the Strand, a Fox house
here. R. L. Honek has been trans-
ferred from this house to the Ma-
jestic.
Silent House Reopens
Buhl, Minn. — The Main after be-
ing dark for a year has reopened with
a silent policy.
Fred Wehrenberg Favors
Voluntary Arbitration
St. Louis — Some form of volun-
tary arbitration that would be equit-
able to all elements in the business
will have to be worked out to take
the place of the group arbitration
which has been declared illegal by
judge Thacher, it is stated by Fred
Wehrenberg, president of the M.P.
T.O. of Eastern Missouri and South-
ern Illinois. Wehrenberg says the
old plan of handling disputes did not
always work out to the best interest
of an exhibitor with S. real grievance.
New Montreal Film Center
Montreal — A new building to serve
as a film center is nearing completion
here.
New Theaters
Montfromery. Ala.— The Paramount, new
i'ublix house built at a cost of $500,000.
has been opened here.
Aberdeen, Wash. — A new Constant! the-
ater IS to be built here with a seating ca-
pacity of 1,100. It is expected to be finished
by March 15.
Eufaula, Ala. — Another theater is planne.l
for this city.
Frankfort, Ky.— The State has been opened
under the operation of the Hendrick &
Offutt Co., Inc. The theater is equipped
with Western Electric apparatus.
Fort Wayne, Ind. — Construction of a new
Paramount-Publix theater is under way here.
Trinidad, Colo. — This city may have twu
new theaters in the near future.
Plainfield, N. J. — A new theater is con-
emplated for this city by the Keade Theater.-,.
Milwaukee — Construction will start soon on
tie new Warner theater at Wisconsin Ave.
and Second St.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — Building is expected
to start on April 1 on a new Comerfuru
t.ieater in this city.
Uothan, Ala. — Work has gotten under \v;n
en a $70,000 theater here.
$60,000 Tennessee Theater
Brownsville, Tenn.— A $60,000 the-
ater is planned here by W. H. Rob-
inson.
Fire Damages Boone House
Boone, la. — Fire in the projection
booth caused slight damage to the
Strand.
Talkers for Alcazar, 'Frisco
San Francisco — The Alcazar is be-
ing transferred into a talking pic-
ture house by the Golden State chain
of theaters.
Phototone Wires Another
Long Prairie, Minn. — Laurel Lano
has equipped the Cozy with Photo-
tone sound apparatus.
Sound for Idaho House
Malad City, Idaho— RCA Photo-
phone equipment is being installed in
the Star.
Sound Dooms Legit House
Seattle — Unable to compete with
the talking picture theaters, the
President, only legitimate house in
this city, has closed its doors.
Rowley Going To Florida
Cleveland — Gordon C. Rowley,
who has resigned as district repre-
sentative of General Talkino^ Pic-
tures, is going to Florida for three
months.
Change at Pantages, Toronto
Toronto — Morris Stein has succeed-
ed Fred Shaeffer as manager of the
Pantages, the largest picture house in
Canada.
Cagney Buys Falls
Chagrin Falls, O. — J. B. Cagney
has purchased the Falls from John
Shliefenheimer, who will spend a va-
cation in Germany.
W. E. Adds Another
St. Peter, Minn. — H. J. Ludcke has
equipped the local theater bearing his
name with Western Electric appa-
ratus.
JERSEY EXHIBS TO riCHT
ANTI-STANDING ROOM BUI
(.Continued from Page 1)
cellaneous business, would place ;
penalty of from $25 to $100 or 90
(lays in jail, or both, on violators.
The exhibitors' organization will
support Assembly Bill 118, now in
the hands of the same committee,
providing that the price of admission
shall be printed on the face of tick-
ets and prohibiting the sale of tickets
at prices other than the printed fig-
ure. Violators under this measure
would be subject to a penalty of from
$100 to $200 or 10 to 30 days in jail.
Seating Industry Trade
Adopts Conference Rules
(Continued from Page 1)
nounced by the Federal Trade Com-
mission.
As is usual, the resolutions of the
conference have been segregated in
two groups, one covering violations
of law and the other considered as
expressions of the industry. In the
first group are such practices as in-
ducing breach of contract, disparage-
ment of competitors or their prod-
ucts; false and misleading statements,
price discrimination, rebate pay-
ments, commercial bribery, etc. The
second group covers competitive bid-
ding, piracy of design, enticement of
distributors, free samples, etc.
i
Thaw Wins Film Suits
Suits brought by Arthur B. Reeve, j
author, and John S. Lopez, scenario
writer, who sought $49,000 from
Harry K. Thaw in connection with
the latter's film venture which b'^'v
up last year, were dismissed in City
Court after a hearing before Jus-
tice Joseph P. Ryan.
New Warner Coast House
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Beverly Hills, Calif.— A 2,000-seat
house is to be build here by Warner j
Bros.
iTHE
o/'FILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 38
Friday, February 14, 1930
Price 5 Cents
RCA Institute Opens Sound Instruction Schools
FOX SfOCKHOLDERSJO PASS OFPLANS
Virginia Censors Will Pass on Sound Pictures
"News Reel"
—good will ambassador
— By JACK ALICOATE -^^
FILMDOM'S MOST WELCOME
production ambassador is not the
smash cinema musical, the so-called
big-star comedy or even the hit fea-
ture production. It is the news reel,
of comparative social insignificance in
cinema circles. According to no less
an authority than oov. Carl E. Ivlilli-
ken of the Hays shock troops, nearly
three million people all over the
world see news reels every week.
This is quite some people regardless
of what language these figures are
translated into and we are certainly
not going to argue with the Gov. on
the comparatively trivial point of
whether he did this bit of simple
arithmetic as home work or on office
time. We do, however, present this
interesting bit of info to Mr. Zukor,
Mr. Warner, Mr. Laemmle, Mr. Fox
and other film pioneers with the
ratlier optimistic suggestion that per-
haps they are in the greatest amuse-
ment business in the world, after all.
Overselling
We are somewhat sceptical of the
man who keeps telling you of how
honest he is as well as the young
lady who keeps repeating the fact
that she is virtuous. Each is usually
slightly off the path of truth. The
greatest fault we know of is over-
selling. Such is usually the case
with the minor film executives whose
job it is to sell the critic or reviewer
beforehand that the picture to be seen
, is a knockout. Ninety-nine out of a
! hundred reviewers will only write
: their honest opinion. If they are
wrong it is in judgment only. We
I speak with no little experience when
! we say that the best way to get a
ibad notice is to oversell the merits
I of a picture before it is shown. No
i way has yet been found to make over
' a bust picture through hokum sales
talk. If underselling is a fault, over-
selling is commercial murder.
Legislature Passes Bill to
Give Board More
Authority
Richmond — A bill relating to the
State Division of Motion Picture
Censorship has been passed by the
legislature here which enables the
censors to examine all sound produc-
tions. Heretofore the division cen-
sored only silent prints and thost
containing dialogue were allowed to
go uncensored. Another section in
the bill provides that the division
shall continue under the department
of law of which Col. John R. Saun-
ders, attorney general of the State,
is chief executive. Three examiners
are attached to the division and in
the event two censor a print, and the
verdict is a deadlock, the superin-
tendent of public instruction shall
view the picture and cast the decid-
ing vote.
PRICE DISilATING
IfSEAlJDUSTRY HIT
Ifadniu/ton Bureau of THE FILM PAID
Washington — Discrimination in
prices charged to different purchas-
ers, including theaters, "where the
effect of such discrimination may be
to lessen competition or tend to cre-
ate a monopoly," was condemned as
an unfair practice in the rules adopt-
ed by the public seating industry at
a trade practice conference held last
Dec. 19 and formally announced yes-
terday.
To Fix Standards
Another attempt to reach an
agreement on a standard wide
film width will be made by the
committee on standards of the
S. M. P. E. which will hold a
meeting in New York next
week on a day yet to be se-
lected.
. f OX HAS LAST SAY
ON REFINANCING PLANS
Although Judge Frank J. Coleman,
at yesterday's hearing on the Fox re-
ceivership, stated that any number of
new financial plans could be sub-
mitted to the stockholders for con-
sideration, William Fox has the right
to reject any and all of them. If
the plan approved by Fox does not
satisfy the other parties interested,
a receivership is inevitable, the Judgt
said.
Receivership Hearing is
Continued Owing to
New Proposals
As a result of several new objec-
tors to the proposed Fox refinancing
plan. Judge Frank J. Coleman yes-
terday adjourned the receivership
hearing to permit submitting to
stockholders the plan backed by
Bancamerica-Blair, Lehman & Co.,
and Dillon, Read & Co., as well as
a new plan to be .drawn up by the
Halsej', Stuart & Co. interests and
any additional plans that other in-
terested parties may desir^v to place
before the stockholders at the same
time.
A meeting of stockholders is to be
held as soon as possible, allowing for
the 10 days' notice required under the
by-laws, and the avoidance of a re-
ceivership depends upon some financ-
ing plan being accepted at this meet-
ing. Judge Coleman declared that,
while he wished to do everything in
(Continued on Page 8)
"Benson Murder Case"
Being Made in Spanish
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Paramount now is
making the Spanish version of "The
Benson Murder Case" simultaneously
with the English version. Frank Tut-
tle is directing the English version
with William Powell, Paul Lukas,
\V illiam Boyd, Eugene Pallete and E.
H. Calvert, while Director Pezet is
supervising with a Spanish cast.
Sound Instruction Schools
Started in Five Major Cities
F. N., Warners Selling
Own Vitaphone Records
Under a plan just effected, both
Warner Bros, and First National arc
selling records used in connection
with their Vitaphone pictures. Pre-
viously purchases of records were
made through Vitaphone, vjiich con-
tinues to handle physical distribution
of the records.
Establishment of sound motion
picture schools for instruction pur-
poses in the major cities of the coun-
try is planned by RCA Institutes,
Inc., subsidiary of RCA. In addi-
tion to one in New York, 326 Broad-
way, branches have been opened in
Philadelphia, Boston, Newark, and
Baltimore. Other cities in which
schools will soon be opened include:
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, Dal-
las, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Seattle and Pittsburgh.
M.P.P.A. Case Against
Racketeers Postponeil
'1 lie first of a series of cases planned
by the Music Publishers Protective
Ass'n against racketeers backing
street peddlers yesterday was post-
poned in court here until Monday.
''Green Goddess''
Predominated by the sinister
and suave George Arliss, "The
Green Goddess" made its pre-
miere bow at the Winter Gap-
den last night, imprinting on
the screen a picture which is
always distinctive and clever.
This Vitaphone production is
one of high calibre and con-
sistent charm. Principally, it
depends on his polished dia-
logue and on some thrilling
occasions, on its physical ac-
tion. A sterling brand of act-
ing from the supporting cast
is an outstanding characteris-
tic. It's typically a George Ar-
liss picture — one that will no
doubt appeal tremendously to
class audiences. Eddy
THE
'^Hk
DAILY
Friday, February 14, 1930
Val. II No. 38 Friday, Fibruaiy 14, 1930 Prici 5 Cintt
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Eittor and PuUislir
Published daily except Saturday and holidayi
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
folkt. Inc. T. W. Alicoate, Preiident,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
ter«d as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post office at New York. N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
mtii.ications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: F'lmday.
New York. Hollywood. California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredtnan, The
Jilra Renter, 89-91 Wardour St . W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasss, 22S. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Kue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 20^ 20/^ 2W. jOO
Con. Fm. Ind 2154 2 54 21/. 1, 00
Con Fm Ind. pfd. 23!^ 23>^ 23 /. 30u
Easi. Kodak ..'..193^ 192^/. 192./. 400
Fox Fm "A" ... 33.4 30'/ 31% 57,200
Gen. T^ea. Equ. .4754 46 47/4 38,400
*Keith AG ••• 30 ....
do pfd 101 101 101 100
Loew's? Inc 667^ 63/4 667^ 2.000
do pfd. WW (6/.) 92 92 93 200
*do pfd. xw (6J4) »°
«M-G-M pfd. •••; 25 ....
Para F-L 66 64!4 66 11,800
Pathe Exch 4'/8 m ^V* ^J^'
do "A" 8 7^ 8 300
R-K-O 31/. 2'95/8 31/ 16.60C
*Univ Pict. pfd 40
Warner Bros. ... 62 59/, 61'/ 17,501
do pfd 54J4 52M 543/ 1,011
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65 ....
♦Columbia Pets .... 29^4 .^.■
Fox Thea. "A" ..77^ 7 7 4,000
*Intern. Proi. 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 28 27 7^^ 28 200
*Loew's Inc. war 6% ....
*Nat. Scr. Ser 18
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 9'/^
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-0 6s 46 80 ....
*Loew 6s 41ww 107/
do 6s 41 x-war.. 94 937/^ 937/ V
Paramount 6s 47 . . 99/ 99 99^8 90
Par. By. 5/s 51.100 100 100 20
Pathe 7s 37 ... 45/ 45 45/ 00
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York .,Long Island City
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940
Eastman Films
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
Chicago Hollywood fj
..,, T ji & . 6700 Santa Monica ft
1727 Indiana Ave. WnA. g
CAIannt 2691 HOUywood 4121 {j{
OPERATORS IN NORTHERN
INDIANA GET INCREASE
Hanunond, Ind. — Difficulties be
tween exhibitors and operators, stage-
hands and exhibitors in Northern In-
diana, have been settled here with the
granting of an increase to operators
and stagehands employed in the larg-
er houses. Operators in major the-
aters, under terms of the new con-
tract, will receive $95 a week, an in-
crease of $6.25, while electricians and
stagehands will get $72.50 or $2.50
more than was provided for in the
previous contract. Wages of opera-
tors in smaller houses have been re-
duced from $88.75 to $75. The time
basis was fixed at 42 hours a week.
Bowling to Make Personal
Appearances in 7 Cities
In conjunction with showinsr of
"Blaze O' Glory," Sono Art-World
Wide production, Eddie D<nvling is
scheduled to make personal appear-
ances in the following cities: Wash-
ington, St. Olmpis and Uot'^^'n,
Boston, Feb. 15; Earl, Philadelphia,
Feb. 28; Stanley, Jersey City and
Branford, Newark, Mar. 7; Indiana,
Indianapolis, Mar. 14; Ambassador
or Missouri, St. Louis, Mar. 21 :
Stanley, Pitstburgh, Mar. 29: and
Earl at Washington on Apr. 5.
Abramson Made Secretary
of ni. Theater Owners
Chicago — Aaron Saperstein, presi-
dent of the Illinois Independent The-
ater Owners, Inc., has appointed
Louis Abramson secretary of the or-
ganization. Abramson was formerly
connected with Universal and the
local Film Board of Trade.
Contract Confab Deferred
Conference of Eastern stud'^^ ?nd
cameramen's union representatives to
sign a new contract, scheduled for
vesterday, has been postponed in-
definitely owing to the illness of Guv
Currier, chairman of the producers'
committee. The cameramen's con-
ference with producers of industrials
takes place this afternoon at 247 Park
Ave.
Balto. Seeks Dayligcht Saving
Baltimore — Agitation is in proo'ro^
for davlight savingd time here. Ques-
tionnaires were sent out bv the
Chamber of Commerce and the re-
plies were overwhelmingly in favor
of the extra daylight.
Killed in Explosion
ITvalde, Tex. — An explosion of
films in a local theater resulted in
fata! burns to William Manship.
I^ooler-y^ire
BALANCED
REFRIGERATION
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
PARAMOUNT BUILDING
Salute to Industry
Will H. Hays is to be the
speaker on a program known
as the Westinghouse Salute to
the Motion Picture Industry,
being arranged by Westing-
house Electric and Manufac-
turing Co. for broadcast soon
from the New York studio of
the National Broadcasting Co.
Reubenson Gets Shorts
for Foreign Countries
Reginald Reubenson, exporter of
American pictures, during his three
months stay here, has lined up the fol-
lowing product; a series of 12 Horo-
scopes, produced by James A. Fitz-
Patrick, to the Schlesinger interests
for United Kingdom and South
Africa; 12 Traveltalks, also made by
FitzPatrick, for Kinema Ltd. in South
Africa and the complete foreign rights
to a series of 26 cartoons made by
Paul Terry and Frank Moser which
are being produced by Audio-Cinema,
Inc. Reubenson leaves for the Coast
shortly and upon his return here in
about 10 days will leave for Europe.
RKO Names J. L. McCurdy
Minn. District Manager
Miimeapolis — J. L. McCurdy has
succeeded Claude Saunders as dis-
trict manager for RKO, in which
capacity he will have charge of four
Twin City houses and all RKO the-
aters in Omaha and Denver. Saun-
ders has been transferred to Phila-
delphia territory. McCurdy waS
formerly manager of the Boston divi-
sion of Publix.
Porter Emerson Brown to Coast
Porter Emerson Brown, author of
"The Bad Man," and other stories,
is en route to the Coast where he
will preparethe dialogue for the next
Douglas Fairbanks prr.''..,-ti'~'i.
Beery in Critical Condition
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Noah Beerv was re-
ported in a critical condition follow-
ing an operation for appendicitis at
the Hollywood Hospital yesterday.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
F«b. 16
Feb. 17
Feb. 19
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Premiere of "Puttin' on the Ritz"
at the Earl Carroll, N. Y.
Pa. state fire law involving thaater
regulations becomes effective.
"Troopers Three" opens at Gaiety,
N. Y.
Opening of "Th» Vagabond King"
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two isaues
of Sound News instead of one.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song C My Heart"
in New York. Hous* undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
loved an
unkissed
sheik.
HELLO SISTER"
A Sono Art-World Wide Picture
mmxm]
of Philadelphia
of U'ashington
of New "V'ork. Al-
bany and Buffalo
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of AMO the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in the in-
dustry — Keeping
cverlast ngly at it for
the 12tli successt\'e
year.
1007^' coverage of
a 35 7o territory!
EMANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, P>\.
THE
Friday, February 14, 1930
■s^m
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Thinks Pictures Bad for
Child During Formative Years
ALLOWING for some excep-
■^ tions, I do not believe that
children under the age of ten
should be permitted to attend
motion picture theaters. The
quality of motion pictures has
undoubtedly improved in the past
few years, but so far there are
few theaters that specialize ex-
clusively in films suitable for
children. I have no objection to
a child over ten years of age oc-
casionally attending a picture
performance with one or both
parents when an exceptional film
is shown which the parent feels
sure could do no harm to the
child. But I entertain grave
doubts as to the advisability of
permitting young children to be
subjected frequently to the con-
stant eve-strain of the movies at
a time in life when this delicate
organ is in its plastic period of
formation. Nor is the foul air or
the nervous tension the right sort
of hygienic diet to prescribe for
a ten-vear-old child.
Franklin Chase Hoyt,
Judge of the Children's
Court, New York City
iDay of New Type Theater
Foreseen by Herbert Brenon
npHE millions tied up in theater
investments can't be disposed
uf in such a brief time. Our pres-
ent day theaters aren't so very
different from those of a dozen
\L-ars ago, except that they are
larger and more elaborate. They
are housed in what we may call
standard buildings, and the initial
investment in such buildings will
make a radical turnover difficult,
lor several decades, anyway. I
1 elieve there will be new types
Mt theaters, especially in the
laiKe cities, but it will be a long
iinie before the theater in the
smaller city and small town
I hanges its form.
Herbert Brenon, Director
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
JOHN LEROY FIRTCH
Home Telephone Co.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr.
A/flTCHELL, the photographer, writes from Miami that he
snapped Sophie Tucker in a bathing suit wonder if
he used the new wide film? Lillian Harris, whose stage
play, "Prima Donna" will be produced this Spring, is a sister
of Radie Harris, chatter writer for Central Press Syndicate.
Richard Barthelmess is on his way back to these United
States after giving Europe the once over
« * * 4:
"She Couldn't Say No," comes to N. Y. today at the Strand
with a reported distinguished record of having set new b. o.
marks in six West Coast cities. Winnie Lightner, star will be
one of the interesting spectators. She prefers to sit in the audi-
ence and get their reactions, says Arthur Housman.
Nikita Balief?, international master of ceremonies and his
Chauve-Souris comes back to Broadway, N. Y. on Feb. 18 for
a stay at the Paramount. Balieff will surely put on his "Parade
of the Wooden Soldiers." If you visit tonight's showing
of "Puttin' on the Ritz," at the Earl Carroll, watch for Harr\
Richman, Fannie Hurst, Beatrice Lillie, Clarence Chamberlain,
Claudette Colbert, Fannie Brice, Rudy Vallee, Graham McNamee,
Clara Bow, James Quirk and Nathan Burkan, for they are
scheduled to put in an appearance
In celebration of Washington's birthday, a special midnight
performance starting at 11:30 A. M. on Friday, Feb. 21, is an-
nounced in many of the RKO neighborhood theaters in New
Vork. The new programs will open at the holiday rnatinee on
Saturday, Feb. 22 Clifl 'Ukelele Ike' Edwards has been
given a new extended-term contract by M-G-M. Wonder how
manv weeks that means?
After an absence of 10 years from Broadway where she
was a popular star for nine years in a row, Louise Dresser re-
turned the other day from Hollywood to look up some old
friends and places Will Rogers left Coastward yesterday.
* * * *
Fred Shanberger, Jr. of the Auditorium, Baltimore, who
pinch bitted 100 per cent for Pathe's "The Grand Parade," is
spending a few days in New York
Pat Flaherty predicts that "Shady Palms," out of the Red
Star popular catalogue, will prove the next great song sensa-
tion Louise Dresser and Jack Gardner, of Fox, who are
paying their first visit to Gotham in eleven years, have been
married exactly twice that long, establishing some sort of record.
FEBRUARY 14-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Marcia Harris Bernard McEveety
Lew Short Jack Benny
Michael Devaney Farley Ted Schlanger
Stewart Edwin
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
'THE Great Altruism has descended
upon Hollywood, so we hear,
causing one of the popular red-head-
ed luminaries to convert herself into
a blonde because she was very fond
of another red head in the same com-
pany and didn't want to hurt her
feelings.
If the idea catches on, you may ex-
pect to be seeing:
Antonio Moreno shaving his mus-
tache in favor of the similar lip
adornment effected by Warner Bax-
ter.
Ned Sparks growing whiskers in
order to be more easily distinguish-
ed from Lee Moran.
Basil Rathbone turning down
Philo Vance detective roles because
he thinks William Powell should
have them.
Andy Clyde adopting blackface so
the film fans won't confuse him
with Chester Conklin.
Noah Beery having his chest ta-
tooed and always keeping it exposed
to avoid being mistaken for Mon-
tagu Love.
Larry Darmour making his com-
edies less funny because he is run-
ning too closely neck and neck with
Mack Sennett.
Publix and Warner selling half of
their theaters to indies in order to
make R-K-0 and Fox feel good.
* * *
It must be spring up in Holyoke,
Mass, or at least springy enough to
make Jack Fuld indulge in the fol-
lowing acrostic, which he sends us
from there:
For St. V.ileiitine's Day
In this novel way
Let me broadcast
My word of greeting —
Don't waste time worrying
Aliout tlie future of the
Industry — Just help the
Little fellows along, and
You'll see business pick up I
* * *
"I see that George M. Cohan got
cold feet about going through with
his talking picture plans."
"Yes, he waved the flag."
"You mean the wrong flag."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Albert S. Kaufman plans $150,000
studio in Los Angeles.
Jack and Harry Cohn to product
series of Hall Room comedies.
Tivoli Amusement Co. of Manhat-
tan is incorporated at Albany.
Abraham Lehr elected president of
M. P. Producers' Ass'n.
AG Al M
FII^^T NATIONAL PUTS YOD IN TUll
TREMENDOUS at Warner Brothers Theatre, New York at $2.00
BIGGER than anything in Kansas City at the Main Street
BEATS Golddiggers"at Warner Brothers Downtown, Los Angeles
BROKE "Sally" record at the Akdar, Tulsa, Oklahoma
IG MONEY niTH
JUE NEWSPAPER CAMPAIGN
3ir/»t
national
PicturGA
■4 W ^ REG. TRADEMARK \
by Bradley King
A Frank Lloyd
Production w.th
TECHNICOLOR
SCENES
Never before has any picture
made such a remarkable record.
In every spot, in varied localities,
against toughest competition, in all
kinds of weather, the same result —
SENSATIONAL!
Pictur€<
HIT AFTER HIT AFTER HIT
First Notional Gove You
S A L L V
The AII'Technicolor Extravaganza that intro-
duced Marilyn Miller to the screen world
"N O, N O,
NANETTE"
The laugh sensation of the agel
SOON YOU'LL GET
"SONG Z FLAME"
All in Technicolor. Greatest dramatic spec-
tacle ever filmed!
ALICE WHITE
"SHOW GIRL
IN HOLLYWOOD "
With Jock Mulhall
Bl LLI E DOVE
IN
"A NOTORIOUS AFFAIR "
By far the best picture Billie Dove ever made
"SPRING IS HERE"
An eight-cylinder force of the fastest class
""LOOSE ANKLES""
One of the funniest musical romances ever
ii^y
//
WE'RE IN \
Triumphant song
battering ail rea
K>^
\^^
If
'M
>z
RADIO'S
MAN O* WAR
SHOWMAN'S
FLAGSHIP
O' JOY!
Get on the air . . .
Hook upwitk Harms
...Tie up with nation-
wide Victor - Radio
dealer setups. Clear
the decks for action
now with Titan Ad
Campaigns^ Pub-
licity^ Stunts un-
matched in history
of show business.
/■
X
d
/
J
\*»v
/e
^.
^
■^gjf
^
_3
IE GRAVY NOW"
liouted by scores of showmen
ds to oblivion with ^Deck^ . .
I
MASSACHUSEHS!
''Shelled all house records to bits in Lowell. Never
so many people in house since it was built eighteen
years ago. 'Rio Rita records but shattered ruins after
terrific attack by Radio's flagship, 'Deck'. Each day
is new record. . . . Mark M. Gates.
WASHINGTON!
Deck grossed $1300 more than Rio Rita in first
two days at Orpheum, Seattle. Twenty girl human
billboard flash with loud speakers brought whole
town out. Traffic at standstill for two hours. Whole
town talking. . . . Jimmie Carrier.
BOSTON . . .
'*Big at $27,000''
SAN FRANCISCO • • •
"Big business all week,"
BALTIMORE . . .
"Excellent start first week,"
WASHINGTON • • .
"Strong third week,"
PHILADELPHIA • • •
"Big third week."
BUFFALO • • • "Sensational
two weeks to forty grand"
PITTSBURGH • • • "Standees
every show. Looks like three weeks."
CHICAGO • . •
"High pace second week,"
SEAHLE . . .
**Sensational business."
OAKIE
ACK
as the Navy!
POLLY WALKER
Hundreds of singers, players,
dancers in a cast almost as big
Directed by LUTHER REED, creator of RIO RITA
PICTURES
Reg. U. S
Pot. Off.
THE
Fox Film Stockholders to Pass
On New Refinancing Plans
(Continued f"-~' p-"" i ■>
his power to avoid a receivership, it
would be unfair to the creditors for
him to allow the case to hang fire
indefinitely.
Heated clashes again took place
between opposing attorneys. Sam-
uel Untermyer reported that the Fox
directorate met yesterday morning
and the proposed refinancing plan
was accepted. Morton Bogue, of
the Halsey, Stuart & Co. interests,
demanded to know if the acceptance
had been unanimous. Untermyer re-
torted that he couldn't see where it
made any difference, but that t"'n of
the eight directors voted against the
plan.
Hogiie then reiterated his statements that
his clients would not consent to relinquishing
their 15-year preferential option on Fox finan-
cing, and Robert T. Swain, representing the
three new banking houses, said his clients
were prepared to relinquish that option. Bogue
stated that if the new financing is not suc-
cessfully put through by the underwriting
syndicate, it would cost Fox stockholders
$1,000,000 for making the effort,^ and at the
same time make it difficult for future at-
tempts. Swain assured the court that it was
reasonably certain there would be no trouble
forming the syndicate to handle the securities.
Attorneys representing several blocks of
P"ox Film "A" and "B" shares joined the
opposition to the present plan and argued
strenuously in favor of presenting this plan
and others to the stockholders. It also was
specified that the plan now under considera-
tion should be submitted to stockholders with-
out any recommendation from the court, and
Judge Coleman assented to this.
Among the chief objections registered by
J^^
DAILY
Friday, Febriwry 14, 1930
(Continued from Page 1)
the stockholders' attorneys agamst the pres-
ent plan was that it would prove too costly
and also dilute the Fox stock. They objected
to paying over 9 per cent commission plus
200,000 shares of Fox Film stock and the
issuing of 1,000,000 new shares under rights.
Clarence Berenson, one of the attorneys, de
Glared that a prominent banking house, of
the same calibre as those behind the present
plan, had assured him they would be willing
to handle the refinancing at much less cost,
and that this house would accept the under-
takitig in conjunction with Halsey, Stuart in
view of the contract with Fox now held by
the latter.
Bogue said his clients were prepared to
submit a new plan which, they felt, would
be more favorable to stockholders and credi-
tors. Judge Coleman repeated his remarks
that Fox had told him he would not consider
any plan oflFered by Halsey, Stuart, whereupon
George C. Pratt, of Electrical Research Prod-
ucts, said that if Fox would consent to listen
to the plan he might find it acceptable.
Martin Conboy, representing a committee
holding 5,500 shares of Foxl Film "A" stock,
said an increasing number of stockholders are
favoring a receivership to the plan now in
hand. Another attorney, speaking for 20.000
shares of "B" stock, declared that while
some features of the plan were not accept-
able, the arrangement cs a whole was con-
sic'eied preferable to a receivership. More
time was asked, however, for exercising or
disposing of the rights to be given stockhold-
ers in connection with the new securities.
Bogue raised the point that the proposed
financing by a new group might tie up the
Fox organization for any future financing,
and- also hamper future credit on account of
heavy pledges against the properties. Swain
replied that the new plan would not inter-
fere with any senior or junior financing later,
except in the case of preferred stock.
Judge Coleman ruled that Bogue shall have
access to a full list of stockholders, creditors
and any other data and records regarding the
Fox company to assist his clients in drawing
up their new plan.
Hoxie Leases Texas Fort
As Studio, Tourist Resort
Fort Davis, Tex. — Jack Hoxie has
leased the old Fort Davis military
post for the purpose of making West-
erns. He also will convert the post,
abandoned 40 years ago, into a mod-
ern tourist resort, with a race track
and rodeo grounds. Hoxie is here
with a company of actors ready to be-
gin work on the first picture.
William R. Poist Dies
Baltimore — William R. Poist, of
the New, died in University Hospital
here after being found in the cellar of
his home with a bullet wound in his
right temple.
Film Board Issues Booklet
Pittsburgh — The local Film Board
of Trade has issued a 39-page mimeo-
graphed booklet containing "Thea-
ters Served by Members of the Pitts-
burgh Board."
Progress Film Service
Opens Office in Pittsburgh
Pittsbiirgh — Harry A. Lande, form-
er exhibitor and exchange manager,
is in charge of the recently opened
offices of the Progress Film Service
at lO.'O Forbes St.
Baltimore May Get Newsreeler
Baltimore — Following an investiga-
tion started by Charles Raviiion''
Howard Price Kingsmore, Loew's
city nianager, is surveying the possi-
bilities of establishing a newsreel
theater at the Valencia, atop Loew'>
Century.
Publix Buys Illinois House
Wheaton, III. — A. Dernbeck has
sold his Grand to Publix.
Fire Damages Theater
Des Moines, la. — The Drake Ave-
nue was recently damaged by fire.
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
il ^rc rrr rrt VX fe.r-T-r"
rr
' ^ " UU Ml "'1 «. I
*! ^T* 'hi . '' '
HLM CENTER BLDG.
«" ST. 91H AVENUE "=" ^'^-
900/0 rented
Designed for
the film Indus-
try
74 windows to
a floor
3 street front-
ages
Near "L" and
subway sta-
tions
Fireproof
vaults
Projection and
Inspection
Rooms
Unequalled
shipping facili-
ties
Exceptional-
ly low insur-
ance rates
MANY
MORE AT-
TRACTIVE
FEATURES
AT NO
MORE
RENTAL
COLUMBIA PICTURES
MORE THAN DOUBLE
THEIR SPACE
THEY have made a long
lease to take care of their
increased business and to an-
ticipate their requirements for
years to come because they
realize that when this building
is completely tenanted it will
be impossible to get space
anywhere offering these ad-
vantages.
Only 10% remains to
be leased. Early appli-
cation is recommended.
CROSS & BROWN COMPANY
AGENT
270 MADISON AVE. Tel. Caledonia 7000
Call at the building or send for illustrated booklet
FILM CENTER, Inc.
Owners and Builders
ABE. N. ADELSON, President
;^^ NEWSPAPER
o/filmdohV
MDWEEiat
lUADIGCSTi
VOL. LI No. 39
Sunday, February 16, 1930
Price 25 Cents
With all four of the original Cohens and Kelly s —
CHARLIE MURRAY
GEORGE SIDNEY
\7T7"D A r^O'PT^OXT KATE price. Directed by
ViiK/\ 0\Jl\UL>^i>l William James Craft
Don't fail to
read complete
details in
Universal Weeldy
TtniversaVs New Sellintf Season is on^OTV/
OVER 350 CRITICS
VOTED IN POLL TO
NAME LEADERS OF
PICTURES IN 1929
Bigger and Better than Ever
1930
Film Daily Year Book
Now in Circulation
CONTAINS ALL THE
STATISTICAL DATA
PERTAINING TO THE
ENTIRE INDUSTRY
^^Jhe^re]^ aooq\
^^SUGARPLUM PAPA'
MACK SENNETT
TALKING COMEDY
A wow of a comedy — probably the
best of the Sennett all -talking
comedies . . . Play it and play it
up big. — M. P. News
Another Sennett wow — a master-
piece.—^r(/iur James in Exhibi-
tors Daily Review
L
«*THE BIG JEWEL
CASE"
MERMAID
■ TALKING COMEDY
Thrills and chills and Eddie
Lambert's funny dialect lo tell just
how scared a Yiddish detective
can be in a house uf mystery.
«^OH DARLING!"
JACK WHITE
TALKING COMEDY
A speedy little farce up to the
finish . . . works at express speed
. . . Good entertainment and some
of the best recording we have had
lately from the comedies. Good
anywhere. —Zit's
AUGH sen-
sations— the real knock-'em-
ofF-their-seats comedy "wows"
— have been appearing on
EducationaFs program of
talking comedies with a regu-
larity both surprising and
gratifying to the exhibitors
playing them. But just as
gratifying is the fact that
there are no "low spots" in
between the "wows". The
Billboard is voicing the gen-
eral opinion of critics and
exhibitors when it says
of Educationars come-
dies: "They're all good."
•TAMERA SHY"
LLOYD HAMILTON
TALKING COMEDY
More of the kind
<»r work thut made
the Wasliiiigton
INcMS say : "Lloyd
ini<;lit not be* the
kinj! or«-oniic8, hut
lie surely is the
prime minister."
EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES, INC.
E. W. MAMMONS, President
i and Distributors of America. Inc.. Will H Hays. Prosiilint
oyplLMDOM
VOL. LI No. 39
AHDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
Sunday, February 16, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Finds Operators' License Law Unconstitutional
WORK m VOLUNTARY ARBITRATION PLAN
Fourjn Work, Preparing Six at Warner Studios
Jolson and Arliss Films
Are Also Scheduled for
Production Soon
i\ ,:d Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAI I.)
Hollywood — I'roduction work i?
going along at a steady clip in the
Warner Bros, studios, with four pic-
tures in process of shooting, six being
prepared and another six undergoing
preliminary treatment by the story
department.
The films in work include "The Sec-
ond Floor Mystery," with Grant
Withers and Loretta Young, directed
by Roy del Ruth; "\'iennese Nights,"
all-color operetta written originally
for the screen by Sigmund Romberg
and Oscar Hammerstein II, directed
by Alan Crosland, with Alexander
Gray and Vivienne Segal; "Courage,"
from the stage play of the same title,
directed by Archie Mayo, with Belle
Bennett, Marian Nixon and Rex Bell,
and "Dumbbells in Ermine." adaptecl
{Continued on Page 3)
BIG AMUSEMENT CENTER
PLANNED FOR FIETH AVE.
Industrials Producers,
Unions, Talk Contract
Preliminary plans for a basic con-
tract between Eastern production
unions and producers of industrials
were made at a joint conference held
Friday in New York. An agreement
setting forth the requirements of the
unions, including cameramen, projec-
tionists, props and studio mechanics,
will be considered by the producers
j at a session to be held next week.
; N. Y. House Will Adopt
a 24-Hour Grind Policy
Consolidated Amusements plans to
turn the Columbus, 58th St. and
Eighth .\ve., into a 24-hour grind
house. The theater now operates 16-
hours every day, including Sundavs.
A giant theatrical structure, 63
stones high and containing- four —
five theaters, one of which is to be
larger than the Roxv, and also hav-
ing quarters for fil"i and broadcast-
ing studios, a 20,000-car garage, and
other facilities is reported as being
planned for the Rockefeller site on
Fifth Ave. from 48th to 51st Streets,
originally intended for the new home
of the Metropolitan Opera.
Samuel Rothafel is named as the
probable director of the pro<^ ■ ?fi
(Continued on Pape 3)
MYERS ORGES BOTH SIDES
TOIOTROCK THE BOAT
Won't Go Sound
Chicago— The Cinema, a 299-
seat modernistic house labelling
itself "Art Theater— Shadow of
Silence," will challenge the
modern trend by not going
sound. M. L. Machat is man-
ager of the theater.
NAIf REPRESENTATIVES
FOR RED STAR MUSIC CO.
As part of its plan of exnansion
Pat Flaherty, vice pres. and general
manager of the Red Star Music C -
music unit of the Fox Film Corp., an-
nounces the following additions to
his operating staff.
Herman Schenck has been appoint
ed Pacific Coast representative, head-
quartering in Los Angeles, where he
will act as direct contact man with
the Fox studios.
Representatives for other sections
ol the country have also been en-
(Cotitinued on Parte 3)
M-ashinglon Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington— In a statement issued
yesterday, Abram F. Myers, head -f
the Allied States Ass'n, urged both
distributors and exhibitors to exercise
patience and judgment while a new-
system of arbitration is worked out
to take the place of the one declared
illegal by Judge Thacher. Myers
said, in part:
"It is to be hoped that the dis-
tributors will not in a spirit of re-
sentment take action which will de-
lay or endanger the final and satis-
tactory adjustment of the situation
by joint action of the industry. In
like manner the exhibitors should be
controlled by a spirit of fairness and
not seek to take advantage of the
situation, to avoid just obligations or
to do other things which can not be
justified in good conscience."
RATIFY nljRAFT OF ^
FREE LANCE CONTRACT
'(<••< Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAII Y
Los Angeles— Final draft of the
new free-lance contract was ratified
at a meeting Friday. Irving Thal-
berg and M. C. Levee assured the
actors of the satisfaction of producers
with the new agreement.
Philly Exchangemen and
Exhibs Meet to Devise
New System
As part of a national effort to-
wards the establishment of an arbi-
t ation system, Philadelphia exchange-
men and representatives of the M.P.
T.O. of that territory met Friday to
work out a new plan to replace the
one junked by the Judge Thacher
decree. The results of the meeting
will be formally announced within
a few days.
Requests for resumption of arbi-
tration, suggested in various forms
have been made to the Hays office
by exhibitors, including leaders, in
about 21 cities throughout the coun-
try, It IS understood. These cities
are: Albany, Buffalo, New Haven,
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapoh\
Chicago, Memphis, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Charlotte, New
Orleans, Salt Lake, San Francisco
Omaha, Des Moines, St. Louis, Kan-
sas City, Portland, Ore., and Colum-
bus.
Buffalo Jud^e Decides N. Y. State
Licensing Law Unconstitutional
New Group Takes Over
Theater in Piqua, Ohio
I'i<|ua, O. — A new group consist-
ing of William Petrakis and Tnd<re
W. B. Ruth, of Columbus, and
Thomas C. Fulton and I. J. Collins
of Lancaster, have taken over the
Ohio here. Theodore Pekras remains
as resident manager.
Buffalo— The state law which re-
quires a projectionist to serve an ap-
prenticeship of at least six months
under a licensed operator before he
IS granted a license is unconstitu-
tional, according to a ruling just made
by Judge Clifford J. McLaughlin of
the City Court. Section 18 of the
states general- laws, which is involv-
ed, specifies that the licensed oper-
{Continued on Page 12)
Fire Marshal in Philly
Now Issuing Licenses
Philadelphia— Fire Marshal James
L. Mulhern is issuing new licenses
to theaters which show a definite in-
clination to install fireproof screens,
m accordance with his recent order.
Danke New Manager for
Sono Art in Des Moines
Des Moines— Alfred Danke for-
merly connected with Tiffany at
Omaha, has been appointed feature
Sono Art-World Wide sales manager
"Puttin'on the Ritz"
Last night at the Ead Car-
roll a notable audience wit-
nessed the opening of the
United Artists picture, "Put-
tin' on the Ritz" starring the
one and only Harry Richman
in a role particularly suited to
this inimitable star of musical
comedy and night club fame.
Tuneful and colorful. Great
entertainment for any house.
Eddy
(Reviewed on Page 9)
THE
-:xi^
DAILY
Sunday, February 16, 1930
FILMDOM'S ^^A«
NEWSPAPER ^^\^
Vm. II No.39 Sunday. February 16. 1930 Prici 25Cent$
lOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUBIISHEI
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March i, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $1000 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737 4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Uenter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne.
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK M.^RKF,T
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
■Am. Seat 20/j ...
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 2l^ 21 21 1.300
Con, Fm. Ind. pfd. 23^ 23^ 23-5^ 1 -
East. Kodak 205 193 205 13.30
Fox Fm. "A" .... 32J^ 30'/^ 305/8 31.ft(i
CJen. Thea. Equ. .. 47^ 46/2 4744 53,20(
'Keith A-0 30
•do pfd 101
I.oew's Inc 67}4 66 67 12.50
'do pfd. WW (6!^) 93
.lo pfd. xw (61^). SS'A 85/2 SS'A 10'
M-G-M pfd 25 25 25 lOi
Part. F-L 66j4 6554 bSH 2(.,40
Pathe Exch 4>/i 4 4 40n
,lo "A" 8 7Vi 7H 201
R K-O 31 J4 30}4 il% 3i6.80t
■Univ. Pict. pfd 40
Warner Bros 62^ 6154 61^ 81. 'i
.lo pfd 54^ 53% 54/8 l.-'O'
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets 2754 27'A 275^ KM
Fox Thea. "A" . . 7J4 6^ 7% 3,50'
'Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts.. 33 31 31 30t
fxjew's Inc. war .. 7J4 7?4 'ii -'
"Nal. Scr. Ser 18
Nat. Thea. Sup 25
M'niv. Pict 9'A
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
'Keith AG 6s 46 80
Loew 6s 41ww ..108^ 108 1087-8 2.V
do 6s 41 x-war ..9454 93 ?4 94 300
Paramount 6s 47 .. 9954 99 995^1 6
Par. By. 554s 51.100 100 100 6
Pathe 7s 37 45 54 45 45 6(
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
RRYant 4712
Long Igland City
154 Crescent St.
STIllwell 7940
Eastman Films
s J. E. Brulatour, Inc. n
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave
Hollywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
CAIum^tt 2691 HOllywood 4121
I
INDEX
PAKF
l-INANCIAL. Daily Market Activities 2
NFAVSPAPER OPINIONS. -Hit the Deck" 3
NElfS OF THE DAY 4
PRESENTATIONS, by Don C. Cillettc 4
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 5
TIMELY TOPICS, Digest of Current OpiniO)us 5
THEIR FIRST JOBS 5
ALONG THE RIALTO. 6v Phil M. Dalv, Jr 5
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS' I 5
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files 5
AND THAT'S THAT, bv Phil M. Dalv ." 5
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST ". (,
SHORT SHOTS FROM NEW YORK STUDIOS, fcv Harrv N. Blair 6
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS. Coast Wire Service ". 7
■■A LITTLE FROM LOTS." by Ralph Wilk ;
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 8 9
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Bern 1011
FOREIGN MARKETS, by William Ornslein l?
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of Week's Ne-.vs I^
REVIEWS
PAGE
DANGEROUS PARADISE 9
GREEN GODDESS S
HAPPY DAYS S
LUMMOX 8
MELODY MAN S
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA... S
PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ .
SHADOWS OF GLORY ...
SHE COULDN'T SAY NO.
SAGEBRUSH POLITICS .
THE CLIMAX
WHY CRY AT PARTING .
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND 9-1.
Committee is Inspecting
Balto Theaters' Exits
Baltimore — An inspection of local
houses is being made by the theatei
exit committee of the 1930 Grand
Jury. Donald Kirkley, "Morninp;
Sun" film critic, is a member of the
committee.
Boyd Reported Dickering
for Lou Herman Circuit
IMiiladelphia — A. R. Boyd Enter-
prises, recently formed chain, is
understood to be negotiating for Lou
Berman's circuit of six houses known
as United Chain Theaters.
Miami House Reopens
Miami — Tlie Lyric here has re-
opened after complete renovation and
installation of sound apparatus.
Souris, Nenis and Co. are proprietors
of the house.
New Cleveland Theater Corp.
Cleveland — The Rienzi Theater
Corp. has been formed here with of-
ficers listed as Martin P. Brown,
Mary C. Brown and Orien Fish, Jr.
Burlesque and Talkers
Chicago — In addition to burlesque
the Rialto is showing talking pictures.
Reopens S. Dak. House
(lark, S. D. — The Clark has been
reopened by L. H. Altfillisch with
new improvements and sound equip-
ment. Fiftv seats were added.
Two Racine Theaters
Join Wisconsin Chain
Racine, Wis. — A. Draginis and his
son, Bryant, now operating a house
in Watertown, and Edward Wiesner,
of Milwaukee, have leased the Capitol
and Uptown here. It is understood
that the deal will link the houses with
the L. K. Erin chain.
Chinese Censor Issues Report
IVahinqton Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Annual report of the
official film censor in Singapore for
1929 shows that of the 1,(521 films re-
viewed, 147 were rejected, the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce
advises. Appeals were made in re-
spect to 82 pictures, 44 of M/hich tlv
Censor was upheld, while the re
maining 38 were released with vari-
ous alterations.
Resigns from Hays Board
Sidney A. Weston, editor and gen-
eral manager of the Congregational
Publishing Society, publishers of
"The Congregationalist," has resigned
from the Committee on the Use of
Motion Pictures in Religious Educa-
tion, sponsored by the Hays organi-
zation.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today:
Feb. 19
Feb.
26
Mar.
Mar.
5
17
Mat.
20
April
1
Apr,
6-7
lune
2-7
Pa. state fire law involving theater
regulations becomes effective.
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion. N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined
Annual election of Maryland M.P
T.O officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, nd^ yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
International Cinema Congress ai
Brussels.
Noah Beery Improved
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Noah Beery, who un-
derwent an emergency operation for
appendicitis a few days ago is re-
ported somewhat improved at the
Hollywood Hospital.
Opening "Troopers Three"
Tiffany's "Troopers Three" opens |
Saturday afternoon at the Gaiety, N. f
Y. Officers and their families from
Governor's Island will attend. The
picture was made with the aid of the ,,
11th Cavalry.
Michigan M. P.T.O. Moves
' Detroit— The M. P.T.O. of Michi-
gan has taken new quarters on the
sixth floor of the Fox Theater Build-
ing.
"HELLO
SISTER"
Tune up the shaker.
Turn up the light.
Nix on the curfew stuflf tonight.
I
A Sono Art-World Wide Picture
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRY^N^ 3O40
THE
Sunday, February 16, 1930
'S^ak
DAILV
"Hit the Deck"
RKO
Earl Carroll, New York
AMERICAN — Some of the seauences are
in Technicolor, which is excellent in close
ups and fopgy in long shots. The costume
are beautiful, and there is a hrownskin
dance chorus which is decidedly hot.
DAILY NEWS — The whole film unreels
at too slow a pace, and it is done in musi
cal comedy style — drascing: in dance ensem
bles and sonprs at inopportune moments —
when this could have been arranged logi
cally.
EVENING WORLD—* * * a static thitii;
Certainly, it isn't a moving picture in ihe
true sense of the word. It hardly moves
at all. The last half of the picture is in
Technicolor, and some of the photoeraph\
appears a trifle out of focus.
HERALD-TRIBUNES* * » a lively and
reasonably sensible photoB'raoh of a musics
comedy, rather vigorously staged and alwav:
pleasantly acted. The story is far from
being a wonderwork of narration, but it i;
no worse than the average of its school, and
the chorus numbers are handled with an
occasional touch of ingenuity.
POST — Encrusted with a stale and thor-
oughly uninspired story, lacking any sem
blance of grace or spontaneity and oppresset.
by some of the feeblest dialogue I have hear(
in talking pictures, "Hit the Deck" sprawl;
out through nearly two hours of labored anc.
pretentious entertainment.
SUN — * * * beautifully recorded, fairh
well photographed and exceptionally well act
ed and sung.
TELEGRAM — On the whole the all-talk
ing and singing film version of "Hit the
Deck" does tuil justice to the original musi-
cal comedy production, which was based oi-
the play "Shore Leave." More speciticahv
the present edition is a tuneful, rollicKiui
and buoyant evening's entertainment, or after
noon's for that matter. Its only fair-to-m.d
dling material is lifted to the level of a higli
ly entertaining motion picture by a fniishe.
and inielligent performance by Jack Oakie,
by some e.xcellent photography and by ex
pert treatment on the part of the director.
WORLD — Any faults in the film lie m iht
thinness of the story and the lack of ani
good comedians besides the capable Mr. (Jakie
of whom hardly enough is added ni the way
of plot to the outline furnished by the stayt
production and there is some obvious pad
ding that is neither very funny nor very in
teresting.
FOUR IN WORK, SIX BEING
PREPARED AT WARNERS
{Continued from Page 1)
from the stage play, "Weak Sisters,"
directed by John Adolfi, with Bob
Armstrong and Barbara Kent.
Pictures in preparation are "Those
Who Dance," with Sue Carol, directed
bv Ray Enright; "Playboy," with
Krank Fay, directed by Michael Cur-
tiz; "Three Faces East", with Eric
von Stroheim, directed by Roy del
Ruth; "Fame," with Pauline Fred-
lerick, directed by John Adolfi; "Sweet
Kitty Bellairs," musical, directed by
JAl Green, and "Moby Dick," with
John Barryniore, directed by Lloyd
jBacon.
New pictures starring Al Jolson,
George Arliss and Winnie Lightner
ire among the other stories scheduled
or production soon.
Buys Theater Lease
Howard, S. D. — Lease to the Grand
as been bought by William Klein of
ioux Falls.
Reopens in Riverton, Neb.
Riverton, Neb. — The New is again
1 operation, with E. R. Thomas as
iianager.
Some Practical Wide Film
Aspects, Recommendations
ilie following article is from the
Journal ot the bociety of Motion Pic-
ture iingineers and nas been prepared
oy A. b. Howell and J. A. Dubray.
iVioueru nioiioii pictuica, ana especially
mutioii pictures syncuiun.zeu w»tu souna, nave
oi late uiougnt aoout a new proPlem bearing
witniii itseii as lar rcaciung consequences aa
any pruuiem ihe inuustry nas nau to tace
Since us auveut. \\ e leier to the obviously
insistent aeiiand tor a complete departure
irom old estauubiied standards and the creation
and establisunieut oi pictuie images ot more
appropriate size and piopoitions.
1 lie pruDicms wiucii arc a consequence 01
SUCH a cnange are, m our estimation, so vast
and so vitai tiiat we consider it essentia,
to present an analysis of tne principal lactors
involved — psycnoiogical, artiStiC, ' technical,
and economical, and to propose a dennite
recommendation on tne course wmch, in our
estimation, it is tne most logical to louow.
csound picuues oi tne sound-on-nlm sys-
tems nave altered tlie size and sliape of tne
screen. irom a rectangle wnose sides were
in the ratio ot J to •*, tue screen image has
oecome a. most square. it has assumed a
shape whicu not oniy presents no aavaniage
wfiatsoever over tue rectangular shape, -but
wnicli imposes doletul aestaetic limitations
upon the artisans ot the scieen. The natural
consequence ot this situation is retrogression
»n artistic expression and rebellion on the
part of the nnal judge, tne public.
VV'c purposely use the expression, "rebel-
lion, ' because it is supported by the tact
that, for perhaps the nrst time in the history
ot motion pictures, a number of exhibitors
and at least one of the greatest distributing
and exhibiting organizations in America have
taKen matters into their owns hands and
nave reduced the height of the projector
aperture. ihey have considered it essential
to maintain the rectangular form of the screen
even at the risk ol cutting oft parts of the
neads of the performers, or some detail at the
lower part of the picture area essential to
the story and part oi the general scheme oi
composition. Such procedure is rebellion and,
what is more important, it is, seemingly,
justifiable.
We do not want to impose upon you a
long dissertation on the reasons vvhicli sus-
tain the preference accorded the rectangulai
shape of picture in pictorial representations.
Volumes have been written on this subject.
The psychological, metaphysical, and physio-
logicai eljfects and influences that a certain
loim may have upon the mind and eye have
been ana.yzed and discussed from the point of
purely aesthetic considerations following com-
lilete antl detailed investigations based upon
undeniable scientific axioms. The deductions
derived from such analyses have been invoked
not only as proof that a rectangular form
is the most logical to adopt for pictorial
representations, but also have led to the
estaldishment of a definite ratio of 3 to 5 as
the dynamic ratio between the sides of the
rectangle. This ratio has been called the
"Golden Rule" of design proportion. It is
pertinent to consider the influence e.xerted by
these conclusions and their applications to
the motion picture screen.
The main function of motion pictures is
to .give a faithful reproduction of liie. It is
true that incidents are dramatized, that more
emphasis is given to details, that outdoor
scenes are selected with an eye to scenic
licauty, and that interiors are always chosen,
dressed and decorated in accord with the gen-
eral theme of the story and the personalities
oi the characters which are the human ele-
ments representing what we would call an
e.xaltation of eiiKjtions. However the exposi-
tion of this essence of life through motion
pictures demands truth of presentation and
naturalness in even its most minute details.
.\ii ideal motion picture production is one
which causes the onlooker to forget his own
personality and make him live with the char-
acters of the story and in their ambient. If
this psychological effect is not reachecl, the
picture is classed as indifferent, if not entirely
bad.
One of the most important reasons which
make us declare the square form of the screen
objectionable is the fact that the eye in its
continual horizontal motion is constantly and
unnaturally arrested by the black nothingness
at each side of the screen. This baiTier, which
abruptly arrests the natural horizontal sweep
of the eye, has an effect entirely opposite to
that which the motion picture artist strives
for, and is much more disturbing than the
■ng
.iCcll
(.lull
p.ays
^tiOt.ou tiictuics aie poitlaj
can be aiiaiyticaiiy expressed
aiiiuiCiil and HI WillLil liic
luusL mipoitani. pail.
i\. study Ol our aicist.c heritage leit to us bj
tfie masters oi design win viviuiy ur.ng lo.iu
uie pruoi OI tile caie taKCii by tue artiSLS tu
stress tue poaus oi iiiicicst in a norizonia-
area. A SKctcn is usuany most rtprcsciuaavi.
Ol liie inspnatioii ol tue aitist since it is
executed iMiiiout ta.ving caic oi uie mnuiie
teciinic usually dispia.)cd in a iiioie iiiusucu
work.
.j.uce niution pictures aic a iriie rcpreseiua-
ni<
It
suiiiCienl ana adequate iiuriz-oiuai bicaut,
tue scicen image ill order to appruacii i
iieaio tne cuuaition tiiat tne uuiuan
to
leai
It
Illy
CXI
condition IS satisned that p.ciuie:
action Will oe presented m ineir most natural
lorm.
i\o deiinitc reason can be traced which wih
expiani wi.> LUC prcscju j to -* ratio nas bc«ii
cliosen as tue standard lor tne motion picture
name size. remaps space consideranon in
tne small tneaieis wiiicii were exnibiting mo-
tion pictuies in tne early days was tne decid-
ing lacior 111 tne mattei.
omce tne time wncii motion pictures em-
erged from their ciirysaiis ana made serious
attempts at art, tlie artisans oi tue screen
iia\e constantly been striving to make tne best
out ol a ratiier irregular situation. Une oi
iiieir constant caies nas been to nil tiie tore-
ground, the era oi siliiouetted objects m
tne loregrotind arrived. A piece ot lurniture
111 an interior, a pile of scones, a liedge oi
lence in an e.xterior, served the purpose wiiicn
can, at tne end, be analyzed as an ctfori to
eiongate tiie screen in a liorizpntal direction.
uaii\. he.avy masses across the lower pari
ot tlie screen wiil force tne eye away Iroin
tnem and limit its heid of vision witnin tne
brilliant area ol interest, usually covering
approximately two-tnirds ot the up:icr part
Ol the screen.
1 hese e.xpedients were very cleverly resorted
to and at times taken advantage ot with chai
acteristic boldness and very nne results. They
were, nevertheless, expedients, and when talk-
ing pictures came to annihilate the already
scanty resources which were at the disposal
of the artists of the screen, a cry of protest
arose, especia.ly irom cinematographers and
art directors, who were most attected by the
new state of tilings.
Uircctois and producers felt keenly on the
subject and symijatnized witn cinematogra-
phers and art directors. Directors needed a
gieater iieedom oi action and new means
tnrough wliicn they could tell the story m a
much more natural way by properly developing
the new teehnic ol lalKing pictures and ar-
langing ti.c balanced distribution of dramatic
points of interest. Producers realized the
fact that motion inctures cannot survive if not
presented to tne public under the most fav-
orable conditions of technical and dramatic
perfection.
Other lactors besides the psychological and
artistic considerations thus lar e-xpressed must
be taken into consideration.
We are convinced that everyone having
some know. edge of the technicalities of mo-
tion pictures agrees with the fact that a
change m screen size and proportions cannot
be satisfactorily brought about by reduction
of the tncture area, but involves, on the con-
trary, Its increase. It would perhaps require
ch time and be too tedious to enum-
too
erate here all the quite obvioiis technical rea-
sons which lead to tnis conclusion.
What is perhaps less well known are the
problems that the diiectors of photography
encounter in that all-important phase of their
xyork which relates to the lighting of mo-
tion picture sets. The square, or nearly
square, shape of the picture area has been the
cause of building sets of height disproportion-
ate with their width and depth. The back
lighting effects, which are so essential to a
rendition of pleasing roundness and relief
in the finished picture, and which are obtained
by placing spotlights at strategical points
high up on the set, have always presented
serious problems to the cinematographer, due
to the excessive height of the sets themselves.
On many occasions the so-called back lightings
are nothing less than top lightings which have
to be corrected with painstaking and difiicult
manipulations of the tioor lighting system.
The architects of the screen are also cxin-
(Continued on Page 10)
"Mobile Mike"
West Coast Bur. THE I-ILM DAILY
Hollywood — Microphones
now are as mobile as cameras,
says William Le Baron, of
RKO, and as a consequence
outdoor locales are fast return-
ing to favor.
NAME REPRESENTATIVES
FOR RED STAR MUSIC CO.
(Continued from Page 1)
gaged, as follows: Southern territory,
Robert Earle, headquartering in At-
lanta; Mid-west territory, Eddie
Peterson, headquartering in Detroit
and Sidney Lachman, stationed in
Chicago; New England, Carl Moore,
headquartering in Boston and Tom
Huston, in charge of the middle At-
lantic states, working out of Phila.
These men will operate in conjunc-
tion with the various Fox exchanges,
as well as the exploitation dept., in
putting over the songs featured in
William Fox productions.
The Red Star Music Co., which has
been occupying temporary quarte.w
on the sixth floor at 729 Seventh
Ave., will take over the entire sec-
ond floor of the same building, with-
in the next week.
BIG AMUSEMENT CENTER
PIANNED fOR FIFTH AVE.
(Continued from Page 1)
amusement center. Others mentioned
as behind the project include John
D. Rockefeller, Jr., Owen D. Young.
David Sarnoff, Otto H. Kahn and
M, H. Aylesworth.
Efforts to obtain verification of the
plans brought all-around denials of
any definite knowledge of the pr®j-
ect, although it was intimated that
something of the kind has been under
discussion.
Hartmann Opens N. Y. Office
P. D. Hartmann, special representa-
tive for Oscar B. Depue Co. and
Precision Laboratory Machinery Co.
of Chicago, manufacturers of a new
combination sound and multiplex
printers, has opened offices at 1600
Broadway, N. Y.
242 Pathe Short Subjects
I'athe has 242 short subjects listed
for production this year. In addition
there will be two sound newsreels
and two silent newsreels each week,
making the total 450.
Bank Gets Sioux City House
Sioux City, la. — The Strand has
been taken over by the Sioux City
National Bank after the resignation
of Harry Goldstein as manager.
Pittsburgh House Reopened
Pittsburgh — J. J. Kane has re-
opened the Midway on Brereton St.
here.
THE
jg^
DAILV
Sunday, Febrxiary 16, 1930
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Griswold, la. — The Grinnell build-
ing has been purchased by P. G.
Held of the StranH. who is convert-
ing it into a sound picture house.
Winnipeg — Staging of a Mack
Sennett Comedy Week here resulted
in four out of the five first-run houses
booking the Sennett product.
Lowell, Mass. — Norman C. Glass-
man and Fred Lieb/rman have open
ed their New Victory as a first-rui?
house.
Creston, la.— A. B. Pace has sold
the Crest to O. G. Sears or Fon-
tanelle.
Moorhead, Minn. — William L.
Brown has been succeeded as man-
ager of the Moorhead by Mark Keni
penich, formerly with the Garrick,
Fargo, N. D.
San Francisco — Report that the
Tivoli Opera House is to be torn
down is denied by William H. Leahv.
New York
Jack Byrne, formerly handling up-
State and L. I. for M-G-M, ha.s
taken over Ben Roman's territory in
New Jersey.
Sam N. Berger, M-G-M New
York district manager, now is vaca-
tioning in Havana. When he return:
Monday, Bill Scully will take a week
off and vacation in Cuba.
Jack Bellman, Columbia N. Y. ex-
change manager, has gone to Lake-
wood for a week. He has just re-
covered from an attack of the grippt
Dudley Peck, office manager t
the N. Y. M-G-M exchange, is get-
ting along nicely at a local hospital
after an operation of appendicitis.
Foreign
Berlin — Joseph von Sternberg, di-
rector of Ufa-Jannings' talker, "The
Blue Angel" is reported to be return-
ing to America where he will rejoin
I'aramount in Hollywood.
Lincoln, Neb.— Earl W. Miller, for-
mer operator of the New Sun Operat-
ing company which managed a the-
ater at York, Neb., filed a voluntary
petition in bankruptcy here listing the
HabiHties at $11,232.95.
Whittemore, la. — The Princess has
been closed here because of the ad-
vent of talking pictures, it being ex-
plained that as long as silent films
were shown, the house made money,
but added expense in the operation
of a talkie house was too great for
tlie expected returns.
Grand Island, Neb. — Local business
men have taken over the operation
of the Island which has been closed
for several months. Johy Kully has
been named manager.
London — Pat Aherne, who appear-
ed in "The Lure," British Filmcraft,
has been engaged to play opposite
Sybil Thorndyke in "To Meet tlic
King," stage show.
Berlin — Educational pictures pro-
duced last year in Germany by 215
firms amounted to 728 with LU'a head-
ing the list with 116.
London — Gainsborough Pictures
have decided to retain the title of
''Balaclava" instead of changing it
to "The Valley of Death." The orig-
inal title was deemed better for ex-
ploitation purposes.
Berlin — All-talking versions of I^co
Tolstoi's "Kreutzer Sonata" will be
made by Defra, the new Franco-Ger-
man producing company. The pic-
ture will be made in three languages.
English, French and German.
^404
nOO SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
C Presentations C)
,By DON CARLOS GILLETTE',
LESSELABORAIE PROGRAM
OFFERED ON ROXY STAGE
A less elaborate program than the
usual fare is offered on the Rox\
stage for the current week. There is
a spirited dance interpretation oi
Lihzt's "Rhapsody," done by Von
Grona and his troupe of dancers,
augmented by the Roxy Ballet Corps.
This number opens effectively with
the \ on Grona group dancing in
black silhouette against a red-lighted
backdrop, and gradually works into a
lull ensemble under lull light. Ro-
bust orchestral accompaniment helu^
greatly to put the number across. "The
i wo Grenadiers," a military num-
ber sung by Harold Van Duzee, Jose
Santiago, Alischa Voljanin and the
Roxy Chorus, employs a Napoleanic
ensemble in a background represent-
ing a bleak battlefield. In "Le Grande
Jardiniere," the Roxy Ballet Corps
and RusbcU E. Markert's Roxyettes
are costumed and grouped to form a
Ijig Hower basket, from which they
emerge for some pleasing footwork.
Patricia Bowman and Leonide Mas-
sine, dressed as gardeners, do a spe-
ciality, while Beatrice Belkin sings
the theme song.
Appelby Succeeds Stewart
Portland, Ore. — George I. .Appelby
has succeeded Howard Stewart as
manager of the Blue Alouse. Appelby
was tormerly connected with i itfany
in Seattle. Prior to that he was witli
I'athe.
To Remodel Kokomo Paramount
Kokomo, Ind. — Permit lor reinodel-
ng the Paramount here has been
granted by Forest Craig, fire chief.
Cost of the work is estimated at $325.
I his is in preparation to installation
of j>oun(l equipment.
New House for Dennis, Mass.
Dennis, Mass. — Plans are being
drawn for a 450-seat house to be
erected here. Rogers and I'm. ,
New York, are the architects.
Sound in Bridgewater, Mass.
Bridgewater, Mass.- — Sound equip-
ment has been installed at the Prin-
cess, managed by Charles Babb and
lohn Cochrane.
Alabama Theater Sold
Bridgeport, Ala. — J. Leslie Hack-
worth has sold the Jackson to Mrs.
H. G. Jenkins.
New Negro Theater Opens
Columbus, Ga.- — 'ine Gala, a col-
ored house, has been placed in op-
eration here by Henr->' Stovall.
Whyte in Thompsonville. r'->nn
Thompsonville, Conn. — William H
White of Hartford is now managin.e
the Franklin here. Sound ec|uip-
nient was installed recently and thi
house remodeled.
PARAMOUNT STAGE SHOW
IS PACKED WITH GOMEDY
Comedy again comprises the main
portion of the stage production at the
Paramount for the current week.
Renie Riano and Du Callion are the
chief funmakers, and the audience
gobbles up their antics like duck soup.
The show is a Frank Cambria unit,
".A.laddin's Revels," with a treasure-
laden pirate's chest background in
which is ensconced the lively musical
aggregation piloted by Ray Teal. A
group of Gamberelli girls, fetching-
ly costumed, also help matters along
Miss Riano offers her individual rou-
line of song and dance travesties, and
she has a better line of goods here at
popular prices than she ordinarily sold
lo the $5.50 musical comedy cus-
tomers. Du Callion, an English com-
edian of diversified gifts, delivers a
rapid-fire monologue while balancing
himself up and down an unsupported
ladder. He also plays a string in-
strument while seated on his perch.
Jesse Crawford's organ rendition of
the George Gershwin "Rhapsody in
Blue" is the musical treat of the bill.
The Four Cheer Leaders put over a
novelty number very nicely.
Raymond With Loew at K. C.
Kansas City — Charles Raymond
has succeeded H. H. Maloney as
manager of Loew's Midland. Ray-
mond arrived from Baltimore where
he was manager of four local Loew
houses. Maloney has been trans-
f.-rred to Loew's State in Cleveland.
To Manage Juneau, Milwaukee
.Milwaukee — Remhold Wallach has
been named manager of the Juneau,
a Milwaukee Theater Circuit house, I
succeeding Arthur Wertheimer. '
Lamm Managing Garfield
Milwaukee — Julius Lamm is the^
new manager of Fox's Garfield here,
succeeding W. M. Warren, who hasj
been transferred to the Strand.
Sells Madison, Neb., House
Madison, Xeb. — O. R. Bottmer has
sold the Auditorium here to Mrs. W
M. Youngclaws.
.1. Youngclaws. 1
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Theatres
I Standard
I Vaudeville Acts
I 1600 Broadway, New York City
i Phone Penn. 3SH0
THE
Sunday, February 16, 1930
-.asg^
DAiLV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Says Profits of Producers
Not Passed on to Exhibitor
ALMOST every issue of any
picture trade paper offers one
or more financial statements or
announcements, telling how mar-
velously the profits are increas-
ing. Probably most them are
reasonably close to the truth.
Practically all of the producers
are making greater profits from
larger gross rentals than ever be-
fore in the history of the busi-
ness. Yet nothing is done to re-
lieve the distress of the small in-
dependent ov^rner who is beset by
huge rentals on one hand and the
terrific competition of the de
luxe theaters on the other. The
producers loudly voice the senti-
ment that the "little fellow" is
essential to the business, yet on
the one hand they oppress him
with heavy rentals and on the
other take away his standing pa-
tronage. It is more profitable to
receive a fifty dollar rental from
a small house than to remember
that it used to pay a hundred
when it was open. That is some-
thing to which sales managers
might give a little more thought.
Jay Emanuel in
"The Exhibitor"
Talkers to Create Universal
Love for Music, Says Straus
'THROUGH my work in the
motion picture I hope to be
able to develop love and under-
standing for good music through-
out the world. Language cannot
be translated easily, but music
needs no translation, even in the
movies. It has become the uni-
versal language. A new public
taste will be created eventually,
I believe, and it will not be for
jazz music. It will be semiclas-
sic, expressionistic, and the music
will be so enduring that pictures
will be revived twenty-five years
hence, I think, as operettas are
now.
Oscar Stra^is, Composer
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
HENRY HERZBRUN
law clerk
Along The Rialto
with
PMIM. Daly, Jr.
APPROXIMATELY 300,000,000 persons attending picture
shows weekly throughout the world, estimates Gov. Carl
Milliken of the Hays office. He's an ace member of the orotor-
ical battery.
* * * *
Smarty, swanky, sophisticated and such would be puttin' it
sorta mild for the dashing manner in which Harry Richman
made his debut last night in United Artists' "Puttin' On The
Ritz." Harry was there Recall the commotion in
729 the other day? Well, it was none other than Hank Linet
leading the Columbia gang through their usual fire drill
Realizing that love makes the world go 'round. Radio ups
and mentions the fact, via Sam Warshawsky, that Richard Dix's
next for the company is titled "Lovin' the Ladies." Yeh, but
you don't have to be a star to do that Funny how the
magnetism of Grandeur at the Roxy drew Harold Rodner, Joe
Hornstein and M. Meyer to that house to get a peek-a-boo at
the apparatus.
* * * >K
Lir or Barney Hutchinson, big word juggler for Paramount,
is anxious to report that the second foreign premiere of "The
Love Parade," occurred on Wednesday at the Carlton in London
to the tune of a tremendous reception ever given a motion pic-
ture. And on the other side of the globe, Sydney, the picture is
playing to capacity Josef von Sternberg, Paramount di-
rector, now aboard the Bremen, is scheduled to get things
ready for his New York debut Tuesday
George Jessel, vice president of the Jewish Theatrical Guild
of America, will make a brief address Sunday at the Temple
Emanu-el. Rev. Dr. Nathan Krass will officiate. A choir of 27
voices and the soloists of the Temple will participate in the
services Wonder how many of the bright boys in the
industry sent Valentines to their favorite directors or stars?
Under the auspices of the National M. P. League, three
society debutantes; Margaret Nicoll, Martha Lee Sims and
Eleanor Waters, tomorrow over Radio Station WPCH, will
offer talks on "At The Movies."
Winnie Lightner indulged in a little competition with her
shadow last night when she made a personal appearance at the
Strand, New York, in connection with her first starring picture,
"She Couldn't Say No." Mervyn Leroy is sojourning in
the Big Town, looking over Broadway productions and between
times conferring with First National officials about his forth-
coming directorial schedule
FEBRUARY 15-I6-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days.
February 15th
J. E. Chadwick
A. H. Halprin
John Barrymore
Robert S. Inuchmore
Benjamin Listengart
Februaryieth
William Le Baron
Chester Morris
Mack Swain
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
AT the Fox receivership hearing,
one of the most voluble lawyers
opposing the new financing plan was
asked how many shares of stock he
represented.
"At this moment I represent 5,500
shares," he replied, "but by tomor-
row I will be speaking for double that
amount, and I expect the number to
increase a lot more over the next
days."
"That's plenty," flashed Samuel
Untermyer. "Sufficient unto the day
is the evil thereof."
* * *
Since the talkers have come along,
the suffering of characters on the
screen no longer is untold suffering.
* * *
"I see that some Canadians have
started agitation to restrict Amer-
ican pictures in favor of British prod-
uct."
"That's gratitude for you — after
the big break we gave Canada by
passing the 18th Amendment."
* * *
One producer of a screen musical
advertises that his picture contains
a chorus of 60. He^d better change
that. Most' folks don't want the
chorus to be older than 18.
* * *
Overheard at the M. P. Club:
"Hello, Bill, how're ya feeling?"
"Best ever."
"Glad to hear it. Taking better
care of yourself, I suppose."
"Yes, I've been in great spirits
ever since I started taking yeast."
"Yeast? Why, I tried that for a
month and it didn't do me any good."
"Maybe you forgot to add some
hops, sugar, red pepper and turpen-
tine."
* ♦ ♦
An interested layman writes in to
ask if Sidney R. Kent's 5-5-5 con-
ference is a parity or disarmament
confab.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAl
IN
Metro to build studio in East and
enlarge Coast plant.
* ♦ ♦
A. H. Blank denies selling com-
pany's interests to Goldw5m.
* * *
Thomas H. Ince and Marshall Nei-
lan expected East for Associated
Confab.
« * *
Ben Wilson purchases studio in
Los Angeles.
-^&^^
DAILY
Sunday, Febniary 16, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
EASTERN STODIOS GOING
IN FOR COLOR PRODUCT
The growing popularity of color
pictures is reflected in the output
of the Eastern studios as well as
those on the West Coast.
Paramount is planning to make
"Heads Up," an elaborate musical
feature, entirely in Technicolor, at
their Long Island studios, with other
color films in prospect.
Warner Bros, also promise the in-
troduction of color photography at
their Vitaphone studio in Flatbush,
in the near future.
The independent producers are,
likewise, keeping in step with their
output of short product, some of
which has already been made in
color. Among those now making
color shorts is the Photocolor Cor-
poration, now using the Iri^-' Stu-
dio, pending completion of their own
building.
Louis Brock will start producing
a series of comedy shorts this week,
at the same studio, to be filmed en-
tirely in color, by the Brewster
process.
The Colorcraft Corp. is building a
studio and laboratory in Long Island
City where it expects to produce both
features and short product. A staff
of directors and cameramen is now
being engaged with active production
scheduled to begin around April 15.
Adapting "Heads Up"
Jack MacGowan, co-author of the
stage musical, "Heads Up," will
adopt the screen version for Para-
mount, in collaboration with Jack
Kirkland. The picture will be filmed
entirely in Technicolor, at the Long
Island studios, where production is
scheduled to start in about two
months.
Photocolor Retrieves Lenses
Photocolor Corp. is rejoicing over
the recovery of three optical units,
one of the few pieces of cargo res-
cued from the S. S. Muenchen, which
caught fire and sank in New York
harbor. The lenses were a consign-
ment from the Zeisse Optical Co. of
Germany, and Photocolor had been
waiting over nine months for them.
Revier Completes Six
Harry Revier has just completed
six novelty shorts at the Metropolitan
studios. Fort Lee, N. J. He expects
to start another series in about 10
days.
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
A NYONE who thinks the lot of an
actor is soft, should get in touch
with either Norman Foster, featured
in "Young Man of Manhattan," or
Victor Moore, comedian of "Danger-
ous Nan McGrew." Both players are
also holding down a stage job at the
same time and having to report at
the Paramount studio away out in
the wilds of Astoria, first thing each
yawning, is far from easy.
Olive Shea, who is recovering
from the effects of falling off a
horse, as part of an exterior scene
in "Kiss Me," a Chester Beecroft
•production, feels that she has a lot
in common vnth the Prince of WaiU.
Murray Roth, director-in-chief of
the Warner Vitaphone studios, can
claim the honor of having written
lyrics for the first song George
Gershwin had published. The name
of the song was "When You Want
'Em, You Can't Get 'Em, When
You've Got 'Em, You Don't Want
'Em," and Murray says that he still
has the same sentiments.
Fox Signs Songwriters
Con Conrad, Jack Meskill and Clif?
Friend, songwriter^, have just been
engaged by Pat Flaherty of the Red
Star Music Co., to write exclusively
for Fox productions.
Claudette Colbert is not complain-
ing but she does think that this is
a funny business. "When you're not
working you long for a hit," and
then, when you kind, you wish you
could get away for a vacation."
Both she and her husband, Norman
Foster, had planned to get away to
France this summer but noio that's
impossible since his show, "June
Moon," is set to play all sum,mer
and she is scheduled to appear in a
series of Paramount productions.
Arthur Hurley, director at Warner
Bros. Vitaphone studio, is also a di-
rector in the Lambs Club, famous
theatrical organization. He has al-
ready served a round dozen years in
the latter capacity and was recently
re-elected for three more years of
service.
During the eight years that "Dad-
dy" Clark has been stage doormun
at the Paramount Long Island stw-
dios, he has become known to hun-
dreds of screen aspirants seeking
access to the studio. The present
production activity has attracted so
many that "Daddy" threatens to put
up a. brass rail to hold back the
crowd.
"Three Rounds of Love." a two
reel farce comedy has just been com-
pleted at the Warner Vitaphone stu-
dios with James Rennie and Jean
Dixon featured. Rennie, a Broadway
matinee idol, made his screen debut
some years ago, opposite his wife,
Dorothy Gish.
PDDIE O'CONNOR, remembered
by oldtimers as a featured
comedian in various Vitagraph pic-
tures, has a comedy role in "Danger-
ous Nan McGrew," which Mai St.
Clair is directing at the Paramount
Long Island studios.
The Pan-American favorites, Pau-
lo, Pequita and Chiquita, who re-
cently made a Vitaphone Variety
here, claim to be the only 100 per
cent Mexican act now appearing in
this country. They have also head-
lined in Australia and Canada, as
well as in their own country.
Eleanor Griffith, who recently ap-
peared with Hugh O'Connell in "Find
the Woman," a Vitaphone Variety
made her talkie debut in "Alibi," one
of the first successful feature-length
talkies.
A letter from George Bernard
Shaw, complimenting him on his
ability to interpret the characters
of Ibsen, is the proud possession of
Leigh Lovell, English actor, who has
a prominent role in Photocolor' s
"The Heart Shoppe," which Bradley
Barker will direct this week at the
Ideal studios.
Jack Gardiner, Visugraphic's clever
exploiter, has had a most colorful
background. Once an actor, playing
one night stands, Gardiner has ap-
peared successively as concern pianist,
orchestra leader and director of radio
programs for the "Buffalo Evening
News," before coming to the big city.
Milton C. Work, international au-
thority on the game of bridge, has
made a Vitaphone short, at the War-
ner studio in Flatbush, in which he
explains various bridge plays. Work,
the author of several books on the
art of playing bridge, also gives
weekly radio talks on the same sub-
ject, which are broadcast over 100
sta tions.
Upon looking over some old mag-
azines in the studio prop room Jay
Rescher, cameraman, was surprised
to see his wife's face staring up at
him from the cover of a 1921 fan
magazine, Mrs. Rescher having at
one time been Jean Tolley, a Metro
star.
Ray Cozine has just com.pleted
"Fit to be Tied" at the Paramount
Long Island studios, with Burns and
Allen, coanedy team, featured.
Others in the cast are Marion Mar-
ten, Dulcy Clayton, June Clayworth,
Lenore O'Neill and William Brown-
ing.
NEW ORDER IN MAKEUP
STRESSES CHARACTER
"My idea of a perfect screen make-
up is the appearance of no make-up,"
says Tom Cameron, chief make-up
man at the Paramount Long Island
studio. "Naturalness of facial ex-
pression is emphasized in the present
era of talking pictures as it never
was in the days of silent pictures.
They used to make dolls of the play-
ers. Figuratively, two rubber stamps
were used, one for men, and one for
women; faces received a flatterine
varnish that eliminated all fluency of
the features. A large, mobile mouth
on the leading lady was not to be
tolerated, but must be screwed into
a Cupid's bow. Perfection of features
was the aim.
"This prevalent artificiality can be psycho-
logically traced to the lavish outlay of paints
necessitated by the demands of the ortho-
chromatic film used then. To achieve any
degree of naturalness in black-and-white color
gradations, an elaborate scale of reds, blues,
and yellows was drawn up. By the time the
make-iip man got through with an actor's
face, it resembled an exotic mask. There
was always the temptation to add another dab
of paint.
"With the use of the new panchromatic film
in modern motion picture photography, we are
able to dispense with the paint. Actual
color values are interpreted in the black and
white of the screen. Red hair, for instance, is
no longer jet black on the screen. It is
darker than golden hair, and lighter than
chestnut. There is that finer distinction.
"Some directors advocate no make-up. A
person with an even coat of sun-tan pho-
tographs well without any greasepaint. How-
ever, the new incandescent lighting that has
replaced the old arcs, is more piercing than
the latter. It makes an unshaven face of a
freshly shaved one, and exaggerates minor
blemishes. To achieve an even coloring,
therefore, we apply a thin coat of tan cream.
We also accentuate or subdue certain fea-
tures, but we never exaggerate or distort for
the sake of achieving regularity. Many times
the essence of a person's character lies in the
turn of a snub nose, and to straighten the
nose would be to eliminate an intrinsic ex-
pression. The day of perfectly carved fea-
tures without character is over. Beauty is in
irregular features, if accompanied by per-
sonality— and personality must be maintained
at all costs."
Delmar Completes Another
Harry Delmar has completed an-
other of the Melody series which he
is making here for Pathe. Si Wills,
Harry McNaughton, Thelma White,
Bob Carney and the vaudeville team
of Fields and Kramer are the prin-
cipals in this sketch, of which Del-
mar is also author.
Photocolor's Art Director
Photocolor Corporation announce
that they have engaged Roy Requa
as art director. Requa recently ar-
rived from the West Coast where he
was connected with the M-G-M
studios.
THE
Sunday, Febraary 16, 1930
-.%g^
DAILV
Columbia Active With Four in Work
Many Featured Players in Columbia Casts— M-G-M Getting Set With Four— RKO Starts "Radio Revels"—
Billie Dove's Next for First National Selected — Ralph Wilk's Paragraphs — Other Wired Coast News.
THREE FEATURES BEING
PREPARED FOR CAMERAS
Heavy production activity of Co-
lumbia is under way here with the
studio working at full capacity. In
addition to four features now in work,
preparations are in order for the im-
mediate shooting of three others.
"Vengeance," featuring Jack Holt,
Dorothy Revier and Philip Strange,
under the direction of Archie Mayo
has been completed. Included in the
four features now in production are:
"Guilty?" adapted from "The Black
Sheep," with Virginia Valli, John
Holland under direction of George
B. Seitz; Erie C. Kenton is engaged
on "A Royal Romance," adapted
from the story, "Private Property";
Karl Brown and A. H. Van Buren
are co-di£ecting Aileen Pringle in
"Prince of Diamond" and "Ladies of
Leisure" is well under way with
Marie Prevost, Nance O'Neill, Ralph
Graves, Lowell Sherman under the
direction of Frank Capra.
The three productions which now
are in preparation for the cameras
are: "Hell's Island," with Jack Holt;
"Around the Corner" and another
production tentatively titled "Three a
Day."
Fields Joins Columbia
Leonard Fields, for four years head
(if the New York story department
for Universal, has joined Columbia
as scenario editor.
Venturini Promoted at P-F-L
E. D. Venturini has been promoted
to the head of Paramount's title and
editing department.
Frank Beaston for Fox Follies
Frank W. Beaston, stage player,
has been signed by Fox for the juve-
nile lead in "Fox Movietone Follies
of 1930."
Corcoran Gets Fox Role
George "Red" Corcoran has been
signed by Fox for the featured role
in "Solid Gold Article," which Chand-
ler Sprague will direct.
Jack Benny With Tiffany
Jack Benny has secured his release
from M-G-M to play the title role in
Tiffany's "The Medicine Man," an
adaptation of Elliott Lester's stage
iplay.
Writing Dialogue for
"Universal's Feature
Comedies"
A Little from ''Lots''
m^^^^^^^mm By RALPH WILK .^.^^^^^^
Hollywood
J^ON CHANEY happened upon
George Hill, about to direct his
new prison picture. "Gotta convict
role I could play?" he asked joking-
ly. "Well — yes," answered Hill, "ex-
cept that I want someone with a
name who knows how to make up."
I* * *
On March 1, Joseph Jackson, scen-
arist and dialogue writer, will have
completed his three year contract
with Warner Brothers. He wrote
the dialogue f-or "The Singing Fool,"
"Mammy," "Say It With Songs,"
"The Barker" and "The Terror."
He is also the author of 15 vaude-
ville sketches which have been pro-
duced.
* * «
Our Passing Show: Dave
Epstein returning from San
Francisco and indulging in an
exciting wrestling match at the
Y. M. C. A.; Alfred T. Man-
non being greeted on his re-
turn from New York.
* « *
Another rare sight in Hollywood —
Jack Benny not telling a story.
* *
Fanwus last words: "Oh, we're
got a better shot than this."
ONE of the greatest ring battles in
the bloody fistic history of Ala-
meda, a rough spot across the bay
from San Francisco, was fought be-
tween Frank Gay, then a bantam,
and Danny Malone, with Gay win-
ning. Gay is now a Fox scenarist.
* * *
Roy Del Ruth, Lloyd Bacon
and Harvey Thew, "the three
merry yachtsmen of Sunset
Boulevard," have returned from
Stockton, where they inspected
Roy's new boat.
* * *
Eleven magazines have asked Lois
Moran to submit some of her short
story manuscripts.
* « *
Marjorie White's favorite
dish is roast pork and sauer-
kraut.
* * *
"Obviously a great peace agent,"
said Allister MacDonald, son "f
England's Prime Minister, after
viewing several principal sequences
of' the Tiffany talking picture ver-
sion of "Journey's End." "It is fine,
because it will make veovle think. I
am very glad to see so real and im^
pressive a thing going out to the
world."
Production Started on
"Radio Revels" at RKO
After rehearsals for several weeks
production has started on "Radio
Revels" at RKO under the direction
of Paul Sloan. Louis Sarecky, asso-
ciate producer, will supervise with
Pearl Eaton and Victor Baravalle di-
recting dances and music, respective-
ly. The cast is headed by Bert Wheel-
er and Robert Woolsey, assisted by
June Clyde, Hugh Trevor, Mitchell
Lewis, Jobyna Howland and Dorothy
Lee.
M-G-M Secures Sound Rights
Sound picture rights to Anthony
Hope's novel, "The Prisoner of
Zenda," has been acquired by M-G-
M. Silent version of the novel was
directed by Rex Ingram in 1922.
Dorothy McNulty Signed
Dorothy McNulty has been given a
contract by M-G-M and will appear
in one of the new musical produc-
tions scheduled by the company.
Famham Contract Renewed
Joseph Farnham, title and dialogue
writer, has been given a new contract
for an extended period by M-G-M.
"Devil's Playground" Is
Dove's Next for 1st Nat'l
Billie Dove's next starring vehicle
for First National will be "Devil's
Playground," an original by Kenneth
J. Sanders. Miss Dove at present is
completing a featured role in "One
Night at Susie's," which John Francis
Dillon is directing with Douglas Fair-
banks, Jr., playing the male lead.
"Jail Break" Now "Numbered Men"
The final title of First National's
"Jail Break" now is "Numbered
Men." Mervyn Le Roy is directing
with Bernice Claire, Conrad Nagel
and Raymond Hatton in the title
roles.
Medcraft Writing Quillan's Next
Russell Medcraft, author of the
stage play "Cradle Shatchers," will
write the story for Eddie Quillan's
next for Pathe. It will be a sequel to
"The Sophomore."
Starke Signed by Columbia
Pauline Starke has been signed by
Columbia for forthcoming produc-
tions.
M-G-M Title Selected
"Children of Pleasure," is the final
title for M-G-M's "The Song Writer."
4 M-G-M FEATURES BEING
PREPARED AT STUDIOS
F"our features are now being pre-
pared to go into production at the
M-G-M studios. The first is "The
Big House," which will have Wal-
lace Beery in the cast under direc-
tion of George Hill; "High Road" is
being prepared for Norma Shearer
and will be directed by Sidney Frank-
lin; Reginald Denny and Roland
Young will appear in "Madam Satan"
which is to be under the direction
of Cecil B. DeMille while the last of
the group is "Romance," which
Clarence Brown will direct with Greta
Garbo heading the cast.
THE
Doorway •! iio«pltaJl«vr
dUb popolav koaMlry and rou /••! at
Thara'i an atmotphara of cordial iral
ivbich markt tha diffaranca baliraaa
HoUfwood Plasa and ordinary hotaU.
Tour roo^, too, baa chat addad
ot dictlnction. Plcturat on tha wall.
(tniFad fomltura, a floor lamp and
lamp ... thata ara but a f»yr ot tha
that ^udca yon faal at homa.
Pig's Wkltda Dlnins Sarrlea I
baat of food. Tharafora, whan yon ara •ar'
In L*a Angala* ba mra to inya*ti«aia.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
Vina tiroat at Hollywood Bouia*a>4
HOLLYWOOD. CALIFORNIA
DAILY
Sunday, February 16, 1930
"Lummox"
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., 26 mins.
ARTISTIC AND DRAB DRAMA
DEALING WITH INARTICU-
LATE SERVANT GIRL'S LIFE.
GENERALLY TRAGIC AND
HEAVY.
Drama based on a Fanny Hurst
best-seller. Herbert Brenon turns in
a sympathetic piece of direction on
this picture which he has made pains-
takingly. Miss Westover, playing the
name part, is always convincing as
the ungainly servant girl who goes
through life aiding other people but
never really attaining happiness.
Bertha, the girl in the story, is se-
duced by a young poet and later gives
birth to a child. Owing to her pov-
erty she permits his adoption by a
wealthy family. As he grows to
young manhood and becomes a fa-
mous pianist, she watches him from
a distance but never reveals her
motherhood to him. No love story
is incorporated in the tale.
Cast: Winifred Westover, Dorothy Janis,
Lydia Titus, Ida Darling, Ben Lyon, Myrta
Uonillas, Cosmo Kyrle Bellew, Anita Bellew,
Robert Ullman, Clara Langsner, William Col-
lier, Jr., Edna Murpliy, Torben Meyer, Fan
Uourice, Myrtle Stedman, Danny O'Shea,
William Blakewell and Sidney Franklin.
Director, Herbert Brenon; Author, Fannie
Hurst ; Adaptor, Elizabeth Meehan ; Dialoguer,
Kannie Hurst ; Exiitor, Marie Halvey ; Camera-
man, Karl Struss; Monitor Man, D. Forrest.
Direction, splendid. Photography, A-1.
Eddy
"Happy Days"
(All-Talker)
Fox Time, 1 hr., 30 mins.
THOROUGHLY ENTERTAIN-
ING MUSICAL SHOW ON
GRANDEUR SCREEN, WITH A
CAST OF NAMES THAT ARE
BOX-OFFICE.
More natural perspective, some il-
lusion of depth, modulation of voices,
spectacular effects, unusual camera
angles and less shifting of scenes —
these are some of the main advan-
tages of the wide screen, used here
for the first time in a full-length fea-
ture film. The 42-ft. width may be
found to be a little too much for the
eye to grasp without discomfiting ef-
fort, but the advantage of a reason-
ably wider screen is established be-
yond question. From a purely enter-
tainment standpoint, "Happy Days" is
satisfying. It consists of numerous
revue numbers and a mammoth min-
strel performance, with a light but
agreeable romantic plot running
through the whole affair.
Cast : Frank Albertson, Warner Baxter,
El Brendel, Walter Catlett, William Collier,
James J. Corbett, Charles Farrell, Janet
Gaynor, George Jessel, Richard Keene, Dixie
Lee, Edmund Lowe, Sharon Lynn, George
MacFarlane, Victor McLaglen, J. Harold
Murray, George Olsen, Paul Page, Tom Pa-
tricola, Ann Pennington, Frank Richardson,
Will Rogers, David Rollins, Whispering Jack
Smith. Marjorie White.
Director, Benjamin Stoloff ; Authors, Sid-
ney Lanfield, Edwin Burke; Adaptor, Not
listed; Dialoguers, Sidney Lanfield, Edwin
Burke ; Editor, Clyde Carruth ; Cameramen,
Lucien Andriot, John Schniitz : Monitor Man,
.Samuel Waite; Grandeur Cameraman, T. O.
Taylor.
Direction, snappy. Photography, eo-id.
Gillette
George Arliss in
"The Green Goddess"
(All-Talker)
Warner Bros. Time, 1 hr., 20 mins.
HIGH CALIBRE PRODUC-
TION HIGH LIGHTED BY
WORK OF ARLISS AND
SUPPORTING CAST. MELO-
DRAMA OF INDIA LOOKS
GREAT FOR CLASS AUDI-
ENCES.
Drama based on play. The story,
made silently some years ago with
Arliss and Alice Joyce, provides an
excellent vehicle for its star, who
plays the diabolical and sauve rajah.
Miss Joyce, H. B. Warner and Ralph
Forbes, give performances which are
all skillful. Subtle and clever dialogue,
rather than physical action, is the
basis of this entertainment. The story
is that of two Englishmen and a
woman who fall into the hands of a
villianous rajah, who plans to turn
the men, at least, over to his priests
as a sacrifice. The woman's hus-
band, a semi-heavy, gets a wireless
message through to the nearest Bri-
tish military post but is killed at the
job. The 'planes arrive in time to save
his wife and the other man, who
loves her. Alfred E. Green, who made
"Disraeli," has directed intelligently.
Cast: George Arliss, Alice Joyce, H. B.
Warner, Ralph Forbes. David Tearle, Reginald
Sheffield, Nigel de Bnilier, Betty Boyd .and
Ivan Simpson. ""
Director, .Mfred E. Green; Author, William
Archer: Adaptor, Julian Josephson ; Dialoguer,
Julian .lose;ihson; Editor. James Gribbon :
Monitor Man, Not listed ; Cameraman, \"an
Trees.
Direction, aces. Photography, good.
Eddy
Jean Hersholt in
"The CUmax"
(All-Talker)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 3 mins.
GOOD PROGRAMMER. SIM-
PLE IN STORY AND BEAUTI-
FUL IN TREATMENT, WITH A
FINE CAST TO AID IT.
Drama of absorbing interest based
on the Edward Locke play. The
story has been handled by Renaud
Hoffman with a keen sense of drama-
tic values and a simplicity that does
rnuch to give strength to the narra-
tive. The result is a picture that is
\yistful and tender in mood and beau-
tiful in conception, A first-rate cast
helps to make it so. The action takes
place in Italy. A young girl places
herself in the hands of a famous maes-
tro of singing to be trained for the
operatic stage. To perfect her voice
she submits to a throat operation.
The doctor attending her is a rival
for her hand. Fearing an operatic
career will deprive him of her, he
sprays her throat with a drug that
ruins her voice. As she is about to
go to the alter with him she miracu-
lously recovers her voice and returns
to the love of her first choice. Jean
Hersholt is the maestro and Kathryn
Crawford the girl. Both give top-
notch performances.
Cast: Jean Hersholt, Kathryn Crawford,
LeRoy Mason. John Reinhardt, Henry Armet-
ta.
Director. Renaud Hoffman; Author, Ed-
ward Locke ; Adaptor, Lillian Ducey ; Dialogu-
ers, Clarence Thompson, Lesley Mason; Edi-
tor, Bernard Burton ; Cameraman, Jerome
.\s)i ; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, fine. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Lon Chancy in
"Phantom of the Opera"
with Mary Philbin and Norman
Kerry
(Part-Talker)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 10 m,ins.
STILL SWELL, HAIR-RAIS-
ING ENTERTAINMENT. REIS-
SUE OF THE OLD OPERA
HOUSE MYSTERY WITH DIA-
LOGUE SEQUENCES ADDED.
Mystery romance. Addition of a
number of dialogue sequences has not
retarded the action of this picture.
Chaney never speaks, sub-titles serv-
ing for dialogue whenever necessary.
Miss Philbin and Kerry are used in
the re-made scenes. Only a few new
sets were apparently built and a brief
color sequence has been added. Ac-
cording to 1930 entertainment stand-
ards the film is still a top-notcher.
The years have not stripped it of its
mystery and thrills. Chaney steals
the show throughout The lovers, in
the dialogue scenes, look rather weak
compared with their silent version.
The story (you may recall) deals
with a maniac who haunts the Parjs
opera house as a phantom. He falls
in love with a young singer, abducts
her and is finally mobbed to death.
Cast : Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin, Norman
Kerry, Snitz Edwards, Gibson Gowland, John
Sainpolis, Virginia Pearson, Arthur Edmund
Carewe, Edith Yorke.
Director, Ernst Laemmle ; Author, Gaston
Leroux ; Adaptor, Elliott J. Clawson; Dia-
loguer, Frank McCormick ; Editor, Not listed ;
Monitor Man, C. Roy Hunger; Cameramen,
Charles Van Coger, Virgil E, Miller, Milton
Briderbecker,
Direction, satisfactory. Photography, gen-
erally good.
Eddy
"Melody Man"
(All-Talker)
Columbia Time, 1 hr., 15 mitis.
FIRST-RATE PRODUCTION
OF GREAT HUMAN APPEAL
AND RICH IN TENDER CHARM.
A splendid little film based on the
Fields, Rogers and Hart stage piece
of the same name. Here is a beauti-
ful picture with wide popular appeal,
thanks to the fine human sentiment,
the quaint tenderness and the remark-
able simplicity prevading it. No pre-
tentious production, to be sure, but
certainly one that moves you deep-
ly and sincerely. It is honest and it
is true. R. William Neill has directed
it straightforwardly and intelligent-
ly A Viennese composer takes refuge
in America with his infant daughter
after killing his wife and her param-
our, thus sacrificing a brilliant career.
The girls' inherited love for music
turns to jazz and she becomes in-
fatuated with a band leader. A clash
follows when the father finds the
-spirit of jazz threatening the old
masters. He is arrested when one
of his pieces is heard in a concert
hall by Viennese agents sent to look
for him in New York. The cast ad-
mirably catches the spirit of the film.
Cast: William Collier, Jr., Alice Day, John
St. Polls. Johnny Walker, Mildred Harris,
Arthur Conti, Tennen Holtz, Lee Kohlmar,
Bertram Marburth. Anton Dezerka, Major
Xichols.
Director, R. William Neill ; Authors, Fields,
Rogers and Hart : Adaptor, Not listed ; Edi-
tor, Leonard Wheeler; Dialoguer, Howard J.
Green: Cameraman, Ted Tttzlaff: Monitor
Man, D. R. Cooper.
Direction, g.ind. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
"Sombras de Gloria"
("Shadows of Glory")
(All-Talker)
Sono Art-World Wide
Time, 1 hr., 40 mins.
"BLAZE O' GLORY" MADE
INTO A SPANISH VERSION
NICELY GAUGED TO THE
LATIN TEMPERAMENT.
The almost unrelieved sentimentality
that proved the chief shortcoming of
"Blaze 'O Glory" is certain to be the
prime assest of the Spanish version of
the film. It is the sort of thing that
fits the Latin temperament to a "t."
Its emotional appeal cannot be dis-
counted. An ex-doughboy is on trial
for killing his wife's lover, a former
German soldier. Twice during the
war the accused saved the slain man's
life — once from poison gas, becoming
gassed himself, and again when he
refused to fire upon the defenseless
man despite his captain's order to do
so. Acquittal is sought on the ground
that if the defendant was justified in
killing in time of war a person who
had done him no harm, he was cer-
tainly justified in killing him for cause
in time of peace. Heading a fine cast
is Jose Bohr, who does himself credit
in the Eddie Dowling role.
Cast: Jose Bohr, Mona Rico. Francisco
Maran, Cesar Vanoni, Ricardo Cayol, Deme-
trius Alexis, Tito Davidson, Juan Torena, En-
rique Acosta, Roberto Saa Silva, Federico
Godoy.
Director, Andrew Stone; Author, Renaud
Hoffman; Adaptor, Fernando ('. Tamayo;
Editor, Arthur Tavares ; Dialoguer, Not list-
ed ; Cameraman, Arthur Martinelli ; Monitor
Men. Ben Harper. J. G. Greger.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
"\\Tiy Cry At Parting"
(All-Talker)
B. F. Isaacs Time, 1 hr., 28 m,ins.
GERMAN COMEDY PROVID-
ING ON THE WHOLE GOOD
ENTERTAINMENT AND PLAY-
ED IN BREEZY STYLE. EN-
TERTAINING APART FROM
DIALOGUE.
This, the second German all-talk-
ing film to reach America, attains a
fairly high level as amusement. It
is comedy hghtly played and full of
engaging situations. Fast in tempo
and rarely lagging in interest, ii
moves to its conclusion under the
drive of an indefatigable group of
ilayers. Dina Gralla brings to
the leading role much cuteness and a
rather charming personality. While
the recording is at times muffled and
not always true, the producers, Sud-
Films, have not done badly with it
when one considers the lateness of
sound development in Germany. The
disappearance of a man coincidently
with the loss of the dowry of the girl
betrothed to him starts off the fun.
A lady detective trails him in the
belief he is the thief. She falls in
love with him. Then follows the
discovery that he isn't the real cul-
prit after all.
Cast: Paul Morgan, Antoinie Jaekel, Lot-
tina Baart, Harry Halm, Szoke Szakall, Dina
Gralla, Paul Hoerbiger, Vera Veronina.
Director, Richard Eichberg; Author, Hugo
Hirsch ; Adaptors, Alfred Halm, Frederich
Stein; Editor, Not listed; Dialoguers, A.
Halm, F. Stein ; Cameraman, Heinrich Gart-
ner; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, all right. Photography, fair.
Pelegrine
THE
Sunday, February 16, 1930
DAILV
Harry Richman in
"Puttin' On The Ritz"
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., 40 ruins.
CORKING GOOD PICTURE.
RICHMAN GREAT. SNAPPY
AND TUNEFUL. SHOULD
MAKE MONEY ANYWHERE.
Harry Richman, with James Glea-
son, Joan Bennett, Eileen Pringle and
Lilyan Tashman, puts over one of the
best this season. Richman in his
first singing and talking picture estab-
lishes himself as a picture star. The
ttory is of a song plugger who "puts
on the ritz" when he is a nobody,
then finds that he is not so smart,
becomes a successful actor, deserts
his old troupers, "puts on the ritz"
again only to be brought to his senses
in the nick of time by the girl, Joan
Bennett, who is beauty personified.
Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin to-
gether with several snappy numbers
plus some elaborate sets by William
C. Menzies plus a splendid color
sequence plus the excellent direction
of Edward H. Sloman establishes
this one as a winner.
Cast: Harry Richman, Joan Bennett, James
Gleason, Ailcen Pringle and Lilyan Tashman.
Producer, John W. Considine, Jr.; Director,
Ed. H. Sloman; Author, John W. Considine,
Jr.; Adaptor, :Not listed; Dialoguer, William
K. Wells ; Cameraman, Kay June ; Monitor
Man, Not listed.
Direction, hnc. Photography, good.
Eddy
Winnie Lightner in
"She Couldn't Say No"
(All-Talker)
Warner Time, 1 hr., 10 miiis
GOOD ENTERTAINMENT
PROVIDED BY COMEDY WITH
NIGHT CLUB ATMOSPHERE,
THANKS TO WINNIE LIGHT-
NER, WHO'S THE WHOLE
SHOW.
This one is all Winnie Lightner.
With her in the cast "She Couldn't
Say No" rates well as popular enter-
tainment. The story is banal to the
extreme. We have the night club
singer, the swell-looking racketeer
she s crazy about and the society girl
who comes between them, i he sing-
er exacts from him the promise to
keep on the straight and narrow. But
the desire for money to mingle with
those socially above him proves too
strong for him. In the end he is shot
in a hght with the racketeer employ-
ing him. Both women are at his
bedside as he expires. One is willing
enough to forget the story as long as
Miss Lightner occupies the screen.
Her clowning is as funny as ever.
She gives the picture the only life it
has. I'he film is decidedly hers. And
with her in it there is no denying it
is worth seeing and hearing.
Cast: Winnie Lightner, Chester Morris,
Sally Eilers, johnny Arthur, iully .Marshall,
Louise Beavers.
Director, LloyU Uacon ; Author, Benjamin
M. Kaye; Adaptor, Harvey Thew ; Editor,
Not listed; Cameraman, Not listed; Dialoguer,
Arthur Caesar; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Art Mix in
"Sagebrush Politics"
(Part-Talker)
Hollywood Producers Time, 50 mins.
GOOD ACTION WESTERN
; THAT WILL BRING AN EN-
CORE FOR MORE FROM THE
KIDS. THE PUNCH FINISH
IS SURE-FIRE.
j Western. With many of the old-
j fashioned patterns followed closely,
I Art Mix and his pal get mixed up in
! politics in this one by running into
the heroine, who is the daughter of
the sheriff. Despite the official capac-
ity of the father, the Wolf manages
to steal his son away into the hills
just because he wants to be the next
sheriff. The hero appears on the
scene at the appropriate time and lends
his assistance toward finding the cap-
tured brother, with Lillian Bond a.'-
the reward for his efforts. The ac-
tion is nicely balanced and winds up
with a realistic shooting match be-
tween the bandits and law-abiding
citizens. Hero and villain come in
for a fist battle to clinch the climax.
Synchronization fair wi'i'.i dialogue
mainly concentrated in the sheriff's
office. Some fast riding and comic
scenes interpolated throughout the
film lift the picture from what might
have been a drab afifair. Kids will
go for it strong. Should be billed on
a double feature program.
Cast: Art Mix, Wally Merrill, Lillian Bond,
Bill Ryno, Jack Gordon, Jim Camphell Pewee
Holmes, Tom Forman.
Director, Victor .Adamson ; Author, Not
listed; Editor, Not listed; Adaptor, Not listed ;
Titler, Not listed ; Cameraman, Not listed.
Direction, fair. Photography, fair.
Omstein
Nancy Carroll in
"Dangerous Paradise"
with Richard Arlen, Warner Oland
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr.
FAIR PROGRAM PICTURE.
FANTASTIC DRAMA OF AN
AMERICAN SHOWGIRL
STRANDED IN SOUTH SEAS.
Nancy Carroll didn't get a very
good break in the way of a story for
her first starring vehicle. She portrays
an American showgirl stranded some-
where East of Suez, where she is
fought over by a couple of oozy vil-
lains and eventually is saved by a nice
lad (Richard Arlen) who has been
doing a hermit act on an island be-
cause of a previous love disappoint-
ment. It's a fanciful story, though
rather hard to swallow. But with
its melodrama, suppressed love theme,
several murders and a sprinkling of
comedy touches, the production ought
to get by all right. While the picture
is directed at Nancy Carroll and
Richard Arlen fans, the good acting
of the support, especially Gustav von
Seyffertitz, Warner Oland, Francis
McDonald and Dorothea Wolbert
should meet with appreciation.
Cast: Nancy Carroll. Richard Arlen. War-
ner Oland, Gustav von Seyflfertitz, Francis
McDcnald, George Kot.sonaros, Dorothea
Wolhert. Clarence H. Wilson. Evelvn Selbie,
Lillian Worth, Willie Fung, Wong Wing.
Director, William A. Welluian ; Author.
Joseph Conrad ; Adaptors, Wm. Slaveiis Mc-
Nutt. Grover Jones; Dialoguers, Wm. Slavens
McNutt. Grover Jones; Editor. Not listed;
Cameraman, A. L Stoup; Monitor Man, Not
listed.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Gillette
SOUND
"Copy"
M-G-M Time, 19 mins.
Good Number
A newspaper sketch that has much
to recommend it. It catches the at-
mosphere of the newspaper office
with invariable accuracy. ihere i;
consistent action and more than a
little excitement. The chief charac-
ter is a city editor whose exposal oi
conditions aboard the steamers of an
excursion company costs him his job.
He is vindicated when one of the
Imers condemned as unsafe sinks
with heavy loss of life. His wife and
child are reported among the dead,
but it later develops that at the last
moment they decided to give up the
trip and turned over their lunch box
to a neighbor. It was the finding of
this lunch box with the owner's name
on it that caused them to be placeci
among the lost. Roscoe Karns plays
the city editor commendably.
"Vanity"
Vitaphone Time, 10 mins.
Fair Playlet
Though not credited, the idea for
this playlet comes from a short story
by De Maupassant. It concerns a
wife who borrows some fine clothes
and a necklace from a girl friend in
order to make a showing against a
rich woman who is trying to vamp
her husband. The necklace is lost,
in trying to obtain $25,000 to repay
Its cost, the wife is caught in a com-
promising position by her husband,
who renounces her. Then it devel-
ops that the trinket was only paste.
Kuth Lyons, Vivien Oakland and
l^udolph Cameron play the principal
roles.
Sid Saylor in
"Traffic Troubles"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Average Comedy
Sid Saylor puts all he's got into a
number of gags that make this fair-
ly good entertainment. Here we see
him as a musical mother's-boy whose
playing gets him into trouble with
his neighbor. When he and his
sweetie are caught speeding, they
offer the excuse they are on the way
to a sick grandmother. Finding the
arresting officer is from Missouri,
they lead him to an apartment picked
at random, and while the cops' back
is turned Sid dons female night
clothes and slips into bed. You can
imagine what fun results.
"The Family Next Door"
Paramount Time, 14 mins.
Corking Comedy
Charles Ruggles featured in a
souse party promoted by two couples
who are apartment house neighbors.
Everybody gets fighting drunk,
whereupon they bat each other
around and play havoc with the fur-
niture. Sure-fire comedy in any
crowd.
"The Setting Son"
RKO Time, 19 mins.
Plenty Funny
Taking the theme of "where there's
a will there's a hundred relatives,"'
Larry Darmour has produced another
load of humorous entertainment.
With an old duffer apparently being
about to die, his butler notifies all the
relations. They flock to the scene
and start right in scrapping over the
expected will, winding up by every-
body grabbing something for him-
self and even taking away the bed
from under the sick man. Clicks
solid.
Our Gang in
"Bear Shooters"
M-G-M-Roach Time, 20 mins.
Fine Entertainment
Good comedy with wide appeal.
This time Our Gang goes on a camp-
ing trip. The children happen to
pick a spot close to the hide-away of
a pair of criminals. Afraid that the
proximity of the youngsters might
endanger their freedom the men de-
cide to frighten them away. One -^f
them disguises himself as a gorilla,
but makes the mistake of walking in-
to a bear trap. It is a situation that
gives the little actors plenty of op-
portunity to show their stuff. Ex-
tremely well done.
Oswald in
"Broadway Folly"
Universal Time, 7 mins.
Good Animated Fun
This time Oswald does some fancy
stepping in a cabaret. In steps the
villainous bear, who gives him no
end of trouble. The bear's little
girl, very much like the daughter in
"Ten Nights in a Barroom," goes
looking for dad in the hope of re-
claiming him from demon rum. Os-
wald again shows himself as an ac-
complished musician in this one.
"The Voice of Hollywood"
Tiffany Time, 14 mins.
Tid-Bits from Stars
Another of the series of Holly-
wood's leading stars doing special
bjts before the camera and mike.
Taylor Holmes officiating as master
of ceremonies offers Lew Cody and
Harry Langdon, Armida and Gus
Edwards, Beth Mehaflfy Hawaiians,
et al. Audience liked it.
"The Sleeping Cutie"
RKO Time, 18 mins.
Comedy Riot
A Larry Darmour fun test of the
fi^rst order. Alberta Vaughn and Al
Cooke featured. A society lad takes
a shine to the girl, who belongs to a
family of acrobats, and invites her
to his home to meet the parents. Her
whole family follows, in misfit attire,
and the knockout comes when they
give their "allez-oop" signal and ^-i
on their acrobatic repertoire before
the astonished drawing room crowd.
Packed with robust laughter.
(Continued on Page 12)
THE
10
-S^l^
DAILV
Sunday, February 16, 1930
K
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
FOR ATTACHING BELTONE
nest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — In attaching the Bel-
ton sound-on-film unit, manufactured
by the Beltone Corp., Ltd., installa-
tion can be made on present bases
of Powers, Simplex or Fulco projec-
tors, the company claims, without
structural changes and in a few
hours thus eliminating necessity of
shut-down. The construction of the
apparatus has the turntables mounted
on a pedestal at the rear of pro-
jector and are driven by a hollow
steel shaft from the Movietone shaft
of the projector head. Super cells
used on the device are non-micro-
phonic and have a low impedance.
Due to the sensitivity of the super
cells and the optical system, which
is small and compact, no special
tubes or lamps are required, but a
six-volt automobile headlight bulb is
used which has a life of from 1,00"
to 2,000 hours.
Remodeling Portage House
Portage, Pa. — Norman Sebring is
8 emodeling and re-equipping the Alma
here.
Some Practical Wide Film
Aspects, Recommendations
{Continued from Page 3)
fronted with serious and. we might say, un-
necessary problems in the design of the com-
position of the decorative schemes.
And so on down the Hne through the
legion of those responsible for the artistic
presentation of pictures, the square shape of
the screen is considered as a stifling curse
which limits the possibilities of expressing
beauty and harmony.
The demand for a change in the propor-
tions of the screen is not a mere desire to give
the public a "bigger show," as has been
stated at times, but is, in our estimation, one
of the most striking and significant steps in
the evolution of the motion picture art.
It is very obvious that an alteration in
the proportion and size of the motion picture
image creates complex problems which involve
all branches of the motion picture industry
ami which are of such nature that they d;e-
niand the close attention and cooperation of
all allied industries. The reaching of definite
conclusions in regard to this new development
must follow a -cry definite plan, worked out
in complete detail as to the technical problems
involved, and with a perfect understanding
of the economic condition created. It is
necessary that the p'an can be met not only
by the motion picture industry as a producing
unit, but also by the exhibitors of motion pic-
tures, in such manner as to insure the endorse-
ment of the public.
It is in consideration of these factors that
the Bell & Howell Company, conscious of the
responsibilities of the motion picture industry
toward itself and toward the public, has con-
ducted a painstaking investigation of this
vital question. It has derived from it some
Brilliant Pictures
Perfect Sound
Clear, realistic pictures, freedom from eye-strain,
and natural tone qtiality is necessary to win and
hold your patronage.
To insure projection as good as you had hefore Sound,
to get the best reproduction from your sound outfit,
you must have the right kind of a screen.
Vocalite Sound Screen is proven best by scientific test.
Many successful installations have proved it to be
superior in light, definition, and tone quality.
It is the only screen optically and chemically correct
for the projection of Colored Pictures.
Full information will be sent on request, cost no higher
than any good screen.
\/<D)ca.llte
VSoimd Screen
77w First Hinen Si i,„l,l„, illy l',rf,rleil for S,„nx,l /'i. /„rpj
Beaded Screen Corp. Roosevelt, New York
Approved by Electrical Re-
search Products, Western
Electric Co., Inc., and other
makers of Sound Equipment.
Porous but not perforated
Fire F>roof
Non Inflammable
deanite conclusions which have led to the
presenting of three dimensional proposals.
Departing from the commonly accepted
routine, we shall nrst present our recommenda-
tions and afterward detail the reasons wnich
have led to them. To facilitate tne discus-
sion, we shall distinguish the proposed dimen-
sions as follows: CAJ the "hconomic"; (.B)
the "Spectacular", and (C) the "iLxtreme.'
1 he "Economic" has been so named be-
cause its adoption would involve a minimum
of expenditure of both time and capital for
the necessary alterations and developments ot
the apparatus in use throughout tne motion
picture industry.
Ihe "Spectacular" is so called because it
presents greater possibilities than the "Jico-
nomic" in the matter of refinement of execu-
tion, and lends itself to a more spectacular
presentation oi pictures. The exjienditure in-
volved in the adoption of this dimension as
standard would be far greater, perhaps three
times the expenditure necessitated by the adop
tion of the "Economic."
Uhe "Extreme" is so designated because
its adoption would involve extreme expenditure
of time and money in its development. It
would require perhaps four to five times the
expenditure involved in the "Kconomic," and
it would present extreme, perhaps excessive
abuses in e-xploitation without accomplishing
any great advantage over the "Kconomic."
The proposed dimensions diffei- from the
existing standards in that the over-all width
of the films and of the picture frames is great-
er than the same dimensions adopted for the
standard 35 mm. film. In the case of the
"Spectacular" and the "Extreme," the height
of the image is increased so as to answer
the condition of the 3 to 5 ratio between the
sides of the image area. These dimensions
will be analyzed in detail later on in the
course of this paper.
It will be noticed that the pitch and all
other dimensions of the film perforation have
been kept etiual to the standard 35 mm. in
force at the present time. This feature per-
mits reducing to a minimum the problem of
sprocket design for all motion picture machin-
ery and permits the industry to take full ad-
vantage of the knowledge it possesses of the
behavior of film in regard to shrinkage. This
laboriously acquired knowledge has formed
the basis of long, painstaking, and complete
investigation, upon which the shape, thick-
ness, diameters, and gauges of sprockets and
teeth design have been based.
We do not believe that the increased width
of the film, at least for two of the proposed
sizes, will demand an increase in its thick-
ness. This thickness should remain according
to the adopted standards of 0.006 in. or 0.1524
mm., since the proposed dimensions are with-
in the accepted tolerances pertaining to the
relation existing between critical width, critical
length, and critical thickness of the him.
This is an all-important consideration, not
only because of the fact that an increase in
filni thickness would necessitate a long and
exhaustive research on its shrinkage char-
acteristics, but a'so because of the fact that
an increase in thickness would present serious
problems for the correct registering of the
sound record on film, because of the more
pronounced and extended halation fringes
which would he produced by the inevitable
reflections of light from the back surface of
the film base. These characteristic halation
fringes have proven at times to be the cause
of distortions in the reproduction of sound,
even when using the 35 mm. film of standard
thickness.
The recommended form of perforation is
the rectangular with rounded comers, for
both negative and positive film, because it
will permit the marginal guiding of the film
(whirh, incidentally, will take place on the
sound record side) to be controlled at the later,
al faces ot the perforations independently of
the edges of the film.
Additional supplement of this
article will appear in a subsequent
issue of THE FILM DAILY.
4,300 PROJECTORS WERE
EXPORTED DURING 1929
IVajliiHgtoii Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Projection machines
exported to foreign countries during
1929 totaled 4,300, advices to the M.
P. Division of the Dept. of Commerce
state. Of this figure 1,989 were of
standard gauge (35 mm) with a value
of $592,319 while 2,311 projectors
of less than 35 mm with a value of
$212,947 were exported during the
period.
U. S. A. Fire Dowser Co.
Device Meets Approval
Wilkes-Barre, Pa. — The State
Dept. of Labor and Industry has ap-
proved the fire safety device for pro-
jection machines made by the U. S.
A. Fire Dowser Co., it is claimed.
The apparatus, according to the com-
pany, is selling for $82.50. This i>
the second safety device, it is under-
stood, which has received the en-
dorsement of the State Labor Dept.
An apparatus manufactured by tlv
Pfeil Co. recently was approved.
Parker Now Associated
with Campbell Engineer.
Kan.sas City — Howell A. Parker,
formerly connected with the servic-
ing of Pacent and Biophone in this
territory, now is associated with the
Campbell Engineering Co., manufac-
turers of a non-synchronous device.
Parker in addition to having buil.
various non-synchronous apparatuses
has had several years' experience in
electrical and radio research.
Sign for Tone-O-Graph
Cleveland — Rube Traube has signed
contracts to install Tone-O-Graph in
the following houses: .Amuse-U,
Struthers; Pearl, Lorain: Lyric,
Mansfield.
Better Acoustics for Theater
Clear Lake, la. — Acoustics have
been improved at the Park.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuod^HBys
▼▼no West WSt New Itor* NV •^
Phone Penna. 0330 I
Motion Picture Department I
U. S. and Canada Agenta for Debrit |l
THE
Sunday, February 16, 1930
n
-S&^
PAILV
11
Theater Equipment
Liquid Glass Paint
Moscow — Soviet film pro-
ducers have discovered that the
use of polygraphia vyallpaper
and liquid glass for decoration
enables them to make a sub-
stantial saving in oil paints and
alcohol lacquers.
33 Northern Ohio Houses
Wired with Tone-0-Graph
Cleveland — Thirty-three Tone-O-
Graph devices have been installed in
northern Ohio theaters since Nov. 1,
1929. Among the latest installations
are those in four of the Ohio Amuse-
ment Co. houses.
Metropolitan Star Tests
Acoustics in N. Y. House
Tito Schipa, formerly of the Met-
ropolitan Opera, recently aided in
testing the acoustics of the new
Loew's 175th St., which is scheduled
to open Washington's Birthday. Af-
ter a short test Schipa, as well as en-
gineers, declared the conditions in
the house satisfactory.
Another for Quality Tone
Beemer, Neb. — The Gem has
stalled Quality Tone.
National Theater Co. Markets
Arc Lamp for Wide Screens
Seattle — To meet the demands for
more light in connection with the use
of larger screens and the proportion-
al apertures, the J. E. McAuley Mfg.
Co., one of the units of General The-
ater Equipment Co., is marketing
through National Theater Supply Co.
a new model Peerless high intensity
reflector type lamp.
The new lamp, it is said, is pro-
duced under patents controlled by
the General Electric Co. and pertains
to chemically treated carbons, which
are a requisite for the production of
light of high intensity. In addition
to giving a steel blue white light,
the lamp is designed to use a posi-
tive carbon treated with chemical.';
and 20 inches in length.
Besides being operated automati-
cally, the carbons are fed at the re-
quired rate by an automatic arc con-
trol with separate adjustable regu-
lations of the negative as well as
positive carbons. The automatic arc
control is mounted at the side of the
lamphouse and is supported by a sep-
arate casting where it is not sub-
jected to variations in temperature.
Patent Infringement is
Charged in Dubilier Suit
Suit charging infringement of pat-
ent number 1688478 has been filed b>
the Dubilier Condenser Co. in the
United States District Court, south-
ern district of New York, against the
Polymet Manufacturing Co. The
patent involved in the case, accord-
ing to William Dubilier, covers meth-
ods of manufacture of paper conden-
sers as they are now being made b\-
practically all largest companies and
u.sed most in radio sets, talking pic-
tures and broadcasting stations.
Alpha Claude Neon Corp.
Takes Over Gardner Sign
Pittsburgli — The Gardner Sign Co.
iiere has been taken over by the
Alpha Claude Neon Corp. operating
in Western Pennsylvania and West
Virginia. While no change in the
staff of the Gardner organization is
contemplated, the company's dn"'n-
town ofifices will be devoted to show-
rooms and sale offices.
Gardner contracts for new signs
and maintenance on existing con-
tracts will be fulfilled by the Alpha
Claude Neon Corp., it is claimed.
PfEll SAFETY CONTROL
FOR PinSBURGH HOUSE
Pittsburgh — Pfeil Automatic Safe-
ty Control has been installed at the
Regent and is meeting full approval
of all that is expected of it, accord-
ing to M. Fairgraves, owner of the
house. With the time allowed, for
such installation on projecMon ma-
chines, by State Dept. of 'Labor and
Industry here, it is expected other
devices will be placed in many
houses.
FLAME PROOF
IT JUST WONT BURNf
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
TRUVISIOK
NATURAL VISION— GLASS BEADED SCREEN
FIRE-PROOF GRAXDEUR SCREEN
ROXY THEATRE
Installs the Truvision Fireproof Glass Beaded Sound Screen
FOR OPENING OF
"HAPPY DAYS GRANDEUR PICTURES"
A Fireproof Sound Screen Without Any Loss of the Incomparable Qualities Per-
taining to the Truvision Glass Beaded Sound Screen. Brilliance — Depth — Defini-
tion— Third Dimension Illusion
NO DISTORTION NO VISIBLE PERFORATION
Easily Washed — Retains Original Brilliance — Electrical Testing Laboratories
Report 48114 Jan. 22, 1930
Truvision Glass Beaded Sound Screens Are the Last Word in Sound and Projection
TRUVISION PROJECTION SCREEN CORP.
841 TIFFANY ST., BRONX, NEW YORK
TEL. DAYTON 8886-8887
me
12
DAILY
Sunday, February 16, 1930
Week's Headlines
Monday
I'itts. M.l'.T.O. unit tu lake protection fight
tn court.
Conipanv union unlikely to succeed, 1' ranK
Cillinorc, president of Actor's Equity, de-
Kederai Govt, and Music Publislicrs' Protec-
tive Assn. center war against music racke-
teers on nine cities.
Tuesday
Seventy color features arc now set fur 1930.
Germany modities imported talkers restrictions.
Seven features in production at Universal
studios.
Directors propose new name for Paramount.
Wednesday
riiirty features and 242 shorts from Pathe
this year.
Fo.\ receivership decision due tomorrow.
S. R. Kent sees penalty for exhibs who violate
contracts.
New Jersey M.P.T.O. plans suit against
protection.
Thursday
l''arash Tlieater ("o. forms 10-cent theater
chain. . . r- i
Compu'sory arbitration continues m Canada.
Music racketeers get nearly half of theme song
profits.
Expect Warner to show $.=;,500.nOO in quarter.
Friday
Kox .stockholders to pass on refinancing plans.
RCA institute opens sound instruction schools.
Virginia censors to examitie sound pictures.
Today
Work on voluntary arbitration plan in Philly.
Four in work, six in preparation at Warner
studios. . .
linds Operators' licensing law unconstitution-
al in Buffalo.
FINDS OPERATORS' LICENSE
LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL
(Continued from Paiic 1)
atdi- under whom the apprentice
.serves must file an appreciation .stat-
ing that he has worked the prescril)e(i
period under his tutelage.
The decision is a victory for local
exhibitors, who contended that the
laws gives licensed operators the
whip hand. The case arose out of
the arrest last December of .Stanley
Kozanpowski, manat^p'- of the Ri-
\()li, who was operating a projection
machine without a license.
Sidney B. Pfeifer, counsel for the
exhibitor, states that a bill con-
cerning the situation is now pending
in the Legislature. This require-
that operators be licensed, be of good
moral character, be of age, and shall
either by a six months' apprentice-
ship or otherwise have acquired the
necessary training.
Baltimore House Changes Hands
Baltimore — Harry Reddish has
leased Schanze's, residential house, to
I'.dward Matthews, who will renovate
the theater without interfering Avith
shows.
Devon Leases Pa. House
Kast Cannonshurg, Pa. — L. Devon
has leased the Duquesne here from
Terrv Castelli.
Wygonik Buys at Natrona
Natrona, Pa. — M. T. W\gonik has
purchased the State from Lew Stein.
Carroll Gets St. Marys House
St. Marys, W. Va. — Charles Car-
roll has secured the Robey from H.
H. Robev.
Short Subjects
(Continued from Parie 9)
M-G-M
'Hot Dog"
Time, 15 mins.
Hot Dogs!
One of the best short subjects ever
to come out of a studio. And this
in spite of the fact that there isn't
a human being in it. The work of
the 50 dogs comprising the cast
stands as a great tribute to canine
intelligence. Language is placed in
the mouths of these animals that is
perfectly suited to their every ac-
tion. The scene is a night club. The
story is similar to that of the jealous
husijand who finds his wife in the
company of her paramour and is shot
l)y the lady as the two men fight it
out. Nothing like it has been done
before. Here is something that is
in a class by itself. Zion Myers and
Julius White deserve much credit for
their direction.
Pathe Audio Review No. VII
Time, 10 mins.
Diversified Entertainment
This issue is divided into three
parts, the first showing newsreel
clips of Bill Hohenzollern taken in
1913, the Prince of Wales la>ing a
cornerstone in 1914, William Taft in
his presidential campaign of 1918 and
Irene Castle when she modeled in
fashions for Pathe Review years ago.
The second contains scenes taken
from an old Harold Lloyd comedy,
"lust Nuts," and another showing
Maurice Chevalier in "A Night in
Paris." Life in New England is de-
picted very briefly in the last part
with a sailor quartet singing "Whis-
key Johnnie." Entertaining, indeed.
"A Night at the Shooting
Gallery"
M-G-M Time, 15 mins.
Good Dance Novelty
Some beautiful dance numbers exe-
cuted by the Albertina Rasch Ballet
in a color revue. Though its color.
are a little glaring to the eve. thi
subject still remains a charming
thing. Its interest is enhanced 1>'-
several pleasing tunes.
Pathe
"Cover Charge"
Time, 8 mins.
Mediocre Repartee
\'entriloquist act in a restau'-an'
tries to get over some gags that have
appeared in newspapers throughout
the country. Most of the smart sav-
ings lose their spontaneitv mainlv
due to the attempt to weave them
into one continuous storv.
"In Old Madrid"
Tames A. FitzPatrick Time, 11 mins.
Nice Traveloffue
An interesting traveloe'ue, having
(■rlucational value as well, shf^n-'iirr
Mie highhVhts of the historic Snan-
ish citv. A synchronized travel-talk
accompanies the scenes. Has that old
world charm about it, and makes a
neat filler.
Foreign Markets
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN
SIX LANGUAGES FOR NEW
INTERNATIONAL REVUE
London — An all-talking picture
with six languages is planned bv
Julius Hagen. The international film
will be titled "Hello Europe" and
will embrace considerable European
vaudeville. Acts representing eacl-
of the following countries will be in-
cluded in the film; England, France,
Italy, Sweden and Spain.
Western Electric and
M.P.A. Sign Music Pact
London — A three year agreement
has been signed by the Music Pub-
lishers' Assn. of England and West-
ern Electric Co., on behalf of the
licensees. A similar agreement is
expected to be effected betwen the
M.P.A. and Kinematograph Renters'
Society. This agreement is likeh
to difTer on certain points, as it deals
with more insular interests of British
producers and importers.
Sovkino and Kino-Siberia Merge
Moscow — Sovkino and Kino-'^'-
beria have merged their producin-
organizations. The production basis
existing under the direction of Kino-
Sil)eria will continue their work as ar
independent unit under the manairc-
ment of the Siberian Section of Sov-
kino.
Union & Hoyts to Make Talkers
London — Union Theaters Ltd. and
Hoyts Theaters, Ltd., plan to start
production of all-Australian talking
pictures shortly. Union has a mod-
ern studio and laboratory at Bondi
which will be converted into
soundproof studio.
Petrovitch in "King of Paris"
Paris — Ivan Petrovitch has been
cast as the leading man for a French
talking picture to he made here knowr,
as "The King of Paris."
Selenophon Drops Deal
\'ienna — Negotiations between the
German Tobis Co. and Aust ian
Selenophon are reported to have
been dropped. Selenophon is under-
stood negotiating with another com
pany.
Sandwich Man' Lit
Sydney — Something novel in
exploitation was seen here re-
cently when "On With the
Show" opened at the Capitol.
An illuminated sandwich man
strolled the streets with the
letters of the picture cut out
on the cloth and covered with
transparent material. Switch
to a cattery was turned on en-
abling visibility at long dis-
tance.
57 Sound Patents
London — Fifty-two patents
of the 256 that dealt with film
devices granted in Great
Britain during 1928-29 speci-
fied color in some form or
other. 57 related to sound
while 21 were issued regard-
ing stereoscopic processes.
Australtone Device Makes
Its Debut in Singapore
IVashiv. ■■„t Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washmgton — Talkers have been
shown at the Eu Tong Sen, Singa-
pore, over equipment made by Aus-
traltone, according to a report to
the M. P. Division of the Dent, of
Commerce. A special program wa
arranged to suit a mixed audience but
the reaction was not favorable. Pic-
tures are now being exhibited in Jo-
horo. The Australtone device con-
sists of turntables and electric am-
plifiers attached to two projection
machines, speed of each turntable
being regulated automatically b\
means of gears attached to the ma-
chine.
Canty Visits Berlin
Berlin — George Canty, the United
States Trade Commissioner with
headquarters in Paris, has been visit-
iig here. His trip is said to have
been in connection with the talk ot
1 roposed legislation in regard to talk-
iig film imports.
Shooting "End of World"
Paris — Shooting has begun on "The
End of the World" at the Pathe-
Natan studios. The talking picture
is being synchronized with Gaumont-
Petersen-Poulson system.
"Loves of Robert Burns" for Ideal
London — "The Loves of Robert
Burns," British and Dominion film,
will be handled here by Ideal i^'i'-ns
Ltd. Screen play is by Reginald
Berkeley and Herbert Wilcox, who
)roduced and directed the picture.
Corophone Installing Six
London — Six installations are bc-
ng made by Coronhone e""'nment.
Coroelectric, Ltd., is handling the dis-
tribution of the device.
Kinemas Ltd. Premieres "Rio Rita"
London — Kinemas Limited houses
are having premiere showings of
'Rio Rita" in South Africa.
Richmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAM, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi represehta
tives for Rayart Pi;tures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address ; RICH P! CSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJAY. London.-
Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the
best in Motion Picturct
BENEFIT OF COLOR
without
PENALTY OF COST
COLOR is the order of the day. Sono-
chrome brings it without the penaky
of added cost. Sixteen delicate tints
and a warm neutral tone are available
at the same price as ordinary black-
and-white. This, plus the fact that it
gives really faithful sound-on-film,
accounts for the success of this series
of Eastman tinted positive films.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
FILM DAILY'S POLL
of more than 300 newspa-
per editors throughout the
country for the ten best pic-
tures of 1929 gives
high honors to . .
* With Victor McLaf^Un, Edmund
Loive and Lily Damita. Story
hy Laurence Stalling! and
Maxniell Anderson. Dicilof; hy
M'llliam K. Wells. Directed hy
Raoul Walsh.
IN OLD ARIZONA
The FIRST all talking picture filmed outdoors. Blazed a new
trail in dialog films and created a new vogue of outdoor
Western talkers. Acclaimed the most important contribution
yet made to the progress of audible pictures. And now, a
year later, critics everywhere unite in awarding it first rank
among all the talking pictures of 1929.
The COCK EYED WORLD
The greatest money making picture the industry has ever
known. Grossed more money and wrecked more records than
any attraction in theatrical history, doubling the gross made
by "What Price Glory," previous Fox record holder. Holds the
world's record for money and attendance, having played to
more than a million people and more than $750,000 in four
weeks at the Roxy, New York. And still going strong through-
out the entire world I
♦ With Edmund Loiue, Waritj
Baxter, Dorothy Burgess. L\
rected hy Raoul Walsh at'
Irving Cummings. Story aii'
dialog hy Tom Barry.
I
And the greatest
critic of all^
Mr. Box Offices
votes for^^
"Sunny Side Up" closed last
night first consecutive two
weeks run in history of city.
General opinion both press
and public the most entertain-
ing picture seen here since
advent of talkies.
ff'ire from Carl B. Sh erred,
Mishler Theatre,
Presented
by
WILLIAM
KftS
"Hot for Paris" terrific hit
Absolute sell-out all day Sat-
urday, Sunday and Monday.
Picture wowed both men and
women. Fox pictures are
certainly cleaning up for us.
Wire from Harry Setts,
State Theatre,
New Bedford, Mass.
■'!:„
Ik
«Wi
iTHE
r/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
3L. LI No. 40
Monday, February 17, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Vexas Proposes 2 Per Cent Gross Tax on Chains
'OUR CONTRACTS READY WITHINT WEEK
^oreign Versions for Half of Columbia Product
I The Mirror
!— a column of comment
:M the ROXY theater, Grandeur
tures have formally been admitted
; polite Broadway film society,
tappy Days," pioneering visitor
n Hollyvk^oodian realm, presents
:;ral interesting and beneficial new
les — and promises more. One
itive improvement it brings is
Iter panoramic scope which will
ance scenes embracing widespread
on. Better definition is another
;t and a third-dimension effect is
;n to a modified degree. Gran-
|r doesn't help the perspective of
j patrons who are front-rowing
I the gang up in the balcony gets
(well break. It's another definite
!i along the highway towards the
Imate in motion pictures. Color
oing to escort it still further.
« * •
. ARE OF THE uncertainty and
I ied situation left by the Judge
Iche- d'--e€, Abram F. Myers,
ei man ot Allied States Ass'n,
r;s both Histrihutors and exhibitors
)not rock the boat." The intelligent
n far-seeing leaders in both camps
<■' no doubt echo the wisdom of
he words. Arbitration in some
01 or other will be worked out and
lie meanwhile, those endowed with
;C1 judgment will mark time, re-
Pting the rights of others.
DDADWAY, which has been called
1^;, had a "new" thrill the other
»"ing when "Puttin' on the Ritz"
pied at the Earl Carroll — with a
iy human, tuneful 'orchestra fur-
idling preliminary music. Merely
yiay of record let it be stated and
fined that its reception was an ex-
rtielN cordial one.
Spanish, French, German
Versions Are Planned,
States Jack Cohn
Columbia will make multi-lingual
versions of approximately half of it^
1930-31 program, stated Jack Cohn,
secretary and treasurer of the com-
pany, Saturday. Product most suited
for the purpose will be given Span-
ish, German and French versions, he
said. Foreign-language versions will
also be made of the best of the cur-
rent year program. Foreign casts
and directors will be used, Cohn
stated.
Plans are under way for the mak-
ing of a Spanish version of "Flight,"
with work scheduled for the East.
Cohn returned from the Coast a few
days ago after a production confer-
ence.
CHRISTIE ENDS THREE-YEAR
T CONTRACT
IVcst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — With the completion
of "Shamrock Alley," winding up its
production program for the year,
Christie has terminated three years'
distribution through Paramount. It
is understood that there will be no
renewal of contract. "Shamrock Al-
ley," featuring Qiarlie Murray, marks
the 37th two-reel film to be made by
the producer during the season. Re-
lease through Paramount will con-
tinue through the spring. Production
at the Christie studios will not be
resumed until April.
To Plug Portable
"One field of activity into
which we propose to embark
with concerted effort is the
educational and industrial field
with our new portable," said
Sydney E. Abel, RCA Photo-
phone sales manager, follow-
ing conclusion of four-days
sales conference.
PLANNED BY RaVICTOR
Plans for the expenditure of more
than $7,500,000 for expansion during
the year are announced by the RCA-
Victor Co. Of this amount more
than $5,500,000 will go toward the
construction of a new building in
Camden, N. J., and the purchase of
additional equipment. With the com-
pletion of this new project the RCA
subsidiary will have spent more than
$11,420,000 for the development of
its facilities by the end of 1930.
R-K-0 Takes Lease on 2
Union City, N. J., Houses
Union City, N. J.— The Capitol
and State have been taken over by
R-K-O under a long-term lease. Gil-
bert P. Josephson, formerly manager
of the DeWitt in Bayonne, is man-
aging both theaters, succeeding Dan-
iel J. Burns, who recently resigned.
Independent Exhibs in lexas
Favor Levy on Chain Houses
Unemployment Hurting
Cleveland, Akron Houses
Cleveland — Theaters here and in
Akron are generally suffering from
the unemployment situation. Offi-
cial estimate is made that 50,000 per-
sons are out of work in this city.
Austin, Tex. — A tax of 2 per cent
on the gross receipts of chain theaters,
and also applying to film exchanges
that lease pictures to as many as five
houses in Texas at any one time, is
provided in amended House Bill 73
prepared and sponsored by the legis-
lative committee of the Texas Anti-
Chain Ass'n and introduced into the
{Contintted on Page 2)
Revised Exhibition Pacts
Being Worked Out
by Distributors
Four major distributing companies
expect to have revised exhibition
contracts ready within a week, a
checkup made by THE FILM
DAILY indicates. Other concerns
will have their contracts set over
periods varying in length. Under the
Judge Thacher decree, which out-
lawed compulsory group arbitration
as illegal, they cannot co-operatively
work out a contract
Companies which anticipate having
their new versions ready within a
week are: Universal, M-G-M. Firb>
National and Educational.
DALLAS MAYOR THREATENS
Dallas — Mayor Tate is threatening
to seek passage of an ordinance pro-
hibiting minors from attending pic-
ture houses unless local exhibitors
keep crime films off their screens.
Pointing out that he abolished the
city censor last spring when he took
office, the mayor said: "I am almost
coming to the conclusion that the
local film people are not keeping
faith with me."
URCEBEnER HANDLING
or PRINTS AND DISCS
Kansas City — Better handling of
prints and discs to insure longer life
is being urged upon exhibitors by
local exchange managers. Misuse of
■films and records by quite a few the-
aters is said to be responsible for
the fact that only about 22 runs are
being obtained from prints now
against 44 in the past.
»oUINo.40 Monday. February 1?, 1930 Pric«5C«nt$
JOHN W. M.ICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Pulilished daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y.. and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Filiri
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May ^l, IVIB.
.. the post office at New York N. Y. under
the act ol March 3. 1879. Terms (Postoge
free) United States outside of Greater New
Voric $10.00 one year; 6 months *5.U<J; •>
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15 00 Subscribers
should remit with order Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 650
Broadway, New York, N. Y Phone Circle
4736 4737 4738 4739. Cable address : Filmday^
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London-Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardoiir St . W.
I. Berlin-Karl Wolffsohn. L'ch'Wdbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris-P. A^ Harle^
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Gourdes Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK M.\RKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 23^4 21 2354 300
Gen. Thea. Equ. .. 47/. 47 :. 47/8 3,800
♦Keith A-0 ••••••j5ow i55;/; loo/. 'ioo
lV"s. -Inc.- •:::.■ : 67^: 66^ 66*^ 1.300
♦do pfd. WW (6!4) JJ .
Mo pfd. xw (6/a) 8554 ....
♦M-G-M pfd ..•■ •••• j^ j-jAA
Para. F-L 65 64^ 65 1,500
Pathe Exch 4 37A 4 300
RK-o ■•■:::::: 31 '^ 30 30a 1.600
S^r^s''":.: m iou f^A 12:000
do pfd 54M 54K 54% -UU
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
?oLA ^.::: 29^ 29ji 11a ,'200
Fox Thea. •'A"... 6?i (>¥» ^V» 2,300
•Intern. Proj. ... .;•• • • •; \% '^Af.
Loew do deb >ts... 32 3154 32 200
Loew's Inc. war .. 7}4 754 ni 2o
*Nai. Scr. Ser \%
Nat. Thea. Sup ^l^, •■ '
•Univ. Pict y^
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 80 ■■■■
•Loevv 6s 41ww ••-• lOS/s ....
do 6s 41 x-war... 94 94 94 10
•Paramount 6s 47 ,„„'^ ■■■
•Par. By. 5/2s51 100
•Pathe 7s37 ''S
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
THC
J^E^S
DAIL.V
Monday, February 17, 1930
The Broadway Parade
FOREMOST among the new film openings of the current week is "The Vagabond
King," with Dermis King, which follows "The Love Parade" into the Criterion
on Wednesday.
Picture
"Disraeli". .
■'The Love Parade"...
"Hit the Deck"
Theater
Opening Date
2
19
Distributor
.Warners Central Oct.
. Paramount Criterion Nov
. RKO Globe Jan. 14
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor. Jan. 28
"Son of the Gods" First National .... Warner Jan. 30
"Green Goddess" Warner Winter Garden. . .Feb. 13
■Puttin' on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb. 14
"Troopers Three" Tiffany Gaiety Feb. IS
Texas Proposes Two P. C.
Gross Tax on Circuits
(Continued from Page \)
Texas legislature by Representative
Polk llornaday, of Harlingen.
Leaders in the independent exhibi-
tion field of Texas have approved the
measure, which has created a sensa-
tion in Texas film circles, and Col.
H. A. Cole, president of the .Allied
Theaters of Texas, is a member of
the advisory board of the anti-chain
body.
The proposed bill" would add more
than $3,000,000 annually to the rev-
enues of the state and is part of Gov-
ernor Dan Moody's tax program.
r
XX New York
H 1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
♦.•♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.•♦.'•♦.♦•.•♦.♦♦.♦Mf.tMSrl
*• i
Long Island City ft
154 Crescent St. ft
STIllwell 7940 ft
I Eastman Films |
l 1. E, Brulatour, Inc. ^
a a
a. — — It
ft Chicigo Hollywood ft
« . ,. . 6700 Santa Monica ft
K 1727 Indiana Ave. Blvd. ft
ft CAlurortt 2691 HOlIywood 4121 ft
Sears on Exchange Tour
(Iradwel L. .Sears, Western sales
manager of First National leaves to-
day for an extended tour of the west-
ern exchanges where he will conduct
meetings in collaboration with branch
managers.
Sunday Shows Win
Belmond, la. — This town has ap-
proved Sundav shows bv a vote of
379 to 115.
Ivanhoe House Gets Sound
Ivanhoe, Minn. — The State has in-
stalled sound apparatus.
Altering Concord House
, Concord, N. H. — Extensive altera
tions are being made at the .Audi-
torium.
W. E. at Waverly House
Waverly, la. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed at the
Palace here.
mmm\
;.f Phnadclphi,
gilag^g
of New York .W-
Ijany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
I lie "Ilonic Town
I'.il'tis of 4 ()00 llic-
atiu owners. The
most intensively read
jtm-na^ls in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
ivc-ilast ngly at it for
llic 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35 7o territory!
EMANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington
Ma n Office. 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
Windsor Picture Plays
Enlarge Office Space
Windsor Picture Plays, Inc., re-
cently organized by Henry Ginsberg
and Weiss Bros., has leased addition-
al ofifice space at 729 Seventh Ave.,
New York, and now occupies half
a floor at this address. Ginsberg and
Weiss are handling the executive de-
tails, while J. A. Johnson is comp-
troller, Edward Solomon heads the
shipping department and Arthur Mc-
Hugh, Harry Sterns and George
Gatts are on the publicity staff.
Depinet to Florida
Ned E. Depinet, general sales man-
ager of First National, is en route
to Miami on business and pleasure.
He will be away from the office ten
days or two weeks.
L. N. Scott Left $360,000
Minneapolis — L. N. Scott, local
theatrical manager, left an estate of
$360,000.
$200,00 for Remodeling
Detroit — The theaters recently ac-
quired by Publix in the suburbs of
Detroit are being remodeled at a cost
of $200,000.
Reopen la. Theater
Earleville, la. — The Crystal has
been reopened by Dean Slick and
Erwin Parkin.
Roxy Increases Prices
Matinee prices at the Roxy have
been increased from 50 to 05 cents.
Buy Walnut (la.) House
Walnut, la. — O. C. Johnson and R.
E. Duke have purchased the Lyric.
HELLO
SISTER'
She threw away a million just
to hear him say, "I love you."
A Sone Ari-Wortd Wide Picture
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb. 49 Opeiring of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Beneht Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Aneelea.
Feb. 25 Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets 4t Washington, D. C.
Feb. 26 Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
Mar. 5 First Day of Lent.
Mar. 17 Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined
Mai. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
April 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
lune2-7 International Cinema Congress ai
Brussels.
Regal Only London House
Employing Wide Screen
London — The Regal is the only
theater here using a wide screen said
to be the brainchild of T. Pilgrim,
head engineer of the theater. The
process largely does away with grain-
ing and, furthermore, it has been
proved that color film does not give
a mottled impression on a wiae screen
to the extent that a black and white
positive would.
More for RCA in Minnesota
Minenapolis — Theaters in Minne-
sota recently wired for sound !\\
RCA Photophone engineers include:
Cecile, Cokato Heights and Alham-
bra, Minneapolis; Oxford, Sauk Cen*
ter; Forest, St. Paul.
Sound for Lake Preston, S. D.
Lake Preston, S. D. — The Rex has
been equipped for sound.
Eldon (la.) House Wired
Eldon, la. — Walter Enyart has
equipped the New with Western
Electric.
RCA Wires Another House
Paynesville, Minn. — Jack's has)
been wired with RCA Photophone.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OP ERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
THE
Monday, February 17, mo
Newspaper Opinions
^
"Happy Days"
Fox
Roxy, New York
AMERICAN — The sets are effective and
the photogrraphy is excellent. The direction,
however, is not especially impressive, but
perhaps the episodic nature of the iilm ac-
counts for this.
DAILY MIRROR— The tunes from "Hap
Py Days" are catchy enough to keep the
jazz bands busy, the "hot numbers" par-
ticularly scoring. The Gaynor-Farrell team
aiiils one of those sweetly sentimental songs.
Great entertainment for everyone.
DAILY NEWS— Of Grandeur— it is in-
Ired an enhancement to the musicinema. Not
a necessary measure to the talkie drama or
straiffht comedy, but wherein songs and dances
are concerned, it is of decided advantage. Also,
ue can see that it would have merit in the
proihiction of mystery talkies. Photography
IS clear as the ordinary screen exhibits, and
there is no jumpiness — iust an occasional
holdup when one shot is fading into another.
EVENING WORLD— • * • without the
spectacular novelty of Grandeur, leaves a lot
to be desired. To be sure it packs in a lot
of great big names. Countless stars and fea
tiired players are in it. But they all go
through their paces like an impromptu cath
Cling going on the air or giving a benefitai
a moment's notice. There is scant cohesion
to the orod'uction in other words.
HERALD-TRIBUNE — ♦ ♦ ♦ pleasant
enough, but not partiailarly impressive, hilari-
ous or beautiful. The music is routinely pleas-
ant, but far from distinguished, and none of the
impressive group of stage and screen stars
s!ands out with particular forcefulness. The
\»hnle show, however, is good-natured, even
thiingh in a slightly coy way, and it has
f-noufrh liveliness to make it intermittently
entertaining.
TOST — • • • The picture itself is not
nnginal. Its revue form is familiar to the
st.ige and has been copied often enough ir
the movies, but on the Grandeur film it i.«
po"sible to achieve effects with masses of peo
pie or objects which dwarf anything pre
viouslv attempted in panoramic photographv.
SUN — * * * considering the average pro-
gram talkie revue, it is fair enough enter-
tainment— elaborate, shiny, gaudy and thickly
populated with magnetic, energetic chorus
girls. Indeed, there is not much freshnes«
about "Haopy Days." You, therefore, must
and should he contented with its vitality.
TELEGRAM— • • * a fast moving and
(renerally satisfactory revue in which most
of the stars on the Fox lot appear. • ♦ ♦
The comedy is. for the most part, pretty dull
but the choruses step lively and are expertb
trained and the settings are elaborate, taste
ful snH attractive.
TIMES — * • * may not be highly excitinf
hut through the medium of its presentation
it affords a really good and impressive en
. tertainment.' This Grandeur - film is not onlv
ima'^inatively staged but beautifully photo
granhed.
WORLD — • • • here is another of those
tynical Fox box office smashes. It is pro
tiellpd bef'->re the cainera in a very believable
fashion. It is, then, a very whale of a show,
aid I most emphatically recommend it.
"Seven Days' Leave"
Paramount
Paramount, New York
AMERICAN— All lovers of the screen
should see it. No fair-minded critic of the
movies will dare miss it. For "Seven Days'
Leave" is the artistry and entertainment of
the cinema in its finest form. A contribu
tion to refute the traducers of pictures and
to strengthen the love of them in the hearts
of their defenders.
DAILY MIRROR— This movie is so
dreary and pointless, it's incredible thait
Paramount made it. And why the story
ever was picked for a full-length feature is
beyond understanding. It's all very tedious
poorly photographed, and sloppily developed.
DAILY NEWS — This is an all-around
cracker jack picture which wasn't meant for
the box office, but ought to have no difficultv
in piling in customers. For there's no ques
tion that any one who sees and hears it will
pass the word around that it's sure to be
one of 1930's best bets.
EVENING JOURNAI^ * * one of the
few genuinely beautiful pictures yet pro
duced. ♦ • ♦ superlative entertainment that
emerges as a screen achievement both despite
and through the fact that it utterly disre-
gards the conventional Hollywood box-oftict:
formula.
EVENING WORLD — You may believe
that Beryl Mercer overacts her saccharine
ole at times and you may also believe that
Cooper is unnecessarily stiff and severe in
spots, but you'll doubtless love the touches
here and there in the story which can be
traceable only to Director Wallace,
HERALD-TRIBUNE — Here is by no
means a conventional cinema story, as you
must certainly realize. The ending is tragic and
the setting is drab. Yet the motion picture
has taken this quiet narrative and with an
almost terrifying disregard for HoUywooc
box-office ideas has retained both the letter
and spirit of the work.
MORNING TELEGRAPH — Sentimental
the picture is, of course, but its emotional de
mands are honest and forthright; its drama
is tense and real.
TIMES — Here is a picture that is a pic
ture. No golden-haired girl adorns the cast
and most of the action is interpreted by Mis;
Mercer and Mr. Cooper, and wherever the
go, while Private Dowey, now of the Cana-
dian Black Watch, is on leave fn London, i
intensely interesting.
WORLD — * • * Beryl Mercer has per-
formed in Sir James's story without inspira
tion and without genuineness. She has over
played at every turn, and has become ama
teurish and oversweet, instead of lovable am'
human, as she was intended in the beginning
As for Gary Cooper, he adds the part of the
trooper of the Black Watch wiih as much of
realism as the part affords.
Mauston (Wis.) Gets Sound
Mauston, Wis. — The Majestic has
been equipped with DeForest appar-
atus.
IW. E. for la. Theater
Gilmore City, la. — Western Electric
''• equipment has been installed in the
Metropolitan here.
Wisconsin Theater Wired
Jefferson, Wis. — The Allen is now
a sound picture house.
N. D. House Gets Sound
New England, N. D. — Western
El-ectric equipment has been installed
in the State, making it the only house
in this vicinity with sound.
Spooner (Wis.) Gets W. E.
Spooner, Wis. — The Palace
been wired by Western Electric.
has
Haymarket in Chicago Wired
Chicago, 111, — The Haymarket, for-
merly a burlesque house, has reopen-
ed with a sound picture policy.
Installs Filmophone Equipment
Schuyler, Neb. — C. Rouchek has
put in Filmophone at the Dome.
Installing Tone-O-Graph
Sutton, W, Va. — The local theater
is installing Tone-O-Graph.
Baker Installs Sound
Britton, S. D. — Manager Geo. D.
Baker of the Strand here has in-
stalled sound.
Gennett for Nebraska House
Syracuse, Neb. — The Syracuse has
been equipped with Gennett sotmd ap-
paratus, •
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Chicago, 111. — The latest theaters
to go sound in Chicago are the Tem-
ple, owned by A. Bambara, and the
Apollo operated by Harry Abbott.
Dickinson, Tex. — Abe Silverberg
has leased the Hollywood from Joe
Cepetimpo and Tony Emmitt, former
operators.
Racine, Wis. — The Capitol and Up-
town have been leased for five years
by L. K. Erin, Milwaukee theater
operator.
Pittsburgh — In addition to the Em-
pire and New Brighton here the
Newell, Newell is also closed.
Baltimore — Royal Amplitone equip-
ment has been installed in the Prin-
cess, colored residential house, re-
cently taken over by Klein Amuse-
ment Co. and reopened after remod-
eling.
New York
Buffalo — Jay Amusements Enter-
prise, Inc., has been formed to oper-
ate theaters here. Directors are Al-
fred M, Zistser, Gertrude F. Marion
and Benjamin D. Reisman.
Nashville, Tenn. — Preliminary
work has been started on the site of
the new Publix house here.
Gettysburg, S. D. — B. C. Hoover
has installed Western Electric equip-
ment in the Aberdeen here.
Columbus, O. — Joseph Leon has
joined RCA Photophone and is act
ing as sales representative in and
around this city.
Lowden, la. — Kacena & Wiese
have sold the Lincoln to H. Krein-
bring.
CartersviUe, Ga.— The Grand is be-
ing completely remodeled and its
seating capacity increased.
Sioux Falls, S. D.— The Granada
has been improved by the erection
of a canopy containing 2,000 lights
and costing $3,500.
Foreign
London— A. W. Puddefoot has been
appointed representative of Edibell in
Hampshire, Western Surrey, Western
Essex and on the South Coast from
Bournemouth to Hastings.
Paris — Short talking films in
French, produced by Paramount, are
bemg shown at the local Paramount.
The first shown was "The Cabaret."
London — Maurice Browne, Ltd.,
theatrical producers of "The Journey's
End," is about to enter the talking
picture field. It is expected that a
subsidiary company will be formed
for this venture.
London — Sinclair Hill has begun
work on "Greek Street" at Shepherd's
Bush Studios. Sari Maritza, 19-year
old Hungarian girl, a discovery of
the director, will play the lead. Bruce
Winston has also been cast for this
Gaumont all-talking picture.
Don't Be Without It
YIAR
BOOK
'950
'%OpW,
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
Bound in Cloth,
Stamped in Red and
Gold.
Weighs 4 lbs., 7 oz,
254 inches thick.
• • • A AV JLj £j • • •
to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
IM
o,fvc>iew
Matiagemeur
uicaii^
business
$
"^^^ theatres rnSSm^
fact that v^e own no theat^^j^^
-^meofiifiai— - ^^ ^ ,„, „e« pro-
^""^ A showma"^*''^ ''^ . real box-
^office qu«*»t^ ' ^,t to maintain,
^akc everi/ ex
;
S^-i^'
fOD/f
^omisiG
°-- il^£9 ^^ORY
9i
'^ ^^e f aw r/,
^^^^e. p/,,.,^_
THE
Z^U^ PAIL!
Monday, February 17, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Robot Actors Regarded
As a Future Possibility
TT is not impossible that me-
chanical actors energized by
electricity and controlled by a
television apparatus will rule
both stage and screen. People
may laugh at the idea of a robot
taking the place of an actor, but
it is no more fantastic than other
scientific developments of the
last twenty years. In a drama
a group of these man-machines,
with faces moulded from plastic
materials, could be moved from
a director's switchboard, speak
lines, do everything they would
need to do. At first plays will
probably be built about such a
device, like "R. U. R", just as a
novelty, but later they may be
used for a whole cast.
Jacques Feyder, Director
* ♦ *
Pictures with Air as Screen
Are Seen as New Development
'y'HE air itself will be the screen
and phantoms will be reflected by
conflicting light rays. This de-
velopment will be associated with
three-dimensional photography or
stereoscopic vision, with sound
from loud speakers concealed
just under the stage on which
these phantom figures are pro-
jected. These camera ghosts will
have height, breadth and thick-
ness.
Clarence Brown
♦ * ♦ "
Holds Emotional Strain
Of Films Too Great for Young
'T'HE proof of the undesirability
of motion pictures at their
present level for children under
10 years is available in any the-
ater at any time where children
and current pictures meet. It
does not necessarily require the
scientific analysis of a psycholo-
gist or a psychiatrist to appreci-
ate the taut muscle and excited
nerve, the hysterical laughter and
terrified cry to know that the
strain is too severe and the pres-
entation too mature for 10-year-
old children of our civilization.
Catheryne Cooke Oilman, Gen.
Sec'y, Women's Cooperative
Alliance, Minneapolis
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
WM. C. GERRARD
testing Cooper Hewitt lamps
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
A
GOODLY number of film folk will help to grace the News-
paper Club ball to be held next Friday at the Ritz-Carlton.
Among those on the various committees are Mayor James J.
Walker, William Randolph Hearst, Jr., Harry M. Warner, Adoljjh
Zukpr, Louella O. Parsons, Kelcey Allen. Eileen Creelman, Bland
Johaneson, Rose Pelswick, Pierre de Rohan, Julia Shawell, Irene
Thirer, Richard Watts, Jr., Bill Steinke, Harry Hirshfield and a
platoon of others
Mrs. W. Raj- Johnston, wife of the indie producer-distributor,
has left the hospital and is now at home cofitinuing her recovery
from injuries received in a recent traffic accident! Ludvvig
Berger is back from Europe and will be among those present at
the Criterion on Wednesday night for the premiere of "The
\'agabond King." which he directed
Joe Fuchs, J'liilly branch manager for M. Witmark & Sons,
has said "I do" with Irene Rosen, Quaker City maid
Loew's Sheridan yesterday played host to more than 100 S. S.
Muenchen seamen, who were treated to a performance of "The"
Battle of Paris," in which Gertrude Lawrence appears ■
In line with its policy of courtesy and accommodation to
members of the press, Paramount will favor this gentry with an
advance invitation performance of "The Vagabond King" to-
morrow night at the Criterion thus enabling the scribes to avoid
the mad struggles coincident with classy premieres
Albert S. Howson, Warner scenario editor, will be chief
speaker at the next meeting of the Theater Club scheduled for
Feb. 25 at the Astor, N. Y. Howson will speak on "Story Re-
cjuirements for Sound Pictures." Tonight he delivers a speech on
"Practical Aspects of the Motion Picture" before the Harlem-
New York Council of Women
Harry Buxbaum has of late been lunching with none other
than the famous Judge Thacher, who handed down that im-
portant arbitration decree recently Rudolph Kuehn in-
forms us that Consolidated Amusements will give away hand-
some souvenir programs in celebration of the circuits Silver
Jubilee anniversary The employees of Warner, First Na-
tional and allied organizations made merry at "The Warner
Gaieties" at the Chanin yesterday
FEBRUARY 17-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Henry Weber
Bernard EdeUiertz
Mary Brian
Landers Stevens
Sol Lesser
Milton R. Krasner
J. Harold Murray
-AND
THA T*S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
I
AS we watched the mob watching
Harry Richman trying to squeeze
through to his nifty Rolls-Whatcha-
callit after the soup-and-fish premiere
of "Puttin' on the Ritz" at the Car-
roll, we were reminded, like the after-
dinner speakers, of a story. Only
this one has never been told before.
There is an automobile company
with a press agent who is as clever
and resourceful as the film exploi-
teers responsible for those spotlight-
ed sidewalk melees on premiere
nights.
This p. a., who apparently had
survived a few film openings him-
self, fixed it up for his company to
donate a slick new bus for the use
of a much liked male flicker star in
attending the premiere of one of his
pictures.
After the show an eager and irre-
pressible army of worshippers closed
in on the picture hero and all but
carried him to the shiny gas buggy
that awaited without. Before enter-
ing the car, the luminary paused and
made a little speech of thanks, wind-
ing up with, "... ril-always remem-
ber this happy event, and any tim^
you come to Hollywood be sure to
look me up and anything that I have
is yours."
Cheers and bravos broke' forth.
"He sez that anything he has is ours,"
somebody shouted. "Let's- go!" The
souvenir collectors took the cue at
once.
A husky lad yanked off one of the
spare tires. Somebody else followed
suit until all three spares were gone.
Then the stronger boys let loose and
in less than a minute the car was
minus fenders, running boards, bump-
ers, rumble seat, repair chest, hood
cover and even part of its top.
Next day the star personally called
on the auto firm to square up the
damage resulting from his popularity.
The p.a. laughed it off.
"You don't owe us for anything,"
said the smart lad. "I knew just what
would happen, and every one of the
parts that were carted away is labeled
to the effect that, for so much, the
holder can get the remaining parts to
make a complete car!"
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Goldwyn to establish organization
in Australia.
* * *
New York Stock Exchange admits
capital stock of Loew's, Inc.
, ♦ ■ * * ■
M. Gaumont expected to visit, m
United States. I
* * * ' i
Marshall Neilan leases stage at. 1
Hollywood Studios, Inc. • [|
RECOGNIZED
I
as
The Industry's Reference Book
Here are a f eiiv of the High Spots
in the Informative and Complete
1930 FILM YEAR BOOK
1. The Ten Best Pictures of 1929.
2. A complete list of Sound Houses in the U.S.A.
3. A Showman's Manual full of exploitation hints.
4. The Foreign Situation thoroughly surveyed.
5. A complete list of Theater Chains.
6. The famous Judge Thacher decisions.
7. What motion picture stocks did during 1929.
8. The complete personnel of all studios.
9. A Technical Text Book covering the industry.
10. The sound situation comprehensively covered.
11. The use of Color and Wide-Film.
12. Complete and accurate production charts.
13. The work of Directors, Stars, Writers, etc.
14. Views of leaders of the Industry.
15. A complete buying and accessory guide.
16. Activities of all prominent organizations.
17. Personnel of all industry organizations.
18. Financial statements of all companies.
19. Short Subjects and Players and Directors.
20. Activities of Hays organization.
21. Comprehensive lists of all exchanges.
, 22. Activities of Academy of M. P. A. & S.
23. Covering of all home office personnel.
24. Re-Equipment section by John Eberson.
and hundreds of other vitally
interesting taetH.^^..^j^.^.^.^.^.^M.
The FILM YEAR BOOK
is given
TO ALL YEARLY
SUBSCRIBERS TO THE
FR£E
THE FILM DAILY
Send Your Subscription
NOW
Date.
THE FILM DAILY,
1650 B'way, N. Y. C.
Gentlemen :
Herewith my check for $10.00. Please start
my yearly subscription to The Film Daily Ser-
vice immediately.
Name
Theatre
Street
City State
DAILy
Monday, February 17, 1930
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
VANBURENAND
TO DIRECT FOR
Two directors have been engaged
for the Columbia production, "Prince
of Diamonds," the adaptation of
which was prepared by Paul Harvey
Fox. Arthur Van Buren will be re-
sponsible for the dialogue and staging
while Karl Brown will be in charge of
the remainder of the directorial tech-
Laura La Plante to Star in
Remake of "The Storm"
Laura La Plante will deviate from
her comedy roles to play the leading
female role in "The Storm," which
is being remade by Universal as an
all-talker. William Boyd, stage star,
will play opposite the flaxen-haired
star.
Singers Signed for Tiffany Shorts
Forbes Kentucky Singers, consist-
ing of eight negroes, have been signed
*^y Tiffany for two-reel subjects.
"Sea Wolf" for Fox
Upon completion of Warner Bax-
ter's present vehicle, Alfred Santell
will direct "The Sea Wolf," adapted
from Jack London's novel.
McFadden Gets New Assignment
Hamilton McFadden, who now is
directing "In LoLve with Love," for
Fox, has been assigned the direction
of "Six Cylinder Love."
Two More for Pathe Cast
Mickey Bennett, child actor, and
William Lagon have been added to
the cast of "Swing High" for Pathe.
F. N. Starts "Three Flights Up"
First National has started produc-
tion on "Three Flights Up," with
Grant Withers and Sue Carol in the
leading roles.
M-C-M Secures "Overnight"
Dialogue rights to Philip Bartho-
loinae's play "Overnight" has been
.secured by M-G-M for a sound ver-
sion. The silent picture rights are al-
ready owned by the company.
Laye in "Bitter Sweet"
Evelyn Laye has been chosen by
Samuel Goldwyn to play the feminine
lead in "Bitter Sweet." This will be
her first all talking picture and will
not go into production for some time
yet.
Kenyon in "Caveman"
Doris Kenyon will play a prom-
inent part in "The Caveman,"
A Little
from "Lots"
^^ By RALPH WILK ^^
Hollywood
f-fARRY BEAUMONT directing
"The Gay 90' s," did a little research
work and discovered that the original
Floradora sextette was an octet.
There were eight beauties in the en-
semble, two extra girls being on
hand to fill in in cases of indisposi-
tion or "nights off" of members of
the regular group.
* * «
Terrell Morse, veteran film editor,
is editing "Jailbreak," which Mer-
vyn LeRoy directed. Morse, who
has been with First National for
seven years, also edited "Murder
Will Out," "Hot Stuff," "Broadway
Babies," "In the Next Room," "The
Girl from Woolworth's," "Synthetic
Sin," "Why Be Good?" and others.
And now, observes Eddie
Nugent, all the girls who ha^'-
been copying Greta Garbo's
hair, her clothes and her walk,
will be practicing to talk husk-
ily and tell their fathers how
bad they've been.
♦ ♦ *
Roy J. Pomeroy believes the indus-
try is on the road to stereoscopic
photography effects through the de-
velopment of color pictures and the
wide negative film. "By makinp lib-
eral use of background colors on the
new wide film surface area oh''"-tf
will stand out in relief," declared
Pomeroy, who is noted as the cre-
ator of many motion picture trick and
photographic processes. Before be-
coming a film director, Pomeroy was
head of the Paramount technical and
sound departments.
Lee Zahler, who wrote the orig-
inal score for "The Lost Zeppelin,"
has also vrritten the scores for "Wo-
man to Woman" and "Mister An-
tonio."
* ♦ *
Back in 1903, the site of the
present Fox Western Ave. stu-
dio, was traded for a pair of
trotting horses. Harry Chand-
ler, publisher of the Los An-
geles "Times," traded the
horses for the land.
Mary Astor's Next
"Ladies Love Butes" will be Mary
Astor's next picture.
Rosing in "All Quiet"
Bodil Rosing, Mrs. Monte Blue's
mother, will play an important role in
"All Quiet on the Western Front,"
Universal's special all-talking feature.
Rudolph Duncan is Head
of New RCA Institutes
Rudolph L. Duncan has been
named president of RCA Institute,
which plans a chain of schools
throughout the country to teach op-
eration of sound reproducer. F. R.
Bristow is vice-president and Gen-
eral John Harbord is chairman of
the board of directors.
Photophone for Glendale
Glendale, Ariz.— RCA Photophone
engineers are installing in the Rain-
bow.
Talkers for Belleville
Belleville, 111.— The Rex is being
wired for sound by RCA Photophone.
Terre Haute House Goes Sound
Terre Haute, Ind. — The Lyceum
will open soon with RCA Photophone
equipment.
RCA for Belmond House
Belmond, la. — RCA Photophone
equipment is going into the Lyric.
Photophone in Kansas
Burlington, Kansas — The Newk is
being wired by RCA Photophone en-
gineers.
Frankfort Gets RCA Device
Frankfort, Ky.— RCA Photophone
equipment is being installed in the
State.
Sound for Corydon, la.
Corydon, la.— F. G. Stearns has
had the Auditorium wired.
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "She Couldn't Say No"
Cameo — "Across the World with Mr. and
Mrs. Martin Johnson"
Capitol — "Devil May Care"
Carnegie — "Hallelujah" (Feb. 1518); "Young
Nowheres" (Feb. 19-21)
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Phantom of the Opera" (Sound
Version)
Criterion — "The Love Parade"
Earl Carroll — "Puttin' on the Ritz"
Fifth Ave. — "Why Cry at Parting"
Fifty-fifth St. — ^"S_ombras de Gloria"
Film Guild— "The Lady Lies" (Feb. 1518);
"The Valiant" Feb. 19-21)
Gaiety — "Troopers Three' '
Globe— "Hit the Deck"
Hippodrome — "The Great Divide"
Little Picture House — "The Laughing Lady"
Loew's New York — Monday, "The Virgin-
ian"; Tuesday, "Dance Hall"; Wednesday.
"At the South Pole" and "Cowboy and the
Outlaw"; Thursday, "Loose Ankles"; Fri-
day. "Personality"
Paramount — "Dangerous Paradise"
Rialto — "Street of Chance"
RivoU — "Condemned"
Roxy — "Happy Days"
Strand — "She Couldn't Say No"
Warners — "Son of the Gods"
Winter Garden — "Green Goddess"
Wiring Colonial at Galesburg
Galesburg, 111. — A sound installa-
tion is now under way in the Colo-
nial.
Talkers for Burlington
Burlington, Wis. — Community
Theaters Corp. has announced that
its Burlington house will be wired
with DeForest equipment.
Put Your Old Theatre
in Xeiiv Color Dress
REDECORATE !
It will stimulate business and
please patrons
The MICHEL ANGELO STUDIOS, Inc.
200 West 57th Street, New York
Unusual color schemes^
banners— fixtures-
furniture
ITHE
^yFILMDOM
i^LLTHE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
VOL. LI No. 41
Tuesday, February 18, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Precedent Set in War Against Music Racketeers
STATE "bills HITTINGInDUSTRY "CROP UP
11 Outdoor Pictures Set for Production by Fox
The Mirror
— a column of comment
ONLY ONE THEATER on that
ex-cow path known as Broadway is
housing a legit show. Which is sim-
ply another way of writing that 20-
,-,M *u„2*erc rrc pb.yir.7 t::!!"""^ pic-
tures and that the legitimate stage.
which had begun to seriously lose it?
grip on the Main Stem proper five
years or so back, has now been
-hoved back into the side-street area.
The once-obscure picture house,
which struggled along under the
label of nickelodeon and shooting
crallery, now is the cathedral of the
world's greatest playstreet.
'PLUGHTNG ITS portable repro-
ducer, RCA Photophone is about t^^
"embark with concerted effort" ]v
'•^e educational and industrial field
This obiective is boimd to increas-
intjly become the destination of even'
sound eouipment distributor. With
the cream of the theatrical houses
gohbled up by the initial sound-in-
stallation offensives, this market now
looms as a veritable land of prom-
ise— practically untouched by new-era
motion picture production. It's go-
insr to be interesting to watch the
sprint ! •
THE INDUSTRY is expending
every effort to exterminate fake film
schools and other fraudulent schemes,
;5ays Gov. Milliken. Altertness on the
oart of the Hays forces and other
nediums has substantially decreased
letty racketeering. The industry is
etermined to keep Its face washed.
$3,000,000 Appropriated for
Making Productions in
Natural Settings
H''est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — With 11 produc-
ions mapped out and a . budget oi
.000,000 set aside for that purpose,
■"ox has launched its newly organ-
ed Great Outdoor Romances Dept.
designed for the making of pictures
n their natural locations throughout
le world. Edward W. Butcher and
riroid Lipsitz are in charge of the
(Continued on Page 8)
ANDERSOlTlilREROF
ELECTRICAL RESEARCH CO.
R. E. Anderson has been elected
treasurer of Electrical Research
Products, Inc., succeeding F. L. Gil-
man. Before joining ERPI in April
1927, Anderson was comptroller of
the Vitaphone company. In his new
position Anderc-on will have direct
supervision of the company's finan-
cial affairs, reporting to J. E. Otter-
son, president.
Sen. Brookhart Endorses
Texas Anti-Chain Ass'n
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Senator Brookhart
has endorsed the Texas Anti-Chain
Ass'n which is sponsoring a plan
imposing a tax of two per cent on the
gross of chain theaters and also
applying to exchanges that lease films
to as many as five houses in Texas
at one time.
Eastman Honored
George Eastman yesterday
was awarded the medal of the
American Institute of Chem-
ists in recognition of being
one of the greatest lay-scien-
tists of the present day. Ap-
proval in 1918 of the estab-
lishment by the research lab-
oratory of a department of
synthetic organic chemistry to
manufacture and supply var-
ious synthetic organic chem-
icals required for research pur-
poses in the U. S. was his most
noteworthy service to Amer-
ican chemistry, it was pointed
out.
TAX REDUCTION AVERTS
PARIS THEATER STRIKE
Paris — Reduction in taxes on mo-
tion picture theater tickets by the
French Chamber in a finance bill
yesterday temporarily averted a gen-
eral strike here. Tickets, in accord-
ance with the rating of the house,
will be taxed from 5 to 25 per cent,
instead of from 7.20 to 30 per cent.
{Continued on Page 8)
Eastman Kodak Opens
First Tennessee Unit
Kingsport, Tenn. — Eastman Kodak
as opened the first production unit
in its new cellulose acetate plant here.
Capacity production will be reached
by mid-summer.
Judge Threatens Jail Sentences
for Copyright Pirates in Future
Property Owners Hold up
Big Fifth Ave. Project
Unwillingness of several property
owners to dispose of their sites ex-
cept at prices which are considered
excessive is said to be the only thing
{Continued on Page 8)
A legal precedent, which will serve
hereafter in prosecuting copyright
music pirates who racketeer in the
ale of five-cent sheets of popular
ong lyrics, was established yester-
'ay in the U. S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York.
{Continued on Page 8)
Pending Legislations to
Include Censorships,
Tax Levies
Legislations affecting the industry,
including bills imposing admission
taxes and censorship, are cropping up
at the current sessions of state law-
making bodies throughout the coun-
try. In most instances they are re-
ceiving the organized attention from
exhibitors an! Jl!„>; ii uu^ ...
Bill Would Give Operators
One Day OP Duty Weekly
Albany — Project'' •■ .t.i ma\- n.it be
required to work more than six con-
secutive days under a bill introduced
by Senator Williams in the State
{Continued on Page 2)
STUDIOS ON WEST COAST
PLANVOCAINALSCHOOL
Wr-t Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — A vocational school
for actors is to be established here
by the various branches of the in-
dustry in cooperation with the Acad-
emy of M. P. Arts and Sciences. All
of the major studios ar participating
{Continued on P; -e 8)
Spring S.M.P.E. Meeting
At Washington May 5-8
Wn-hinnton Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Wa'^hineton — Spring convcHtion of
•he S.M.P.E. is scheduled for the
Wardman Park Hotel, May 5-8. the
'^oard of Governors announces. Many
^f the oaoers will concern sound pic-
•"-e« and it is expected that the so-
ciety's committee on standards will
"bmit for approval its report fixing
wide-film standards.
Warn*>rs Renorted After
First Canadian House
Toronto — Warner Bros, are npcro-
tiatinsr for the purchase of the Mas-
sev Music Hall, a downtown concert
auditorium seating 4.000. for the site
>f their first house in Canada, ac-
cording to reports here.
Vol II Ns. 41 Tsesday, February 18, 1930 PriceSGenU
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Allcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89 91 Wardour St W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn. Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Notfes, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 25M 24 25 J4 3.900
Con. Fm.' Ind. .. 21Y, 20^8 2\y, 900
East"- K^dar'-.'^.-adgi^ 199./ 209^4 uM
Fox Fm "A" ... 28n 26/4 28^ 51,500
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 46M 45 /^ 46M 22,300
d^^p^d.^"^.. :::.':; 10454 164" ww* '666
Loew's Inc 66/2 64^8 66 !4 7.800
*do pfd. WW (6J4) 93 ....
♦do pfd. xw (654) 8^'/^ ••••
*p'a'rf \£"-..::;; 65-- 63i^ l\ 12-.560
Pathe Exch 4 ijA 4 300
do "A" 7S/i 7^ 7Vi 500
R-K-G 31 29-^ 30% 26,400
*Univ. Pict. pfd 37
Warner Bros 615^ 5954 6^ 52.000
do pfd 54 5254 54 800
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 2954 ....
Fox Thea. "A" .. 65i 554 654 5,400
♦Intern, Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 31 31 31 400
Loew's Inc. war . 754 754 7 54 100
Nat. Scr. Ser. ... 19 18 19 300
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 10 10 10 100
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 8054 8054 8054 100
Loew 6s 41ww ...109 10854 109 100
do 6s 41 x-war... 94 94 94 30
Paramount 6s 47 .. 9954 9954 99 54 120
Par. By. 5'As 51.100 100 100 20
•Pathe 7s 37 45
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City JJ
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. U
BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 U
Eastman Films I
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. n
Hollywood
ChicaKO ,,
1727 Indiana Ave. "»" Sa^nW^Monica f,
CAIumet 2691 Hollywood 4121 {}
THE
■^^
DAILY
Tuesday, February 18, 1930
STATE BILLS HiniNG THE
INDUSTRY CROP UP AGAIN
(CoiitiMued from Page 1)
Legislature. It provides that an op-
erator must have 24-hours' release
following six days of work.
Expect Miss. Governor To
Veto Admissions Tax Bill
Jackson, Miss. — Proposal for a 10
per cent tax on admissions is made
l)y the state tax commission in its
report just filed and which will be
acted upon by the Legislature. The
Gov. has intimated that he will veto
such a recommendation.
State Censorship Provided
in Ky. Legislature Bill
Frankfort, Ky. — Bills aimed at the
industry include one providing for
state censorship. It would create a
board of five members and char«re
$2 a reel for censoring. The cen-
sorship program somewhat resembles
the one operative in Pennsylvania
and Ohio. Another measure pending
before the legislature proposes a 10
per cent tax on admissions.
Fox Stockholders Meeting
Tentatively Set for Mar. 5
Following a meeting of Fox direc-
tors yesterday. March 5 was tenta-
tively set as the date for the meet-
ing of stockholders to consider re-
financing plans with a view to avoid-
ing a receivership. The decision to
not hold the meeting sooner was
prompted by a desire to give the dif-
ferent factions ample time to work
out their individual financing nlans
to be offered as an alternative to the
arrangement discussed at the last
hearings before Judge Frank J. Cole-
man.
Formal announcement of the meet-
ing will be mailed to the 9,000 or
more Fox stockholders at least 10
-lays before the date set, in accord-
ance with the bv-laws.
Lichtmans, Stebbins Return
Mr. and Mrs. Al Lichtman and Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur W. Stebbins ar-
rived yesterday from Havana aboard
the Mauretania.
Loew's Declares Dividend
Board of directors of Loew's, Inc.
has declared the regular quarterly di-
vidend of 75 cents a share on com-
mon stock, payable Mar. 31 to stock-
holder of record Mar. 14.
Steam Returns After Illness
Pittsburgh — Bert Stearn, local U.
A. manager, yesterday returned to his
desk after three weeks' illness.
Kooler/^ire
Revolutionizes Air Conditions
Summer and Winter
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
Talkers Aid Election
Tokio — Premier Y u k o
Hamaguchi considers the talk-
ers as a modem campaign
weapon for the election to be
held Feb. 20. The Premier has
taken "talkie" oictures of him-
self and is having them shown
in houses equipped for sound.
Cleveland Film Board
Officers Are Re-elected
Cleveland — Officers of the local
Film Board of Trade at a recent
meeting were unanimously reelected
to serve that board for another six
months' period. Al Mertz, RKO,
will continue as president as will
Clifford E. Almy, Warner, as vice
president; William Weiss, Fischer ex-
change, treasurer and Mrs. Georgia
Moflfett secretary.
Levine, Doty Appointed
U. A. Branch Managers
Two promotions have been made
in the United .Artists' sales force.
Isadore Levine, former salesman, has
been appointed manager of the New
Haven exchange replacing Charles
Stearn, who now is managing the
Boston office. Leo J. Doty, for the
past six years office manager and city
salesman of the Kansas City branch,
yesterday assumed the management
of that exchange.
Alert Ushers Prevent
Panic in Toronto Fire
Toronto — Roy Donaldson, an
usher, was rescued when he returned
to the burning balcony of the Re-
gent, when a child was reported
missing. The house is one of the
Famous Players unit and Ray Tub-
man, manager, is continuing per-
formances without the use of the
balcony, which is to be rebuilt.
Seaman Re-elected Head
of Ironwood Amusement
Detroit — Charles Seaman has been
reelected president of the Ironwood
Amusement Co. Other officers elect-
ed include; A. D. Chisholm, vice
president; F. J. Jeppesen, secretary
and A. L. Picker remains as general
manager. In addition to these offi-
cials other members of the board of
directors include; Geo. Curry, R. P.
Zinn and Joseph Seaman.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Pieture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
I Phone Perm. 3S80
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb. 19 Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion. N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Anseles.
Feb. 25 Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Feb. 26 Paramount inaugurates two i^ues
of Sound News instead of one.
Mar. 5 First Day of Lent.
Mar. 17 Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P/
T.O. ofiicers at Baltimore.
April 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at t
New York house, not yet decidec
upon.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State BlJ,
P.T.O. at Memphis.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congreaa at,
Brussels. |
Israel, Chicago Exhib. Dies r
Chicago — Richard Israel, 42, form-:
er chain owner, leaped or fell to hi?!
death here yesterday morning from'
the fourth floor of the Michael Reese
Hospital. He had been suffering
from chronic laryngitis.
Kent, Myers to Confer
Sidney R. Kent, chairman of th(
^-5-5 conference, and Abram F
Myers, president of Allied States
.■\ss'n, will meet some day this weel<
o confer on the matter of recon
' ening the confab.
WANTED
TITLE MAN — An experienced pho- '
tographer thoroughly competent to
produce up-to-date animated theater
titles for small title department in
the East. State experience in detail
and salary expected. Reply
Box O c-o Film Daily
16S0 Broadway New York City
Wanted Theaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolpli Sof f erman
1560 Broadway — New York
iEstabUshed 1900 TeL Bryant 3607
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philaoelphia,Pa.
Tuesday, Febrnary 18, 1930
THE
-^m
DAILY
Short Shots from
New York Studios
2^ By HARRY N. BLAIR Si
ARTHUR COZINE of the Para-
mount Long Island studios, is in
training to get back the figure which
graced the screen when he was Vita-
graph's leading juvenile.
Rudy Vallee sent a telegraphic in-
vitation to all employees of the
Paramount studios to attend his
Valentine party, given Friday after-
noon, at the Brooklyn Paramount
theater.
The ultimate in extremes was on
view last week at the Paramount
Long Island studios where a speak-
easy scene was on the set adjoining
that showing the interior of a girl's
finishing school. Both are part of
the action in "Young Man of Man-
hattan," which Monta Bell is direct-
ing.
Shooting on both the upper and
lower stages of the Paramount
Long Island studios, makes it neces-
sary to have a new bell system for
"takes." Four rings now means that
they are shooting upstairs on the
"Young Man of Manhattan" set.
Three lings that they are shooting
"Dangerous Nan McGrew" on the
lower stage. One ring signifies the
end of the recording.
Frank Maguire, foreman electri-
cian at the Warner Vitaphone stu-
dios in Flatbush is, like all true
Irishmen, the essence of friendliness.
Frank knows everybody that visits
the studio and they all seem to know
him. It's a gift.
j Ann Codec, who, with Frank Orth,
makes Vitaphone Varieties in
French and German, as well as Eng-
lish, had everybody in stitches at the
'garner studio in Flatbush, by her
nability to pronounce the word
shorty." The best Murray Roth,
he director, could get her to say
vas "shortee" and it sounded so
ute he let it go at that.
Ray Foster, cameraman at the
iVarner Vitaphone studio, will keep
)achelor's hall for the next four
veeks while his wife is visiting in
he Sunny South.
WALTER FUTTER
Is in Hollywood and
Will Serve You with
Any
STOCK SHOT
CaU Hollywood 7940
New York Office:
729.7th Ave. Bryant 6210
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
San Francisco— Judge Edward I.
Butler has issued a temporary order
restraining Victor Becker, city build-
ing inspector, and Carl Sigard from
razing the California M. P. Company
Studio. Backer and Sigard were
summoned to appear before Judge
Butler to answer charges brought by
Beatrice Michelina and George Mid-
dleton.
Shilton, Wis. — Remodeling opera-
ions are under way at the Princess
here. Ray Ffeitter, manager, an-
nounced that work will be completed
by March 1, when the house will
open with sound.
Cleveland — Gordon C. Rowley, dis-
trict manager for General Talking
Pictures has resigned and will spend
three months at Daytona, Fla.
Owosso, Mich. — The Lincoln has
been sold to J. M. Tarbush by H. H.
Chase.
San Francisco — Joe Bauer is again
associated with the Wigwam, now
known as the New Rialto. Bauer
managed the theater when it was
housed in a tent after the earthquake
in 1906.
Findlay, O. — Theaters were opened
here last Sunday for the first time
in many years when John Harris led
the way by opening the Harris.
Appleton, Wis. — The Majestic
permanently closed its doors, Carl
Beglinger, manager of the house for
the past 15 years, announces.
San Antonio — Two manager
changes in the Publix ranks have been
announced here. R. P. Allison, form-
er manager of the Aztec here now is
manager of the Texas while Floyd
Smith, who managed the Melba, Dal-
.as, has assumed charge of the Aztec.
Racine, Wis. — Recent reports that
the Capitol and Uptown here were
purchased by L. K. Brin have been
denied. E. L. Wiesman, connected
with the Celebrated Film Exchange,
Milwaukee, is the new owner of both
houses.
"HELLO
SISTER'
Love? Why love ifi really
nothing these days.
A S<mo Art-World Wide Picture
Winchester, Mass. — A warrant has
been drawn up for the local annual
meeting on March 3, which, if passed,
would authorize the licensing of a
picture theater here. Eight years ago
v. similar proposal was defeated after
a hot contest and several unsuccessful
efforts have been made since to re-
new the discussion.
Wakefield, Mass. — A referendum
vill be held here March 10 to decide
hether to permit Sunday showing at
local theaters.
New York
Sam Goldstein has taken over the
Westwood, Westwood, N. J.
Buffalo — Columbia branch here has
moved to the Film Building at 505
Pearl St., where it now occupies the
first floor and basement.
Foreign
Paris — Gaumont recently gave a
demonstration of their sound-on-film
and disc reproducing equipment here.
Its interchangeability, it is claimed,
was demonstrated through projection
of sound pictures recorded by differ-
ent processes. Included were Movie-
tone, Vitaphone, RCA Photophone,
Tobis-Klangfilm, and Gaumont.
Joinville, France — Pierre Colombier
is working on a musical comedy,
"Radieux-Concert" for Pathe-Nathan.
Following him, Maurice Tourneur
and then Jacques de Baroncellie will
occupy the Joinville studios.
Paris — Marco de Gastyne and
Maurice Tourneur have started work
on two talking features at the Join-
ville studios. RCA recording will be
used.
Newspaper Opinions
"Lummox"
United Artists
United Artists, Los Angeles
mn^nl'^^^^'^.^^-i:''*""' '^ '■■"'« that is com-
monplace about "Lummox" and not mud.
that IS cheerful, but it is so deftly directed
\L ^'^'''r* ^/'■"°" nJ'^^' o"<^ is conscious .f
he artistry of >t. Thert is a realn.ss about
the whole production that one seldom finds
in a movie. * * • most unusual picture en
terainment, well played, well directed and
truly well worth seeing.
,„f""^PRESS-» • • the tale is consistent
and moving as a probable slice of life A
fine sincerity on the part of director and
.vin^r"' " .r'^^"*. throughout. IwvinR "ts
impress on the entire production.
ru^s^Sl^PiT"! """'"K ""^''ty of pathos
runs through Lummox" and will make this
ei™ / ";r^'=', especially with feminine audi
^ Jt is true that Herbert Brenon has
rvef"'Bit't'r""? T'l l^ ^^""y Hurst'
tt^.Uj a • ^^^ imbued the p cture at the
United Artists w th the emotional appeal
that IS characteristic of his direction.
RECORD— An ambitious thing has been
attempted by Herbert Brenon in making a
creen play of the novel, "Lummox." That
^tf.,^n!" '.' "°u '!^''°"? successful, makes his
attempt at a hardy character study none the
less a hopeful sign that the talkies are try-
ing to grow up * » ♦ not a film that will
make history but it is an interesting at-
tempt at a difficult screen subject.
TIMES — There is no promise of customary
entertainment m "Lummox." There is not
assurance even of an adequately devised pro-
duction technically. But there is a heart at
east, to the unfoldment of the story that
bears searching out, and that will perhaps
appeal to many who see this episodic impres-
sion of the pitiful experience of a woman
who travels a drab road of sorrow * • »
drags considerably. The dialogue moves
rather haltingly, and there is little or no
dramatic action.
Phonofilm Suit Up Today
Philadelphia— First of a series of
isuits brought by General Talking
Pictures Corp. against alleged in-
fringers of DeForest Phonofilm
patents will be heard here today. The
Southern, neighborhood house, is the
defendant.
Exhibitors Use It Every Day
YIAR
BOOK
1950 i
iBOOKil
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
Bound in Cloth. Weighs 4 lbs., 7 o
Stamped in Red and 2M inches thick.
Gold.
• • . FREE ...
to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
INDEPENDENT and
UNAPFIIIATED
EXHIBITORS
Dl f COVE R««^
HAPPY DAYS CONTAINING THE
GREATEST GALAXY OF STARS EVER
ASSEMBLED PICTURE MET WITH EN-
THUSIASTIC OPENING AT PARK
THEATRE YOUNGSTOWN OHIO STOP
AUDIENCE EXPRESSED THEMSELVES
IN VARYING DEGREES OF ENTHUS-
IASM THAT THIS WAS ONE OF THE
FINEST PICTURES THEY HAD SEEN AS
WELL AS THE SPLENDID PRODUCTION
AND WONDERFUL MUSCIAL NUMBERS
GEORGE GOETT MANAGER
PARK THEATRE YOUNGSTOWN
P
HAPPY DAYS JUST COMPLETED
SMASHJNG WEEKS ENGAGEMENT
STOP IN MY OPINION THIS PICTURE
WITH ITS SENSATIONAL CAST MAR-
VELOUS MINSTREL SHOW SNAPPY
SONG HITS GOOD PLEASING STORY
AND WONDERFUL NOVELTY PHOTO-
GRAPHY IS AS FINE A PIECE OF
ENTERTAINMENT AS HAS BEEN PRO-
DUCED IN TALKING PICTURES TO
DATE AND SHOULD BE GOOD FOR
TREMENDOUS BUSINESS IN ANY
HOUSE IN AMERICA BIG OR SMALL
HARRY ZEITZ STATE THEATRE
NEW BEDFORD
Sensational Song Hits!
'Happy Days"— "A Toast to the Girl I Love'
'We'll Build a V\^orld of Our Own'
Published by
RED STAR MUSIC COMPANY
and "Mono "—"I'm on a Diet of Love"
Published b>
DE SYLVA, BROWN & HENDERSONJnc.
JUST COMPLETED ENGAGEMENT OF
HAPPY DAYS TO THE BIGGEST
GROSS AT MY NEW HARMANUS
BLEECKER HALL IN SPITE OF BAD
WEATHER PERSONALLY CONSIDER
THIS PICTURE GREAT ENTERTAIN-
MENT AND SURE FIRE BOX OFFICE
HIT REGARDS
CM BUCKLEY
ALBANY
HAPPY DAYS NOW PLAYING APOLLO
INDIANAPOLIS STRAND LOUISVILLE
FOR FIRST FIVE DAYS OF ENGAGE-
MENT EXCEEDS GROSS OF SUNNY-
SIDE UP STOP I AM OVERJOYED
FOR AS YOU KNOW SUNNYSIDE
BROKE ALL RECORDS IN THE HISTORY
OF THESE TWO THEATRES BOTH
FOR LENGTH OF RUN AND GROSS
RECEIPTS STOP IT LOOKS LIKE FOX
HAS DONE IT AGAIN VERILY THESE
ARE HAPPY DAYS FOR EXHIBITORS
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HOLD
FOX CONTRACTS REGARDS
FRED J DOLLE LOUISVILLE
IS THE EATIN' THEREOF
▲
//
Here is another of
those typical Fox
box office smashes
AS REVIEWERS
CHEER!
— Nciu York World
'A million dollars worth of solid entertainment.'
"Held together with an effec-
tive story . . . the tunes from
'Happy Days' are catchy
enough to keep the jazz bands
busy.. 'Fox Movietone Follies'
was a sensation last year . . .
'Happy Days' is years and
miles ahead of it . . ."
— Neiu York Daily Mirror
— New York Daily Mirror
"Showing to a packed
theatre . . . was roundly ap-
plauded." —New York Times
"A whale of a show . . . most
emphatically recommend it."
—New York World
"Fast moving... directed with
imagination and vitality by
Benjamin Stoloff...well worth
seemg,
• New York Telegram
I
Story and dialog by Sidney Lonfield and Edwin Burke
Staged by Walter Catletf * Dances staged by EoH Lindsay
Directed by BENJAMIN STOLOFF Presented by WILLIAM FOX
Wire these theatres for further
fjpurps on this latp^t hit from
JANET
GAYNOR
CHARLES
FARRELL
WILL
ROGERS
EDMUND
LOWE
MARJORIE
WHITE
VICTOR
McLAGLEN
WALTER
CATLETT
RICHARD
KEENE
EL
BRENDEL
WILLIAM
COLLIER, SR.
FRANK
RICHARDSON
WARNER
BAXTER
J. HAROLD
MURRAY
PAUL
PAGE
DIXIE
LEE
FRANK
ALBERTSON
SHARON
LYNN
GEORGE
OLSEN
PAX
THE
DAILV
Tuesday, February 18, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Calls for Fair Play to
Keep Industry From Rmn
THE entire structure of this in-
■'• dustry U threatened unless
reasoning, honesty, common sense
and busmess decency combme
themselves and rule; all ot these
virtues are called for to show
themselves in exhibitor, distribu-
tor and salesman. A wholesale
disregard of business ethics by
exhibitors, a return to trickery
and false promises by salesmen,
a violation of protection stipula-
tions and other obligaUons by
exchange managers and the in-
dustry will be enungled once
again in the mire and murk
which it has pretty well escaped.
A contract is a contract 1 It is a
word of honor— in wntinpl i'ro-
ducers, who since the contract
was made and accepted by them,
having had better otters from
competitive exhibitors, may seize
upon the Tbacher decree as a
loophole to violate their written
word of honor and obtain the
higher prices; exhibitors, having
decided they paid too much and
could now buy elsewhere for less,
may think they are gaining an
advantage to breach their con-
tracts with one company to favor
another; salesmen, seeking more
business, may feel they now will
not be overloading exhibitors with
pictures when they "can so easi-
ly evade meeting playdate re-
quirements";— all of the old un-
fair, unscrupulous, unsavory busi-
ness uickeries that have been a
blot on this industry in years
past loom up again. ,
Ben Shlyen m "Movie Age
• « *
Good Films Are Bads
of Industry's Prosperity
'THE fortunes of the whole
trade depend upon the qual-
ity of pictures. All the press
luncheons in the world, all the
quotas and the kontingents, all
the kicks at America for not buy-
ing our productions, all the kow-
towing to the lay press for favor-
able mention — all is as nought
compared with quality pictures.
Sam Harris in
"The Cinema," London
a
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
AD SCHAUMER
scenario department Fox
studio, Hollywood
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly.Jr,
A DOLPHE MENJOU, so the report goes, will be back to pay
Hollywood a visit sometime in March and if things are so-so
will remain. Otherwise he will bounce back to Paris for an-
other production for Pathe-Natan. "Mon Gosse Pere" was his
last for that company Max Gordon is preparing a vaude-
ville sketch for Alma Rubens for her R-K-0 splurge soon
• * * «
J. V. Allan, southern and western sales manager for War-
ners, is expected back at the H.O. late this week. He visited
the company's branches at Dallas, New Orleans. Atlanta and
Charlotte Stephen Vincent Benet now in N. Y. has com-
pleted the script and dialogue for D. W. Griffith's all-talker
of the hfe of Abe Lincoln
Eddie Pidgeon awarded rides over New York in the new
Western Air Express plane to patrons of Fox theaters. Bert
Adler promoted a parade of the patrons to Newark airport
securing lb Chevrolet cars and police escort Talking pic-
tures of celebrities and crowds at the opening tomorrow of "The
Vagabond King," will be taken at the Criterion, N. Y. A couple
of Paramount sound trucks will be on hand to do the job
Mervyn Le Roy, First National director, after a 48-hour
visit to New York is en route to the Coast. He recently com-
pleted "Numbered Men" for the company Charles "Bud-
dy" Rogers is expected to hit New York any minute now for
the premiere of "The Vagabond King." This will be his first
trip to N. Y. in two years
Benjamin Skerman, kead of the Manhattan Playhouses. Inc.
is aboard the S. S. Caronia with Mrs. Sherman and a party of
friends bouad for Havana for a rest During his absence
J. H. Steinman is holding the fort
Florence Ryerson and her husband. Colin Clements, are
heading towards New York from the Coast via the Panama
Canal. Feb. 28 has been set as the publication date for their
new mystery novel, "Seven Suspects," and the publishers. D.
Appleton & Co. have arranged to have two new copies of the
book awaiting the authors upon their arrival at Havana
Gwendolyn McCormack. daughter of John McCormack. is
recovering from an appendicitis operation at the Harbor Sani-
tarium. The family planned to leave for Ireland Satarday, but
the trip has been postponed indefinitely
FEBRUARY 18-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
John F. Goodrich
Adolphe Menjou
Reginald Sheffield
Leslie F. Whelaa
Maury Ascher
Elinor O'Reily
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
PDDIE QUILLAN, not to be out-
done by those cross-word puzzle
and anagram boys, has started a little
game of his own called "Juggled
Slogans." He sends us a batch, from
which we quote a few:
"Children Cry for It" — Borden's Milk
"bood to the Last Drop " — Irvin Para-
chutes
"No Metal Can Touch You" — Harding
Corsets
"T.rae to Retire" — Big Ben Alarm Clocks
After that last one. we didn't have
the heart to read any further. If
those Hollywooders use alarm clocks
to put themselves to sleep, what size
cannons do they explode to notify
themselves that morning has came?
* i» *
FILM EXECUTIVE— The talk-
ers certainly are a great thing for
you pohticians, aren't they?
POLITICIAN— Yes and no.
FILM EXEC— Don't you con-
sider it a great thing to have your
speeches recorded so they can be re-
membered?
POLITICIAN — Sometimes yes.
But more often it would be much
better for me if they could be for-
gotten.
// Old Golds are, aa the ads say,
"the fastest growing cigarettes in
history," sez Rutgers Neilson, how
long will it take them to grow up
into cigars?
Cheyenne Pete writes in to ask if
any cowboy actors are being used in
"All Quiet on the Western Front,"
USELESS INFORMATION
Manufacturers of brass beds, in re-
sponse to Phil's questionnaire, re-
port that they have not noticed any
increase in their business since the
talkers have been forcing people to
do their sleeping at home.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Charles Miller productions to be
released by Realart.
• • •
Ascher Prod, has been formed with
a capital of $5,000 in Albany.
* • *
Fox plans 3,500 seat house in
Brooklyn at Flatbush and Duryea
Place.
Butterfield
Mich.
to build in Lansing,
When-
BIGGER AND BETTER
Film Year Books
are published
THE FILM DAILY
ivill publish them
€;S§^?^, ?^
^P %%^ ^•i^q?,*' e'
YEAR
BOOK
•950
iM^"^.^
Here's the proof of the pudding—^
And what's more
The Film Year Book is given
FREE i^itli a yearns subscription to
kDriJON
THE
FILM
DAILY
Subscribe
NOW
Date ♦,
To
THE FILM DAILY.
1650 Broadway,
New York City.
Gentlemen:
Herewith my check for $10.00 — Start my yearly
subscription to Film Daily service immediately.
NAME
STREET
CITY STATE. . ,
THE
■e&!^
DAILY
Tuesday, February 18, 1930
Eleven Outdoor Pictures Are
Now Set for Production by Fox
(Continued from Page 1)
new department, which will have at
its disposal the entire globe-circlinR
corps of Fox Movietone nawsreel
cameramen, it is stated by Sol M.
Wtjrtzel, peneral superintendent of
Fox West Coast Studios.
Pictures already planned are to be
made in the pampas country of the
Argentine, the African veldt, the
tropics and the mountains and desert
of the western United States. First
of the 11 productions scheduled is
Zane Grey's "Last of the Duanes,"
with George -O'Brien in the leading
role, directed by A. F. Erickson.
This will be follewed by Max
Brand's "Alcatraz," and adaptations
of three Zane Grey novels, "Riders
of the Purple Sage," "The Rainbow
Trail" and "The Lost Trail." Others
o come include "The Untamed,"
"Trailing" and "Wild Geese," by
Max Brand; "Drag Harlan" and
"Brass Commandments," by Charles
Alden Seltzer, and "The Great K and
A Train Robbery," by Paul Lestei
Ford.
.Sidney Jordan, horseman, has been
signed to assist in selecting steeds
for the pictures made in this c^'"!-
try. Special stables have been '^'lilt
at Movietone City. It is planned to
develop new he-men favorites in
these outdoor productions.
Property Owners Hold up
Big Fifth Ave. Project
(.Continued from Page 1)
Standing in the way of the proposed
63-story amusement center on Fifth
Ave., from 48th to Slst Streets.
Among those mentioned as being con-
nected with the project, which is to
include several theaters, and film and
broadcasting studios, are John D
Rockefeller, Jr., R-K-O, Nationa'
Broadcasting Co. and S. L. Rothafel.
Should any leaseholders block the
plan, it is said, a similar building
probably will be erected on some
other site near the theater district.
Barret Made Assistant
Branch Manager for "U"
Detroit — Sam Barret, formerly as-
sistant branch manager for Fox here,
has been made assistant to Leo De-
vaney, manager of the local Univer-
sal exchange. Wade Allen, Devaney's
former assistant has resigned to en-
ter the exhibition field.
Urges Public to Select
Good Pictures From Bad
Princeton — Ureing of the American
movie-going public to learn to select
good movies from bad ones, but not
to censure the movie industry for an
occasional bad film, was made yester-
day by Dr. Donald Clive Stuart. Pro-
fessor of Dramatic Art at Princeton
University. --
Baker CoJumbia Manager
in St. Louis Territory
St. Louis — Will Baker has been
PDpointed manager of the local Co-
lumbia exchange. He has been cbn-
nected with Universal as short sub-
ject sales manager in this district.
Exchanere Bldg. for 'Frisco
lVi"1 Conrt Bureau, THE FILM DAfLY
San Francisco — Warner Bros, has
bought a building on Golden Gate
Ave., near Levenworth, and will re-
model into a film exchange building.
Netoco ■ Changes Po'ices
Bo-s'nn — Modern. Beacon and
Egvptian, Netoco houses, have inau«r-
urated a first run day and date
policies.
Precedent Set in War
Against Music Racketeers
(Continued from Page 1)
Three of the song venders, after
pleading guilty before Judge Isaac
Meekin, were sentenced to one year
n the Federal Detention House in
New York, but owing to the lack of
legal precedent up to this time, the
ffenders were placed on probation,
udge Meekin, however, clearly in-
licated that the offense was a seri-
ous one and that hereafter anyone
onvicted for infringing on music
copyrights would be given a jail sen-
ence without leniency of any kind.
Studios on West Coast
Plan Vocational School
(Continued from Page I)
in arrangements for the course. The
undertaking is being worked out un-
der the direction of the Actors' exe-
cutive committee consisting of Rob-
ert Edeson, Conrad Nagel, Lois Wil-
son, Richard Tucker and Lloyd E.
Hughes.
It is stated that the school will not
be of a permanent nature.
Tax Reduction Averts
Paris Theater Strike
(Continued from Page 1)
Provincial theaters will be required
to pay only half the rate set for
Parisian houses in the same category
while all government theaters, con-
certs and amusements are exempted
from taxation.
File Contract Suit
Suit for $50,000 for breach of con-
tract has been filed by Hollywo'^'1
Pictures Corp., Adolph Polak, presi-
dent, against Audible Pictures. The
plaintiff declares, according to Louis
Vizer, attorney, that the defendant
failed to deliver on time three pic-
tures contracted for.
Emma Viets Improving
Girard. Kans. — Miss Emma Viet.s,
chairman of the State Board of Re-
view at Kansas ity, is recovering
from an operation she underwent here
recently.
Cionciolo Opens Akron House
Akron, O. — The Miles Royal, form-
erly owned by Charles Brill has been
leased by Joe Cionciolo.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Rapee Calls Talkers Aid
to American Composers
That the talking films have come
as a boon to the American composer
is the belief of Erno Rapee, now on
the coast as musical director lor
Warner.
"American composers, present and
future, will find," he says, "the op-
portunities for recognition and re-
ward, so long lacking in this country,
in talking pictures. Real ability and
true genius have the greatest market
in the history of the world in Holly-
wood."
Edwin Carewe Starts
Work on "The Spoilers"
Edwin Carewe has returned here
after a brief vacation in Havana to
prepare for the filming of "The
Spoilers," which will star George
Bancroft. During Carewe's absence
Bartlett Cormack has been working
on the screen adaptation of this Rex
Beach story.
Added to Paramount Cast
James Kirkwood and Hobart Bos-
worth will head the supporting cast
of Paramount's "The Devil's Holi-
day," which was originally titled
"The Devil's Sunday." Nancy Car-
oll has the leading role.
Tuttle To Write For Pathe
W. C. Tuttle has been assigned to
write an original story of "The
Painted Desert," for Pathe as a star-
ring vehicle for William Boyd.
Donald Crisp for Radio Film
Donald Crisp has been signed by
Radio to direct the all-talker, "Cook-
ing Her Goose," which will feature
Mary Astor and Lloyd Hughes.
Brill To Assist Hammerstein II
Leighton K. Brill has been appoint-
ed executive assistant to Oscar Ham-
merstein II on the four original
musical plays Hammerstein and Sig-
mund Romberg are to produce for
Warners.
Two Get Writer Contracts at P.F.L
In addition to a new contract for
Herman J. Mankiewicz, Paramount
has also signed a new contract with
Lajos Zilahy, Hungarian playwright.
Lovett for Harding Story
Josephine Lovett has been engaeed
by Pathe to write an original story
for Ann Harding in her next for the
company.
Delmar to Write Loder Original
Vina Delmar, under contract t«
Warners, has been assigned to write
an original story "Come Easy," for
Lotti Loder.
Joe E. Brown Signs With F. N.
Joe E. Brown, has been signed to
a two-year contract by First National.
A Little
from *' Lots'*
■MM By RALPH WILK mm^^
Hollywood
V"NOWN chiefly as a director of
comedy productions, Leo Mc-
Carey will turn -his attention to tense
drama. He will direct "Road House"
for Fox. He recently completed
"Let's Go Native," a musical ex-
travaganza for Paramount. His
comedies, "The Sophomore" and
"Red Hot Rythm," have attracted
much attention. So pleased were
Paramount executives with "Let's
Go Native," that they made him an
offer to journey to New York to di-
rect another production, but he pre-
ferred to prove his ability as a di-
rector of drama.
4> * *
Tracing down "leaks" in the
voice recording system is one of the
pleasant diversions brought to the
movies by the coming of talking pic-
tures. A gentle humming noise
picked up by the microphones on
"Raffles" puzzled the technicians,
Ronald Colman shoved open the
door of his portable dressing room.
David Torrence was asleep on the
settee.
* * *
Lucille Webster Gleason vinll
never go on record as being a
bull fight fan, even though she
saw two of them on her recent
trip through Mexico.
* * *
Pell Mitchell, Larry Darmour's
business manager, is at Del Monte
on his vacation. Pell, refused with
dignity. Larry's offer of the loan of
an adding machine for use on the
golf links.
WANTED
Duplex Step Printer in good
condition.
Address
Box No. K-192
FILM DAILY
1650 Broadway N. Y. C.
EXniBIM^
of Philadelphia
of Washington
zXJsoBimR.
of New York Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4.600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
jou.nals in the in-
dustry — Keeping
everlast ngly at it for
the I2th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35 7o territory!
EMANUEL-6000WIN PUBLICATIONS
' New York — Philadelphia — Washington
'a n Office. 219 INf BROAD ST., PHILA.
TAemfSPmft
y/'FILMDOM
iUTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 42
Wednesday, Febniary 19, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Film Profits Increased 160 Per Cent Last Year
PROPOSING ADVERTISING CENSORSHIP PLAN
Pathe Plans to Spend $13,000,000 on Production
The M^irror
-a column of comment
/ITH sound-recording outfits ram-
ing all over the countryside, West-
ns are attracting increased respect
|i new production layouts now being
jmpiled. Looks like this type of en-
rtainment, which took something of
kayo blow on the chin when motion
cture audiences began to acquire
iphistication, is destined for rejuve-
ition. That Westerns can be made
intelligent picturegoers has been
roven by "In Old Arizona," which,
Y the way, was included among the
Ten Best Pictures of 1930." No
JDubt pictures of this classification,
jhen given adult dialogue to supple-
iient their thrill element, will satisfy
le entertainment demands of de
Jxe run customers. And somewhere
\ the distance (just where nobody
iems to exactly know) wide film is
ding with its promise of additional
inoramic scope to catch up scenes
widespread beauty and action.
R. DONALD CLIVE STUART,
Idress Princeton, N. J., and a college
ofessor, to boot, urges the picture-
))ing public not to censure the in-
ustry for an occasional bad film,
's gratifying to locate an academic
bntlcman with such clear vision and
■-ccllent judgment. The legitimate
age, with its Shakespeares and its
'Ncills, has long been the idol of
ploma-seeking America. But a
leckup, if you care to make one, will
ove that a tremendously larger per-
ntage of motion picture productions
e of higher quality than those
rned out by the legitimate stage.
HE WILL H. HAYS voice will
:> over the ether Mar. 4 in a national
badcasting hookup titled the West-
?house salute to the motion picture
dustry. If your radio is in the
St of health it ought to pick up
'Ime interesting facts.
Plans Comedy Village at
Coast to Cost About
$250,000
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Pathe will spend
$13,000,000 on its 1930 production
program, which calls for 30 features,
242 shorts. About $250,000 will be
expended in building a comedy vil-
lage which will be the production
center for comedy-making.
Mary Lewis, operatic celebrity,
will be starred in a Pathe picture,
it is understood.
JOiCFLINN IN CHARGE OF
PATHE SHORT COMEDIES
iVest Coast Burtau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Under Pathe's revised
production setup, John C. Flinn, vice-
president, will assume charge of short
subject comedy production. This
work has been transferred from New
York to the Coast. Flinn is now in
New York.
378,000 SEATS LISTED
Pittsburgh — Exchanges belonging
to the local Film Board of Trade are
serving a total seating capacity of
378,000, it is shown by a guide book
just issued by the board. There are
(,Continued on Page 8)
Censor Bills Up
Five state censorship bills
have been introduced at 1930
legislative sessions throughout
the country. They have been
presented in Kentucky, New
Jersey, Rhode Island, Missis-
sippi and Virginia. New city
ordinances have been proposed
in Chicago, St. Louis, Milwau-
kee, Dallas, Portland, Ore., anc^
several Massachusetts cities.
NEW FOX FINANCING PLAN
BEING SUBMIHED TODAY
A new refinancing plan, drawn up
by the Halsey, Stuart & Co. and West-
ern Electric interests and said to be
favored by Winfield Sheehan and
Saul E. Rogers, will be submitted
today as an alternative to the propo-
sition made by Bancamerica-Blair &
Co., Lehman Bros., and Dillon, Read
& Co.
Under this new plan, debentures
amounting to $40,000,000 would be
(.Continued on Page 8)
Fox Metropolitan Opens
3 Houses in New York
Continued expansion is noted in
the activities of Fox Metropolitan
Playhouses, Inc. with the opening
of three houses in the New York
territory. The new units in the cir-
cuit are: Park, Brooklyn; Ozone
Park, Ozone Park, L. I.; and the
Rockland, Nyack, N. Y.
Market Analysts Cite Industry
for Big Gain in 1929 Earnings
Lloyd Preparing Next;
Considering Two a Year
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Preparations are un-
der way for Harold Lloyd's next
)roduction and he is considering the
possibility of making two releases a
year. His last two were 18 months
{Continued on Page 8)
An increase of 160.6 per cent in
profits was shown by the film indus-
try in 1929 compared with the figures
reported for 1928, according to data
compiled by the Standard Stastistics
Co. Only three industrial groups,
films, electrical equipment and food
products, were able to increase their
profits in the final quarter of 1929.
Drastic Ordinance Will be
Introduced at St. Louis
Meeting Friday
St. Loui.s — Introduction of a drastic
censorship ordinance, directed at the-
atrical advertising as well as films
themselves, is planned by Alderman
Sam Wimer, who will submit the pro-
posal at Friday's meeting of the
board. All theatrical advertising copy
will have to undergo censorship, pro-
viding the ordinance is adopted. The
plan also provides a charge of $2 per
reel for censoring film.
The local censorship trouble is at-
tributed to the sensational nature of
newspaper advertising recently used
in connection with a picture.
LESSER SIGNS BUCK JONES
F0R2YEARS;T0MAKE16
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — A deal has been con-
sunmiated by Sol Lesser whereby
Buck Jones will make a series of 16
talker features at the Tec Art studios
here. Lesser's contract with the
western star is for a two year period.
The first picture, scheduled for pro-
duction in April, is "The Man From
Hell's River," from James Oliver
Curwood's story.
"Vagabond King**
A beautiful pageant, entirely
done in color, is "The Vaga-
bond King," which has its
world premiere tonight at the
Criterion. Dennis King, in his
initial talking picture, ade-
quately plays and sings the
poetic vagabond. The produc-
tion has been lavishly and ar-
tistically produced. Its music
is generally pleasant. Its
tempo is slow. "The Vaga-
bond King" ought to appeal
principally to first-run audi-
Eddy
ences.
THE
DAILY
Wednesday, February 19, 1930
>LLTHE HEWS
ALLTUE TIME
iBSHgyiiiiiMiwiF
Vol. LI No. 42 Wed. February 19, 1930 PriceSCenb
JOHN W. ALieOATE
Editor and Publisher
Piililished daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyriKlit (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
t<:red as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
«t the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
ine act of March 3, 1879. Terras (PosUge
free) United States outside of Greater New
Vork $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
shduld remit with order. Address all com
miinications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736 4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk. 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolflfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Frieilrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour (Ics-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 26J4 25^ 25^ 1,200
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 21 "4 20.5^ 20^ 1,800
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 24 23% 24 500
East. Kodak 21254 207/2 207'^ 10.700
Fox Fm. "A" ... 30Ji 28.Ji 29'4 41.600
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 48-^ 47^ 4854 43,200
•Keith AG 30
do pfd 105 103J4 103J4 200
Loew's Inc 68 66 66 6,900
do pfd. WW (6/2) 9334 93^ 93Vs 100
•do pfd. xw (6J4) SS'A
•M-G-M pfd 25
Para. F-L 65 J4 64% 65 15,300
Pathe Exch 4 3% 4 800
♦do "A" 7}i
R-K-0 31 29^ 29^23,100
Univ. Pict. pfd. .. 3754 37'A 37'A 300
Warner Bros 62% 60% 61 101,500
do pfd 55 54 55 2,200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 29^^ 2954 29!/5 400
Fox Thea. "A" ..6% 654 6^ 2,500
♦Intern. Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts. 32% 32% 32% 100
Loew's Inc. war . 814 8 8!4 300
Nat. Scr. Ser. .. 20% 19% 20% 600
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 10
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46. 88^ 88J4 8854 20
*Loew 6s 41ww 109 ....
do 6s 41 x-war.. 94'/2 94 94'A 40
Paramount 6s 47 .. 99'/2 9951 9954 90
Par. By. 5'/4s 51 9954 9954 9954 50
Pathe 7s 37 45 44% 45 50
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
11 New York Long Island City ff
U 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. A
& BRYant 4712 STHlwell 7940 «
I Eastmain Films |
g J. E, Brulatoiir, Inc. ^
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave
Hollywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
CAIumct 2691 HOllywood 4121
TALKING PICTURE EPICS TO
HAVE TALKING VERSIONS
All releases of Talking Picture
Epics are to be done in foreign ver-
sions, namely Spanish, German and
French, according to Frank R. Wil-
son, president. Methods to be used
for the foreign versions will necessi-
tate the enlisting of a German,
French or Spanish explorer or scien-
tist who will introduce the English
lecturer and then explain that he is
interpreting the explorer's own ac-
count of his adventure. "Simba,"
and "Across The World With Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Johnson," will be
the first of the Epics produced to un-
dergo interpretation. These are to
be followed by "Hunting Tigers in
Africa," "Wild Men of Kalihari" and
"Around The World Via Graz Zep-
pelin."
rkoiK^iiitn^xiiSi^iiKi^mustmmm:'
Famous Canadian Profits
Running Ahead of 1929
Montreal — Profits of Famous
Players Canadian Corp. for the first
three months of the current fiscal
year are practically double those of
the corresponding period last year,
the company announces. The $2
dividend on the common stock has
already been earned in this quarter.
31 Theater Projects Are
Recorded During Jan. '30
During the month of Jan. 1930
there have been 31 theater projects
launched in 37 Eastern Sta'es, accord-
ing to F. W. Dodge Corp. The total
space of the combined projects were
201,500 square feet while the cost
reached $1,937,000 continued the re-
port.
Editors, Publishers at AMPA
Publishers and editors of film trade
papers will be the guests of the
AMPA at their weekly luncheon to-
morrow at the Paramount Hotel.
Arthur En Route To Toronto
Jack Arthur, representative of
Famous Players Canadian Corp. left
last night for Toronto after a short
business trip here. He expects to
return in about a week.
Silenis Still Draw
Montreal — Though sand-
wiched in between two big
wired houses on St. Catherine
St., Charles Lalumiere's Roxy,
specializing in silents with
French and English sub-titles,
is still drawing good trade.
"Shiraz," the production made
in India, was held over for a
second week.
New Appointments Made
by Sono Art- World Wide
Robert S. Shrader, formerly mid-
west division manager for Pathe and
with that company for 14 years, has
been appointed feature sales man-
ager by Sono Art-World Wide in the
Cleveland territory.
Harry Stern, salesman for Sono
Art in Los Angeles, is being trans-
ferred to the Salt Lake City office
as feature sales manager, and Gor-
don Allen has been engaged as sales-
man for the Los Angeles office.
Mike Simmons New 'Ad'
Director for Sono Art
Mike Simmons, formerly with
Gotham Productions and more re-
cently Stanley Film Adv. Co., has
joined Sono Art-World Wide as di-
rector of advertising and publicity
and assumes his new position on
Mar. 3. Simmons, in addition to the
picture business, is active in radio
work.
Two More For W. E.
Electrical Research Product has
closed contracts for the installation
of Western Electric sound apparatus
at the N. Y. Censor Board, here and
at the Army Y.M.C.A. at Fort Jay,
Governor's Island.
All But 27 For Columbia
Of the 393 theaters wired for sound
in Canada all but 27 have booked
the short subjects release by Colum-
bia, the company states.
WANTED
Duplex Step Printer in good
condition.
Address!
Box No. K-192
FILM DAILY
1650 Broadway N. Y. C.
Let IJs Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Today:
Feb.
26
Feb.
27
Mar.
Mar.
S
17
Mar.
20
April
1
Apr.
6-7
May
5-8
June 2-7
Opening of "The Vagabond King"
at the Criterion, N. Y.
Annual Benefit Show of Catholic
M. P. Guild at Los Angeles.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues,
of Sound News instead of one.
Opening of "Song of the West"ii
at the Warner, N. Y. !
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song C My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.!
Annual election of Maryland M.Pj
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" a^ .
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State Mj
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at th«
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington
D. C.
International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
"Song of West" Date Set
"Song of the West," Warnert
latest Vitaphone all-color musical is
to have its New York premiere or
Feb. 27 at the Warner.
Warner Film Held Over
"She Couldn't Say No," Warnei
production has been held over foi
another week at the Beacon theater.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
N PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
'WE NEVER DrSAPPOINT
INCORPORATED
220 WEST 42^-^ STREET
NEW YORK
Phone: Wisconsin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES.CEN.MCR.
Continuing to sell out at every performance at the
A^story N»Y*, and at the Chinese Theatre^ Los Angeles
i METRO
: OOLDWYK
:• MAYER'S
TIGMNICOLOR
MUSICAL
ROMAKCe
lOMJACRCAJEST
•AftlTOHE
L4WREHCE
TIBBETT
2 ___ Hi '
»isBr
T(lE "^WiiiiicE
1S0NG
I
LUCKY-
^^ liSTNllllll^
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER IS
ELECTRIFYING THE ENTIRE
AMUSEMENT WORLD!
rlach year the truly
outstanding hits bear
the name of Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer. Each
year theatre owners be-
come more and more
convinced that to be
associated with M'G-M
is the one and only ,
guarantee of profit and
prestige*
"gRETA GARBO in anna CHRISTIE
4th week of record-breaking business at the CriterionTheatre,Los Angeles. Her First
Talkie! Now playing to sensational business at Michigan Theatre, Detroit, and moiling
to Adams Theatre on Friday for extended run.
!■
morB
GEORGE ARLISSm
'^THE GREEX GODDESS''
H. B. Warner, Alice Joyce, Ralph Forbes. From the play by
William Archer. Scenario by Julien Josephson. Directed by
Alfred E. Green.
JOHN BARRYMOREm
^^GEXERAL CRACK''
Lowell Sherman, Marion Nixon, Armida, Hobart Bosworth.
From the Novel by George Preedy. Adapted by Walter Anthony.
Screen play and dialogue by J. Grubb Alexander. Directed by
Alan Crosland. With Technicolor.
''SHE COULDN'T SAY ^O'' with
WIIVNIE LIGHTIVER— CHESTER MORRIS
Sally Filers, Tully Marshall, Johnny Arthur. From the play
by Benjamin Kaye. Screen play by Robert Lord and Arthur
Bacon. Directed by Lloyd Bacon.
'Vitaphone' is the registered trade-mark of The Vitaphone Corporation designating its products
/
more pomiiiQ
AL JOLSOX in
"MAMMV-
An epic of the minstrel. Story
and songs by Irving Berlin.
With Technicolor.
JOH]^ BARRYMORE in
*'THE MAN FROM BLANKLBY'S*^
the idol of the screen des-
tined for new triumphs in a
modern sophisticated
comedy.
««UIVDER A TEXAS MOOW
Frank Fay, Raquel Torres,
Armida, Noah Beery, Myrna
Loy. All Technicolor.
«'SWEET KITTY BELLAIRS"
From the famous David Be-
lasco stage play. Claudia
Dell, June Collyer, Percy
Askam. Technicolor.
^^HOLD EVERYTOnVG''
From the Broadway success.
Winnie Lightner, Joe E.
Brown, George Carpentier.
All Technicolor.
"SONG OF THE WEST"
From the stage success
"Rainbow". John Boles,
Vivienne Segal. Outdoor West-
ern all-Technicolor Operetta.
^'GOLDEX DAWN"
From the famous stage oper-
etta. Walter Woolf, Vivienne
Segal, Alice Gentle, Noah
Beery. All Technicolor.
««DIJMB BELLS IRT ERMINE''
Robert Armstrong — James
Gleason, Barbara Kent and a
distinguished cast.
TwN. 4^7
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Marvels at Advances Made
In Sound Pictures in Year
'THE year just ended has been
a talkie year in America, with
such an astonishing rapidity of
advance in adjusting the prob-
lems of using sound with mo-
tion pictures that what seems to
be epoch-making In December
may easily seem in May to have
been merely crude and experi-
mental. It has been a year of
catching up — the movies, as talk-
ies, have just about caught up
with themselves. By that noth-
ing more is meant than that the
average good talkie is now about
as good as the average good
silent picture used to be. The
mechanical improvements have
gone so far that it is now pos-
sible to listen to voices from the
screen without minding them,
sometimes even forgetting that
they are mechanically reproduced.
A way of combining sound with
action has been gradually arrived
at that restores most of the
fluency that the motion picture
lost in its first struggles with the
microphone. And all that, of
course, is a great deal of prog-
ress for one twelve-month. It
should be added, perhaps, that
color photogranhy has become
very popular with the producers.
It is not yet apparent how pop-
ular it is with audiences — it is
still in the process of being
"sold" to them.
James Shelley Hamilton in
"Cinema."
* * *
Sherwood Lauds Screen's
Willingness to Experiment
TT is heartening to observe that
the impulse to experiment, to
run worthy risks in the effort
to create something new, is not
entirely dead in Hollywood. As
long as that impulse lives the
motion picture will continue to
be an art form through which ar-
tists may express themselves
eloquently and effectively.
Robert E. Sherwood in
"New York Evening Post"
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Allan Dwan arrives in New York
with three features for Mayflower.
« « *
Jensen & Von Herberg new 1,100
seat house to open in Yakima, Wash.
DAILY
Wednesday, February 19, 1930
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr,
COCIETY, film, stage and social lions are scheduled to be
present at tonight's opening of "The Vagabond King" at
the Criterion, N. Y. Included in the gang are: Otto Kahn,
Conde Nast, Walter Wanger, Helen Kane, Charles "Buddy"
Rogers, Charles Ruggles, James Hall, Claudette Colbert, Rudy
Vallee and Stuart Erwin Yeh, might as well say it's a
Paramount production
Al Jolson, feeling kinda balmy, after his sojourn down South,
is back again at the Warner Coast studio. Al intends to 'mam-
my' around the place until he gets a wee sight of the final edit-
ing of "Mammy," his latest for the Brothers Warner, and then
will look up some old friends in Jimmy Walker's Big Town.
They say that Al went over big in such states as Texas, Okla-
homa, Kansas and Louisiana. Of course we can't mention the
other 44
One of the Coast's ace space grabbers, Harry Hammond
Beall, putting it exactly, is at the Pennsylvania with the Mrs.
Harry is also head of the WAMPAS, west end of the AMPA
outfit. And I'll bet tomorrow he'll be in for a free lunch at
the AMPA General Electric has just issued a snappy
catalog, "Motion Pictures and Illustrated Lectures," containing
a listing of sound pictures on various subjects connected with
the electrical industry, its accomplishments and its relation to
other industries
Val Lewton of M-G-M has just completed the novelization
of "The Rogue Song" which will be published the second week
in March by A. L. Burt and Co.
E. W. Hannnons, president of Educational, leave the Coast
tonight en route to New York, after spending three weeks in
conferring with producers of Educational's comedies
Louise Dresser made good her promise in coming to the
'Big City' to look up old friends Yesterday afternoon at
the Savoy Plaza she had a dandy spread for newspaper people.
Also present were Tommy Meighan, Blanche Ring and, ah,
well, a whole gang
FEBRUARY 19-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Dorothy Janis
Carl Stockdale
Bob Gleming
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
Any film -player will tell you that
the best scenes in his pictures are
the ones that get the shears. A-nd
you will believe this when you hear
about Harry Richman's favwite
scenes, which, Harry says, were cut
from "Puttin' on the Ritz."
It seems that Harry and the newly-
met girl friend, Joan Bennett, had
reached the goo-goo-eyes stage. Not
having any faith in amusement re-
sort circulars, they made a personal
trip to Niagara Falls to see if the
place would be all right for a honey-
moon. It being winter, they decided
to stay only a week and a half. While
sitting on the shore, Canadian side,
they spied John Barrymore coming
down the rapids in his canoe. Sud-
denly noticing the falls ahead, John
ordered Dolores aft to man the re-
verse sails. But she pressed the
wrong button and at that moment a
strong wind came along, lifted the
boat right off the water, and landed
it kerplunk beside Harry and Joan,
the impact causing these two to
bounce up and into the ripnling
brook. But they were lucky enough
to land in a barrel used by dare-
devils in going over the falls, so they
made bottom as smoothly as rolling
off the Chrysler Bldg. As they hit
the lower level, Harry and Joan heard
sweet strains in the distance. At first
it sounded like Winnie Lightner
warbling her bathtub number, but
with the aid of binoculars Harry
found that it was Al Jolson, sitting
astride "The Maid of the Mist," and
yodeling "Sonny Boy." Harry took
off his wide trousers and by holding
them aloft in the direct path of Al's
voice, the barrel was wafted to the
leeward shore. There Harry and
Joan found Joseph M. Schenck sit-
ting under a persimmon tree beating
the Publix units out of Adolph Zu-
kor at pinochle. Going over behind
Mr. Schenck's left shoulder, Harry
exclaimed, "Hello, uncle, here we
are. We just finished our big scene.
Oh, uncle, what a big bunch of hearts
you have!" At that moment Mr.
Zukor trumped Mr. Schenck's Ace.
Mr. Schenck turned to Harry and
said, "Oh, yeah, Mr. Gleason? So
you're here, are you? And you just
finished your big scene, did you?
Well, get yourself right away frorn
here again. And the big scene is out!"
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
LEO ROBIN
reporter
THE
Wednesday, February 19, 1930
-3^^
DAILY
Short Shots from
New York Studios
S^ii, By HARRY N. BLAIR imi^
"RRED NEWMEYER, an ace di-
rector as every production exe-
cutive knows, is working on the
script of "Queen High," which he's
going to direct at Paramount's Long
Island workshop. His last direc-
torial job was on "The Grand Pa-
rade" for Pathe.
Short subjects should be in direct
contrast with the featured picture
and in no sense compete with it, in
the opinion of Louis Brock, producer,
who believes that his next, "Bamum
Was Wrong," has all the speed and
action absent from most f'catures
since dialogue crept in.
Helen Kane, bundled up in a sweat-
er and wearing galoshes, Victor
Moore in a checked suit and heavy
woolen mufifler, topped by a plug hat,
with Stewart Erwin sitting on the
sidelines having his shoes shined,
were some of the sights to be seen
on the "Dangerous Nan McGrew"
set, at the Paramount Long Island
studios.
Monta Bell in a red sports sweat-
er, and wearing a rakish blue beret,
acting out a bedroom, scene for the
benefit of Norman Foster and Gin-
ger Rogers, while electricians fooled
with the lights, on the "Young Man
of Manhattan" set, at the Para-
mount studios.
The Aesop Sound Fable unit of
Pathe-Van Beuren Pictures, has fin-
ished the synchronization of its two
latest Pathe pictures, "Sky Skippers"
and "Singing Saps." These shorts
were recorded by the RCA system,
under the musical direction of Carl
Edouarde.
Wareham Joins Dickinson
Lawrence, Kans. — Harry Ware-
ham, formerly with Publix, has
joined the Dickinson circuit and will
take over the management of the
Varsity here.
Jones to Manage Mo. House
Trenton, Mo. — Harry Jones has
been appointed manager of the
Plaza here.
New Equipment for Alliance
Alliance, O. — The Ideal, belonging
to LeMotto Smith, is closed for re-
decoratnig and installation of Type
G RCA sound equipment. It will
open March 1, with an all day grind
policy.
Bridgewater House Being Wired
Bridgewater, Mass. — The Princess
here has closed for several days to
install sound apparatus. Charles
Babb and John Cochrane are man-
agers of the house.
Photophone for Mellen House
Mellen, Wis. — RCA Photophone
equipment has been installed in the
Orpheum here.
Hudson Bill Would Class
Films as Public Utility
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Under his anticipated
bill, just introduced in Congress and
calling for the creation of a Federal
motion picture commission, Repre-
sentative Hudson, of Michigan, as-
serts that the film industry is a pub-
lic utility and therefore subject to the
same regulation.
Hudson's proposed commission, to
be composed of five men and four
women, would be empowered to pro-
tect the industry from unfair trade
practices and monopoly, orovide for
the just settlement of trade com-
plaints, supervise the production of
silent and talking pictures and pro-
vide for the proper distribution and
exhibition, with special reference to
the prevention of block booking.
The legislation is regarded by film
men as censorship pure and simple,
since the commission would license
pictures for exhibition and would
withhold licenses from pictures car-
rying scenes of crime, sex appeal,
garnbling, violence, bloodshed or
most anything else.
Valeska Suratt on Stand
in "King of Kings" Suit
Valeska Suratt took the witness
stand before Federal Judge Frank J.
Coleman yesterday in connection
with her suit charging plagiarism in
the Cecil De Mille production, "King
of Kings." Neither De Mille nor
Jeannie MacPhcrson, the accredited
author of the picture, is defending the
suit, neither of them having been
served with a copy of the complaint.
The only defendants remaining are
Will H. Hays and his organization,
represented at the trial by Arthur
Weil.
Seeks Writ to Retain
Audible's Distribution
Action has been brought in the
Supreme Court, New York County,
by David Mountan, as agent for Ar-
thur Levey, against Audible Pictures,
Inc., for an injunction restraining
them from delivering the pictures
"The Last Dance" and "The Lotus
Lady" to anyone other than Arthur
Levey, for distribution throughout
the world, excepting the United
States, Canada, and the Hawaiian
Islands.
Declares Protection is
Killing Indie Exhibitors
Pittsburgh — "Protection will be
the death knell to all independents,"
declares Fred J. Herrington, secre-
tary of the M.P.T.O. of Western
Pennsylvania, in a statement to mem-
bers of the organization. Herring-
ton calls upon the exhibitors to give
financial support to the fight that has
been launched on protection.
Fowler Opening Second Office
Dallas — Herman Fowler of Fowler
Studio in Los Angeles has arrived
here to establish his second exchange,
with "Dad" Shaw, southwestern dis-
tributor, as manager. Fowler plans
to open his third exchange in New
York.
United States
Harrisburg, Pa. — Edgar H. Hut-
chins has been appointed custodian by
Referee John T. Olmsted to operate
the Rialto and National theaters.
George M. Krupa lessee has filed a
petition of voluntary bankruptcy.
Dallas — Frederick Fuller Kisling-
bury, first manager of the Paramount
in Paris, France, has been appointed
to succeed W. Floyd Smith as man-
ager of the Melba. Smith has been
placed in charge of the Aztec in San
Antonio.
Long Branch, N. J. — Approximate-
ly $250,000 will be spent by Walter
Reade for remodeling the Broadway
here. When alterations are com-
pleted Sunday performances are ex-
pected to be given as in Asbury Park.
Akron, O. — Max Federhar an-
nounces that the RCR Theaters Co.,
will not be dissolved, until the four
houses controlled by the company are
sold. Houses affected are the Wal-
dorf, Peoples, Cameo and Regent.
Cleveland — Corwin Collins has been
made assistant manager at Keith's
East 105th St. He formerly helped
manage the Keith house in Oil City,
Pa.
Freeport, 111.— H. E. Gilbert, man-
aging director of the new Patio, which
was erected here by the Freeport
Amusement Corp. at a cost of $300,-
000, announces the opening for
March 1. The house seats 1,200.
Erie, Pa. — Construction work has
begun on the new Warner here. The
structure is being erected at French
St. near Seventh.
Middleboro, Mass. — Frank P. Stan-
ton manager, of the Park has re-
signed.
New York
Lawrence Bolignino, executive vice-
president of Consolidated Amuse-
ments, has returned from a four-week
vacation in Florida.
Harry Lewis, manager of the Mt.
Eden, has resigned. W. M. Moore,
manager of the Avalon, replaces him
while Felix Mayer, who was at the
Windsor succeeds Moore at the
Avalon.
The Tivoli, on 8th Ave., is dismantl-
ing its roof garden to make way for
a modern cooling system.
The Luxor has just been equipped
with a cooling system.
WHAT THEATRES
are ifvired for sound?
Where are they located?
INQUIRE WITHIN
'/
^<^
YEAR i
BOOK ;|
lOlTlON
1930
Edition
Just
off
the
Press !
THE
DAILY
Wednesday, February 19, 1930
New Fox Financing Plan To Be
Submitted by Bankers Today
{Continued from Page 1)
issued and the remaining funds nec-
essary to meet Fox obligations would
be obtained from the sale of new
common stock to the banking group.
It is understood that the Halsey,
Stuart proposal may bring a counter
plan from the Bancamerica-Blair
group, inasmuch as Fox has ex-
pressed himself as unwilling to en-
ter into any agreement with the Hal-
sey, Stuart interests. This will re-
sult in the refinancing proposition
being placed on a competitive basis,
with the final plans being put up to
the stockholders at the meeting
called for March 5.
It also was learned yesterday that
a group of Class A stockholders had
formed a compromise committee
which is in favor of the Fox plan
backed by Bancamerica-Blair, Leh-
man and Dillon, Read. This com-
mittee consists of Morton Stern, of
J. S. Bache & Co., James M. Beck,
former solicitor general; Louis Horo-
witz, chairman of the Thompson-
Starrett Co.; Arthur Eisele, Newark
banker; Herbert Fleischacker, San
Francisco banker; J. L. and Dryden
Kuser, stockholders; Frank M. Dick,
of E. F. Hutton & Co.; E. A. Pierce,
of E. A. Pierce & Co.
Chief difference in the new $40,-
000,000 plan and the one already dis-
cussed in court is that the latter re-
quires the issuance of $65,000,000 in
new securities, in addition to selling
1,000,000 shares of new common
stock provided for under rights at-
tached to the $40,000,000 debentures.
Conversion of the $25,000,000 pre-
ferred stock also would require 1,-
250,000 additional shares of common.
Then there is the block of 200,000
shares to be issued to the underwrit-
ing syndicate.
This, with the present stock, would
result in the company having approxi-
mately 3,450,000 shares of common
stock outstanding. On the basis of
earnings as currently reported, esti-
mated at $16,873,000 for the entire
year 1930 before deduction of charges,
the balance for the common, after
subtracting the 20% as the required
sinking fund and $1,400,000 interest
for the debentures, would be around
$4 a share, according to the Wall St.
statisticians.
Lloyd Preparing Next;
Considering Two a Year
{Continued from Page 1)
apart. From the manner in which
his latest story is shaping itself, it
is believed that fully two-thirds of
the action takes place on the high
seas.
Racon Electric Co. to
Appeal Macy Decision
Racon Electric Co., through I. A.
Abrahams, president, last night said
that his company will appeal the New
York Supreme Court decision, issued
yesterday, finding the Macy Mfg. Co.
not guilty of infringing on Racon
horn patents.
Miner Takes Over Unique
Ladysmith, Wis. — The Unique here
has been taken over by George Miner
from H. W. True. Miner, who oper-
ates the Rice Lake, will install West-
ern Electric equipment.
Tompkins Takes Colo. Theater
Colo. Springs, Colo. — The Tomp-
kins Theater Co. has taken a 10 year
lease on the former Strand.
Parents not
admitted to
the Lyric
without their
children
during the
run of the
gay, impu-
dent talker.
'HELLO SISTER"
The truth about youth
A Sono Art-World Wide Picture
378,000 Seats Listed
in Pittsburgh Territory
{Continued from Page 1)
840 houses in the list being supplied
with service by these exchanges. Of
this number, 80 are in Pittsburgh,
511 in Western Pennsylvania, exclu-
sive of this city, and 249 in West
Virginia.
Publix Managers to Meet
in Chicago on March 3
Chicago — More than 100 execu-
tives and managers of Publix the-
aters are scheduled to conyene here
for a three-day session at the Drake
Hotel beginning March 3. W. K.
Hollander, publicity manager for
Publix, is in charge of arrangements.
Many prominent executives of the
industry are expected to address th«
gathering.
Remodel Johnson Opera House
Augusta, Me. — The Johnson Opera
House will be remodeled by Mrs.
Benjamin Johnson. Seating capacity
will be increased to 600.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
27 SONG WRrrERS UNDER
CONTRflCTTOFIRSTNATl
Composers and lyric-writers now
under contract whose work will be
heard during the coming season in
First National productions are now
27. The list comprises Oscar Straus,
Jerome Kern, Otto A. Harbach, Sig-
nmnd Romberg, Oscar Hanmierstein
2nd; Joe Young, Harry Warren, Bud
(jreen, Sam Stept, Joe Burke and Al
Dubin, M. K. Jerome and Harold
Berg, Sidney Mitchell, Archie Goet-
tler and George W. Meyer, Eddie
Warde, Al Bryan, Lou Pollack, Mort
Uixon, Walter O'Keefe and Bobby
Dolan, Harry Akst, Grant Clarke,
Michael Cleary, Ned Washington and
Herb Magidson, with Lou Silvers and
Leo Forbstein as musical directors
under Robert Crawford, executive in
charge of all musical activities, and
Lino Rapee, musical director-in-chief
for First National and Warner
Brothers.
Dajrton Gem Reopens
Dayton, O. — The Gem has
opened here.
Start on Warner House Mar. 1
Youngstown, O. — Warners will be-
gin work on their new $1,000,000 the-
ater here about March 1, D. M. Rob-
bins states. The house will seat
2,800.
Remodeling Beverly Fairfax
Los Angeles, Cal. — The Beverly
Fairfax is being remodeled, Harry
Warren, manager, states.
Sound Recruits Another
Bird Island, Minn. — M. J. Huss
has installed sound equipment at the
Crystal.
Spanish Speaking Artists
Being Registered in L. A.
In line with the movement launch-
ed by the Academy of M. P. Arts
and Sciences to preserve the cultural
integrity of all Spanish-speaking
countries through the medium of the
films, the Ass'n of M. P. Producers
has begun the registration of expe-
rienced Spanish actors. A special
bureau has been created for the pur-
pose, with Paul Kohnor, of Univer-
sal, as chairman, and Geoffrey Shur-
lock, of Paramount, as secretary. The
office, located at 5504 Hollywood
Blvd., will be open for registrations
every Saturday afternoon.
Tay Garnett to Write
Stories for Boyd, Quillan
Tay Garnett, who is under contract
to Pathe to direct and write, is to
desert the directorial field temporarily
to write two original stories, one for
William Bovd and the other for Eddie
Quillan.
Renaldo Gets M-G-M Contract
Duncan Renaldo, who last appeared
in "Trader Horn," has been given
a new M-G-M contract.
"Sincerity" First For "U"
First production on the next year's
program for Universal will be "Sin-
cerity," adapted from the novel by
lohn Erskine.
Mclntyre for "On the Level"
Lelia Mclntyre has replaced Aggie
Herring in "On the Level," Fox pro-
duction featuring Victor McLaglen,
Lilyan Tashman and William Harri-
gan.
A Little
from
*Lots'
By RALPH IV ILK
Hollywood
'^ILLIAM F. BLOECHER, for-
mer director of publicity for
Warner Brothers West Coast Stu-
dios, has joined Margaret Ettinger,
mdependent motion picture publicity
representative. Bloecher, a former
newspaper man, has been in picture
publicity work for the past five years.
* ♦ ♦
Harry Ruby, who composed the
music for "Radio Revels," being
made at RKO, with Paul Sloane. is
an enthusiastic baseball fan and
player. In fact, he is so enthusias-
tic that he is now en route to Flor-
ida, ivhere he will spend several
days with the Washington Ameri-
cans at their Spring training camp.
Harry is a semi-pro second base-
man.
• * *
Douglas Gilmore says his
automobile was insured, but
the trouble is, that he couldn't
find enough of it after the acci-
dent to prove that it was
smashed.
♦ ♦ ♦
Doane Harrison, film editor-in-
chief at Pathe, is busy, making ad-
ditions to his staff to take care of
the features and short subjects that
will soon be placed in production at
the Culver City studio.
"March of Time" M-G-M
Second Revue Under Way
Under direction of Chuck Ries-
rer, the M-G-M revue, "The March
of Time," is under way. The produc-
tion will embrace entertainment of
three different periods, past, present
a I'd future. The second section of
the revue now id in production. The
pa;t section containing Weber and
Fields, De Wolf Hopper, Louis
NIann, Fay Templeton, William Col-
lier, Josephine Sabel and Barney
Fagan, has been completed.
EXrHBITiSR
01 Philadelphia
of New \-oik. Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
I'apers" of 4,600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
jou.nals ill the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
cvt-rlastingly at it for
tile 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-6000WIN PUBLICATIONS
1 New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Ma n Office. 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
iTHE
7AemfSHm
ojf fllMDOH
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 43
Thursday, February 20, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Wheeling Exhibitors Defeat Blue Law Enforcement
MODIFIEDPLAN PRESENTED BY FOXIaNKERS
Three Features, 24 Shorts from Color art in 1930
Courtesy
— means much to everyone
^=^By JACK ALICOATE .^=^
UPON THE WALL of the office
of the manager of every Statler Hotel
ij- a httle motto. It reads: "The Guest
is Always Right." Unreasonable
people in this fast moving and some-
times irritating world are decidedly
111 the minority but nevertheless we
do have them. It has been our
luudest observation that a little tact,
a little patience and most of all a
little smile will usually settle any
complaint. Here then is a mental
prescription that might be taken oc-
casionally within this industry in its
mad and headlong rush toward suc-
cess. Just stop to think that the
other fellow too might be right oc-
casionally. This naive thought is par-
ticularly directed to film salesmen,
press agents, film buyers, producers
and distributors and, in fact, most all
' film folk. We have seen $35 a week
managers, standing conspicuously in
the lobby with their boiled shirt fronts
puffed up like a squab, arguing with
a patron over a trivial matter but
in so loud a manner as to attract at-
tention from everyt ly in the lobby.
One enemy can do ore harm to an
enterprise than ten ends can do it
Entire List to be Made in
Color; Schedule Starts
in Sixty Days
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAI Li
Los Angeles ■ — Program outlined
for the 1930 season by the Colorart
Synchrotone Corp. will include
a series of 24 short subjects and, three
features, all to be made ih color. The
feature line-up consists of "Un-
kissed," a comedy; "The Thrill
Killer," a mystery drama and "The
(Continued on Page 7)
Mike Comerford, Showman
-MIKE COMLRF'ORD is first of all
a showman of the old school. He be-
lieved and still believes in making
every theater he owns become a defi-
nite part of the civic progress of
the community in which it is situated.
That this policy of local co-operation
is rather a healthy one is somewI\.at
conipellingly demonstrated in the fact
that Mons. Comerford ovr.s some-
: thing like 70 theaters and dominates
'.his territory as strongly as Tammany
does little old New York Something
of the esteem of which he is held by
the home folks can be gained from
I the fact that he is now celebrating
]his twenty-fifth anniversary and the
'Governor of the gr';at ■ ommonwealth
of Pennsylvania took it upon himself
to address the patrons of all the
(Continued on Page 2)
WARNERISTQUARTERNET
REPORTED AT $5,629,108
Net profit of Warner Bros. Pic-
tures, Inc. for the first quarter, ended
Nov. 30, 1929, of the present fiscal
year, is reported at $5,629,108. This
IS equal to $20.90 a share on preferred
stock on which the dividend require-
ments are $2.20 a year and after pre-
ferred dividends are deducted equiva-
(Continued on Page 7)
Major Herron Honored
by Spanish Government
Major Frederick L. Herron, man-
ager of the foreign department of the
Hays office, has been decorated by
the king of Spain in recognition of
his interest and activities in seeking
to have the Spanish nation correctly
portrayed in American films.
Grandeur Newsreel
A Fox newsreel made on
Grandeur film is current at the
Roxy on the program with
"Happy Days," Grandeur pic-
ture which will be held for a
second week beginning today.
Contents of the newsreel, lab-
eled Grandeur Fox News, are
magazine in character.
ANTI-CENSORSHIP BILL
tNTRODUCED^AT ALBANY
Albany — A new attack on the cen-
sorship law has been launched here
with the introduction of a bill by
Langdon W. Post, assemblyman
from Manhattan, asking the repeal
of the present statute which places
the censorship of pictures under the
State Department of Education. Post
formerly was a motion picture critic
in New York.
111. Independents in Drive
for Increased Membership
Chicago — Drive for increased mem-
bership from rural sections of the
state, has been launched by the Illi-
nois Independent Theater Owners,
Inc. of which Aaron Saperstein is
\ resident. The board of directors of
the organization has selected a com-
mittee of downstate members to
sponsor the drive.
Blue Law Test
Results in
in Wheeling
Theater Victory
Consolidated Reported in
Deal for 2 Bronx Houses
Negotiations are reported under
way by Consolidated Amusements
for the acquisition of the Metro and
Congress, Bronx, owned by the
Bronx Circuit of Theaters. This
would give Consolidated 18 houses
in Greater New York. Executives
of both companies yesterday denied
any knowledge of the reported deal.
Wheeling, W. Va. — Refusal of the
Ohio County grand jury to indict
the 112 persons held under bond
after being arrested for giving Sun-
day shows has resulted in the defeat
of the blue law enforceinent efforts
here. Officials and employees of pic-
ture houses had been submitting to
arrest each Sunday since Dec. 22,
when the theaters opened on the Sab-
bath for the first time, and in each
(Continued on Page 7)
Lehman Group Offers to
Accept "A" Stock As
Compensation
A modification of its refinancing
plan, providing that the Fox com-
panies may elect to pay the bank-
ers' compensation in stock or to give
the bankers and their syndicate a
five-year option on 500,000 shares of
stock at $20 a share, was .mnrunccd
yesterday hy liic tirti'cauierica-Blair,
Lehman Bros., and Dillon, Read &.
Co. group 'jihiiid the refinancing
proposition v'lic'i nlyvdy has been
approved by Fox directors. Terms
originally called for 135,000 shares
of common stock for the bankers and
65,000 shares for the underwriting'
(Continued on Page 7)
I TO SEnLE LABOR
DISPUTE IN MINNEAPOLIS
Minneapolis — Representatives of
.he operators' union and the smaller
independent exhibitors of this city
have been meeting to settle their dif-
ferences. The union has withdrawn
Its demand that small theaters em-
ploy two operators. Both sides have
not been able to agree on wages. The
Theater owners refuse to meet the
union's demand for a $60 scale. A
compromise is expected.
PETITIONS HOLD OTE FALL
RIVER THEATER STRIKE
Fall River, Mass. — Threatened gen-
-•ral strike of all theater employees
here to compel the managements to
jmploy musicians is being held off
Judge Gray in continuing the pe-
titions for injunction filed by the
^^ialto Amusement Co., and the
rand Realty and Amusement Co.,
intil the next session of the superior
lurt. This action followed an agree-
ment by all parties. Houses involved
are the Durfee, Capitol, Empire,
Strand and Park.
THE
'eMU
DAILY
Thursday, February 20, 1930
VoL LI No. 43 Thursday, February 20, 1930 Price 5 Gents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
<t the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
tne act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736 4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
t Berlin— Karl Wolflsohn, Lichtbildtmehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Courdes-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 26 24J4 24Ji 900
Con. Fm. Ind. ... IWi 20^ 205/8 1,200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23/8 23-^ 235/8 100
East. Kodak 211% 207/^ 208^ 6,100
Fox Fm. "A" ... 12V% 30/8 31^8 69,300
Gen. Thea. Equ.. 48H 46^4 47'4 31,300
•Keith AC 30
Mo pfd 10354 .-••
Loew's Inc 70 65^8 6754 H-OOO
•do pfd. WW (6/) 935^
♦do pfd. xw (61/.) 85/2 ....
MG-M pfd 25 54 25/2 25 54 200
Para. F-L 6354 64/ 665^ 43,200
Pathe Exch 4 3^ 1% 1,100
*do "A" 75^
R-K-O 3054 2954 2954 26,200
Univ. Pict. pfd. . 38 38 38 400
Warner Bros 63J4 60/ 61/100,000
do pfd 55/8 545i 55/8 800
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 29/
Fox Thea. "A" .. 1% 6% 7V» 49,000
•Intern, Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 33 32/ 33 2,000
Loew Inc. war ..9^ 9 9-^ 300
•Nat. Scr. Ser 20^^ ....
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 10
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 88/
Loew 6s 41ww ..11054 10954 11054 180
do 6s 41 x-war.. 9954 94 94/ 280
Paramount 6s 47 ..9954 99/ 99/ 30
•Par. By. 5/s 51 9954 ....
Pathe 7s 37 46 45 46 60
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
Courtesy
— means much to everyone
(Continued from Page 1)
Conierford houses, via the talking
screen, in M. C's behalf. In addition
the Lieut. Gov. spoke from the stage
of several of the houses, the Mayors
of all Comerford- towns joined en-
thusiastically in the celebration and
editorial comment was forthcoming
from practically every city in which
he operates. Such good will and
spontaneous endorsement of a the-
ater's value to a community cannot
be purchased with doUaro. It is the
result of years of honest effort, and,
is ix fitting tribute to a real showman
of the old school, Mike Comerford
iof Scranton, Pa., and his ability not
only to make thousands of friends,
but, more important, to hold them
for a quarter of a century.
Standardization of Wide
Film, Topic of Meet Today
Efforts towards fixing a standard
width for wide film will continue
today when a sub-committee, ap-
pointed by Chairman Hardy of the
iS.M.P.E. committee on standards,
meets at the ofifice of N. M. La
Porte in the Paramount Bldg. Com-
prising the committee are: Earl
Sponable, Dr. Lee DeForest, J. P.
Stence, M. C. Batsel and La Porte.
•«•>*,«»>#>*.«#.«*>*.«•.«•>♦,«♦,«•;
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City fX
154 Crescent St. £(
STIUwell 7940 ft
I
Eastman Films i
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CAIumst 2691
Hollywood sl
6700 Santa Monica A
i
Blvd.
Hollywood 4121
t'«8a«at««mt«8at'»aiKt'nwmwu-
W. E. World InstaUations
Approaching 5,000 Mark
Number of Western Electric instal-
lations throughout the world is ap-
proaching the 5,000 mark, according
to Electrical Research Products.
1 here are 3,489 equipments in this
country and 1,268 abroad. The SOOth
installation of Western Electric
equipment in the British Isles has
been completed at the Palace, Ebby
Vale, Monmouthshire.
Not Superstitious
Nashville — Three local thea-
ters, the Crescent, Knicker-
bocker and Princess, opened
with Universal Talking News-
reel No. 13 on Feb. 13. The
reel started in this territory
under the banner of the Nash-
ville Tennesseean Universal
NewsreeL Fred J. McConnell,
Universal's short subject sales
manager, signed the contract
with the Tennesseean, which is
the 52nd newspaper to become
allied with the newsreel.
Kent, Myers Confer on
Thacher Decree Effects
A conference on the effects of the
Judge Thacher decree as they apply
to the latitude allowed distributors
was held yesterday in New York be-
tween Sidney R. Kent, chairman of
the 5-5-5 conference, and Abram F.
Myers, president of Allied States
Ass'n. No decision as to whether
the convention will be reconvened
will be reached until they complete
their study of the situation.
"Roadhouse Nights" at Para.
"Roadhouse Nights" goes into the
Paramount tomorrow. Helen Mor-
gan, Charles Ruggles, Fred Kohlcr,
Clayton, Jackson and Durante are
featured in the film. Paul Ash will
be back on the stage as master of
t-renionies.
Ask to Reopen House
Beverly, N. J. — Merchants here
lave requested Jake Fox, owner of
the Bever-Lee, to reopen the house
as its closing has hurt business locally
to a great extent, residents going to
Burlington and Riverside rather than
bhop in home stores.
Fire Does Heavy Damage
Lincoln, 111. — The Lincoln was re-
cently swept by fire causing a dam-
age placed at $75,000. Projection
.ooni equipment and the large organ
were destroyed.
> AMALGAMATED <
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions Sor
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
Winnie to Remain at Beacon
"She Couldn't Say No," with Win-
lic Lightner, will be held over for a
second week at the Beacon, where
it is being shown simultaneously
with its presentation at the Strand.
WANTED
TITLE MAN — An experienced pho-
tographer thoroughljr competent to
produce up-to-date animated theater
titles for small title department in
the E^st. State experience in detail
and salary expected. Reply
Box O c-o Film Daily
1650 Broadway New York City
IDEAL SOUND STUDIOS
are now
FIRE PROOF
and
SOUND PROOF
We Re-Record and Synchron-
ize Your Film
Recording Made on Disc and
Film
IDEAL SOUND STUDIO
Hudson Heights, N. J.
Palisades 3677-8
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mai. 20
April 1
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
Opening of "Song of the West"
at the Warner, N. Y.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington.
D. C.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Another for Photophone
Siloam Springs, Ark. — The Rialto
is being wire with Photophone sound
equipment.
AD- VANCE -AD
"We wish to take this means
and pleasure in ACKNOWLEDGING
OUR APPRECIATION FOR AD-
VANCE TRAILER SERVICE. First
for their ability to sell the picture to
the public; Second, for the ATTRAC-
TIVE OPENING AND CLOS-
INGS, and very MODERN EF-
FECTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN
ONLY IN ADVANCE TRAILER
SERVICE,"
-Rialto Theatre, Wilson, N. C.
QT^MADISON I
Illinois Avenue Overlooking Boardwalk
and Ocean
"A Hotel Distinctively Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAL
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, Imc.
EUGENE C. FETTER, Managr»««-
Director
♦
PNNNGTDN
'^he dirt
with the
hysterical
mips''
W.
HELLO
BABY
Here's a Presentation Feature
that will start your show off like
a World Beater! Dazzling
costumes, gorgeous girls, tender
romance and tuneful tunes com-
bine to make up two reels of
marvelous entertainment • Deluxe
short length musical comedy that
will pull like a feature • Great cast
Directed by BRYAN FOY and
LARRY CEBALLOS.
'Vitabhonc" is the registered trade,-mark o\ The Vitai)hone Cortooraiion designating its j^todxxcts
iKtix ^ i
THE
-SH^
DAILY
Thursday, February 20, 1930
!5= Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Blue Quits Warners
to Become Free Lance
Monte Blue has left the Warner
Bros, fold and hereafter will do free-
lancing.
Constance Bennett Gets Fox Lead
Constance Bennett will play the
leading role in "Common Clay," which
Victor Fleming will direct for Fox.
The picture goes into production next
month.
Belle Bennett With Warners
Belle Bennett has been signed by
Warners for the leading role in
"Fame."
Cawthorn Added to "Dixiana"
Joseph Cawthorn has been added
to the cast of "Dixiana," which is
being produced at RKO with Bebe
Daniels in the leading role.
Three Added to "Trigger Tricks"
Jack Richardson, Monte Montague
and Walter Perry have been added to
"Trigger Tricks", which_ Hoot Gib-
son is producing for Universal.
Holt and Graves Again Featured
Jack Holt and Ralph Graves again
are to be featured by Columbia. The
r-air will have the leading roles in
"Hell's Island" being prepared by
Paul Hervey Fox.
John Garrick for "Bride 66"
John Garrick, has been signed for
the leading male role opposite Jean-
ctte MacDonald in "Bride 66," which
is in rehearsal under direction of Paul
L. Stein.
Una Merkel for Lincoln Role
Una Merkel has been signed by
United Artists for D. W. Griffith's
forthcoming production on Lincoln.
A Little
from ''Lots**
^^^ By RALPH WILK ^ji^^
Hollywood
Lesley Mason is one of Holly-
wood's busiest dialogue writers. He
fashioned the dialogue for "The
Song of the Caballero," "Kettle
Creek," Parade of the West,"
"The Fighting Legion" and several
other Ken Maynard pictures.
* ♦ ♦
Arthur Jones, who was campaign
manager for Mayor John C. Porter
of Los Angeles and who was Cali-
fornia director of publicity for the
Hoover campaign for the presidency,
has joined the Fox scenario depart-
ment and is writing origitials. Prior
to joining Fox, he was with Uni-
versal, where he wrote "The Col-
lege Minstrel," an original, which
will soon be placed in production,
and an untitled original. He is a
native of St. Louis and is a former
editor of the Harvard iMmpoon.
♦ * ♦
Regis Toomey, who attract-
ed much attention by his work
in "Alibi," surprised Wampas
members with his excellent
baritone voice. He toured Eng-
land in "Little Nellie Kelly."
appearing in an important
singing role. He also under-
studied Dennis King in "Rose-
Marie."
Behrman Preparing Fox Script
i^anuiel N. Behrman is preparing
the screen adaptation of Franz Mol-
nar'g "Lilioni," for Fox.
You Can't Get Along Without It
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
Bound in Cloth. Weighs 4 lbs., 7 02
Stamped in Red and 254 inches thick.
Gold.
• • • r AX £j Lu • • •
to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
ALABAMA
Changes in Ownership
Boligee — Boligee, sold to R. R. Tann by John
Sowa ; LaFayette — Ritz, sold to T. Y.
Walker by Ed. Willingham ; Lineville—
Pitts, sold to A. C. Hallmark by J. A.
Pitts; Millport — Gunter's, sold to B. G.
Gentry by William Gunter; Montgomery —
Dixie, sold to Doo Hartwick by H. F.
Stanley.
Closings
Hanceville — Palace.
ARIZONA
Closings
Casa Grande — Casis ; Flagstaff — Liberty.
ARKANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Caraway — Caraway, sold to Sidney Mangrum
by Mrs. L. B. Smith; Dierks — Laverne,
sold to F. J. Bennett by Mrs. L. B. Tay-
lor ; Graysonia — Graysonia, sold to Kelly
& Bratton by Ladies Aid Society Theater.
Closings
Branch — Electric ; Lcwisville — Gem.
CALIFORNIA
Changes in Ownership
Chino — Iris, sold to Frank Moreno by A.
Rodriquez ; Long Beach — Ramona, sold to
Charles J. Rittenhouse by V. L. Albert-
son ; Los Angeles — Alpine, sold to Tex Hur-
ley by American Light Opera Co., Estella,
sold to M. L. Woolfson by Frank Fouce.
York, sold to A. S. Calvi, Frank BaflFa &
A. Boffino by L. Cohen; Marysville — Lib
erty, sold to Thomas Belessis by National
Theaters Synd. ; Menlo Park — Xew Menlo,
sold to N. S. Tronslin by A. Blanco;
Oakland — Arabina, sold to M. L. Marko-
witx by Charles Michaels; Orange — Co
lonial, sold to Valuskis Fihn Corp. by
Easterly & Lee: San Diego — U. S., sold to
O. C. Foster by A. E. Goebel; Santa Crui
— Cameo, sold to R. W. Harvey by C. E.
Scott : Ventura — Mission, so'd to Tames
Morris by J. W. Dodge; Woodland— Wood
land, sold to N. W. Hill bv Dr. T. H.
Dixon.
Closings
Belvedere Garden — Link ; El Segunda — .State ;
Kingsburg— Kingsburg; Los Gatos — Los
Gatos ; Santa Clara — Casa Grande ; Soledad
— Soledad ; Venice — Venice ; Weott — Willitt.
Colon
^olomo.
Openings
Re-Openings
Anaheim — United : Fellows — Star ; Los An-
geles— California.
COLORADO
Changes in Ownership
Denver — Hiawatha, sold to Xokomis The-
aters, Inc.. by Hiawatha Theater Co. :
Silt — America, sold to Often & Erickson
by Pete Coza : Victor— Isis. sold to M. W.
Kessey by D. W. Downing.
Closings
Asoen — Isis : Denver — Cameron, Hiawatha :
Segundo — Liberty.
CONNECTICUT
Changes in Ownership
Meriden — Life, sold to Mr. Ricci by S.
Me.idnw: New Hartford — Star, sold to B.
Levine by L. J. Newmann ; Newr Haven —
Victory, sold to M. Rosenberg by Mr.
Tadonisi.
FLORIDA
Changes in Ownership
New Port Richey — Meighan. sold to L. C.
Poole by T. S. Jackson : Titusville — Van
Croix, so'd to Thomas S. Brandon by A.
E. Van Croix.
Closings
Hastings — Casino : Jacksonville — Capitol ;
Lakeland — Rex
GEORGIA
Changes in Ownership
Colquitt — LaGIoria. sold to Zula B. Toole by
Tnsenh E. Toole : Homerville — Liberty, sold
to Smith & Turner bv R. O. Holton ;
Lincolnton — Starland. sold to J. W. Black-
well bv W. .A. Florence: Metter — Dream-
land, sold to Mr. Finley by M. H. Hay-
mans.
Closings
Lavonia — Franklin.
Openings
Atlanta — Fox.
IDAHO
Changes in Ownership
Boise — Strand, sold to Publix Theaters Corp.
by J. Edwin Thamert ; Weston — Opera
House, sold to H. A. Kelson by George
Kelson.
Closings
Challis— -Dodge Hall ; Edin— Eden ; Mackay—
American.
ILLINOIS
Changes in Ownership
Blandinsville— Romance, sold to Rodman E.
Grigsby by J. F. Woodward; Bluffs-
Majestic, sold to M. Tice by E. C. Cooper;
Brookport— Riverside, sold to A. J. Gibbons
by E. E. Morris; Chicago — Glen, sold to
Jack H. Plotkin by E. Friedman; Vista,
sold to M. O. Wells by Coonej^ Brothers;
East 'St. Louis — New American, sold to
P. A. Arras and Julius Kauffman by John
Mike; Marshall— Pythian, sold to Ralph Q.
Bartlett by Ed Powell; Rockford— Capitol,
sold to W. M. Beadell by Capitol Theater,
Inc.; Villa Park— Villard, sold to Frederick
Nelson by V. T. Lynch; Virden— Rex, sold
to Clyde L. Kienbortz and B. E. Wilson
by Ed Powell; Worden — Lannae, sold to
Mullens & Thornton by F. E. Lannae.
Closings
Altamont — Star; Chicago— Liberty ; CuUom—
Quality; Galatia— Lyric ; Hinsdale— Hin^
dale; McHenry — Empire.
Re-Openings
Morrisonville^Empress.
INDIANA
Changes in Ownership
Anderson — Kay Bee, sold to Wiley Rea Cn
by Anderson Banking Co.; Ellettsville —
Cozy, sold to Frank Duncan by J. W.
.Sowders; Fairmount — Royal, sold to H. an.l
J. Fahl by Harold Miller; French Lick-
Dream, sold to T. N. Luckett by Luckett
& Sloan; Gary — Rex, sold to W. O. Noble
and Mid City Realty Co. by Charles
Wagner; Geneva — Limberlost, sold to H.
Nelson by W. Neal ; Hessville — Family,
sold to Ignatius Turon by Petritz & Troy ;
Hobart — Strand, sold to Theodore Thanos
by Sam Routes; Huntington — Huntington,
sold to G. E. Lancaster by H. E. Rose-
brough ; Indianapolis — Senate, sold to James
H. Weston by Mrs. Pryor ; Kouts — Gem,
sold to E. Stibbe by Griffith & Griffith;
Markle— Pantheon, sold to Mark'e Hournal
by Mrs. E. Yantes ; Newcastle — Princess,
sold to Publix Fitz & Mc by B. D. Cock-
rill ; Pendleton — Pendleton, sold to V. E.
Burkle by B. E. Elliott; Sanborn— Black
Cat, sold to J. Hougland and W. M. Cor-
bin by Mrs. Robert Anderson; South Bend
—Black, sold to Publix Fitz and Mc by
St. Joseph Theater; Whiting — Hoosier, sold
to Bond Amusement Co. by Mrs. M. Ben-
nett.
Closings
Anderson — Crystal ; Borden — Pfohls ; Carbon
— Crescent ; Cloverdale — Joy ; Colfax — Ar-
cade ; Dugger — Majestic ; Fairmount —
Royal ; Markle^Pantheon ; New Point — Nie-
meyer; Redkey — Lyrio; West Terre Haute
— Palace.
KENTUCKY
Changes in Ownership
Campton — Peoples, sold to Boone Hanks by
McQuinn & Hawkes; La Center — Dixie,
sold to William A. Arivett by Mynatt &
Burns ; Lewisburg — Palace, sold to W. F.
Lorman by T. Brown : Louisville — Crescent,
sold to H. Nadel by C. Kock; Olive Hill-
Dixie, sold to Peoples Bank by W. L..
Sparks; Whitesburg — Rex. sold to Putnam
& Gibson by James Fairchild.
Closings
Greenville — Mecca ; Hardinsburg — Conway ;
Irvington — Community ; Louisville — Arista,
Lincoln ; Nortonville — Cozy ; Sebree — City
Hall; Stanford — Opera House; Wingo—
Pastime.
Re- Openings
Sebree — City Hall.
LOUISIANA
Changes in Ownership
Haynesville — Brownie, sold to Baucum, Mil-
ler & Beane by J. F. Crosson ; Opclousa*—
Princess, sold to R. L. Bailey, Sr.. by
Opelousas M. P. Co.; Rayville— Grand,
sold to J. B. Moore by T. A. Shea.
ICH
arlhelme$
I
I
aii-
ops
them
4th tremendous
week on Broadway!
Topped "Golddig-
gers" at Warner
Bros., Downtown,
Los Angeles.
Record gross at
Stanley, Pittsburgh!
Topped "Sally" at
Main Street, Kansas
City; Palace, iVIont-
real; Paramount,
Palm Beach! Akdar,
Tulsa!
"Sally" business was
TOP business till
"Son Of The Gods"
came along!
Think it over!
3irAt
national
A FIRST HATIONAL
anrt
IVmpRowj
"Vilophon*" it »h» r*si5t«r»d trade mark of the Vitaphone Corp. designating its praducli
CONSTANCE
BENNETT
REX BEACH'S
Greot Story Directed by
FRANK LLOYD
Screen version ond dialogue
by Bradley Kirtg
TECHNICOIOR
SCENES
^cBtk
DAILY
Thursday, February 20, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
W^
Talking Films Give Slapstick
No Chance, Is Critic's Belief
'ITH the passing of the
silent films there has gone,
too, that extravagant type of hu-
mor which belongs essentially to
the medium of pantomime. The
loose, harum-scarum qualities of
slapstick, with its custard pies,
its wild chases through crowded
streets and its wholesale destruc-
tion of property, never failed to
elicit the keenest delight from
that vast majority of us whose
lives are fenced in by a monot-
onous round of decorum. The
talking picture in its present
stage of development does not
allow for genuine slapstick. Dia-
logue imposes a responsibility,
the complete absence of which
is perhaps an outstanding charac-
teristic of slapstick. When peo-
ple are made to talk they must
behave more or less rationally,
and the mere physical fact of
their talking has a tendency to
take away that fastness and
looseness which is certainly an-
other property of extravagant
humor.
Thornton Delehanty in
"New York Evening Post"
Talkers Will Ultimately
Cut Down Talk, Is Opinion
"VW^HEN audible pictures reach
their true form they will have
synchronized scores. Music was
a necessary and sympathetic part
of silent screen entertainment.
As the art of the talking screen
advances, more of the story will
be told in pantomime and less in
words. This means that we will
have a constantly increasing num-
ber of long silent intervals in all
our audible pictures. We are not
used to silence in a motion pic-
ture house, and were not used
to it even in the silent picture
days. To bridge these silent
intervals we should have a mus-
ical accompaniment.
Welford Beaton in
"The Film Spectator," Hollywood
•
THEIR
FIRST
J O R S
MAITLAND RICE
General theatricals with
George W. Lederer
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
J.^ARR\ IS gettmg to be all the rage, naturally meaning that
Richman fellow. In addition to getting a big part in Lew
Leslie s "International Revue," which premieres on the Main
Lme Tuesday, Harry has been invited to be guest of honor at
the openmg of the new Loew's 175th St. on Saturday
Esther Ralston saw the police the other night, but only
to report the loss of a $4,000 diamond and emerald bracelet set
in platinum Now if any of you sleuths find said article,
Esther is at the Hotel New Yorker The world premiere
of "Ingagi," meaning gorilla in Africa, will take place at the
Spreckels, San Diego, tomorrow. Immediately following the one
week premiere William Alexander will head for New York with
the print
In Paul Specht's amateur song writer's air opportunity con-
test. Mrs. Mary Schaeffer, organist of the Roanoke, Roanoke
Va., copped one of the prizes with her song "Coming Home to
Mary- ■. Kinda thought the AMPA boys would like the
suggestion, so Harry Hammond Beall, head of the WAMPAS,
will be one of the guests of honor at today's AMPA lunch-
eo" Pat Flaherty's wife presented him with a nine pound
baby boy as a Valentine gift Pat is the bright light of
Fox's Red Star Music Co., while the Mrs. is the forrner Dorothy
Fugazy, daughter of the fight promoter
Production of "Little Orphan Annie," is being considered bv
Cliarlie Beahan with Ruth Taylor in the same role she originated
on the Coast Another report has Gertrude Lawrence
scheduled for the "International Revue." United Artists
have released William Anthony Maguire from his contract long
enough to allow him to write the book for Marilyn Miller's next
show which Ziegfeld will produce
Fox Metropolitan Playhouse, Inc. upstate holdings are ex-
pected to take on added weight with Harry D. (ioldberg new
general manager directing activities from the Utica headquarters
Beginning this Saturday feature sound pictures will be
added to the program at the RKO Riverside in addition to the five
vaudeville acts
In "Hit The Deck," it was the Smiths that got the break to
a special party, but now Pathe steps out by inviting all N. Y.
cops whose second handle happens to be O'Brien to a special
showing of "Officer O'Brien," at the Hipp starting Feb. 22.
Hope Universal doesn't pull a Cohen and Kelly party
FEBRUARY 20-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Ed Schiller Florence Gilbert
Ann Carter Charles C. Moskowitz
Marian Spitzer
John Langan
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL If. DALY
I
'W/HILE digging up data on the
original Floradora Sextette,
which figures in his forthcoming;
production of "The Gay Nineties,"
Harry Beaumont came across some,
enlightening facts about the moral
requirements and restrictions im-
posed upon the famous troupe of 30
years ago.
"Get a load of this, girls," said
Harry, calling to Marion Davies.
Patricia Caron, Ilka Chase, Vivienne
Oakland, Lenore Bushman and Ethel
Sykes, who are to make up the 1930
counterpart of the celebrated six.
"In signing the original Floradora
bouquet, the Shuberts stipulated in
their contracts that the girls must
not encourage, contract for or en-
gage in any marriage during their
engagements, that they must not ac-
cept attentions from, stagedoor John-
nies, nor attend any wild parties
lasting till early in the momina;
and that, should any of the girls
show the least sign of dissipation,
her contract would be null and void."
"And yet," continued Harry, "not-
withstanding these stringent rules,
all of the original Floradora girls
eventually married millionaires.
"So you see, girls," said Harry in
concluding his bedtime story, "the
moral is that it pays to be good."
* * *
Our Hollywood gastronomical bu-
reau sends us the information that
an average of 850 pies are eaten ev-
ery lunch hour at the M-G-M studios.
Well, since they quit using them '■■
in slapstick comedies, there's nothing \
left to do with the pies except eat |
'em.
♦ ♦ ♦
USELESS INFORMATION
Although some theater operators
feel that the area taken up by aisles
represents a big waste, attempts to
install bowling alleys in these spaces
have not proved practical.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
William Brandt organizing new ex-
hibitor body in Greater New York.
* * «
Harry Cahane files judgment
against Allan Rock to recover $531.
* * *
Neely Edwards signed by Cohn for
Hall Room series.
* * *
G. P. Greaves to build at Colorado
Springs, Col.
THE
Thursday, February 20, 1930
i^E^
DiAILV
WWR 1ST QUARTER NET
REP0RTEDilT$5,629,108
(Continued from Page 1)
lent to $2.07 a share on the common
stock outstanding as of that date.
This earning is compared with $2,-
917,724 in the three months ended
Dec. 1, 1928 which was equivalent
to $5.30 a share on the 550,000 shares
of combined class A and common
stock. While the profits for the per-
iod ended Dec. 1, 1928 included only
earnings of companies then subsi-
diary to Warner Bros. Pictures, the
earnings for the quarter ended Nov.
30, 1929 include the profits of all
companies now subsidiary to the
company. Warner Bros, on Nov. 30,
1929 had outstanding a total of 269,-
237 shares of preferred stock and 2,-
645,864 shares of common.
iThree Features, 24 Shorts
I From Colorart in 1930
j (Continued from Page 1)
JBeggars of Bagdad," a musical pro-
duction by Perry Newberry and L.
B. Jacobs. Production of the new
product is scheduled to start within
60 days. Directors and casts now
[are being negotiated for.
' "Satanesque," a feature completed
by the company last year and paitlv
destroyed by the Consolidated Labo-
ratory fire, has been recut and is in
preparation for a summer release.
Modified Plan is Presented by
Bankers for Fox Companies
Wheeling Exhibs Defeat
Blue Law Enforcement
I (Continued from Page 1)
(instance the managers posted $500
Ibond upon being arraigned.
! Houses involved are the Virginia,
Capitol, Colonial, Liberty, Rex, Vic-
toria and Court
Theater Changes Hands
I Philippi, W. Va. — The American
jhas passed out of the hands of John
Seamone into those of Howard
iLeary.
I Pittsburgh House Wired
I Pittsburgh — The Hiland has been
Jvired.
Bridgeville (Pa.) Closing
, Bridgeville, Pa. — The Granada has
jcen closed.
syndicate, in addition to 9 per cent
underwriting commission.
At the same time action was taken
by Fox interests to effect the changes
m capitalization voted in September,
1929, by which the A stockholders
will be represented on the boarjl by
five directors, against seven by the
Class B stockholders. Class A
stockholders previously have had no
representation on the board. The
Stock Exchange received notice from
the corporation of the proposed
creation of 250,000 shares of 7 per
cent cumulative convertible preferred
of $100 par value and an increase in
the authorized Class A common from
900,000 shares to 4,900,000 shares.
Before the presentation of the
modified plan, the Fox directors had
forwarded to stockholders a letter
transmitting the previously approved
plan to be voted upon at the March
D meeting.
Stressing tlie fact that "it is the custom
of exhibitors to purchase substantially their
entire supply of pictures for a season during
tlie period between May and August, and
theater owners will not contract for their
tilms with any source of supply which they
believe yrtciuous," the directors urged the
stoch holiieis to help avert a receivership by
lining up with the Bancamerica- Blair group.
The letters sent out by the Fox directors
contained pro.xies, which the shareholders
ai e asked to sign and return.
Explaining the rejection of the alernative
plan oflered by tlie Halsey, Stuart & Co.
interests, the letter states that this arrange-
ment "contemplates the exchange of both the
Class A stock and the Class B stock of the
corporation for common stock, all to be of
one class, thus eliminating the present voting
power oi the Class B stock. Such a change
cannot be effected without the consent of
the Class B stock. Neither William Fox
nor any of the other holders of Class B stock
whom the board of directors has been able
to consult are willing so to consent. It
also contemplates the deposit of all the new
common stock under a voting trust, thus
depriving the Class A stockholders of that
share in the management of the corporation
which the plan approved by the board pre-
serves to them."
(Continued from Page 1)
VVitu regard to the Halsey, Stuart & Co.
claims on tne future financing of Fox, the
letter states :
"trom conversations had with Halsey,
Siuart, and tneir counsel, it was understood
ihat u any plan were proposed whicn would
provide lor tne payment ot tne ^12,U0O,UO0
ol notes due April 1 vvliich had been sold
to the public by them, and the $15,000,UOU
obligation to Jtlcctncai Research Products,
they would otter no obstacie to its con-
summation, 'the enclosed plan does pro-
vide for paying all these debts in full. Never
theless, upon its presentaiion to the court,
witn the request that further adjournments of
ihe receivership applications be bad to enable
the stockholders to take action upon the
plan, counsel for Halsey, Stuart stated that
they had other interests in the situation
tiian the mere payment of the corporation's
one year notes, and suggested that they be
given an opportunity to prepare and submit
to the stocKholders some other plan than
that which your board of directors have ap-
proved. Ha.sey, Stuart attempt to justify
their position by the assertion of a 15-year
monopoly of the right to sell your corpora-
tion's securities. Your corporation's counsel
advise that no such right was ever legally
created and that even if any such right had
been granted by your corporation to Halsey,
Stuart, they would have forfeited it when in
open court they urged the appointment of re-
ceivers of your corporation."
The letter to stockholders further states
that Fox "faces over $45,000,000 of obliga-
tions matured or to mature within 60 days,
in addition it has large commitments to
meet during the current year, incurred in
the acquisition of theater properties or in
the building of theaters. Over $7,000,000 of
judgments have been obtained by various
creditors, and only the indulgence of these
creditors at the earnest solicitation of U. S.
District Judge Frank J. Coleman has prevented
the complete break up of the corporation's
property.
"The present heavy debt was incurred
primarily in the acquisition of the English
Gauraont circuit of theaters and in assist-
ing Fox Theaters Corp. to acquire a sub-
stantial block of common stock of Loew's,
Inc., both of which acquisitions the board
of directors believes will prove to be profit-
able. These purchases were made after con
sultation with Halsey, Stuart and with the
expectation that that firm would at the proper
time effect a refunding of the short term
indebtedness thus incurred. Failure to ef-
fect such refunding before the decline in
market values of securities last autumn is
the immediate cause of the corporation's
financial embarrassment."
Creating Illusion
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — "The greatest
handicap of the camera," said
William Cameron Menzies in
a talk to students of the Otis
Art Institute, "is that it does
not photograph as the mind
sees. Hence, if a picturesque
European street is to be repro-
duced, it is better to substitute
a set that is the impression
of that street as the mind sees
it, slightly over-romanticized,
simplified and over-textured."
PHOTOPHONE APPOINTS
3 DISTRICT
ExniBpsi^
Jl Piuladeiph.
of Washington
J^
ijCaaiToR.
md Buffalo
P 'TAe ?ndi of
the East Coast"
1 lie "Home Town
Papers" of A 600 tlie-
atie owners. The
most intensively rc.id
jou nals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
iierlast ngly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
1C0% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-GOOOW^N PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Wa n Office. 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
Decision Benefits Macy
The Macy Mfg. Corp. is "at lib-
erty to manufacture, sell and use ex-
ponential horns without infringe-
ment," stated Schechter & Lotsch,
counsel for Macy, yesterday, in con-
nection with the decision of Jud-^e
Mitchell, Supreme Court, that the
company is not in unfair competi-
tion in trade, as alle.ged in a suit
brought by Racon Electric Co.
Horowitz Rejoins U. A.
Indianapolis — Sam Horowitz, for-
merly with U. A. here and who left
to enter the cloak and suit business,
has rejoined the company as sales
representative.
"King of Kings" Suit Ended
Judge Frank J. Coleman yesterday
announced that there had been no
plagarism on the part of Cecil B.
De Mille's "King of Kings" for
which Valeska Suratt had charged.
Straus' First Named
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywod — "The Danube Love
Song^' has been named by Warner
Bros, as the first original operetta to
be written by Oscar Straus.
Three new district managers have
been appointed by RCA Photophone,
Sydney E. Abel announces. George
H. Wiley has been placed in charge
of the Northern New York district,
with headquarters in Buffalo. H. L.
Pettey, for the last several months
commercial representative for the
company, becomes manager in Michi-
gan, with headquarters in Detroit,
A. R. Johnson, formerly commercial
representative in MinneapoUs, is now
in charge of the Chicago territory
succeeding W. J. Bro-wn, who be-
comes a special representative for
Northern Ilhnois and Southern Wis-
consin.
Strand Gets i'ilms First
Under New Policy Plan
Under a new policy pictures pre-
sented at the Beacon and Brooklyn
Strand will be shown first at the
New York Strand, states Harry I.
Charmas, managing director of War-
ner Metropolitan theaters. This ar-
rangement becomes effective tompr-
row, when "Lilies of the Field," Co-
rine Griffith's first all-talker, opens
at the last mentioned house.
Warners Plan Havana House
Havana — Warner Bros, plan to
build a 3,000 seat theater here.
Pilkinton Joins U. A.
Dallas — S. L. Pilkinton is a nevr
salesman at the local United Artist*
exchange.
Sunday Shows in Athol, Mass.
Athol, Mass. — Citizens here by a
vote of 1,044 to 1,492 have approved
Sunday shows. Local clergymen led
the opposition.
RCA for Terre Haute
Terre Haute, Ind. — The Lyceum
will open with Photophone equip-
ment.
FOR LEASE
5,000 Sq. Ft.
nim Center Building
Inquire
Cross & Brown Co.
270 Madison Avenue
New York City
^iNI«
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE-MARYLAND]
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
HEN THEY MAKE CUTER
. . . although admittedly the
fascinating young beauties
of such Pathe cortiedies as
"After the Show," "Night in
a Dormitory," "Rubeville
Night Club" and numerous
others are cute enough
right now . . .
Improve on present-day
. . . although the singing
stars and hot Broadway
jazz bands in "Wednesday
at the Ritz," "Gentlemen of
the Evening," the Rubeville
comedies and others are
just about the best musical
talent available . . .
Invent bigger and better
. . . although the humor in
Pathe comedies, as in/'His
Birthday Suit," "Crosby's
Corners," "Syncopated
Trial," "Her Hired Husband"
and others Is audience-
°tested and chock full of
riotous laughter ...
Then-as nov\^-you'll see
PATHE
THE KING OF OMEDIES
iTHE
oyFILMDOM
V
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 44
Friday, February 21, 1930
Price 5 Ctnts
Deposits Clause Included in Revised RKO Contract
COAST STUDIOS TO MAKE INDUSTRIAL FILMS
Nine Silent Houses in Chicago Dist. Forced to Close
Qrowing Pains
— the past year of progress
=^ By JACK ALICOATE ■^■^^^
IT MIGHT SEEM like an old bro-
mide but if you'll tarry but a minute
and appraise the indusfi-v accom-
plishments of the past twelve months
\ou will be led to the inevitable con-
clusion that 1929 was by far the
most eventful year in the history of
the motion picture industry. If you
don't think this little old biz had a
few worries last year get out the old
red pencil and check of? the follow-
ing aches and pains:
— SOUND and the transition of
sound and dialogue pictures from the
novelty stage to that of intrinsic
worth as entertainment.
—WIDE-FILM. A decided step
forward. Coming along quickly but
held back because every companv
has a dififerent idea as to size of film
and system to be used.
— COLOR has added immeasurably
to production but it has been hamp-
ered by coming along too fast. It
is here to stay and from now on
should be considerably improved.
—TELEVISION. Rather a dark
horse but being watched most care-
fully by the big boys of each com-
pany. If it should sneak in unex-
pectedly it might upset some apple
carts.
—MULTI-LINGUAL films. Here
is the answer to the foreign situa-
tion and is now on the road to in-
telligent solution at Coast studios.
—DOUBLE PROCESS sound film
such as used at the Astor for "The
Rogue Song." Picture on one piece
of film and sound on another. May
S be the answer to better reproduction.
—ACOUSTICS are now the most
important single element in the the-
ater. Great strides have been made
in the past few months. Some revo-
lutionary innovations coming along.
—ADD to this the Thacher decree,
the breakdown of arbitration, the
new censorship problems and the
foreign quota situation, and you'll
have at least a Zeppelin view of
what the motion picture business has
had to think about in the way of
major problems in one short year.
Theaters Without Sound
Unable to Compete
with Wired
Chicago — ^Unable to meet the com-
petition from houses that are playinc
talkers, nine houses in this region
have been obliged to close, while 13
others have changed ownership in
(Continued on Page 8)
UBIWERKS TO PRODUCE
CARTOONSINCOLOR,SOUND
A new series of 12 cartoons in
sound and color are in preparation
by UB Iwerks, cartoonists, under the
auspices of Celebrity Productions.
The series of sketches will be known
as "Flip the Frog" and will be re-
leased at the rate of one a month be-
ginning on or about Mar. 1. In addi-
tion to the color cartoons they also
will be offered in black and white.
UB Iwerks was formerly associated
with Walt Disney on the "Mickey
Mouse" and "Silly Symphony" series.
U. A. to Sell 'Unborn Child'
in Britain and Australia
Windsor Pictures Plays, Inc., has
arranged with United Artists for the
distribution of "Her Unborn Child"
in Great Britain and Australia. Ar-
thur W. Kelly, vice-president and
general manager of foreign distribu-
tion of United Artists, and Henry
Ginsberg, president of Windsor, par-
ticipated in the negotiations.
Neii> Job for Thacher
Washington, D. C. — Judge
Thomas Day Thacher, whose
decree against group compul-
sory arbitration had made mo-
tion picture history, is sched-
uled for nomination as solici-
tor-general of the U. S., suc-
ceeding Charles Evans Hughes,
Jr., Robert P. Patterson, New
York attorney, is slated for
the Federal judgeship to be
vacated by Thacher, who has
retained jurisdiction over the
the Federal Government's case.
WM. rOX LAYS HIS CASE
BEFORE STOCKHOLDEliS
In a letter mailed yesterday to
Stockholders of Fox Film and Fox
Theaters, William Fox presented a
brief outline of the causes leading up
to his financial predicament and his
reasons for the stand he has taken
against the Halsey, Stuart & Co. in-
terests. The letter, which is in effect
a plea to stockholders to stand by
(Continued on Page 7)
New England M.P.T.O.
Joins Allied States Ass'n
Boston — The Independent M.P.T.
O. of New England has joined the
.A.llied States Ass'n, it is announced
following the organization's last
meeting.
Revised RKO Exhibition Pact
Ready for Use in One Month
RKO Postpones First
Wide Film Production
RKO has abandoned its original
plan to make "Dixiana" as its initial
wide-screen picture via the Spoor
process, owing to changes to be made
(Continued on Page 8)
A clause providing for deposits is
incorporated in the revised exhibi-
tion contract to be used by RKO. it
was stated yesterday. Arbitration is
not offered in the agreement. The
contract, now at the printer's, will
be put into use in about one month.
(Continued on Page 8)
Non-Theatrical Pictures
Being Planned At
Five Plants
ll'est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Major producing com-
panies are going in for the making
of industrials on a large scale. Pro-
duction of non-theatrical product is
planned at United Artists, Fox, M-
G-M, Warner Bros, and Metropol-
itan studios.
Hitherto, industrials production
has been largely confined to the East.
Only a few of the larger produc-
ing companies are active in the in-
dustrial field in New York.
A.M.P.A. RESOLUTION HITS
Disapproval of "salacious adver-
tising" was registered by the A.M.
P. A. at its weekly luncheon yester-
day when it was decided to draw
up a resolution condemning this prac-
tice. Arthur James and Maurice D.
Kann were instructed to prepare the
resolution with the aid of a third
committeeman whom they will select.
The action follows adverse newspa-
per publicity in St. Louis in con-
nection with a piece of advertising
issued by a theater in that city.
Trade editors were guests of honor
at the luncheon.
Maryland M.P.T.O. to
Hold Election March 20
Baltimore — The following nomina-
tions have been made by the nomin-
ating committee of the M.P.T.O. of
Maryland, Inc. to be voted upon at
the next annual meeting scheduled
for Mar. 20. Charles Nolte for presi-
(Continued on Page 8)
Hays is Host
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Will H. Hay8
played host to Mr. and Mrs.
Calvin Coolidge on their visit
to the film capital.
THE
■c^tk
mn^
DAILY
Friday, February 21, 1930
Vol. LI No. 44 Friday, February 21. 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publishei
Piililished daily except Saturday and holiday,
ai 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., anu
copyright (1930) by Wid's Filtns and Filn
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereai.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 191K
,< the post office at New York, N. Y., undei
cne act of March 3, 1879. Terms (PosUge
tree) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
muiiications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York. N. Y. Phone Circle
4736 4737 4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
I (lur-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am Scat 24 21 23 1.700
Con. Fm. ind. .. 20/8 20 '/a 20/. 200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23/. 23/. 23/. 200
East. Kodak 207/ 201/ 20 / 6.200
Fox Fm. "A" ... 33/8 30'/^ 31/ 47,900
Gen. T^lea. Equ. . 47}4 46/4 46/ 20.800
•Keith A-O 30 ••••
•do pfd 10344 ..••
Loew's Inc 69/8 66 66 11,100
•do pfd. WW (6/) 93H
•do pfd. xw (6/) 85'/ ....
•M-G-M pfd ■ ZSJi ....
Para. F-L 66/8 64/8 65 17.500
Pathe Exch 4 354 3^ 2.300
do "A" 7/ TVi 7/ 300
RK-O 30/ 28/ 28J4 11.300
•Univ Pict. pfd 38 ....
Warner Br<;s. ^ . . 62/ 597/. 60^ 68.000
do pfd 155 149/ 149/ 600
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets .... 29/ . . - .
Fox Thea. "A" . 7 7/8 IVt 7/ 4,300
'Intern. Pro) 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 32 32 32 100
Loew Inc. war . 9/ 9 9/ 700
•Nat. Scr. Ser 20/
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 10
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 81^4 8154 81-/ 20
Loew 6s 41ww ..11054 110 110 60
do 6s 41 x-war... 91/ 91/ 91/ 10
Paramount 6s 47. 9954 99/ 99/ 60
•Par. By. 5 /s 51 9954 ...
•Pathe 7s 37 46
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City
1540 Broidway 154 Crescent St.
BRYint 4712 STIllwell 7940
]. E. Brulatour, Inc.
Chicago Hollywood
.--, .J- A 6700 Santa Monica
1727 Indiana Ave. gj^^
CAlumet 2691 Hollywood 4121
^4:•u•u•»'::n•u•u•u•u•»i^u•uin^»u•»«•s«I>
SAPERSHIN URGES EXHIBS.
TO OBEY THA« DECREE
Chicago — Declaring that the p'''-
vention of an industrial catastrophe
will require the most zealous adher-
ence to integrity on the parts of both
exhibitors and distributors. President
Aaron Saperstein of the Illinois In-
dependent Theater Owners has urged
members of his organization to help
facilitate the difficulties created by
the Thacher decision by obeying the
law and observing the rules of com-
mon decency. The spirit of rebel-
lion, which would result in friction
oetween exhibitor and distributor
should be replaced by resignation to
the verdict of a high tribunal, Sap-
erstein said.
Tacoma Theater Owners
Elect 1930 Officers
Tacoma — Officers for the current
year have been elected by the The-
ater Owners and Managers' Ass'n as
follows: Robert M. Kinnel, president;
Ned Edris, vice president; W. J.
Brossoit, secretary; Walter Fenny,
treasurer.
Ray Rocket is Added
to Pathe Coast Staff
iVest Coast Burtau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Ray Rockett has
been added to the staff of the Pathe
.studios here, it is announced.
Overend Gets Warner Post
Memphis, Tenn. — George D. Over-
end, manager of the Broadway, Char-
lotte, N. C, has been appointed man-
ager of the Warner's here, formerly
the Pantages. Phelps Sasseen of
.Salisbury succeeds Overend at the
Broadway.
Vitaphone Signs Ripley
The Vitaphone Corp. has closed a
contract with Ripley, noted cartoon-
ist, to make a series of Vitaphone
Variety sketches. The series will
he produced under the general title
of "Believe It or Not."
Warner Assistant to Mitchell
Newton, N. C. — Jack Warner has
been made assistant manager of the
Imperial under G. G. Mitchell. He
was formerly at the Rivoli.
Radio - Trained
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — About 75 per
cent of the original sound tech-
nicians, who had to be inducted
into service suddenly when the
talkers came along, were re-
cruited from radio broadcast
studios, according to Carl
Dreher, of the RKO sound de-
partment. Adaptation of these
men to talking pictures was
effected by merging them with
men who had knowledge of
photography and studio opera-
tions.
"White Cargo" British
Talker for Geo. M. Cohan
Final arrangements have been
made by a series of telephone calls
between the W. P. Film Co. Ltd. of
London and its New York represen-
tative, Capt. Harold Auten, whereby
the company's all-talker, "White
Cargo," adapted from the stage
play, will have its premiere today at
the Geo. M. Cohan. Gab Yorke will
handle publicity and advertising dur-
ing its engagement.
Lundgren Joins Pathe
Chicago — Charles Lundgren, for-
merly local manager for Red Se?l
lias joined the Pathe sales force.
Tom Delaney, of Milwaukee, suc-
ceeds him at Red Seal.
Netoco to Increase Stock
Boston — Stockholders of the New
England Theaters Operating Corp.
have approved an increase in the
common stock from 200,000 to 300,-
000. The additional 100,000 shares
is to be used in exchanging outstand-
ing preferred stock in the ratio of 10
shares of common for each preferred
or each second preferred.
Claman Gets Promotion
Chelsea, Mass. — Herman Claman
of Fitchburg has been appointed man-
ager of the Olympia, Publix house.
Joseph J. Sullivan, of Salem, suc-
ceeds Claman at the Broadway.
Comerford House for Danville
Danville, Pa. — Plans are under way
for the erection of a new theater here
)v the M. E. Comerford chain.
Snell in Tone-O-Graph Post
Cleveland — H. Snell has been ap-
pointed chief engineer for Tone-O-
Graph here.
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
The Industry ♦
D/itp Hftftt
Feb. 25 Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington. D. C.
Feb. 26 Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
Feb. 27 Opening of "Song of the West"
at the Warner. N. Y.
Mar. 5 First Day of Lent.
Mar. 17 Opening of "Song O" My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Mat. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
April 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
""ipr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington,
D. C.
line 2-7 International Cinema Congreas at
Brussels.
General Talking Corp.
to Open K. C. Office
Kansas City — With the arrival of
Jiree officials of the General Talk-
ing Pictures Corp. preparations are
aider way here by that company for
he opening of an office to serve ex-
libitors in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska
aid Missouri territories.
Live Oak Sunday Shows
Live Oak, Fla.— Citizens of this
town recently voted in favor of Sun-
day shows and theaters will now
remain open from 2 to 6.
Battailee Gets New Contract
Henri Battaille, lyric writer, has
b.ad bis contract rentucd with Para-
mount through the 'Villiam Morris
aKtn^y. Will Rogers was engaged
ihrMugh the same office to broadcast
on War. 12 on the St'indard Oil hour
oi er the Columbia network.
Livingston in Paris
Paris — S. M. Livingston is now in
harge of Pathe's French office, the
Societe Francaise des Films P.D.C.,
under the supervision of H. E. J.
Spearman, general European repre
tentative.
WE BUILD, Buy, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA. — NEW JERSEY
DEL AWARE -MARY LAND]
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
The Fastest Gro'wing
Neifirsreel in This Big
and Beautiful World!
No, 680 Straight from the Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmle,
President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
UNIVERSAL'S TALKING NEWSREEL, IN WHICH THE VOICE
of Graham McNamee rings 'round the world, is like a snowball rolling down
hill.
NOT ONLY IS IT GAINING IN MOMENTUM BUT IT IS GROW-
ing larger and fatter and happier with every issue.
CONTRACTS ARE POURING IN AT SUCH A RATE THAT
our contract department is slightly goggle-eyed.
LIKE EVERYTHING NEW AND CLEVER, IT STARTED SOME-
what slowly. Strangely enough, it was the smaller theatres which first dis-
covered its audience possibilities.
AND THEN THE BUYERS FOR BIGGER HOUSES FELT THAT
electric thrill which accompanies every success in this funny business of ours
— and they bought. At first they just nibbled at it.
THEN SUDDENLY THE WHOLE BUSINESS MAP BROKE
out in a rash of contracts. Every Universal office began to shoot contracts in
hand over fist until it looked as though we might run out of dotted lines.
THE DIGNIFIED AND STATELY NEWSPAPER CRITICS
who seldom deign to notice anything shorter than a super-feature, began to
do a little deigning.
WITH UPLIFTED EYEBROWS THE HIGHBROWS OF THE
press said, "what is this thing that has come upon us? Who got up this new
idea? My word, it's actually entertaining."
MR. AND MRS. JOHN W. PUBLIC HAD BEEN CLAPPING
their hands even before this. And when Mr. and Mrs. Public actually
smack their hands together to applaud any movie, youVe got something.
EVERYBODY LIKES IT! NOBODY CRITICIZES IT!
MAYBE IT'S AS GOOD AS EVERYBODY THINKS IT IS.
POSSIBLY YOU OUGHT TO HAVE IT FOR YOUR THEATRE
if your competitor hasn't beaten you to it, the dirty villain!
All NeikV York Applauds
DENNIS KING
ALL-TECHNICOLOR Musical
Romance from "If I Were King" by
Justin Huntly McCarthy and "The
Vagabond King "by William H. Post,
Brian Hooker and Rudolf Friml.
NOW PLAYING AT^2.CR1TEK!0N. NY
AND PARAMOUNT, PALM &6ACH
DENNIS li
K I N G J
A
-s • <V ^
*»vg"^ *
vt.
P A R A M O r
"The Vagabond King
59
'?^i^w:
'"'t^ ■-
x^^^^c
"Resounding, opulent and hand-
somely designed. The Technicolor
is in every way admirable. Extra-
ordinary effects. Dennis King has a
voice of strength and color."
—New York World
''Gloriously photographed in Tech-
nicolor. Dennis King's baritone is
entrancing. Jeanette MacDonald's
soprano is charming. The songs are
the kind you sing over and over. A
big, lavish production which ought
to call fans to the Criterion for
months to come."
— New York Daily News
ii:^^fS^
ff
The Vagabond King
with
JEANETTE
Mac DONALD
Warner Oland, O. P. Heggie, Lillian
Roth. A Ludwig Berger Production.
fit Vi^ M'\mi^ ^
IVEW SHOW WORLD
THE
«^^
DAILY
Friday, February 21, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Writer Regards Talkers
As "Stone Age of a New Art"
(^N a distant view, the coming
art of talking pictures is one
of the important events in the
general history of aesthetics. A
rather unusual mental adjustment
is necessary before such things —
the American civilization as a
whole, socially, culturally, from
the life in its small pioneer
towns to its constantly evolving
code of laws, has suffered much
from the peculiarly injurious
stupidity of wrong standards of
criticism. For, marvelous as the
whole spectacle certainly is, even
when it is unjustly measured be-
side the more static condition of
ancient countries, yet it is but the
stone age, as it were, of a new
and unheard of civilization yet
to be. The cinema industry is
only the stone age of a new art,
which will assuredly grow into
one of the divine consolations of
human life one day.
William Bolitho in
"The World," New York
Sound Affects Screen
Players Variously, Star Says
T^OES the voice affect screen
personalities? To that I
must give the conservative ans-
wer. Yes and no! There are some
motion picture personalities that
have splendidly withstood the
ravages of audibility. Others
have gained strength because of
it, and still others have suffered
by having themselves heard. The
talking screen, though no longer
novel, must still be handled dis-
creetly. Certain actors in cer-
tain roles will achieve greater
success and its attendant popu-
larity by gauging their voices in
accordance with characterization.
But there are certain stories and
characterizations which should
remain untouched by the almost
cruel realism of the reproduced
voice.
Richard Barthelmess
•
THEIR
FIRST
JOBS
ROBERT MILTON
cheinist's shop
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
(^. V. BUNN of Electrical Research is back at the mahogany
after a trip to Florida Dave Flamm of Fox Metro-
politan is improving his golf at Pinehurst, in the Carolinas.
Dennis King of "The Vagabond King," and Tom Moore
leave tonight aboard the Majestic for Cherbourg and points in
Europe
* * * ♦
Donald Henderson Clarke's third novel, "The Autobiogra-
phy of Frank Tarbeaux/' is scheduled to make its debut this
month Jeane Cohen, formerly secretary to Jesse Lasky,
is now in charge of the Eastern office of Myron Selznick and
Frank Joyce Herman Timberg is featured in "Krazy-
land,'" stage revue at the Capitol today
* * * ♦
Lester Allen, star of "Top Speed," will be guest of honor
at the next meeting of the Jewish Theatrical Guild to be held
Sunday at the Bijou. Brief speeches will be made by Ferdi-
nand Pecora, former assistant district attorney, Bella Zimmer-
man and George Jessel
* » ♦ ♦
Winnie Lightner's hit song of "She Couldn't Say No,"
titled "Watching My Dreams Go By," is one of the biggest
sellers of the year, sez M. Witmark & Sons Whoop-It-
Up is the name of the 21-page mimeograph house organ
gotten out in the interests of the live wires of the Stanley-
Fabian Circuit. Frank La Falce is editor and Joseph Feldman
associate. Dave Weshner leads off the gossip with a banged-up
pep talk
* * * *
Sidney Lehman, who was formerly connected with Tiffany,
is leaving today for Omaha, where he will be connected with
the local United Artists exchange Charles P. Cohen,
former manager of Loew's State, Syracuse, now is in our midst.
George K. Arthur, M-G-M player, after an 18-week
RKO vaudeville tour, will return to the Coast Feb. 25
* * * *
James E. Stroock, theatrical costumer, is sailing today with
his wife on the S. S. Augustus to buy fabrics, effects and nov-
elties for the weekly Publix Stage presentations which tour the
Paramount Famous-Lasky de luxe theaters theaters throughout
the country. He is going to Paris, Berlin and London via Naples.
Rome, Venice and Nice.
* * * «
Larry Reid, managing editor of Motion Picture Publications,
is recovering after an operation for appendicitis at the Madison
Hospital, N. Y
FEBRUARY 21 -MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Gordon S. White
John Hamlin
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
I
'^
TN his weekly compilation of "I
Never Knew Till Now" facts,
Walter (Daily Mirror) Winchell in-
forms his readers that "the so-called
grandeur film is a standard size film
shown through a special lens."
And among the things We never
knew till now are:
That the Roxy plays Mutual bur-
lesque and silents.
That the reason Sam Goldwyn
goes to Europe so often is because
he likes the boat ride.
That no member of the M. P.
Club ever fails to see that his guests
register in the book provided for
that purpose.
That Warner Bros, leased the
Winter Garden only because they
could not get Madison Square Gar-
den.
That producers always get back
the production cost on pictures
given $2 Broadway runs, so that all
subsequent receipts from these films
are gravy.
That Harry Warner and Al Licht-
man went to Cuba for their winter
vacation because they like to hold
Spanish conversation.
That Alexander Gray went talker
because, after three seasons on tour
in "Desert Song," he figured the
pictures as his only avenue back to
Broadway.
That the milkmen are responsible
for the success of midnight per-
fonrmnces in New York.
And that theater managers al-
ivays feel sorry when crowds have
to stand in line for a long time to
see their Bhowa.
* m *
"I hear that Hal Roach, after be-
ing out riding his polo ponies all
afternoon, doesn't care much about
sitting down to a bridge game in the
evening."
"If he doesn't like bridge, why
doesn't he try casino?"
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
ALL THE HE«1
ALITHE TIM.J
Tom North made general manager
of Tom Moore Enterprises in Wash-
ington.
* * *
Frank Crane to write for Park
Whiteside productions.
* * *
John Ince signed to direct spe-
cials for J. Parker Read.
* * *
Henry B. Walthal reported form-
ing his own company.
THE
Friday, February 21, 1930
s^E^
DAILV
William Fox Lays His Side
of Case Before Stockholders
(Continued /;
Fox and prevent a receivership, fol-
lows in part;
In your own interest I ask that you care-
fully read this lengthy letter to the end and
that you give it your earnest consideration.
Out of respect to the Court and acting
upon the advice of my Counsel, I have until
now impatiently refrained from publicly an-
swering, and defending myself (except in
the affidavits filed in Court) against the
malicious falsehoods that are being widely
circulated in the effort to destroy my life-
work and reputation that have been built
up as the result of thirty years of unremit-
ting labor and fair dealing.
S( w tlint you aic being called upon to de-
tide '>el.\'.een hopeless and inevitable receiver-
ship, on the one hand, and acceptance by you,
0(1 the o'her hard, of the Plan of financing
by which $59,150,000 of cash is to be raised
to take the companies out of their financial
stress, I feel free to address you in answer
to this stream of propaganda by which it is
sought to poison your minds against the man
who has built the companies from their small
beginnings with a cash capital uf $1,600
to a present business of $108,128,313 for the
past year.
In the Plan submitted for your approval
1 am making every personal sacrifice in my
power to safeguard our investment. For at
least five years, if the new securities are fully
repaid within that time, and perhaps for as
long as ten years, I am placing my entire
control and voting power in the hands of
three Voting Trustees selected by the three
eminent banking firms who are supplyirig
this new money. These Voting Trustees, in
whose selection I have asked no voice, will
select seven of the twelve Directors of the
Film Corporation and all the Directors of
the Theaters Corporation. The other five
Directors of the Film Corporation will be
elected by the Class "A" stockholders of
that Company. I have surrendered all the
control and voting rights of my stock, as above
indicated. 1 am willing, if so desired by
the new managements, and am anxious, to
devote the rest of my life to the further
npii'ilding and expansion of these great busi-
nesses, which I know can be accomplished.
but have not reserved to myself any contract
for services and am placing my fate in the
hands of the new managements until the
.■JSQ, 1 50,000 has been fully repaid.
Halsey, Stuart & Co., whose notes are
now selling on the market at 70 per cent of
their face value, will be paid in full with in-
terest under the Plan and they will therefore
have no further legitimate or apparent inter-
est in the companies.
Let me briefly rehearse the reason why
these highly prosperous companies are in their
present plight: Messrs. Halsey, Stuart & Co.
have been, but are no longer, their bankers.
They hold contracts which they claim to be
good for 15 years, under which they contend
that the companies are precluded from looking
elsewhere for their financial needs without
giving them preference. That, in practical
effect, would mean that the Companies could
not borrow money elsewhere but would be
tied hand and foot to them for this long
term of years. I am advised that these
contracts are invalid and unenforceable and
that they were violated by Halsey, Stuart &
Co. when they went into Court and demanded
receivers for the companies that they were
under a duty to protect.
Early in 1929 an exceptional opportunity
presented itself to purchase a large block of
stock of the Loew Company — some 400,000
shares out of the 1,364,000 outstanding share
capital. The Loew Company owns, among
other valuable assets, the Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer Co. I felt that if we could get con-
trol and consolidate the Loew Company with
our companies we could save about $17,-
000,000 per year and increase the Loew
Company earnings to that extent just by
e'iminating duplications and overhead, and
thus add. at least that amount, to our large
present earnings. At that time our compa-
nies were practically out of debt except that
there were the usual, fully-secured, long-term
underlying mortgages on certain of the sub-
sid'ary theater properties.
I was not only encouraged but urged by
Messrs. Halsey, Stuart & Co. and by Elec-
trical liesearch Products. Inc. (a 100 per
cent owned subsidiary of the American Tele-
phone and Tclegranh Co.) to make this Loew
purchase. Halsey, Stuart issued $12,000,000
of notes f which become due on April 1)
towards paying for the Loew stock,^ but for
which they have already brought suit before
rom Page 1)
their due date and are demanding judgment.
Ihe Electrical Company gave me the same
aavice in favor ot the purchase of the Loew
shares, and leaned for that purpose a further
$15,000,000.
Acting upon this advice, I bought the
400,000 share block of Loew stock in the
name of the Theaters Corporation and I also
bought 260,900 additional shares in the open
market. These additional purchases were made
lor the account of the Theaters Company,
but in large part in my own name and in
the names of members of my family for the
sole reason that the Government objected to
the Company acquiring more than the 400,-
OOO share block ; but we fe.t confident that
the Government would not object to an event-
ual consolidation of the Loew Co. with our
companies by the outright purchase of the
Loew assets.
In buying these 260,900 additional shares
of Loew stock, which gives the Theaters
Corporation over 660,900 of the 1,364,000
Loew shares outstanding, 1 was not only
repeatedly assured by Halsey, Stuart, and re-
lied upon these assurances, that the purchases
would be financed, but that a comprehensive
plat of consolidation was then being worked
out, for which they are now clamoring to
be paid $1,000,000 by the Theaters Cor-
poration.
In July, 1929, a half-interest in a chain of
theaters in Great Britain was purchased for
the Film Corporation for about $19,700,000
upon like advice of Halsey, Stuart, and in
like reliance on their assurance of financing.
And yet, strange to say, it is because of that
purchase that Halsey, Stuart are now claim-
ing tliat there has been a default which
matured their notes three months before their
due dates and have brought suit and are
demanding a receivership.
Accompanying is a copy of a letter that
Halsey. Stuart exacted from me at the time
they were promising to do the necessary
financing :
"Aug 30, 1929.
Halsey, Stuart & Co.,
iS Wall Street, New York City, N. Y.
Dear Sirs :
Referring to our agreement heretofore made
to pay you compensation in addition to the
compensation which you may have derived
from the discounts on securities which you
have purchased and marketed, for your finan-
cial studies and financial assistance in the
form of loans from time to time to this Cor-
poration, or for its benefit, and for your in-
vestigations of the property of Fox Theaters
Cori oration and its several subsidiary com-
panies, and for the advice and services of
your organization in studying the financial
requirements and devising plans for financing
the development of the business of Fox The-
aters Corporation and its subsidiary and
ffiliated companies, and referring further to
iur understanding that the amount of this
compensation was left open to be agreed upon
by you and ourselves, we beg to confirm our
understanding as to the amount of this com-
pensation which was arrived at, to-wit ; that
the compensation shall be one million dol-
lars ($1,000,000), and shall be paid by us
to you as soon as the proposed consolidation
of the business and properties of Fox The-
aters Corporation, and possibly its subsidiaries,
with Fox Film Corporation and Loew's In-
corporated, whether by sale, purchase or con-
solidation or otherwise, has been authorized
and fully consummated, but in any event shall
he paid to you in cash before the 1st day
nf September. 1930.
This agreement shall benefit you and your
successors and assigns and shall be binding
upon Fox Theaters Corporation, its suc-
cessors and assigns, including, but not limited
to, any company which may acquire its assets
or business, or a greater part thereof.
Very truly yours,
(signed) Fox Theaters Corp.,
By William Fox, President.
Attest:
C. S. Levin, Secretary."
These gentlemen had been generously paid
for all the services they had performed for
the companies and for the security issues they
had made (in th^ course of which they had
made and had been paid for the investigations
referred to in the letter) ; and I submit to
you that there was no justification for trying
to saddle that $1,000,000 charge on the com-
panies, especially as their plans had wholly
miscarried.
When coui-sel for Messrs. Halsey, Stuart
& Co. were pressed to the wall to explain
to the Court how the placing of $36,000,000
new money into the Theaters Company behind
their old unmatured mortgage loans could do
aught but add to the security of those loans
and how a receivership would help them, and
was unable to say a word to support these
assertions, counsel for the American Tele-
phone and Telegraph Co. came promptly to
the rescue with the claim that its subsidiary
(the Electrical Co.) had a 15-year contract
with the companies for licensing them to ex-
hibit talking pictures and that this contract
might be injured by putting this $59,150,000
of new money into the companies. In point
of fact there is no such contract, but if there
were, surjdy the contract could not be helped
by a receivership that would destroy it !
It would take too long to explain the real
plans and purjioses that lie beneath the un-
accountable anxiety of creditors whose claims
are to be paid in full with interest under this
Plan, and the mere handful of stockholders
working with them and against the interest
of the body of stockholders to destroy the
value of the stock. In due time those mo-
lives will reveal themselves aud you will then
realize why i refused to go on with the
Trustee arrangements under which I was one
of the Trustees and into which I entered in
tlie best of faith. I did this although this
Trusteeing of my controlling stock involved
no money commitment whatever on their part
either to extend their loans or to furnish
i'.ny of the money so urgently needed by the
companies and that is now being furnished
under this Plan under the guidance and spon-
sorship of three of the greatest banking
houses in the country (Messrs. Bancamerica-
Blair Corporation, Lehman Brothers and Dil-
lon. Read & Co.).
To these gentlemen and to voting trustees
selected by them and into their keeping I have
■gladly surrendered the entire voting power of
my stock in these companies because I have
faith in them and that they will protect
the stockholders, which is my sole aim, and in
that belief and confidence 1 shall stand by
them to the end.
After the banking syndicate had been for
months studying this situation with the aid
of counsel, accountants and experts, and have
jvolved the Plan now before you, and after
this Plan nad been advertised throughout
the country and had for more than three
weeks been public property, and after the
Directors had approved it and the Bankers
were proceeding to underwrite its heavy cash
requirements, Messrs. Halsey, Stuart &. Co.,
on Monday of this week submitted to the
Directors another plan, in which they copied
many of the features of the Bankers' Plan but
to which they added a number of impossible
conditions.
Their Plan: (1) Deprives the "A" stock-
olders of the voting power in the Com-
pany that has just been granted them, entitl-
ing them to elect five of the Directors, and in
certain instances a majority of the Board, and
requir'is them to put their stock into a voting
trust designated by Halsey, Stuart & Co.
(2) Gives to Messrs. Halsey, Stuart & Co.
and their associates an option on 500,000
shares of Class "A" stock for five years at
S20 per share, which is likely to l>e worth
anywhere from $25,000,000 to $50,000,000.
(3) Forces the surrender to voting trustees
named by Messrs. Halsey, Stuart & Co. of
all the "B" stodk, of which I hold a bare
majority, and strips it of all voting control,
md requires the "B" stockholders to take in
exchange for each share of "B'' stock one and
one-half shares of "A" stock. Such action
would require unanimous consent, and there
is not a single owner of "B" stock who would
give such consent, quite apart from myself.
The so-called Plan is, in point of fact, a
mere gesture for the purpose of forcing these
properties into receivership because these
gentlemen find themselves unable to control
it.
I am unwilling to desert my stockholders by
turning over the companies to these gentlemen
at any price.
I am enclosing a form of proxy in my
favor to be signed by tho.se of you who
have watched my career and have faith in
me notwithstanding the slanders that have
reached you. There are two other forms of
proxies in favor of the Plan beign mailed to
you — one by the Company and the other by
the Committee of **A" stockholders of which
Mr. Morton F. Stern is Chairmam It is
immaterial which of these proxies favoring
this Plan you may elect to sign, but if you
want to save your stock, which in my judg-
ment will within two years be selling for
more than three times its present market value
when this temporary embarrassment is oyer,
you should put your active support behind
this F'lan. That is what the large stockhold-
ers are doing.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM FOX.
COLUMBIA PICTURES
announces
Two Important Events:
1 — It has in the course of production
"THE MIRACLE WOMAN"
Adapted from the great stag-e
triumph by John Meehan and
R. R. Riskind
All Rights Reserved
2 — The purchase of a story
read by millions in
McCALL'S MAGAZINE
"LOVER GOME BACK"
by Helen Topping Miller
All Rights Reserved
PROSPER WITH COLUMBIA
THE
j^E^
PAILV
Friday, February 21, 1930
CttESeriELD FEATURE
SOLD IN 7 TERRITORIES
Distribution rights for "Love At
First Sight," Chesterfield all talker
featuring Paul Specht and his orches-
tra has been sold to the following
companies; Butcher's Film Service, for
Great Britain and Ireland; Capital
Film Exchange, N. Y. and N. J.;
Gold Medal Film Co., Pa., Maryland
and Washington; Standard Film Ser-
vice, Ohio, Michigan and Pittsburgh;
Consolidated Films, Inc., New Eng-
land States; Kinemas Ltd., South
Africa and Palmer Pictures for Aus-
tralia, New Zealand and Tasmania.
Batcheller Preparing
Second for Chesterfield
George R. Batcheller, president of
Chesterfield, ij en route to the Coast
where he will prepare production on
"Hearts in Bondage" at the Tec Art
s.udio. Edgar Lewis will direct this
all talker, Chesterfield's second.
Musicians and Stagehands
Out in Gary, Ind., Strike
(iary, Ind. — Local union musicians
walked out at the Gary here yester-
day when stagehands at that house
refused to accept salary reductions
and non-union stagehands were cm-
ployed. Tony Brill, manager, claimed
that business conditions necessitated
the reduction and maintained that
stagehands were inefficient. Stage-
hands were receiving $72 a week, ac-
cording to Brill. Non-union musicians
have been engaged to fill vacancies.
A petition has been filed by Brill
to restrain picketeers from carrying
baimers and congregating in front of
the house.
Theater Changes in Chelsea
Chelsea, Mass. — Herman Claman,
manager of the Broadway, has been
transferred to the same position at
the Olympia, where he takes the
place of W. E. Sprague, recently pro-
moted to district manager for Pub-
lix. Joseph J. Sullivan, who has been
in Salem, succeeds Claman at the
Broadway.
Riddick Buys Ely (Nev.) House
Ely, Nev.— P. W. and Waher Hull
have sold the Rex to Bert Riddick,
part owner of the Capitol.
Town Wants Sunday Shows
Sebring, Fla. — The results of a
straw vote recently conducted by
Charles F. Johnson of the Circle in-
dicates that the population here is
overwhelmingly in favor of Sunday
shows.
Kooler-^ire
Summer Pre-Cooling
Winter Ventilating
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
Razzed Off
Munich (By Cable)— Emel-
ka's first sound picture, "In a
Little Cafe," at its first show-
ing in the Phoebus Palast, af-
ter having flopped in Berlin,
caused such a riot of disap-
proval that it had to be taken
off.
RKO Postpones First
Wide Film Production
(.Continued from Page 1)
in the cameras, stated William Le
Baron, vice-president in charge of
production, upon his arrival from the
Coast yesterday. The picture will
be made on standard film and with
alf in color, he said.
Le Baron and Everett Marshall,
Metropolitan Opera baritone, who
lias just been signed by RKO. we
Kuests at an informal party given
lO the press yesterday afternoon.
Marshall leaves for the Coast tomor-
row and will probably sing his first
screen role with Bebe Daniels in
a forthcoming production.
Nine Silent Houses in
Chicago Dist. Forced Out
(Continued from Page 1)
the last few weeks. Chief among
the houses that have gone dark are
the Monogram, Indiana and Ven-
dome, in the Negro district, where
serious unemployment has been a
contributing factor.
Other theaters that have closed
are the Vernon and Drake and the
following suburbans: Bijou, Waver-
ly; Lyric, Cerro Gordo; Star, Grays
Lake; Garden, Ipava.
Maryland M.P.T.O. to
Hold Election March 20
(Continued from Page 1)
dent; Louis Carman, vice president;
Frank A. Hirnig, treasurer; William
H. Stumpf, secretary. Members up for
the board of directors include Her-
man A. Blum, now president; Frank
H. Durkee, J. Louis Rome, William
Kalb, Samuel Soltz, Thomas D. Gold-
berg and Philip Miller of Annapolis,
Md.
Deposits Clause Included
in Revised RKO Contract
(Continued from Page 1)
Counsel for other major compa-
nies, with the exception of Para-
mount, which some time ago adopted
a new contract, are still conferring
with sales chiefs in the preparation
of new contracts minus compulsory
group arbitration, in accordance with
the Judge Thacher decree.
Union Stops Lobby Music Sale
Chicago — Because the local musi-
cians' union demanded that the tend-
ing of the phonograph in the lobby
be done by a union man or at the
union wage scale, Publix has discon-
tinued its plan to sell sheet music
and records at the Paradise.
Start New Lam House
LeGrange, Ga. — Work has started
on the Lam .Amusement Co. house
here. The theater, to cost $100,000,
is expected to be completed by July.
'Measuring
by ^^agic
A division ofihe machine
floor in the new Bell &
Howell Engineering De-
velopment Laboratories
where tomorrow's ideas
and designs in motion
picture equipment are
created and executed.
There are measurements in Bell & Howell cinemachinery so
infinitesimal that no micrometer or other mechanical measuring
device can readily define them. These measurements are made by
optical projection, which, through great magnification, repro-
duces on a screen, in proportions visible to the eye, the spaces
to be measured.
It may be asked by many: What is the need for this precision?
But the distributing exchange, the exhibitor and the man in the
projection booth immediately comprehend. For the precision of
the Bell & Howell Film Perforator, or Splicer, or Printer through
which the film passes on its way to the theater comes home at
last to the projection booth — perfect screening.
While these machines have played a hero's part in the standard-
ization of the film industry, it is their day-by-day service in
behalf of the best final projection which bespeaks their accuracy
and their dependability.
BELL & HOWELL COMPANY
Dept. N, 1853 Larchmont Ave., Chicago, III. < New York, 1 1 W. 42nd St.
Hollywood,6324SantaMonicaBlvd.f London (B.&H. Co., Ltd.) 320 Regent St.
Established 1901
7AeHl¥S?hPUl
oyplLMDOM
CARL
lAEMMLE
iresen-ts
lAURA
lAPIANTE
APaulPejos
Production. Prom ^
the stoi'Y bv Houston
W.Br ■''■-■• '•
music and songs bv <^^
Chgules Wakefield Cadi
MARSEILLAISE
THE ENTIRE INDUS-
TRY IS ENTHUSIAS-
TIC IN ITS PRAISE
FOR THIS BIG MINE
OF INFORMATION.
The Talk of the Industry
1930
Film Daily Year Book
Now in Circulation
REPLETE WITH UP
TO THE MINUTE
DATA ON ALL FACTS
PERTAINING TO
MOTION PICTURES.
Life
February 7,l9SO
<M>
O-'^^^^JI.'IE^
^y
JHonnf-ic^T?^-^
~&. ILlL !
The Anm>cr to Poor Talkies
TfltS Department recently re-
ceived ri hitler cotnplainl from ;i
man who said he had gone to
sec "Riilldog Drumniond" on our rcc-^
ommendation and had walked out ol '
the theatre herausc he could not under
stand more than half of the dialogue.
He added that he had alse> registered
his grievance with the manager of the
theatre in the hof^c that the house
"Should stop showing these "terrihie
laikies" and return to silent films.
The gentleman in question lives in
a small town and, checking hack, we
find that most of
the complaints we
have hchr*! against
the talkies have
cotTie from fxoplc
in small commu-
nities, 'litis point
is im^wriant. bc-
lattse the future ot
the talkies de-
pends upon the
success \v' i t h
which they can he
shown in rural
theatres, and if
the excellent
sound recording
that features
"Bulldog Drum
mond" becomes a
Vumble of uninte!-
ligible noises
when shown in a
small town thea-
ire, the tiilkics %vill
never be success-
flTI.
To investigate this situation, wc
visited several movie houses on a re-
cent trip to Florida, and in a town of
less than fifteen thousand inhabitants
we found the answer. There are two
theatres in this town. The pictures on
display during our visit had recently
been shown in New York, and the
critics had been unanimous in declar-
ing the recording good in both fihns.
In the first theatre the dialogue an<f
sound effects were reprodviced as
clearly and effectively as we have hean;
II! an\ Nc>A' \'i)rk iiouse, but in the sec-
ond theatre the reproducing was not
at all satisfactorv. The machines used
in the two liouses were similar types
{ souiKl-on-ilisCjiii uhich phonographic
records arc used) but they differed
greath'ijjmii.ilH ' ' 'T'*''p T mii iiiitt4|lv. the
marui^fclurer. The itrst house
fnpjx-d with standard Western Elcc
fric sound apparatus . . . the second
with one ol those cheap, unproveii
makes of reproducitig outfits that Jiave
been ap(Harmg on the market by thr
dozens recently. Jfn a desire to save u
hundred^<^)Ilars, theatre owner
m smati towns (and some of the large
ones) are installing these cheap mat
shitl machines, and consecjuently I05
thousands of dollars in patron.i£
well as giving the talkies* a baJ^amr
ITtc remedv is simple, filfe t^
Oy
^<^^'lt
joitt
i\C
" 1 1
■ps^
so
ibiite»-^ . ..^^(rrc.
M**;
ot "*"*'
,ia«»»
owners should do more intensive think'
ing and. manufacturers of standard
talkie equipment should do more in
tensive selling.
iTHE
;^€>MEWSPAPER
o/'FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
VOL. LI No. 45
Sunday, February 23, 1930
Price 25 Cents
New Chicago Safety Code Due After April Survey
GOV'T APPEALS CREDlfCOMMITTEEDECISION
Five Musicals on the Way from United Artists
"Be Yourself" Heads List
of Song and Dance
Proiductions
As a follow up to the Harry Rich-
man vehicle, "Puttin' on the Ritz,"
United Artists has five more musical
productions on the way. The first
of these is "Be Yourself," starring
Fanny Brice, with Harry Green and
Robert Armstrong in the supporting
cast. Thornton Freeland directed
the piece, which is an original by
Joseph Jackson and has songs by
William Rose, Henry Tobias, Ballard
MacDonald, Jesse Greer and Ralph
Rainger. This productifon, already
completed and ready for national re-
lease, will have its New York show-
ing at the Rialto, following tlie run
of "Street of Chance."
Other United Artists musicals to
follow are:
"Bride 66," original by Herbert
(Continued on Pane 12)
Minneapolis Exhibs Must
Regulate Lobby Crowds
Minneapolis — I.n an attempt to cut
down fire hazards city ofTicials have
asked local theater owners to regu-
late crowds waiting to gain admit-
tance to their theaters.
New Officers Are Elected
by Spokane Theater Men
Spokane — Ray Grombacher has
been elected president of the Theater
Owners and Managers' Ass'n for
1930. Other ofificers chosen are:
Will Maylon, vice president: L. J.
Carkey, secretary and treasurer.
Sees Agreement
"All we can say at present
is that our sub-committee of
the standards committee
is working hard and prospects
of agreement of committee
members on dimensional
standards of wide film are ex-
tremely encouraging," said
President T. I. Crabtree of the
S. M. P. E. in a wire to THE
FILM DAILY from Roches-
ter Friday. The sub-committee
met on the subject the pre-
vious day.
AMERICAN COMPANIES TO
RELEASE 210 IN BRITAIN
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Three hundred and
seventeen feature pictures are listed
for distribution in Great Britain dur-
ing the current year, according to in-
formation reaching the M. P. Division
of the Dept. of Commerce. Of this
total 210 are scheduled for release by
American companies operating in the
United Kingdom. Sound will ac-
company 240 of the features.
Three Outdoor Pictures
Being Prepared by F. N
ll'rst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Preparations are
under way at the First National
studio at Burbank for the produc-
tion of three pictures to be made
practically in their entirety outdoors
on location. Included in the group
are: "Under Western Skies," which
(Continued on Pafie 12)
Jesse Weil to Produce
6 for Sono Art Release
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Jesse Weil is to make
six productions for release by Sono
Art-World Wide. Columbia will dis-
tribute "Mr. Mulligan and Mr. Gar-
rity," also produced by Weil.
A Month to Go
About one month remains in
which the Hays organization,
10 distributors and Film
Boards of Trade may file an
appeal from the Thacher de-
cree finding illegal compulsory
group arbitration. As yet there
are no indications that an ap-
peal will be taken.
T 1929 GROSS SHOWS
7 P.CGAIN^NET DROPS
Gross income of Universal for the
year ended Nov. 2, 1929 is reported
at $29,111,379, an increase of seven
per cent over the previous fiscal year,
while the net income is $491,358 af-
ter all charges, which compares with
$1,004,644 in the preceding year, says
"The Wall Street News." The 1929
net is equal after preferred dividend
requirements to 66 cents a share on
the 250,000 shares common outstand-
ing.
Skorey Appointed Head
of "U" Omaha Exchange
Omaha — Matt Skore\' has assumed
management of the local Uni\ersal
exchange, replacing C. M. Davies,
former manager, who has returned to
Detroit.
Acoustical Materials to Get
Rigid Inspection in Chicago
United Artists Will Open
Exchange in Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wis. — For the first
time in the history of the company.
United Artists will open an exchange
here about the middle of next month.
Heretofore, bookings and shipments
for this territory have been handled
by the Chicago branch. Offices will
be established at 147 7th St.
Chicago — Inspection of local the-
aters by the National Board of Fire
Underwriters is expected to take
place in April, after which there is
a likelihood that new ordinances af-
fecting theater building and equip-
ment will be issued. Thorough in-
spection will be made of all houses
and particularly with regard to the
acoustical material on the walls.
Clarence Goldsmith, engineer of
the Chicago district, will be in
(Continued on Page 12)
Justice Department Will
Renew Fight in U. S.
Supreme Court
Wasliington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — An appeal from the
Judge Thacher decree, upholding the
legality of the credit committee sys-
tem, was filed in the U. S. Supreme
Court Friday by the Federal Gov-
ernment. It was the final day of the
60-day appeal period.
The Dept. of Justice, petitioner in
the case which was brought against
the Hays organization, 10 distributors
and Film Boards of Trade, is pre-
paring its new attack. As yet no
date for trial of the case has been
set. The defense will be conducted
by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
and Gabriel Hess, counsel for the
Hays office.
The Thacher opinion, finding that
(Continued on Page 12)
Canadian Blue Law Group
Watching Sun. Measure
Ottawa — Discussion of a measure
in Washington, D. C, to provide for
the barring of Sunday showing of
films shipped in interstate commerce,
is being closely followed by the
Lord's Day Alliance in Canada, with
a view to asking the Canadian govern-
ment to ban Sunday performances
iri Quebec where they are tolerated by
the authorities.
4,000-Seater in Chicago
Being Planned by R-K-0
Chicago — R-K-O is planning to
build a 4,000-seat house in the Loop
district here, according to reports
oliowing the visit of B. B. Kahane.
general counsel of the organization.
Kahane is understood to have con-
(Continued on Page 12)
Grauman Considering
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Sid Grauman
may return to the exhibition
field, according to current re-
ports, which say that he is
considering three propositions
to operate a house in this city.
THE
•a^nk
DAILY
Sunday, Febniary 23, 1930
Vol. 1 1 No. 45 Sunday. February 23. 1930 Price 25 Cents
lOHN W ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUDIISHER
PuWished daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
rnpyriRlit (1930) by Wid's Fi'ms and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, Presidetit
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer' and (General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post office at New York. N. Y., under
the act of March .1, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Creater New
York $1000 one year; 6 months. $5.00; 3
months. $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650
Broadway. New York. N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address; Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
I,a Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QVOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat ^^ , 'A; A
Con. Fm. Iiid. .. 20^ 20'/, 2O/2 800
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23 "4 22?/^ 22 « /OO
East, Kodak 205'/^ 201 205'/ 5.400
Fox Fm. "A" ... 32'A 3lii 32'A 13,000
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 46?^ 45 '/5 46 11.700
•Keith AG 30
•do pfd 103M
Loew's Inc 68/2 67 68/2 6.000
♦do pfd. WW (6'/,) 93^
•do pfd. xw (6'/,) 85'/5 ....
'M-G-M pfd • 25fi ....
Para F-1 66!^ 64*^ 66'/^ 14.700
Pathe Exch 3H 3« 3« 700
,ln "A" TA 7% 7'A 200
R-KO 295^ 285^ 29"X 21.200
I'n-v. Pict. pfd. ..40 40 40 300
Warner Bros. ... 61". 60 61'<, .i4.300
•do pfd ^^'» ■■■■
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 29 V2 ....
Fox Thea. "A" .. 755 7V„ 7'A 2,Snn
•Intern. Proi ' 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 32 32 32 100
Lnew's Inc. war . 9^i 9 9^i 500
•Nat. Scr. Ser 20%
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Tniv. Pict 10
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Ke th A-0 6s 46. 82 82 82 10
Loew 6s 41ww .. 109^4 109M 109^ 10
do 6s 41 x-war.. 95 94'/i 94^ 90
Paramount 6s 47 . 9954 99-^ 99^ 70
Par. Bv. 5'As 51.100'4 100 100',4 40
Pathe -s 37 46 46 46 20
•LAST PRTCF OTOTED
J. ..-..•..•..♦.•..•..•..•..•..•..•....•..•. ^
U New York Long Island City jj
1540 Broidway 154 Crescent St. fi
BRYinl 4712 STIllwell 7940 B
Eastman Films i
]. E. Brulatour, Inc. W
tf
if
if
if
if
Chicago Hollywood
• iin 1...1:,.., &.,. 6700 Santa Monica
1727 Indiana Ave. p.. ,
CAIumet 2691 HOllywood 4121
■Mii'iiiiiii!iiii''iSfiiiiiiiiiiitiMiititit^iti&
INDEX
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
XF.irsFAPFR n/'fxioNS ^
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS. Coast News by Telegraph.. 4
"A LITTLE FROM LOTS" by Ralph Wilk 4
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 5
TIMELY TOPICS. Digest of Current Opinions S
THEIR FIRST JOB s
ALONG THE RIALTO. by Phil M. Daly, Jr ' 5
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS " 5
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily Files 5
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly 5
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 6
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair 6
I'OREICN MARKETS, bv William Onisteiii 7
THE WEEK'S HEADLINES. Resume of Ne7vs 7
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 8-9
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Bern 10-11
PRESENTATIONS, by Don C. Gillette 12
REVIEWS
CHASING RAINBOWS 9
COWBOY AND THE OUTLAW 8
GREAT DIVIDE 8
HELL HARBOR S
LILIES OF THE FIELD 8
LOOSE ANKLES 9
PERSONALITY S
ROADHOUSE NIGHTS 8
TROOPERS THREE S
VAGABOND KING 8
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND <» 12 SILENT
Reddy, Reilley Leave
RKO in R. I. Territory
JVovicknre — Owen M. Reddy,
assistant to Foster Lardner, man-
.-iger of the Albec and Matthew J.
Reilley, manager of the Victory here,
have concluded their services with
RKO in accordance with the com-
pany's reorganization plan. Reddy
formerly manager of various theaters
n I'awtucket and has been connected
with the industry for more than 30
.ears.
Traube Opens Service Office
Cleveland — Rube Traube, handling
Tone-O-Ciraph, has opened an office
in the Film Bldg. here and is ofifer-
ing free service to all exhibitors using
the Tone-O-Graph device.
Censors Buys Cinephone
\''ictoria, S. C. — Cinephone repro-
ducing equipment has been purchased
by the British Columbia Board of
M. P. Censors.
Chicago Co. in New Quarters
Chicago — Theater Sound Service
Co., formerly located in the Security
Bldg.. has moved its headquarters to
1018 S. Wabash. David S. JafTe is
manager.
Double Celebration for
Opening of Loew House
\\'ashington Heights was the
-cene of a double Washington's
Birthday celebration with the staging
■f a patriotic street procession in con-
amction with the opening of the new
4,000 seat Loew's 175th Street at
Broadway and 175th Street. The fea-
'nrc film for the premiere was '■'ilieir
Own Desire."'
New Dothan House Starts
Dothan, Ala. — Construction has
started on the new $75,000 theater
here to seat 1,000. J. C. Wadling-
ton, C. V. Crawford and R. C. Rich-
ards have leased the house.
New House for Cadillac, O.
Cadillac, O. — J. M. McCimm will
be in charge of the new theater to
be erected here.
Bandy on Way to Europe
JI. A. Band\, manager of foreign
listribution for Warner Brothers-
First National, is on the Bremen on
a visit to the various Furopcan
branches. He will return in Maw
Let Us Solve Your Problems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb. 25
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
April 1
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
Hays Returning Soon
Will H. Hays is expected back in
.\'cw York within a few days, follow-
ng his Coast trip.
BROOKS
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHEN YOU GO TO BUY
i^sniira?
OOWI^S AMD UNIF-OR.IMS
FOR LEASE
5,000 Sq. Ft.
film Center Building
Inquire
Cross & Brown Co.
270 Madison Avenue
New York City
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPE RATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND,
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
Opening of "Song of the West"
at the Warner, N. Y.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Song C My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined. ;
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Election of officers of Maryland
M.P.T.O. at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington,
D. C.
International Cinema Congress al
Brussels.
THE
Sunday, February 23, 1930
■3^Sl
DAILY
Newspaper Opinions
"Anna Christie"
M-G-M
Criterion, Los Angeles
EXAMINER — The entire credit for the
success of "Anna Christie" by no means falls
into the hands of Miss Garbo. Very few
actresses have ever had a finer supporting
cast. There are only four principals but
what players! * ♦ * all in all, Metro-Gold-
wynMayer may feel well satisfied with the
talkie version of Eugene O'Neill's famous
play-
HERALD — More than ever, in "Anna
Christie," Miss Garbo is revealed as a fine
emotional actress. The motion picture, "An-
na Christie" is more relieved in mood than
was O'Neill's play, still it is heavy in its
realism. One respects the direction and the
acting.
RECORD — There was no need to worry.
Garbo's voice is, I think, quite the most dis-
tinguished on the talking screen. A notably
good cast helps to make the picture one of
the fine productions of the season under
Clarence Brown's excellent direction. This
is a sombre show, but one of the finest made
so far for the screen. Garbo is one of the
few actresses who adds definitely to her ar
tistic stature by her first talking picture.
It is one to see, by any means.
TIMES — * * * an exceptional picture. It
is made exceptional by exceedingly fine d'-
reaction. It is rendered doubly significant by
the presence of an unusually good cast. Its
efficaciousness is heightened by the presence
of Garbo herself. ♦ * • worthy of a place
among the most artistic so far made in the
sound medium. It has been done with dis-
crimination, taste and a remarkable primal
vigor. And it has been photographed in
splendid style. • * •
"Clancy in Wall Street"
Fox
Boulevard, Los Angeles
EXAMINER—.." * • holds up a distort
ed mirror to events along (iotham's money
mart, showing ludicrous reactions suffered
by Charles Murray and Lucien Littlefield.
EXPRESS— Concocted for laughing pur-
poses only and well directed by the late Ted
Wilde, "Qancy in Wall Street" stirs memo
ries of many similar plots of quarreling
partners who are separated and reunited by
bonds that prosperity or adversity can stretch
but never snap.
HERALD — * * * very funny in a num
ber of places. The picture is only spoiled
in a few places by the injection of several
quite stale gags. * » * As a whole "Clancy
in Wall Street" is filled with a good pro-
portion of entertainment, yet when all is over
there's nothing to it.
RECORD— Charley Murray, he of the fun
ny face who made our grandfathers laugh
when the team of Murray and Mack held
sway on the legitimate stage takes the honors.
His voice could be better, but his comedy
lines and facial contortions make up for that.
TIMES — True delineation of characters
carries the interest of the film through to
the end, with Charlie Murray and Lucien
Littlefield as, the Irishman and Scotchman
respectively. Both men are happily cast
and provide humor with a dash of pathos to
suit the taste of anyone.
Making Way for New Warner House
Milwaukee, Wis. — Dismantling of
the Butterfly has begun in order to
make way for the new Warner $1,-
'iOO.OOO theater. The house was Mil-
waukee's leading downtown theater
W. E. For Kansas House
Hiawatha, Kan.- — The new Dickin-
«.( n has Seen opened with Western
Electric apparatus. Floyd G. Ward
is manager.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
Stachler Sells Akron House
Akron, O. — A. C. Stachler has sold
the Park, formerly the Columbia, to
(). Montesano and D. Raneire.
IOWA
Changes in Ownership
Casey — Garden, sold to A. M. Pagan by P.
G. Thompson; Coon Rapids — Lyric, sold
to Savage & Howell by J. E. Ridgeway ;
Council Bluffs — ^Strand, sold to Fox West
Coast by M. A. Cohen; Grand Junction —
Rex, sold to G. W. Nichols by R. O. Well-
meyer; Cumberland — Lyric, sold to F. H.
Hendershot by Georcfe Brown ; Dexter —
Princess, sold to G. Foster by J. L. Reid ;
Manilla — Electric, so'd to Mr. Blubaugh by
C. A. Sample ; Manley — Rex, sold to Wil-
liam Pinto by F. J. Barr; Mapleton —
Princess, sold to Ople P. Brown by Mrs.
Marie Weeks ; Marcus — Kay, sold to W.
Kleenhesselink by E. E. Greene; Marcus —
Rainbow, sold to W. Kleinhesselink by E.
E. Green ; Primghar — Princess, sold to R.
R. Williamsby by L. Hamer; Rockford —
Rockford, sold to D. L. Mosher by C. E.
Mosher ; Waukon — Cota, sold to P. D.
Cota by H. G. Ludeman.
Closings
Allison — Legion ; Bancroft — Lonegran ; Bata-
via — Opera House; Calamus — ^Olympic;
Calmar — Olympic; Clermont — Opera House;
Cumberland — Lyric ; Defiance — Auditorium ;
Diagonal — Diagonal ; Farmington — Grand ;
Fremont — Strand; Grand Junction — Hex;
Hedrick — Garden; Hiteman — Opera House;
Letts — Family ; Murray— Palace ; Ossian —
Princess; Radcliffe — Opera House; Thorn-
ton— Thornton; Williams — Strand.
Openings
Calamus — Auditorium.
MAINE
Re-Openings
Ellsworth — Dirigo.
MARYLAND
Changes in Ownership
Baltimore — Chester, sold to Nicola Vito by
Robert Moore; Catonsville — .Mpha, sold to
Alpha Theater & Amusement Co. by E. W.
Cashmyer; Essex — Essex, sold to O. Guter-
muth by M. Click; Glenburnie — Glenburnie,
sold to Oscar Berman by M. Glick ; Hale-
thorpe — Strand, sold to Mr. Spindler by
M. Glick ; Oveflea — lOverlea, sold to
Reichert & Caulke by Louis Tunick.
MASSACHUSETTS
Changes in Ownership
Gilbertville — Plaza, sold to M. Davis by J.
Rapalus; Reading; — Reading, sold to P.
Smith by Turnbull & Rogers; Waltham —
Waltham. sold to N E T O Co. by D. H,
Brand.
MICHIGAN
Changes in Ownership
Big Bay — Bay, sold to A. J. Fleury by Bay
Theater Co.; Detroit — Forest Grove, sold
to T. E. Washington by B. Scott and C.
Wilson; Picadilly. sold to Louis Wisper
and Charles Konier by Woodward Theater
Co. ; Ionia — Family, sold to H. L. Good-
speed by Butterfield Theaters ; Trout Creek
— Trout Creek, sold to Jimmie Richards by
D. A. Kooker.
Closings
Bergland — Bergland ; Capac — Pa'ace ; Deiroit
— Dunbar, Forest, Hancock, Koppin ; Ewen
— Bergland; Grand Ledge — Palace; Marcel-
lus— Marcellus ; Marlette — Liberty; Mass —
Crystal ; Norway — Rialto ; Saginaw — Palo-
ma ; Waldron — Pastime: Whitehall — Play
house.
MINNESOTA
Changes in Ownership
Climax— MWA Hall, sold to Thomas J.
Thompson by John Kjelsrud; Hastings —
Scenic, sold to D. Mlinar by Joe Mlinar ;
Keewatin — Our, sold to Thomas Dandrea
by Ray Sanders ; Menagha — Photo Play,
sold to W. R. Young by Arnold Flink ;
Sherburn — Star, sold to Joe Hertzig by M.
J. Pool; Starbuck — DuGlada, sold to Ray
Moe by A. G. Englund ; Stewartsville —
Opera House, sold to Cora Thompson by
Joe Mlinar.
Closings
Frazee — Palace ; Oslo — Lyric.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
Kinsman, O. House Closed
Kinsman, O. — E. L. Patridge has
permanently closed the Pyam.
United States
Detroit — Herbert Fowser, recently
connected with Universal in this ter-
ritory, has joined the sales staff of
the McArthur Theater Equipment
Co.
Corrigan, Tex. — C. E. Bergman has
installed the new Talk-A-Phone disc
equipment in the Corrigan here. The
apparatus is being distributed by the
Southwestern Electrical Products
Co.
Greenwich, Conn. — Bratter &
Pollack,, owners of the Pickwick
here, will take over the Greenwich,
now closed.
Chicago — Jacob Paley, manager
of the Empire, plans to equip ■ his
house for sound and institute a n
policy of talkers and burl'^siiue.
Cadogan, Pa. — The Cadogan has
resumed operation.
Plainfield, N. J. — The Plainf^eld
will be remodeled at a cost of $15,000.
Bridgeport, Ala. — The Jackson has
been purchased by Mrs. H. G. Jenk-
ins from J. Leslie Hackworth.
Brockton, Mass. — Alniy O. Belcher
is president and Harry Stanley is
treasurer of a new corporation form-
ed to operate the Empire here. The
house is to be equipped with De-
Forest apparatus.
Chicago — William Baker, after a
10-year association with Universal,
has joined the Columbia offices in
St. Louis. Ted Meyers, formerh
with M-G-M and Pathe, succeeds
Baker as short subject manaeer for
Universal here.
DeSota, Mo. — The Jefferson is in-
stalling Photophone.
Columbus, Ga. — Henry Stowall has
taken over management of the Gala.
New York
Mike Freednian has purchased an
interest in the Ritz, E. 180th St.,
Bronx.
Lou Goldberg. former general
manager of the M. & S. Circuit, is
now managing tiie RK(J Franklin
in the Bronx.
John Manheimer has sold his the-
ater in Brooklyn. The new owners
take possession March 1.
"Green Goddess"
Warner
Winter Garden, New York
AMERICAN— The talking picture adapta-
11 is even more thrillingly, more tensely
gripping than its predecessors. The barriers
" i theater being swept away on the screen,
and the sound reproduction enhancing the
drama with dialogue.
DAILY MIRROR _ * * • entertaining
melodrama, not nearly as good as "Disraeli,"
but frankly less important.
DAILY NEWS—* * * has action, drama.
thrills, a story as good as new, because it
has an everlasting audience allure — but. most
of all, it has Arliss.
EVENING WORLD—* * • a departure
from the kind of story — or lack of story
which has characterized so many recent re-
leases. There is substance to this one; it
grips you with its exotic mystery and it is
marvelously handled by a superb company.
* * * beautifully framed, too, its settings
and Its photography being some of the best
een in many a moon.
HERALD-TRIBUNE — It can be safely
said that the Archer drama remains a pretty
good show and that the Arliss performance
ranks with his best. The production adheres
carefully to the form and manner of the
stage play. ♦ ♦ ♦
MORNING TELEGRAPH — • ♦ ♦ bears
closest resemblance, naturally, to the original
William Archer stage play, from which the
dialogue has been preserved virtually intact.
But It also has captured many of the beauti-
ful photographic moments of the silent photo-
play which had Mr. Arliss for its star a few
years ago, thus combining in one glorious
synthesis the best elements of the stage and
screen.
POST — All the required splendor of the
Orient is there, but even with that and with
iWr. Arliss's craftily vengeful characteriza-
tiJii the story lacks the right pitch of excite-
■"ent. For one thing there is much more
talk than action, and for another the sup-
porting cast is rather feeble.
SUN-—* * ♦ an excellent reproduction and
enlarged edition of the play — and far supe-
rior as an entertainment to its silent picture
counterpart. It is, though, Mr. Arliss's per-
sonality, technic and general pungency that
iiKdce "The Green Goddess" one of the best
efforts of the onrushing audible films.
TELEGRAM — * * ♦ largely a photograph
o.t ilu play rather than a true motion pic-
tre. V\ hen it does combine the cinema and
the stage the mixture is very clever indeed
and results in "The Green Goddess" emerg-
ing a very fine and stirring talking picture
with scarcely a flaw in it.
TIMES — * * * does not in any way mea ,-
ure up to "Disraeli" ♦ • • even endowed
as It IS with speech and other sounds, it is
doubtful whether this current edition of Mr.
Archer's clever melodrama can vie with the
mute production.
WORLD — Another of those easy and letter-
perfect portrayals by Mr. Arliss is contain-
ed m the Vitaphone version of the old stage
play, "The Green Goddess." * * * So far as
eye can see or ear detect, no finer, more
suave and sinister treatment could by any
stretch of the imagination be bestowed upon
the part.
Take Over Norwood (Minn.) House
Norwood, Minn. — Herbert and Vic-
tor Lindert and Roy Clay have taken
possession to the Crystal, where they
will show pictures once weekly.
Talkers for Conde, S. D,
Conde, S. D. — Conde Amusement
Co. has been formed here to lease
the local theater, which is being wired
for talking pictures.
Reopen as Talker House
Madison, Wis. — The Grand has re-
opened with talking pictures.
Two More Sold by Brin
Portage, Wis. — The Home and
Portage, both of this city, have been
sold to the Portage Theater Co. by
L. K. Brin.
(%■
fs2^
DAILY
Sunday, February 23, 1930
Four Productions Under Way at Tec-Art
Mannon's Arrival Spurs Activity — Warners Engage Nine More Composers — Louis Lighton Gets P-F-L
Contract — Seegar for Fox Lead — Boyd to Appear in Pathe Specials — Wilk's Notes and Other Coast News
4 MORE IN PREPARATION;
ALL RECORDED BY RCA
With the return from New York
of Alfred T. Mannon, president of
Tec-Art studios, activity at the plant
has increased with four productions
now in work. "Ladies in Love," a
Chesterfield production is being di-
rected by Edgar Lewis with Alice
Day and James Murray featured;
"Step on the Gas," a True Life pic-
ture is being produced under the di-
rection of William O'Connor with
John Darrow and Dorothy Grainger.
Two short features called "Topics
of the Day" are being directed by El-
mer Clifton and Dallas Fitzgerald
is directing another series of kiddie
revues for Mayfair Productions.
In preparation are: Inspiration's
"Eye of the World"; a Lon Young
Production "Inside Story"; "Tread-
mill," to be made by William Miller
and "Mr. Mulligan and Mr. Garrity"
a Ralph Spence comedy which Jesse
Weil will produce for Columl)ia re-
lease.
Miriam Seegar Signed
for "1930 Fox Follies"
Miriam Seegar, stage star, has
been assigned the ingenue lead in
"Fox Movietone Follies of 1930," op-
posite Frank Easton. Benjamin
Sfnloff is directing with Danny Dare,
Maurice L. Kusell, Max Schenck and
Dennis Murray handling the dances.
Fay Wray in Aden Film
Fay Wray has replaced Mary
Brian as the feminine lead in Rich-
ard Arlen's vehicle, "The Border
Legion," Zane Grey's story.
Rathbone For "High Road"
Basil Rathbone will have the male
lead in 'The High Road," which
Sidney Franklin will direct for M-
G-M with Ruth Chatterton starred.
Two Added To Bow Vehicle
Frederic March and Harry Green
have been added to the cast of Clara
Bow's next starring production for
Paramount, "True to the Navy.'
"The Kick Back" New Fox Title
"The Kick Back," has been selected
as the title for the Fox production,
"Yonder Grow The Daisies," adapt-
ed from William Lipman's novel.
Dialoguing
Universal's Feature
Comedies
A Little from ''Lots''
By RALPH WILK
]y[ERVYN LeROY. Hollywood's
youngest director, was recently
in New York, in quest of new faces,
material and ideas for his forthcom-
ing productions under the First Na-
tional banner. Merryn recently
completed the direction of "Jail-
break," a picture based on outbreaks
which occurred in several of the
country's penal institutions in recent
months.
• • *
Wallace Smith, the globe-trottina
writer, is fashioning an original
story for Richard Dix. He recently
finished his third screen contribu-
tion for Bebe Daniels, two of which
were original stories.
* * •
Our Passing Show: E. H.
Allen, George Landy, Henrv
Clive, Kathryn McQuire, Ar-
thur Gregor at "Bambina"; Ar-
thur Landau and Nat Gold-
stone visiting Paramount on
business.
« * «
Actor, to his director: "I m"st
think of my public."
Director: "Oh, how is your
mother?"
J EROY PRINZ, who will stage
the ensemble numbers for Cecil
B, DeMille's comedy with music,
"Madame Satan," is also widely
known as a soldier of fortune. He
was a pilot with the Lafayette Esca-
drille, and later with the famous 94th
Squadron, A.E.F. He has been a
mail pilot in this country and a fly-
ing instructor in Mexico, Nicarauga,
Brazil and Cuba.
« * «
Hank Arnold, the demon Santa
Monica Boulevard statistician, re-
ports 648 chorus girls have applied
to Samuel Goldwyn for parts in the
Florenz Ziegf eld-Samuel Goldwyn
production of "Whoopee." Three
hundred and eighty of these girls
claim previous experience with
Ziegfeld, while 234 claim previous
New York stage experience.
• • *
David Newell, formerly Ethel
Barrymore's leading man, has
been signed for an important
role in "Cooking Her Goose,"
which Donald Crisp will direct
for RKO. Newell recently
completed his contract with
Paramount and is now free-
lancing.
First National Engages
Permanent Voice Chorus
.\ permanent voice ensemble has
been engaged by First National to
sing in forthcoming productions. The
chorus will be in charge of Norman
Spencer, who has been directing the
studio's choral numbers. Thirty-two
members have been selected for the
ensemble which, according to Spen-
cer, can sing in several languages.
Pembroke for "Medicine Man"
Percy Pembroke has been engaged
by Phil Goldstone to direct "The
NIedicine Man," for Tiffany.
Mescall for Swanson Film
John Mescall will be chief cam-
eraman on Gloria Swanson's, "What
A Widow!"
Kay Johnson for De Mille Lead
Kay Johnson has been selected for
the feminine lead in Cecil B. De
Mille's "Madame Satan," for M-G-M.
Others in the cast are Reginald
Denny and Roland Young.
Fox Title Changes
"\ Holy Terror" has been selected
as the final title for "The Girl Who
Wasn't Wanted," the Fox Movietone
production featuring George O'Brien
and Helen Chandler under direction
of A. F. Erickson.
William Boyd to Appear
in Pathe Specials Only
William Boyd's future Pathe pro-
ductions will be confined to specials
instead of the program pictures in
which he has been seen in the past,
according to E. B. Derr, vice presi-
dent in charge of production. His
first under the new plan will be "Be-
yond Victory," an original by Lynn
Riggs. This will be followed by
"The Last Frontier."
Ruth Chatterton in "High Road"
Ruth Chatterton will be featured
-n "ihe High Road" by M-G-AI.
i<.alph Forbes is to play opposite the
star.
WALTER FUTTER
Is in Hollywood and
Will Serve You with
Any
STOCK SHOT
Call Hollywood 7940
New York Ofifice:
729-7th Ave. Bryant 6210
NINE MORE ADDED ID
WARNER VITAPHONE STAFF
Nine more composers have been
added to the Warner staff for Vita-
phone productions. Recent addi-
tions include Otto Harbach, Joe
Young, Harry Warren, Lew Pol-
lock, Mort D'ixon, Walter O'Keefe,
Archie Gottler, Sidney Mitchell and
Eddie Ward.
L. D. Lighton Contract
Renewed by Paramount
Paramount has renewed its con-
tract with Louis D. Lighton, asso-
ciated producer.
THE
Ooorwajr of IIoflpit*U«y
lUb |H>palar bcMMlry and you /••! at koaa*
Thara't >n atmotphcr* of cordlml w«l««aM
wUch marlu th« dlffaraoc* batwaaa tk«
Hollywood PUia and ordinary hotaU.
Tour room, too, ha* that addad fit
of dUtlnctioa. Plcturat on tha wall, owr
•m£Fad fumltura, a floor lamp and r««dl«t
lamp . . . thata ar« but a few ot tha /— tf
chat maka you faci at homa.
Pig'a WhliUa Dtntns Scrvlca Iuotm <hi
baat e/ food. Tharafora, whan you ara aav
)• Lea Ansalaa b« mra to liiT««ti«ata.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
viae ttraat at Hollywood Bouiavrnvd
HOLLTWOOD. CALIFOHNIA
THE
Sunday, February 23, 1930
'eMm
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Don't Make Cinema Musical
Copy of Stage Show, Is Advice
•THE main thing in musical
comedy, either on the stage
or screen, is that every moment
should be entertaining. Leave
talk of art and ideals to consid-
eration of serious plays; in mus-
icals the audience must have
continuous novelty and attraction
and entertainment. I don't think
that the screen musicals so far,
with one exception, have been
very entertaining. They've been
too often just pictures of the
stage productions. The charac-
ters have danced or sung into
the camera as if the camera vk^ere
the footlights and as if there
were an audience contact. The
point is that with a camera you
have something very unlike
what you have on the stage.
Musical comedies shouldn't be
"transferred" to the screen, as
several of them have been; they
should be "uprooted" and made
over.
Lawrence Schwab,
Theatrical Producer
« <x *
Talking Pictures May Save
The Show Business from Ruin
'THERE is talk that before an-
other season the show busi-
ness may be saved — not by the-
ater managers, but by the talk-
ies. This will give some a good
laugh. Nevertheless, while man-
agers, producers, actors and au-
thors are fiddling, directors of the
picture industry are getting set
to pull the show business out
from under the syndicates and
run it themselves. This may be
revolutionary, but it is no wild
prediction. It means more than
absorbing a few theaters on
Broadway and financing produc-
tions. It means that the picture
industry expects to bottle up the
road and open their own theaters
to road shows. They admit it.
They are thinking of the plays
and musicals they must have for
talkies.
Oliver Owl in "The Quill"
\\&.
closed.
THEIR
ra. — i ne T^ycPum Ji
Along The Rialto
Receiver Gets W. Va. House
Spencer, W. Va.— The Robey h
gone into the hands of a receiver.
New Theater Going Up Fast
Butler, Pa. — Construction on ti
'*^_^J^ ~~ '"; "^^if'T^p ranid headwa'
zvith
PMIM. Daly, Jr.
'THE three of them, now are doing their schnozzle stuff at the
Paramount. And when ever schnozzle enters the picture it
surely must by Jimmy Durante, Lou Clayton and Eddie Jackson.
The setting for the affair is "Roadhouse Nights." On the same
bill but in person is Charles (Buddy) Rogers. Just an old
Paramount get-together, you know
More debutantes are hitting the radio with reviews on pic-
tures. Slated for Monday at 3:30 P. M. over Station WPCH
Misses Faith Vilas and Montague Priddy with Elvie Hitchings
will discuss "It's a Great Life," "Son of the Gods," "Show of
Shows" and "Hit the Deck." Clayton Hermance, June Collyer's
brother will wabble the theme songs from the above pictures on
the same period
Jack Ward, comedian and dancer for the past 20 years on the
Keith and Loew vaudeville circuits with Northlane & Ward and
later with Ward & Weber, has been signed for an indefinite
engagement with the Aesop Fable dept .of the Van Beuren Corp.
Mr. and Mrs. I. Weinberg, of Universal's Virginia The-
aters, sailed the other day on a Mediterranean cruise which will
keep them from the U. S. for several months
Emil C. Jensen, vice president, in charge of sales for Inspira-
tion Pictures, left Saturday on the S.S. Reliance for a 27 day
Caribbean cruise The Vitaphone Corp. is this year par-
ticipating in Warner Bros, annual Sam E. Morris month sales
campaign with a special drive on the sale of Vitaphone Varieties.
Charles Beahan has just finished the dramatization of
Ward Green's novel "Cora Potts," picked by Menken as the best
book of the year
Gab Yorke is again at the Geo. M. Cohan, but this time
handling the detail on the American showing of "White Cargo,"
the British talker Jack Trop is still keeping things hum-
ming in the Audible Picture fold
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL U. DALY
UY DAAB and Sam Warshawsky,
in an off moment, were trying
to . figure out that Pathe Christmas
clock, which is charted so you can
tell the time in any part of the world
— if you know the combination.
"Just think," said Hy, who always
received A-plus in mathematics when
he went to school, "here we are ristht
in the middle of our hard-working
day, while out in Galoopiland the
natives are still in bed."
"Is that a fact!" exclaimed Sam.
who never cared much for geogra-
phy.
"Sure. They sleep while we work.
"The lazy bums!"
* * *
A picture player, who never has
been known to shortchange in his
opinion of himself and his popularity,
crashed a performance of "The Vaga-
bond King" at the Criterion a few
days ago. Going up to an acquain-
tance, who was either Tammany
Young or his double, the actor de-
claimed:
"What's the use of being a celeb-
rity? They wouldn't even let me in
here until I told them who I was?"
"Oh, yeah?" said the friend, non-
chalantly lighting a Murad. "And who
did you tell them you were?"
* ♦ *
■Since John G. Paine and his So-
ciety of Composers organixatiqTi
routed the racketeers who have been
pirating copyright music and ped-
dling it on the streets, the hawken
have taken to selling nickel sheets
of humorous material known as
"Scotch jokes." Must be the kind of
jokes that are "continued in the next
edition."
* ♦ *
Erin La Bissoniere, who speaks
five languages and appears as a maid
in Fox's "Double Cross Roads." never
allows herself to worry over the fact
that she cannot serve coffee in more
than one language at a time.
FEBRUARY 22-23
-HINV HAPPV REIOItllS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
mg members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days:
M
; February 22nd
Harry Hammond
Lew Cody
B. P. Fineman
Albert Herman
Tames Kirkwood
Frank Dexter
Nacio Herb Brown
February 23rd J
Thomas J. Aheam
Victoria Alden
Dwight W. Cummins
Al W. Fremont
Norman Taurog
Victor Fleming
Emil C. Jensen
Edward M. Saunders
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Five hundred and twenty-seven
theaters signed in N. Y. to show ad-
vertising reels.
* ♦ •
Vivian Martin Pictures, Inc., to
star Vivian Martin.
* * ♦
Blanchard Amusement Co. plana
$700,000 house in Davenport, la.
* * *
Majestic Theater Co. increases
capital from $15,000 to $150,000.
THE
s2ES
DAILY
Sunday, February 23, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
PflRflMOyNT ACTIVIIY IN
EAST REACHES NEW HIGH
With Paramount making over one-
third of its entire season's product in
the East, the Long Island studio is
now at the highest peak of production
reached here in several years.
Two features, "Young Man of
Manhattan" and "Dangerous Nan
McGrew" are now being made there,
in addition to numerous short sub-
jects. Chief among the latter is the
first of the screen presentation units,
"Honeymoon Express," to be made
in four reels, starting at once. __
Casting for "Queen High, an
elaborate musical production to be
made entirely in Technicolor, is now
going on, with Ginger Rogers and
Charles Ruggles the only players so
far announced. This will be started
shortly after the completion ot
"Young Man of Manhattan, which
Monta Bell expects to complete by
next Wednesday. ^.^^.^a
Another feature to be started
shortly is "Too Much Luck,' star-
ring Maurice Chevalier, on which
Hobart Henley is now conducting
rehearsals Other large productions
n prospect are "The Sap from Syra-
cuse " based on the stage play, for
whTch Charles Ruggles has been
mentioned, also another Jaborate
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
pRED RYLE, make-up chief at the
Fox studios on Tenth Ave., sprung
a surprise on his associates when he
returned from a trip down South
with a brand new blushing bride.
The little lady's name is Lucille
Keifer and she hails from Georgia,
where they grow the peaches.
Ed. Cordner, location manager at
the Paramount Long Island studios,
leaves today for an indefinite visit
to the West Coast.
Q. EDWIN STEWART, chief re-
cording engineer at the Para-
mount Long Island studios, has
worked out a visual control system
using colored tags on a blackboard,
by means of which he can tell at a
glance just which stages the sound
men are operating on.
musical featuring
brothers.
New Comic Team in
Louis Brock Series
The latest pair of screen comedians
to burst upon the screen horizon is
Tony Mardn and Nick Basil, who
will be presented by Louis Brock in
^?hfte°aUTh?ch will be billed sim-
ply as "Tony and Nick," have already
completed their f^rst picture, "Barnum
wTs Wrong," under the direction of
Mark Sandrich.
Musical Short Completed
"Footnotes,- 'one of the most elabo-
rate short subjects ever made at the
Warner Vitaphone studios, was com-
pleted this week, under the d.rec-
Tion of Murray Roth. Oscar Gro-
gan, Columbia recording artist and
Poliy and Peggy Page head a large
cast of players recruited from the
New York musical comedy stage.
Stage Players in "No Account"
A cast consisting entirely of
Broadway stage players was used for
"The No Account," a Vitaphone Va-
riety, just completed at the Warner
studio in Flatbush. Heading the cast
is Russell Hardie of "The Criminal
Code" and Josephine Hutchinson of
the Civic Repertory theater. Edmund
Joseph directed.
The weather man gave the "Dan-
gerous Nan McGrew" unit a good
break when he staged a real, old-
fashioned snowstorm last Saturday.
As soon as the snow had settled, Mai
St. Clair moved his company out
on the Paramount lot where, with
the aid of the scenic department, a
section of the Canadian woods soon
arose, boasting real snow for Helen
Kane and Stuart Erwin to wallow
about in
M. S. Bentham, through whose of-
fices many players have been started
on a successful screen career, will
leave for the Coast next week to
close up several deals now impend-
ing there.
"A Russian Rhapsody" is the
name of a Vitaphone Variety just
completed at the Warner studios in
Flatbush, under the direction of Ed-
mund Joseph. Kutzetnoff, bass sing-
er with the Philadelphia Opera Co.,
and "La Palina," of radio fame, are
featured.
The production of "Young Man of
Manhattan'' is going ahead at top
speed under the direction of Monta
Bell. The other day, with over 100
extras employed, Bell managed to
shoot both the Princeton stadium and
the World Series scenes, using the
same crowd in each and, before
knocking off at six o'clock, also fin-
ished up that part of the action which
takes place in the apartment of
Shorty, played by Charles Ruggles.
RCA RUSHING NEW SOUND
STUDIO TO COMPLETION
With the acquisition of a five story
property adjacent to the Gramercy
studios at 145 E. 24th St., Radio-
Victor is now rushing to completion
what will be one of the most mod-
ern and complete sound studios in
the East.
These alterations costing close
to $500,000 will mean an addition of
over 100,000 .square feet of space.
Three complete sound stages will be
available to independent motion pic-
ture producers.
In addition to the stages, about
two-thirds of the space will be given
over to the recording of Victor pho-
nograph records and motion picture
"dubbing." According to Frank D.
Ormston, studio manager, the plant
is expected to be ready for opera-
tion within six to eight weeks.
Herbert Copelan, manager of the
Brooklyn Strand theater, last week
paid a visit to his old friends at the
Warner Vitaphone studio, where he
was an assistant director before de-
ciding to enter the theater end of the
business.
When, after an absence of over
one year, Eddie Buzzell had occa-
sion to call Murray Roth at the
Warner Vitaphone studio, he was
surprised to have the studio opera-
tor recognize his voice. Hidden away
in the telephone room on the lower
floor of' the studio, Marita Sweeney,
who has been at the job for five
years, although denied a sight of
the players, has come to recognize
them by the sound of their voices.
The performance of Charles Rug-
gles as (you've guessed it) a slightly
tipsy reporter, in "Road House
Nights," won a place among the best
of the month in the listing given in
the current issue of "Photoplay."
This Hobart Henley production, a
product of the Long Island studios,
will be shown at the Paramount next
week.
MacKenzie Ward, English stage
actor, has been given a contract by
M-G-M, through Mike Conley, of
the M. S. Bentham offices. Ward
completes the cast of principals en-
gaged for "The High Road," which
will shortly go into production at
the West Coast studios.
Helen BrodeHck and Lester Craw-
ford are the featured players in a
Vitaphone Varieties comedy sketch,
"Nile Green," which has just been
completed. Miss Broderick, for many
years a vaudeville headliner, is now
appearing in "50 Million French-
men," the stage musical.
Tommy Reilly, who refereed the
Dempsey-Tunney championship clas-
sic, has been signed by Paramount
to act in the same capacity in the
fight sequence of "Young Man of
Manhattan."
Ray Foster and Ed DuPar, cam-
eramen at the Eastern Vitaphone
studio, had a clam eating contest
last Tuesday, at the sea food dinner
given studio employees by Eddie
Buzzell, Ann Codee and Frank Orth.
Ray Foster won the contest but was
unable to report for work the next
day.
Eddie Buzzell, upon completing the
short comedy which he made inde-
pendently at the Ideal studios, left
for an extended vacation trip to
Havana and points south, accom-
panied by his wife, Ona Munson.
Frank Zucker and Charlie Har-
ten, cameramen, were assisted by
.Johnny Clemens and Ben Witzler in
filming "Barnum Was Wrong," the
Louis Brock production. George
Oschniann, for-merly of the RCA
Gramercy studios, was monitor mtin
on the same picture.
EASTERN PRODUCTION tS
SLOWLY BEING REVIVED
Production in the East is slowly
being revived by the different compa-
nies with various studios having al-
ready complied with the tightened
fire laws. Paramount and Warners
have not let down on production, the
former having two pictures in work
and three more lined up for im-
mediate production. Warners have
been turning out an average of three
\'itaphone shorts weekly for some
months.
The Radio-Victor studio is now un-
dergoing extensive renovation and
will be ready to operate in about
two months. The DeForest studio is
not active and the same applies to
American Sound Studios and Rec-
ording Laboratories of America
which plans to resume production
shortly. The Cosmopolitan studio,'
in New York, owned by M-G-M,
have been idle for over a year with
no prospect in sight for production.
Tests are exclusively being made at
the Fox studio on Tenth Ave. Some
production is going on at the Met-
ropolitan studios in Fort Lee, N. J.
and the Ideal Studios in Hudson
Heights, N. J. "
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
Vl«« ttraat ac HoUywood BouUwm*^^
THE
Sunday, February 23. 1930
SsCm^h
PAILV
Week's Headlines
Monday
Tax of two per cent on receipts of chain
theaters proposed in Texas.
Universal. M-GM, First National and Edu-
cational preparing revised exhibition con-
tracts. ,
Half of Columbia pictures for 1930-31 to have
French. German and Spanish versions.
Tuesday
cost of
Fox to make 11 outdoor fihns at
$3,000,000,
Jail sentences face music copynght pirates.
Bills adverse to the interests of film industry
appear m state legislatures.
Wednesday
(Film profits in 1929 were 160 per cent alj.ne
those in 1928, statistics reveal.
Censorship of theatrical advertising copy pro-
posed in St. Louis.
$13,000,000 expenditure on 1930 pro<lucti'in
planned by Pathe.
Thursday
Exhibitors in Wheeling, VV. Va., defeat ef-
forts to enforce blue laws.
Fox bankers offer modified refinancing plan.
Colorart to ofler three features and 24 shorts
in 1930.
Friday
Revised RKO contract includes depo.sit clause.
Industrial films to be produced at Coast stu-
dios. I
Nine silent theaters in Chicago forced to close
through inability to compete with sound.
Today
Government appeals credit system decision.
New Chicago safety code due after April 1
United Artists.
A DIRECT NEWS SERVICE
COVERING DEVELOPMENTS
IN AMERICA'S IMPORTANT
OVERSEAS MARKETS
Foreign
Markets
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN ,
Shows Sound Films Daily
Amery, Wis. — Sound pictures will
be shown seven days a week at the
Gem instead of five. Heretofore two
were devoted to silent films.
Lutz at West Bend
West Bend, Wis. — Louis Lutz,
formerly manager of the Plaza at
Burlington, is now managing the
West Bend, succeeding Matt Regner.
J. H. Rupp, formerly of Madison has
taken up Lutz' former duties.
Remodeling Chilton Princess
Chilton, Wis. — Ray Pfeiffer and
Arno Endres, who recently acquired
the Princess, are remodeUng the
house and installing sound equipment.
Work is expected to be completed by
March 1.
Wiring House in Leola, S. D.
Leola, S. D.— Leo Heibel is prepar-
ing the Royal for the presentation of
talking pictures.
Theater for Bonesteel, S. D.
Bonesteel, S. D.— The Woodman
building is being transformed into a
picture theater.
Closes in West Middlesex, Pa.
West Middlesex, Pa.— The Royal
has closed its doors.
Winbume (Pa.) House Dark
Winburne, Pa.— The Lyceum has
closed.
Receiver Gets W. Va. House
Spencer, W. Va.— The Robey has
gone into the hands of a receiver.
New Theater Going Up Fast
Butler, Pa. — Construction on tht
new Harris is making rapid headway.
BIG IMAGE WITH SSMNHLM
TESTED IN LONDON HOUSE
London — A method of obtaining
an enlarged image without the use
of wider film was tested recently at
the Alhambra Theater. The British
International film "Elstree Calling"
was used in the demonstration. The
screen used was 50 per cent wider
and 50 per cent longer than the
standard screen. Arthur Dent par-
ticipated in the experiment.
British Test Body Denies
Ignoring Cheaper Devices
London — Emphatic denial of the
charge that it is ignoring the small
theater equipped with the cheaper
type of sound devices is made by
the Renters' Sound Test Committee,
which asserts that to date it has made
an inspection of 89 of the 98 instal-
lations of cheap equipment in the
London district.
To Aid Tax Fight
London — The ranks of par-
liamentary members fighting
for the abolition of the en-
tertainment tax have been
strengthened with the success
of Alderman F. Marshal in
the Sheffield by-election.
Five French Writers
Form Producing Company
Paris — Five of France's most
noted literary figures have united in
the organization of a new producing
group. They comprise Andre Man-
rois, Jean Giraudoux, Edouard Bour-
det, Francois Le Grix and the coun-
tess de Noailles, the poetess. Bour-
det will be remembered as the au-
thor of the play "The Captive."
Fox and M-G-M Product
for Warsaw Talker House
Warsaw — The management of the
Cinema Palace, recently wired with
Klangfilm equipment, has been in-
formed by Fox and M-G-M that all
talking films produced by the two
companies will be made available to
it
W. E. in French Music Pact
Paris — Western Electric has ef-
fected an agreement with French
music publishers similar to that
maintained in England.
New Cinephone Equipment
London — Talking picture equip-
ment of a new type, simplified in
operation and compact in build, has
been developed by Cinephone engi-
neers. It is claimed the device can
be set up in a space two feet wide.
Gaumont- Klangfilm Deal Okay
Berlin — Negotiations between
French Gaumont and Klangfilm are
reported to have been brought to a
successful termination.
2 Sydney Houses Closed
Sydney, N. S. W. — The Royal and
Lyceum have temporarily closed.
VICTORIA THEATER MEN
WIN TAX INVESTIGATION
Melbourne, Australia — The united
front shown by theater managers in
their fight against the amusement
tax has resulted in an investigation
by the Victorian minisjtry to deter-
mine the effect of the levy on the-
ater business. The complaint is that
the tax places a heavy burden on the
theatrical industry, forcing many
houses to close their doors rather
than continue operating under a
financial handicap.
Technicolor in British
Link with Keller-Dorian
London — Technicolor has entered
into an agreement with Keller-Dor-
ian, it is announced by the Ludwig
Blattner Pictures Corps., Ltd., which
controls the latter color process. The
statement reads in part: "The ex-
ploitation and manufacturing inter-
ests in connection with the Keller-
Dorian color-processes, as contained
in the licence granted b" Moviecol-
or, Ltd., to the Blattner Corn., are
now solely controlled by the Techni-
color Co."
British Empire Film Finished
London — "One Family," the all-
talking film in which the B'-'tic'i
Empire is presented in panorarn-,_
has been completed by British In-
structional. The greater part of the
picture was filmed in Buckingham
Palace. Walter Creighton directed.
Ideal to Release Burns Film
London — "The Loves of Robert
Burns," produced by British and Do-
minions in conjunction with the
Gramophone Co., will be distributed
by Ideal. It was directed by Her-
bert Wilcox.
FILM DAILY CORRESPON-
DENTS IN WORLD CAPITALS
PLASH OVERSEAS NEWS BT
RADIO AND CABLE
BOLTON AiOUNCES PLANS
TO EXPLOIT RAYCOLINU.S.
London— Plans for the exploita-
tion of the Raycol color process in
the United States have been made
public by C. A. Bolton, director of
the Raycol Parent Co.. Ltd., coin-
cidentally with his return from
America. Asserting he ran into no
patent difficulties abroad, he adds
that "in exploiting the process in
America we shall be in concert with
Raycol-British, who are to buy the
American rights for exploitation."
A.F.-B.D.F.Merger to Help
British Films in Australia
Sydney, N. S. W. — The movement
to give British talking films a more
secure place in Australia has e-^in^d
added strength with the absorotion
of British and Dominions Films by
Greater Australasian Films. The
former will retain its identity. John
C. Jones signed the merger agree-
ment for Greater Australasian, while
British and Dominion was repre-
sented by Ernest TurnbuU, accord-
ing to whom "the deal gives to the
English producers a vastly strength-
ened distributing system in Austra-
lia." The Australian company will
act as the distributing agent.
Auckland's 270,000 Seats
for 205,000 Population
Auckland, N. Z. — For its size this
city is more than well supplied with
picture theaters. There are 270,000
seats available weekly for a popula-
tion of 205.000.
Corophone Reported Success
London — Corophone, a new low-
priced disc and film reproducer re-
cently placed on the market by Coro-
lectric, Ltd., is reported to be meet-
ing with considerable success.
Forms Tauber Tonefilm Co.
Berhn — Richard Tauber, the Ger-
man singer, has organized the Tau-
ber Tonefilm Co. He plans to star
himself in five talking films to be
made during the next two years.
Nalpas Producing Talkers
Paris — Louis Nalpas is producing a
talking-singing short, as yet unnamed,
in French, English, German and
Spanish.
Hugon at Francoeur Studio
Paris — Andre Hugon is producing
La Tendresse for Pathe-Nathan at
the rue Francoeur studios.
Richmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAN. Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigi representa
lives for Rayart Pi;tures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address : RICHPICSOC, Paris
Cable Address: DEEJ.^Y, London
Cable Address: RICH PIC. N. Y.
Exporting only the
best In Motion Pictures
DAILV
Sunday, February 23, 1930
Dennis King in
"The Vagabond King"
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 44 mins.
ARTISTICALLY MADE ALL-
COLOR OPERETTA GENER-
ALLY SLOW IN TEMPO.
OUGHT TO GO BEST AS FIRST
RUN ENTERTAINMENT. MU-
SIC MOSTLY PLEASANT.
Based on the Ziegfeld production
in which King starred. It has been
extravagantly and artistically pro-
duced and much resembles a Roxy
pageant. King fills the bill as the
vagabond who becomes a king for
seven days, with death as the antici-
pated finale. He is most stirring
in his vocal work on "Song of the
Vagabonds." O. P. Heggie, playing
the king, gives him a run for first
honors and Jeanette MacDonald is
charming. The story, typically oper-
etta in character, lacks punch. It
deals with a vagabond-poet who falls
in love with a princess and eventu-
ally reaches the palace when he is
arrested by the king. He is elevated
by the king to grand marshal in
hope of driving ofif the Burgundians,
who are besieging Paris. Leading
his vagabonds the poet defeats the
enemy and is saved from the scaffold.
Cast: Dennis King, Jeanette MacDonald,
O. P. Heggie, Lillian Roth, Warner Oland,
Arthur Stone, Thomas Ricketts and Lawford
Davidson.
Director, Ludwig Berger; Author, Justni
Huntly McCarthy; Adaptor, Herman J.
Mankiewicz; Dialoguer, Herman J. Mankie-
wicz; Editor, Merrill White; Cameramen,
Henry Gerrard, Ray Rennahan.
Direction, satisfactory. Photography, okay.
Eddy
"Hell Harbor"
with Lupe Velez, Jean Hersholt and
John Holland
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., 30 mins.
GENERAL BOX OFFICE AP-
PEAL PICTURE. RUGGED
DRAMA OF THE CARRIBEAN
vVITH LUPE VELEZ. EXCEL-
LENT AND HER SUPPORT
LIKEWISE.
Drama produced and directed by
Henry King for Inspiration. Pro-
duced largely on the Florida shore
this picture has been given a beauti-
ful background. It possesses a well-
acted story, which, although not un-
lamiliar, for the most part holds the
attention. It's he-man stuff some of
the way and a climax that has much
action, plus gunplay. Lupe sings ac-
ceptably. The yarn concerns a
native girl whose father plans to sell
her to a villianous neighbor. \ batch
of valuable pearls causes trouble be-
tween the two men and eventually
the neighbor is killed in a fight over
them. The love interest is partly
supplied by a young trader who in-
tervenes in behalf of the girl and with
whom she finally escapes from the
island.
Cast: Lupe Velez, Jean Hersholt, John
Holland, Gibson Gowland, Al St. John. Harrj
.Mien, Paul E. Burns and George Book .\sta.
Director, Henry King; Author. Rida Jnlin
son Young; Adaptor, Fred He Gres.ic : Dia-
loguer, Clarke Silvernail : Editor, Lloy.i
Nosier; Cameraman, John Fnltnn ami Ma.-V
Stengler; Monitor Man. F.rneM Rnvere.
Direction, fine. Photography, artisfi
Eddii
'Troopers Three"
(All-Talker)
Tiffany Time, 1 hr., 20 mins.
BOX-OFFICE PICTURE OF
LIFE IN CAVALRY PRODUCED
IN THRILLING FASHION AND
GIVEN SOME GOOD WISE-
CRACKS.
"Troopers Three" is designed for
the box-office. It has a familiar
story and a cast that leaves much to
be desired. But it does have that
something that makes for popular
success. Primo, it has much that is
exciting. For this we must thank
Uncle Sam for his kindness in per-
mitting the producers to avail them-
selves of the services of the 11th U.
S. Cavalry. And how those fellows
can ridel In the second place the
film contains enough fun to keep an
audience satisfied. Its comedy,
though at times a little too ribald,
is good for any number of resound-
ing laughs. The story is one of the
bosom friends who join the cavalry
and are made the victims of all man-
ner of practical jokes. In this in-
stance the rookies are tenth-rate vau-
deville performers out of a job.
Cast: Rex Lease, Uorotliy Gulliver, Roscoe
Karns, Slim Summerville, I'om London, )o
seph Girard. Walter Perry.
Director, Norman Taurog; Author, Arthur
Guy Empey ; Adaptor, Jack Natteford ; Dia-
loguer, Jack Natteford; Eiditor, Clarence Kol
ster, Cameramen, Ernest Mil'er and Benjamin
Kline; Monitor Man. Dean T. Dailey.
Direction, good. Photography, guod.
Pelegrine
"Roadhouse Nights"
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 8 mins.
FIRST - RATE ENTERTAIN-
MKwi. LOADS OF COMEDY
AGAINST A ROADHOUSE AND
RUM-RUNNING BACKGROUND,
w 1 1 H CHARLES RUGGLES
SCORING.
In this case the story, which hap-
pens to be a pretty good yarn about
a gang of rum-runners who event-
ually are tracked down by a news-
paper reporter, goes largely unmind-
'd by the audience because of the
steady stream of fun thrt is in-
jected into the action by Charles
Ruggles, who walks off with the in-
dividual honors as the imbibing re-
porter, and by the knockabout com-
edy team of Clayton, Jackson and
Durante. Fred Kohler, as head of
the bootleg outfit, gives a swell per-
formance in a serious vein, which
lends effective contrast to the fun-
making, and Helen Morgan not only
sings in her best form but turns in
a surprisingly good dramatic per-
formance as well. From the tech-
nical standpoint, it's a triple-bow af-
fair for Director Hobart Henley,
Author Ben Hecht and Cameraman
William Steiner.
Cast: Charles Ruggles, Helen Morgan,
Fred Knhler, Lou Clayton. Eddie Jackson,
Jimmy Durante. Fuller Mellish. Jr.. Leo
Donnelly. Tammany YounR, Jnc King.
Director, Hob.nrt Henley; Author, Ben
Htcht : Adaptor. Not listed; Dialoguer. Gar-
rett Fort : Editor. Helene Turner ; Camera-
man. Willi.nni Steiner; Monitor Man. Not
'i-teH.
Direction, tin.-. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
"The Great Divide"
with Dorothy Mackaill, Ian Keith
(All-Talker)
First National Time, 1 hr., 13 min$.
POOR ADAPTATION OF
OUTMODED STAGE PLAY.
ACTORS HANDICAPPED BY
BAD PARTS AND UNIN-
SPIRED DIRECTION.
As a heavy melodrama for stage
audiences of another decade, this
Western filled the bill very nicely.
But it doesn't click in its talk-
er version. Story is about a
Western mine owner who kid-
naps the pleasure-loving daughter of
his late partner, forces her to rough
it with him far from civilization, and
thereby wins her love. Main fault is
in the adaptation, which seems to
have sacrificed ever^ thing in favor
iif trying to modernize the stale ma-
ifiial. Reginald Barker apparently
was unable to work up any enthusi-
nrin in directing the affair. One
means of attempting to bring the
p oduction up to date was by in-
serting a few song numbers, which
aie not bad. Dorothy Mackaill and
Ian Keith do their best as the leads,
but the whole cast is handicapped
l)y the fundamental faults.
Cast: Dorothy Mack.iill. Ian Keith, Lucieii
I.ittlefield, Ben Heiiflricks. Myrna Lny,
I' rank Tang, Creighton Hale, George Fawcett.
Jean Laverty, Claude Gillingwater. Roy
Stewart, James Ford, Jean Lorraine, Gordon
Elliott.
Director, Reginald Barker; Author, Wil-
liam Vaughn Moody; Adaptors. Fred Myton
.-ind Paul Perez : Dialoguers. Fred Mytor
and Paul Perez; Editor, Not listed.
Df.-cction, uneven. Photography, '-•-
Gillette
"Personality"
ivifh Sally Starr. Johnny Arthur
(All-Talker)
Columbia Time, 1 hr., 6 mins.
FIRST RATE COMEDY OF
DOMESTIC LIFE CHOCKFUL
OF LAUGHS, CAPABLY ACTED
AND EFFECTIVELY DONE.
.\ pleasant domestic comedy that
provides some first-rate screen enter-
tainment. It is completel.\- modest,
but it is precisely this that makes it
>uch delicious fim — the kind of fun
that is light and wholesome and
thoroughly engaging. There has
been woven into the film a very sim-
ple love -.tory, yet one that proves
efTective, if at times a little imbe-
lieva))le. Its people are types easy
to recognize and human from every
point of view. The cast is adeciuate,
with a trio of outstanding perform-
inces by Sally .Starr, Jolinn-- .Arthur
iiid Blanche Friderici. .\ young ad-
vertising artist marries on fortv a
week. Through a bluff he succeed c
in landing a job as a super-salesman
and sets up a luxurious home — ^on
credit. .X bad move results in his
losing his job — and the furniture. It
all turns out well in the end.
Cast: Sally Starr, Johnny .-Xrthur. Blanche
Friderici, Frank Hammond. Buck Black. Lee
Kohlmar, John P. Murray, \ivien Oakland,
George Pearce.
Director, Victor Heerman; Adaptor, Not
listed; Author, Not listed; Dialoguer Gladys
Lehman; Editor, David Berg; Cameraman,
Ted Tetzlaflf; Monitor Man, John P. Liva-
dary.
Direction, first rate. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Corinne Griffith in
"Lilies of the Field"
(All-Talker)
First Natio^nal Titne, 58 mins.
FINE ACTING BY STAR AND
SUPPORT, ABLY DIRECTED,
SAVE A RATHER UNSATISFY-
ING SHOW LIFE STORY.
Drama with night club background.
Corinne Griffith, as a shining lily, is
trying to make an honest living after
having divorced on framed-up evid-
ence, her husband also taking their
baby daughter. A rich playboy tries
his best to win the womaiij but she
holds out until, months later, she
run>i across her daughter and the
little girl fails to recognize her
mother. She then stages a wild party,
iiul later word comes of the baby dy-
ing in a hospital. Lacks a decisive
punch because the sympathy and
drama of the situations involving the
baby and mother are not worked up
for their full value. Otherwise the
direction is good, and even as things
stanc' the good work of Miss Grififith,
R;ilph Forbes, May Boley and other
pl.tyers make it an acceptable enter-
tainment.
Cast: Corinne Griffith, Ralph Forbes, Way
Boley, John Loder, Freeman Wood, Patsy
Paige. Eve Southern. Rita Le Roy, Jean
Barry. Bitty Boyd, Virginia Bruce.
Director, .Alexander Korda ; Author, W. J.
Hurlbut, Adaptor. Jolin Goodrich ; Dialoguer,
John Goodrich; Editor, Not listed; Camera-
man, Lee Garmes ; Monitor Man, Not listed
Direction, okay. Photography, good.
Gillette
Bob Steele in
"The Cowboy and the
Outlaw"
(Synchronized)
Bell Time, 48 7ni7is.
RIP-SNORTING WESTERN
WITH SURE-FIRE APPEAL
AND LOADS OF ACTION AND
CARRYING A PUNCH.
Bob Steele is starred in a western
production that has more than plenty
to suit those who go in for this sort
of screen entertainment. Getting into
action from the opening gun, the film
keeps on going at lightning speed
until the end. The interest has no
chance to lag — it's just that kind of a
story. Add to this a little love tale
and a good dash of humor, and you
have a picture that possesses all the
qualities that appeal to the western
fans. This Steele fellow gets the"-"
cheering his villain-chasing act. The
plot revolves around the attempt to
capture the slayer of a ranch owner
killed on his way from the bank. Af-
ter a number of exciting encounters
the slain ranchman's son trails the
murderer by means of a coat button
picked up at the scene of the crime.
The lad knows that if he finds the
coat minus the button the rest will
be easy. How he comes into pos-
session of the garment makes a
thrilling story.
Cast: Bob Steele. Edna Aislin, Bert Os-
born, Thomas G. Lingham, Ciiff Lyons, J.
P. McGowan, Alfred Hewston.
Director, J. P. McGowan ; Author. .Sally
Winters ; Adaptor, Not Listed ; Editor. Not
Listed; Cameraman. Hap Dcpew.
Direction, all right. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
THE
Sunday, February 23, 1930
jg^
DAILY
"Loose Ankles"
7vith Douglas Fairbankft, Jr.,
Loretta Young
(All-Talker)
First National Time, 1 hr., G mins.
CLEVER COMEDY THAT
PROVIDES MANY LAUGHS
AND SHOULD PROVE GOOD
POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.
The Sam Janney play of a season
or two ago has been made into a cork-
ing good fihn comedy. Laugh has
been piled on laugh, and there is no
let-up in the furious pace the film
sets itself from the very opening
scene. It is hard to put your finger
on any dull spot in the production.
The picture has the advantage of a
cast that is good all-around. Louise
Fazenda, Loretta Young and Doug-
las Fairbanks, Jr., do particularly
good work. A debutante, eager to
break into print, engages a young
man to compromise her. Under the
will of an aunt, beneficiaries will bene-
fit only on condition that no scandal
is permitted to enter the family. Na-
turally the young girl's activities hor-
rify her relatives. But the girl and
boy fall in love and everything ends
all right. The theme is a bold one,
and the film often comes perilously
close to the vulgar, but it manages to
recover itself just in time. This is the
late Ted Wilde's last production.
Cast: Loretta Young, Douglas Fairbanks,
Jr., Louise Fazenda, Eddie Nugent. Inez
Courtney, Daphane Pollard, Otis Harlan,
Ethel Wales.
Director. Ted Wilde ; Author, Sam Janney ;
Af'antor, Cene Towne.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
"Chasing Rainbows"
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 36 wins.
AMUSING BACKSTAGE FILM
FAMILIAR IN THEME BUT
WITH ENOUGH FUN TO GIVE
IT BOX-OFFICE RATING. MA-
RIE DRESSLER A WOW.
Another backstage film. This one
follows the pattern set by its pred-
ecessors pretty faithfully. This
time we have the star of a musical
show falling in love with one show
dame after another, finally marrying
one of them only to find that she
is in love with another member of
the company and has become his
wife solely for mercenary reasons.
Then comes the realization that his
faithful little stage partner is Dame
Fortune in disguise. How it ends
is obvious. In spite of this hoary
plot, however, the picture rates well
as amusement. For this we have to
thank Marie Dressier chiefly. The
main honors of the film are hers.
She proves a scream in the role of
an old trooper with whom time has
dealt unkindly. Bessie Love deserves
mention for her playing of the self-
etTacing partner.
Cast: Bessie Love, Charles King, Jack
Benny, George K. Arthur, Polly Moran,
Gwen Lee, Nita Martan, Eddie Phillips,
Marie Dressier, Youcca Troubetzkoy.
Director, Charles F. Riesner ; Author, Bess
Meredyth; Adaptor, Wells Root; Dialoguers,
Charles F. Riesner, Robert Hopkins, Kenyon
Nicholson ; Editor, George Hively ; Camera-
man, Ira Morgan.
Direction fne. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Short Subjects Reviews
SOUND
Harry Langdon in
"The Shrimp"
M-G-M-Roach Time, 20 mins.
Comedy Wow
Harry Langdon with a minimum
of effort manages to make this one
a real laugh-getter. The film is built
around a novel idea. Langdon ap-
pears as a timid young boarder who
is made the butt of the other board-
ers' jokes. He falls into the hand;
of a scientist who has discovered the
secret of transforming meekness intr
combativeness. A slight operatior
turns him into a wildcat, with the
result that he wins domination over
those who have been bullying him.
Decidedly a fine comedy.
"Low Down"
Vitaphone Time, 8 mins.
Just Fair
In this number, billed as "a bird's-
eye view of Harlem," we are treated
to some Negro musical antics that
are not exactly invigorating, though,
it must be admitted, there is some
dancing of the hot variety and a
passable amount of humor Among
the tunes are "Dynamite," "Weary
River," "Georgia Is Always on My
Mind" and "That Thing Called
Love."
Fox
"Niagara Falls"
Time, 7 mins.
Charming Scenic
Never was Niagara Falls shown on
the screen more effectively than in
this Grandeur short. The majesty of
the great cataract is caught in all its
beauty, and there is enough appear-
ance of depth to make the scene un-
usually realistic. A fitting musical
arrangement by Maurice Baron ac-
companies the picture. Will prove a
delightful treat for any audience.
Laurel & Hardy in
"Blotto"
M-G-M-Roach Time, 29 mins.
Plenty of Fun
The Laurel and Hardy team again
puts over a fast one. They have
turned out a piece of comedy that
has laughs galore. In this one they
play two old pals out on a spree.
Laurel is a hen-pecked husband; the
other, a free and convivial fel-
low. The kept-at-home chap gets
himself out of the house by means
of a ruse which fails to deceive his
wife. She follows him and his friend
to a night club and there breaks up
their little "whoopee" party. This
should prove capital entertainment.
"Splashing Through"
Pathe Time, 11 mins.
Water Sports
Grantland Rice again catches the
beauty and finesse of another aquatic
sport — swimming. Animals and their
aquatic prowess is detailed in sev-
eral good shots taken in a glass tank.
A little fun is thrown in by showing
the slippery balancing stunt on a
greased pole.
"The Jade Box"
Universal Time, 30 mins.
Plenty of Chills
Those who must have their serial
will find this one entirely to their
taste. This one is guaranteed to pro-
duce chills up and down your spine,
keep you in agonizing suspense and
send your blood racing through your
seins. The first three chapters re-
late the strange disappearance of the
owner of a jade box of mysterious
ujiport through the treachery of a
friend, who obtains the box for him-
self m order to reap the benefits of
the secret it holds. A phantoni in
black warns that failure to recover
the box will lead to an evil fate.
.\clventure Pictures are the producerb
and Louise Lorrame and Jack Perrin
are the featured players. Synchron-
ized.
'More Sinned Against Than
Usual"
Vitaphone Time, IS mins.
Not So Good
A burlesque of the stock melo-
drama ot the old days. 1 he virtuous
tierome, the mustache-twirling vil-
lain, the sweet-eyed boy friend, the
uioraliy-inaignant father — all these
and otner cnaracters from ttie pages
ot early melodrama are resurrected
111 tungue-in-tne-clieek tashion. The
opportunities lor real humor have
not been fully realized. Rather
teeble amusement.
"A Feline Fighter"
Pathe Time, 15 mins.
first-Rate Entertainment
A wild-cat hunt in ttie interior oi
Florida is made into a corking goou
Grantland Rice Sporthgtit. laKcs on
an exciting pace that helps give it
a rating as nrst-class emeriainment.
The chase carries you through scenes
01 lazy Southern beauty, i he sub-
ject IS introduced by Dave Newell,
the noted sportsman.
Buck and Bubbles in
"Darktown Follies"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Only Mildly Funny
In this one the colored comedy duo
are supplied with mediocre mater'-'l
to work with. Their efforts are
greatly wasted in an attempt to
squeeze a laugh out of a script con-
siderably dry in humor. It is the
story ot two Negroes who, broke and
out of work , break in on a rehearsal
of a colored show, do their stuit for
the manager and get thenisenes
placed. Rather weak amusement.
"Sky Skippers"
Pathe Time, 6 mins.
Aesop Fable
Air-minded animal cartoon shovv-
ing the various beasts and fowl do-
ing their antics in the air. All kinds
of contraptions are used as gliders to
bring out the airy effect. Synchroni-
zation is well done. Fun for every-
one.
"Bulls and Bears"
Educational Time, 16 mins.
Good Stock Market Com,edy
Timely travesty on the stock mar-
ket. Shows how the speculating
fever interferes with regular business
and ends in disaster for the get-rich-
quick boys. Andy Clyde puts over
a good comedy job as the conserva-
tive store partner, who hangs on to
his dough and stays behind while
the other lad plunges into the ticker
tape and achieves short-lived afflu-
ence. Mack Sennett has seen to it
that the comedy is abundant and
well distributed. Daphne Pollard,
Marjorie Beebe, Bud Jamison and
Rosemary Theby are the chief mem-
bers of the cast.
Pathe Review No. 7
Time, 10 mins.
Interesting
Fairly absorbing. Starts off — •'h
views of Tivoli, the suburb of Rome.
These scenes capture all the charm
of the Roman Campagna. Included
are beautiful "shots" of the Villa
d'Este, once the home of Lucrezia
Borgia, the lady of poisonf^"s fani'>.
This number also contains an im-
pressionistic study of machines in
motion. Next Vve are shown a group
of monkeys expressing themselves on
evolution. This is done in humorous
fashion.
"Arabian Daze"
Universal Time, 17 mins.
Fairly Amusing
In this Sporting Youth comedy
there resides just a fair amount of
humor. This time Judy drops into
a doze as she is donning an Arabian
costume in preparation for a masque
party. In a dream she sees herself
as an Arabian dancing girl who is
sold to a sheik, flies from him and
jumps ofif a cliff to escape his ad-
vances. At this point the girl
awakes. The whole thintr is treated
in a spirit of burlesque.
Ruth Breton
Vitaphone Time, 7 mins.
Good For Music Lovers
Ruth Breton, the concert violinist,
plays with good effect several Span-
ish compositions. "Serenade Espag-
nole," "Querida" and "La Gitana"
are the names. She is assisted by
Rodolfo Hoyos, who sings a pleas-
ing baritone. Good for class audi-
ences.
"Caviar"
Educational Time, 10 mins.
Snappy Cartoon
As the first of the Paul Terry-
Toons, done by Paul Terry and
Frank Moser and licensed under the
Bray-Hurd Process, this comedy
cartoon is promising. Russian locale
is used for the lively antics of the
talented mouse, his girl friend and
the various other animal creations.
{Continued on Page 12)
THE
10
-S&^
PAILV
Sunday, Febniary 23, 1930
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
TRUVI8I0N SCREEN GETS
PtlllLYri ENDORSEMENT
Philadelphia — The Truvision fire-
proof glass beaded sound screen,
manufactured by the Truvision Pro-
jection Screen Corp. of New York,
in a recent test here to determine its
non-inflammability, was endorsed by
the local Department of Public Safe-
ty through James O. Mulhern, fire
marshal. The various screens put
out by the company were subjected
to rigid tests as to their resistance
to fire. In addition to the above en-
dorsement the fire-proof sound screen
received the approval of the N. Y.
Board of Fire Underwriters and the
Electrical Research Products, Inc.,
acoustic department.
Price Reduction on Both
Tone-0-Graph Devices
Atlanta — A reduction of $750 has
been made on the larger model film
and disc Tone-O-Graph sound device
being distributed here by L. B. Har-
rell. The dual apparatus, formerly
sold for $3,250, now can be had for
$2,500. The amplification system on
this model has been increased so that
it is now suitable for houses with
seating capacities of 1000. The Baby
Grand model with the dual system,
suitable for houses seating up to 400,
sells for $1,750.
Savini to Distribute
Truvision Sound Screens
Atlanta — N. E. Savini, prominent
in film and equipment circles here,
has secured distribution rights to the
Truvision glass-beaded sound screen
for this territory.
Dividends for Johns-Manville
Regular quarterly dividends of 75
cents per share on the common is
declared by Johns-Manville Corp. In
addition to dividends on the common
payable April 15 t6 holders of record
March 25, $1.75 per share has been
declared on the preferred stock pay-
able April 1 to holders of record
March 11.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiLLoa^HBys
Phone Pcnna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrle
Some Practical Wide Film
Aspects and Recommendations
This is the seco7id instalment of
"Some Practical Aspects of and Rec-
ommendations on Wide Film Stand-
ards," prepared by A. S. Howell and
J. A. Dubray for the Journal of the
Society of Motion Picture Engineers.
This perforation control is tu be prelerred
to the edge control used today .because it will
greatly reduce the possibilities ol even the
sligiuest error in registration. The guiding
oi the him by the perforation faces will per-
mit what we may call a "unit control" for
all machinery used in perforating, photo-
graphing, prmting, splicing, and projecting.
Ihis control will be practically independent
of the shrinkage that the film suffers during
the laboratory processing operations. The
advantages of such control are quite obvious.
We would mention that it would prove in-
valuable in color processes and that in sound
printing and reproducing it would afiord a
more assured control of the possible side mo-
tion of the sound record. A change in film
size would necessarily involve mechanical re-
construction of all motion picture apparatus.
Iherefore, a complete change in the standard
shape of the perforation could be made with-
out extraordinary inconvenience to the in-
dustry.
The sound record is located, for all pro-
posed dimensions, outside of the perforations,
because it may be found advisable in future
times, for economical and mechanical reasons,
to use m the photographic camera negative
hlms of a width narrower than that of the
finished prints — a width sufficient to include
only the picture record to the exclusion of
the additional width of the sound record. This
would be in accordance with the practice of
photographing the sound record independently
and with different apparatus than that used
for photographing the picture record.
The placing of the sound record outside
of the perforations has also the important
effect of reducing to a minimum the distance
between perforations and guide control rails,
thereby providing better support for both
the picture and the sound records.
Up to the time of writing of this paper, it
was quite evident that the sound engineers
engaged in research and development activities
were quite undecided and reluctant about ex-
pressing themselves with regard to the best
arrangement for the sound record. This was
evidently due to the complexities and the large
number of factors involved in the pioblems
which were presented to them for solution.
It seems logical, however, to reach the con-
clusion that a longer sound record per pic-
ture area would permit the recording of higher
frequencies than is possible on the present
standard sound record length. It is also
quite apparent that a wider sound record would
permit an increase in the volume ol sound
during reproduction.
Increases in the length and the width of the
sound record involve, indeed, many problems
and considerations which we hope will be
brought to the attention of this Society. We
may, nevertheless, mention that the advis-
ability of separating the sound record from
the picture record, not only during the process
o^ recording but also during that of reproduc-
ing in order to record higher frequencies than
those which are obtained today, has been
expounded and supported by arguments of
both technical and economical nature.
In considering the changes of dimensions
in the sound record, Bell & Howell engineers
have kept present in their minds the possi-
bility of new developments. The proposed
new dimensions and position of the sound
record ofTer the advantage that such altera-
tions, in either the direction of expansion or
contraction, would require but little, if any,
mechanical modifications in the apparatus con-
structed according to the new proposed
standards.
Since we are at the present time in the
field of (feneralities, it may be appropriate to
survey the problems pertainins; to the photo-
graphic and projection optical systems.
Plwtograplu'c Objective. — The photographic
objective is represented in its simplest ex-
pression, representing a system in which the
two nodal points coincide.
If we consider a lens of 50 mm. focal
length, focused at infinity as the standard,
since such a lens is the most used in actual
practice for an image size of 24 mm. width.
we find that :
A 62.5 mm. (2J4") lens will embrace the
same oDject space w-idth for the image size
of 30.76 mm. width of the "Economic" dimen-
sion.
A 77.2 mm. (3") lens will embrace the
same object space width for the image size of
35.33 mm. width of the "Spectacular."
A 94.1 mm. (3M") lens will embrace the
same object space width for the image size
of 46.31 width of the "Extreme" dimension.
If we now take as a point of departure a
35 mm. lens as the shortest focal length lens
used in actual studio practice, we find that
in order to cover the same object space width
we shall use, for the "Economic" dimension,
a lens of a focal length of approximately 45
mm., one of approximately 55 mm. focal
length for the "Spectacular," and one of
approximately 67 mm. for the "Extreme."
This brings to our attention the fact that
for the same distance from object to camera,
and in order to photograph the same object
space width, the wider area film would re-
quire the use of lenses of longer focal length
than those in use today with the 35 mm.
standard film.
This phase of the question is important
in regard to the depth perspective of the sets
photographed. There is no question in our
minds that the use of lenses of extremely
short focal length, such as 35 mm., introduces
a noticeable and disturbing distortion in the
perspective depth rendition of the average
motion picture set. It is our belief that the
use of, say, a 47 mm. lens, instead of a 35
mm., would tend to add to the beauty and
naturalness of the picture.
It is well known that studio practice re-
quires that all scenes pertaining to one single
sequence of a talking picture be photographed
simultaneously with a battery of cameras,
equipped with lenses of different focal lengths.
This arrangement permits the taking of all
long shots and close-ups with a single setting
of microphones and simultaneously synchron-
izes all the picture records on a single sound
record.
The cameras equipped with the shorter focal
length lenses which are used for the photo
graphing of the "long shots'' are more con
cerned with the width of the object than
with its height. Vice versa, the cameras
equipped with the lenses of longer focal length
and m,se<l for the taking of the close-ups are
more concerned with the height than with the
widtli of the object. In other words, the long
shot cameras photograph the ambient, while
the close-up cameras photograph the per-
formers.
For the long shots, and for reasons pre-
viously expressed, lenses of a focal length
greater than those in use for the 35 mm.
standard will prove more adaptable in the
photographing on larger area films, since they
produce better perspective and a better re-
lation between the size of the figures and the
ambient. On the other hand, it must be
borne in mind that the height of the proposed
wide films is either the same as that of the
standard 35 mm. film or not increased pro-
portionately to the increase of their width.
Therefore, in the photographing of close-ups,
where only the height of the subject is to be
considered, practically to the exclusion of its
width, and where the height is to be deter-
mined only by a sense of pictorial composi-
tion, lenses of the same, or nearly the same,
focal length as those in use with 35 mm. film
will answer the cinematographer's require-
ments.
The practical range of local lengths used
with the standard 35 mm. film varies from
35 mm. to 150 mm. In order to obtain the
same image width in the long shot and the
same composition of figures in resrard to height
in the close-ups, lenses of the following ap
proximate range of focal lengths wil be u'ed
for the larger area images:
47 mm. to 150 mm. for the "Economic";
55 mm. to 190 mm. for the "Spectacular";
70 mm. to 233 mm. for the "Extreme."
The Third instahnent of this ar-
icle will appear in tomorroiv's FILM
DAILY.
GLASS REFLECTORS BEING
SOLD BY HE BROS.
Glass parabolic reflectors, as manu- ^
factured by Alatisse Bros, of New
\'ork, are claimed to be superior to
the metal reflectors formerly used in
floodlight projectors. This, accord-
ing to the company, is true because
the coefficient of reflection of the
glass reflectors is much higher and
the reflecting surface is more durable.
The difference in cost between a per-
manent glass reflector and a metal
reflector, which tarnishes rapidly, will
be more than justified by the saving
in maintenance expense of continu-
ally repainting and repolishing the
metal reflector. All Matisse reflectors
.lave a hole in the apex for the socket
of the incandescent lamp and are
made of crystal glass, uranium glass
or the nev^ gold glass, as desired.
Carrier Washer Systems
For Four Texas Houses
Dallas — Carrier air washer systems
with a Buffalo Silex distributing unit,
both manufactured by the Buffalo ^
Engineering Co., have been contract-
d for by four houses in this territory.
Walter O. Jorgenseii has closed a
.ontract with the Kerrville Amuse-
ment Co.; C. L. Booth, northern
Texas and Oklahoma representative
for' the company closed with the
.Majestic, (Jainesville and B. W. John-
■on closed a deal with Henry Hall of
4all Industries, for the devices in
their Rialto in both Beeville and
Kingsville.
Dallas Office Opened by
Claire for Nu-Aire Corp.
Dalla.s — F. J. Claire, Texas repre-
sentative for the Arctic Nu-Aire
Corp. and the Kooler-Aire Corp., has
opened offices for those organizations
at Harwood St. here.
Hydol Fabrics in New Offices
H^-dol l'"abrics, manufacturers of
drapes and curtains, has removed its (
oflices from 36 East 21st St. to lar-
ger quarters at 135 West 44th St.
M. Joseph is in charge of the new
offices.
FLAME PROOF
IT JUST WOMT BURN
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
NEW KILGEN ORGAN BEING
BIT FORROACH STUDIO
St. Louis — A new pipe organ of
special design is being built here by
the George Kilgen & Son, Inc., for
the Hal Roach studios in Los An-
geles. Many new tonal qualities de-
veloped by the builders and not here-
tofore heard in pipe organs will be
embodied in the new instrument, it
is claimed. Before being shipped to
the studio the organ will be com-
pletely assembled in the Kilgen plant,
tested and dissembled again for ship-
ping. When the organ is installed
at the studio it will be enclosed be-
hind an ornate grille. Another organ
of similar type is also under con-
struction here for the Los Angeles
Broadcasting Company.
Talking Shop on Wide Film
Klein to Handle New Low
Priced Disc Reproducer
Cleveland — A new low-priced disc
reproducer, with pick-ups, amplifier
and speakers, suitable for houses seat-
ing up to 750, and costing $675 less
■installation costs, is announced by A.
E. Klein. Klein claims that prob-
lem of many suburban and small
town exhibitors will now be solved.
Convincing evidence is being
noticed day by day that wide film de-
velopments are gradually coming into
their own. Through connections,
■ ather intimate with General Theater
Kfiuipment, the Fox organization is
attain in an enviable position with its
Grandeur process. Conclusive evi-
dence as to its drawing power is
iemonstrated in the secord-week en-
gagement being accorded "Happy
Days," now current at the Rox\ .
Watch The S.M.P.E.
What the Society of Motion Pic-
ture Engineers is capable of doing
need not be dwelled upon right now,
but its intensive interests in aiding
the industry to battle any so-called
menace of "new developments" will
all be ascertained at the next meeting
of that organization in Washington
on May 5-8. And among the chief
topics up for discussion at that meet-
ing will be the standardization of a
wide film process.
As It Now Stands
It is known that Grandeur uses
a 70 mm film, the Spoor-Berggren a
65 mm film and the present pictures
are projected on the standard 35 mm.
Striking a happy medium between
the lot, of course taking in the ex-
pense of apparatus both as to pro-
jection machine and theater equip-
ment, is now the task of a special
committee appointed by the S.M.P.E.
More Experience Needed
Up to the present, it is hard to be
ompletely convinced that Grandeur
really does give a stereoscopic ef-
fect.* It has been said that third
dimension in motion pictures is as
elusive as perpetual motion, but in
this instancy we at least have a grand
start. There is no doubt that its
perfection will enlarge the scope of
picture entertainment, but will its cost
oe within the reach of the small
shov\'man?
Three Machines at The Roxy
In order to safeguard the proper
projection of Grandeur films at the
Roxy, three such cameras are now
installed in its booth. While each
machine is reported to have cost be-
tween seven and eight thousand dol-
lars, there was no noticeable re-con-
struction as far as the booth was con-
cerned. One thing is sure, printing
and negative costs will increase and
the exhibitor getting a reel of Gran-
deur bv express might have to mort-
gage his house for the charges. Each
reel, it is claimed weighs about 30
nounds.
NEW MORTON ORGAN IS
INSTALLED AT"U"STUDIO
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — A Robert Morton
three-manual organ built in ac-
cordance with suggestions by David
Broekman, Universal musical direc-
tor, has been installed at the Univer-
sal studio here for recording purposes.
The organ console is connected with
pipes by an electric cable with a
range of 200 feet, thus the console
can be moved to any position on big
sound stages. In addition to being
operated by electric magnets and
pneumatic action, the organ has 15
sets or ranks of pipes ranging from
two inches in length, with a diameter
of an eighth of an inch to 16 feet
with a 16 inch diameter.
Expansion Planned by
Lorn ax Synchronizer Co.
Atlanta — An expansion program,
with intentions of covering the entire
southeast, is under way by the Lomax
Synchronizer Co., according to M. V.
Lomax, president and inventor of the
sound-on-disc reproducer. The com-
pany is at present located at 148
'A'hitehall and in addition to its sound
devices, deals in other accessories.
TRIJVISIOK
NATURAL VISION— GLASS BEADED
FIRE-PROOF GRA]K^DEUR SCREEN
<im)^
ROXY THEATRE
Installs the Truvision Fireproof Glass Beaded Sound Screen
FOR OPENING OF
"HAPPY DAYS KRAXDEIJR PICTURES''
A Fireproof Sound Screen Without Any Loss of the Incomparable Qualities Pertaining to the
Truvision Glass Beaded Sound Screen. Brilliance — Depth — Definition — Third
Dimension Illusion
NO DISTORTION — BEST FOR COLOR PICTURES — NO VISIBLE PERFORATION
Easily Washed — Retains Original Brilliance
Approved by Western Electric — Underwriters Laboratory, N. Y. C. — Fire Marshal of Philadelphia
Truvision Glass Beaded Sound Screens Are the Last Word in Sound and Projection
TRUVISION PROJECTION SCREEN CORP
841 TIFFANY ST., BRONX, NEW YORK
TEL. DAYTON 8886-8887
12
z-^EfS
DAILY
Sunday, February 23, 1930
Short Subjects
(Continued from Page 9)
SOUND
Crosby's Corners
Pathe Time, 17 mins.
Ordinary Skit
Rubeville series. Lem Hiskers' son,
who is in the show business, comes
back to the old hick town with a
load of girls, and a party is pulled
in celebration. Routine dances by
the chorines are not so hot and in-
asmuch as there are no Rags this
number just ambles along at a slow
pace. The Rubeville band providei
some snappy music and recording i^
well done.
"The Big Jewel Case"
Educational Time, 15 mins.
Fast Hokum
A lot of hokum about some miss-
ing jewels and the search for them
conducted by a comedy detective, a
cop, a colored servant, and a few
others. Stephen Roberts has stuffed
the story with actiqn and the laughs
are quite frequent. It's a Jack White-
Mermaid production with Eddie
Lambert, Fred Kelsey, Anita Garvin,
Robert Graves and Curtis McHenry.
Pathe Audio Review No. 8
Time, 10 mins.
Here's Beauty for You
A first-class filler of tremendous
interest and extraordinary beauty. It
opens with a study of the gaits of
some of the world's most famous
military units. Next we are shown
Hollywood doing the red hot rhythm
stuff. Last of all come inspirinp
glimpses of the New York skyline
in the purple light of evening. Here
is true poetry of the picture camera.
SILENT
"The Danger Claim"
Universal Time, 18 mins.
Same Old Stuff
This one plods along familiar
ground. Again we have the story of
the prospector who has discovered a
gold mine and attempts made by a
group of dishonest characters to de-
prive him of it. Considering, how-
ever, that this is western stuff, one
can not be too critical of a plot such
as this. While there is not much
that can be called original in it, the
film ought to prove fairly exciting
for the younger customers. This i";
one of the Pioneer Kid series featut-
ing Bobbie Nelson.
Denies United Chain in Deal
Philadelphia — Louis Bcrman, pres-
ident of the United Chain, has denied
reports that there has been any dis-
cussion for the sale of his circuit to
the A. R. Boyd Enterprises, recently
formed chain.
Installs Sound Equipment
Buffalo Lake, Minn. — Sound equip-
ment has been installed at the Buffalo
Lake.
GOV'T APPEALS DECISION
OF CREDIT COMMITTEE
(Continued from Page 1)
the credit committee system does not
violate the Sherman Anti-Trust laws
by committing restraint of trade, was
issued Sept. 26, last, and the decree,
affirniing the opinion, was signed
Dec. 24.
Five Musicals on Way
From United Artists
(Continued from Page 1)
Stuthart, driected by Paul Stein, with
leanette MacDonald, Zasu Pitts,
Joseph A'lacauley and John Garrick.
Rudolf Friml will do the music, and
Howard Emmett Rogers the adapta-
tion and dialogue. This will be an
.A,rthur Hammerstein production.
"Love in a Cottage," an Irving Ber-
lin production, to be an original with
son^s by Berlin.
"Whoopee," adaptation of the stage
lit with Eddie Cantor in his original
role, directed by Thornton Freeland
from William Counselman's adapta-
tion. A Ziegfeld-Goldwyn produc-
tion.
"Queen Kelly." starring Gloria
--wanson, with iiuisical score by
Franz Lehar.
4,000-Seater in Chicago
Being Planned by R-K-0
(Continued from Page 1 )
fcrrctl with Lawrence, Stern & Co.,
financiers, with regard to the pro-
posed theater.
When queried by the FILM
DAILY regarding the proposed Chi-
■niio theater, Kahane Frida\- declined
to comment on the project.
New Chicago Safety Code
Due After April Survey
(Continued from Page \)
charge of the survey, which is pri-
marily for the purpose of determin-
ing fire insurance premiums.
An inspection somewhat alonr the
■i.Miie lines was made recently by
officials of the local safety depart-
ment, and it is expected that they
will continue their efforts against in-
flammable acoustical material after
the underwriters' report is presented
to the city.
Three Outdoor Pictures
Being Prepared by F. N.
(Continued from Page 1)
Clarence Badger will direct with Sid-
ney Blackmer and Lila Lee: "The
Girl of the Golden West" to be di-
t-ected by John Francis Dillon and
"Heart of the North" which Frank
Lloyd will direct. Both the last
mentioned features will be made in
Technicolor.
"Son of Gods" F. N.'s Best Bet
""^on of the Gods" is surpassing
•ill otiier First National pictures in
box-office 'returns, declares the c^"-^-
oany. The film broke the record at
the Main Street, Kansas City, by
more than $2,000, it is asserted.
C Presentations f)
By DON CARLS GILLETTE
BUDDY ROCERS PEPS UP
PARAMOUNTSTAGESHOW
An\body wanting a full explana-
tion for the great popularity of
Charles "Buddy" Rogers and the rea-
son for his sub-title of "America'<^
Boy Friend" can find it this week at
the Paramount. Almost every pre-
liminary mention of his name by
Paul Ash is the signal for an ova-
tion, and when Buddy himself comes
on the stage the house just about
goes wild. Instead of entering from
R. or L., Buddy springs a neat sur-
prise by coming up on Jesse Craw-
ford's organ — and playing the con-
sole, too, as it rises from the pit.
During every minute that he is on
the stage. Buddy radiates personal-
ity, enthusiasm, action, joy of living
and youthfulness unspoiled by quick
fame. He re-enacts the scene from
"Close Harmony" displaying his
versatility with various musical in-
struments, also sings and talks a bit,
and everything he does is so engag-
ing that the audience is in the palm
of his hand all the time. There are
several other especially enjoyable
items on this Jack Partington pres-
entation, labeled "Hollywood on
BroadvY^ay." In addition to the offi-
ciating ceremonies by Paul Ash, a
snappy line of patter is offered by
bull's-eye team of Allen and Can-
field, while Paul Small and Har-
riett Lee, popular radio warblers, do
a delightfully amusing skit in front
of a pair of mikes. Worthy and
Thompson, colored bov;. displav
some fast and fancy footwork, and
the Fred Evans Ensemble provide a
nice eyeful.
Aliens Discover Oil in Alberta
Calgary — Jule and J. J. Allen, who
lave been disposing of their chain of
houses in Canada, are reported to be
withdrawing from the theater field
because of a promising oil discovery
made through their Alberta Oil De-
velopment Co., in which a consider-
able number of exchange managers
and exhibitors have taken blocks of
shares.
Perfects Track Mask
St. Louis, Mo.— W. C. Wiethoff,
projectionist at the O'Fallon Park,
has perfected a Movietone sound
track mask for use on Powers ma-
chines which he plans to put on the
market. He claims that the device
keeps the sound track from showing
on the screen.
Tucker Awards Contract
Liberty, Kan. — Henry Tucker has
awarded the contract for erection of
a new 1,000-seat house here to cost
approximately $60,000.
STAGE SHOW AT CAPITOL
PROVES A KRAZY AEEAIR
"Krazyland," the stage revue cur-
rent at the Capitol, has been given a
setting that is entirely in keeping
with its title. Houses aie pictured
at fantastic angles, and the color ef-
fects are such as a maniac might have
executed. Moving against this back-
ground are a group of comics that be-
have generally in :i manner consistent
v,/ith the spirit in vhich the whole
show has been devised. Most non-
sensical of all is Herman Timberg,
whose clowning provokes a gale of
laughter. His chief feeder is Sammv
Timberg, who ^s billed as master of
ceremonies. Barbara Blair proves
another splendid foil for his comic
antics. This girl manages to be funny
without carrying on in an unman-
nerly fashion. Leon Chalzel and
Oliver Harris round out the program.
Opens Boston Booking Office
Boston — Eddie Urquhart, formerly
connected with the R-K-0 bookine
office here, has opened an agency of
his own at 321 Tremont St., tinder
the name of the Boston Amusement
Co.
German Talker Opens
St. Louis — The Midtown, formerly
the Empress, has reopened here with
"Die Koeiiigsloge," Warner's Ger-
man talker.
Culpepper Managing House
Elizabeth City, N. C— W. T. Cul-
pepper, head of the Carolina Amuse-
ment Corp., has taken personal
charge of the Carolina in this city.
Fourth Nessmith House
Tyron, N. C. — Charles Nessn'-'b
has acquired his fourth house with
the purchase of the Strand here.
Remodel Cartersville House
Cartersville, Ga. — The Grand will
be completely remodeled by H. G.
Manning and J. C. H. Wink, own-
ers of the Manning & Wink chain.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
1
BE \EFIT OF COLOR
without
PE \ALTY OF COST
COLOR is the order of the day. Sono-
chrome brings it without the penalty
of added cost. Sixteen delicate tints
and a warm neutral tone are available
at the same price as ordinary black-
and-white. I'his, plus the fact that it
gives really faithful sound-on-film,
accounts for the success of this series
of Eastman tinted positive films.
EAS IMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
MOVIETONE
F«x
GRANDEUR
F«x
COLOR
7
TOrSi THL
laSIMISTRY
The Cock Eyed World
Sunny Side Up
Happy Days
John McCormack in
Song O' My Heart
Fox Movietone Follies
of 1930
Will Rogers in
So This is London
and More!
iTHE
o/'FlLMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 46
Monday, February 24, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Music Tax Violation by Theaters Almost Wiped Out
SOUND AJDS SHORTS' ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
75 P. C. of Newsreel House Patrons Attend Weekly
Short Subjects
— are big little features
=^By JACK ALICOATE-
WHATEVER ELSE may have hap-
pened through the coining of sound
one fact stands out hke the clock on
the Paramount tower. The short
subject has not only regained its
place in the sun but has added no
little importance to its social status
as a dominant spoke in the wheel of
ilie model 11 sriowman's program, be
his house large or small.
* * *
IT M.AV BE rather conventional to
suggest that variety is the spice of
life but vaudeville has been proving
it since Hector was a kitten. Like
other comparatively small things the
short subject is easy to neglect. The
booking of proper shorts by the mod-
ern showman is as important as his
feature play-dates. Variety on your
program means added safety where
diversified tastes are to be considered.
Short subjects ofTer this variety.
SOMP2 OF the short subjects we
have seen recently were big enough
to save an otherwise mediocre bill
and send the customers out talking
about them. Others were bad. So
bad in fact that they had no more
business in a first run house than a
selling plater in a stake race. As
short subjects are most important
buds in the production bouquet here
also, as we see it, lies the greatest
room for production improvement.
Here is a field as broad as the uni-
verse and as fertile as a celery bed.
Some years ago we remember talk-
ing to Dr. Reisenfeld on the future
of shorts and he gave us enough
original and practical ideas in an
hour to keep an ordinary production
outfit busy for a year. Still day by
dav we see mostly the obvious.
* * ♦
THE SHORT SUBJECT has now
outgrown its talking rompers. It is
a fixture and here to stay. If it is
to hold a position of dominance in
the scheme of things it must grow
up like its big feature brother. Shorts
are most important. Fresh minds and
ideas will make them more so as
time goes on.
Fifty Per Cent, of Patrons
Are Not Regular
Movie Fans
Appro.ximately 75 per cent of the
patrons attending the Embassy, first
txclusive newsreel house to be estab-
lished in the world, are regular week-
ly attendants, Edwin L. Harvey, edi-
tor of Fox Movietone News and the
Embassy programs stated in an inter-
view with THE FILM DAILY.
'"Fiftv per cent of the patrons are not
regular picture theatergoers" said
(Continued on Page 8)
A. il. BLANK FORMING
NEW CIRCUIT IN IOWA
Omaha — Returned to the exhibi-
tion field, .'\. H. Blank is building up
an independent theater chain in Iowa.
He sold his local holdings to Pul)-
lix some time ago.
Four Marx Bros. Again
Signed by Paramount
The Four Marx Bros, have signed
another contract with Paraniounl
calling for their appearance in an-
other talker to be made at the com-
pany's Long Island studio. A vehicle
will be selected when they return
from their current road tour.
Keaton in Spanish
IVest Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Buster Keaton
will be the star of the first
£eatiu"e production to be made
by M-G-M entirely in Spanish.
Edward Sedgwick, who made
the English version of "Free
and Easy," is scheduled to start
on the Spanish version next
week.
THREATENS IMMEDIATE
Newark — Attack of the New Jer-
sey M. P. T. O. on the protection
system will be immediately launched
unless the Federal Government acts
in the matter at once, stated Presi-
dent Joseph Seider yesterday. The
exhibitor organization has refrained
(Continued on Page 8)
Rosenzweig Gets Rugby as
First in New Indie Chain
With the purchase of the Rugby,
Brooklyn, Dave Rosenzweig and as-
sociates, former independent circuit
which sold out to Fox Metropolitan
Playhouses, are back again in the in-
dependent exhibition field as ex-
clusively predicted by TH1-: Fli,.\
(Continued on Page 2)
Practically All Theaters
Obeying Music Regulations
60 A YEAR CAPACITY
AT NEW RKO STUDIOS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — When expansion of
RKO's studio facilities here is com-
pleted, this company will be in a
position to produce 60 features a
.ear, or double last year's schedule.
(Cm/JHMtf PM PoQt 8)
Suits against theaters for using
copyrighted music without paying the
specified annual fee required by the
Society of Composers, Authors and
Publishers, have dwindled down to
almost nothing, indicating that this
once prevalent evil has been just
about wiped out, according to John
Gregg Paine, chairman of the Music
Publishers' Protective Ass'n.
For a long time many theater own-
ers, as well as operators of dance
(Contifimti on Page 8)
More Than 600 Exhibitors
Reply in National
Survey
That sound has added to the en--
tertainment value of short subjects is
the opinion expressed by approxima-
tely 400 exhibitors in a nation-wide
short subject survey of selected the-
aters made by THE FILM DAILY.
More than 600 theater men, repre-
senting every state in the Union, re-
plied to the questionnaire submitted
by this publication. One hundred
and twenty-nine exhibitors expressed
cheniselves as believing that sound
has not made short subjects more
(Continued on Page 8 J
MABEL NORMAi DIES
AFTERJONG ILLNESS
Monrovia, Gal. — Mabel Normand
died at 2:30 a. m. yesterday in the
Pattenger Sanitarium here after a
long illness. Only her secretary,
Julia Benson, and a nurse, were at
her bedside. Miss Normand was born
Nov. 10, 1897 in Quebec. She enter-
ed the films by chance while work-
ing as an artist's model. Her first
work was at the Biograph and Vita-
graph studios. Later she became fa-
mous in Mack Sennett's Keystone
comedies with Charles Chaplin, aim
subsequently appeared as a uoiaw> n
star in serious roles.
Pittsburgh Mayor Shuns
Stand on Blue Statute
Pittsburgh — Alayor Chancb it.
Kline of this city, though unfriendly
lO strict adherence to tiie state blue
laws, has taken no detinite stand in
ihe matter, and there is little hope
(Continued on Page 2)
Bronx Exhibs Producing
Jewish Talkers Series
Two Bronx exhibitors are enter-
ng the independent production field,
making a series of 12 Jewish talking
pictures at one of the New York
I studios. The initial subject, which
I has already been completed, is titled
I {Continuti on Page 2)
THE
:%g^
DAILV
Monday, February 24, 1930
tf FILMDOM ^W^' • "^ULTHE TIME
ViL LI No. 46 Monday, February 24. 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyriKht (1930) by Wid's Fi ms and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Ahcoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May l\, 19 1»,
at the post-office at New York, N. \., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of C.reater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months $:).00; 3
momhs, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all conv
munications to THE FILM UAIL\, 16=0
Broadway, New York, N. 'i . Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: l-i'mday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone (-ranite
6607. London— Ernest \V. Frednian, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St W.
1 Berlin— Karl Woltfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedriehstrasse, 225. Paris-P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Markets Closed Saturday
Due to Saturday being Washing-
ton's Birthday and a national hoh-
day activities on all markets were
suspended. They will be resumed
today.
Stewart Rejoins U. A.
Cinn., O.— E. C. Stewart, formerly
wiih l'. A. here, has rejoined the
Lompany as sales representative.
Set for Warner Drive
1 he Warner sales organization in
the United States and Canada has
been divided into four leagues for
the playdate drive with which the
■.elling force will celebrate Sam E.
.Morris month in May.
The Broadw ay Parade
ONLY one important opening is scheduled for the current week. On Thursday
"The Song of the West" follows "The Son of the Gods" at the Warner. On
the same day "The Love Parade" goes into the Rivoli, where "Condemned" is now
playing.
Picturo Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Love Parade" Paramount Criterion Nov. 19
"Hit the Deck" RKO Globe Jan. M
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan. 28
"Son of the Gods" First National .... Warner Jan. 30
"Street of Chance" Paramount Rialto Jan. 31
"Green Goddess" Warner Winter Garden. . . .Feb. 13
"Puttin' on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb. 14
"Troopers Three" Tiffany Gaiety Feb. 15
Rushing New Salem House
Salem, Mass.— Work on the 2,000-
seat house being erected here for
Publix is going ahead at such a rapid
pace that the theater is expected to
be ready for opening about the mid-
dle of April.
•^♦♦•♦♦v* •♦♦♦♦*>♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦^•;
New York Long Island City g
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ..♦
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.;
^
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
it Chicago Hollywood ♦♦
it .-,, .J- A 6700 Santa Monica ;{
M 1727 Indiana Ave. -BXvi. it
it CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 {[j
it V
Pathe Speeds Eastern
Non-Theatrical Program
I'athf i> .speeding up production oi
non-theatrical tilms being made in
the Hast and is now 16 reels ahead
of the schedule of I'athe-Harvard
productions on Geography of the U.
S., are being made to correlate with
couiscs ill social sciences. First of
ihe 1930 program, "Earth(|uakes,"
which was recently completed in co-
ope, aiion with Harvard's Dept. of
GcOriraphy and Geology, has been
.sliown at the annual convention ol
the IJept. of Superintendence of the
Natl Educational Assn. at Atlantic
City I'eb. 2.1. The picture was made
in silent and sound.
.\ on-theatrical releases for 1929
included nine subjects in human geo-
graphy, eight in physical geography
ami tour reels of "Children of all
i^ands, ' produced by Madeline Bran-
dies and "Current Events from I'athe
Aews" and released periodically
throughout the school year.
Bronx Exhibs Producing
Jewish Talkers Series
(Continued from Page \)
".\ Shoemaker's Romance," with the
.Moscow Art flayers featured and
Sidney Golden directing. Abe LefT,
oi the .\rt and Star, and Moe Ciold-
iian ol the Benneson, are the exhibi-
tors behind the project.
Dismantle Hartford House
Hartford, Conn. — Dismantling is
in progress on the Majestic, which
was under lease to Allen C. Morri-
son and sub-leased to Harry Segal
of the Royal Film Exchange, Bos-
ton.
Seeks Trustee Interest
in Nat'l Theaters Case
I liicago — Unless a higher but is
tilled by 10 a.m. Feb. 2H, the trustee
of the bankrupt National 1 heaters
1 orp. has been authorized to accept
'he bid of F. L. Lanham in the sum
of $5,500 for all of his right, title and
interest as trustee and the right, title
and interest of the National Theaters
in a long list of causes of action in
favor of this estate against the Chi-
cago Title & Trust Co., receiver. Ihe
case, known as Guaranty Trust Co.
of .\ew York, et al., trustees, vs. Na-
tional l"heaters Corp., et al., is now
pending before Garfield Charles, re-
feree in bankruptcy.
The Industry's
Date Book
Feb.
Feb.
Mar
Mar
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
May
June
25 Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington, D. C.
26 Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
27 Opening of "Song of the West"
at 'he Warner. N. Y.
5 First Day of Lent.
17 Opening of "ong O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
5-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel. Washington,
D C.
2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Park Lane is Taken Over
by United States Bank
Charlie O'Reilly, president of the
T.O.C.C, has given up the Park
Lane, 89th St. and First Ave., with
the taking over of the house by Bank
of U. .S. Harry Brandt is now op-
erating the house for the bank and
is understood planning to turn it over
to Sol. Brill this week. RKO oper-
ated the house in conjunction with
O'Reilly before being taken over b>
the bank.
Begins Glen Falls Construction
Glen Falls, N. Y. — Construction on
Fred W. Mausert's new theater ad-
joining his State has begun.
2 More in Cleveland Get W. E.
Cleveland — Harry Horwitz has
equipped the Olympia and New
iJroadway with Western Electric
eciuipment.
WANTED
TITLE MAN — An experienced pho-
tographer thoroughly competent to
produce up-to-date animated theater
titles for small title department in
the East. State experience in detail
and salary expected. Reply
Box O c-o Film Daily
1650 Broadway New York City
Rosenzweig Gets Ruby as
First in New Indie Chain
(Continued from Page 1)
D.\ILY Feb. 4. Rosenzweig plans
to build three theaters in Brookhn
for about $1,500,000 besides ac(|uir-
ing other houses. The Rugby will
be remodeled and sound installed be-
fore reopening.
New House for Deering, Me.
Deering, Me. — A new company
known as the Deering Theaters, Inc.,
with a capitalization of $100,000, has
been formed to build a house here,
it is announced by Leon P. Gorman,
former manager of the Main and
State in Portland, who is treasurer
of the new company.
Repairing Mogler House
St. Louis — The Mogler, where
State Senator Joseph Mogler was
murdered last December, is closed for
repairs.
i Crawford Appointed Head
I of Warner Music Dept.
ICf^t Coast Bureau, THE FILM UAiL,
Los Angeles — Robert Crawford ha.-
been appointed executive in cha.ge
of all musical activities at the War-
ner studio here. Crawford recently
arrived from New York where he at
one time headed the firm of De Sylva,
Brown & Henderson.
NATIONAL
SCREEN
SERVICE
lasSILENT
Pittsburgh Mayor Shuns
Stand on Blue Statute
(Continued from Page 1)
thai he will at this time. He has
made it perfectly clear, however, that
utiiers will have to take the initiative <
in any attempt to do away with the
Sunday statute.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE— MARYLAND]
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
I700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
SOUND on FILM
EQtJIPMEXT
Licensed Under Patents of
Dr. Theo. H. Nakkeii
Designed and Engineered by
Paul J. Larsen
Formerly with RCA and RCA-Photophone
PRICES •lOSO to «2830
SOUND ON FILM ONLY
FILM AND DISC
SOLD OUTRIGHT
NO SERVICE CHARGE
MEETS ALL UNDERWRITERS' REQUIREMENTS
CUARANTEEH PATEI^T PROTECTIO^^
SOUND ON FILM
ADAPTABLE TO ANY DISC EQUIPMENT
28 Day Delivery Schedule 28
From Date of Acceptance of Order
Adopted by
"SOUND REPRODUCERS, INCORPORATED"
"PHOTOCOLOR CORPORATION"
"FIDELO SOUND SYSTEMS CO., INC."
"MELOTONE CORPORATION"
Immediate Installations
REX THEATRE - RACINE, WIS.
PHOTOCOLOR STUDIOS - N. Y. C.
VOGUE THEATRE - KENOSHA, WIS.
PHONO-KIXEMA INCORPORATED
729 SEVENTH AVE., NEW YORK CITY
The 1930 FILl
now being distributt
9EI
oypiLMDOH
Contains more v
The Film Year Book published by
The Film Daily is the only book of
its kind published. For the past
twelve years this valuable volume
of information has been published
annually and distributed free of
charge to all paid subscribers to
the FILM DAILY. The 1930 Edi-
tion which is just off the press and
now being distributed is by far the
greatest ever published. It con-
tains everything and anything
anyone might care to know about
the motion picture industry. The
Film Year Book has been accepted
as an authority by all those who
are familiar with the wealth of
information it contains. To be
without this great volume is short
sightedness for everyday there is
occasion to refer to it for informa-
tion.
Film Daily Service
includes
A COMPLETE YEARLY SERVICE AT A
$10.00 SUBSCRIPTION RATE INCLUDES
THE FILM DAILY
Every Day Except Saturdays and Holidsys
THE WEEKLY FILM DIGEST
Every Sunday
News, Reviews of All Features — Short Subjects
Presentations, Sound, Equipment, Eastern Studio Data,
West Coast Productions, Etc.
DIRECTORS' ANNUAL and PRODUCTION GUIDE
Every June — A Great Production Reference Book
SHORT SUBJECTS QUARTERLY
All About Short Subjects
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
Filmdom's Recognized Book uf Reference
1100 pages covering every branch of the industry
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $15.00 PER YEAR
YEAR BOOK
to subscribers to
wmp
ANDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
3le information than any other ever published
The Ten Best Pictures of 1929.
A complete list of Sound Houses in the
U. S. A.
A Showman's Manual full of exploita-
tion hints.
The Foreign Situation thoroughly sur-
veyed.
A complete list of Theater Chains.
The famous Judge Thacher decisions.
What motion picture stocks did during
1929.
The complete personnel of all studios.
A Technical Text Book covering the
industry.
The sound situation comprehensively
covered.
The use of Color and Wide-Film.
12. Complete and accurate production
charts.
13. The work of Directors, Stars, Writers,
etc.
14. Views of leaders of the Industry.
15. A complete buying and accessory guide.
16. Activities of all prominent organiza-
tions.
17. Personnel of all industry organizations.
18. Financial statements of all companies.
19. Short Subjects and Players and
Directors.
20. Activities of Hays organization.
21. Comprehensive lists of all exchanges.
22. Activities of Academy of M. P. A. & S.
23. Covering of all home office personnel.
24. Re-Equipment section by John Eberson.
and hundreds of other valuable interesting facts
Subscribe now
COMPLETE SERVICE
ONLY
$10.00 Per Year
Date
THE FILM DAILY,
1650 B'way, N. Y. C.
Gentlemen :
Herewith my check for $10.00. Please start my
yearly subscription to The Film Daily Service
immediately.
State
THE
■SHH^
DAILV
Monday, February 24, 1930
T/me/y Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Theaters No Longer Dream
Joints, Thanks to Talkers
TT wasn't until the talkies came
in that we were permitted to
learn the true reason for the pop-
ularity of the cinema: It seems
to have been nothing more than
a habit-forming drug which
lulled the jaded intellect to sleep
and caused the addicts (or "fans")
to forget their troubles as they
drifted through the poppy fields
of dreamland. Then came the
rude awakening of sound, bring-
ing the crazed addicts down to
earth and compelling them to
"pay attention" to the screen.
And when they saw and heard
what went on there, they prompt-
ly fled out into the night to seek
(presumably) sotne quieter place
in which to do their napping.
Let it be said to the credit of
the talking pictures that at least
they have shaken millions and
millions of people out of a state
of coma.
Robert E. Sherwood in
"Neiv York Evening Post"
* ^ *
Avers Union of Pantomime
And Sound Will Bring New Art
TT becomes apparent that sound
pictures, as we know them,
partake less of the artistic quali-
ties which characterize silent pic-
tures. All the pantomimic art
which had taken the silent pic-
ture 20 years to develop was cast
aside in the grand rush and en-
thusiasm to achieve the spoken
word. When a co-ordination be-
tween the two media is accom-
plished—that is, when sound and
pantomime are united to create
an impressionistic whole — then
we will have a new art which
will be neither the stage, nor the
silent or talking pictures as we
know them today. It will be a
painting with photographic qual-
ity and yet retaining the impres-
sionistic inspiration of the paint-
ing.
King Vidor
A
_^SVijc
FILM
,n ^r^
FACT
A
DAY
The oldest actor in motion pic-
tures today is William H. Tay-
lor, 101, appearing in "The
Vagabond King.'
1
Along The Rialto
zvith
Phil M. Daily, Jr.
gVERETT MARSHALL, who has clicked like a milhon dol-
lars with Metropolitan Opera audiences for some time, looks
like an RKO find, says Bill Le Baron, now New Yorking. Mar-
shall is an excellent screen type as well as a baritone of high
calibre, according to the Le Baron view Charles Ray's in
town, having closed a vaudeville tour. Now he expects to star
in a new show which will benefit by his singing. Charlie's look-
ing mighty fine, sez we
Frank Wilstack, publicity light of the Hays organization.
is conducting an intensive search for similies, which have to be
good or else A\ Wilkie, who escorts newspaper people
around Paramoimt's Long Island workshop, where he occupies
the head man's pulilicity chair, claims the Astoria-to-Manhattan
coiiinnitation record
Richard Barthelmess is back in town after a jaunt to Hart-
ford, Conn, where he took part in the Psi Upsilon reunion and
initiation exercises at Trinity College, his alma mater
The arrival of John Bernard McAlloon at the home of John
Mc.Alkion, l\Ttlie's assistant general manager, is the reason for
that beaming smile on his genial countenance Things
now arc swell out in Ciarden City, sez John
Joe Goldberg, big sales chief of the Columbia go-getters, is
expected to hit the big city around the middle of this week.
Joe sure co\'ered some ground on this last trip.
Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Mayer have announced the engage-
ment of their daughter Edith to William Goetz, production exe-
cutive for Corinne Griffith pictures. The date of the wedding
has not been definitely determined. William, you know, is a
brother to Harry M. Goetz, assistant treasurer of Paramount,
and Ben Goetz, liead of Consolidated Laboratories.
I'aul Burger, W Lichtman's assistant, expects to leave for
the .South this week on a business and pleasure trip The
tip of? on a New York theater showing Chinese pictures has
brought to our attention the addition of another house to this
category An indie exliib asks us if we can refer him
to someone who has talking Roumanian pictures. Well, that's
an idea for some lively producer
* ♦ » ♦
"NN'hite Cargo,' W. V. Film Co. Ltd. production had its
premiere at the Geo. M. Cohan, N. Y. last Friday night. Capt.
Harold .A.uten is the N. Y. representative for the company here.
FEBRUARY 24--- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congn'atula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Harry D. Buckley Richard Thorpe
Nathaniel Finston
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
^
w
HEN Richard Dix goes on a
trip he generally travels incog-
nito, using his real name, Ernest
Brimmer. One day, in a Chicaeo
hotel lobby, he bumned into a studio
technician from Hollywood.
"Hello, there, Dick!" the technical
boy exclaimed spontaneouslv.
"Sh-h-h! Not so loud," replied
Richard. "I'm here incognito as Er-
nest Brimmer and I don't want to
be discovered. But what are you do-
ing in this town. Bob, you old ras-
cal?"^
^ "Just on a little visit," said the lad.
"And, by the way, better not call me
Bob because I'm incongnito, too,"
"You don't say! What name are
you using?"
"Richard Dix!"
♦ ♦ •
A "plant" in the Paramount audi-
ence, after watching Charles "Bud-
dy" Rogers play a bunch of musical
mstruments, called to Paul .A.sh:
"Say, Paul, could you bring Buddv
Rogers out front for a minute?" hr
asked.
"What for?" Paul wanted to know
"Well, he's so handy with all tho^c
contraptions up there on the statr<
maybe he can help me to start niv
flivver."
// it's true, as Ethel Barrymore
declares, that the picture houses
draw the portion of the audience
that the legitimate theater does not
want, all we have to say is that the
old drammer certainly has got nn
awful lot of unwanted children!
* * •
S.'\LESMAN — How's business'
EXHIBITOR— Terrible.
SALESMAN— Reallv that bad?
EXHIBITOR— Why, it's so bad
that a man fell dead in our balcon\' |
a week ago and wasn't discovered till ^
vcsterdav.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
Reelcraft Pictures Corp. chartered
in Delaware at $5,000,000.
* * *
Hostettlers increase holdings bv
purchasing three in Lincoln, Neb.
* * *
Directors of Associated First Na-
tional convene in New York.
Newark Beacon Corp.
$750,000 house in Newark.
to erect
tut
avwiHiHiMHaMi
Monday, February 24, IQ^r
HRwrn
DAILY
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
"VTERYDA, exponent of interpreta-
tive dancing, who recently played
the Roxy theater, makes her screen
debut in "Barnuin Was Wron^," a
Louis Brock production, directed by
Mark Sandricli at the Ideal studios.
Lewis Warner has returned to the
Eastern Vitaphone studios after a
brief visit with his sister, Doris, who
is attending an exclusive finishinn
school near Washington, D. C.
Helen Broderick and Lester Craw-
ford have earned the reputation of
being the most devoted married
couple to ever appear at the Warner
Viatphone studios. This talented
pair, who recently made a X'itaphone
Variety, have been married for 20
years and still act like honeymooners.
Hobart Henley, director of "Road-
house Nights," no-w playi^ig at the
New York Paramount, has started
rehearsals for "Too Much Luck," his
next picture, in which Maurice Che-
valier will be starred.
Milton Sands, of Warner Bros,
music dept., acquired sudden popular-
ity at the Flatbush studio, with the
arrival of a thirty pound bag of pecan
nuts sent him by a friend in Florida.
- Add Irving Kahal, ace song-writer,
to the list of rabid fight fans tvithin
the industry. Irving never misses
any of the big bouts and claims that
to witness a knockout blow is more
insp'ration than all the birds and
bees in the world.
.Arthur Hurley has just completed
"At Your Service" at the Warner
Vitaphone studios, with William Hal-
ligan featured.
Garrett Foi-t is rapidly earning
the title of "The Edgar Wallace of
the movies," judging by the way in
which he is twi-ning out scripts and
originals that sell. Besides writing
the scripts on Paramount's "Road-
house Nights" and "The Big Pond,"
Fort also collaborated ivith Charles
Beahan in writing "Dangerous Nan
McGrew." Added to this is a play
iv^ritten with Ernest Pascal called
"Lessons in Freyich" and an original
"The Feat of Fools," which Crosby
Gaige will produce next spinng.
Wilkie's Assistant
Wallace West, of Paramount's
publicity staf?, has just been appoint-
ed assistant to Al. Wilkie, publicity
director at the Long Island studios.
Before joining the Paramount or-
ganization, West was connected with
the United Press.
Continental Equips Brooklyn House
The New Windsor, located in
Brooklyn and recently opened by H.
Rachmil has been entirely equipped
with various theater accessories by
Continental Theater Accessories.
Some Practical Wide Film
Aspects and Recommendations
This is the third instalment of
"Some Practical Aspects of and Rec-
ommendations on Wide Film Stand-
ardx," prepared by A. S. Howell and
J. A. Dubray for the Journal of the
Society of Motion Picture Engineers.
..I,- .ih.iut:iKCs (Icined Iroiu lllc use uf a
,...(-. ia..se 111 t(K'al leriBths in photoKiaph
ing the different -scenes pertaining to tlie
ijinc sequence are too obvious to be cnum
erated in detail. We may, however, remark
that the smaller the range of local lengths,
the less noticeable will be the d.rterences m
depth of focus, a characteristic ot p.ioto^
graphic objectives too well known to warrant
Uiscussion in this paper. We may also men
t.un that the constant use of an extremely
large range of focal lengths imposed upon
the cinematographer by the technic of soumi
and picture synchronization has been one ol
the causes which have justihed general se-
vere criticisms on the photographic qual.ty
of talking pictures.
it may prove of interest here to give sonic
consideration to the covering power of the
photographic objectives in use today and lO
consider their adaptability to the proposed
new dimensions.
Although we arc aware of the fact thai op
ticians have been designing lenses for mo-
tion picture photography with a rea.oiiabit
disregard of the aberrations outside of .he
image portion which is limited by the size
of the motion picture camera frame, we also
believe that the adoption of any one of the
three proposed dimensions would involve no
radical change in the present stage of de-
velopment of motion picture photograph. c ob-
jectives.
The above brief exposition of the use ot
photographic objectives for film of a greatet
area than the one used as standard today is,
of course, far from being a complete d.s^ei
tation on the subject. We have merely in-
troduced in this paper this phase of the new
development with consideration to studio prac-
tice as a corollary to this survey of the wide
film situation.
Ftojcction Ftoblt'tns. — The average size of
the screen in large auditoriums is 18 x 24 feet.
This size involves, tor the standard full aper
ture of the 35 mm. film, a 320 times linear
magnification and approximately a 100,000
times magnification in area. The size of the
screen image for this magnification and pro-
posed dimensions would be 18 x 30 ft. for the
'Economic," 22 x 36 ft. for the "Spectacu-
lar," and 27 x 45 ft. for the "Extreme."
We would mention here that the 320 times
linear magnification has been increased ap
proximately 10 per cent, without apparent
loss ofi photographic quality, by a number of
exhibitors who have reduced the height of
the projector aperture in order to maintain
the 3x4 screen dimensional ratio, and have
magnified the 21 mm. width of the sound-on -
film aperture to the 24 foot screen width.
We do believe that this magnification
could be increased still further perhaps up
to 40d times, after appropriate projection op-
tical systems and the light source apparatus
have been developed, without unduly impair-
ing the appearance of the screen image for
the optimum viewing point of the auditorium.
The increase of 25 per cent in magnifica-
tion would bring the screen image to 22.5 x
37.5 ft. for the "Economic," 27.5 x 45 ft.
for the "Spectacular," and 33.75 x 56.25 ft.
for the "Extreme." We shall consider this
magnification as reaching the extreme per-
missible limits which can be attained without
undue loss in image quality, and we shall
rapidly survey the factors involved.
It is our first thought that a screen greater
in width than 37 feet would be quite dis
trading to the intimate character of most
of the scenes which form the average story
telling photoplay.
There is no question in our minds, how
ever, but that some pictures of an exception-
ally spectacular nature would be shown to
better advantage on the 45 foot screen cor-
responding to the "Spectacular" dimension.
This film width, however, involves a picture
height of 27.5 feet, which may be found to
be excessive because of the great effort im-
posed upon the eye by its eagerness to cover
rapidly such a large span in a direction op-
posite to its normal sweep. A reduction in
this height of the image would defeat the 3
to 5 ratio between the image sides and would
give rise to a hybrid shape, in most cases
unpleasant to the eye and diflScult to manage
artistically, as well as mechanically.
We find ourselves also facing other prob-
lems of a more technical nature, which we
shall rapidly survey.
Although a greater screen image, as well
as the diffusing surfaces of the screens used
in the projection of talking motion pictures,
broaden the viewing angle in regard to cor-
rect distribution of illumination, they also
increase the distance of the optimum view-
point from the screen.
Without entering into a long discussioii of
this phase of our survey, we shall mention
that these factors considerably reduce the
number of seats in the front part of the
auditorium from which the screen can be
viewed under acceptable conditions of good
visibility in regard to light distribution of the
screen surface and picture perspective. These
factors assume Serious proportions, especialh
if we take into consideration the great num-
ber of small auditoriums disseminated through-
out the country. Furthermore, the greatei
the increase in size of the film image, the
more complex are the problems involved in
the design of the appropriate optical system
for the projection apparatus.
It is iiuite obyious that a greater film image
area demands a greater condenser magnifica-
tion. Although we believe that the "Eco-
nomic" dimension would permit the use of
existing condensers, we want to suggest that
image sizes greater than this, and especially
those as great or greater than the "Extreme"
d.nieiision, would demand not only a com-
plete redesigning of the condenser system,
Init would e\eii require a greater area of the
cathode spot of the projection carbon lamp
ill order to have the condenser sys.era suffi-
ciently filled by the rays of light emitted by
it. This alteration would necessarily require
the discarding of all carbon lamps and lamp
houses of the projection apparatus in use
today.
The above briefly outlined considerations
seem to confirm the inadvisability of taking
into consideration extremely large film sizes
as well as extremely large screen image areas,
and seem to suggest a reduction in the ac-
cepted image magnification in preference to
its increase for the film image of an area
greater than the "Economic" or the "Spec-
tacular."
The next instalment of this ar-
ticle will appear m a subsequent
issue of THE FILM DAILY.
FILM BOARDS OF TRADE
REPORT THEATER CHANGES
MISSISSIPPI
Changes in Ownership
Fulton — Dixie, sold to B. E. Debow by J. M
Brown; Holly Springs — Rex. sold to W.
H. Tibbetts by Mr. Beebe; Itta Sena-
Dixie, sold to James C. Davis by Mrs. Joe
Paluso; Newton — Lucy, sold to L. M. Rob
inson by Sam Lucy.
Closings
Lula — Lula; Rich — High School.
Changes in Ownership
Bagnell — Bagneli, sold to O. Tucker by O. A.
Boots; Excelsior Springs — Beyer, sold to
Fox-Midw. Theat., inc., by Midwest The-
aters, Inc.; Casino, sold to Fox-Midw.
Thea., Inc., by Midwest Theaters, Inc. ;
Green City — Royal, sold to E. E. Gillespie
by C. A. Jones; Holcomb — Twilight, sold
to F. E. Raspberry by A. A. Conrad;
Jasper^Mainstreet, sold to George Tyree
by Ryder & Earp; Kansas City — American
Central, sold to M. Aguirre by Julian Rojas;
Beaufort, sold to Henry Bockelman by D.
L. Johnson; Benton, sold to Fox-Midw.
Theaters, Inc., by Vista Theater Corp.;
Maywood, sold to Ed. C. Dart by Riiey
Smith; Rockhill, sold to Fox-Midw. The-
aters, Inc., by Midwest Theaters, Inc.;
Twin City, sold to L. A. Peterson by
Hazel Arens; Vista, sold to Fox-Midw.
1 heaters, Inc., by Vista Theaters Corp.;
Waldo, sold to Fox-Midw. Theaters, Inc.,
by Midw. -Waldo Theaters Co. ; Kirksville —
Kennedy, sold to Fox-Midw. Theaters, Inc.,
by Midw. Theaters, Inc. ; Princess, sold to
Fox-Midw. Theat., Inc.; Kirkwood— Kirk-
wood, sold to Theodore Lending by Kirk-
wood Amusement Co. ; Oregon — Martin,
sold to D. M. Martin by J. S. Richardson;
Polo — Rex, sold to Floyd Wilkerson by A.
A. Murphy; Ridgeway — Rex, sold to Wil-
liam Leonard by I. W, Maple; St. Loui»—
.Vewstead, sold to'Rex Theater Corp. by N.
Fiorito; Robin, sold to A. J. Marks by
Thomas Curley and Al. J. Marks; Sheridan
—Royal, sold to E. W. Girling, Sr., by
E. W. Girlitig, Jr. ; Waynesville — Joy, sold
to E. H. and R. Bohannon by E. C.
Hicks.
Closings
Annapolis — Dunn ; Calhoun — Calhoun ; Clarks-
dale — Opal; Downing — Gem, Majestic;
Ethel— Ethel ; Everton — Royal ; Goodman —
Electric ; Hamilton — Auditorium ; Kansas
City — Alamo ; Keythesville — American ;
Minden Mines — Electric ; Morehouse —
Tokio; St. Joseph — Nickel, Olive ; Weableau
— Weableu; Wheaton — Community; Wya-
conda — ^Star.
AH Executives Keep It Handy
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
Bound in Cloth. Weighs 4 lbs., 7 o«.
Stamped in Red and 2% inches thick.
Gold.
• • • A J[\ JCd Ed • • •
to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
THE
DAILY
Monday, February 24, 1930
SOUND BOOSTS SHORTS'
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE
(.Continued from Page 1)
entertaining and boxoffice.
Total of 50 replies said that sound
used in conjunction with shorts has
increased their value 50 per cent and
36 put it as high as 100 per cent.
Thirty-one exhibitors estimated that
sound has helped by 25 per cent.
Additional information of timely
interest gathered in this exhaustive
yiational survey will be printed in
subsequent issues of THE FILM
DAILY.
Music Tax Violation By
Exhibs Nearly Ended
{Continued from Page 1)
halls and other places of amusement
throughout the country, balked at
the idea of paying the composers'
organization a yearly royalty. The
society, by an efficiently conducted
campaign, spotted hundreds of viola-
tors and took leeal action against
them. The cases were easily won.
with the minimum fine being $250
for each violation.
Since the royalty fee is only 10
cents per seat per year, thereby mak-
ing it possible for the average house
to play every piece of copyrighted
music music for much less than $250
a year, theater owners gradually
have been educated to paying the
society's fee, which was instituted a
few years ago as a source of reve-
nue on which composers have had
to depend to a great extent since the
radio upset the music business.
Threaten Immediate
Action on Protection
(Continued from Page 1)
from legal action at the request of the
Government, he said, pending its
own investigation. However, unless
definite action is forthcoming, the
M. P. T. O. will start a test case.
A meeting of the organization takes
place today at the Elks' Club here.
Protection, arbitration and the pro-
posed anti-standees bill will be dis-
cussed.
Sixty A Year Capacity
At New RKO Studios
{Continued from Page 1)
The new RKO studio structure at
Melrose and Govyer streets will be
500 feet long by 150 feet wide and
four stories high, with a floor space
of 75,000 square feet and a concrete
tank 60 feet in length for filming ship
and water scenes.
Sound for Heinola, Minn.
Heinola, Minn. — The Rex has been
wired.
Gets RCA Sound Equipment
Pierre, S. D. — RCA equipment has
been installed at the Bijou.
Reopens with Improvements
Kaukauna, Wis. — The Colonial has
reopened after extensive alteration.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
DERRUNING UP WRITERS
TOR PATHE PRODUCTIONS
Leading writers from stage and
screen are being lined up by E. B.
Derr, vice president. Among the
group signed and now at work on the
company's product are: Josephine
Lovett, Clara Beranger, Clare
Kumnier, Sada Cowan, Russell Med-
craft, Paul Schofield, VV. C. Tuttle
and Lynn Riggs. In addition to this
group others recently added to the
writing staff include Tay Garnett,
Rollo Lloyd, Harold Schwartz and
A. A. Kline.
M-G-M Title Changes
"Caught Short," has been selected
as the final title for the Marie Dres-
sier-Polly Moran vehicle now being
completed at the M-G-M studio under
the former title of "Margin Mugs."
"Sweet Kitty Bellairs" in Color
The Warner Vitaphpne version of
the David Belasco play "Sweet Kitty
Bellairs" will be filmed entirely in
lechnicolor.
Dale Owen in Fox Cast
Catherine Dale Owen has been en-
gaged by Fox for "Born Reckless,"
which John Ford is directing with
tidmund Lowe playing the leading
role.
John Loder in Dove Picture
Joim Loder is an addition to the
cast of First National's "One Night
at Susie's," in which Biilie Dove is
being starred. John Francis Dillon
is directing.
Bertha Mann for "U" Cast
Bertha Mann has been added t-
the cast of "All Quiet on the West-
ern Front," which is in production
at the Universal studio.
Two For Columbia Film
Marie Prevost and Nance O'Neil
are the latest additions to the cast of
"Ladies of Leisure," which Frank R.
Capra will direct for Columbia. Others
in the cast are Barbara Stanwyck,
Ralph Graves and Lowell Sherman.
More For "Madame Satan" Cast
Countess Rine de Liguert, Italian
actress, has been added to the cast of
"Madame Satan," which Cecil B. De
Mille will direct for M-G-M.
Kenton To Direct For Columbia
Erie C. Kenton has been engaged
by Columbia to direct "A Royal Ro-
mance," featuring Pauline Starke and
William Collier, Jr.
F. N. Completes "Sin Flood"
Frank Lloyd has completed direc-
tion of "Sin Flood," First National
production featuring Douglas Fair-
banks, Jr. and Dorothy Revier. .
A Little
from
'Lots'
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
pRED KERR, veteran stage actor,
now working in "Raffles", is
having his first experience with pic-
tures. The first scene in the picture
had just been taken for the first
time. The cameras had been moved
to another angle for the second of
the numerous "takes" necessary.
"That was just fine, Mr. Kerr," said
Director Harry d'Arrast. "Now we
will do it again." "Again?" queried
the actor, stalking off toward his
dressing room. "I've just done it."
* * •
John M. Stahl has returned from
New York, following his first ex-
tended vacation in 14 years.
* * «
Dorothy Yost, formerly with M-
G-M, has jollied the Universal writ-
ing staff and is fnshioning the con-
tinuity for "Sincerity," John Ers-
kine's novel.
* « *
Simile: As commandinR as the
voice of a hat check girl.
« « •
George Amy, who edited "WeHHing
Rings," for First National, is now
editing "Those Who Dance."
* • «
Our Passing Show: George Hill,
Frances Marion. Lester Blankheld,
Eve Unsell and Schuyler Gray at
"Lummox"; Wilson Heller motoring
to UniversaL
« * *
Joseph Jackson is writing the
screen play and dialogue for
"See Naples and Die," based
on Elmer Rice's play. War-
ner Bros, will make a musical
comedy of the play. Jackson
wrote the screen play and dia-
logue for "Three Flights Up,"
in collaboration with Gordon
Rigby.
"Mademoiselle Modiste" Ready
Preparation are under way lor
production on "Mademoiselle Mod-
iste" at the First National studio
under the direction of William S.
Seiter. Bernice Claire and Walter
Pidgeon are to be •featured.
F. N. Gives Olive Tell Role
Olive Tell has joined the cast of
"Under Western Skies," soon to go
into production at First National.
OtlicT players are Sidney Blackiner,
Lila Lee, Fred Kohler and Raymond
Hatton. Clarence Badger will direct.
Joe E. Brown Gets Contract
Joe E. Brown has been placed un-
der a two year contract by Warners
for feature roles in Vitaphone pro-
ductions.
Now On Broadway
half;
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "She Couldn't Say No"
Cameo — "Across the World with Mr. aad
Mrs. Martin Johnson"
Capitol — "Chasing Rainbows"
Carnegie — "Hot for Paris," first half; "Seven
Faces," second half
Central — ' 'Disraeli"
Colony — "Party Girl"
Criterion — "Vagabond King"
Earl Carroll — "Puttin' on the Ritz"
Fifth Ave. — "Applause," first half; "Halle-
lujah," second half
Fifty-fifth St.— "Sombras de Gloria"
Film Guild — "Paris Bound," first
"Hell's Heroes," second half
Gaiety — "Troopers Three"
George M. Cohan — "White Cargo"
Globe — "Hit the Deck"
Hippodrome — "Officer O'Briea"
Little Picture House— "Frozen Justice"
Loew's New York — Monday, "The Mighty";
Tuesday, "Cameo Kirby" and "The Okla-
homa Kid"; Wednesday, "Seven Keys to
Baldpate" ; Thursday, "Sunny Side Up";
Friday, "Hello, lister"; Saturday, "The
Woman Racket"; Sunday, "Vengeance"
Paramount — "Roadhouse Nights"
Rialto — "Streets of Chance"
Rivoli — "Condemned"
Roxy — "Happy Days"
Strand — "Lilies of the Field"
Warners — "Son of the duds"
Winter Garden — "Green (ioddess"
75 Per Cent of Newsreel
Patrons Attend Weekly
(Continued from Page 1)
Harvej-, "but have chosen the 'news-
reel' house as their place of enter-
tainment because of the novelty and
news value of its fare."
The success of the Embassy, ac-
cording to Editor Harvey, has not
been built along the lines of other
exhibitors who have claimed to estab-
lished exclusive newsreel houses but
dropped this identity in surrounding
programs of cartoons, comedies etc.
1 he Embassy's programs consist en-
tirely of newsreels, being made up of
Fox Movietone, Hearst Metrotone
issues with from three to nine local '
events added.
When asked what the greatest
problem of the Embassy was, Harvey ,
replied that the crowds for the 584
neater necessitated a larger house.
Weekly receipts are in many in- ;
stances greater than those of some ;
legitimate theaters on and off Broad- '
way, Harvey says. Mrs. Bessie Dove '
is in charge of the house as hostess. '
Another for Western Electric
Gettysburg, S. D. — The Palace has
been given Western Electric equip-
ment by B. C. Hoover.
EXniBrK3R
.1 I'liiLidelplM
of Washiiigtoii
^jOmUTaR.
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
Ihc "Home Town
fjpcii" of 4.()0U the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
jouutals in the in-
dustry — Keeping
everlast ngly at it for
the 12th succe'isive
year.
1007o coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Main Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
ITHE
;Sf^HEWSPAPER
o/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 47
Tuesday, February 25, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Committee of Producers To Investigate Agents
FOX IS WCKERING FORNEWSREEL THEATERS
B. S. Moss Re-enters Field by Re-acquiring Colony
The Mirror
— a column of comment
ABOUT 75 PER CENT of the cus-
tomers who pay their way into the
Embassy, pioneer exclusive newsreel
house, are regulars. An enlightening
piece of information, this, in connec-
tion with the newest major experi-
ment in the exhibition area. Sup-
plement this by the statement that
SO per cent of these patrons are not
dyed-in-wool theatergoers and you
have something on which to exercise
your gray matter. Then you just
naturally draw the conclusion that
the newsreel theater, when spotted
in the right place, has a niche all of
its own. And that the class of trade
it attracts is the old box office pal
type — not the kind that drops in an-
nually, perhaps.
JOE .SEIDER'S exhib forces are
marshalling over in Jersey to lick a
bill which would prohibit a theater
from selling tickets when S R O con-
ditions prevail. Passage of this mea-
sure would certainly mean a lot of
additional woe for the theater opera-
tor and you can be sure that the
Jersey unit is going to train its big
Berthas on the proposed legislation.
It's plenty easier to induce a cus-
tomer to wait for a seat after he's
paid his dough at the box-ofilice than
before — when he's being trampled in
a lobby crowd.
SID GRAUMAN is mulling over
propositions to return to exhibition.
Let's hope he okays one of them. The
industry needs master showmen of
the Grauman calibre. Again, here's
hoping.
Will Take Back Broadway
House Soon From
Universal
With re-acquisition of the Colony
from Universal, B. S. Moss re-enters
the Broadway theater field. It is
understood that he will eventually
line up other houses in Greater New
York.
The Colony will close in July for
alterations which will include its en-
(Continued on Page 5)
WASHINGTON FIRE CHIEF
EXTENDS SAFETY DRIVE
IVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington— Fire Chief George S.
Watson's drive for greater safety in
theaters and other places of amuse-
ment has now been extended to
(Continued on Page 5)
"Forever Yours" to be
Pickford's Next for U. A.
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles ■ — Mary Pickford's
next starring vehicle for United Ar-
tists will be "Forever Yours," which
Benjamin Glazer now is completing
as an original story.
Still Going Up
Film theater grosses have
reached the aggregate sum of
$800,000,000 annually, while
film rentals now stand at ap-
proximately $200,000,000 a
year, according to an economic
survey just completed by Irv-
ing Fisher, professor of eco-
nomics at Yale.
DERR AND FLIi SIGN
NEW PATHE CONTRACTS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — E. B. Derr has signed
a contract to continue for three years
as executive vice-president in charge
of production at Pathe. John C.
Flinn also has signed a two-year
contract to handle the production of
two-reel comedies.
Theater Robber Gets
10- Year Jail Sentence
San Antonio — Ten years in the
penitentiary was the sentence given
S. C. Shipp, found guilty of holding
up the Victor Uptown, community
house.
Agency Conditions on Coast
To Be Probed By Producers
I S. MANHEIMER BURIED
IN MT.EEBANON CEMETERY
Funeral services for E. S. Man-
heimer, president of The Film Ex-
change, Inc., and one of the best
known men in the exporting business,
were held Sunday at the Kasden
Funeral Parlors, Brooklyn, with
burial in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery.
Manheimer died of heart failure Sat-
urday in his office at 729 Seventh
Ave., New York. He was 54 years
old, and had been established in busi-
ness since 1911.
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood^ — A committee of pro-
ducers, consisting of J. J. Murdock,
Carl Laemmle, Jr., Sol Wurtzel, Irv-
ing Thalberg, J. L. Warner and M.
C. Levee, has been formed to conduct
a thorough investigation into the con-
ditions existing among agents repre-
senting actors on the Coast.
The inquiry, which is expected to
deal particularly with rates of com-
mission being exacted from the play-
ers, appears to be somewhat in line
with the recent action of Actors'
Equity Ass'n in placing the New
York legitimate agents under license
and limiting the casting commission
to 5 per cent for 10 weeks.
Newsreels' Popularity Is
Being Tested Out by
Fox Midwesco
Spurred on by the success of the
Embassy Newsreel Theater, N. Y.,
Fox is now taking definite steps to
form a chain of exclusive newsreel
houses throughout the country.
Negotiations are under way for spe-
cially-located houses in Chicago and
Los Angeles. Plans are also under
consideration for establishing similar
theaters in other important cenieis.
Popularity of newsreels is being
tested by Fox Midwesco Circuit
1 which plans to show 30-minute pro-
grams in at least one theater i.i every
community in which the chai i oper-
ates. About 30 houses will be affected
by this policy.
CLEVELANlsiCPEDDLERS
TOBEARR^DONSICHT
Cleveland, O. — Following an order
issued by Safety Director Edwin D.
Barry, song hawkers, who have been
selling sheet music on the downtown
streets will henceforth be arrested on
(Continued on Page 5)
Film Industry in France
Gets $800,000 Tax Cut
Paris — Plans have been completed
for the distribution of the $1,500,000
reduction in the French Amusement
tax. The picture industry will bene-
fit by $800,000 of this total.
$400,000 in Cameras
ll'est Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Technicolor has
more than $400,000 worth of
camera equipment doing duty
here at present. From 30 to 35
of the cameras are in use every
day, and each evening the me-
chanisms must be completely
overhauled and adjusted by a,
crew of experts, since a mis-
take of 1-1, 000th of an inch
might spell disaster the fol-
lowing day.
THE
•e&m
DAILV
Tuesday, February 25, 1930
Vol. LI No. 47 Tuesday. Feb. 25, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: F'lraday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Courdes-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Con'-fm.S'nci.--:: 26/^ 20^8 fV. 'ioO
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23^ 23J4 23/4 100
East. Kodak 207Vi 20254 205 2.400
7i"nx Fm "A" ... 33 31'/^ 32'/i 15.000
Gen. T^ea. Ecu. . 46/s 41/. 427/, 26.900
*Keith AG 30 ....
»Hn nfH 103*4 . ■ • •
Loew's Inc.- •:.... 68J4 67 68 1.400
*do pfd. WW (6!^) WX^
♦do pfd. xw (654) ..•; •••; 85H ..•■
M-G-M pfd 25/2 25 /a 25/. 100
Para. F-L 66J^ 64/. 65^ 1.000
•Pathe Exch ■.• •••• \X\ ' b(u\
,i_ "A" .. 74^ 754 7H 800
R-K-o ■;::.■...: 29U 28/4 28/. 17,100
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*BaI. & Katz 65 ....
♦Columbia Pets • •■.• ^^/J ■••■
Fox Thea. "A" . 7^ 7/ 7/ 1.600
♦Intern. Proj ••■• 2b . ■ • •
Loew do deb. rts. 32 31 31 200
Loew Inc. war .. 9!4 9!4 9/i 200
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 20/» ....
♦Nat. Thea. Sup ^^
♦Univ. Pict 10
NEW YORK BOND MARKET ^
Keith A-0 6s 46. 82 813/ 8154 fO
Loew 6s 41ww ..110 H" I'O V,
do 6s 41 x-war.. 95 94/ 95 3
Paramount 6s 47 . 99^^ 99/ 99J4 60
Par. By. 5/s 51.101 lOO'/S 101 HO
♦Pathe 7s ^3^7^^ . ^.j^. ^.^^ quoTED
if New York Long Island City ft
y 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ..J
J.t BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
I Eastman Films |
I J. E, Brulatour, Inc, g
:.t
Chicago Hollywood J'J
._„, , ,. . 6700 Santa Monica ♦"{
1727 Indiana Ave. g,^^ C'l
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 5^
ARBITRATION TAVORED BY
MAJORITY ON WEST COAST
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAI Li-
San Francisco — Based upon a sur-
vey to determine local reaction of
exhibitors and distributors to Fed-
eral Judge Thacher's decree ruling
compulsory group arbitration illegal,
indications point to the majority fa-
voring the old method of settlement,
according to "Film Trade Topics."
While executives and officers of the
local Film Board of Trade refused
to make any comment, it is gen-
erally agreed that arbitration has been
fair to all in this country, continues
the publication.
Consuls To See Film
Consuls representing major na-
tions will attend a preview of "The
Case of Sergeant Grischa" this after-
noon at RKO.
Whiteman With Columbia
Joe Whitman, former cashier for
Pathe's N. Y. exchange, has joined
Columbia as oiifice manager. Jack
Huber has been promoted to cash-
ier of the Columbia Jjranch.
Shown Talkers for Schools
Atlantic City — The value of talk-
ing pictures in supplementing class-
room instruction was demonstrated
at the opening session of the De-
partment of Superintendence of the
National Education Ass'n convention
here.
Anderson Leaves R-K-O
New Brunswick, N. J. — Andy An-
derson, manager of the State and
representative of the Keith interests,
has severed his connections with
R-K-O. Anderson, it is learned, will
open an office in the National Bank
Bldg. here.
Premiere for "Hunting Tigers"
Herbert Clayton, of Clayton and
Waller, London, has closed a deal
with Talking Picture Epics for Brit-
ish premiere of "Hunting Tigers in
India" at the Palace, London on
Mar. 15.
Funeral Rites for Schneider
David Schneider, treasurer of the
Earl Carroll, New York, who died
in his 38th year Friday after an ap-
pendicitis operation, was buried yes-
terday in Mt. Sinai Cemetery,
Queens, following funeral services at
the Unity Synagogue.
Seeks First-Run Policy
Cleveland — As the new manager i-l
the Uptown, Ben Schwartz is >voi k-
ing out a first-run policy.
Kooler-^^ire
Revolutionizes Air Conditions
Summer and Winter
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
Lloyd Stirs Chinese
Shanghai — Declaring that
Harold Lloyd's "Welcome
Danger" shows them in an un-
favorable light, groups of
Chinese have raised strenuous
objections against the picture
following its presentation here.
A disturbance broke out in one
theater and police now are
keeping an eye on two houses
to prevent further outbreaks.
Aesop Fables Sold for
Spain, France, Portugal
Pathe International Corp. has
closed contracts with Pathe-JNiatan of
I'aris covering the distribution of
-Aesop's sound fables in Spain, France
and Portugal.
Elmer Pearson in N. Y.
Elmer Pearson, formerly general
manager of Pathe, is in New York.
He has been spending some months
at his ranch in the West. Pearson
held various executive posts with
Pathe during his long term of ser-
vice with that organization.
Leo Hagerman Transferred
Pittsburgh — Leo Hagerman has
been transferred from the Prince in
this city to Ambridge, Pa.
Shuberts Engage Holmes
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Ben Holmes, foniT^r
New York stage director, has been
engaged by J. J. Shubert to stage
and direct a new musical play star-
ring Chic Sales. Holmes is en route
to New York by plane.
Van Beuren in New York
Amedee J. Van Beuren, president
of Van Beuren Corp. is scheduled to
arrive in New York today after a
six weeks' trip to the Coast.
Approved Picture List
Ottawa — The Canadian Council on
Child W'elfare has started the pub-
lication of a monthly list of approved
pictures for children, as suggested by
the various censor boards of Canada.
Wallace James Promoted
Milwaukee — W^allacc James, for-
merly manager of the Fox Wausau,
Wausau, has been appointed district
supervisor under the direction of A.
Kvool, city district manager.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
The Industry's
Date Book
Today :
Feb. 26
Feb. 27
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mar. 20
Apr. 1
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
June 2-7
Trade practice conference for manu-
facturers of machine and roll the-
ater tickets at Washington. D. C.
Paramount inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
Opening of "Song of the West"
at the Warner, N. Y.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "ong O' My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel. Washington,
D C.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Honeck at Wausau, Wis.
Wausau, Wis. — Richard Honeck,
formerly manager of the Majestic at
Beloit, has been appointed manaf^f-r
of the Fox Wausau, succeeding Wal-
lace James.
Photocolor's New Offices
The Photocolor Corporation, pro-
ducers of color features, have moved
their offices from 1650 Broadway to
Room 605, 729 Seventh Ave.
Gramp at Beloit, Wis.
Beloit, Wis. — Harry Gramp lias
been appointed manager of the Ma-
jestic.
New Fox House for Los Angeles
IVesT Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Fox West Coast
Theaters will erect a 1,400-seat house
on Pico Blvd.
Wanted Tlieaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolpli Sof ferman
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant
WE BUILD, Buy, LEASE,
OPE RATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
N PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND]
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
FROM THE BOTTOM
OF THE WORLD THIS
SHIP IS BRINGING YOU
A WONDER DRAMA!
PARAMOUXT'S
exclusive and complete
motion picture epic taken
WITH BYRD
to the
SOUTH POLE
inciuding THE ACTUAL AIRPLAXE
FLIGHT OVER THE POLE!
Th is astounding talking and sound feature mv Hi
be released on Rear Admiral B g r d ^ s return!
THE
DAILY
Tuesday, February 25, 1930
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
CTANLEY RAUH, of the Warner
writing stafif, is out for the record
of writing the greatest number of
sketches produced this year. In addi-
tion to no less than six made at the
Eastern Vitaphone studio during the
past month, Rauh also has a sketch
entitled "Peerage," in the Interna-
tional Revue, which opens Tuesday
at the Majestic theater.
Harold Godsoe has acted as as-
sistant to Mark Sandrich in direct-
ing seven pictures since Jan. 1st.
These consisted of one feature and
six two reel comedies including
"Barnum Was Wrong," made dur-
ing the past week at the Ideal stu-
dios.
By an odd coincidence, Leotabelle
T.ane appears in the Paramoimt short,
"Lover's Lane," directed at the Long
Island studios by Jack Partington.
Morton Havel and Barbara Baron-
dess are also in the cast.
Short in Three Languages
Having completed the English ver-
sion of "Taking Ways," a Vitaphone
Variety, directed hv Murray Roth,
Ann Codec and Frank Orth, known
as the International Artists, are pre-
paring to make French and German
versions of the same sketch.
Fegte with Paramount
Ernest Fegte, formerly art direc-
tor at the RCA-Victor Gramercy
studios, has rejoined the Paramount
organization, at the Long Island stu-
dios.
Reed with Paramount
Daniel Reed, formerly with the
Shuberts, is now directing dialop-ue
for "Young Man of Manliattan," at
the Paramount Long Island studios.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Broughton With Sono-Art
as Associate Producer
Cliff Broughton, formerly mana-
ger for Mrs. Wallace Reid and also
for the late Wallace Reid, has joined
Sono Art-World Wide as associate
producer.
Bud Barsky Assumes
New Post at Columbia
Bud Barsky has been appointed to
an executive post with Columbia and
assumes his new duties immediately.
Dove Cast Completed
The cast has been completed for
Billie Dove's next for First National
titled "One Night at Susie's" John
Francis Dillon will direct with the
following cast: Billie Dove, Douglas
Fairbanks. Jr., Helen Ware, Tully
Marshall, and James Crane.
Two Added to "Guilty?"
Columbia has cast Eddie Clayton
and Clarence Mause for important
roles in "Guilty?" for which George
B. Seitz is handling the silent direc-
tion and Ira Harris the dialogue.
Baclanova With Fox
Olga Baclanova will appear in one
of the featured roles in Fox's "Alone
With You," which Sidney Lanfield,
former Fox writer, will direct. Others
in the cast are Arthur Lake, Dixie
Lee, Charles Judels and Johnny
.'\rthurs.
Scott for "Born Reckless"
Randolph Scott has been given a
featured part in "Born Reckless,"
which has gone into production at
Fox Movietone City with John Ford
directing.
All Executives Keep It Handy
More than 1100
pages of valuable
information
Bound in Cloth. Weighs 4 lbs., 7 oz
Stamped in Red and 2^ inches thick.
Gold.
• • • K Jlv Cj Cj • • •
to subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
A Little
from ''Lots''
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
gRADLEY KING, author-scenarist,
who fashioned the screen plays
for "Son of the Gods," "Weary
River" and "Drag," is now writing
the screen version and dialogue for
"Road House," which will be di-
rected by Leo McCarey, for Fox.
* * *
George O'Brien now has
many new boosters in the state
of Washington. While on a re-
cent "location" trip to Mineral,
Wash., a lumber town, George
organized a basketball team
among members of his unit and
his quintet faced a Mineral five.
The game was a benefit affair
for the school children of the
town and brought spectatf^rs
who braved the snow and came
long distances to see the match.
George also made a personal
appearance in Tacoma, which
attracted much favorable at-
tention.
■¥ * i^
Our Passing Show. Jack White,
Benny Rubin, Harry Lichtig, Jack
Benny, Tom Reed, George Landy, J.
Walter Ruben, Felix Yonnn. Wil-
liam K. Howard, Norman Taurog,
Jean Hersholt, Arthur R'rtJcy. Alan
Hale, Sol Solinger, Ben Englander,
Eddie Lambert and Weed Dickinson
at the opening of "The Nut Farm";
Allen McNeil motoring to the United
Artists studio.
Writers Join Paramount
Samuel Spewack, former "New
York World" reporter has iust
signed a long-term contract with
Paramount as a writer. Williarn
Conselman also has joined the com-
pany's writing force and is working
with Vincent Lawrence on t'^" adan-
tation of a forthcoming production.
Tiffany Completes "Sunny Skies"
"Sunnv Skies," featuring Benny
Rubin under the direction of Norman
Taurog, has been completed at the
1 ififanv studios.
Lukas in Carroll Film
Paul Lukas has been engaged by
Paramount to support Nancv Car-
roll in her next starring vehicle. "The
Devil's Holiday," to be directed by
Edmund Goulding.
Alice Day for Chesterfield
Alice Day has been selected for
the leading role in "Hearts in Bond-
age," which Edgar Lewis is direct-
ing as an all talker for Chesterfield.
Lois Moran Gets Lead
Lois Moran has been assigned the
feminine lead in "Solid Gold Article,"
which Chandler Sprague will direct
for Fox.
Newspaper Opinions
"Sally"
First National
Winter Garden, New York
AMERICAN — The incomparable beautv
and charm and erace that is Marilyn Miller
has been successfully transported from stage
to screen in "Sally" » » ♦ The picture it-
self is as gorgeously glittering as any
to reach Broadway. The settings are maa-
nificent, the costumes multi-hued as the colors
of a desert setting sun. It is a rather literal
translation of the stage production. * » *
DAILY NEWS— Discount a story which
simply couldn't have happened except from
a musical-comedy writer's imaginative pen.
and you have a gorgeously Technicolored. en-
tirely eye-filling talkiesingie in "Sally." ♦ * •
HERALD-TRIBUNE _ • ♦ ♦ there are
some eflfective sets, and dancing has never
been quite so successfully captured by the
camera. Yet, despite all these virtues, thf
Btory is so actively boring, the comedy S"
moderate and the pace of the picture s"
lethargic, that the film can only be set down
as considerably less than stimulating entei
tainment.
TIMES — It is without a doubt the mo-t
beautiful picture that has come to the
screen, and so far as Miss Miller is con
cerned one never wearies of her nimlilr
dancing or her pleasing singing. It is tlir
type of picture that causes one to regret
having to leave even a minute before it is
finished.
WORLD — There is nothing in "Sally'
warranting any great bursts of enthusiasnr
oi the part of cinema lovers, but the per
Srasively charming Miss Miller it does have
And a film needs no more than that to be
ccommended by this reporter.
Five More for Filmfone
Salt Lake City — Five more houses
have been equipped with Filmfone
device made by the National Film-
fone Corp. House receiving installa-
tions are located at Ruth, Nev.;
American Fork, Utah; Panguitch,
I'tah; Louisville, Col. and Arvada,
Col.
From Bakery to Theater
Galesville, Wis. — The bakery
owned by John Hilleque has been
leased by the Galesville Amusement
Co. and will be converted into a pic-
ture house, with Arthur Johnson as
manager.
W. E. at Highmore, S. D.
Highmore, S. D. — The New Grand
has been added to the list of the-
ters wired by Western Electric.
Sound for Washburn, Wis.
Washburn, Wis. — The Rex has
fone sound.
Theater May Get Sound
New London, Wis. — Installation of
sound equipment is planned for the
Aiermac.
Wiring Miller (S. D.) House
Aliller, S. D. — Audrey Fitzgerald
is installing sound equipment at the
Miller.
Wiring Connorsville House
Connorsville, Ind. — Anstad & Pear-
son are having the Lyric wired by
RCA Photophone.
Theater Gets New Owner
Springdale, Pa. — Paul Dattola hai
transferred the Grand to Elmer Dat-
tola.
THE
uesday, February 25, 1930
-s^si
DAILY
IS. RELEASES IN FRANCE
TO 211 LAST YEAR
'ashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Distribution of
iiierican-made films in France de-
lined frcm 313 in 1928 to 211 in 1929,
ccording to figures contained in a
eport to the M. P. Division of the
)ept. of Commerce from George R.
anty, American trade commissioner
1 Paris. Last year 133 releases were
andled by American companies
laintaining their own subsidiaries in
Vance. This compares with 231 for
le previous year, a loss of 98 films,
I'hich resulted from American in-
ctivity during the Franco-American
m quota negotiations. The remain-
ig 78 American films distributed in
ranee during 1929, as compared with
2 during the previous year, were
istributed by independent agencies.
Washington Fire Chief
Extends Safety Zone
{Continued from Page 1)
chools and auditoriums showing
1ms of an educational or other na-
|ure. The chief has ruled that no
ictures may be shown in such places
jnless the seating arrangements com-
|ly with the city regulations, pro-
ibiting chairs that are of the col-
ipsible type and not fireproof.
Although some theater operators
111 the smaller class have protested
iiiat the installation of new fireproof
jcreens, as ordered some time ago,
yould prove a hardship at this time,
|he chief has refused to modify his
diet. Even in cases where the screen
Is directly against the rear brick wall
if the house, and where no lights are
|ised on the stage, the chief insists
jin installation of the fireproof cur-
lain.
^olf & Young Chain
I is Now Wholly Publix
j Publix-Fitzpatrick & McElroy have
icquired the outstanding SO per cent
hterest in the Wolf & Young chain,
jOnsisting of about 10 theaters in
)hio and Indiana.
Forde Stays With Nettlefold
London — Archibald Nettlefold
Productions has defeated efforts to
;et Walter Forde to work in Amer-
ca by renewing his contract at a
;onsiderabIy higher figure.
g
B
of Pliiiadclphia
of ^^"asl^iIlgto^
of Ne
Ijanv
^J}CBIBnbR
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
l he "Home Town
I'apers" of -l.hOO tlie-
adc owners. Tlie
most intensively read
jotiinals in tlie in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
c\ei'lastingly at it for
tiic I2tli successive
year.
100<~p coverage of
a 35''/'o territory!
[MANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
' New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Ha n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Syracuse, N. Y. — Joseph L. Solo-
mon has taken over the Savoy and
after changing the name to the Roxie
the house will be opened March 1.
Western Electric apparatus is being
installed.
Athol, Mass. — Nathan E. and Sam
Goldstein have opened the new Capi-
tol here.
Plainfield, N. J.— J. C. Henry, op-
erator of a theater in Rairton, will
reopen the Cameo here, having taken
over the house. It is now being
renovated.
Stevensville, Mont. — The Ameri-
can is now closed until sound equip-
ment is installed. Manager L. Sut-
ton is also remodeling the house
while installation work is going on.
Prescott, Ariz. — The new house
being built here will be ready short-
ly, states Arthur Riddle.
Madison, Wis. — The Parkway,
owned by Brin has been sold to the
Madison Theater Co.
New York
D. Gorman has acquired the Berg-
en, Tenafly, N. J. Gorman is also
understood planniijg to take over the
Milbourne, Milbourne, from Stanley-
Fabian.
Bratter & Pollack have taken over
the Rockland, Nyack, N. Y. from
Fox in exchange for the Empire,
Rahway, N. J.
M. Greene has assumed control of
the Grand, Newark.
F. Jones, of Gordon Amusements
Co. is now operating the Gates,
Brooklyn, having taken the house
from 852 Gates Ave. Corp. Western
Elfctric apparatus is now being in-
stalled.
Boris & Stern plan to reopen the
Daytona. Tone-O-Graph equipment
is being installed.
R. P. Young is operating the Ad-
vance, Marlboro, N. Y. for the Odd-
fellows Assn. Walter Seenian was
the former operator.
"Freak'* Lobby
Minneapolis — As a means of
jacking up business, which has
been off lately, the Minnesota,
Publix ace house in the
Northwest, has resorted to
lobby acts of a "freak" nature.
Among recent attractions were
a 10-minute basket ball game,
a demonstration by a local
beauty doctor and a miniature
automobile show.
B. S. Moss Re-enters Field
by Re-acquiring Colony
(.Continued from Page 1)
larging to 2,000 seats. It will be
re-named B. S. Moss' Broadway to
perpetuate the name of the old Broad-
way which he formerly owned and
whicli was torn down last year. The
Broadway will be given a musical
comedy policy, opening in the fall.
Moss yesterday said that his plans
for the future are "vague." There is
nothing in the contract under which
he sold his chain of about 25 houses
to RKO two years ago, to prevent
his re-entering the picture theater
field.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
KANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Anthony — Novelty, sold to J. M. Hobbs by
B. Koch; Palace, sold to J. M. Hobbs by
B. Koch; Arkansas City — Burford, sold to
Fox-Midw. Theaters, Inc., by Midw. Bur-
ford Thea. ; Isis, sold to Fox-Midwest The-
aters, Inc., by Midwest Burford Theater;
Rex, sold to Fox-Midwest Theater, Inc., by
Midwest Burford Theaters ; Strand, sold to
Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest
Burford Theaters ; Ashland — Photoplay, sold
to W. F. McDonald by S. G. Ihde; Cot-
tonwood Falls — Odeon, sold to Paul Gish
by Earl Harmon ; Dodge City — Beeson, sold
to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest
l~heaters, Inc.; Cozy, sold to Fox-Midwest
Theaters, Inc., by Midwest Theaters, Inc.;
Crown, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc..
by Midwest Theaters, Inc. ; Dodge, sold to
Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest
Theaters, Inc. ; Einporia — Granada, sold to
Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Strand
Theater Corp. ; Royal, sold to Fox-Midwest
Theaters, Inc., by Strand Theater Corp. ;
Strand, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc.,
by Strand Theater Corp. ; Erie — Doric, sold
to A. W. Pugh by John Travis ; Formoso —
Ooera House, sold to Perry Compton by A.
W. Miller ; Fort Scott — Empress, sold to
Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest
Theaters, Inc. ; Liberty, sold to Fox-
Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest The-
aters, Inc. ; Fredonia — Orpheum, sold to
Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Wyan-
Theaters, Inc. ; Whiteway, sold to Fox
Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest The-
aters, Inc. ; Hays — Strand, sold to Fox-
Midwest" Theaters, Inc., by Midwest The-
aters. Inc. ; Kansas City — Granada, sold to
"Fox-Midwest Theaters. Inlc, by Wyan-
dotte Theater Corp. ; Rosedale. sold to Louis
Paz by T. L. Ricksecker; LcRoy — Kesner,
sold to Mrs. W. M. Kesner by E. M. PfaflE ;
Liberal — Majestic, sold to Fox-Midwest
Theaters, Inc., by Liberal Amusement Co. ;
Tucker, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc.,
by Liberal Amusement Co. : Marjrsvillefc—
Isis, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters. Inc.,
by Turner Bldg. Co.; Liberty, sold to Fox-
Midwest Theaiers, Inc., by Turner Bldg.
Co.; Newton— ^Regent, sold to Fox-Midwest
Theaters, Inc., by O. K. Mason; Star, sold
to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by O. K.
Mason; Nickerson — Gem, sold to E. Duns-
worth by Louis Sponsler ; Ottawa — Web-
ster, sold to Frederick Wayt by Dr. H. R.
Webster; Scandia — Princess, sold to Kan-
nier & Cooper by T. J. West; Sylvan
Grove— Cozy, sold to W. W. Dehler by O.
M. Hurlbut; Topeka— Best, sold to Fox-
Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest
Topeka Theater Co. ; Crystal, sold to Fox-
Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Midwest-Topeka
Theaters Co.; Gem, sold to Fox-Midwest
Theaters, Inc., by Midwest-Topeka Theater
Co. ; Grand, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters.
Inc., by Midwest-Topeka Theater Co. ;
Jayhawk, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters,
Inc., by Midwest-Topeka Theater Co. ; Nov-
elty, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc..
by Midwest-Topeka Theater Co.; Orpheum,
sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by
Midwest-Topeka Theater Co.; Wellington—
Ashland, sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters,
Inc., by Wellington Theater Co. ; Majestic,
sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters. Inc., by
Wellington Theater Co.; Wichita— Miller,
sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by
Consolidated Amuse. Co. ; Orpheum, sold to
Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Consolidat-
ed Amusement Co.; Palace, sold to Fox-
Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Consolidated
Amusement Co. ; Wichita, sold to Fox-
Midwest Theaters, Inc., by Consolidated
Amusement Co. ; Winfield-^Ncw Regent.
sold to Fox-Midwest Theaters, Inc.. by O.
K. Mason; Zimm, sold to Fox-Midwest
Theaters, Inc., by O. K. Mason.
Closings
Bentley — Gilchrist ; Courtland — Community ;
Douglass — Dunagan; Fall River — Fall
River; Hazelton — Community; Highland —
College ; Lewis — Community ; Mulvane —
Lindel ; Neosho Falls — Lyric ; Netavraka —
M. W. A. Hall; Quenemo^Liberty ; Sharon
— Pastime; Sublette — Rex; Tipton — Royal:
Whiting — Whiting.
Cleveland Song Peddlers
to be Arrested on Sight
(Continued from Page 1)
sight and charged with peddling
without a license. Music publishers
have complained that the sale of
sheet music on the streets by rack-
eteers has seriously hurt their busi-
ness.
Fischer Lines Up Eight
Cleveland, O.— Fischer Film Ex-
change has secured a series of six
all-dialogue features from the Big
Four Film Corp. of New York for
distribution in Ohio and Kentucky.
"Would You Believe It?" and "Take
the Heir" synchronized comedy
dramas have also have been secured
by the company.
Para. Bldg. Starts Next Week
Cleveland, O. — With plans set for
larger quarters, construction work on
the new Paramount building on E.
23rd St. will get under way next
week. R-K-O is reported to have
leased the space which Paramount
now occupies.
Newark House Being Wired
Newark — The Treat is in the hands
of RCA Photophone engineers.
FOR LEASE
5,000 Sq. Ft.
film Center Building
Inquire
Cross & Brown Co.
j270 Madison Avenue
New York City
THE
jgE2S
PAILV
Tuesday, February 25, 193C
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
All-Talker "Rotten Trash"
To Russian Film Director
T CONSIDER the so-called 'all
talkie,' the film with conversa-
tion from beginning to end, noth-
ing but rotten trash. The sound
part of the American and German
films is a luxury, an element that
has just happened to be added
to them, but which has nothing
to do with the films themselves.
S. M. Eisenstein,
Russian director
* 1* *
Calls Films Prime Force
In Social Life of the World
'THE cinema is in the forefront
of social life at the present
day. It is the magical instru-
ment of the future, and its last
word will perhaps never be said,
because it has infinite possibili-
ties of development. This for-
midable weapon of conquest,
science and knowledge is one that
can either kill or cure; it may
help form the citizen of tomor-
row or it may have its part in
producing moral and physical
wrecks who will be a burden to
themselves and to society.
International Review of
Educational Cinematography
* * *
Sees Path Cleared for New
Method of Settling Disputes
WTITH the elimination of the
arbitration clause from all
contracts by all distributors as a
result of Judge Thacher's decree
outlawing this practice, the path
is cleared for a more generally
satisfactory method of adjusting
or settling contractual differences.
Other industries have found ar-
bitration a boon in the settlement
of differences between buyer and
seller. Surely there is a work-
able and satisfactory plan that can
be applied to this industry. And,
in our opinion, it is highly impor-
tant to the welfare of this busi-
ness that that plan be not too
long in being discovered.
Ben Shlyen in the
"Weekly Film Review"
During the ordinary show
hours of each day, an average
of 30,000 persons a minute en-
ter picture theaters in» the
United States.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daily, Jr.
I
RVIN SHAPIRO is enjoying tJie sights of London town while
abroad for Unusual Photoplays Larry Lipton, who used
to lure the car builders into the Fox Detroit theater with his
persuasive copy, is now with Fox Metropolitan Theaters. Larry
likes everything here but the beer Terry Terry is about
to leave on another of his periodic trips to Europe
Charles (Buddy) Rogers is scheduled to visit the Paramount
Long Island studios this week. It was there that "Buddy" first
broke into pictures via the Paramount school
Walter C. Benson, wlio has managed houses throughout
New England, has a highly -prized photo of Rudy Vallee who, in
his autograph, recalls that he worked for Benson as an as-
sistant operator at Westbrook, Me., in 1919. Benson is now in
charge of the Strand, Pawtucket, R. I., for Publix Niles
Welcli, former picture star and more recently of legit and
vaudc, is now Hollywooding with tlic Henry Duffy players
Carpenters are cutting a door in the Seventh Ave. side of
the Winter Garden just about the spot where we used to wait
for our chorus goil-frien' when that former horse-exchange
(meaning the theater) housed musicals in the flesh and blood.
Richard Fall, Viennese composer, who recently arrived in New
York, will shortly leave for the Coast where he will write the
music for Beatrice Lillie's Fox Movietone revue, "The London
Parade" In Spain the foreign version of "The Cock- Eyed
World" is goaling 'em, according to latest cable advice to Clay-
ton P. Sheehan, foreign manager Now in Spain, instead
of bull-throwing, its "Sez you? Sez me!"
Martin Johnson animal picture "Across the World With Mr.
and Mrs. Martin Johnson," is being held over at the Cameo
here Al Gould tonight opens his new Orient on 125th
St. and Lenox Ave. Sound picture policy via W. E. will pre-
vail Universal, through Paul Gulick, still maintains that
they originated this party gag for sailor, policeman or fireman
and intend to invite all the Cohen and Kelly persons to see
"Cohens and Kellys in Scotland"- — at appropriate price per each.
Well, maybe they'll have all deaf mutes see "All Quiet
on the Western Front" free?
FEBRUARY 25-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and cong^ratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Helen Jerome Eddy
mL^
John Little
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
^WESTERN railroad system dc
cided to install film entertain
nients in one of its de luxe traini^
Tlie purchasing agent called iin
theater supply house to arrange fo
equipment.
"Do you want to show silent pic
tures," asked the supply man,
pictures with sound."
"Oh, the silent will be all right,
replied the railroad man. "The trail
makes plenty of sound."
Headlines from "The World":
Talkies Stimulate the Stage — Martii
Flavin.
Talkies Supplant the Stage — Johi
Murray Anderson.
Which ought to make everybod
happy.
Since the films didn't learn to tal
Kutil they were more than 30 year
old, they probably won't be wearing
lo7ig pants until they are about 12(
and by the same coynputation the;
have about 500 years to go be for
reaching old age.
Hortensc Schorr asks: "Have yo'
heard Helen Morgan sing 'Why Wa
I Born on a Brunswick Record?"
EXCHANGE MANAGER: WhI
all the gloom? Look at me, I neve
worry.
EXHIBITOR: You would if yc
knew my trouble.
EXCHANGE MANAGER: I'l
bet you a five spot that I wouldn't
EXHIBITOR: You're on. I',
worrying because business is so poc^
that I won't be able to pay what ;
owe you.
EXCHANGE MANAGER: Itj
a frame-up!
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DA^
IN
Chicago theaters threaten to clot
unless operators' union meets de
mands of Allied Amusement Ass'i
* * *
Hart suit, involving $500. 00(
against Thomas H. Ince, under wa^
* * *
Rembusch and Olsen mentioned i
Indiana combine for 50 first rii
houses.
COMPLETE
ACCURATE
AUTHENTIC
RELIABLE
1200 PAGES
1930 Film Daily Year Book
'Now being distributed to all subscribers to
The Film Daily
WABC
New York City
W2XE
New York City
WEAN
Providence, R. I.
WNAC
Boston, Mass.
WCAU
Philadelpliia, Pa.
WCAO
Baltimore, Md.
WMAL
Washington, D. C.
WJAS
Pittsburgh, Pa.
WLBW
Oil City, Pa. (
WFBL
Syracuse, N. Y.
WMAK
Buffalo, N. Y.
WDEL ■■"
Wilmington, Del.
CFRB
Toronto
CKAC
Montreal
WADC
Akron
WIIK
Cleveland
WKRC
Cincinnati
WGHP
Detroit
WOWO
Fort Wayne
WFBM ^
Indianapolis
WBBM
Chicago
KMOX
St. Louis
KOIL
Omaha - Council Bluffs
WISN
Milwaukee
. KMBC
Kansas City
Radio Stations will
broadcast the
theme song of
wcco
Minneapolis - St. Paul
Minneapolis, St. Paul
WIBW
Topeka
WSPD
Toledo
WWNC
Asheville
WSAZ
Huntington, W. Va.
WTAR
Norfolk, W. Va.
Norfolk, Va.
WDBJ
Roanoke, Va.
WBRC
Birmingham
WDOD
Chattanooga
WREC
Memphis
WLAC
Nashville
WDSU
New Orleans, La.
KRLD
Dallas, Tex.
KLRA
Little Rock
KFJF
Oklahoma City
KTSA
San Antonio
KLZ
Denver
KDYL
Salt Lake City
KHJ
Los Anfreles
KFRiC
San Francisco
KXA
Seattle, Wash.
KOIN
Portland, Ore.
KFPY
Spokane
CNRO
Ottowa
Sunday March Ojui
(«S)f[ajesHe Hour )
100 MILLION
fans will hear
the beautiful
melody. . . .
100 MILLION
fans will want
to see the pic-
ture
//
THEME MElOOy
by
ARTHUR J^HMSIDN
ProspeiTvifh Columbia
^^ NEWSPAPER
o/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
70L. LI No. 48
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Price 5 Cents
35 Each Set from Warner Bros, and First National
PLAN CIRCUIT OF SHm SUBJECT THEATERS
Dramatists' Guild Warns Memlbers on Film Rights
Stopt
Short :Mops
along cinema highway
-By JACK ALICOATE-^^^
THE NOVELTY of the talkers
is now history. From here on
Hollywood will have to give the
paying guests the real thing. Sev-
eral bad production habits have
already cropped up. To our way
of thinking the worst is bad faking
or doubling of voices. We have
heard several complaints along this
line lately. In these progressive
days with the folks in Dodge City
as wise as those along Michigan
Boulevard, trying to fool the good
(^Id public is hazardous business.
* * *
AS A MATTER of mathematical
precision as well as an added ex-
hibit to our facts and figures col-
lection it is interesting to note that
the exports of motion picture films
in 1929 set a new record. During
the past year 282,215,480 feet of
celluloid amusement was shipped
across the seas. This exceeds the
previous record of 1919 by about
9.000.000 feet and is a rather en-
gaging answer to the suggestion
that the talkers have ruined our
foreign film trade.
* * *
ARE PHOTOPLAYS valuable
in the teaching of history? De-
cidedly yes. At least according to
tests conducted by a New Haven
Junior High School. The most
striking of these conclusions is
that average children learned as
much with the aid of photoplays
as bright children learned witho .'
them and did so at what would
(Continued on Page 2)
Authors Urged to Obey
Rules in Selling Plays
for Screen
Because of increased activity on
tlie part of film companies in financ-
ing legitimate productions on Broad-
way with a view to making picture
versions later, the Dramatists' Guild
lias warned its members that they
must obey its regulations in selling
the screen rights to their stage plays.
The basic agreement of the Guild
(.Continued on Page 16)
WILL TESTMiO TAX
COPYRIGHHILM INCOME
In a test case affecting the whole
industry, Judge William Bondy of
U. S. District Court has signed an
order requiring the state tax com-
mission to show cause on March 8
why an injunction should not be
issued restraining the commission
(Continued on Page 16)
Producers, Cameramen to
Meet on New Contract
Representatives of producers and
cameramen will hold a meeting in
N. Y. this afternoon at which
time a new working agreement for
the present year will be discussed.
Selecting Test Case
Counsel for the New Jersey
M.P.T.O. is considering about
10 cases involving protection
and will select one for purposes
of a test case. This suit will
be filed within two or three
weeks, stptes President Joseph
Seider.
TICKET HCONDEl
mm PRAcncES
Washington Bu eau of THE FILM DAILY
Washingtc n — Resolutions con-
demning unf lir methods of competi-
tion in the ticket manufacturing field
were adoptedf at a trade practice con-
ference hel|fl yesterday with G. .S.
(Cfntinued on Page 16)
Jay Wltmark Appointed
Gen.'Mgr. of Music Firm
Jay Witmark, vice-president of
Witmark, & Sons, has assumed gen-
eral maiiagement of the firm now
located in the Cunningham Bldg.
1659 Broadway. Witmark was one
of the original founders of the com-
pany that bears his name and here-
tofore has been active in the busi-
ness end of the company.
Harry Warner Leaves for Coast
Today for Production Confab
David Mendoza Leaving
P-F-L to Again Conduct
David Mendoza, musical director
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios, will leave there shortly to as-
sume new duties. It is understood
that Mendoza will conduct a large
orchestra in one of the leading cities
of the country. Before affiliating
himself with Paramount, Mendoza
was, for over nine years, musical di-
rector at the Capitol, New York.
Warner Bros, and First National
will each have 35 features on their
1930-31 reelasing schedules. This
s approximately the same number
if releases on their current programs.
Harry M. Warner leaves New
York today for the Coast to confer
on the Warner product and other
matters. Just what percentage of
the program will be in color will be
determined and also plans in connec-
tion with wide film production. This
will be Warner's first trip to the
Coast in two years. Mrs. Warner
accompanies him.
Educational Plans Thirty
Houses in Nation-
wide Chain
A national chain of houses show-
ing short subjects exclusively will be
formed by Educational. Plans con-
templated at present call for 30 the-
aters.
President Earl Hammons, in dis-
cussing the project with THE FILM
DAILY yesterday, said that the
houses will be "mostly built" and
others will be acquired. The houses
will be located in principal cities
throughout the country. Locations
aer ih)w being selected.
HORNSTEIN IN CHARGE
|0F ALL WARNER BUYINC
Joe Hornstein is understood to
have been appointed general purchas-
ing agent for all Warner Bros, in-
terests. He has been in charge of
maintenance for Warner theaters.
Fox Will Hold Annual
Sales Meeting in May
Annual sales convention of Fox
i^'i[m will be held sometime in May
with executives of the company and
branch managers as well as sales-
men attending. Although no definite
meeting place has yet been decided
ipon, it is likely that either Atlantic
Cit\-, New York or Los Angeles
will be chosen as the city.
Cooling Systems
Unprecedented mildness of
temperature for February
caused several Broadway pic-
ture houses to put their cool-
ing systems into operation the
last few days. The Roxy had
its big ice machine working,
and the Capitol turned on its
air-washing apparatus, while
the Paramount reported that
it was ready to turn on its
cooling system if the warm
spell continued.
—/Xl^
DAILV
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Vol. UNO. 48 Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Fi.ms and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat 23 ....
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 20i/4 20"^ 20'/^ 600
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 2354 23K 23"^ 100
East. Kodak 2UVi 202 211 21,400
Fox Fm. "A" ... 33^ 31^ 32?^ 24,300
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 435^ 41-/2 43 21,900
*Keith AC 30
•do pfd 10314 •■••
Loew's Inc 69}i 66^4 68M 10,600
•do pfd. WW (61/5) 93Mi
•do pfd. xw (6!^) 85'^ ....
•M-G-M pfd 25'/
Para. F-L 66 54 6AV2 66/2 28.000
f>athe Exch i^ i'/f. 3M 1.600
do "A" 7K 7>/i 7/2 90(
R-K-0 29J^ 27->« 28^ 24.600
Univ. PIct. pfd. . . 45 45 45
Warner Bros 62'^ S9Xi (.2 95.300
do pfd 54/2 53/2 54/2 40,'
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal, & Katz 65
'Columbia Pets 29'/
Fox Thea. "A" ... 7^ 75^ 7« 2,50i
•Intern. Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts. . 32 32 32 30:
Loew Inc. war ... 10'/ 9'/ 10''j 2.300
Nat. Scr. Ser. ... 24 24 24 lOn
•Xat. Thea. Sup 25 ...
Univ. Pict 9 9 9 HI!
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 8U4
Loew 6s 41ww ..110!^ 10934 110 yn
do 6s 41 x-war.. 95 95 95 .'^
Paramount 6s 47 . . 99^4 99K 99^ 6
•Par. By. 5'/£ 51 101
Pathe 75 37 46'/i 46 46 7;
"LAST PRICE QUOTED
^♦♦.•♦>*>*,**.*#>*,**,*».**>*,**.**>M*>*.**>*>*>*.**.**.5J.l^^
New York Long Island City J,t
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. J.X
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.t
Eastman Films
J. E, Brolatoiir, Inc.
Chicago Hollywood
nil T„^;,r,, A„<, 6700 Santa Monica
17Z7 Indiana Ave. p. .
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
Short Stops
— along cinema highway
(Continued from Page 1)
amount to a saving of one and a
lialf weeks in a forty-week year.
THE OTHER DAY we acciden-
tally ran into what we consider the
worst form of salesmanship. We
were having a friendly chat with a
small town exhibitor when a film
salesman, representing one of the
first line companies, called. Hop-
ing to get a line on modern film
salesmanship methods we sug-
gested to the exhibitor that he let
the salesman go to work on him.
The result was that the salesman
spent twenty-live out of the next
thirty minutes knocking his com-
petitors and five minutes selling his
own product. Knocking the other
fellows product when he is not
there to defend himself is not only
had sales-sportsmanship and un-
ethical in this day and age but
more often than not creates a de-
cided distaste in the mind of the
buyer for the salesman and what
he represents.
"Vagabond King" Gets Record
After smashing every record held
by the Criterion here in receipts and
attendance during its first four days,
Paramount's "The Vagabond King"
starts its second week with indica-
tions of breaking every previous long
run mark estabhshed by the 35 year
old house, according to the company.
Coast Pays Norman Tribute
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Hollywood celebri-
ties were prominent in paying their
final respects to Mabel Norman, fun-
eral service for who will be held here
Friday. Burial might take place here
or either at Staten Island, N. Y.
Vorgesslich Back at Desk
Joe Vcrgesslich, b'irst National
New York and New Jersey manager,
is back at his desk following an in-
fection in his eves after a cold.
XHARLEY'SflUNT' PLANNED
AS TALKER BY CHRISTIE
litest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAIL)
Los Angeles — "Charley's Aunt"
will be made into a talking picture
this season by Al Christie through an
arrangement with the widow of the
author, Brandon Thomas, and Ideal
Films, Ltd., of London, which holds
a share in the original film rights.
Christie produced the farce silently in
1925 with Syd Chaplin in the leading
role.
Artist Joins Goldwyn Staff
John Harkrider, costume designer
and scenic artist, has left for Holly-
wood to join the Samuel Goldwyn
forces as, artistic director for the
Ziegfeld-Goldwyn production of
"Whoopee," starring Eddie Cantor.
Enlarging Carroll Theater
Plans have been filed for altera-
tion of the Earl Carroll which will
bring the seating capacity up to 2,800.
Hiram S. Brown Returns
Hiram S. Brown, president of
RKO, has returned to New York
after an inspection of the Western
division of theaters and the Radio
.'ictures studio at the Coast.
Morris To Havana
Sam Morris left New York yes-
terday for a two weeks' vacation in
Havana.
Warner Leaves for Coast
Harry M. Warner, accompanied by
Mrs. Warner, is scheduled to leave
for the Coast today. This will be
his first trip to the Coast in two
\ ears.
Lillian Gish Film Renamed
"One Romantic Night" is the title
decided upon by United Artists for
the talker version of Ferenc Mol-
nar's "The Swan" with Lillian Gish
as the star. The picture is com-
pleted.
"U's" St. Patrick Day's Release
Universal will release "Cohens and
Kellys in Scotland," on St. Patrick's
Day, March 17. Heretofore, the com-
pany has released three diflferent
"Cohens and Kellys" films on the
same day in past years.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPO RATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Today:
Feb. 27
Mar. 5
Mar. 17
Mar. 20
Apr. 1
Apr. 5
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
Paramoiuit inaugurates two issues
of Sound News instead of one.
Opening of "Song of the West"
at the Warner, N. Y.
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "ong C My Heart"
in New York. House undetermined
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Second annual banquet and bal!
of the Warner Club. Inc.. at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel. Washington
DC.
International Cinema Congress ai
Brussels.
Warner Club Ball April 5
Second annual banquet and ball oi
the Warner Club, Inc., will be held
■A.pril 5 in the grand ballroom of the
Hotel Commodore. Music for tfit
occasion will be furnished by San
Lannin and his Ipana Troubadors
while a strong lineup of film, stagt
and radio celebrities will provide tht
entertainment program.
"General Crack" for Strand
John Barrymore in "Genera
C;rack," will have its first populaii
priced showing here at the Stranc
on Feb. 28. The picture will opei
-Mar. 7 at tlie Beacon and the Brook
Ivn Strand.
George Weeks Returns
George W. Weeks, executive vi
president of Sono Art-World Wid<
has returned to N. Y. after a months
stay at the Coast.
AD-VANCE-AD
"Your service to us has always
been par-excellence."
JACOBSON AMUSEMENT CO..
LOUISVILLE. KY.
'WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
INCORPORATED
220 WEST421P STREET
NEW YORK
Phone: WlSconiin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES. CEN.MCR.
I
i
THINGS TO TELL
YOUR PUBLIC!
When you play
LAWRENCE TIBBETTinTHE ROGUE SONG
Tell them they get it at popular prices while New York and Los Angeles are
packing in to see this miracle Technicolor musical romance at $2, in its second
month of record-shattering business.
When you play
GRETA GARBO in ANNA CHRISTIE
Tell them that it's her first Talkie and that she's a revelation in Eugene O'Neill's
thrilling love drama. It's setting up new records everywhere, 5th week Los Angeles,
extended runs Frisco, Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas. The season's magnetic hit!
When you play
VILMA BANKY in
A LADY TO LOVE
{By Arrangement with Samuel Goldwyn)
Tell them they've got a tremendous Talkie treat in store. Written by the celebrated
playwright Sidney Howard. Beautiful Vilma Banky achieving new laurels. Edward
G. Robinson in a startling characterization. Previewed on the coast amid sensational
applause.
When you play
RAMON NOVARRO in DEVIL MAY CARE
Tell them it comes direct from its triumphant $2 engagement on Broadway. Hand-
some Ramon Novarro sings five songs in it. (Remember how they loved his "Pagan
Love Song?") He plays a devil-may-care rebel of Napoleon's army who duels with
one hand and makes love with the other!
When you play
Van & SCHENCK mTHEY LEARNED ABOUT WOMEN
Tell them that these celebrated headliners are immense in their first full-length
talkie feature. It's an exciting comedy-drama of the baseball world, with real heart-
throbs, a lot of laughs, thrills of the World Series, and what songs! Box-office!
When you play
JOAN CRAWFORD in MONTANA MOON
Tell them that the "Untamed" beauty is absolutely devastating in this grand out-
of-doors singing Western picture. Your folks are waiting for her. They registered
\-^k fheit approval of beautiful Joan with "Untamed" box-office totals and her new one
^^ is twice as big!
When you Play
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES
Tell them they're always sure ot a happy season of great Talkie entertainment, with
the screen's truly biggest stars in the most consistently excellent shows, features,
comedies, newsreels of all companies. The records prove it. The public knows it !
METRO-GOLDWYN-MA
ELECTRIFYINQ THE AMUSEMENT WORLD !
■■P. RP.OS, PP.F.,PF.NT
ONO of the
with
JOHN BOLES
Wes
VIVIENXE SEGAL
JOE E. BROWN
•
Chorus
of 100 Voices
1^ Crold in Thetn
Thar HUis^'' • .flna
Thorns Crotd in This
•ln$azinff •litraciionl
LJiorld P
remiere
Warnjer Bros. Theatre
Broadway and S^nd &t.
Thursday 9 February 27th
\^mm
m\
"Vitaphone" is the registered trade-mark of The
Vitaphone Corporation designating its products
10«% NATURAL
COLOR IN
TECUNMCOLOR
All the thrills of the
West have been cap-
tured in this melodious
romance of the covered
v/agon days. From the
famous stage success
' Rainbow. By Laurence
Stallings, Oscar Ham-
merstein II and Vincent
You mans. Scenario by
Harvey Thew. Directed
by Ray Enright.
>* VKMIVB !iON« H1T6 ^
"Come Back to Me"
"The One Girl"
"West Wind"
"Hayfoot, Strawfoot"
Here's That Something Different That
Your Audiences Demand /
THE
S^HL
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— € — =
In Talkers Exhibitor Must
Accept the Inevitable, Is View
'THOUGH it may be distres-
sing for individual exhibitors
whose halls are not large to feel
that the talkies are pressing up-
on them like an irresistible force,
and that looming behind them is
the wide film, it is nevertheless
true that these innovations are evi-
dence of the continual increase
and scope of the art of kinema-
tography. The public are de-
manding films upon a greater
scale, and having seen the talk-
ies, they demand talkie films.
But what are we to do? Are
we to say, in effect, that talkies
must not progress; bigger screen
entertainment must not be
thought of? That seems to us
the only logical attitude that can
be taken up if one agrees with
the constant reiteration of and
plaint that the exhibitor has been
forced against his will, and to
his financial disadvantage to ac-
cept these latest developments of
kinematography.
"The Daily Film Renter,"
London
Let New Developments
Find Industry Prepared
npHE industry has already ex-
perienced in the "talkies" the
shock of a great upheaval. But
the "talkie" upheaval does not
represent the last crisis this in-
dustry will pass through. There is
now every reason to look anxi-
ously on the coming of the wide
screen and color, and somewhere
in the future such sweeping in-
novations as television lie in wait
for us. All these things may
mean profit or loss for the in-
dustry and for the individuals en-
gaged in it. The question that
arises is, will the industry meet
these questions prepared or un-
prepared? Obviously, the only
safe thing to do is to prepare
for them.
"To-Day's Cinema," London
Australia ranks second to the
U. S. from the standpoint of
"Movie" attendance. Weekly
admissions average 2,250,000.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daily, Jr.
gLMER PEARSON after many months on his ranch in
Nebraska dropped in to say hello. Wouldn't surprise us if
we saw him back in the fold again ere long.
Police reserves were called into action the other afternoon
when it was announced from the Paramount stage that
"Buddy" Rogers would appear at the stage entrance after the
show. The star was not permitted to appear because of traffic
congestion caused by the many fans, and not wanting to disap-
point his followers, "Buddy" appeared from an upper window in
the building
B. Bernard Thomas is managing director of Loew's new
17Sth Street, which opened last Saturday Bert Adier
expects his boss, Mike Marco, to hit town Friday. Sez Bert:
Fanchon & Marco stage shows are playing in about 50 theaters
in America each week
A. M. Botsford is away on a week's trip in the interests
of Publix Will H. Hays is due back from the Coast
in a few days So is Mrs. Natalia M. Kalmus, who has
been doing a lot of cross-country jaunting in behalf of Techni-
color Dave Schooler returns to the stage of the Capitol
next week in the new revue, "Color Rhythm."
"Army Night" was observed the other eve at the Gaiety,
N. Y., when officers and men from many local army posts were
invited to see Tiffany's "Troopers Three." Warners
"Song of the West" gets under way at the Warner theater to-
morrow night Did you know that "Noah's Ark" now is
playing in the largest theater in Cairo, Egypt?
Richard Fall, accompanied by his wife and daughter, is
scheduled to leave for the Coast Saturday where he will com-
mence work on his first assignment to write the music for a
Beatrice Lillie production for Fox
r[BRUARY 26-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Stanley Sandford
James J. FitzPatrick
AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
expired.
^^HEN is a summer's day in Feb-
ruary not a summer's day?
According to Frank J. Wilstad
It's when your secretary doesn't come
m and you can't take the afternoon
off to play golf.
* * *
Puttin' on the Ritz
FIRST ACTOR— I haven't see
Joe Glare in anything since his cori
tract with Altamount
What's he doing?
SECOND DITTO— He calls
free lancing.
* *
Lew Foster, of Darmour, upon r«
turning to Hollywood from Agu
Caliente, where he went to get son
ideas for a racetrack picture, sez
reports that he saw more than
directors and scenarists down then
on the same mission.
Now, Lew, you certainly don't ex-
pect to get away with that, do you
Might just as well try to tell you
friends that you went to a cottag
to get the makin's for cottage pud
ding. So, come again.
* *
Cameron Lenz and Celia Lloyd, o
Canarsie, hit Times Square yesterda;
in their tin lizzie for a little visitin
preliminary to embarking on a cross
country tour, during which time w
expect to hear from them often. Be
fore pulling freight, Cam made
thorough inspection of the Rox]
while Celia stood in front of the Earl
Carroll and listened to the Harry
Richman records. Half an hour
later Cameron emerged from the
theater all spruced up and smoking
a cigar. "I see you found out that
they have a laundry and clothes pres-
sing department in the Roxy," said
Celia. "Yes, and that isn't all I found
out," replied Cam. "What else?"
Celia asked. "Well, I didn't exactly;
see it done, but I have a hunch that
the Roxy doesn't press only the uni-
forms every day, but also irons out,
all the ushers and doormen to keep
them looking straight the way they)
do."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
A. H. Blank in $1,000,000 theater
deal in Des Moines with Abe Fran-
kel.
* * *
H. B. Wright resigns from North-
west Exhibitors' Circuit.
* * *
Glucksman purchases series of six
Laurence Weber productions^
1R1IST5
piCTUR^
7^
« «
■1 ♦ *
-i- H «^
1
U
ir-
_,j.^»irwiiKBBUJ« ^^
has ENORMOUS Bd9«Offi<f
p\cto»*
"A fine production.
Tuneful, strikingly
staged and well act-
ed. Good entertain,
ment. Songs stand
every chance of a
deserved radio,
phonograph and —
orchestral popular-
ity-" — N.Y.Trlbun. !
t
- on. ,H., '
you .k^... . ^
• point to ,a., b,.
couse you ^,„ ,^
/oy it."
'Harry Richman Film ^^^^^^P
^^^ ^^^Bfc
One the ^^^^H
"As a musical produc-
tion the picture sets a
screen offer- ^^^^^^|
standard which has
the new sea- ^^^^^^M
good ^^^^^^H
not been approached
since sound and color
came to the screen.
movie entertain- ^^^^^^M
Richman puts over i
the Irving Berlin J
^^^^m
melodies with an
— N. T. TvUgraph fl
U excellent voice and ^
Ltj pleasing person- '
n allty. — M. y. Poti ]
MU^CandL
Mi.
\ V
'■mmm m w m m mm.m. mmmm^'^
UNITED ARTISTS PICT^iiE
RICHMAN'S VOICE
MICROPHONE LIKE
»mm t^s
mm
ppeal
// N. Y. EVE.
WORLD
'"""•ton ! **"'•**.
"Alire In Wonderland"
sequence in
Technicolor
//
» * m
'" '-« Choc, ,
"*'"'••"«' on.
Presented by
JOSEPH M. SCHENCK
with
JOAN
BENNETT
James Gleason
Lilyan Tashman
Aileen Pringle
Written and Produced by
JOHN W. CONSIDINE, Jr.
Directed by
EDWARD H. SLOMAN
EVERY
DAY
IS A BIG
BUSINESS
DAY AT
THIS $2.00
SHOWING
INGS VIA THE
i BILLION
!!•
LLARS
NEWS
Mr. Richman records
exclusively for
Brunswick.
The Shovfmanship
values that make
PUTTIN On The RITZ
BIG!
I "Harry Richman is superb. He
gram. "His voice thrills. Rich
Commerce.
emerges a decided success." — Tele-
man is magnificent." — Journal of
O "A glamorous performance by JOAN BENNETT who is so beautiful
that the audience broke into audible spasms every time she walked ^
across the screen." — N. Y. Evening Post.
#"
O "Jimmie Gleason is grand in his wisecracking role and Lilyan ^
Tashman is amusing as the hard boiled trouper."— Journal. V
4^ "Songs, 'With You'— Puttin' on the Ritz'— 'There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie'
— 'Singing a Vagabond Song' stand every chance of a deserved radio, phono-
graph and orchestral popularity." — Tribune.
e " 'PUTTING ON THE RITZ' number brought cheers from the audience."— Journal
of Commerce. "One of the most shrewdly manipulated chorus numbers of
the season." — Tribune. "In the 'Alice in Wonderland' Technicolor sequence the
picture reaches its pictorial high spot and tops anything to date." — Graphic.
BROADWAY'S
GREATEST
$2.00
SHOW
UNITED ARTISTS PICTURE
Joseph M.Schenck. f:rtte^-fr
_ MARRY
RiCNMAH
THE Idol <^ broadwav
JOAM BENNETT
SPECTACUIAB
-""-^ TALKING
^^ SINGING
DANCING
^--^>-p Jil SENSATION
PUtriM ON TUC fUll
James GleasoM-Aileen Prin6le-LilyanTashmari\(/>«W^EwARDHSKWANN«J'5ii
Vednesday, February 26, 1930
—JS&fi^
DAILV
11
On Shorts Policy
Chicago — A "tabloid movie"
has been opened at the Adams,
400-seat house, which has in-
augurated a policy of short
subjects exclusively. The the-
ater, wired by Western Elec-
tric and newly decorated
throughout, is owned by M. O.
Wells, who feels that his new
policy will win out over the
arties. Admission is 15 cents
for adults and 10 cents for
children.
ITURE EXHIBIT UNDER
WAY IN ATLANTIC CITY
Atlantic City, N. J.— The Holly-
NooA Motion Picture Exhibit, which
jroved successful last year here on
he Steel Pier, is again is prepara-
ion with Ed. F. Corcoran co-oner-
iting with major producers. This
exhibit covers every phase of the in-
fiustry.
Some Practical Wide Film
Aspects and Recommendations
This is the fourth instalment of
"Some Practical Aspects of and Rec-
ommendations on Wide Film Stand-
ards," prepared by A. S. Howell and
J. A. Dubray for the Journal of the
Society of Motion Picture Engineers.
C. D. Bell Terminates
Services with Dickinson
Kansas City — Chester D. Bell has
iresigned as general manager of the
(ilen W. Dickinson Theaters, Inc.
here and is en route to Los Angeles.
Bell was with the company in this
Iterritory for the past year. While his
!new affiliations are unknown, it is
'believed he will remain in the theater
field.
Commonwealth Opens Second
Salem, Va. — Commonwealth The-
ater Crop, has opened its second
house here. The new Salem, recent-
jly completed at a cost of $150,000,
jwill give this town sound pictures
while the Grand will continue to
operate its silent policv.
Mayor Closes Chelsea
I Boston, Mass. — Declaring that the
Chelsea had become an immoral en-
jvironment, Mayor John J. Whalen
irevoked the license for the house
land ordered it closed.
To Close Fairbury Central
Fairbury, 111. — The Central here
will close shortly due to poor busi-
Iness. H. E. Stevens is manager of
I the house which is operated by Illi-
nois Theaters Co.
$1,000,000 Ind. House Planned
Indianapolis — Negotiations are un-
derstood to be under way for the
erection of a 4,000-seat theater here
to cost about $1,000,000.
Closes to Install S'-'und
Bilding, Mich. — Manager Frank
Joslin has closed the Empress dur-
ing installation of sound equipment.
I New Delaware Corp.
! Wilmington, Del. — Enterprise
; Amusement Corp. has been formed
here with a capital of $300,000.
Ely (Nev.) House Gets RCA
Ely, Nev. — The Ely is being wired
by RCA.
If this course should be decided upon, we
would indeed obtain better projection m re-
gard to photographic rendition and screen il-
lumination, and at the same time reduce the
problems pertaining to the development of
projection optical systems. We wish, how-
ever, to state that we do not consider these
advantages of sufficient magnitude and im_
portance to warrant the great expenditure of
time and capital which would be necessary
to bring about the mechanical developments
necessitated by the adoption as a standard of
any too great film image area.
In further consideration of the optical sys-
tem of the projector, we may mention that
ince projection lenses are usually of the
Petzval type, and that since the standard
picture area of the ' 35 mm. film is approach-
the limit of its aberrationless covering
power, the adoption of larger image areas would
probably mean a complete departure from
the present practice of projection lens design
nd would demand the development by opti-
ians of projection lenses of the anastigmatic
type.
This apparently inevitable development in
projection optics applies to any image area
greater than the standard area of the 35 mm.
film, but would involve only a minor eco-
nomical consideration, in view of the great-
ness of the present movement in favor of
wider area films.
Mechanical Operations Involved in
the Adoption of New Standards
In the third and last part of this paper
we shall consider more in detail the dimen-
sional characteristics of the three proposed
picture areas. We shall, in so doing, invert
the progression of presentation and consider
the three sizes in the following order, first,^
the 'Extreme." second, the "Spectacular,"
and third, the "Economic."
The proposed height of the picture is 27.79
-n. for the camera aperture and 26 mm.
for the projector aperture. The height of the
camera aperture corresponds to the suiti _ of
the pitch of six perforations less a dividing
space between picture frames 0.71 mm. in
width. The proposed width of the picture is
46.31 mm. for the camera aperture and 43.31
mm. for the projector aperture. The width
of the space available for the sound record
is 5.08 mm. or double the width available
in today's 35 mm .standard film for the same
purpose. The over-all-width of the film is
61.31 mm.
If we consider a speed of 24 pictures per
second as the standard, the length of sound
record recorded per second would he 684 mm.
as compared with 456 mm. for the 35 mm.
standard film, or an increase of 1.5_ times.
It is apparently the consensus of opinion that
the frequency which it is possible to record
is proportional to the running speed and,
therefore, to the length of the sound record,
considering this as a true expression, it ap-
pears logical to suggest that the high frequen-
ces which it would be possible to record with
the "Extreme" dimension would enhance the
quality of sound reproduction.
The possibility of varying the width of
he sound record, if future developments in
this field should so require, is apparent, as
the sound record is placed outside of the film
perforations.
With the "Extreme" diniensins here pre-
sented, the picture area would be nearly three
times the picture area of the 18 x 21 mm.
sound standard in use today. In the "Spec-
tacular" film size it is seen that the pro-
posed height of the picture is 22.8 mm. for
the camera aperture and 21.31 mm. for the
projector aperture. The dimension of the
camera aperture corresponds to the sum of
the pitch of five standard perforations less
a dividing space between picture frames 0.95
mm. in width. The proposed width of the
P'cture is 38 mm. for the camera aperture
and 35.53 mm. for the proiector aperture.
The space available for the sound record has
a width of 3.25 mni., or a little over 2S per
cent more than that of the sound record as
used today in the 35 mm. standard film. The
over-allwidth of the film is 52 mm.
Again, the position of the sound record
outside of the perforations, and if we con-
ler a speed of 24 pictures per second as
the standard, the length of sound record
registered per second would be 570 mm. as
compared with 456 mm. for the standard film
of 35 mm. width, or an increase of 1.25
times.
Again, the possibility of varying the width
of the sound record for further possible de-
velopments is apparent.
Both these dimensions. "Extreme" and
"Spectacular," and especially the first, would
involve, if accepted, considerable expense due
to the necessity of bringing about entirely
new developments in the different apparatus
in use in motion picture production, film proc
essing, and exhibition.
This reconstruction of apparatus would in-
volve complete redesigning of perforators,
cameras, printers, developing machines splicers,
and all other minor laljoratory apparatus, as
well as require a reconstruction of projectors,
involving extreme developments which could
not be devised and put into execution before
a considerable length of time.
The "Extreme" proposed dimension, espe-
cially, would also present not a little diffi-
culty in the solving of the problems pertain-
ing to film shrinkage and to the evident ne-
cessity of maintaining the films in a perfect-
ly flat position at the critical operating point,
area, in all motion picture apparatus.
We would suggest that unless the "Ex-
treme" dimension perfectly meets the sound
ecording and reproducing requirements not
only at the present stage of development,
but with due consideration to future possible
developments, it should be considered only
with a good deal of caution and forethought.
The "Spectacular" dimension, though re-
quiring considerable mechanical engineering
development, would nevertheless present some
d'stinct advantages which may compensate for
the expense of time and capital involved.
We shall now review the dimensions of the
'Economic" proposal.
The proposed height of the picture is 18.29
mm. for the camera aperture and 17.26 mm.
for the projector aperture. The height of
camera aperture is equal to the same di-
mension standardized for the 35 mm. film
and corresponds, therefore, to the sum of the
pitch of four perforations less a dividing
space 0.71 mm. in width. The proposed
width of the camera aperture is 30.76 mm.
and the proposed width of the projector aper-
ture, 28.76 mm. For the same picture height
the new dimension is nearly 1.5 times greater
in width than the standard film in use to-
day. The space available for the sound rec
ord is 5.08 mm. or double the space avail
able for the sound record in the standard
35 mm. film. The over-all width of the film
46 mm., and the width of the silent film
y be reduced to 41.16 mm., should the
decision be taken to eliminate the sound rec
Old space in the taking of the picture records.
The position of the sound record is, as in
the other two proposed dimensions, outside of
the perforations, and offers the same ad
vantages in regard to expansion or contrac
tion of its width, as well as to the possibility
of its severance from the picture record.
The length of the sound record is, accord-
ing to this proposed dimension, and always
considering a speed of 24 pictures per sec-
ond, equal to the length of the sound record
standardized for the 35 mm. film.
If we are willing to concede that the limits
of perfection are near enough at hand in the
present system of sound recording on film,
then it is safe to say that in order to record
faithfully all desirable frequencies of the
sound scale, it would perhaps be necessary to
increase the running speed of the film to per-
haps three, or possibly four, times the speed
at which it would be practical or correct to
run the picture.
If this difference actually exists, it would
appear that any attempt in the direction of
enlarging the film size sufficiently to do full
jistice to the adequate running speed of the
film sound record would necessitate an even
greater enlargement of the picture area than
the enlargement proposed for the "Extreme"
dimension.
It Didn't Work
Austin, Tex. — John M. Sayeg
must pay a $35 fine for running
his theater on Sunday in con-
travention of the Texas blue
laws. Instead of charging an
admission, Sayeg placed a box
in the entrance of his theater
for free will contributions.
PUBLIX MANAGERS MEET AT
(CtllCAG00FF(lNTILMAR.10
Chicago — Three-day session of exe-
cutives and managers of Pi'blix the-
aters here has been postponed until
Mar. 10. W. K. Hollander, pub-
licity manager for Publix, is in
charge of the meetings which will be
held at the Drake Hotel.
Jack Barnstyn Heads
World Wide Pub.
Co.
Jack Barnstyn, former president of
British and Continental Trading Co.,
Inc., N. Y., is winding up his for-
eign affairs and has entered the book
publishing business as president of
World Wide Publishing Co. The
new company is located at 1650
Broadway and will specialize in nov-
elization of pictures at popular
prices. The company has already
completed novelization of "Sea
Hawk," "Blackmail," "The Spoilers,"
"Wedding Rings," "Slightly Scarlet,"
"Only the Brave" and 'Her Unborn
Child."
Leases Devon (Conn.) House
Devon, Conn. — Margaret E. Kisli,
formerly connected with the Pathe
Exchange in New Haven, also one
time publicity manager for the Ma-
jestic in Hartford, has leased the
Devon here for a term of six and
one-quarter years. She plans to op-
erate the house on a full-time basis,
instead of the previous week-end pol-
icy.
Fire at Seneca Falls Strand
Seneca Falls, N. Y. — Fire at the
Strand, caused when a short circuit
overheated the heating box under
the floor of the office, resulted in a
.small damage. Patrons attending
the show at the time calmly exited
from the theater.
The next instalment of this ar-
ticle will appear in a subsequent
issue of THE FILM DAILY.
Plans Mishawaka House
Mishawaka, Ind. — Indiana Feder-
ated Theaters Inc. plans to build a
new theater here with the site at
Lincolnway E. and Race Sts. now
being considered as the probable loca-
tion. 1,800 seats are planned for the
house.
Howie at Raleigh Capitol
Raleigh, N. C— W. M. Howie is
now at the Capitol, Publix Saenger
house. Sound is being installed.
Sound at Memphis Daisy
Memphis. Tenn. — Sound pictures
are now being shown at the Daisy.
Sound for Pittsfield
Pittsfield, Mass. — RCA is wiring
the Tyler.
mr
12
DAILY
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
A LLISTER G. MacDONALD, son
of Premier MacDonald of Eng-
land, paid a visit to the Audio-Cinema
studios recently and appeared with
Bruce Bairnsfather and Gene Lock-
hart in one of the two-reel "Ole'
Bill" comedies now being produced
there. MacDonald recently returned
from Hollywood where he became
very popular with the film colony.
Following the completion of
"Young Man of Manhattan," at the
Paramount Long Island studios,
Charles Ruggles will hop, skip and
jump into "Queen High," playing
the same role he created in the stage
version, a few years back.
It's comparatively easy to get
plenty of flesh and blood actors in
New York, but Louis Brock found
it impossible to find a human skeleton
here for use in his comedy, "Barnum
Was Wrong," so "Mr. Bones" had
to be imported from Baltimore, espe-
cially for the occasion.
George Ortlieb, who has made a
study of trick photography, is now
in charge of the special effects de-
partment at the Paramount Long
Island studios.
The Colorcraft Corporation's stu-
dio and laboratory in Long Island
City is rapidly nearing completion,
with the building promised for occu-
pancy by May 1.
Jack Donahue's recent presence
at the Paramount Loyig Island
studios is explained by the report
that Paratnount will make "Sons O'
Guns," in which he is appearing,
here, with Donahue in the leading
role.
Helen Morgan, of "Applause" and
"Roadhouse Nights," is said to be
all pins and needles over Frisco's
Vitaphone imitation of her famous
piano act which she has, as yet, been
unable to catch, due to the pressure
of stage work. La Morgan just cele-
brated her 200th performance in the
title role of "Sweet Adeline."
"Once a Gypsy Told Me You
Were Mine," by Irving Kahal and
Sammy Fain, will be featured by
Paramount as the theme song of
"Dangerous Na7i McGrew," now
nearing completion under the direc-
tion of Mai St. Clair.
Photocolor will make a two reel
color short, "The Heart Shoppe," at
the Ideal Studios, Thursday. Kath-
ryn Reese is featured and Bradley
Barker will direct.
"The Meek Mr. Meek" has just
been completed at the Paramount
Long Island studios, wider the di-
rection of Mort. Blumenstock. This
comedy of rural life features Mr.
and Mrs. Jimmy Barnes, vaudeville
headliners.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
SIXTECHNICOLOR PICTURES
ARE IN PRODUCTION NOW
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE 1-ILM V.ilLY
Holh wood — Six Technicolor pro-
ductions are being shot at present.
They are: "King of Jazz," L'niversal,
all-color; "March of Time," M-G-M,
80 per cent color; "Viennese Nights,"
Warner, all-color; "Under Western
Skies" and "Mile. Modiste", First Na-
tional, all-color; "The Gay Nineties,"
M-G-M, color sequence.
"Shakespeare Was Wrong," a \'ita-
phone short, also is being made in
Technicolor.
A set of color cameras is expected
to start East soon for use in con-
nection with Paramount's "Heads
Up," which will be made at the Long
Island studios.
Additional activity for Technicolor
is predicted in the near future fol-
lowing the release of "Song of the
West" and "Under a Texas Moon,"
which, it is predicted, are likely to
start a vogue of Westerns in natural
color.
Harriscolor Completes
Fanchon & Marco Idea
Harriscolor has completed shoot-
ing the first of a series of Fanchon
& Marco Ideas being produced by
Craig Hutchinson at the Metropoli-
tan studios here.
Two More for Rogers' Film
Latest additions to "So This Is
London,' Will Rogers' latest for Fox
includes Lunsden Hare and Frank
Albertson. Irene Rich, Jillian Sand
and Mary Forbes were assigned pre-
viously.
To Start "Dr. Fu Manchu"
Warner Oland, who appeared in
the leading role of "The Mysterious
Dr. Fu Manchu," will soon start on
"The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu,"
adaptation of which was completed
by Lloyd Corrigan and Florence
Rverson.
F. N. Starts "Mile. Modiste"
"Mademoiselle Modiste," the Vic-
tor Herbert operetta, has gone into
production at First National at the
direction of William A. Seiter. It
will be entirely in Technicolor.
"Dust and Sun" McLaglen's Next
Victor McLaglen's next starring
vehicle for P"ox will be "Dust and
Sun," adapted from a novel by Cle-
ments Ripley. The story has a South
American background.
Three Added To Gibson Cast
Jack Richardson, Monte Montague
and Walter Perry are the latest addi-
tion to the cast of Hoot Gibson's
"Trigger Tricks," which Reaves
Eason is directing for Universal.
LUPEVELEZ8IGNEDBY-U"
FORIEADIN-THESTORM"
Lupe Velez has been signed by
Universal for the leading role in the
sound version of "The Storm,"
which William Wyler is directing
with William Boyd in the male lead.
Miss Velez has replaced Laura La
Plante who is ill, and because of the
fact that the picture is scheduled for
release early in May, the companx
is proceeding with the production in
order to deliver it on time. Lupe
X'^elez joins the company in Sonora.
Two Scenario Chiefs Are
Engaged by Columbia
Harry Cohn, vice president in
charge of production, has signed two
scenario chiefs to function over two
separate departments. Edward T.
Lowe, Jr. has been engaged to su-
pervise story material, continuities
and dialogue for the balance of the
company's current season's product
while Leonard H. Fields guides sim-
ilar activities for next season's prod-
uct.
Cast for Bebe Daniels Film
May Beatty and John Ince have
jjeen cast for feature parts in sup-
port of Bebe Daniels in "Smooth As
Satin," RKO's talker version of the
Bayard Veiller play, "The Chatter-
box." Others in the cast include
Robert Emmet O'Connor, Charles
Giblin, Betty Pierce and Nella Wal-
ker. George Archainbaud will direct.
Technicolor Signs Artist
F. J. A'an Halle, Belgian artist, has
l)een added to the color art staff of
Technicolor. His engagement fol-
lows that of .\ndre Durenceau, noted
French artist. Technicolor's staff of
advisory artists also includes Jack
Holden and Louise M. Wagner.
Role for Claude Fleming
Claude Fleming has been added tt
the cast of "One Night at Susie's,'
in which First National is starring
Billie Dove.
Lloyd to Direct "Right of Way"
Frank Lloxd will direct the talker
version of Sir Gilbert Parker's "The
Right of Way." Conrad Nagel and
Loretta ^'oung will have the leading
oles. Francis Faragoh has done the
idaptation.
Nella Walker Added to Cast
Nella ^\'alker has been added to
the cast of "Smooth As Satin," Bebe
Daniels' third Radio starring vehicle.
Ben Lyon plays opposite the star
under the direction of George
Archainbaud.
A Little
from '*Lots'*
By RALPH WILK
JOSEPH REILLY, head of the
J Fox safety department, is also act-
ing as technical advisor on "Louis
Beretti" and "A very Practical
Joke," which are being made by Fo.\.
Reilly was a lieutenant detective on
the New York police force for 25
years and worked on several xrim-
inal cases of national importance.
* * *
Eddie Nugent, the young com-
edian, who was a property boy un-
til "Our Dancing Daughters" gave
him an opportunity to don nuikeup,
has been signed upon a neiv long-
term contract by M-G-M.
* * *
Walter Futter of New York
is becoming an authority on
Coast golf courses. He has
played at the Brentwood, Ri-
viera, Rancho, Hillcrest and
Lakeside clubs.
* * *
William G. Smith, veteran state-
rights operator, has secured the
Coast rights to "Jango" and will
roadshow the picture in this terri-
tory.
* * *
William Boyd, former New York
stage star, is playing a featured
role in "The Storm," for Universal.
It marks the third successive part
of importance awarded Boyd in the
past two months. He recently com-
pleted work in "The Benson Mur-
der Case" at Paramount and played
the "heavy" in "Those Who Dance,"
for Warner Brothers.
* * *
Pathe officials were so well
pleased with Monte Carter's
direction of "Pick 'Em Younp "
a musical comedy short sub-
ject, that they awarded him a
two-year contract. Monte, who
is a veteran Coast stage pro-
ducer, was with Universal be-
fore joining Pathe. His second
picture for Pathe will be
"Hello, Sweetheart."
Two Added To Mackaill Cast
Oscar Apfel and Roscoe Karns
have been signed for featured roles
in "A Very Practical Joke," which
Berthold Viertel is directing with
Dorothy Mackaill and Milton Sills in
the leading roles.
"The Kick Back" Completed
Director Alfred E. Werker has
completed the Fox production tenta-
tively titled "The Kick Back," with
Robert .\mes and Lila Lee in the
leading roles.
"Hide-Out" New "U" Title
Universal has changed the title of
"The College Racketeer" to "Hide-
Out." James Murray and Kathrvn
Crawford are featured.
Manon Joins "All Quiet" Cast
Marcia Manon has been added to
the cast of "Universal's "All Quiet on
the Western Front."
THE
FILM DAILY
YEAR BOOK
AND
oyPILMDOM
AHDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
ARE READ BY
THE BVYINC POWER
OF THE
MOTION PICTURE
INDUSTRY
in addition to
EXECUTIVES— EXHIBITORS— CRITICS
PHOTOPLAY EDITORS— NEWSPAPER
MEN— STARS— DIRECTORS— FOREIGN
BUYERS
EVERYWHERE
14
DAILY
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
TRI-STflTEM.P.C0.PLflN8
TO OPEN COAST STUDIO
Cleveland, O. — Jack Flanagan,
president of Tri-State Motion Picture
Co., has announced plans for the open-
ing of a sound studio in Hollywood
for commercial work. A laboratory
and printing department will be
opened in connection with the studio.
Amos Stillman of Tri-State recently
left for the Coast to negotiate for
space. C. H. Quackenbush is asso-
ciated with Flanagan in the enter-
prise.
Koch Heads Atlanta
Exchange for Sono Art
U. T. Koch has been appointed
feature sales manager for Sono Art-
World Wide in Atlanta. R. B. Wil-
banks, salesman, also had been added
to the company's staff working out
of the Charlotte office.
Cape Playhouses Cinema Formed
New Bedford, Mass.— Cape Play-
houses Cinema, Inc., has been in-
corporated here with a capitalization
of $200,000. There are 2,000 shares
at $100 each.
Isis Closed for Modern House
Caldwell, Tex.— Mr. and Mrs. Mat-
son have closed the Isis and expect
to shortly open their new modern
picture house here.
New Policy for Keith's Ottawa
Ottawa — New policy has gone into
effect here at the B. F. Keith's con-
sisting of RKO vaudeville the first
three days of the week at prices scal-
ing up to 60 cents and talking pic-
tures exclusively at SO cents top the
last half of the week.
Bechel New Pathe Booker
Seattle— Hurley Bechel has been
appointed assistant booker of the
local Pathe exchange, succeeding Al
Carlson, who has been transferred
to the company's San Francisco of-
fice.
Manitowoc Capitol Under Hammer
Manitowoc, Wis. — The Capitol
will be sold at a sheriff's sale to re-
cover a third mortgage held by M.
H. Dempsey against the Georo-e
brothers, proprietors of the theater.
Freid Managing Eau Claire
^Eau Claire, Wis. — Leonard Freid,
for the past seven years manager of
the Paramount, Fairbault, Minn., has
been appointed assistant manager of
the Eau Claire, Publix theater.
Wonderphone for Cleveland
Cleveland— A. E. Ptak has in-
stalled Wonderphone equipment in
the Lyceum here.
Michael Leaves Richmond House
Richmond— Ellis H. Michael has
resigned as assistant manager of
Loew's here and is planning to leave
for New York.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
MONTANA
Changes in Ownership
Ekalaka — Playhouse, sold to C. G. Rickard
by O. A. Dahl; Park City — Palace, sold to
Elmer Reid by Harris & Kiirk.
Closings
Rexford — Liberty.
NEBRASKA
Changes in Ownership
Alexandria — Lyric, sold to D. H. Garber by
C. S. Cane; Beatrice — Ritz, sold to Fox
West Coast by United Theater Circuit ;
Campbell — Community, sold to Wm. Reiber
by Arthur De Stars; Crofton — Sun, sold to
C. W. Wills by Helen Drexler; Edison-
Gem, sold to L. H. Gupton by Glen Edic ;
Mema — Merna, sold to I. C. Zieg by Floyd
McDermott ; Osceola — Auditorium, sold to
M. E. Will by Lloyd Timm ; Thedford—
Auditorium, sold to George Gravely by H.
Voth ; West Point — Rivoli, sold to W. M.
Miller by A. M. Herman.
Closings
Avoca — Town Hall ; Brewster — Riggs ; Gering
— Muse, Royal ; Holstein — Moon.
NEVADA
Changes in Ownership
Reno^State, sold to Nev. Develop. Co. by H.
L. Rork and J. A. Murray.
Closings
Minden — Minden.
NEW MEXICO
New Theaters
Las Cruces — Del Rio, owner — Abel Davis;
Melrose — Gem, owner — Byrd & Murphy.
NEW JERSEY
Changes in Ownership
Berlin — Palace, sold to Joseph Mattler by
Jacob Stein ; Butler — Butler, sold to
Schlanger by S. Fabian; Camden — Towers,
sold to Handle & Rovner by Stanley Co.
of America ; E. Rutherford — Rex, sold to
E. & B. Amusement Corp. by Saxe : Hill-
side— ^Hollywood, sold to George J. Buzick
by Decker : Mayfair, sold to Mayfair The-
ater, Inc.; Iselin — Iselin, sold to Walter N,
Murphy by E. Livoti ; Landisville — Landis-
ville. sold to Jack Finkelstein by V. Somma :
Linden — St. George, so'd to Suburban The-
ater, Inc. ; Trenton — lOrpheum, sold to
Hunts' Trenton Theaters, Inc., by Bucril
Corp.; Tuckerton — Community, sold to Nor-
man F. Frommer hv Community Theater
Co. ; West New York— Park, sold to J. P.
Wolfe: Westville— Victoria, sold to A.
Frank bv Jacob ZinkoflF: Woodcliff — Broad-
way, sold "to Broadway WnodclifF Theater
Corporation by 991 Broadway Theater
Corp.
Closings
Arlington — Arlington ; Califon — Boro Hall ;
Clinton — Music Hall : Cranberry — Palace ;
Dunnellen — Cameo ; E. Orange — Lyceum ;
Elizabeth— Capitol. State: Fort Lee — Fort
Lee: Hamburg — Idle Hour; Hasbrouck
Heights — Strand: Highland Park— Park :
Hoboken — City. Eureka. Manor; Irvington
— Liberty: Jersey City — Daiiforth. Lyric,
Plaza : Kean^burg — Casino : Lavalletf —
I,avallette : Little Falls — Oxford : Little
Ferry — Sokol Hall : Lyndhurst — Star : New
Milford — Park : Newark — Columbia De
Luxe, Grand. T>cwis. Lincoln ; New Bruns-
wick— Cozv Bijou, Opera House: Nutley —
Cameo : Orang» — Washington : Ridgefield
Park — Rialtn: Roselle — Roslvn: Sayerville
— Liberty: So. Orange C:.ineo: TucTcahoe
— Communitv : Verona — Verona: Washing-
ton— Onei-a House: W»stwood — Wcstwood :
Woodbridge — Wondbridcr.
New Theaters
West New York — Park, owner— J. P. Wolfe.
Openings
AUentown — Gr.-ingc Hall.
New Theaters
Brumley — Hurley, owner — John F. Hurlev,
Jr.; Linn Creek — Hurley, owner — John F,
Hurley. Tr. : Mack's Creek — H\irlev. owner
—John F. Hurley. Jr. : Montreal— Hurley,
owner — John F. Hnrlev. Tr. ; Stoutland —
Hurley, owner — John F. Hurley, Jr.
A^^;!^ YORK
Changes in Ownership
Altamont — Masonic Hall, sold to Roy F,
Pugh by D. Richmond; Antwerp — Gateway,
sold to H. L Thompson by Mrs. C. E.
Taylor; Berlin— I. O. O. F. Hall, sold to
Little Hoosick Lodge, by Rev. G. E.
Whitehouse ; Cattaraugus — Palace, sold to
Charles Tarbox by Walter Hoag ; Cazenovia
— -Town Hall, sold to George W. Ludington
by L. J. Scott; Cobleskill — Park, sold to J.
C. Carpenter by Fox-Metropolitan Play-
houses, Inc. : Malone — Plaza, sold to Schine
Entpr. by Michael Boumanseur; Milton —
Community, sold to W. H. Short by Walter
Seaman; Ss^acuse — Avon, sold to Oneida
Theater Co. by Harvard Amusement Co. ;
Liberty, sold to Liberman Bros, by J.
Kernan; Weedsport — Opera House, sold to
Earl Zimmer by J. R. Palmer.
Closings
Bedford Hills — Community; Central Valley —
Firemans Hall ; Chester — Opera House ;
Corning — Plaza : Dobbs Ferry — Washing
ton ; Elizabethtown — Capitol ; Greenwich —
Star; Harriman — Opera House; High Falls
^Fall View; Howells — Rustic; Inlet —
Gaiety ; Katonah — Katonah ; Kingston —
Auditorium ; Maybrook — Sweeney's Hall ;
Mohawk — Opera House ; Montour Falls —
Opera House ; Mt. Vernon — Embassy, Play-
house ; Newburgh — Star : Newfane — Ar-
cade; New Rochelle — North Ave.; Ossining
— -Parthenon ; Poughkeepsie — Best, Play-
house; Rochester — Culver Lake; Saranac
Lake — New ; 'Sloatsburg — Henry Club ;
Syracuse — Palace; Yonkers — Hamilton, Or-
pheum, Park, Riverdalc.
NEW YORK CITY
Changes in Ownership
Gramercy, sold to Kramer by Oppenheimer ;
Lincoln, sold to Stern; Pastime, sold to
Schwartz by Raives.
Closings
Apollo, Bronx Plaza, Canal. Daytona. Endi-
cott, First Avenue. Fugazv. Golden Rule
(Rivingston St.), Golden Rule (Third Ave-
nue). Kelton. Lyric, ^l & S Palace. Mon-
roe. Odeon. Regun. Rex, Royal. Tremont.
Walton, Webster. West End.
New Theaters
Beacon, owners — Warner Bros.
BROOKLYN
Changes in Ownership
Avoca Villa, sold to Parkridge Theater Corp.
by Barr Bros.; Crystal, sold to Zelda
Amusement Corp. by Maestre Holding:
Ti'ving. Lakeland, sold to Rappaport &
Nathanson by Brighton Ex. Corp.
Closings
Amphion, Art. Atlantic. Court, Eagle, Elite.
Emanuel, Etude. Fifth Ave.. Fulton Audi-
torium, Hendrix, Huntington. Liberty.
I^oew's Bijou. Montauk. Nostrand. Palace,
Pearl Movies. Sheffield. Sheridan. Sommers.
Tip Top, Victory.
LONG ISLAND
Changes in Ownership
Jamaica — Rialto, sold to J, Alterman ; North-
port — Northport, so'd to Ella Hurley by
Gladstone; Pt. Jefferson — Pt. Jefferson, sold
to Fred C. Griswold by Glynne.
Closings
Arverne— Arverne; Astoria — Arcade. Franklin,
Meridan; Bayside — Bayside : Bridgehamp-
ton — Community : Cedarhurst — Playhouse ;
Central Park — Central Park: Corona—
Colonial : E. Quogue — Atlantic Hal' : Farm-
in^dale — Dale : Floral Park — Lily : Flushing
- Flushing: Forest Hills — Mrtronnli^ :
Hicksville — Hicksville : Huntington — Park :
Hyde Park — Hvde Park: Kew Gardens —
Kcw Gardens: Richmond Hill — Garden, Our
Civic. 'State ; Ronkonkoma — Fireman's Ha'l.
STATEN ISLAND
Closings
So. Beach — Strand : West New Brighton —
Capital.
New Theaters
' St. George — St. George, owner — Sol Brill.
KELLER-DORIAN REBOUGtIT
BYKODAK;PLANU.$.nRM
Paris — Resale of the Keller-Dorian
color film organization to Kodak has
been ratified by stockholders of the
former company. The Keller-Dorian
Color Film Corp. of America will be
launched in the United States with a
capitalization of $10,000,000.
Alice White Featured
in Jantzen Ad Campaign
Alice White, designated as "The
Jantzen Girl," is being featured in an
advertising campaign launched by the
Janzen Knitting Mills as the result-
of a national tie-up between the bath-
ing suit firm and First National.
Plans Ready for Coast House
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco — Plans have been
drawn for the new theater to be
erected here by Golden Gate The-
aters, Inc., to cost about $200,000.
Bevel Back at Princess
Harriman, Tenn. — L. W. Bevel,
former manager of the Princess, has
been reassigned to his old position,
succeeding J. T. Stewart. Crescent
Amusement Co. operates the house.
Higbie to Manage Rex
Colum!)ia, S. C. — When the Rex
here reopens after alterations, Walter
Higbie, former assistant manager,
will have complete charge of the
house.
Sound at Southington
Southington, Conn. — Sound has
been installed at the Coleman's here.
Seeks Name for Dover House
Wilmington, Del. — Manager Ben-
jamin Shindler is seeking a new name
for the Dover Opera House. Patrons
of the house as well as readers of the
"Delaware State News" are partici-
pating in the selection.
Whjtney to Be Razed
Ridgewood, L. I. — Plans are under-
stood to be under way for demolition
of the Whitney. Stores are to replace
the theater.
Colonial to Be Altered
Milledgeville, Ga. — Manager M. L.
Curry states that the Colonial will
be imprcived. The house will not be
closed while alterations are being
made.
Kranzfelder Installs Sound
\'illa Grove, 111. — Exhibitor Kranz-
felder has installed sound e()uipinent
at the Star.
Strand, New Brunswick, Has Sound
New Brunswick, N. J. — Dave Snap-
er has installed sound at the Strand
here. Western Electric equipment
was installed.
Robbins After Herkimer House
Herkimer, N. Y. — Nathan Robbins
of Utica is reported after the Rich-
mond here.
THE
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
DAILY
15
NANITOBATO LABEL FILMS
FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN
Winnipeg — A unique method of
classifying pictures, whereby the la-
bel "special" will be applied by the
board of censorship to films ap-
proved for adults, and "general" for
both adults and children, has been
adopted by the Manitoba Provincial
Government. In the case of "special"
pictures, the lower price of admis-
sion for children is eliminated, but
the new ruling does not prevent a
juvenile, either alone or with elders,
from attending the show on a ticket
at the adult price. Announcement
regarding the film classification is
compulsory.
In Ontario and Alberta the censors
designate pictures as "adult" or
"universal" for the guidance of par-
ents.
Fanchon & Marco Adds
Spokane to Route List
Seattle — Fanchon & Marco units
will be routed to Spokane following
a run here and will precede Great
Falls, it is reported here. Ray A.
Grombacher, president of the Spokane
Theaters, Inc. has leased the Ameri-
can in Spokane bringing his total to
four houses in the city. The Fanchon
& Marco units will be shown for six
days only, leaving the American for
concerts and road-show attractions.
Tiffany Franchises Now
2,500, Hanson Declares
Tiffany franchises have reached
the 2,500 mark and continue to come
in on the average of SO a week, Oscar
Hanson, general sales manager of
the company, declared yesterday.
Tiffany began selling franchises last
September.
New Independent Co. is
to Make Latin Pictures
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — A new independent
company, under the name of Pan-
American Pictures, Inc., has been or-
ganized here to produce a series of
Spanish and Italian pictures.
Buys New Equipment
Siloam Springs, Ark. — Clyde Kille-
brew has purchased new equipment
for the Rialto.
Kendall Installs Moviephone
Farmer City, 111. — The Kendall has
been equipped with Moviephone.
RCA Equips Idaho House
Malad City, Idaho — Photophone
sound equipment is being installed
at the Star.
Two Trinidad Houses Planned
Trinidad, Colo. — Two new theaters
are planned here, J. C. Caldwell, sec-
retary-manager of the Chamber of
Commerce, stated here recently.
Photophone Adds Another
Belleville, 111.- — The Rex is being
wired for sound by RCA
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Deering, Me. — With the formation
of Deering Theaters, Inc., a new the-
ater is scheduled to be built in this
city. The company is capitalized at
$100,000.
Durham, N. C. — Don Nichols,
manager of the Carolina here, has
signed to manage the city-owned
American at High Point. The house
seats 1,250.
Derry, N. H. — The Broadway has
reopened here with sound apparatus.
Manager Clifford has increased ad-
mission prices slightly.
Lakeville, N. Y. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the Stuart.
Dinuba, Cal. — Kelly Bros, has
installed Western Electric equipment
at the Williams.
Arnold, Neb. — Hauley Wehrley has
astalled Bestone in the theater bear-
ing his name.
Alma, Neb. — Joe Petry has dis-
posed of the Rialto to Paul Hacker.
Menno, S. D. — O. E. Simon has
made his own sound equipment for
the Rex.
Omaha — The Maryland is now a
sound theater, Gennett equipment
having been installed.
East. St. Louis— Geo. W. Gambrill,
former motion picture critic, has
taken over management of the New
Avenue for States Theatrical Circuit.
Augusta, Me. — Work on remodel-
ing the Johnson Opera house is well
under way. The stage is being torn
down and a new entrance to the
house on Mechanic Street are amonfi
the changes being made.
New York
Herman Gluckman of the Capital
Exchange will celebrate the month
of March as his twelfth anniversary
in the independent field.
Lee, Brooklyn, has been transferred
from Exhibitor Dreiling to the R.
G. Rose Amusement Co.
M. Halpern has taken over the
Senior Hall, Montgomery, N. Y.
Exhibitor Kleinfeld plans to reopen
the City Line, Brooklyn, former Dave
Rosenzweig house.
Exhibitors
Daily Reminder
Repair torn
carpet and
broken seats.
This may
save many
dollars in
court suits.
Manager Hurt in Robbery
Charlotte, N. C— After robbin-
the safe of the Carolina of $1,500.
two thugs threw Manager Howard
Thomas over the balcony railing
seriously injuring him.
South Hill Goes Sound
.South Hill, Va. — Sound apparatus
has been installed at the Colonial
here.
Vitaphone Ads Benefit
Exhibs in 2,680 Cities
■ Exhibitors in 2,680 communities,
embracing 20,000,000 families, are
getting the benefit of the national ad-
vertising campaign conducted by
Vitaphone through the medium of
17,3 nevyspapers, according to an
analysis just completed by Warner
Bros. The figures also show that
more than 90 per cent of the cities
are equipped to show Vitaphone pic-
tures.
Rose Sues for Commissions
Irving Rose, former theater man-
ager for Haring & Blumenthal, has
brought suit to the N. Y. Supreme
Court against the company fo*- al-
leged commissions due him amount-
ing to $135,000. Rose alleges these
commissions are due him from the
sale of five Hudson County theaters
to Stanley-Fabian on Feb. 9, 1928.
Paramount Buys French Play
Paris — Marcel Pagnol's play "Mar-
ius" has been purchased by Para-
mount for talking picture purposes.
It is believed the film will be made
as a 100 per cent French talker in
Paris and Marseilles under the di-
rection of Robert T. Kane.
Orth Heads Sound Equipment Co.
George Orth is now head of the
Sound Equipment Co. manufacturers
of sound studio equipment.
Eugene House Temporarily Closed
Eugene, Ore. — Repair work has
necessitated the temporary closing of
the Colonial here.
Sound Equipment
What to Buy and
Where to Buy It
INQUIRE WITHIN
'^fe
YIAR
lOOK
1930
Edition
Just
off
the
Press !
THE
16
^^
DAILY
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
New Theaters
Nashville, Tenn. — Work has beKUii on the
new half million dollar Pulilix house to be
erected between Polk Alley and Eighth Ave.
nn Church St.
Portland, Ind. — Construction has started on
the new Hines here, which will he located on
the site of tlie old Auditorium Bldg. Mal'ers
Bros, of Ft. Wayne are the builders.
Mauston, Wis. — A. A. Susyzcki. manager
nf the local theater, has announced plans for
the erection of a new house in the busines;
section.
Middletown, O. — Approximately $500,000
will be spent on a theater building on Broad
.St.
Farmer City, 111. — The new Kendall has
opened here.
Lawrence, Mass. — Publix will construct a
new theater here. The Salem Realty Co. is
interested in the project, it is understood.
Dallas, Ore. — The Columbia is being re-
modeled and expected to be reopened bv
March 14.
Ticket Makers Condemn
Unfair Trade Practices
{Continued from Page i)
Ferguson of the Federal Trade Com-
mission presiding. One resolution
adopted condemns unfair price dis-
crimination.
Among other practices condemned
were: the giving of secret rebates
or bribes, in money or goods; sales
below cost for purposes of injuring
a competitor and with the effect of
lessening competition or expect to
meet a price offered by a competitor;
discrimination in price by booking
orders for large amounts and shipping
in small quantities and billing at the
large-quantity price; the making of
some sales on delivered basis and
others F.O.B. factory; and contracts
which permit the buyer to cancel or
me a reduction in price in event
di" a market decline but which do not
permit the seller to cancel or increase
prices in event of a market rise.
The resolutions adopted yesterda\'
will be considered by the commission
and those approved will become the
code of ethics for the industr\-.
National Circuit Transfers Keehn
Marysville, Cal. — Roy Keehn, man-
ager of the National, has been trans-
ferred to San Jose where he will
manage the American for National
Theaters Circuit. W. P. Mann, for-
merly manager of the Liberty liere
will act as manager pending appoint-
ment of Keehn's successor.
if Plliladclphi;
of Washington
of New \oik. Al-
hanv and Buffalo
''The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of -1.600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
everlastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-600DWIN PUBLICATIONS
\ New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
WILL TEST RIGHTTO TAX
COPYRIGHT-FILM INCOME
(.Continued from Page 1)
from collecting a franchise tax of
4)7^316.58 levied against Educational
Films, based on the corporation's
income from film licensed to exhibi-
tors under U. S. copyrights. The
order also restrains the collection of
this tax pending the hearing.
Hamilton Ward, attorney general
of the state of New York, is ordered
to anpear with the tax commission
at the hearing, which is to be held
before a statutory court consisting of
Judge Harrie B. Chase and District
Judge William Bondy and John M.
Woolsey. All classes of corporations
whose income is derived in whole or
in part from copyrights, patents, U.
S. Bonds or other federal instrumen-
talities, or municipal bonds, all of
which are exempt from taxation, will
be affected by the outcome of the
case.
The suit, though involving only
Educational, is being brought in be-
half of a group of the big producers
and distributors. While the elimina-
tion of the exempt copyright income
would result in most of the picture
companies having no net income for
purposes of state taxation, neverthe-
ess they would not escape entirely
because they would still be taxable,
ihough to a considerably lesser
.iuiount, upon their capital stock.
Benjamin P. DeW'itt and Siegfried
ilartman are associated with Roger
Hinds in representing the film inter-
ests in the case.
GUILD WARNS MEMBERS
ON SELLING FILM
REPORT ADVERTISING
CENSOR PLAN DROPPED
St. Louis — An ordinance providiiig
for censorship of theatrical advertis-
ing and sponsored by Alderman
Wimer has been dropped, it is under-
stood. He had planned to introduce
it at the last meeting of the City
Council. Wimer says he failed to
submit the plan owing to his inten-
tion of determining whether it con-
victs with any existing national law.
He has written to Wa.shington on
this matter, he states.
W. E. Wires Butte Theater
Butte, Mont. — The Broadway has
been added to the list of theaters
wired by Western Electric.
Photophone in Colby, Kan.
Colby, Kan. — RCA Photophone
engineers are installing sound in the
Lyric.
New W. E. Installation
Plattsmouth, Neb. — The Ritz has
been equipped with Western Electric
apparatus.
Sound for Regent, Youngstown
Youngstown — J. Steinberg, of the
Regent, announces RCA Ph'^tophone
installation.
(.Continued from Page 1)
requires that plays must have a
run of at least three consecutive
weeks in New York before the pro-
ducer shares in the film rights with
the playwright. These rights must
be disposed of through an arbiter
appointed by the Guild, and the arbi-
ter receives a percentage of the sale
price. This arrangement was adopted
in order that film rights could be
sold only after competitive bidding
on the part of interested picture com-
panies.
In its letter to the playwrights,
the Guild said its attention had been
directed to the fact that some film
companies insisted that their financ-
ing of plays be contingent upon the
company acquiring the picture rights
in advance. Some members of the
Guild, however, are reported to be
siding with the film producers.
Warner House to Install
Theatrephone System
The new Warner on Broadway
and 51st St., is scheduled to be
equipped with a Theatrephone sys-
tem, designed by Charles H. Lehman,
and claimed to aid those hard-of-
hearing to enjoy sound pictures. In-
stallation will be made by the Hear-
ing Device Corp. The device con-
sists of a small box attached to cer-
tain seats with a specially designed
earpiece which is plugged into each
box. .Shortly after installation in the
Warner house, the device will be
made part of the equipment in War-
ner houses elsewhere.
Evanston Sunday Issue
up in City Election
Evanston, 111. — Retention of Sun-
day shows here was virtually assured
yesterday when the City Council
overwhelmingly voted to place the
issue on the ballot in the City elec-
tion which is scheduled April 1. A
few weeks ago a petition bearing
the names of nearly 11,000 residents
of this city was filed, calling for a
referendum.
Vaudeville at Williamson
Williamson, W. Va. — Vaudeville is
new being shown in addition to pic-
tures at the Gem. Saad brothers are
operating the house.
McCormack Film at 44th St.
Fox has taken over the 44th Street,
Shubert house, for the New York
run of John McCormack's "Song
O'My Heart," opening March 11.
Shauer & Sons Take Tivoli
\'alparaiso, Ind. — G. G. Shauer &
Sons, owner of the Premier, have
taken over the old Tivoli. The same
exhibitors also operate the Memorial
Opera House and Varsity.
Lighter Installs RCA
Mellen, Wis. — A. L. Lighter has
equipped the Orpheum with RCA
Pliotophone.
"With lots of new-fangled develop-
ments there's no need for the in-
dustry worrying, for as long as film
is threaded there will always be a
good market for good pictures. Did
you ever survey such a bountiful
market as the present? Well, you
can imagine what's coming. We
won't promise, but pictures now-a-
days are being produced much bet-
ter than ever before."
PHILM.DALX
SEZ/
Saperstein Made Delegate
of III. Theater Owners
Chicago — .^aron Saperstein, in ad-
dition to being president of the Illi-
nois Independent Theater Owners,
Inc., has been selected official dele-
gate at all conferences.
Publix Division Office
Now Located in K. C.
Kansas City — With the addition of
the four houses of the Grubel circuit
to the local Publix district, the com-
pan\'s division office formerly at
Denver now is located in this city
with Louis Finske remaining in
charge.
Menneilley Succeeds Kennedy
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Floyd Menneilley
has succeeded Val Kennedy at the
Biltmore.
Walker in Durham for Publix
Durham, Ala. — T. Joe Walker is]
now connected with Publix-SaengerJ
managing the circuit's local house
here. He was formerly manager of
the Anniston at Anniston.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND]
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANS CM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
iTHE
:Sf<>NEWSPAPER
o/'FILMDOH
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 50
Friday, February 28, 1930
Price 5 Cents
22,624 Theaters in U.S., Film Board Census Shows
EXCHANGES WAR 0N"C0PYRIGHT VIOLATORS
Sono Art Will Use 56 mm. Wide Film States Weeks
histening
— to the other fellow
— By JACK ALICOATE^
DURING the past couple of weeks
we have had a number of diverting
thoughts shot at us from dilierent
angles and mostly from film tolk
who know their Bermudas. We pass
a few along:
That the revolution in studio con-
ditions brought about by sound has
made it possible to produce any type
of picture indoors. New York there-
fore being the center of everything
else will soon become production
lieadquarters. . . .
That despite the youth of the mo-
tion picture industry it is on a basis
is sound as any other busmess in
America. Its prestige is interna-
ional and its influence on the lives
md habits of everyone is tremendous,
t-'ictures are now considered one of
he necessities of life....
. . .Psychological improvement of the
alkers must now begin. First we
lad the novelty stage followed by
he technical. Now must enter the
loet and the artist. Mechanically the
alkers are now satisfactory. It is
lie quality of entertainment that
uist be improved. This must be in-
pi rational. . . .
.A Spanish writer claims that the
|wo languages worthy of world adop-
on and each rapidly forging into
lis place are Spanish and English,
!nd the odds are in favor of the lat-
er. If English ever becomes the
jinguage of the world it will be due
\i the talkers
Sound in motior p ctures has
one more to popularize classical
lusic and develop a tif ;e for it with
le average American audience than
ly other agency. Great artists and
ngers are now being heard via the
;reen in even the smallest towns.
ext to follow will be the symphony
"chestra.
From 20 to 25 Features to
Comprise Company's
1930-31 Program
Sono Art-World Wide has defi-
nitely decided to use 56 mm. wide
film, stated George W. Weeks, ex-
ecutive vice-president, yesterday, fol-
lowing his return from the Coast.
Preparations are under way for the
initial wide film picture which will
go into production in about one
month. The process being used by
the company is 25 per cent, higher
than standard film and 100 per cent
wider.
Weeks said that the 1930-31 Sono
(Continued on Page 8)
NEWYORKSmTCENSORS
MAKING FEWER DELETIONS
Deletions by the New York State
M. P. Censorship Commission in the
year ended June 30, 1929, totaled 2,-
710, against 4,236 in the previous
\ear, according to the report of
{Continued on Page 8)'
Emil Jannings Returning
with English Vocabulary
Emil Jannings, who has been ac-
quiring an English vocabulary while
playing in pictures in Germany, plans
to return to this country shortly
with his wife, Marlene Dietrich, who
appeared with him in "The Last
Laugh." Both have just appeared in
{Continued on Page 8)
All Quiet at L. A.
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — For the time
being at least, Los Angeles
will be free from any theater
legislation. On recommenda-
tion of Deputy City Attorney
Kitzmiller, the police commis-
sioner has decided that the the-
ater has no need for further
regulation. Owners had op-
posed the move intended to in-
voke blue laws here.
PREDICT SO P. C. JUMP
IN LOEW'SJCEARNINGS
A jump of SO per cent in earnings
of Loew's, Inc., for the current fis-
cal year is predicted by the "Wall
Street News," which says that busi-
ness of the company has been run-
ning at this rate so far. Loew fig-
ures its business year from Sept. 1
to Aug. 31.
Wide Screens Planned
for Some Seider Houses
A wide screen, 21x36, has been in-
stalled by Joseph Seider in the
Patchogue, Patchogue, L. I., and
will immediately be put in use. Tem-
porarily Magnascope will be used
and later Grandeur, he states. Seider
plans to install wide screens in one
or two of his Long Island houses.
31 Film Trade Boards Report
on Theaters in Their Zones
F. N. Announces Winners
in Exploitation Contest
Winners have been announced in
the exploitation contest conducted by
First National in January. Participa-
tion was limited to managers of
Warner houses throughout the coun-
try. Ray Brown, Strand, Akron, C,
is first; Alvin Hestler, Warner, Al-
{Continued on Page 8)
A total of 22,624 picture theaters
now are being operated in the United
States, according to the first census
made by the Hays ofifice through the
medium of 31 Film Boards of Trade.
The Census was conducted by zones,
each Film Board reporting the houses
included in its territory. Under this
classification, the St. Louis zone com-
prises the most theaters, the number
{Continued on Page 8)
100 Suits Are Pending In
Court's Throughout
the Country
With arbitration boards out of the
picture owing to the Thacher decree,
exchanges are now resorting to legal
measures to stop bicycling and hold-
ing over of films. On information
provided by the Copyright Protec-
tion Bureau, suits alleging violation
of the copyright laws are being insti-
tuted and at present about 100 are
pending in courts throughout the
country.
In New York two cases have been
started. Paramount has brought a
copyright action against William C.
Smalley of Fort Plains, N. Y., in the
Northern District Federal Court and
Fox and Universal have actions pend-
ing against Robert A. Wolfe and
Standard Theaters of Hancock, N.
Y., this suit being filed in the South-
ern district court. A third action,
brought by M-G-M, Pathe and Fox
{Continued on Page 8)
20 FIIM CASES SETTlf D
IN CLEVELAND LAST WEEK
Cleveland, O. — Appro.ximately 20
cases betAyeen distributors and exhibi-
tors were settled out of court here
last week. With arbitration boards
not functioning since the Judge
Thacher decree, claims of H'«tribu-
tors and exhibitors have bee..,.;' -jied
■iver to legal representatives wuh the
result that grievances are ironed out
either in or out of court.
RCA Distributing Plaques
for Photophone Users
Distribution of plaques to theaters
employing RCA Photophone appa-
ratus has begun and will be contin-
ued until all houses equipped with
the company's device have been
served. The plaques read "Sound
Satisfaction," with the company
trade mark beneath this phrase and
"In This Theater" following on the
bottom line.
THE
DAILV
Friday, February 28, 1930
Vol. II No. 40 Friday, Feb. 28, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE : : Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
Yoric $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all conv
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address; Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Am Seat 22J4 ••••
Coil Fmlnd. .. 2174 21 21 2,700
Con Fm. Ind. pfd. 23/^ 23 23^8 55,600
Ka t. Kodak ..'... 22Ui 218/s 221 16,200
Fox Fm "A" .. 35% 33/^ 33^ 70,200
Gen. Thea. E.,u. . 45 Vs 43H 44}^ 35,100
•Keith A-O ^^ ••■■
,lo pM 106 105 106 40U
loew-s'lnc. 70/. 69/. 69/ 12,200
•do pfd. WW (6/) 100 ....
Mo pfd. xw (6/) 85/ ....
;aifVJ'.:::::68/; 6m ^i ^^.oo^
I'athe Exch 4 m 4 1,100
do "A" 8 7/ 8 1,10(1
RKO 32/8 297/8 31/123,501
•Uiiiv Pict. pfd 45 ...•
Warner Bros 64% 63/ 64^116,401
do pfd 57 56 SOH 2,30>
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
Mlal. & Katz 65
'Cohimbia Pets .... 29/ . . . ■
Fox Thea. "A" . 7% 7H {'A t,00(
'Intern. Proj • 25 ....
I.oew do deb. rts. 34% iiU 34^8 1.30'
I.oew Inc. war .. 13 12/ 13 20(
•Nat. .Scr. Ser 24
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 9 9 9 ini
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
'Keith A-O 6s 46 82
I.oew 6s 41ww ...113.5^ 111/ 113/ 121
do 6s 41 x-war . . 97 96 J4 97 6i
Paramount 6s 47 .100/ 100 100 l.il
Par. By. 5/s 51.101/ 101/ 101/ 21
Pathe 7s 37 47/ 47 47/ 2i
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
Jjt New York Long Island City
y 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
i.i BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
Chicago Hollywood •'{
,.,.,., I J. A . 6700 Santa Monica •>
1727 Indiana Ave. Blvd. *'♦
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ^f
ANTI-BLUE LAW ASS'N
LAUDS WHEEUNG VERDICT
iVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Recent refusal of
Wheeling, W. Va., to return indict-
ments in 112 cases arising from ar-
rests of theater managers and em-
ployees involved in giving Sunday
performances, has elicited high praise
from the National Ass'n Opposed to
Blue Laws, which has its headquar-
ters here. Henry Flury, president oi
the association, declared that the
court's ruling was "sensible and ra-
tional."
M-G-M Sydney Premiere
to be Widely Broadcast
In one of the most extensive radio
hookups ever arranged, the premiere
of AI-G-M's "Hollywood Revue" in
Sydney, Australia, will be broadcast
tonight direct from the theater. Due
to the difference in time here, radio
fans can pick up the program by
listening in at 8 a. m. tomorrow. U.
S. stations included in the broadcast
are WFL, Chicago, and KBO, San
Francisco.
M-G-M Signs Voice Coach
Dr. P. M. Marafioti, teacher of
many opera and concert artists, has
been signed by M-G-Al to fill the
newly created ofhce of voice coach
at the Coast studios. He leaves Sun-
day for Hollywood.
Fox Signs Austrian Composer
Fox has signed Richard Fall, Aus-
trian composer, to write music for
the screen version of Ferenc Molnar's
"Lilioni." He is en route to the coast
after conferences with W'infield Shee-
han, vice-president and general man-
ager of the company.
Johnson Arriving Mar. 12
Millard Johnson will arrive in New
York about Mar. 12 from Australia to
resume charge of the U. S. office of
Union Theaters, Ltd., of .Australia
About the same time Erich P. Stre-
litz will sail to take charge of the
circuit's London office.
Hopcraft With Sono-Art
Buffalo — Edward Hopcraft has
been appointed salesman for Sono
Art-World Wide out of the local
office.
Salacious Advertising
Topic at AMPA Meeting
Salacious advertising provoked a
lively discussion at yesterday's meet-
ing of the AMPA at the Hotel Para-
mount. The report of a committee ot
three on the matter will be presented
next Thursday.
Big 4 Completes First of
New All-Talker Series
With 16 territories set for distri-
bution. Big Four Film Corp. has
completed the first feature m the
new series of all-talking pictures,
titled 'Beyond the Rio Grande." The
film will be available on him and disc.
50 Trucks in 20 Countries
for Fox Movietone News
Fox Movietone News, at present,
IS operating 50 trucks in 20 foreigi.
countries outside of the Uniteo
.Mates, states Fox.
Warners Sign Librettist
Herbert Fields, who wrote the
book for "F'ifty Million Frenchmen,"
the current stage musical hit spon-
sored by Warner Bros., has been
signed by this firm on a two-year
contract to write two librettos a year
lor talkers. He is to begin his pic-
ture work next November.
"U" Officials Return
Lou B. Metzger, general manager,
N. L. Manheiiii, export manager and
Verne Porter, eastern scenario edi-
tor, returned here yesterday after
conferences on the coast with Carl
Laemmlc and Carl Laemmle, Jr.,
egarding the company's rext year's
program.
Normand Burial Today
n'cst Coast Bineau. THE J-TLM J)AIL)
Los Angeles — Mabel Normand will
be buried in Southern California to-
day after last rites are conducted at
the Good Shepherd Church of Bever-
ly Hills. The 'funeral will be private.
Goldberg Returns to N. Y.
Joe (ioldberg, general sales man-
ager for Columbia now is in New
York after a seven week's trip to
the Coast where he was in confer-
ence with executives on the com-
pany's new line-up. During his re-
turn trip lie visited the southern
branches.
The Executor of the Last Jt ili and Testament
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
The Industry* s
Date Book
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
June
5 First Day of Lent.
11 Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York at 44th St. Theater.
20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
5 Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc.. at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
5-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington,
D C.
25 Fox annual sales convention starts
to-day.
2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Tiffany's "Mamba" to
Open at Gaiety Mar. 10
Tiffany's all-technicolor, talker
feature, "Alamba" will have its pre-
miere at the Gaiety here on Mar. 10.
"Troopers Three," now current there,
closes Mar. 9.
Booked for 5th Ave.
"The Painted Angel" will be the I :
attraction at the Fifth Ave. Play- ||
house Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, f
while "Rio Rita" begins a four-da.\
run Wednesday.
Barthelmess on Way West
Richard Barthelmess is on his way
to the Coast to play in "The Dawn
Patrol" for First National. Howard
Hawks will direct the production,
based on a story by John Monk Saun-
ders.
Kooler-^^ire
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
WE BUILD, Buy, LEASE,
OPE RATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND,
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
THE
Friday, February 28, 1930
-^Hk
DAILY
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^i By HARRY N. BLAIR ^H,
'T'HE Paramount Long Island stu-
dios recently installed two tele-
graph machines capable of sending
out and receiving telegraphic mes-
sages direct, which are operated by
Ben Segal, who also supervises the
distribution of studio mail.
Phil Quinn, assistant director at
the Warner Bros, studio in Flat-
bush, was employed at the same
studio back in the Vitagraph days
when Frank Heath, Arthur Cozine
and Bob Mawley, now at the Para-
mount Long Island studios, also
i worked there.
Tony Martin, who, with Nick Basil,
I is featured in Louis Brock's "Barnum
Was Wrong," used to play at Perry's
Cafe, the College Inn and Tony
Kelly's place, in Coney Island, on the
same bill with Sophie Tucker, Van &
Schenck, Ted Lewis, Aunt Jemima
and many other present da.\- head-
hners,,but then unknown.
Dick Willis and Harry Burkhardt,
nuike-up men at the Eastern Vita-
phone studio, haven't quite recover-
ed from the arduous task of mak-
ing up the 50 odd Warner employees
who took part in the "Warner Gaie-
ties," given Inst Sunday night, at
the Chanin theater.
William Saulter, in charge of the
Art Dept., at the Long Island studios,
■- now in Jamaica recovering from a
ucrvous breakdown.
Arline DeHaas, formerly in
•harge of Warners studio publicity,
'vho took a trip to the South Seas to
jrt away from picture business for
I while, writes that the first person
<hc met down in that neck of the
voods was Fred Murnau, who, with
'Robert Flaherty, is making a pic-
'ire of life in the South Seas.
I : Neryda, exponent of interpretive
liancing, who recently played the
iloxy theater, makes her screen debut
n "Barnum Was Wrong," a Louis
i^rocic production, directed by Mark
, tandrich at the Ideal studios.
! t Kansas House Goes Sound
i Burlington, Kans. — The New is
king wired by RCA Photophone en-
i-ineers.
! Mt. Pleasant Temple Goes Sound
j Mt. Pleasant, la. — The Temple has
[een wired for sound. Western Elec-
ric film and disc equipment was in-
tailed.
Atlanta House Gets RCA
Atlanta — The West End is opening
ith Photophone equipment.
Sapulpa Express Wired
Sapulpa, Okla. — The Empress has
een wired for sound, Western Elec-
•ic film and disc equipment being in-
tailed.
Another W. E. for San Antonio
San Antonio, Tex. — Western Elec-
ic is in the Strand.
N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Joplin, Mo. — Construction will
start here March 1 on a $400,000
house which the Midland Circuit of
Kansas City has leased for 20 years.
United Studios of Chicago is the con-
tractor.
Memphis, Tenn. — Objection has
been raised by local residents regard-
ing plans for the new theater at Mc-
Lemore Ave. at College St. Resi-
dents declare they want a setback of
40 feet observed while the exhibitor
plans call for five feet.
San Antonio— V. D. (Bud) Wel-
ker, for years connected with the In-
terstate Amusement Co., has been
named director of publicity and ex-
ploitation of the Aztec, recently
leased by Publix.
Raton, N. M. — Hubbard and Mur-
phy have decided upon "El Raton"
as the name of their new $100,000
theater here after local residents sub-
mitted names for the new house.
Greeley, Colo. — Harry Ashton has
been appointed manager of the Pub-
lix Rex. Clarence Perrin was the
former manager.
WoUaston, Mass. — The Wollaston
has reopened after several weeks
during which time the house was
redecorated and renovated. Western
Electric apparatus was installed by
Netoco. Joseph J. McDermott, re-
cently manager of the chain's Regent
at Norfolk Downs, is managing the
house.
Coschocton, O. — John Moran of
Pittsburgh has been named manager
of the Sixth St. by the Harris
Amusement Corp. He succeeds Ralph
E. Reisinger.
San Francisco — The New Rialto,
formerly the Wigwam, has reopened
as a "talkie" house.
New York
The Garden, Brooklyn, is now hav-
ing RCA Photophone equipment in-
stalled and will open shortly with
its new policy.
Sigmund Moss has resigned from
Universal to join First National
where he will head the leasing de-
partment.
"It's a good idea for you show-
men to get into a huddle with the
new 1930 FiUn Daily Year Book,
Not only is e 'orv section a lesson
in itself, but its 'jseiulness has been
demonstrated time and again by the
most seasoned veterans. Hop to it.
You may be missing something."
PHILM.DALX
S£Z/
650-Seat House for Stockton
Stockton, Cal. — Weiland Bros, will
build a new $25,000 theater here for
Angelo Palmero, who has already
leased the house to N. Terai for ten
years. The house will be called the
Savoy and seat 650.
Fleming at Norfolk Downs
Norfolk Downs, Mass. • — Kenneth
Fleming, formerly associate manager
of the Netoco Egyptian at Brighton,
Mass., has been appointed manager
of the Regent here.
Clarendon Exhib Objects
to Army Theater Nearby
IVa^hingtoH Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Protest that a mo-
tion picture house is being operated
at Fort Myer, Va., by an organiza-
tion within the Army and that it is
hurting his business has been filed
with the War Dept. by Joseph C.
Boss, operator of the Ashton, Clar-
endon, Va. Boss states that the
Army house is within five blocks of
his theater and secures pictures at
cut prices, showing them at low ad-
missions, due to little overhead.
3 More W. E.'s for Cleveland
Cleveland, Ohio. — Recent additions
to wired houses here are the New
Broadway (1412 seats), the Olvmpia
(1597 seats) and the Sun (801 seats)
which have been wired by Western
Electric.
To Rebuild Former House
Centerville, la. — Plans are being
drawn for rebuilding the Drake which
recently was destroyed by fire. Dam-
age was estimated at $25,000.
Gentholtz Installs Sound
Garrettsville, C— K. M. Gentholtz
of the local house has installed sound
apparatus.
Theater Wired for Sound
Bucksport, Me. — The Alamo has
been wired with Photophone equip-
ment.
Wiring Frankfort Theater
Frankfort, Ky. — Photophone equip-
ment is being installed at the State.
Where can I get complete text
of Judge Thacher's Decisions
pertaining to Credit Rules
and the Anti-Trust
Laiivs ?
INQUIRE WITHIN
y
1930
Edition
Just
off
the
Press !
GREATEST DRAMA Sll
NATION'S VI
RADIO SWEEPS ON TO
MIGHTY DESTINY WITH
THIS DIFFERENT DRAMA
No froth ... no fluff
no theme song ... no
girls ... no crooners . . .
no jazz or other folde-
rol . . . BUT THE MOST
HEART-SEARCHING
LOVE STORY EVER TOLD
AGAINST A BACK-
GROUND ONLY BREN-
ON COULD CREATE . . .
HERBERT ^0^^*
BRENON flings out his daring dreams like banners in the
' wind . . . Blazer of uncharted trails . . . smasher of idols
• • . arch-enemy of the commonplace ... he scorns smug
tradition in ''Grischa'' and hurls a ringing challenge to
humanity! It will astound America ... it will astound the
WORLD . . . this drama of a youth whose adventure in love
and battle turned the tide of empire and swept a proud
and pompous dynasty into dissolute ruin!
From the world-read novel by Arnold Z^eig
Pot. Off,
:e dawn of talkies
^dict on 'grischa
#/
Genius and resources of
Radio create another mir-
acle for the showmen of
the world • • • presenting
in its first season the two
greatest class attractions of
the year • • • mightiest musical
SHOW OF ALL TIME (RIO RITA) •• AND NOW THE
FINEST DRAMA THE SCREEN HAS EVER KNOWN!
^'Stands out like a lighthouse in a season
of musical fluff and drawing room persi-
flage^^ • • proclaims show-wise Photoplay.
NOW HOLDING CHICAGO IN TITAN GRIP AS LOOP
THRONGS JAM RKO WOODS • . .
THE CASE or _
SERGEAMT
CHESTER
MORRIS
BETTY
COMPSON
JEAN
HERSHOLT
ALEC B. FRANCIS . . . GUSTAV VON SEYFFERTITZ . . . AND A
SWEEPING HOST OF SUPER-NUMERARIES
THE
-s^m
DAILV
Friday, February 28, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
- — €)—
To Draw, Films Must
Offer Constant Innovation
"VrO talkie means much to a
city house to-day unless it
can boast real stars or full color.
A few more pictures and full
color will cease to draw, while
part color will fall into the same
category as part-talkie. It will
mean nothing. Then, either wide-
film or third dimension cinema-
tography must be relied upon
for the new fillip, or "'C must
fall back entirely on those tried
true favorites of silent days.
"Everyones," Sydney
Playwright Holds Talkers
Have Created Drama Audiences
'THE wide penetration of the
screen is making our public
not only theater-minded but dia-
logue-minded. They had been
given the theater going habit in
the old silent film days. Now
they know the charms of clev-
erly spoken lines. Thousands
of people all over the United
States are going to so-called
"legitimate" theaters for the first
time, drawn there by an appetite
for dialogue drama inculcated by
the talkies.
Martin Flavin, playivright
Believes Even Now Talkers
Overshadow Legitimate Stage
PVEN at its present develop-
ment the sound screen
eclipses the stage just as com-
pletely as the modern motion pic-
ture has eclipsed the old Punch
and Judy show. Nor is the com-
parison at all far-fetched, for
when contrasted with the vast
possibilities of the talkies even
the most pretentious production
of the theater is limited to just
about the same comparative size
as the little booth at the coun-
try fair.
John Murray Anderson
^There are 350 theater chains
in the United States and Can-
ada operating four or more
houses.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daily, Jr.
A/f ARTIN STARR, out in Hollywood way with a bevy of
beauties, claims there still is no place like New Yawk. He's
under the impression this Coast trip is a frame-up Harold
S. Bareford, assistant secretary for Warner Bros., is scheduled
to sail tomorrow for a two months' trip to Europe. Evidently
one of those combined business-pleasure things
« * * *
Mrs. Frank Cahill, wife of Frank Cahill, of Warner Bros,
theaters, is convalescing after an operation at the Flower Hos-
pital, New York The Warner and First National building
is kinda short on executives; Abe Warner is in Miami, Sam
Morris in Havana and H. M. Warner en route to the Coast.
But Herman Starr is still holding the fort 'Buddy' Mor-
ris, one of the head men of Witmark & Sons, is dashing around
the Warner office these days Mayer Schlesinger is com-
plaining of a slight cold, but we hear Gus is getting along well
in Germany
* * * *
Ben Goetz, vice president and general manager of Con-
-solidated Film Lab., arrived in town yesterday for a series of
confabs with H. J. Yates Ben's stay will be limited to
a few days Universal Club's Dramatic Society held an
entertainment and dance last night at the True Sisters Club
House, and sure played to a full house
* « « 4>
Helen Morgan, Jack Donahue and the orchestras of Rudy
Vallee, Leo Reisman and Vincent Lopez, are to be among the
mirth and music lineup at the Newspaper Club's ball tonight ai
the Ritz-Carlton Incidentally, Leo Reisman did not ap-
pear as scheduled at Proctor's 86th St. last night, due to illnes^,
and the Roxy Gang was rushed to the theater to pinch hit
« * * «
Louella O. Parsons, m. p. editor of Universal Service, ar-
rived in the big burg yesterday from the coast on her first
visit since she became the bride of Dr. Harry Martin
Black McVeigh would have the world know that, with the open
ing of "Song of the West," there are now three all-Technicolor
features running at $2 on Broadway, with more to come
* * * *
Lucille Gleason, the better half of the versatile and hard-
working James Gleason, is back in New York and plans to
resume vaudevilling in "Meet the Missus."
* * • •
James Gillespie, personal representative for Paul Whiteman,
returns to the Coast tomorrow after a flying visit to New York,
where he has been giving folks his personal assurance that Uni-
versal's forthcoming "King of Jazz" is okay John C.
Flinn is Coast-bound again to busy himself on the new Pathe
shorts schedule
FEBRUARY 28-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Charles Walter Beyer
Pat Somerset
William Wellman
Irving Briskin
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
\
A VISITOR to the Roxy was dis-
cussing business conditions and
the stock market with Manager C.
W. Griswold.
"I see that the film stocks have
come back strong since the break,"
said the visitor. "You fellows must
be doing a big business."
"Sure enough," replied C. W., "it
shows in the theaters."
"American Chewing Gum is an-
other stock that's coming back nice-
ly. I suppose their business like-
wise is booming?"
"Yes, and that shows in our the-
aters, too!"
* * «
Paid Gulick and Oscar Cooper
were discussing a suitable title for
a musical production that is to have
a telephone girl as its heroine.
"How about calling it 'The Tele-
phone Operetta'?" suggested Paul.
* * *
Actors could play their parts a
little more realistically if they were
given real champagne to drink when
the story calls for the bubbling
liquid, says Sam Hardy, but the pro-
ducers don't seem to think that the
difference in acting would be worth
the difference in cost between cham-
pagne and tea.
* * t
Cameron Lenz and Celia Lloyd
postcard that they have reached Buf-
falo on their cross-country jaunt by
flivver. Speaking of a house they
tried to crash one night, Cam re- ',
marks :
"We had as tough a time getting
in there as you trade paper reviewers ^
have trying to get in the press sec- f
tion at the Paramount with your yel-
low passes."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Tom Moore to have 11 houses in
Washington.
A. Kaufman signs Alan Holubar
and Dorothy Phillips.
Joseph Urban made
rector of Cosmopolitan
technical
Prod.
di-
*
*
t
Al
Boys
Santell to
for Cohn.
direct
Hall
Room
A GREATER BOOK
Covering
A GREATER INDUSTRY
Everything about motion pictures or
about the motion picture industry is
thoroughly covered in the most compre-
hensive volume ever published
THE 1930 FILM YEAR BOOK
Now being distributed to FILM DAILY Subscribers
=^JX0^
DAILY
Friday, February 28, 1930
22,624 MIITERS IN U. S.
IN riLH BOARD CENSUS
(^Continued from Page 1)
being 1,485. Cincinnati is next with
1,315, followed by Minneapolis with
1,269, Kansas City with 1,120 and
Boston with 1,119.
New York City proper has 575 houses,
the survey shows. .
Detailed list of the zones, together with
the number of theaters they include and the
states in which the houses are located, fol-
lows :
No. of
Zone Houses Location
Albany 535 (N. Y. 467, Vt. 51,
Mass. 17)
Atlanta 808 (Oa. 231, Ala. 188,
'^ Fla. 232, Tenn. 157)
Boston 1119 (Mass. 523, Me. 252.
Vt. 112, R. I. 92.
N. H. 140)
Buffalo 512 (N. Y.)
Ch^lotte 532 (N. C. 375, S. C. 157)
Chkago 867 (111. 728 Ind 126,
la. 6, Mich. 7)
Cincinnati 1315 (O 601 Ky 342, \V
Va. 323, Ind. 18,
Va. 31)
Cleveland 646 (Ohio)
Dallas 1072 (Texas)
Denver 512 (Colo. 276, Neb. 68,
N. Mex. 91, S. D.
22, Wyo. 55)
Des Moines 429 (Iowa) ^
Detroit 604 (Michigan)
Indianapolis 744 (Indiana)
Kansas aty 1120 (Kan. 600, Mo. 520)
Los Angeles 559 (Cal. 474, Anr. 85)
Memphis 460 (Ark. 276, Miss. 85,
" ^ Tern. 99)
Milwaukee 805 (Wis. 720. Mich. 85)
Minneapolis 1269 (Minn. |14, ^N-^D-
45)
New Haven 242 (Conn. 208, Mass. 34)
New Orleans 636 (Ala. 62, Ark. 14, Fla.
8, Tex. 27, La. 31.^
Miss. 212)
New York 913 (N. Y. C. 575, L. I.
154, N. Y. 25, N. T.
159)
Oklahoma City 616 (Okla. 525, Ark. 11,
Tex. 80)
Omaha 775 (Neb. 458, Ta. 262,
S. D. 55)
Philadelphia 598 (Pa. 480, N. J. 96.
Del. 22)
Pittsburgh 842 (Pa. 586. W. Va.
256)
Portland 266 (Ore. 228. Id. 13,
Wash. 25)
St Louis 1485 (111. 558, Mn. 540,
Ark. 198, Ky. 108,
Tenn. 81)
Salt Lake City 675 (ITtah 247. Td. 148,
Mont. :20. Wvo. 22,
Nev. 38)
San Francisco 503 (Cal. 465, Ore. 11,
Nev. 27)
Seattle 470 (Wash. 406; Id. 36,
Mont. 18, Alaska 10)
Wash., D. C. 695 (O. C. 54, Md. 216,
Va, 287. V^. Va.
107. Del 31)
To Wire at Balaton
Balaton, Minn. — H. F. Ankruni will
wire the Gem for sound.
Madison Theater Co.
Madison, Wis. — Madison and Port-
age Theater Companies has been
forined by Madison interests.
Buys Ellsworth House
Ellsworth, Minn. — J. F. Sanders
has taken over the Majestic from
Tohn and Mrs. Nordman.
Waconia Lyric Wired
Waconia, Minn. — E. A. Schultz has
wired the Lyric for sound.
Sells Table Rock House
Table Rock, Neb. — L. S. Greene
has sold his house to W. N. Hale.
Sono Art Will Use 56 mm.
Wide Film, States Weeks
(Coittiiined from Page 1)
Art-World Wide program will com-
prise between 20 and 25 features
which is practically the same at it's
.urrent schedule. As yet it has not
oeen determined how much color will
be used.
Emil Jaimings Returning
with English Vocabulary
{Continued from Page 1)
an English version of "The Blue
Angel," German talker directed by
Joseph von Sternberg, who has re-
turned to the Coast.
F. N. Announces Winners
in Exploitation Contest
(Continued from Page 1)
toona, Pa., second; Richard A. Reil-
ly, Regent, Elizabeth, N. J., third.
Judges were Ned E. Depinet, Spyros
Skouras and S. Charles Einfeld. (jold
watches are the prizes.
Wiring at Westbrook
Westbrook, Minn. — E. T. Hopkins
IS wiring the Star for sound. House
to be reopened March 1.
Mcintosh Reopening
Mcintosh, S. D.— William Chap-
lin has reopened the Lyric after in-
stalling sound equipment.
Buys Dexter House
Dexter, la. — Haaken Gronn, of
Anita, has taken over the local house.
NEWYORK STATE CENSORS
MAKING EEWER DELETIONS
(Continued from Page 1)
James Wingate, sole commissioner.
Sixteen were entirely rejected, but
eight of these obtained approval after
revision.
Eliminations were made for the fol-
lowing reasons: because the scenes
were regarded as tending to incite
crime, 1,479; indescent, 340; inhuman,
J20; mimoral 485; sacrilegious, 80;
obscene, 6.
Wingate viewed 8,496,000 feet of
.ilm, comprising 2,534 subjects, and
448 subjects had to undergo elimina-
tions. Profit to the State from the
censorship commission last year was
$146,922.23. Since the office was
established in 1921, $1,525,645.57 has
been collected in license fees, and of
this amount $895,219.19 represents
net profit to the State.
Universal Newsreel Now
Accojnpanied by Music
Music has been added to the Uni-
versal Newsreel. It will serve to gap
the intervals of silence when Graham
McNamee is not speaking. The first
)rchestrated issue of the newsreel will
be released to first-run houses to-
morrow. The Beacon, Strand and
Colony will show it along Broadway.
Buy Eugene (Ore.) House
Eugene, Ore. — George H. Godfrey
and W. B. McDonald have taken
over the Colonial and will install
sound equipment.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
NORTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Hatton — Crescent, sold by Joe Anderson;
Kulm — Auditorium, sold to Theodore
Sciiorzman by L. H. Brown ; RoUet — Ar-
nold, sold to Mr. Porter by J. G. Arnold;
Warwick — Community, sold to A. H. Hul-
gen by W. B. Whetham.
OHIO
Changes in Ownership
Akron — Arcade, sold to C. J. Bolender by A.
J. Hanze; Cincinnati — Variety, sold to Kay
Alasil by J. F. Potts; Cleveland — Boule-
vard, sold to Alex Stark by H. J. Herki-
mer ; Moreland, sold to The Moreland The-
ater Co. by M. S. Fine; Princess, sold to
Wallace J. Elliott and Louis Marcus by
Abe Kramer ; Columbus — Pythian, sold to
The Pythian Theater Co. by H & K Cir-
cuit ; Victor, sold to A. and F. Fox by J.
M. Weiss; DeGraff — Lincoln, sold to R. S.
and G. M. Dillow by G. W. Brehm ; Ft.
Recovery — Royal, sold to E. Wagner & Son
by E. T. Adams; Hopedale — Capitol, sold
to W. J. Wanenmacher by H. Stringer;
Lancaster — Hippodrome, sold to The Hock-
ing Valley Arnusement Co. by Russell
Evans ; Leetonia — American, sold to Sam
Barck by Henry Laws; Lockland — Avenue,
sold to James K. Barnett by A. P. Stauver-
man ; Rittman — Pastime, sold to R. L. Car-
michael by A. J. Goffinet ; Saylor Park —
Parkland, sold to B. E. Morehouse by G.
H. Gorman ; Seneca'ville — (Thaise, sold to
L. E. Laughlin by C. J. Spaid; Warren —
Ohio, sold to The Robins Ent. Co. by
•Smith Amusement Co.
NORTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Andrews — Dreamland, sold to W. M. Bradley
by T. M. Worthey ; Clayton — National, sold
to G. H. Wright by Wade H. Ellis; E.
Rockingham — Pleasu, sold to C. I. Gresliam
by J. R. Crowson; Liberty — Curdts, sold to
John W. Curtis by G. M. Haley; Smith-
field — Sander's, sold to H. P. Howell by
Bright Leaf Theater.
Closings
Bakersville — Pastime; Candor — Dixie; Clay-
ton— National; Durham — Bluebird; Hert-
ford— Rex: Maxton — Maxton ; Mebane —
Majestic ; Morganton — New ; Randleman —
Playhouse; Smithfield — Victory,
Closings
Loveland — Opera House; McDermott — Mc
Dermott ; New Matamoras — Palace ; Ports-
mouth — Strand ; Sedalia — Auditorium ;
Shawnee — Linda ; Yellow Springs — Opera
House.
OKLAHOMA
Changes in Ownership
Perry — Roxy, sold to Adolph and Cliarle^-
Wooleson by Mrs. Ella J. Huston.
Closings
Cherokee — Majestic; Davidson — Ritz ; Hunter
— Limberick; Jennings — Crystal: Lindsey —
Dixie; Braman — Olympic.
OREGON
Changes in Ownership
Elgin — Opera House, sold to Myron Hug &
Charles Earnhardt by E. F. and H. E.
Hug; Springfield — Bell, sold to Herbert
Weiss by J. M. Larson.
Closings
Arlington — Columbia : Butte Falls — Butte
Falls ; Hermiston — Columbia : Umatilla —
New.
New Theaters
Portland — Casino, owner — Bob Webster.
$2 in Minneapolis
Minneapolis — Something
new for this city is being
launched by the Century in fix-
ing a $2 top and reserving all
seats for the opening perform-
ance of "The Vagabond King,''
opening tonight. For the rest
of the run the night top will
be $1, against the regular price
of 75 cents, and no reserved
seats.
EXCHANGES IN WAR ON
(Continued from Page 1)
against Harry M. Weber and Jack
Beck of Liberty, N. Y., was settled
before it reached trial. Attorney
Louis N. Nizer is handling these
cases for the exchanges.
In Pittsburgh nine copyright viola-
tion cases are pending.
Publix Makes Changes
in Omaha Personnel
Omaha — With the appointment of
Lionel Wasson, manager of the
World, to the post of assistant to
Charles Pincus, city manager, George
Munroe has been named house man-
ager of the World. Wasson will con-
tinue to supervise the house. Ches-
ter Friedman, assistant manager oi\
the Paramount, has been transferred!
to the Publix general offices in Newi|
York, where he will assist in train-
ing house managers. Rowland Mil-1
ler, general publicity manager fori
Publix in Lincoln, is assisting thei
Omaha office pending the arrival olj
a successor to Irvin Waterstrect.
Blamed for Pathe Case Delay
Blame for the delay in bringing the
Pathe studio fire hearing to a con-
i:lusion has been placed on the office
of District Attorney Thomas C. Tj
Grain by P. A. Shay, counsel foi|
Henry. Lally, one of the defendants.*!
The first two adjournments of the)j
case were requested by Grain's of-1
fice. Shay states. Following the third f
adjournment Wednesday, the charges
will be presented to the Grand Juryj
on Monday.
Closes After 15 Years
Dresden, Tenn. — After being oper-
ated for 15 years, T. W. Cannon has|
closed the Majestic.
i>l I'hil.Hlclpli
of Wasliington
zxtintnbu.
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
riie "Home Town
Faiitis" of -I (iO(i tlie-
alie o\\ nets. The
most intensivcl.N read
jou.nals in ilie in-
dustry — Keeping
tverlastjigly at it for
Ihc 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35',^ territory
EMANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
i
;Sf€» NEWSPAPER
oyPILMDOM
ANDWEEm
fiLH DIGEST
VOL. LI No. 51
Sunday, March 2, 1930
Price 25 Cents
u 0 ^iafiwal foi St.Patticfcs]V
ras-'KiDM:
m
(mm§m
CHARLIE
MURRAY
CEOhCE
SIDNEY
VERA
GORDON
att^ KATE rniCE
\ Directed by
WILLIAM JAMES CRAFT
Presented by
CARL LAEMMLE
tlniversaVs New Selliner Season is on MOW/
ANOTHER MIGHTY VOLUME
OF STATISTICAL DATA
REGARDING ALL DETAILS
OF MOTION PICTURES
The Year's Best Seller
I930
Film Daily Year Book
Get Your Copy Now
DEPICTS THE HIGHLIGHTS
OF IMPORTANT CHANGES
AND VARYING CONDITIONS
IN ENTIRE INDUSTRY
twb-'reel comedy special
^ith. ike exploitation value
pf a I>i:^ feature
Th^ Fatmous Gait Chammans
LTER ^ LEO
in
DIEGE
SENNET
GrcAt Sh)art Featwire Talking Comedy
TCH PLAY'
with
YDE, MARJORIE BEEB(E
a BUD JAMISON I
/'
J.F ever a Short Feature Comedy assured pleasure
to an audience and profit to an exhibitor, this
is it! A rwO'reel comedy special that completely
outclasses the average feature picture in exploita-
tion possibilities.
Names that will attract anyone -who knotirs the
difference between a drive and a putt I Champion-
ship golf that -will thrill everyone front the "pro**
at your local golf club to the person -w^ho never
saw a golf ball! Contedy that will have them
all roaring! And a whole string of exploitation
"naturals** to choose from.
Backed up by record'breaking national publicity.
Ask your Educational Exchange for details of the
big national dealer tie-ups» assuring -window^ dis-
plays, valuable free prizes for local contests, etc.
m
4
EDUCATIONAL
FILM EXCHANGES, Inc.
E. W. HAMMONS, President
ff (Skiicocvtccrnci/ U-tcZuAz^
■THE SPICE OF.THE PROGRAM'
Member. Uotion Pintirt Prt>duc«r> uti
baton of Anerick. Int.. WiU H H«y», I>re9i(leilt
iTHE
o/'FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
VOL. LI No. 51
Sunday, March 2, 1930
Price 25 Cents
$10,000,000 Building Budget for Chi Territory
HALSEY^UART & COHAVE NEW TOX PLAN
Columbia Cutting Feature Releases to 20 Total
"Roadshow Attractions"
1930-31 Policy,
Says Cohn
Coluinljia intends to reduce its
1930-31 releasing schedule from 26
to 20 features, it was stated by Jack
Cohn Friday. The object, he said,
was to turn out "roadshow attrac-
tions" instead of program pictures,
and all productions will be based on
plays. Eleven stage successes have
ocen purchased for the new program.
The first picture will be "Rain or
-Shine," starring Joe Cook, said Cohn.
Other plays acquired include "The
Criminal Code" and 'Soldiers and
Women."
3,502 PICTURE HOUSES IN
FRANCE, SURVEY SHOWS
Paris — Total number of picture
theaters in France has reached the
3,502 mark, according to figures just
;3ublished by the Minister of Finance.
Paris has 191 cinemas while the
Dept. of the Seine has 136. In the
srovinces there are 3,175.
Aarons Signed by Fox
as Associate Producei
Vest Coast Bureau, THE FILM PAIL'
Los Angeles — Alex A. Aarons,
jnusical comedy producer, has joined
*ox as an associate producer. Ben-
amin StolofF will direct his first
vhich will be an original musical by
yilliam K. Wells, as yet untitled,
"on Conrad will compose the music
nd Danny Dare stage the dance
lumbers.
•ollak to Distribute
"White Cargo" in N. Y.
.^do!ph Pollak of Hollywood Pic-
ures has closed with Capt. Harold
Vuten, who represents the W. P.
11m Co. Ltd. of London, for distrib-
tion rights on "White Cargo" in the
.'ew York and Northern New Jer-
ey territories. The picture now is
..rent at the Geo. M. Cohan.
ALL 20 UFA PICTURES TO
HAVE ENGLISH VERSIONS
All of the 20 pictures scheduleu
to be brought here will have Eng-
lish versions, F. Wynne-Jones, presi-
dent of Ufa, stated Friday. Six of
this number have already arrived
here. They are: "Heart's Melody,"
"Love Waltz," "Immortal Vaga-
bond,' "The Last Companj'," "The
Blue Angel" and "The White Devil,"
which are all-talking productions.
Emil Jannings speaks English in
"The Blue Angel," in which he is
the star.
La Plante Released From
"U" Contract; Resting
»V.>7 Coajt Buiean. THE FILM PAIL)
Hollywood — Laura La Plante, who
las been with Universal for the past
:ight years, at her own request has
been released from her contract with
that company, states Universal. Il
is probable that Miss La Plante will
go to Europe for an extended trip.
Colorcraft is Planning a
Laboratory at Coast
\\\X\\ a large studio and laboratorj
rapidly ■ nearing completion in Lone;
Island" City. William Hoyt Peck,
vice-pres. of the Colorcraft Corp., is
preparing to leave for Hollywood to
choose a building site for its Coast
plant.
In speaking of the Coast activities
of Colorcraft, Peck estimates that
the first unit of their Hollywood unA
(Continued on Page 2)
EDWIN P. GROSVENOR,
dAYS mSEL, DIES
Funeral services for Edwin P.
Grosvenor of Cadwalader, Wicker-
sham & Taft, counsel for the Hays
organization in connection with tlie
Federal Government's suits aimed at
arbitration and the credit committee
systems, will be held Saturday at 1
o'clock at his residence, 455 E. 57th
St. Burial will he at Washington,
Conn. Grosvenor, who was 54 years
old, died at 1:15 Friday morning,
from pneumonia, following a week's
illness.
Hiram Brown Denies RKO
Interested in Boyd Chain
Commenting on tiie report that
RKO is interested m the Boyd chain
bein.g formed at Philadelphia and
vicinity, Hiram Brown, PJvO presi-
dent, on Friday made a denial, say-
ing that his company is not concerned
financially.
"RKO is always likely to expand,"
said Brown. "Any proposition in-
volvine an attractive group of the-
aters would be considered."
Fox West Coast Acquires
Marlow's Illinois Circuit
H'cst Coast Bureau, THE FILM PAIL)
Los .A.ngeles — Fox West Coast
Theaters has taken over the Marlow's
Circuit in Illinois of four houses.
Plans are also in work to build a
3,000 seat house at East St. Louis,
111. and another at Columbia, Mo.
Three Major Theater Projects
on Chicago Building Schedule
Chicago— At least $10,000,000 will
be represented in theater property to
be erected in the Chicago territor\-
during the current year. Three ma-
jor projects will account for approxi-
mately $9,000,000 of the total and
add more than 9,000 seats.
Seating 3,000, a new Fox house is
scheduled for 92nd and Commercial
Sts. in South Chicago and will cost
about $3,000,000. The proposed RKO
house, for which preliminary plans
have been made, is expected to cost
approximately $4,000,000 and have a
capacity of 4,000. Completion of the
Publix-Great .States Paramount house
at Hanmiond is scheduled for May.
It seats 2,100 and costs $2,000,000.
Other theaters projected add another
million to the territory's construction
budget.
Stockholders to Vote on
Alternative Proposal
Next Wednesday
.\nother new Fox refinancing plan
has been prepared by Halsey, Stuart
& Co. to be submitted to stockhold-
ers at the meeting Wednesday as an
alternative to the plan sponsored by
the Lehman group of bankers, it was
learned Friday night. At the same
time it was announced by Fox that
Monday has been set as the new date
for the hearing on the temporary or-
der granted last Wednesday by Su-
preme Court Justice Nathan Bijur
against the Bankers Trust Co., Harry
L. Stuart and John E. Otterson to
prevent the Stuart and Otterson in-
terests from voting the Class B stock
owned by William Fox at the 'Wed-
nesday meeting.
With Halsey, Stuart & Co. deter-
mined to submit an opposition re-
financing program, following denials
(Continued on Page 2)
Luxemburg House Bombed
Second Time in 4 Months
Luxemburg, Mo. — The Lemay,
operated by Lee Lau, has been
bombed for the second time. Two
bombs damaged the generator.
House was first bombed when Lau
installed sound equipment and dis-
charged two musicians and union
projectionists several months ago.
Mekelburg to Distrbute
Big 4 Films in Boston
C. .\. Stinison. vice president of the
Big 4 Film Corp., has contracted
with Marcel Mekelburg of Boston for
the distribution of his company's
TToduct in New England during 1930.
^ 1 ll.sJ 1 ■Xi--l__ll .
Sole Survivor
Philadelphia — The waning
"arty theater" movement now
has a single representative in
this city. The Little Theater
is the sole survivor as the Film
Guild Cinema has folded up.
THE
iS^Hk
DAILV
Sunday, March 2, 1930
Viii.lNo.51 Sunday March 2. 1930 Price25Cents
lOHN W AUCOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March .1, 1879. Terms (PosUge
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $.1.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89 91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolff sohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
•Am. Seat 2254 ■••
Con. Fra. Ind. .. 20H 20J4 20J4 20(
•Con. Fm. Ind. pfd 23>i
East. Kodak 219»i21« 216!4 5,10('
Fox Fm. "A" .. 34K ii% 33^ 20,000
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 45^ 44/, 447^ l?,50u
•Keith AG 36
do pfd 105H 104K 105"4 201
Loew's Inc 70^ 69 69?.^ 6,90(
do pfd. WW (6yi)A60 99'A 99H lOf'
•da pfd. xw {6'A) 85/, ...
MG-M pfd 2Sy, 25/2 25/, 30
Para. F-L 695^ 67>4 69/, 28.901
PatWe Exch 4 3H 3^ 9nf
de "A" 8 7/2 7/, 500
•RKO 31/, ...
•Univ. Pict. pfd 45
Warner Bros 67H 64>i 67 J4 133.00
do pfd 59 S7'A 59 3, IOC
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Hal. & Katz 65 ....
•Columbia Pets 29/,
Fox Thea. "A" . 7Ji 7/, 7^ 1.20(
•Intern, Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts.. 34 32J4 32^ 20(
*Loew Inc. war 13 ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser 24
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
'Univ. Pict 9
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AO 6s 46 82
Loew 6s 41ww 114 113^i 114 6(
do 6s 41 x-war.. 9654 96J4 96J4 50
Paramount 6s 47 .lOOfi 100!^ 1005^ 250
Par. By. 5/2S 51.101;^ 101 101^ 40
•Pathe 7s 37 47)4
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
I "
NewT York Long Island City
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940
]♦ E. Brolatour, Inc.
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave
H oUywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
INDEX
FACE
FINANCIAL. Daily Market Activitits 2
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast News by Telegraph 3
-A LITTLE FROM LOTS" by Ralph Wilk 3
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Berg 4-(
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 8
TIMELY TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions ?
A FILM FACT A DAY 8
ALONG THE RIALTO. by Phil M. Daly, Jr 8
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS ;
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily Files !
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly ." ,«
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 9
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair ^
THE WEEK'S HEADLINES. Resume of News II
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 10 11
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Louis Pelegrine I
PRESENTATIONS, by Don C. Gillette 1
REVIEWS
PAGB
A LADY TO LOVE 10
CASE OF SERGEANT GRISCHAAO
COHENS AND KELLY S IN
SCOTLAND 10
LET'S GO PLACES n
OFFICER O'BRIEN 10
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND 1: SILENT
rAOB
SLIGHTLY SCARLET 10
SONG OF THE WEST Ir
TALK OF HOLLYWOOD 10
UNDERTOW li
WHITE CARGO 1
New Fox Plan Prepared by
Halsey, Stuart & Co. Group
(Continued from Page 1)
by officials of this company that they void. Fox
would get together with the Lehman
faction and agree on a compromise
plan, the outlook again becomes
clouded.
Acceptance of the Lehman re-
financing arrangement was declared
by Judge Frank J. Coleman, at the
last court hearing, as the only way
to avoid a receivership, since Fox
said he would have nothing to do
with any proposition that would give
Halsey, Stuart & Co. control of his
business, and any other plan sug-
gested would have to be satisfactory
to William Fox. On the other hand,
one of the stipulations in the Lehman
plan is tkat the Halsey, Stuart group
shall cancel the voting trust agree-
ment entered into last December with
Fox, and this the Halsey, Stuart
people have refused to do.
The injunction order, which is re-
turnable Monday or as soon as coun-
sel may be heard, was granted upon
the affidavit and complaint of Fox.
who seeks to have the voting trust
agreement made by Otterson, Stuart
and Fox on Dec. 23, 1929, declared
also asks that the 50,-
101 shares of Fox Film B stock and
100,000 shares of Fox Theaters stock,
which were deposited with the Bank-
ers Trust, be returned to him.
Colorcraft is Planning a
Laboratory at Coast
(.Continued from Page 1)
will have a capacity of 120,000,000
feet of film per year, with provision
made to increase capacity to take care
of 72,000,000 more footage, as the
demands of the industry warrant such
expansion.
Evelyn Laye, star of the Ziegfeld
musical "Bitter Sweet," will lay the
cornerstone of Colorcraft^s Long Is-
land plant Tuesday, at 2 P.M.
'Case of Sergeant Grischa'
Opens at Globe, March 7
Radio Pictures will open "The
("ase of Sergeant Grisha" at the
Globe, New York, March 7. The
picture will be previewed at the
'"hanin Little theater on the 52nd
floor of the Chanin Bldg., March 5.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
5
First Day of Lent.
Mar.
10
Opening of "Mamba" at
Gaiety, N. Y.
the
Mar.
11
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York at 44th St. Theater.
Mar.
20
Annual election of Maryland
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
M.P.
Apr.
1
Premiere of "Journey's End"
at a
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
June ;
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club. Inc., at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington.
D C.
Fox annual sales convention starts
to-day.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Delehanty Sailing
Tlic>mas A. Delehanty, vice presi-
dent and general manager of Pathe
International Corp., sails Saturday
on the Aquitania. Delehanty will
stop at London, Paris, Berlin and
other cities to visit Pathe branches.
Hanson in Canada
Oscar Hanson, general sales man-
ager for Tififan}', is in Canada on
short business.
Pathe Hearing Up Tuesday
Public hearing on the Pathe fire
case will begin Wednesday in Homi-
cide Court, while the Grand Jury be-
gins considering the case in secret
on Monday or Tuesday.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND]
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SA NSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
...
tHE
Sunday, March 2, 1930
-c&ak
DAILY
Two Companies Working at Darmour Lot
Work Progressing on Trem Carr Feature and Mickey McGuire Comedy — Color for "Under Western Skies"
— Fox Signs Musical Director — Tuttle Renews with Paramount — Ralph Wilk's Notes and Other Coast News
TWO COMEDIES AND ONE
FEATURE NOW IN WORK
Two comedy companies and one
active on a feature are now busy at
the Larry Darmour studios. Al Her-
man is directing Toonerville Mickey
Mc(unre comedy while Lewis R. Fos-
ter started direction of "The Land of
the Sky-Blue Daughter," an H. C.
Witwer talker short. Phil Rosen is
diiecting a Trem Carr production,
"The Second Honeymoon," with
Josephine Dunn, Edward Harle and
Bernice Elliott in the cast.
Frank Tuttle Gets New
Paramount Contract
Frank Tuttle, Paramount director,
has signed a new contract to direct
for the company. His most recent
assignment was the S. S. Van Dine
story, "The Benson Murder Case.''
Under his new contract, Tuttle's first
production will be "True to the
Navy," starring Clara Bow.
Nine Song Writers on Film
For the 15 songs used in "Good
News," M-G-M production, nine song
writers, De Sylva, Brown & Hender-
son, Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur
Freed, George Ward,- Reggie Mont-
)mery and Robinson & Waggner,
combined in turning out the numbers.
"Holiday" for Ina Claire
Talking picture rights to "Holi-
day," have been acquired by Pathe
from Philip Barry and Arthur Hop-
kins, according to an announcement
by E. B. Derr. The play will serve
as a starring vehicle for Ina Claire.
J. Farrell MacDonald Cast
J. Farrell MacDonald has been
added to the cast of First Nationar.'
"Under Western Skies," which ha?
Clarence Badger as director.
"Fall Guy" Lead for Mulhall
RKO has assigned the chief role
in "The Fall Guy" to Jack Mulhall.
The film, to be made under the super-
vision of William Sistrom, is based
on the James Gleason-George Ab-
bott play.
Ridgeway in Columbia Cast
Fritzi Ridgeway has been added
to the "Prince of Diamonds" cast
which A. H. Van Buren and Karl
Brown are directing.
"Easy Going" for Haines
William Haines' next for M-G-M
will be titled "Easy Going."
Ellsler for "Practical Joke"
Effie Ellsler will play Aunt Mag-
gie in "A Very Practical Joke," di-
rected by Berthold Viertel, for Fox.
A Little from ''Lots''
By RALPH WILK
£)ELMAR DAVES, former Stan-
ford University class president,
who made his movie debut as co-
author and supporting player in "So
ihis Is College," is back ni makeup,
playing another collegiate role m
Good News." Daves, now estab-
lished as scenarist as well as an ac-
tor, last appeared in "The Bishop
Murder Case."
Several years ago, he taught Ari-
zona cowboys to dance for twenty-
five cents a lesson. Now he is cd-
rectiyig beautiful girls, Paul White-
ma7i, his band, John Boles and othem
ai "King of Jazz." We refer to
John Murray Anderson. His Ari-
zona dancing school was in the
'Wasp's Nest" saloon and dajice
hall in Phoenix, under the protec-
tion of "Red Dog" Brown, proprie-
tor.
New York theatrical produc-
ers express wonder at the su-
perior beauty and remarkable
youthfulness of California cho-
rus girls, according to Mervyn
LeRoy, who has returned from
a short trip to New York.
Operatic Role for Navarro
Ramon Navarro will be heard as
an opera singer for the first time in
M-G-M's "The Singer of Seville,"
which Charles Brabm is directing.
1. he cast includes; Dorothy Jordan,
Renee Adoree, Ernest Torrence and
Marie Dresi.lcr.
To Make Natteford Original
Tiffany will immediately get intci
production "Down by the Rio
Grande," an original by John Fran-
cis Natteford. Richard Thorpe will
direct with Lester Scott supervising.
Two More for Columbia Cast
Ann Brody and Walter P. Lewis
have been added to the cast of "A
Royal Romance," which is being di-
.ected by Erie C. Kenton with Pau-
line Starke and William Collier, Jr.,
in the leading roles.
Dialoguing
Universal's Feature
Comedies
(^LIR Passing Show: Pistol shots
heralding the beginning of "Under
Western Skies," at First National;
Bernice Claire symbolizing the start
of "Mile. Modiste" by singing so-
prano a la coloratura to a flute ob-
■igato; Mervyn LeRoy being greetei
on his hurried trip from New York
William O'Connor is Hollywood's
newest director. He is directing
"Step on the Gas," a Willis Kent
production starring Helen Foster.
O'Connor tvas an assistant to sev-
eral leading directors before being
atvarded the megaphone.
Townsend Martin, for sev-
eral years a scenarist at the
Paramount Long Island stu-
dio, is hobnobbing with Holly-
wood friends. He wrote "A
Most Immoral Lady," a Broad-
way play starring Alice Brady.
Frederick Y. Smith, who edited
several Vitaphone shorts, has been
promoted and will edit First National
features. His initial feature is
"Sweet Mammas," starring Alice
White.
ING INDER WESTERN
SKIES" IN ALL COLOR
First National's "Under Western
Skies," which goes into production
this week near Bishop, Cal., will be
made entirely in technicolor under
the direction of Clarence Badger.
Sidney Blackmer and Lila Lee head
the cast which also includes Ray-
mond Hatton, Fred Kohler and
Clyde Cook.
Carli Elinor Signed by
Fox as Musical Director
Carli EHnor, who has been musical
director of the Carthy Circle here,
has been signed by Fox as musical
director at the studio. Elinor will
^e associated with Ben Jackson and
will score silent pictures.
Roberts Signed by Tiffany
Stephen Roberts has beeia signed
by Tiffany to direct. Before joining
Tiffany, Roberts directed for Edu-
-ational for seven -"'ears.
Fox Siens Howard Higgins
Howard Higgins has been assigned
by Fox to direct and write originals.
Don Terry for Tiffany Role
Don Terry has been signed by Tif-
fany to play the lead in an outdoor
picture.
Columbia Pictures
CORPORATION
announces that it has in the
course of production an All
Talking Out-Door Western
^^Call of the West"
^at^-
All Rights Reserved
THE
-.%g^
DAILV
Sunday, March 2, 1930
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
DODSON HEADS NATIONAL
SCREEN Off ICE IN K.C.
Kansas City — Erwin Dodson has
been appointed manager of the local
National Screen Service Corp. office,
succeeding Beverly Miller who has
been transferred to the Chicago of-
fice as assistant manager. W. P.
'Pat' Garyn, sales manager, made the
appointment during his recent visit
here.
Merger Proposed for
Insolvent Celebritone
London — That Celebritone, Ltd.,
which is in voluntary bankruptcy, en-
ter into a merger is urged by the
board of directors as a possible means
of getting the company out of its
difficulties.
Trade Commission Outlines
Rules for Seating Industry
WajUiiigtoii Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Rules condenming
unfair practices in the public seating
industry, adopted at the recent tradt
practice conference and accepted by
the commission, are as follows:
Rule 1 — Inducing the breach or abandon-
ment of any contract between a manufacturer
and his customer is an unfair trade practice.
Rule 2 — The circulation by a manufacturer,
or his agent, dealer or distributor, of false
statements or false reports concerning the
personnel, reputation, ability or financial
standing of competitors is an unfair trade
practice.
Rule 3 — The circulation by a manufacturer,
or his agent, dealer or distributor, of false
statements or fa'se reports concerning the
materials, construction and finish of competi-
tors' products is an unfair trade practice.
Rule 4 — False and misleading statements
by a manufacturer, or his agent, dealer or
distributor, concerning his own personnel.
Tune in
TUESDAY
MARCH 4
THE ROMANCE
OF MOTION PICTURES
. . . A
WESTINGHOUSE SALUTE''
Westinghouse continues its se-
ries of distinctive radio broad-
cast programs with a Salute to
the Motion Picture Industry —
portraying the romance of this
great business against a color-
ful and impressive musical back-
ground. The studio castincludes
actor-stars from the New York
legitimate stage, a large chorus,
and full orchestra accompani-
ment. You are invited to hear
this program over a coast-to-
coast NBC network, including
Westinghouse Stations KDKA,
WBZ, WBZA and KYW. Tune in
Tuesday, March 4th, at 10 P. M.,
Eastern Standard Time.
Westinghouse
ancial
reputation, ability or
unfair trade practice.
Rule 5 — 'Ihe sale or offer to sell by a
manufacturer or his agent, dealer or distribu-
tor, of any item of public seating products,
by false or misleading statements or guaran-
tees, or by concea.ment or misrepresentation
of the lacts, as to materials, construction or
nnish, is an unfair trade practice.
Rule b tformerly Resolution 7) — For any
manufacturer of jjublic seating to entice an>
of the otticers, agents, salesmen, or employees
ol any competitor to violate their contracts
oi employment ; and/or to entice away the
otticers, agents, salesmen or employees of any
competitor in such numbers or under such
ciicimstanccs as to constitute an appropriation
-Jl the good will oi such connietitor or oi any
Ijroperty right or value, is an unfair trade
practice.
Rul- 7 tlormerly Reso'.ution y) — No manu-
facturer shall discriminate, either directly or
indirectly, in the prices charged to different
purchasers ol public seating products, where
the effect of such discrimination may be to
substantially lessen competition or tend to
cre.'ite a monopoly ; Provided, that this shall
not prevent price discrimination necessarily
resulting from differences in the model, grade
or <iu?.ntity ot the products so.d, or that makes
only diu- allowance for necessary differences
in tht cost of selling or transportation, or
discrimination in the same or different com-
munities made in good faith to meet compe-
tition.
Hull S (.formerly Resolution 10) — The secret
payireni or allowance by a manufacturer or
an agent, dealer, or distributor, of reliates
and/or unearned refunds, credits, or cash
discounts, whether in the form of money
or otherwise, is an unfair trade practice.
Rule 9 (formerly Resolution 12)— The sale
of public seating by manufacturers, tlieir
agents, dealers or distributors, below cost, for
the purpose of injuring a competitor and/or
with the effect of lessening competition, is
an unfair trade practice.
Rule 10 (.formerly Resolution 13) — Com-
mercial briber.. , whatever the lorm and where-
ever given, is contrary to the public interest,
an unfair trade practice.
Rule 11 (formerly Resolution 15) — -The
circulation of threats of suits for infringe-
n'ent ol patent or trademark among customers
01 a competitor not made in good faith but
(or tlic puipose of harassing and intimidating
customei; is an unfair trade practice.
Rule 12 (formerly Resolution 25) — False or
misleading advertising, by inference or other-
vvi.ve, i> an unfair trade practice.
Rule 13 (formerly Resolution 28) — The pay-
ing or offering to pay commissions to com-
petitors' salesmen without his employer's
knowledge, to eliminate competition, is an
unfair trade practice.
Rule 14 (formerly Resolution 6) — False and
misleading promises by a manufacturer or his
agent, dealer or distributor, of time of de-
liveii and performance which cannot reason-
ably be fulfilled, and false and misleading
statements as to facilities, equipment and
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiuoa^HBys
▼▼no West i2^St,Hem york.Ht ^1^
Phone Penna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie
NEW PROJECTION UIMP IS
MADE JOR GRANDEUR
A new type projection lamp, type
FR-10, for use on Grandeur and other
wide ftliu installations, has been de-
veloped hy Hall & Connolly, Inc. one
of the units of General Theater
PZquipnient, Inc. The lamp is rated
at 120 to 225 amperes and contains
a special six inch diameter conden-
ser. The front condenser is para-
bolic-meniscus and can be used iot
either the standard film or wide filns
projection. The back condenser has
a special curve for wide projection
and a simpler lens for ordinary pro-"
jection. The distance from the tiji
of the positive carbon to the face oi
the inner condenser is from threa
and a half to three and three-quarJ
ter inches. I
In addition to the burner, special
attention has been given to the propea
kind, shape, and size of the conden]
.ser lenses, proper mounting anc
means for breakage protection. Ii
the lamphouse methods have beei
tlevised, according to the comnanv
for proper ventilation so that the hoi
,'ases from the arc are removed al
■-oon as they are generated and cool
air introduced in large volume/
again.st the sides of the burner with]
out disturbing the arc.
ability to perfor
practices.
the work, are unfair trad
Group II.
Rule 15 (formerly Note to Resolution 9)
This industry particularly condemns the prai
tice of a manufacturer quoting a minimum coi
price to his agent, with the understandi;
that the agent may add such additional coi
mission as he desires in instances or casi
where such practices result in price discri:
ination.
Rule 16 (formerly Resolution 8) — Entici:
or attempting to entice away distributors undi
contract with competing manufacturers of
public seating by accepting long-term notei
in payment for goods, post-dating invoices,
payment of freight when standard terms
are f.o.h. factory, offering special discounts,
or other departures from the accustomed
method of selling goods, is condemned by the
industry.
Rule 17 (formerly Resolution 14) — Tht
members of the public seating industry go on
record as being unalterably opposed to any
piracy of designs, patterns and engineering
service plans; that they condemn such action,
iind will make every effort within their power
to bring about the discontinuance of such
practice.
Rule 18 (formerly Resolution 16) — It is the
judgment of the public seating industrv that
no .special samp'es of church pews and
theater chairs shall be furnished free to pros-
pective buvers, agents, dealers or others.
Rule 19 (formerly Resolution 18) — In all
ca^es of competitive bidding, all bids submitted
«houl I be the bona fide final bids of the bid-
d-^rs and no changes in the amount of the bid
should be made, save only those due to
chunges in the plans or specifications ; and
in such cases changes in the amount of the
bid sh.ouki be made on the same unit or
othei br.sis as the original bid. Any departure
from the practice stated above is condemned
bv tne industry.
Rule 20 (formerly Resolution 19)— Submit-
ting deceptive or misleading bids to secure
award as low bidder and subsequently making
cJianges in materials, finish, transportation,
(Coiiti'nued on Page 11)
Silent Ventilation
for better
acoustics
— at
your nearest
ISIational Branch —
Chicago. III., 825 S. Wabash Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio, 524 Broadway
Cleveland, Ohio, 2112 Payne Ave.
Denver, Colo., 2106 Broadway
Detroit, Mich., 214 IV. Montcalm St.
IndianapolU, Ind.. 128 W. Ohio St.
Ka«ja.t City, Mo., 108 W. ISth St.
Milwaukee, Wis., 719 Wells St.
Minneapolis, Minn., 56 Glenwood Ave.
Otruxita, Neb., 1510 Davenport St.
St. Louis. Mo., 3315 Olive St.
Baltimore, Md., 309 N. Gay St.
Boston, Mass., 211 Columbus Ave.
Buffalo, N. v.. 376 Pearl St.
New Haven, Conn., 133 Meadow St.
New York, N. Y., 1560 Broadway
Philadelpliia, Pa., 1315 Vine St.
Pittsbnigh, Pa., 1006 Forbes St.
Washington, D. C, 937 H Street, N.W.
Atlanta, Ca., 187 Walton St.
Charlotte, N. C, 222 W. FouHh St.
Dallas, Texas, 306 S. Haiivood St.
Memphis, Tenn., 400 5. Second St.
New Orleans, La., 220 S. Liberty St.
Oklahoma City, Okla., 516 W. Grand Ave
Los Angeles, Calif., 1961 S. Vermont St.
Portland, Ore., 460 Glisan St.
Salt Lake City, Utah, 748 E. First South St.
San Francisco, Calif., 121 Golden Gate Ave
Seattle. Wash., First and Batlri v Sti.
I
T'S here— the new Sirocco fan
for "sound" houses. This latest
development from the American
Blower Corporation provides
maximum ventilating capacity
in a low speed blower . . . that
means silence! There is no
mechanical hum in the operation
of the new Sirocco— no interfer-
ence with good sound distribu-
tion. If you show talking pic-
tures you need the new Sirocco
—it assures the best of ventila-
tion and its silent operation is a
necessity for good acoustics.
Remember, the new Sirocco is perfectly adapted for use
with "air-washing" systems and these, too, are available
through National service.
When you see this
stamp of approval in
the advertisements
of sound equipment
manufacturers, you
know that their prod-
ucts are approved by
the National Theatre
Supply Company and may be se-
cured at any National Branch.
NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY COMPANY
Branches in all principal cities
A New Catalogue Is Ready!
A new Natioruil catalogue, featuring the latest de-
velopments in theatre equipment and acces.<crries is
just off the press. For your copy fill out this coupon
and mail it to National Theatre Supply Company, 624
South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, or ask for Cata-
logue No. 30 at your nearest branch. Ifs free!
Name
Theatre
Address
F.D.
THE
-3^^
DAILV
Sunday, March 2, 1930
Theater Equipment
KOOLER-AIRtCORP.MS
MRGERNJ. QUARTERS
Kooler-Aire Engineering Corp.,
manufacturers of air conditioning
machinery, has taken larger quar-
ters in the Paramount Bldg. here.
The company's offices now are
located in Room 1904.
Films in Lighted Theater
Shown on British Screen
London — A screen which permits
pictures to be shown in lighted audi-
toriums was recently demonstrated
by Daylight Talking Pictures, Ltd.,
in the presence of officials of the
Home Office. The image is pro-
jected from behind the screen, which,
it is suggested, would make picture-
going safer since it would obviate
darkened theaters.
New Screen Equipment
for Colony, Norfolk, Va.
Norfolk — The new full-size Ray-
tone flame-proof sound screen has
been installed at the Colony here. In
addition to being endorsed by Elec-
trical Research Products, Inc. the
new screen also was passed and
adopted by the M.P.T.O. of Wash-
ington and Philadelphia.
French Theaters Being
Fast Wired for Sound
Paris — Wiring of French theaters
is fast progressing. Ideal Sonore,
placed on the market by Gaumont
scarcely two months ago, has already
been acquired by 101 houses in
France, while the French Tobis Co.
reports three additional installations.
Service on Cheap Devices
Worries Exhibs in Britain
London — Report of the Cinematog-
raphy Exhibitors Association on
sound equipment reveals that the
cheaper type of apparatus is causing
exhibitors throughout the country
much anxiety in view of the fact that
they can not be certain of obtaining
the proper maintenance service.
FLAME PROOF
IT JUST WONT BURN
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickeaine 4531
Some Practical Wide Film
Aspects and Recommendations
This is the last instalment of
"Some Practical Aspects of and Rec-
ommendations on Wide Film, Stand-
ards," prepared by A. S. Howell and
J. A. Dubray for the Journal of the
Society of Motion Picture Engineers.
As this point of the survey we find it
necessary to bring up the points of financial
and commercial consideration involved in the
question which has formed the subject mat-
ter of this paper. Although we do fully re
alize that commercial considerations are quite
incompatible with the work conducted by a
scientific and technical society, we, neverthe
less, consider that a change in motion p.c-
ture standards is of such consequence and
import that the financial side of the questioi.
annot be overlooked.
We do not think that we would be verj
far from the truth if we would mention the
fact that the partial reconstruction of ma
chinery, in order to adapt it to the "Eco
nomic," would represent an approximate in
vestment equal to from 40 to 60 per cent
of the value of the apparatus in use. while the
"Spectacular" dimension, which would call
for duplication of all apparatus already man
ufactured, would involve an expenditure which
we estimate at over 150 per cent of the in
vestment by the industry for the apparatus
in existence.
The "Extreme" dimension, due to the en
gineering developments which would be re-
quired, would bring the investment to a fig-
ure which we conservatively estimate would
be equal to approximately 200 to 300 per cent
of the present investment. These figures,
which, we hasten to say, are only approxi-
mate, are dictated by our own experience in
cinematographic matters, and although not
based upon actual statistics, we do not hesi-
tate in presenting them for your considera-
tion, since we consider them as nearly an
expression of the facts as can be roughly
estimated.
Alteration of machinery for the "Spec-
tacular" and especially for the "Extreme"
dimensions would mean a complete scrapp.ng
of all apparatus in existence. It would in-
volve change of dimensions of all parts,
which would necessitate as a consequence
the redesigning and remaking of all tools
necessary to their production. The "Eco-
nomic" would involve increases of dimen-
sions in one direction, width only, which
would permit a salvage of approximately 4U
to bO per cent of machinery parts in existence,
and permit the use of most of the tools ac-
cumulated through the years by machinery
manufacturers.
Finally, we wish to bring to your atten-
tion the fact that the "Economic" dimension
would represent a time saving in getting
under way, which we estimate at 50 per cent
of the time required to complete the adap-
tation of the "Spectacular" and 75 per cent
for the adaptation of the "Extreme." Engi-
neering developments in motion picture ma-
chinery are necessarily slow, due to the re-
search necessary to arrive at perfection of
lesign and manufacture as is required by
the extremely reduced tolerances permissible.
We estimate the engineering development, ne-
cessitated by the "Economic" dimension, could
lie completed in approximately four to six
months. Those for the "Spectacular" would
lemand from six months to one year, and
the "Extreme" would require not less than
from eight to eighteen months. This esti-
mate of the time element is expressed only
n regard to the engineering development, and
not in regard to the time which would be
required for a complete changeover within
'he industry from the present to th« new
standards. The industry itself will, of neces-
sity, be called upon to determine this factor.
An improvement as radical as a change in
d.mensional standards must if necessity b«
brought about with a broad visualization of
future possibilities and so cempletely that it
will present a reasonable guarantee of sta-
'>ility for years to come. It also demands
that its adoption should not bring a halt or
a reduction in the activities of either the
production or the exhibition fields.
It is our opinion that the production end
of the industry is more concerned with the
technical and the spectacular advantage:.
which are to be obtained through the intro-
duction of a new standard, than with the
expenditure involved. It is not illogical to
consider that the change would handicap and
perhaps meet with strong opposition from the
exhibitors, especially from those who con
fine their activities to small theaters. Further-
more, the time element involved in the com-
plete change-over is of special interest to both
producers and exhibitors.
It will undoubtedly be found necessary to
have recourse to a system of interchange
ability between the standards in force and
those which will be adopted. It is difficult
to foresee to what extent this problem of
interchangeability will be solved. It may be
possible that some arrangement be devised
in the projection apparatus whereby one ma-
chine could be made to be interchangeably
adapiable to run both sizes of film, or some
arrangement by which one projector could be
changed for another of different size with rea-
sonable celerity whenever the program of
the show demanded it.
.\rraiigeiiients of this type would be in order
during the time in which the production end
of the industry would eltect the change-over,
and during the time loi which ii mm. hlms
would he distributed.
The complete change-over in the exhibition
end will necessarily be a much slower process
and will present obstacles the overcoming of
which may appear too great a task to many
less aware than we are of the resourcefulness
of the engineers of the screen.
We venture to say that the solution of
these problems may lie in the development
of optical reduction printing processes in order
to make possible the distribution of films to
small theaters. As an example we may
mention that if the "Spectacular" dimension
should be chosen as standard, the negative
image could be so reduced in the prints as
to include four perforations only in its height.
This reduction of the image height would
call for a 25 per cent reduction of the sound
record, which seems at first thought to pos
sess possibilities of execution.
Conclusion
In consideration of all the factors of an ar-
istic, technical, and econmic nature pertain
ing to a change in film dimensional stand
ards which have been merely outlined in
this paper, in consideration of the fact that
a change of film dimensional standards is con-
ceded by the industry to be a necessity for
the fitting survival of motion picture^; and
also in consideration of the fact that such
change will affect all branches of the indus
try in America as well as abroad, we con
sider it the duty of this Society to take upon
its shoulders the responsibility of standard
izing development.
We propose that a special standing com-
mittee, which would include representative
members of all branches of the motion p.c
ture industry, as well as members of all
recognized technical and business associations
within the industry, be immediately formed,
and be given power and authority to discuss
and make definite decisions in regard to the
creation and adoption of a new standard.
Further, the Bell & Howard Co. is pre
pared to present to such a committee, and
in a comparatively short period a finished film
of any standard which may be agreed upon
so that a visual presentation to. .and further
discussion with, producers and exhibitors may
be possible.
It would be pertinent for this committee
to devise the means by which the financial
burden of the investigation could be equitably
distributed within the motion picture indus
try as a whole. We feel sure that such a
eommittee would be in position to secure all
the necessary moral and material cooperation
that would be needed because of the far
reaching importance of this subject, upon
which depends the stability and longevity of
the motion picture industry throughout the
w»rld.
TALKING SHOP
Activities of Equipment
Companies Are Centered
On New Developments
Facing Industry
CIXCE the advent of sound many
branches of the industry have been
caught in the turmoil of a new de-
velopment which at its beginning ,
proved one of its biggest stumbling
blocks. Sound was the starter and
as a result, almost simultaneously ;
with the announcement of a new de- ;
velopmeiit, we hear of the equipment i
coiiipanies in the industry conibiti-i
ing witli other forces to prevent any
repetition of this menace.
On Wide Screens
vV'hile the Grandeur process is not
■he only development which enables
an exhibitor to feature pictures on
a wide screen, it depended upon the
manufacturers of such product to bei
n a position to immediately supplvi
that need to the industry. And how
rapidly they filled that order can be
'-{ieaned from the numerous sound i
>creens, now embellished with fire--
\>\ oof guarantees, on the market.
Theater Accessories
Under this lieading can be classi-
fied the necessary- elements of pro^j
jection and any other piece of equip*
ment in the theater. Look over thr
recent improvements made in regart
to theater seats, drapes, lighting
equipment and numerous others am
it may surprise you to learn how rap-
idly each in its own sphere had been
improved upon. Not because of an]^
one exhibitor's need, but to fit ii!
with the modern trend of the btisi'
ness, to satisfy that demand of th»
pulilir which are now shopping for
the liest.
Improved Acoustics
111 various sections of the country
fire regulations demanded rigid in-
spection in theaters of different acous-
tical materials used. Regulations were
aimed to curb possible fire hazards;
and as a result materials not fire-
proof were quickly condemned. At <
time exhibitors were slightly handi
capped, but manufacturers of acoustif
cloths soon brought out new mate
rials which not only were approvet
by fire commissioners, but also aide(
the showing of sound pictures. Van
ous devices now are on the marke
to aid those hard-of-hearing to enjo:j
sound pictures. Many theaters novt
have separate seats set aside for thes
devices. The attachment in man
cases consists of a set of earphone
which are plugged into a small bo
fitted to these special seats.
TRUVISION
NATURAL VISION
GLASS BEADED
FIRE-PROOF SCREEN for SOUND
A FIRE-PROOF
SOUND SCREEN
WITHOUT ANY
LOSS OF THE
INCOMPARABLE
QUALITIES PER.
TAINING TO THE
TRUVISION GLASS
BEADED SOUND
SCREEN
BRILLIANCES
DEPTH— DEFINI-
TION—THIRD
DIMENSION
ILLUSION
NO DISTORTION
NO VISIBLE
PERFORATION
BEST FOR COLOR
PICTURES
EASILY WASHED
RETAINS
ORIGINAL
BRILLIANCE
ROXY THEATRE
INSTALLS ANOTHER TRUVISION GLASS BEADED SOUND SCREEN FOR PRESENTATION OF
APPROVED
FOR SOUND
BY
WESTERN
ELECTRIC
UNDER.
WRITERS
LABORA-
TORY
NEW YORK
CITY
mPPY OAYS"-DN aRANtiEUR-OOUBl.E WIDTH PICTURES ■
GRANDEUR SCREEN %tl^^S.r'S
'.^-pid^
mmm^m^^
APPROVED
BY FIRE
MARSHAL
CITY OF
PHILA-
DELPHIA
ELECTRICAL
TESTING
LAB. REPORT
48114
JAN. 22, 1930
TRUVISION GLASS BEADED SOUND SCREENS ARE THE LAST WORD IN SOUND AND PROJECTION
Tru vision Projection Screen Corp^
841 TIFFANY ST., BRONX, NEW YORK
TEL. DAYTON 8886-8887
DAILV
Sunday, March 2. 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)—
Pictures for the Young
Are Demanded by Don Seitz
■QOYS and girls are assiduously
hunted by the motion picture
mdustry and many forms of lure
are used to bring them to the
box-office. Everything would
appear to have been done except
the most important, that of giv-
ing the youngsters amusement
that will charm, interest and help
educate them in ways of right
hving. Yet if parents will be
one-half as assiduous in working
to see that proper pictures are
provided for children the situa-
tion is by no means hopeless.
When community after commu-
nity falls in line working toward
the creation of "The Children's
Hour," something will happen.
The motion picture industry is
not slow to feel the pulse of the
public, not slow to follow its de-
mands.
Don C. Seitz, journalist in
"The Parents' Magazine"
Need for Freer Thinking
In Talkers Seen by De Mille
'THERE is need for more free-
dom of thought rather than
less in the development of talk-
ing pictures.
Cecil B. De Mille
Channing Pollock Holds
Films Are Made for Morons
AS long as there are morons
there will be movies. Some
people complain because the mov-
ies are drawing business away
from the legitimate stasia. If the
movies can only take the morons
out of the legitimate audiences
and put them in the movie the-
aters, it will be a very good thing.
Channing Pollock, playwright
First order for motion picture
film was placed with Eastman
by Thomas Edison. The strip,
SO feet by one inch, cost $2.50.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daily, Jr.
JUDGING by Don Hancotk's appetite, he has entirely recovered
from his recent operation Mark Sandrich has those
Hollywood blues William Canavan, head of the Inter-
national Alliance of Theatrical Employees, is in Los Angeles
arranging for their convention, to be held in June
Louise Dresser, who has been visiting friends in New York,
will board the Detroiter Sunday foP that city where she will
be greeted by another army of friends After a short stay
around the auto town she will head back to the Fox Coast stu-
dio John McCormack, Irish tenor, has postponed his.
original plan to leave for Europe to attend the premiere of
"Song O'My Heart" which opens at the 44th St. March 11
Gerald Rudolph, head publicity man for RCA Photophone,
railroads to Boston soon to attend the opening of "The Vagabond
King" at the Uptown, Publix house, next Thursday. This the-
ater, formerly known as the St James, uses the reproducing
device which occupies much of Rudolph's attention
Pierre Arnaud is hiking around Times Square and environs once
more following a brief illness In addition to making sev-
eral records for Victor while in New York, John McCormack
will be heard on the Victor-Radio Hour March 13.
Marilyn Miller is scheduled to leave for the First National
studios shortly to make her second talker for the company.
Her first, "Sally," was at the N. Y. Winter Garden for seven
weeks To the tune of music by Rudy Vallee, Leo Reis-
man and Vincent Lopez, the gang of Broadway stars froliced
last night at the Newspaper Club Ball at the Ritz-Carlton
Florence Ross is the latest addition to A. P. Waxman's
pen pusher's staflf over at Warners. Florence, former fashion
editor for the "Graphic," succeeds Virginia Morris, who is ful-
filling a yen for a six months' leave of absence Louis
Nizer will be master of ceremonies at the testimonial dinner
tendered Jack Levin under the auspices of the Junior League
for Hebrew Home for Crippled Children. The dinner will be
held tonight at the Grand Street Boys Club House
MARCH 1-2-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who on these days are celebrat-
ing their birthdays:
March 1st
John Loder
Lois Moran
Wells Root
March 2nd
Val Cleveland
Jack White
Nat Manheim
I
-AND
THAT'S
THAT 1
By PHIL U. DALY
W/ITH times being hard like they
are on the stage, an actor called
at the offices of Celebrity Pictures
and asked Charles J. Giegerich what
were the chances of getting a job
doubling as the voice for Mickey
Mouse.
* « «
WARREN NOLAN: Have you
heard the one about the Scotch ex-
hibitor?
BRUCE GALLUP: All right, get
it off your chest.
W. N.: He's supplying his patrons
with magnifying glasses so they'll
think they are getting pictures on
the wide screen.
* • *
Says Henry Siegel to Henry Clay
Siegel: "If you must have mail sent
to yoii in care of the M. P. Club
same as me, how about telling your
correspondents to give your full en-
titlements so I won't be getting any
of the letters that ought to go to
you."
Says Henry Clay to Henry: "Fair
enough. I'll have all checks and love
notes addressed so they'll be deliver-
ed to me direct, and you can have the
letters containing bills and touches."
* « *
A. P. WAXMAN: I had a dream
last night that Rin-Tin-Tin held a
conference with the M-G-M lion, the
Pathe rooster and Silver King to
discuss the formation of an Equity
Ass'n for animal actors.
S. CHARLES EINFELD: Quite
an idea. '
A. P.: Oh, I get lots of them right",
along, but don't know what to do .
with them. |
S. C. : Why don't you try chang- j
ing vour bootlegger?
* • *
Jobyna Howland, latest California
convert, says that when she leaves
that state it'll be in a box.
Oh, boy, what those Florida col-
umnists and wisecrackers will do to
that line when they read it!
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Allan Dwan discusses Wall Street
in connection with picture industry.
* • *
Reported shake-up in Fox organi-
zation.
« * •
Chaplin to make five r«»<*lers foi
"Big 4."
• • •
First National plan second annual
convention.
DAILV
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STVDIOS
PEAK WIIH IWO STAGES
With both stages now in operation,
he Eastern Vitaphone studio is now
ngaged in the greatest amount oi
.roduction there in recent months.
The increased space also allow^
\hirrav Roth, director-m-chief, an
■pport'unity to turn out Vitaphone
\ ai ieties on a much more elaborate
,cale, such as the recently completeu
■Footnotes," a singing and dancing
i.ivelty, employing two large sets
,n,l a chorus of 20 girls, m addition
0 the principals.
Other short subjects turned out
luring the past ten days are: "At
1 our Service," featuring Jessie Royce
andis and William Haliigan, direct-
,1 hv Arthur Hurley; "Nile Green,
one reel comedy with Helen Brod-
i-ick, directed by Murray Roth; "A
ate in Algiers," a one reel sketch
lirected by Edmund Joseph and "The
lead Man," featuring Hugh O'Con-
dl and Kitty Kelly, under the di-
ntion of Arthur Hurley.
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
New Director Signed
Frederick Spencer, formerly stage
lanager for Fay Fainter, is now cou-
nted with the Paramount Long Is-
nd studios as an assistant direc
3r. Before engaging in stage direc-
on, Spencer was connected with tht
'rof. Baker course in stagecraft, a
'ale University, of which he is ;
raduate.
m
"Young Man" Completed
"Young Man of Manhattan," has
een completed at the Paramount
ong Island studios, under the direc-
on of Monta Bell. The picture was
nished ahead of schedule.
RAY FOSTER
Caine7-aman
Warner
Vitaphone
250 Vitaphone Varieties
in 2 Years
r^ICK WILLIS, make-up chief oi
the Warner Vitaphone studios, re-
ports the interesting fact that most
opera stars demand much heavier
make-up than the average performer,
rhey also share the belief that an
excess of shading around the eyes
orings out more character, despite all
arguments to the contrary.
* * *
Robert Presnell has just com-
tjleted the screen adaptation of "Too
Mitch Luck," based on the novel,
■Brewster s Millions," which will be
Maurice Chevalier's next starring
vehicle for Paramount.
* * *
That Roberta Robinson, featured
ni l-'aramount's "Dangerous Nan
iVlcGrew," possesses literary ability,
-n addition to her other talents is
proven by her original inscription on
a photograph presented to Ferdie
Grof, studio hairdresser. It reads:
■'Here's to Fred, who gets ahead.
Battling loith the waves,
No one may guess, the cleverness.
With which that stonn
He braves."
* * *
Random impressions at the War-
ner Vitaphone studio include Mur-
ray Roth chewing on the inevitable
black cigar (unlighted); Harold
Levey biting his lips; Arthur Hur-
ley in deep concentration; Edmuna
Joseph and his open-work shoes; Ed
DuPar creating merriment with his
"touch stick"; Ray Foster explaining
the black art to an admiring audi-
ence; Jay Rescher and his unvary-
ing lunch of crackers and milk; Ed-
die Horton, nursing his sixth attempt
at a mustache.
* * *
Max Hayes, agent, staged an im-
promptu birthday party in the Para-
mount studio lunchrootn recently at
which a birthday cake, with lighted
candles was served. Among the
guests were Larry Kent and Arthur
Coine.
« * «
Dick Bolton, assistant director at
the Warner Vitaphone studios, play-
ed the role of a lion in Stanley
Rauh's "Head Man," which .\rthur
ilurley just completed there. Bol-
on enjoyed the experience but has
no great yen to play animal roles
trom now on.
Larry Williams, one of Para-
mount's ace camerainen, spends
most of his spare time experiment-
ng on improved camera equipment.
He has practically completed a new
invention which, he believes, will
change all existing methods of pres-
ent day photography.
pOLICE reserves had to be called
out to restore order when over two
thousand people responded to a call
for four hundred extras to be used
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios, recently. Once inside, the 350
used in the Dempsey-Tunney fight
scene in "Young Man of Manhat-
tan" and the other 50 chosen for
"Dangerous Nan McGrew" proved
very easy to handle with the result
that both big scenes were made si-
multaneously, in record time.
* * *
Mark Sandrich, who came here
one year ago for a month's vaca-
tion in the big town, has found him-
self so much in demand as a direc-
tor that he hasn't had time to see
the sights yet. In twelve months,
Sandrich has directed five two reel
comedies and one feature production,
for RKO release.
* * *
Maria Gamberelli, better known as
'Gamby," is looking for sixteen girls
who can dance. The only other re-
(juirements are that they must be
pretty, slender and tall. Girls who
:an qualify, will be interviewed by
Gamby at the Criterion theater, any
da\- next week, excepting Monday.
between the hours of 10 A.M. and
12 noon.
if J, *
Hobart Henley has just returned
from a vacation trip to Cleveland,
Ohio. This ace director, who turned
out "The Lady Lies" and "Road-
house Nights," both of which hit
the ball, is understood to have an-
other winner in "The Big Pond,"
soon to be released.
* * *
"Getting A Ticket," the Eddie Can-
tor short, directed by Mort Blumen-
stock, at the Paramount Astoria stu-
dios, is holding its own with "Street
of Chance," at the Rialto theater,
where it is now in its fifth week.
* * *
William Steiner of Paramount's
Long Island studio, is receiving con-
r/ratulations on his excellent cam-
SOUND PROPORTIONS BtG
TROUBLES, EXPERT CLAIMS
One of the greatest obstacles now
in the way of perfect recording is
tlie inability of many sound experts
to gauge the proportions of sound,
accordiiTg to Dean Cole, "mixer man"
at the Warner Bros. Eastern Vita-
phone studio.
"To give each piece of business the
light amount of sound in proportion
to its importance as part of the ac-
tion, requires a sort of 'sixth sense,' "
says Cole. "Incidental sound effects
must be economical so that when
the real punch is needed, greater
sound may be injected in order to
provide the proper contrast."
Photocolor's Latest
"Ye Heart Shoppe," a Photocolor
two reeler featuring Kathryn Reese,
lias been completed at the Ideal stu-
dios, with Bradley Barker directing.
Leigh Lovell is also featured in the
cast.
Paramount Signs Composer
Paramount have signed John \\'.
Green as music arranger and com-
poser with headquarters at the Long
Island studios.
era work in "Roadhoiise Nights,"
which just completed a highly suc-
cessful engagement at the Para-
mount, New York.
» * •
When an 18-year old miss in a
small town near Chicago put her
name on an egg that was shipped
out from her father's farm, she little
guessed that 'an opportunity in films
would result. But it so happened
tliat the egg was served to Frank
Heath, casting director at the Para-
mount Long Island studios, who has
sent the girl a registration card to
be returned with her photo. If she
looks like a good prospect, Para-
mount will bring her on for a screen
test.
HELLO HOLLYWOOD!
Just completed my 7th talking picture in the one
year I've been in New York.
Have two more to make but hope to see you all
at Henry's, soon.
MARK SANDRICH
LOUIS BROCK PRODUCTIONS
(RKO Release)
TH£
■cStk
DAILV
Sunday, March 2. 1930
"The Case of Sergeant
Grischa"
(All-Talker)
RKO Time, 1 hv., 15 mins.
HIGH-TENSIONED DRAMA
OF AN ESCAPED MILITARY
PRISONER. THRILLS PRIN-
CIPAL CHARACTERISTIC OF
THIS HERBERT BRENON PIC
TURE.
Based on a novel which excited
much comment. Its story is an un-
pretentious and not unfamiliar one
A Russian soldier prisoner escape:
from a German prison, is captureci
and ordered shot as a German
deserter. He proves he is a Russian
but a brief respite, is again sen-
tenced to death. Futile efiforts to
save him are made by German offi-
cers whose sudden interest in him is
hardly accounted for. At the finale
he is executed. An unimportant love
theme runs along with the story
which resembles a preachment against
the injustices of war. Chester Mor-
ris is aces as the condemned pris
oner. Among the other players Jeai
Hersholt is one of the most believ-
able.
Cast: Chester Morris, Betty Compsou, Jean
Ilersholt, Alec Francis.
Director, Herbert Brenon; Author, Not
Listed; Adaptor, Elizabeth Meehan ; Dia-
loguer. Not Listed; Editor, Marie Halvey ;
Cameraman, Not Listed; Monitor Man, Not
Listed.
Direction, satisfactory. Photography, artis-
tic.
Eddy
Vilma Banky in
"A Lady to Love"
(All-Talker)
with Edward G. Robinson, Robert
Ames
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 32 mins.
GOOD CALIBRE COMEDY
DRAMA WITH EDWARD G.
ROBINSON TAKING HONORS
IN AN ITALIAN DIALECT
ROLE.
Although the credits merely sa)
"based on a play by Sidney Howard,
this is a purified adaptation of the
stage hit, "'They Knew What They
Wanted," which won the Pulitzer
Prize some six years back. It af-
fords a suitable vehicle for the talk-
er debut of Vilma Banky, who is
still under handicaps for speaking
roles, because the action is domin-
ated by a male role, done on the
■.,tage by Richard Bennett and dup-
licated here with a punch by Edward
(.J. Robinson. Story is about an
Italian rancher who obtains a wife
,jy correspondence, sending her a
photo of one of his good-looking
anch aides, who has quite a yen for
the ladies. The resulting triangle is
-oih dramatic and comic. A sup-
posedly happy ending and plenty of
amusing hokum have been added.
Cast: \'ilma Hanky, Edward G. Robinson,
Robert Ames, Richard Carle, Lloyd In-
graham, Anderson Lawler, Henry Armetta,
George Davis.
Director, X'ictor .Seastrom ; Author, Sidney
Howard; Adaptor, .Sidney Howard; Dia-
loguer, .Sidney Howard ; Editor, c:onrad A.
Xcrvig: Cameraman, Merritt H. Gerstad ;
Monitor Man, Not stated.
Direction, good. Photography, excellent.
Gillette
"Slightly Scarlet"
with Olive Brook, Evelyn Brent
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 10 mins.
GOOD ENTERTAINMENT
CARRYING THE MARK OF IN-
TELLIGENCE, WITH GOOD DI-
RECTION, FINE ACTING, AND
PLENTY OF HUMOR.
This is a production that ought to
win favor with picture-goers who go
in for intelligent things in the films.
All the earmarks of matureness of
mind are there, and from first to
last it reveals itself as a neat piece of
work, possessed of great smoothness
and consistency of action. There is
class in every foot of it and the
atmosphere that has been striven for.
lie scene is set chiefly in the Nice
ilia of a millionaire overall maker
from the States. Among his guests
are two jewel thiefs, their eyes on a
priceless string of pearls. One is a
woman, the other a man. Their iden-
tities are unknown to each other until
they both try to steal the gems at the
anie time. Under the spell of love
Jie\ pledge themselves to honest liv-
ing and restore the necklace. Stand-
ng out in the splendid cast are Clive
Brook, Evelyn Brent and Eugene
Pallette.
Cast: Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook, Panl
Lukas, Eugene Pallette, Helen Ware, \'ir
ginia Bruce, Henry Wadsworth, Claude Allis-
ter. Christiane Yves. Morgan Farley.
Directors, Louis Gasnier, Edwin H. Knopf;
Author, Percy Heath; Adaptors, Howard
Estabrook, Joseph .Mankiewicz ; Editor, Edna
Warren; Cameraman, Allen Siegler ; Monitoi
Man, Not listed.
Direction, fine. Photography, splendid.
Pelegrine
"Cohens and Kellys in
Scotland"
ivith George Sidney, Charlie Murray
(All-Talker)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 35 mins.
SWELL COMEDY ENTER-
TAINMENT WITH PLENTY
OF BOX-OFFICE APPEAL.
GEORGE SIDNEY IS TRUMP.
Laugh Provoker. The fourth of
this series outshines all of its previous
releases. The fact that the scenery
has been changed to meet with
Scotch requirements offers many op-
portunities to sneak in some old re-
liable gags. With the assistance of
George Sidney and Charlie Murray
as American merchants, and Vera
Gordon and Kate Price as their re-
spective wives, James Craft has turn-
ed out a well-knitted yarn that is as
wholesome as it is funny. The story
concerns the dissolved partnership of
Cohens and Kellys, who unwittingly
have become competitors for Scotcli
plaid in Edinburgh, and after each
buys different lots from different
merchants, they find that their sell-
ing scheme has failed and are penni-
less. How they regain their fortunes
and come out with a quarter of mil-
lion profit is amusing. John McDer-
niott, E. J. Radcliffe, as the Scotch
merchants, and Lloyd Whitlock
handle their roles well.
Cast : Geo. Sidney, Charles Murray, Wra
Gordon. Kate Price, E. J. Radcliflfe, Lloxd
Whitlock and John .McDermott.
Director, James Craft; Author, John Mc
Dermott ; Adaptor, Albert De Mond ; Dia-
logues .-Mbert De Mond; Editor, Harry W.
Lieb; Cameraan, C. Allyn Jones.
Ornstein
William Boyd in
"Officer O'Brien
(All-Talker)
Pathe Time, 1 hr., 15 m.ins.
ENJOYABLE UNDERWORLD
MELODRAMA WITH WILLIAM
BOYD HEADING A NOTABLE
CAST. ENTERTAINMENT FOR
ANY TYPE HOUSE.
While pictures portraying battles
of cops and racketeers have been
done frequently, this one with Bo}'d
heading a stellar cast gets attention
as the star and manages to wind up
with considerable to spare. In addi-
tion to Boyd, acting honors are
equally shared between Ernest Tnr-
rence and Dorothy Sebastian. Here's
one where director and author co-
operated and turned out a corking
good yarn which proves to be enjoy-
able film entertainment for most any
type audience. Ralfe Harolde, as the
suave gangster, gives a creditable
performance. The story revolves
around Boyd's attempt to secure a
conviction against the gangster with
the result that his sole witness, a cop-
per, is his fiancee's brother. During
the trial the witness is shot by the
gangster's henchman. How Boyd
wins out is the action end of the film.
It's there.
Cast : William Boyd, Ernest Torrence,
Dorothy Sebastian. Clyde Cook, Paul Hurst.
Ralfe Harolde, Arthur Houseman, Russell
Gleason.
Director, Tay Gantett ; Author, Thomas
"•■rkingliani : Adaptor, Thomas Buckingham;
Dialoguer, Thomas Buckingham ; Editor.
lack Ojifilvie ■ Cameraman, Arthur Miller;
Monitor Men, Earl .V. Wolcott, Harold Stine.
Berg
Nat Carr in
"Talk of Hollywood"
(All-Talker)
Sono Art-World Wide
Time, 1 hr., 20 mins.
POOR COMEDY. DULL AT
TIMES AND INEXPERTLY
PRODUCED, WITH NAT CARR
PROVIDING ITS ONE BRIGHT
SPOT.
This comedy has Nat Carr and
little else. That the film has been
built around him is readily obvious.
The only reason for its being is the
presence of this sterling comedian in
the cast. Even with him to lend a
saving hand this production never
rises above mediocrity. Weighing it
down is a weak story combined with
a considerable amount of stilted dia-
logue, direction that reveals no iniagi
nation, photography of generally poor
quality and some acting that is thor-
oughly ham. Excepting Carr the
only other member of the cast ris-
ing above the story is Fay Marbe,
who plays a night club entertainer
in the vivacious French manner. The
plot has to do with the trials and
tribulations of a motion picture pro
ducer in making the transition from
silent to talking films.
Cast: Nat Carr. Fay Marbe, Hope Suther-
land. Sherline Oliver, Ed Le Saint, Gilbert
Marbe, John Troughton.
Director. Mark Sandrich ; Authors, Mark
S.nndrich. Nat Carr; Dialoguer, Darby Aaron-
son; Editor, Russell G. Shields; Cameraman,
Walter Strenge; Monitor Men, George Osth-
mann, John Dolan.
Direction, poor. Photography, bad.
.^elegrine
"White Cargo"
(All-Talker)
W. p. Film Co., Ltd.
Time, 1 hr., 20 min.s
FAIR PROGRAMMER. DRAMA
OF THE AFRICAN CONGO
BASED ON STAGE PLAY.
WEAK CAST AND POOR DIA-
LOGUE HANDICAP. FOR
ADULT TRADE.
Drama. This one was produced in
London and starts off in a draggy
manner, eating into the footage be-
fore anything happens. As a stage
play, "White Cargo," fared well, but
the film version leaves considerable
to be desired. At times the action
of the story is handicapped by the
slow manner of the players, some of
whom are not fitted for their parts.
Leslie Faber, portraj-ing Weston, and
the doctor, are the only highlights.
Their acting is sufficient to carry the
rest of the cast. Tondelayo fails to
live up to the fire and sex accorded
her part. Here is an opportunity to
bring into play many fine exterior
scenes which would have enhanced
the Iseauty of the film, but those
shown are easily recognized as stu-
dio stuff. The story, laid in Africa,
portrays the struggle of the young
superintendent to keep from going
native. A few of the scenes in this
one won't go so well for children.
Cast: Leslie Faber, John Hamilton, Mau-
nc^ Evans, Sebastian Smith, Humberstone
^Vright. Henri de Vries, George Turner, Tora
Heliuore, Gypsy Rhouma.
Directors, J. B. William. A. W. Barnes;
Author. Vera Simonton ; Adaptor, Not listed ;
Dialoguer Not listed ; Editor, Not listed .
Berg
"Song of the West"
(All-Talker)
Warner Time, 1 hr., 18 mins.
PROGRAM PICTURE DRESS-
ED UP WITH COLOR, PLUS
JOE E. BROWN, WHO STEALS;
HONORS. PICTORIALLY
BEAUTIFUL WESTERN OPER-
ETTA CONVENTIO NALLY
DONE.
Familiar type of operetta story.
The color photography is one of the :
best jobs which Broadway has seen
to date, the covered wagon train and
Western scenery shown early in the
picture providing excellent material.
One or two of the song numbers are
melodious and are acceptably sung
Joe E. Brown, as a mule skinner,
runs away with whatever glory the
production offers. For the most part
it moves along well-worn story paths
without exciting much interest. The
story concerns an army officer who
IS deserted owing to a scandal in
vhich he was involved. Meeting up
villi his old enemy he has a row
with him and the heavy is killed.
The officer is jailed and then escapes
disguised as a parson. Incidentally
he falls in love with colonel's daugh-
ter, marries her, is estranged and
finally reunited.
Cast: John Boles, Vivienne Seagle. Joe E.
Brown, Edward Martindel, Harry Gribbon,
Marie Wells, Sam Hardy, Marion Byron,
Rudolph Cameron.
Director, Ray Enright ; Authors, Oscar
Hamnierstein, 2nd. Lawrence Stallings ; Ad-
aptor, Harvey Thew ; Dialoguer, Harvey
Thew : Editor. George Marks ; Cameraman,
Not listed; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, weak. Photography, beantilid.
Eddy
I ll
Sunday, March 2, 1930
DAILV
"Let's Go Places"
(All-Talker)
ilFoa; Time, 1 hr., 12 mhis.
THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE
MUSICAL FARCE. NICELY
CAST, DIRECTED WITH A
!300D EYE, AND ABUNDANT
[N COMEDY.
Cast and director share with the
?ag man on about 90 per cent of the
•rcdit for putting this neat httle mus-
cal farce across the pan. For framc-
.vork there is the incident of a sin<T-
lUR lad (Joseph Wagstaff) and his
vvisecracking self-appointed manager
{Frank Richardson) going to Holly-
aj.vood to crash the talkers. By posing
i|js somebody else they get lots of at-
i mention and also run into some eni-
;|5arrassment before everything comes
put all right. WagstafI and Lola
Lane make a likeable love team.
Richardson delivers a laugh a min-
ute. Walter Catlett also gives the
:omedy a good boost, while Charlet
fudels is a scream in the part of a
emperamental French singer, with
[Ika Chase getting in a few licks as
his wife. There are several out-
standing ensemble scenes and the
music, though lacking in hit song, is
icceptable.
Cast: Joseph Wagstaff, Lola Lane, Sha-
•on Lynn, Frank Richardson, Walter Cat-
ett, Dixie Lee, Charles Jiidees, Ilka Chase,
Larry Steers.
Director, Frank Strayer ; Author. Andrew
Bennison : Adaptor, William K. Wells. Dia-
loguer, William K. Wells; Editor. Al De
3aetano ; Cameranxan. Conrad Wells ; Moni-
:or Man, Frank Mackenzie.
Direction, first-class. Photography, fine.
Gillette
Mary Nolan in
"Undertow"
MUnive7-sal Time, 56 mins.
(l SEA TALE MAKING FOR
POOR ENTERTAINMENT AS
THE RESULT OF LACK OF
IMAGINATION IN ITS PRESEN-
lATION.
An undistinguished production with
the sea as its background. Even
with the handicap of a banal and im-
1 lausible story something might ha\'c-
iRcn done with it had imagination
In en exercised in its presentation.
I Ik- whole affair plods along at a
iiiius pace until almost the end.
Then suddenly it springs to life for
,1 brief moment. Commonplace in
its treatment and burdened with a
certain amount of bad acting, the
fihn never manages to rise above
the level of moderate entertainment
it best. The playing is wooden. The
plot has to do with a gay young
tiling who marries a light-house keep-
r, gets tired of her lonely existence
am! flees with a former swain only
til return to her husband when she
tiiuls he is the one she really loves.
Ihe husband is made to go blind,
lecovering his sight in time to ad-
minister the villanious lover a
thorough drubbing.
Cast: Mary Nolan, Tohnny Mack Brown,
-Robert Ellis, Audrey Ferris. Churchill Rose.
I Director, Harry Pollard : Author, Wilbur
iDani'el Steele; Adaptors. Winifred Reeve. Ed
ward P. Lowe. Tr. ; Dialoguers. Winifred
Reeve. Edward P. Lowe, Jr.; Editor. Daniel
Matidel: Cameraman, Jerome Ash; Monitor
Man Not listed.
Direction, fair. Photography, f.nir.
Pelegrine
f) Short Subjects O
SOUND
"His Birthday Suit"
Pathe Time, 21 mins.
Some Funny Slapstick
This short becomes really funny
when it descends to slapstick pure
and simple. It rates as good enter-
tainment for only half its length. The
story deals with two youngsters who
are given free passes to a vaudeville
house on condition that they help ;i
magician in his act. How one of
them makes a mess of things is
good for a number of laughs frotr
way down under. Fortunately they
picked a real black magic artist for
this one. He is Dr. Carl Herman.
"Neighbors"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Fine for the Kids
Little Sunny Jim, with a cute baby
blonde, makes this a good number
for family audiences. The kids es
pecially will go for it. Plot of the
comedy deals with an office slave in-
viting his boss, the latter's wife and
their little girl for dinner. Every-
thing goes wrong and Sunny spilh
the beans about dad having framed
to hit the boss for a raise, which he
eventually gets. A good job of di-
rection by William Beaudine.
Pathe Audio Review No. 9
Time, IS mins.
Fair Entertainment
This one proves interesting only in
some of its subjects. It is worth-
while primarily for scenes in color
of life among the Stoney Indians of
Northwestern Canada. The tints aic
remarkably easy on the eye. Scarce-
ly less absorbing is a film record of
a wrestling match in the water be-
tween a man and an alligator. Other
subject.^ are table ornaments of Eu-
ropean creation and a youngster giv-
ing an imitation of Harry Lauder a=
a child.
Frank Moulan in
"Spike Speaks"
Columbia Time, 10 mins.
Fair Enozigh
This one is passably amusing. It
'serves as nothing more than an ex-
cuse to permit Frank Moulan to ren
Her two of his tunes — "Words" and
"Down by the Vinegar Works" —
and to do a little incidental wise-
cracking. The scene is laid in the
office of the warden of a prison
There runs through the filin a faint
plot concerning the attempt of three
convicts to escape in uniforms in-
tended for the prison show.
Screen Snapshots No. 12
Columbia Time, 20 mins.
Stars at Close Ra.nge
Interesting intimate glimpses of ;
number of popular picture people
With Al St. John as master of cere-
monies we are introduced to Arthu'
Lake, Florence Lake, Nancy Drexel
Thomas H. Ince, Jr. ,John Bole;
Leatrice Joy and Jack Holt.
"What, No Bait?"
Pathe Time, 5 mins.
Topics of' the Day
The fun in this one doesn't get
over very well. Much of its humor
is pointless and a little of it nut ex-
actly new nor refreshing.
SILENT
"Law In The Saddle"
Universal Time, 16 mins.
Satisfactory Filler
One of the Ted Carson Northwest
Mounted series, directed by Josef
Levigrad, with Hope Dare a« the
heroine. Concerns the murder of an
old mountaineer by a bandit gane
who try to pin the crime on the
heroine's brother. The outlaws are
duly rounded up and the police ser-
geant does his fadeout with the girl.
Sufficient story and action to serve
as a filler.
"Some Show"
Universal Time, 20 mins
Fair Comedy
Arthur Lake is featured in this
fairly amusing comedy about a couple
of lads, a girl and their friends put-
ting on an amateur show and engag-
ing in various hokum antics in that
connection. There also is a pre-
liminary bit in which two boys, each
thinking the other an escaped luna-
tic who must be humored, perform
a lot of comical nonsense. Gu=
Meins directed.
Tarboro (N.C.) Benefit
Tarboro, N. C- — Colonial will run
a benefit, March 2, for the American
Red Cross. Pathe will supply film'
gratis.
Sound at New Brunswick Strand
New Brunswick, N. J. — The Strand
has installed a Western Electric
Round svstem.
W. E. Apparatus at De Luxe
Detroit, Mich. — Western Electric
equipment is now in the De Luxe.
Punch and Judy Has Sound
Grosse Ft.. Mich. — Western EIcc-
'V erniinnient has been installed in
the Punch and Tud\' here.
Fulton Installs W. E.
Fulton, Mo. — The New Fulton has
ipened up with sound usinf West-
■11 Rlertric, film and disc equipment.
Photophone in Iowa
Belmond, la. — Photophone sound
equipment is going into the Lyric.
Week's Headlines
Monday
Music tax violation by theaters reported al-
most eliminated.
Sound gives shorts added entertainment value.
FILM DAILY survey shows.
Seventy-five per cent of audiences at Em
bassy. New York newsreel house, composed
of "regulars."
Tuesday
I'ox planning chain of newsreel theaters.
B. S. Moss to return to Broadway theatei
field with the re-acquisition of the Colony.
Producers form committee to investigate Coast
casting agencies
Wednesday
Warner and First National eacli to release
.3.S films during 1930-1931 season.
Chain of theaters to show short suljjects ex
clusively to be formed by Educational.
Dramatists' Guild warns members to adhen
to regulations governing sale of plays foi
picture use.
Thursday
X'ictimizing of actors by Chicago racketeer-
bring Equity investigation.
One hundred per cent increase in '.he us-
of nuisic in films predicted for 1930.
Sound brings increase in bookings of slitirt
subjects, FILM DAILY survey reveaU.
Friday
l''i!ni Board census shows 22,624 picture the
aters in the United States,
Sono Art-World Wide to use SG mm. wide
films, first of which is scheduled to gel
under way in month.
ICxchangcs open war on copyright violations.
Today
l;i().()nn,n()0 Building Budget for Chi Ter-
ritory.
Ilalscy, Stuart &■ Co. have new Fox plan,
rnhimbi.i Cutting Fcatine Releases to 20
tclal.
Trade Comm. to Outline
Seating Industry Rules
(Continued from Page 4)
installation, etc., other than originally pro-
posed, is condemned by the industry.
Rule 21 (formerly Resolution 20)— The
practice of submitting subsequent bids after
bids have been received, opened, exposed or
awarded, unless there is a change of specifica-
tions requiring reconsideration and new bids,
is condemned by the industry.
Rules 22 (formerly Resolution 21) — It is
the judgment of this industry that if the
buyer requests postponement of a shipment
beyond the date originally specified and/or
beyond the date of completion of nianufactrrc.
resulting in additional cost to the manufac-
turer for warehousing, such additional cost
should be charged to the purchaser.
Rule 23 (formerly Resolution 22)— The
practice of manufacturers of public seating
in subscribing to worthless advertising
schemes, and contributing to benefits, etc.,
promoted by or for churches, schools, etc..
is condemned by the industry.
Rule 24 (formerly Resolution 23) — The
practice of manufacturers of public seating in
providing, directly or indirectly, lavish and
expensive banquets and entertainment for
I)urchasers or prospective purchasers, is con-
demned by the industry.
Rule 2.i (formerly Resolution 24)— This
industry favors the adoption of an efficient
I'C.licy of cost accounting which will enable
those engaged therein to accurately deter-
mine their costs.
Rule 26 — Paying or ottering to pay com-
missions on sales to anyone who renders no
real service is condemned by the industry.
Rule 27 — Making donations of cash or
pi oducts to institutions, committee members,
board members, etc., who are or may be
prospective customers, is condemned by the
industry.
Rule 28 (formerly Resolution 29) — A com-
ndttee on Trade Practices is hereby created
.inri empowered to investigate wliether these
Rules are being observed, to make complaints
cor.rerning alleged violations, to cooperate
with the Federal Trade Commission and gen-
erally to perforin such other acts as may be
reasonably necessary and proper to put these
Rules into etTect and accomplish the objects
and purposes of this conference.
Sunday, March 2, 1930
Foreign Markets
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN
SAYS U.8. CAPITAL AIDS
London— "Without American cap-
ital and enterprise half of the exhibi-
tor"; in England would not be heard
of today," declared Walter Paine,
chairman of the London Pavillion,
Ltd., at a recent meeting of the
stockholders. "Talking pictures,'
Paine insisted, "are proving more
profitable day by day, and it was
only due to the American film in-
dus'trv, which has had at its command
niiilio'ns of capital available for pro-
duction, equipment and exploitation,
that talkers have made such prog-
ress." Balance sheet of the conipany
for 1929 showed an increase of $1,UUU
over 1928. A dividend of six per
cent, plus extras was declared.
Cuban Depression Cut
1929 Receipts Slightly
llaMngtct Bureau of THE FILM VAILi
Washington— The economic de-
pression in Cuba effected a decrease
m box office receipts in that country
in 1929, but to no great extent, it is
reported to the M. P. Division ol
the Dept. of Commerce. The decline
was greatest in the interior of the
island. While a number of small
theaters in Havana have been forced
to close, those remaining have ex-
perienced an increase m receipts.
The city has at present 25 houses
giving daily showings.
Quarter Million Loss
is Reported by Emelka
Berlin— A decline of $225,000 m
gross is reported by Emelka for the
first half of 1929. The loss is .said
to be due to adjustments made nec-
essary by the coming of sound. Tlu
luiiefka Theater Co. suffered a los^
of $100,000 during the same period.
F. N. P. Will Distribute
4 B. I. P.-Wardour Films
London— Negotiations have been
completed with First National Pathe
for the distribution of four Britisi:
International-Wardour films. They
are "Raise the Roof," "The Song oi
Soho," "Romance of Seville" and
"High Seas."
Czech Imports
Prague — Czecho-slovakia im-
ported more films in 1929 than
in 1928. Last year the Amer-
ican industry supplied the
country's exhibitors with 334
pictures as against 268 during
the previous 12 months.
f) Presentations C
Bv I)0.\ CARLE CILLETI E
Rlchmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAN, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE (oreig I representa
lives for Rayart Pictures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPJCSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJAY. London.
Cable Address: RICHPIC. N, Y.
Exporting only the
best in Motion Picture!
Prices Halt Roumanians
From Buying U. S. Units
WashimjtoH Bureau e>f THE FILM DAILi
Washington — Though American
sound equipment is more highly re-
garded in Roumania than that of any
other countrv, its sale there is being
retarded by high prices, according
to a report reaching the M. P. Ui-
vision of the Dept. of Commerce, it
is said there are few Roumanian the-
aters so situated financially as to al-
ford buying American apparatus at
present levels.
Moss Empires Profits
Suffered Cut Last Year
London— Moss Empires. Ltd., re-
ports a gross profit of $1.000 ■'';'", ^91
1929. This compares with ^l,uo4.»3U
for the previous year. A 10 per cent
dividend may be declared m addition
to a five per cent bonus. The com-
panv announces the appointment of
Colonel T. J. Gillespie as head of the
board to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of William Houlding.
German Studios Idle 263
of 600 Days in January
Berlin — German studios in Janu-
ary were idle 263 out of a possible
total of 600 working days, according
to figures given out by the Berlin
Chamber of Commerce. Nineteen of
'he 25 studios at the disposal of pro-
■lucers were busy during the month.
W. E. Music Agreement
in Britain Now Final
London — Final papers have been
signed in the agreement between
Western Electric and Briti.sh music
publishing firms. Signatures have
been obtained from 46 companies.
The names of the country's most
important music publishers fail to
appear among them.
Trainine Hindu Students
to Aid Industry in India
London — At the behest of the Hig'^
Commissioner for India the .Asso-
ciated Sound Film Industries has un-
dertaken the training of Indian stu-
dents in sound film production at it--
Wembley studios.
SPLENDID DlVmilY
18 OFFERED AT ROXY
A group of stage numbers that
present a splendid example of diver-
sification is being offered at the Roxy
this week. One of the items is a
repeat of "The Spirit of Labor,''
wherein Von Grona, in a setting of
black silhouette machinery against a
red background, pantomimes in sim-
ulation of work, while whistles, buz-
zers and other noise join in the mus-
ical accompaniment. In contrast to
this mechanistic illusion is a dazzling
creation, "Snowflakes," led by Pat-
ricia Bowman, with the Roxy Ballet
Corps arrayed in silver white gown:
and Markert's Roxyettes in abbre-
viated sports costumes, all tripping
and skating in front of a blue-tinteci
scenic affair. A pilgrimage scene,
'Cavatina," shows the Roxy Choru:
trudging along a winding road to a
shrine at the top of a hill, culminat-
ing in an impressive finale. For the
closing act there is a delightful in-
lerpretation of Walter Donaldson':
new song, "Lazy Lou'siana Moon,'
with Mildred Byram singing the
number in a most charming manner
as she .swings under a big magnolia
tree, and William Robyn responding
with a chorus from offstage, while
the 32 Roxyettes saunter into the
scene as southern belles and their es-
corts.
Charles Hubert Husey Dead
London — Charles Hubert Huse\.
vice-president of the Board of Filir
Censors, died recently.
Bamberger Quits Edibell
London^J. J. Bambergrer has re-
signed as a director of Edibell.
DAVE SCHOOLER BACK
IN CAPITOL PROCRAM
In addition to the glad hand given
Dave Schooler on his return to a
spot where he has won a flock of
fans, special applause is garnered by
two unusually enjoyable acts in the
current Capitol stage bill, "Coloi
Rhythm," produced by Arthur Knorr,
One of the numbers is the Small
Brothers, three youths with a line of
speed, harmony and novelty in their
footwork that puts them in a clas.-
by themselves. The other is June
Carr. a neat little comedienne, who
does not get all the opportunities that
her amusing talents deserve. The
Chester Hale Girls go over excep-
tionally big in a fancifully deviset'
dance in which the girls, divided into
several groups, wear contrasting cos-
tumes of changing colors. Some
striking eft'ects are obtained through
the medium of color changes as tlu
ensemble perforins its routine. A
comedy team, apparently taking the
place of Art Frank, who was billed
but did not appear, cleaned up their
share of laughs with some hokum be
tween a blackface gob and a China-
jiian. As his contribution to the per-
formance. Schooler did some rapid
cartooning, a little song and dance,
and a classical piano selection.
TABLOID RUSSIAN REVUE
ON PARAMOUNT STAGE
Nikita Balieff's "Chauve-Souris" in
tai)loid form holds the Paramount
stage this week, marking the first
presentation of the famous revue at
popular prices. In the legitimate the-
ater "Chauve-Souris" proved unusual
entertainment and distinctly some-
thing out of the ordinary, full of ex-
traordinary beauty and compelling
charm. Set- on the Paramount stage
it still retains all these qualities, but
seems slight and lacking in the move-
ment that picture audiences demand
;n their stage shows. It certainly
has suffered in the cutting. On the
Paramount stage it is like a small
boy, lost in the confines of a huge
cathedral. However, people who
seek class entertainment will find
that even in its present form it is
worth seeing. At any rate it is
something different — that is, for pic-
ture houses. Balieff has created
some stage pictures stunningly ef-
fective and tremendously beautiful.
There stands out in particular a
scene with a group of men singing
the X'olga boatman's song against
a sombre sky. The revue closes
with the dance of the wooden sol-
diers— a number that has particu-
larly been identified with BaliefT's
name. For once you have the pleas-
ure of seeing human beings behav-
ng as if they really were created
of wood.
Boston Reopening
Boston — Netoco has reopened the
W'ollaston, 1300 seat house, after
making alterations.
Buy Waterloo House
Waterloo, N. Y. — Seneca Falls
Theater Co. has taken over the State
from B. B. and ^L J. Gudstadt. Sen-
eca also operates the Seneca at Sen-
eca Falls.
Miller Now at Utica
Utica, N. Y. — Howard Miller, for-
mer manager of the Strand, Cartli-
ige, has been appointed assistan
nanager of the Gaiety here.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
I'i
I 1600 Broadway, New York City |
i Phcne Petm. 3580 \
BE \EFIT OF COLOR
without
PEVAETY OF COST
COLOR is the order of the day. Sono-
chrome brings it without the penalty
of added cost. Sixteen delicate tints
and a warm neutral tone are available
at the same price as ordinary black-
and-white. This, plus the fact that it
gives really faithful sound-on-film,
accounts for the success of this series
of Eastman tinted positive films.
EAS IMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
^^^^^
iMui\\\
2 6REAT $ON6 PUBLISHERS
ARE PLU^^IN^ FOR YOU !
''The tunes are catchy enough to keep
the jazz bands busy, the 'hot numbers'
particularly scoring —New York Daily Mirror
hits from
RED STAR MUSIC COMPANY
"HAPPY DAYS"
by James Hanley & Joseph McCarthy
"A TOAST TO THE GIRL I LOVE"
by James Hanley & James Brockman
"WE'LL BUILD A WORLD ALL OUR OWN'
by James Hanley & James Brockman
j& hits from
DE SYLVA, BROWN & HENDERSON
"MONA"
by Conrad, Mitchell & Cottier
"I'M ON A DIET OF LOVE"
by 1. Wolfe Gilbert & Abel Boer
Both organizations ore plugging these hits for all
they're worth to millions of fans throughout the
country — on the RADIO and PHONOGRAPH RE-
CORDS. All of which means that your audience is
already made for this Merry Musical Extravaganzo
that's just loaded with STARS and B.O.DYNAMITE!
For detailed musical tie-ups see the elaborate
press book prepared for your use — it con-
tains money-in-the-bank aids. Go to It —
HAPPY DAYS I
SONG HITS
are natural iri box office
musicals from
iTHE
o/FlLMDOM
/ILL THE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
VOL. LI No. 52
Monday, March 3, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Only 12 P. C. of Greater N. Y. Houses Unwired
EXHIBSASK RADICALCHANGES IN CONTRACT
Says Sound Reproduction is Constantly Improving
The Mirror
-a column of comment
AGENTS EMPLOYED by the
Copyright Protection Bureau are dig-
ging up information on exhibitors
I who persist in that never-quite-dead
practice of bicychng and other illegal
stunts as well. And consequently, as
you've probably read, about 100 suits
charging infringement are pending in
courts throughout the country. Level
exhibitor organization heads are ap-
pealing to their members and those
beyond their fold to play the game
ccording to contractural Hoyle. The
sensible and fair-minded ones will.
The others are likely to get financial-
ly hurt when the law courts clamp
down on them.
OUT OF 2,534 subjects viewed by
the New York State Censorship
Commission during the year ended
June 30, 1929, only eight were finally
rejected as unsuitable for exhibition,
quotes the annual report just issued.
Not so bad a record for the industry
when you consider the variety of
ources from which its product
comes and also the additional new
perplexities confronting it because of
censorship of dialogue.
PICTURE HOUSES continue to
nniltiply and the total is now pinned
111 the 22,624 mark. An interesting
fact, this, in face of the ever-
jrecurring allegations that the exhibi-
tion end of the industry is going to
the bow-wows. Well, 22,624 the-
aters, like fifty million Frenchmen,
can't be wrong. There must still be
?old in them thar exhibiting hills.
Greater Number of Houses
Are Being Placed in
Good Sound Class
Chiefly because of better supervi-
sion and a greater interest on the
part of managers and operators, the
quality of sound reproduction and
the number of theaters giving satis-
factory results show a steady in-
crease, according to H. M. Wilcox,
operating manager of Electrical Re-
search Products, who has closely ob-
served the situation while on fre-
quent trips of inspection throughout
{Continued on Page 8)
RED8TAR1eT8$500,000
U.K.M§C CONTRACT
A contract whereby Campbell &
Donnelly will have exclusive United
Kingdom rights to all songs in the
Red Star catalogue has been closed
by Red Star Music Co. through P.
(Continued on Page 8)
Blow in Theater Quarrel
Kills Loew Manager
Abraham Michaels, manager of the
Loew house at 42nd St. and Lexing-
ton Ave., New York, is dead as the
result of a blow on the head admin-
istered when he attempted to break
up a quarrel in the theater. Hospital
physicians gave heart disease as the
direct cause of death. He was in his
55th year.
miTING SYNDICATE
FOR FOX PLAN ARRANGED
Organization of the underwriting
syndicate to handle the $65,000,000
worth of securities called for under
the Fox refinancing plan backed by
Bancamerica-Blair, Lehman Bros.,
and Dillon, Read & Co., was com-
pleted Saturday. Notice to this ef-
fect was immediately mailed by Fox
to stockholders and subscription
blanks for the $40,000,000 of 7 per
(Continued on Page 8)
$8 PER SHARE IN '30 IS
SEEN FOR TECilCOlDR
Earnings of Technicolor, Inc., for
the current year are predicted to
reach $8 a share, according to the
"Wall Street NewsJ' The company
reported for 1929 a net income, after
all charges but before taxes, of $1,-
173,930, equal to $2.28 a share on
(Continued on Page 8)
1929 Box Office Receipts
in Norway at $158,000
Christiania — Picture houses in Nor-
way grossed approximately $158,000
last year. This is almost on a par
with 1928 receipts.
Exchangemen Report Greater
N. Y. Houses Wiring Rapidly
Benner Now RCA District
Manager for Four States
Cleveland, O. — Additional territory
has been given to Van Wyck Benner,
district manager for RCA Photo-
phone, who now covers Indiana and
Kentucky in addition to Ohio and
Michigan. In order to take care of
these districts the company will open
branch offices at Cincinnati and In-
dianapolis.
Only 12 per cent of the 467 pic-
ture houses in Greater New York
have not been wired for sound, it is
indicated by a survey made by THE
FILM DAILY.
Consensus of opinion among ex-
changemen is that by next summer,
installations will have cut this per-
centage in half and that by 1931,
every house in this territory will be
wired. Branch managers also ex-
(Continued on Page 8)
Revisions Recommended
by Western Penna.
Theater Men
Pittsburgh — Radical changes in ex-
hibition contracts are urged by the
M. P. T. O. of Western Pa. in com-
munications just sent to distributors.
The recommendations were made by
the organization's board of managers
which hopes to have them included in
the revisions now being made to
exhibition contracts, following the
Thacher decree.
Definite fixing of playdr.fos and
elimination of score charges are
among the recommendations. They
would also give exhibitors a period
not longer than 10 days after applica-
tion to decide to go through with
contract.
2 More Warner Houses
in Pittsburgh District
Pittsburgh — Two theaters will be
added to the Warner chain \u this
territory. One already is under con-
struction at Youngstown, Ohio. The
other will be started at Erie, Pa., this
spring.
New RCA- Victor Building
May House Photophone
When the New RCA-Victor 50-
story building at Lexington Ave. and
51st St. is completed, it is likely that
the RCA Photophone offices will be
moved there. Definite decision on
the matter has not yet been made.
Work is expected to start at once.
Seek Wage Increase
Chicago — The theatrical jani-
tors' union is starting negotia-
tions with local exhibitors for
a uniform wage scale carrying
an increase in pay. Eighty
cents per hour is sought for
men, 70 cents per hour for
women. Thomas E. Burke,
union business manager, will
confer with Jack Miller and
Aaron Saperstein, who will rep-
resent the theater men. The
present contract, which does
not provide a uniform wage
scale, expires March 10.
THE
■a&^
DAILV
Monday, March 3, 1930
VaL LI No. 52 Monday, Mar. 3, 1930 Prici 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Courdes-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
( QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat 22)4 ••••
Con. Fm. Ind 20 J4 20 Ji 20}4 200
*Con. Fm. Ind. pfd 23^
East. Kodak 219% 216^ 219/2 500
Fox Fm. "A" 34J4 iiVi iiVi "OU
Gen. Thea. Equ... 45 J4 44^ 45 4,900
*Keith AG 36
Mo pfd lOS'A
lA>ew's, Inc 70^4 69J4 69% OOL
do pfd. WW (6J4).. 99J4 99'A 99'A 100
•do pfd. xw (6J4) 85/2 ...
*M-GM pfd 25>4
Para. F-L 69H 6&H 09'A 3.301
Pathe Exch 3% 3% 3% IOC-
do "A" 7/2 7/2 7/2 101.
RK-O 32% 31/2 3m 5,4t,
•Univ. Pict. pfd 45
Warner Bros 68% 67% 68/ Jl,500
do pfd 60% 59K 59K l.OOi,
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 29/
Fox Thea. "A" .. 7M 7H 7^ 1,701
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts i2}i ....
*Loevv Inc. war 13 ....
•Nat. Scr. Ser 24
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 11 11 11 11)1)
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AG 6s 46 82
Loew 6s 41ww 114^ 114Ji IHM 10
do 6s 41 x-war 97/ 97% 97'A 'Jit
Par.imount 6s 47..100Ji 100% 100% H
•Par. By. 5/s51 101/ ....
•Pathe 7s 37 47%
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
if
if
ii
New York
1540 Broadvjay
BRYant 4712
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦*♦♦♦♦>♦♦♦♦♦♦«.♦
Long Island City it
154 Crescent St. J.t
STIllwell 7940 J.t
Chicago Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. 6700 Santa^Monica
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
The Broadway Parade
' I 'HERE are no long-run pictures scheduled to open on Broadway this week.
-*- The newest long-run film is "Song of the West," which has replaced "Son of
the Gods" at the Warner.
Pictur* Distributor Theater
"Disraeli" Warners Central
"The Love Parade" Paramount Rivoli Nov.
"Hit the Deck" RKO Globe Jan.
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan.
"Street of Chance" Paramount Rialto Jan.
'^reen Goddess" Warner Winter Garden .... Feb.
"Puttin' on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb.
''Troopers Three" Tiffany Gaiety Feb.
"Vagabond King". . . .' Paramount Criterion .Feb.
"White Cargo" -W.P.Film Co. .Ltd. Cohan Feb.
"Song of the West" Warner Warner Feb.
Opening Date
Oct. 2
250 Men Supply Music
for 14,000 Theaters
As a result of the talker era, 250
musicians in Hollywood are able to
supply music for 14,000 theaters,
most of which have done away with
their orchestras, it is declared by Jo-
seph N. Weber, president of the
American Federation of Musicians,
which is making a national appeal
for public sympathy against talker
music.
Lupe Velez Signed to
Five-Year "U" Contract
West Coojt Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles— Lupe Velez has
been signed to a five-year contract
by Universal. Under her new con-
tract Miss Velez shares the featured
role with William Boyd in "The
Storm."
Midwest Handling Sono
in Kansas City Region
Kansas City— Midwest Film Dis-
tributors, Inc., will handle distribu-
tion for Sono Art-World Wide in
this territory.
Pettey with RCA in Detroit
Detroit, Mich.— H. L. Pettey has
been placed in charge of the RCA
Photophone office here. Pettey was
formerly with the company at Kan-
sas City.
Flanagan Managing Mystic
Maiden, Mass. — Leo Flanagan, for-
merly of the Riverside, is now man-
aging the Mystic here.
Collins Gets Sono Art Post
Boston, Mass. — Russell P. Collins
has been appointed sales manager of
feature subjects for Sono Art-World
Wide here. Collins was formerly
representative for Vitaphone.
WANTED— YOUNG LADY
Correspondent — Stenographer.
Film Experience — $30 per week.
I Box O-104
I 1650 Bway.
c/o Film Daily
New York City
Holdup of Loew's 86th
Frustrated by Manager
.-\ttempted holdup of Loew's 86th
.St. Friday night was frustrated when
ohn Judge, assistant manager, re-
fused to obey the command of two
bandits to open the theater safe. A
scuffle followed, with Judge being hit
on the head with the butt of a re-
volver. The thugs, frightened, made
their escape.
Chandler Back From Trip
for Equipment Interests
Roy Chandler has returned from a
trip through Mexico and the West
India Islands in the interests of the
Carrier Engineering Corp.; Major
Equipment Co. of Chicago and the
Kilgen Organ Co. for whom he
acts as export manager. Chandler is
scheduled to sail for Europe Thurs-
day.
British Company Lists
17 Films for Distribution
London — Seventeen films are list-
ed for distribution by British and
Foreign Films, according to an an-
nouncement by Norman A. Adams,
director of the company.
Gets License to Operate Theater
Waterville, Me. — Jesse Bridgham
has been issued a permit to operate
the Silver here.
Completes Altering House
Derby, Conn. — Remodeling of the
Community Hall has been completed.
Sound equipment has also been in-
stalled by the owners.
of Washington
■4
),H,iininiiniiHH
\nik, .\1-
k1 Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
Ihe "Home Town
Papers " of 4.600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in tlie in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
( \eilastingly at it for
tile 12th successive
\ear.
1007c coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-600DWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Ma n Office. 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
5
Mar.
7
Mar.
10
Mar.
11
Mar.
20
Apr.
1
Apr. 5
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
May 25
June 2-7
First Day of Lent.
Opening of "Case of Sergeant
Orischa" at the Globe, N. Y.
Opening of "Mamba" at the
Gaiety, N. Y.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York at 44th St. Theater.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Second annual 'banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc., at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington,
D C.
Fox annual sales convention starts
to-day.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Jannings Preparing to Return
Emil Jannings, who recently com-
pleted his first English talking role
in the English version of Ufa's Ger-
man production, "The Blue Angel,"
is preparing to return to this coun-
try with his wife, Gussy Holl, ac-
cording to cable dispatches. Mar-
lene Dietrich, who was Jannings'
leading woman in both versions of
"The Blue Angel," also is coming to
Hollywood.
Columbia Exchange Expands
Columbia has moved its New York
exchange from the sixth floor of the
Film Center Building to quarters
twice as large on the ninth floor.
Brown Succeeds James
Maiden, Mass. — Warren Brown,
formerly of the Mystic, has been ap-
pointed to succeed Stanley James as
manager of the Auditorium.
IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of
JOSEPH R. MILES
who died Mar. 3, 1929.
Lloyds Film Storage Corp.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPE RATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND!
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
THE GREATEST LAUGH HIT OF THE YEAR
^TROOPERS
THREE
/f?^-^^^^'^X
v%.
HILARIOUS / HILARIOUS .' /
Goofy Rookies in Frantic Antics and Cock-Eyed Blunders
with Horses, Horses, Horses!
Spiffy Troopers in Thrilling Action and Brilliant Stunts
with Hundreds of Horses !
Young Hearts in Romantic Tangles and Merry Mix-Ups.
ALL -TALKING SHRIEK RIOT
Recorded by RCA Photophone
A
Troopers 3" Qallops Away *vith the Box-Office!
ThrQIinti scenes ol dare-
devil riding ... a certaht
success.
—P.VBNING WORLD
%
\ //
A barrage of laughter.
—AMERICAN
Con have a lot of fun see-
mi and hearing it. ]
—DAILY NEWS '
JMK.
J
Mums
With
REX LEASE
ROSCOE KARNS
SLIM SUMMERVILLB
DOROTHY GULLIVER
and
U. S. Cavalry
Directed by Norman Taurog
Written by
ARTHUR GUY EMPEY
^ 1930 IS I
^ lijTIFFANYYEAR""
TIFFANY PRODUCTION/ INC.
729 r EV ENT W AVF
NFW; VODK n TV
THE
^^
DAILV
Monday, March 3, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Urges Industry Organize
To Fight Its Oppressors
"PVERYONE will agree that
our trade is being battered and
pulled about in a dozen different
directions. We are not being
guided! We have no policy! We
are a disorganized band! We
have no protector against organ-
ized oppression! We have no
champion of our freedom and
rights! And all because so many
of us are grab-all, selfish, short-
sighted humbugs — thinking only
of today and allowing' our im-
mediate greed to distort our long
vision. Get-rich-quick methods
continue to block the paths of
progress, common sense, organi-
zation, and lessen our power of
resistance to attack. We are all
at the mercy of any man, any
firm, any official and any body
who can put a pistol to our
heads! We are a disorganized
rabble without a leader.
Sam Harris in
"The Cinema," London
* * ♦
Foresees Widespread Use
Of Talkers in Education
'TpHE talking picture can and
will be adopted in practically
every branch of education. I be-
lieve it is only a matter of a
short time when complete librar-
ies will be available for use in
practically every branch of edu-
cation and that all of our leading
schools and universities will be
equipped with talking pictures.
V. C. AmsTpiger, director
of Educational Research,
Electrical Research Products
* * *
Eisenstein Says Pictures
Should Be Free of All Plot
'THE film, like public life, must
be free from the sway of per-
sonahties. It must liberate it-
self from plot.
S. M. Eisenstein,
Russian director
The famous screen kiss had its
origin in a film titled "The
May Irwin- John C. Rice Kiss."
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
JyJRS. PAT FLAHERTY, who presented her husband with a
nine pound boy as a Valentine gift, leaves the hospital on
Tuesday. The daddy, as you probably know, runs Red Star
Music Corp. for Fox Harry Lewis, house managing the
Colony, was formerly with the Consolidated Amusement Co. in
charge of the Mt. Eden. He managed the house when Henry
Siegel operated it and is again working for Siegel, who now is
managing director at the Colony
* * * *
Bert Adler's in Chicago to meet the Marco of Fanchon &
Marco. The pair will railroad into New York in a day or two.
This is Marco's semi-annual visit
* * * *
Herb Fecke, formerly with "Theater Management," now is
connected with the "Exhibitors Herald World," and sez the
youth, he will handle advertising.. Hank Linet the other
night received his first golf lesson, he wonders how his score
was so low and still managed to come out on the long end of the
betting
* 4: >ti 4c
Another radio review, sponsored by the National M. P.
League, goes over the air via WPCH today at 3:30 P. M
Five productions will be discussed by Misses Margaret Nicoll,
Suzanne Hurty and Elvie Hitchings "The Girl Scout
Trail" a talker produced by Visugraphic for Girl Scouts, Inc.,
is getting quite a run in sound houses of Hawaii, reports Ed-
ward F. Stevenson, president of Visugraphic
T. J. Martin, auditor of Warners, is receiving the con-
gratulations of his friends upon the arrival of a new member in
the Martin family. Miss Joan Marie Martin and Mrs. Martin
are reported doing nicely Irene Delroy, who has been
playing the lead here in "Top Speed," is en route to the Coast
to fulfill a Vitaphone contract
Exploitation plus. The Falstaff Corp. of St. Louis, biggest
brewer in town, has decorated the lobby of the Midtown there
for the showing of "The Royal Box." And hot wienies, pretzels
and near-bear is being dished out free to all patrons, informs A.
P. Waxman
* * * *
G. R. O'Neill, director of advertising and publicity for Pathe,
hopes to be back at his desk early this week. He sustained
several lacerations on the forehead and leg in a motorcycle
knockdown.
MARCH 3--M11NY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Charlotte Virginia Henry
Louis Weyhraven
Myrtle Stedman
Stanley Taylor
Larry Kent
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
JOHN EBERSON, leader among
J theater architects, also takes his
place as a leader among automobile
owners when his new specially Eber-
son-designed Duessenberg rides the
ways and purrs out into open stream
Fifth Ave.
The car has the grace of a swan,
the dignity of a carriage, the comfort
of a home, the power of a battleship,
plus the speed of an airplane. When
we were told that it could develop a
speed of 80 miles an hour in second
within half a city block, and could
do 116 an hour in comfort, we had
to be shown. So, we were, and how!
Next time John Eberson intends
to make a flying trip to Chicago all
he needs is this car and a passenger
to keep his radio programs diversi-
fied. Oh, yes, it has a radio, too.
^f ilfi *
Item on the sporting page says
there is an exhibitor in the South
who has broken more records bicyc-
ling than any other known individr'
ual.
Vitaphone will get him ?'/• he
doesn't watch out!
iti * *
Gordon S. White, strolling up the
avenoo, met his dentist carrying a
suspicious-looking package.
"Looks like a load of glad stuff,"
said Gordon, with a knowing wink.
"This?" countered the yanker in-
nocently, like when he tells you it
isn't going to hurt. "Oh, this is just
some specially prepared mouth wasli
that I'm taking along for home use."
"Is it good stuff?"
"Well, we never spit any of it out."
* * *
"While honking through Western
New York," writes Cameron Lenz
from Pittsburgh, where the fiivver
marathoner stopped over to buy his
frau, Celia Lloyd, a new powder puff,!
"we met an oldtime theater man who]
is waiting for vaudeville to come,
back. P. S. — He still drives a horse
and buggy."
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Henry M. Hobart made vice pres-
ident of International Film Service
Co.
* * *
Mastbaum circuit of Philadelphia is
National Pictures franchise holder.
Theater owners say United Artists
book on rental basis.
* * *
Famous Players reported after site >
for new house in Detroit.
THE
Monday, March 3, 1930
■c&m
DAILV
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
Untied States
Los Angeles, Cal. — Western Elec-
tric sound system has been put in
the 445 seat Ambassador. The Fo-
rum has ahnost completed a W. E.
installation.
Petersburg, Va. — The Harris is
nearing completion and is expected
to open shortly. W. Frank Harris
\vill manage the house.
St. Louis, Mo. — The Embassy,
seating 857, and the Easton, with
599 seats, have both installed the
\Vestern Electric equipment.
Walnut Beach, Conn.^ — With in-
stallation of W. E. completed, the
[Colonial has been reopened by Mrs.
Martha Gill, owner.
Worcester, Mass. — R-K-O and
Warners are reported dickering for
he Plymouth here.
Kosciusko, Miss.— Fred Hamilton
las been appointed manager of the
Kosciusko by Pine Trees Amusement
Wilmington, Del. — ^Francis de H.
fanvier recently bought the Elaine
heater property at a public auction.
Chicago, 111.- — ^The Rialto, Ran-
lolph and Parkside have installed
(Western Electric Sound System dur-
ng the last week.
Medford, Ore.— Walter L. Lever-
-tte of this city will build a new the-
iter at Yreka, Cal., to cost approxi-
itnately $70,000.
Cheyenne, Wyo. — Extensive altera-
ions have been made at the Lincoln.
Foreign
London — Basil Dean, appealed to
British actors and actresses to take
{heir part in British talker produc-
jion at the Eighth annual dinner of
he Repertory Players. He said that
egitimate stage players now have an
Opportunity of presenting their work
;o all English-speaking countries
';hrough this new medium.
! Paris — • Gaumont-Franco-Film-An-
pert has been adopted as the name of
jhe firm resulting from the merging
■of Aubert-Franco Film with Estab-
issements Gaumont. The new com-
lany is capitalized at $4,250,000.
Berlin — Arrangements have been
nade for the distribution of the Aafa-
Tobis talker "Dich hab' ich geliebt"
"Because I Love You") in Japan.
Nottingham, England — Marshall
iound System, Ltd., has been organ-
zed here to make and sell talking
licture equipment. It is capitalized
t $50,000.
London — Gerald Malvern was re-
cently awarded $5,000 damages
against British Controlled Films,
Ltd., as a resuh of his suit against
the company for wrongful dismissal.
He was managing director of the
company. Malvern also won a judg-
ment of $8,470 for arrears of salary.
Oslo — Foreign pictures have been
made subject to an entertainment tax
by the Finnish government.
Paris — Pola Negri has settled in
this city, having an apartment in the
Rue Pergolese.
Liverpool — Shortage of silent pro-
ductions brought about by talking
pictures has resulted in the closing
of the Century, local reportory film
theater.
Sweden — Production has begun on
Selma Lagerlof's novel, "Charlotte
Loewnskoeld," by the newly formed
Svensk Filmindustri.
London ■ — "Frankenstein," Mary
Woolstonecraft Shelley's book, will
be the basis of a talker to be pro-
duced by Gaumont.
Berlin — The Melophon Co. has
been formed in Germany as a pro-
ducing and distributing organization.
London — "The Yellow Mask," an
Edgar Wallace storv. w'" be mad'
into a talking picture by Harry Lach-
man for British International.
New York
Rudy Kuehn, general manager of
the Consolidated circuit, has been<
home with the grippe for the last few
days.
Jimmy Montana, formerly assistant
cashier of the Pathe exchange, has
succeeded Joe Whitman, as cashier.
Radiotone equipment has been in-
stalled at the Catholic Protectorv of
which Brother Ambrose Victor is in
charge.
The Jewish Board of Guardians at
Hawthorne has installed sound equip-
ment for its inmates. Pictures are
nrovided gratis by the N. Y. Film
Board of Trade.
Utica — Renovations are being com-
oleted on the RKO Colonial, man-
aged by M. Robbins.
Binghamton — Kodeco Realtv Corn.
is remodeling the Stone, which will
include increasinor the seating capac-
ity to 2.000 and installation of Gran-
deur wide screen.
Mark Goldman New Chief
for Tiffany in Cincinnati
Mark Goldman has been appointed
branch manager of Tiffany's Cincin-
nati exchange replacing H. A. Silver-
lerg. The appointment was made
by Oscar HansoUj general sales man-
ager.
Shun Safety Discussion
with British Exhibitors
London — The Manchester Licens-
ing justices recently declined to meet
representatives of the Cinematogra-
phy Exhibitors Association in ^ dis
cussion of new rules for the promo
tion of safety in pictures theatres.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^m By HARRY N. BLAIR mi
Stuart Erwin is not at all excited
oyer the fact that Paramount sent
him East to appear at the Long Is-
land studios in "Dangerous Nan Mc-
Grew." Erwin is a native Californian
and pines for the sunshine and com-
parative quiet of that dear Holly-
wood.
Gluick Heads Continental
Office in Los Angeles
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — William Gluick has
been appointed branch manager of
the local office of Continental The-
ater Accessories, which secured the
lease on the M-G-M quarters in the
old Film Exchange Bldg. here. The
new quarters will be ready for oper-
ation on or about Mar. IS.
Grampp At Beloit
Beloit, Wis. — Harry Grampp, form-
erly of Lansing, is now managing the
Majestic.
Sound for Mystic
Petaluma, Cal. — The Mystic is
closed while sound is being installed.
When yoii hear Helen Kane put
over "Doggone 'Em, When I Like
'Em, I Love 'Em," credit E. Y. Mar-
burg and Jay Gorney tvith this tune-
ful melody.
In order to get some local color
for a Vitaphone Variety, Phil Quinn,
assistant director, accompanied by
Ed DuPar, cameraman, and Frank
Namczy, designer of stage sets at
the studio, journey to Sing Sing
prison recently.
Richard Foy, of Warner Bros,
casting department, will, together
with his brother Irving a7id four
other members of the Friars' Club,
appear in a travesty on the Foy
family's vaudeville act, at a dinner
to be given Sunday at the Friars'
Club in honor of Eddie Foy, Jr.
WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK FOR
COLOR and WIDE-FILM?
1
INQUIRE WITHIN
'/
Mi:
YEAR
BOOK
"950
■ 1 C/liiClH
Now
Being
Distributed
to AH
Subscribers
to THE
FILM
DAILY
DAILY
Monday, March 3, 1930
Exhibitors
Daily Reminikr
Check up on
o p p osition's
coining a t -
tractions so
as not to con-
flict with the
same type of
show.
Color Films Get Break
in National Broadcasts
111 its weekly radio prograiiis, ar-
ranged for diflferent clients, the Krick-
son Co., advertising agency, wliicli
also handles the Technicolor account,
is plugging songs taken from pic-
tures made in Technicolor. .Sedlex
Brown is in charge of these vfo
grams, which are broadcast over n
national network.
T. R. Thompson Appointed
Milwaukee Manager
Milwaukee, Wis. — T. R. Thomp-
.<-.on, for years salesman in the Kan-
sas City office of United Artists, has
btei: named manager of the new ex-
rhnnge to be opened here by the
company March li.
California House Installs Sound
Chula Vista, Calif. — Western Elec-
tric equipment is in tlie Seville. Tlie
Seville seats 495.
DeForest Installations
Albemarle, N. C. — DeForest Plio
nofilm ecjuipment has been installed
at the Columbia and Alameda here,
and at the new house at A>hb()ro.
Buys Milaca House
Milaca, Minn. — E. H. Hill has
bought the Casino from V. i . .-^',mon
Lawrenceburg Installation
Lawrenceburg, Tenn. — H. H. Rhu-
lander is wiring the Princess for
sound.
Reopen Norfolk House
Norfolk. Va. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the Park and
house reopened.
Hudson Gets W. E.
Hudson, Mass. — 'J"hc Hudsun has
gone in for sound, installing the
^Vestern Electric apparatus.
Wire Cedarburg House
Cedarburg, Wis. — RCA Phonofilm
ef|uipment is being installed at the
CI)inese.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Browning Rejoins "U"
on Five- Year Contract
Hollywood — Tod Browning has re-
'oined Universal on a five-year con-
tract. Under his new agreement,
drowning will supply the story and
dialogue as well as direct, "The Scar-
et Triangle" his first for the com-
oany. Browning was formerly con-
nected with M-G-M where he direct
ed sexeral Lon Chancy pictures.
Griffith and F. N. Break
Corinne Griffith is understood to
have reached an agreement with
Jack Warner to cancel her contract
with First National. Under terms of
lier contract the star was to make
as her last picture "The Lost Ead\ ,"
but this has been abandoned, it is
reported.
Report Tryon Would Quit "U"
Los -Angeles — Glenn Trvon is re-
ported to be seeking his release from
his contract with Universal.
Hurst in "Cooking Her Goose"
Paul Hurst has been signed for a
oart in "Coolciiig Her Goose." fea-
turing ifary .^stor and Lloyd
Husflies.
Fourth Potters Series Completed
The fourth of the Potters series
of \''itapbone \''arieties comedies "Pa
Gets a A^acation." has been com-
pleted.
Fox Title Changed
"Crazy That W'av" has been de-
"itlcd upon as the final title for the
T^ox oroduction, "In Love Witb
Love." fe.Tturing Joan Bennett.
Lumsden Hare and Kenneth Mc-
Kenna under direction of Hamilton
McFndden.
Tiffany Title Changed
A. P. ^'om^ger's original for Tif-
'■dnv lias been chani^cd to ".Swell
'H"ad." The picture was fori; erh
'cnown ;is "C\-clone Hiclcev."
Arthur in "Paper Haneing"
Johnnv .\rthur is the featured
olayer in the Vitaphone \'^arietles
"Paper Hanging," previoiislv titled
"Penin- Wise."
Al Ray Signed by Columbia
Al Ray has lieen added to Coliiiii-
'>ia's directorial staff. His first as-
signment will be an adaptation of r
story by Colin Clements and Flor-
ence Ryerson, tentatively called "Un-
der Western Stars."
Badger Working in Sierras
Clarence Badger is filming scenes
'"or First National's "Under \\'estern
Skies" in the Sierras.
Vitaphone Variety Beinc Cut
Editing now is being done on ".She
Who Gets Slapped," a Vitaphone
\'ariety comedy.
A Little
from
'Lots'
_^ By RALPH WILK i^^
^. HAMILTON ORKOW, prob-
al)ly America's shortest play-
wright (in size), has joined First
National and will write originals for
the screen. His Broadway plays in-
clude "Milgrim's Progress," "Blind
Windows," "Hocus Focus" and "Na-
poleon."
* * *
The auiiital exodus of motion pic-
ture people to the beaches is already
inidcrtvay, with Malibou being a fa-
vored spot. Evelyn Brent and her
husband, Harry Edwards, are among
fhe earliest to take up residence at
MaliboK.
* * *
William Bakewell is com-
pleting the longest assignment
that has been his good fortune
since joining the screen's ranks.
As one of the featured mem-
bers of "All Quiet on the West-
ern Front," young Bakewell
has been engaged for more
than three months.
>i> * *
Frank T. Davis, who directed six
■omcdies in the East for Pathe, ivill
"ooH direct "The Redheads," a vins-
'cal comedy, at Pathe's Culrer Cilr
■-■tiidio. "The Redheads" will br
based on a vaudeville act originallv
nroduccd by Jesse L. Tjusky aiir!
•criftoi by William LcRaroii. If
■('ill he made in color, icith Nat Carr
as the principal comedian.
* * *
Ben Jackson, executive maiiacf
if the Fox music department; .\'
'?ockett. Con Conrad. Tames F
H.inley and Joseph McCarthv are
'mis\-. making preparations for tb-
"Fox Aroxietone Follies of 19.W.'
'^on'-ad. Hanley and AfcCartln- n'-
i"-itincr music for the revim, y\-WA
f^.vl,-f(| will be the producer. Brr
SfolofI" will direct.
* * ^
Sarah Y. Mason, who wrote the
■scenario for "Broadway Melody"
-nid other M-G-M pictures, has beer
signed to a new long term contrac'
'>ii M-G-M. Following the cample
'•n)i of her adaptation of "Spriiif
^cvrr," she ivill go to Nciv York
I'or a vacation.
* * *
Fred Maguire, who edited
"Red Hot Rythm," "Her Pri-
vate .Affair" and "The Sopho-
more." is keeping busv at
Pathe.
* * *
Spencer Bennett, Earle Kenton.
'U'u Hendricks, Jr., John Mack
P>rown. Eddie Gribbon, were anionp
the participants in the HoUywooc'
Athletic Club's squash-handball tour
nament.
flLN BOARDS Of TRADE
REPORT THEATER CHANCES
PENNSYLVANIA
Changes in Ownership
Boyer— Boyer, sold to James West by S L
latteisoii; Bridgeport— Bioadway. sold to
.Mrs. Amiie Swede by D. DiRocco; Con-
neautyUIe— New Mid-Way, sold to Jennie
A. King by Flynn & Davis; Coudersport-
( oiidersport. sold to F. Arden Burt by C
K. Clawson; Derry— Victory, sold to Franl
(oidi by Patsy Cordi ; E. Cannonsburg-
Uuquesne, sold to Leo Devon by Falcon!
^ Castcli : Easton — Strand, sold to Strand
i- eature Co. by Strand Theater Co. ; Erie-
Rialto, sold to D. R. Bly by P. D. Demes;
ireeland — rrmony, sold to Refowich The-
ater Co. by D. O. Timony ; Mahonoy City—
Klks, sold to Chamberlain Amusement Ent
Inc., by K. F. McAtee; Marcus Hook-^
(.lolie, sold to George B. Wilson by Marcus
Hook .\musement Co.; Philadelphia— Allen,
sold to John Bag'cy by B. Hirscli ; Beck-
ers', sold to Jacob BUimberg by A. W.
Becker; Grand Opera House, sold to Grand
.\niusenient Co. by Stabley Co. of America;
Pine Grove — Hippodrome, sold to Lewen
Piznr by Eufene Ferron ; Sharpsville — Ritz
sold to Peter Patti by Chris. Lampros ;'
Tower City — .\nierican. sold to Hawk &
Evans by J. F, Atoorc; Williamsport—
Majestic, sold to Jos. Kaye by .George Biibh.
Closings
Collingdale — \illa; Columbia— Opera House;
Hummelstown — Star; Manor — Manor; New
Brighton — Empire; Pittsburgh — Could,
L.Tiido; Tremont— 'Opera House.
Re-Openings
Galeton — .Main Street.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Bennettsville — Carolina, .sold to H. C. Ever-
hardt l)y Marlboro Amusement Co. ; Great
Falls — Kepublic. sold to Republic Cot.
Mills by George T. Wilby; Manning-
Garden, sold to G. K. Hanks by Sou.
Anuisemcnt Co. ; Westminister — Rialto. sold
to G. O. Simpson by C. A. Herlong.
Closings
Manning — Garden ; Union — Stevenson's ; York
— Margaret.
TEXAS
Changes in Ownership
Bronte — Suna. sold to Sid Thomas: Del Rio-
Casino, sold to Robb & Rowley ; Runge—
Lvric, sold to S. G. Lopez.
UTAH
Changes in Ownership
Grantsville — Ojiera House, sold to Norniaii
\'. Harry by John J. Gillette; Mt. Pleasant III
—Elite, sold to C. -M. Plyler by B. R. li !
Hansen.
Closings
Milford — Orpliciini; Soldier Summitt — Opera
House; Salt Lake City — Giauada.
VERMONT
Changes in Ownership
Randolph- Straiul. sold to F. T. Carr by M.
F. Carr.
VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Danville — Hippodrome, sold to W. A. Don
Levy bv Hipiiodrome On. Co.; Farmville —
Face, sold to W. H. Rippard hv L. D.
Wliitaker: Stuart— Lvric. sold t« R. Ellp-
pen liv H. L. Gillievt.
WASHINGTON
Changes in Ownership
Raymond— Xew Ravmniid. S..I.I to Basil &
Marcussion bv Willioa Harbor Tlicators
Company; Seattle— Mt. Baker, sold to 1..
W. Roc. Yoeniau Reed bv S. W. llnshnell;
I'antages, sold to Joe Muller. Jack Russell,
bv .\. I'antages; Sequimi — O'ynipic, soM tn
llouard Taylor bv F. .\. Prickett ; South
Bend— Tokay, sold to Ernest Leber l>5'
R-.-isiiei- Estate.
New Theaters
Kelso — Little, owner— J. H. Twic.
Seattle— Lib,
Openings
*Wow! What A Book.
*Now In Distribution,
* Complete In Every Way.
*Larger Than Ever.
*More Advertising.
* 1200 Compelling Pages.
* Covers Everything.
*Goes Everywhere.
We are talking about the annual Film Daily Year
Book — the recognized standard reference, informative
and statistical volume of the motion picture industry.
THE
■^^
DAILV
Monday, March 3, 193(
SOUND REPRODUCTION IS
CONSTANTLY IMPROVING
{Continued from Page 1)
the country. Last year, Wilcox says,
an average of about 75 per cent of
the houses that he visited were en-
titled to the classification of "good"
in sound reproduction, while this
year the average is running 84 per
cent.
On the theory that the best way
to eliminate trouble is to forestall it,
more than 93 per cent of the calls
made by the ERPI service organiza-
tion are purely preventative, Wilcox
states. In January this staff made
nearly 11,000 calls, of which less than
7 per cent were because of trouble.
More than 105,000 performances were
heard over the Western Electric
equipment in the United States dur-
ing January.
Reverts to Silent Policy
Cleveland — After having a sound
policy for several weeks, the Family
has reverted to silent pictures. George
Shenker claims that the increased
costs does not make this policy profit-
able.
Closes Belleville House
Belleville, O. — The Opera House
has been closed by O. H. Faust. It
is expected that he will reopen the
house May 1.
More Phonofilm Installations
General Talking Pictures announces
installation of DeForest Phonofilm
in the following houses: Princess,
White Hall, 111.; Majestic, Hartford,
Conn.; Victor, Columbus; New Lyric,
Spring Harbor, Mich.; Bird's Rivoli,
Grand Rapids.
Lefkowitz to Reopen Detroit
Cleveland — The Detroit, recently
purchased by Max Lefkowitz from
Universal, will be reopened and op-
erated only on Saturday and Sun-
day. Sound apparatus is now being
installed.
Weidenhoff Buys Toledo House
Toledo, O.— Chas. E. Weidenhoff
has purchased the Superba from F.
B. Leonard.
Colon (El Paso) Installs W. E.
El Paso, Tex. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Colon.
Berkeley Strand Equipped for Sound
Berkeley, Calif. — Western Electric
Sound System has been installed in
the Strand.
Complete Lockney W. E. Installation
Lockney, Tex. — Western Electric
engineers have completed the sound
installation at the Isis. The house
-seats 420.
New W. Va. Corp. Formed
Wheeling, W. Va. — Capitol Enter-
prise Corp. has been formed here with
issuance of 2,500 sharea at no par
value.
$8 Per Share in '30 Is
Seen for Technicolor
(Continued from Pacic 1)
the 513,127 no par common shares
outstanding.
In his annual report to stockhold-
ers, Herbert T. Kalmus, president,
intimated that the company's present
productive capacity is practically sold
for 1930 and many of the contracts
run into 1931.
Only 12 P. C. of Greater
N. Y. Houses Not Wired
(Continued from Pane 1)
press the opinion that "bootleg"
equipment is hurting the smaller the-
aters and that they are gradually
coming to a realization that unless
dependable reproducers are installed,
they will be out of the race.
Red Star Gets $500,000
U. K. Music Contract
(Continued from Pane 1)
J. Flaherty, vice-president and gen-
eral manager. The agreement is un-
derstood to involve $500,000. Flah-
erty is also understood to have nego-
tiations under way for similar ar-
rangements with leading music com-
panies in Australia, France, Scandi-
navia and Central Europe.
Says U. S. Producers May
Make Films in England
London — Several U. S. producers
have discussed the advisability of
coming over here to make pictures,
says Jeffrey Bernerd, of W. and F.
Films, on his return from a visit
to the States. Among the factors
influencing the idea is the superior-
ity of so many English actors in the
matter of good speech. One Amer-
ican producer, according to Bernerd,
is likely to establish himself here
this year.
Takes 10- Year Lease on Theater
Milwaukee, Wis. — A ten year lease
has been taken on the Hollywood by
the A. E. A. Corporation, operator of
the theater.
DeForest Sound at Whitman
Whitman, Mass. — DeForest equip-
ment has been installed at the Em-
pire here.
Burbank Remodeling Franklin
Thompsonville, Conn. — The Frank-
lin is being remodeled by C. D. Bur-
bank, who is also installing Western
Electric apparatus. William H.
Whyte is the new manager of the
house.
Waldon Installs W. E. Device
Williamstown, Mass. — Western
Electric apparatus has been installed
at the Waldon, states Manager Ar-
thur S. Thornton.
Watertown House Reopened
Watertown, Mass. — Watertown
Amusement Co., new owners of the
Coolidge here, has opened the house
after decorating it and installing
sound equipment.
Talkers Assumed
Inasmuch as all United Art-
ists picture, with the excep-
tion of Charles Chaplin's "City
Lights," are to be all-talkers,
this term is being dropped by
U. A. in future announcements.
Unless a picture is labeled a
non-dialogue production, it is
to be assumed that the film is
an all-talker.
UNDERWRITING SYNDICATE
FOR FOX m ARRANGED
(Continued from Page 1)
cent gold debentures planned for Fox
Film were enclosed with the letters.
Right to subscribe will be held open
for 10 days.
At the same time Fox made an-
other plea to stockholders urging
them that their votes will be needed
at the Wednesday meeting to pre-
vent a receivership.
Successful arrangement of the syn-
dicate is expected to strengthen sup-
port for the Fox-Lehman plan, in-
asmuch as at the last court hearing
the question was raised as to wheth-
er the proposed financing would be
fully underwritten.
Halsey, Stuart & Co., who has op-
posed the Fo.x-Lehman plan, is send-
ing a letter to Fox stockholders,
denying all charges made by William
Fox against the Stuart-Otterson
group, and stating that a more ad-
vantageous refinancing plan, regard-
less of who sponsors it, will be of-
fered at the stockholders' meeting on
Wednesday.
The independent stockholders' com-
mittee, headed by Morton F. Stern,
of J. S. Bache & Co., also has writ-
ten stockholders to send in their
proxies to this committee to be voted
for "the best plan." This group con-
siders the Lehman plan to be the
best so far submitted.
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Rogue Song" <
Beacon — "Blaze O' Glory"
Cameo — "Dark Red Roses"
Capitol — "A Lady to Love"
Carnegie — "Bulldog Di-ummond," first liali
"Alibi," second half
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Undertow"
Criterion — "Vagabond King"
Earl Carroll — "Puttin' on the Ritz"
Fifth Ave.— "The Painted Angel," first halk
"Rio Rita," second half
Fifty-fifth St.— "Dich Hab' Ich Geliebtj
("Because I Love You")
Film Guild— "This Thing Called Love"
Gaiety — "Troopers Three"
George M. Cohan — "White Cargo"
Globe— "Hit the Deck"
Hippodrome — "The Lost Zeppelin"
Little Picture House — "The Parade of th
West'"
Loew's New York — Monday, "Their Ow
Desire"; Tuesday, "Lucky Larkin" ; We(
nesday, "No, No, Nanette" ; Thursda;
"Embarrassing Moments"; Friday, "Bur
ing Up"; Saturday, "Her Private Affair'
Sunday, "Party Girl"
Paramount — "Slightly Scarlet"
Rialto — "Street of Chance"
Rivoli — "The Love Parade"
Roxy — "Let's Go Places"
Strand— "General Crack"
Warners — "Song of the West"
Winter Garden — "Green Goddess"
Paul De Otto Heads New
General Talking Branc
Kansas City — The new office re
cently opened by General Talkin
Pictures in the Educational Fill
Exchange building here, will be mat
aged by Paul De Otto. Sales wi
be handled by C. W. Rodebaugh, foi
merly with Tiffany and Columbi
Sound for Roxy (N. O.)
New Orleans, La. — Sound equij
ment has gone into the 464 se?
Roxy. Western Electric system w:
installed.
RCA at Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, Cal. — RC
Photophone is installing apparatus '
the New Casino.
0/'FILMDOM
/ILL THE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
VOL. LI No. 53
Tuesday, March 4, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Film Stock Values Rose $81,144,289 in February
FOX PR^ICALLY CEmiN TO VOTE¥sTOCK
1929-30 Production Schedules 18 P. C. Completed
The Director
— has made the grade
-By JACK ALICOATE^^^
HECK OVER the past eighteen
nonths of hectic production activity
nd you cannot help but come face
0 face with one irresistible conclu-
ion. The successful silent director
f the da3's before the coming of
ound is the outstanding director of
he talkers today. True, we have
d an in\-asion of directofs from the
igitiiiiate. A few have ^nade good,
lany more have fallen by the way-
ide. Probably no collective film
ody has had more to contend with
han the director through the com-
iig of sound. Each day brought new
hanges of system as well as inno-
ations in recording. Tliat he ha>
een able to emerge witli flying
olors, still in command of the sit-
ation is an engaging tribute to the
)irector, who, after all, is the key-
tone to the temple of production.
"Truth in Advertising"
HE MOTTO of the .Advertising
lubs of the World is "Truth in Ad-
ertising." It might well be hung
n the wall of some of our adver-
sing and publicity folk all ovei
lese United States. We have al-
ays believed overselling as the car-
ina! sin. This comes primarily, in
motion picture business, from
lisleading or over-enthusiastic ad-
ertising. Telling a man a picture
; a knockout will not make him like
if it's a bust, but it will make him
old a grudge against the bunk ad-
ertiser for having been taken in.
Thoughts
ND HERE are a few thoughts at
mdom. That we don't blame dis-
ibutors for worrying Ijecause they
et but 22 runs of prints now against
f before sound. That the sophisti-
ited type of drawing room satire
lat pleases Broadway seldom goe-
1 the smaller towns. That universal
■;e of wide-film is almost here. That
years from now niav find all
-oduction centered in little old New
ork. That bootleg, homemade and
leap sound equipment is the chief
irsc of the industry.
10 Companies Report 308
Features Finished,
84 to Come
Eeature production schedules of 10
principal companies for the season of
1929-30 are 78 per cent completed, a
FILM DAILY .survey shows. The
10 producers report a total of 308
features finished and 84 still to come.
First National is the only company
with its entire list of 36 already com-
pleted. Other stand as follows Par-
amount, 52 finished out of 64; Univer-
sal, 39 out of 52: M-G-M, 42 out of
(Continued on Piuic 7)
HUDSON MEASURE KILLED
BY NEW COMNiHEE
Resolution condemning the pro-
posed Hudson censorship bill, spon-
sored by Representative Hudson of
Michigan, which would put control
of the entire industry in the hands
of a nine menil)er goxernment com-
mission, was adopted l)y a commit-
tee representing the advertising edu-
cational and commercial branch of
iContinued on Parte 7)
Picquet Favors Voluntary
Arbitration in Carolinas
Charlotte, X. C. — Setting up of a
voluntary arbitration board here has
been suggested l)y Charles W. Pic-
(|uet, president of tbe .-Assn. of The-
ater Owners of North and South
Carolina. In commenting on Judge
Thacher's decree, Pic<|uet cautions
mcniliers of the association not to
(Continued on Parie 7)
Joins Fox Camp
Mrs. Anthony R. Kuser,
holder of Fox "B" stock and
one of the original parties
to bring receivership action
against the Fox corporations,
has now joined the Fox camp
and given her proxy in favor
of the Lehman refinancing
plan, Samuel Untermyer said
yesterday in court.
WARNER PLANS SIX MORE
MATERSJNPA.ANDN.J.
Plans for the construction of six
more Warner houses in New Jersey
and Pennsj'lvania were made public
yesterday by Spyros Skouras, manag-
ing director of the company's chain
of theaters. In New Jersey the cir-
(Continued on Pane 7)
BRUNSWIClTislENT
ON DEALJTH WARNER
Chicago — F^xecutives of Brunswick-
Balke-Collcnder were silent yester-
day on the report that negotiations
were under vvav for the sale of tlie
(Continued on Pane 7)
Klangfilm, Warner Deal
Off as Quigley Leaves
Berlin (By Cal)le) — Xceotiations
between Warners and Klangfilm-
Tobis are reoorted here as being
temporarily ofT with the departure of
(Continued on Pat/e 7)
Picture Shares Ranked Third
in Strong Stock Comeback
New Series of 13 Boosts
Columbia's Shorts to 143
Negotiations ba\-e been completed
l)y Columbia for the distrii)ution. be-
ginning June 1, of 13 one-reel "Curi-
osities" produced by Wafilnis, In-
(Continued on Pane 7)
Stocks of five picture companies
on the New York Stock Exchange
bad a rise in value of $81,144,289 last
month, giving tlie film business third
place in aggregate amount of appre-
ciation among different industries.
Public utilities, with 29 companies
(Continued on Par/e 7)
Hot Fight Continues Over
Right to Use Trustee
Shares at Meeting
Chances are two to one that Wil-
lam Fox will vote his Class "B"
stock at the meeting tomorrow when
stockholders will pass on the Banca-
merica-Lehman-Dillon, Read refin-
mcing plan and any alternative plans,
ncluding one prepared by the Halsey.
Stuart-Electrical Research interests,
that may be submitted. This was
he outcome of yesterday's hearing
before Judge .\aron Levy in the
^tate Supreme Court on the order
to show cause why a permanent in-
junction should not be granted per-
mitting Fox to obtain possession of
(Continued on Page 7)
zuKOR explainTreason
EOR SEEKING NEW NAME
II est Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — "We want our pro-
duction and distril)ution organiza-
tions and our theater operating sui)-
sidiary, Publi.x, to be known as one,"
(Continued on Page 7)
Publix to Acquire More
Houses in New England
Lawrence, Mass.— With the an-
nouncement of the erection of an-
other Publix house here, plans have
been made public for the acfjuisition
(Continued on Page 7)
Meet on Pay Rise
Chicago — Members of the
Illinois Independent Theater
Owners, Inc., headed by Aaron
Saperstein, will hold a special
meeting tomorrow at the Stev-
ens Hotel here to draw up an
answer to the demands of the
theatrical janitors' union for a
""iform wage scale. The union
asks 80 cents an hour for men
and 70 cents for women. The
meeting was decided upon at a
conference Saturday with
Thomas E. Burke, business
manager of the union.
THE
PAILV
Tuesday, March 4, 193(
l«L II Ne. S3 Tuesday, Mar. 4, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. UICOATE Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn. Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 20 's 20 20 300
Co^" Fm. Ind. .. 21 20/. 20/. 300
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23J4 23'A 2VA 100
East. Kodak 219^8 216/217 4,100
Fox Fm. "A" ... 33 7/, 33 33'. 7.900
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 45 43/ 44 5,400
♦Keith AC 36 ....
•do pfd 105/
Tx.ew's Inc 70/ 68^8 69^8 6.200
do pfd. WW (6/) 99/8 99 99/ 700
do pfd. xw (6/) 88/g 88/8 88/8 00
M-GM pfd 25/ 25/ 25/ on
Para FL 69 68 68 17,100
Pathe Exch 4 3% 4 500
do "A" 7^ 7/ 7/ 30(
RK-O •■• 32/ 31 31 30,00'
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 45
Warner Bros. ... 69!4 66^ 67^ 74.001
do pfd 60/ 58 60 l.OOr
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & K.itz 65 ...
♦Cohinihia Pots 29/
Fox Thea. "A" .. 754 T'A 7?4 2,10'
♦Intern. Proj 25 ...
•Loew do deb. rts 32 34
Loew Inc. war ..13/8 13 13 700
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 24
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 11/ 11/ "!-• If^'
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 82
Loew 6s 41ww ..115 113'/5 113/ 41'
do 6s 41 x-war.. 97-^ 97/ 97/ 6'
Paramount 6s 47.101 100?^ 101 9(
Par. By. 5/s 51.101/ 101/ 101/ 2
Pathe 7s 37 50 47 50 14
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
if
If
ij.E.
If
Long Island City fji
154 Crescent St. i%
STIlIwell 7940 iX
Brulatoor, Inc* %
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave
CALumet 2691
H oUywood 5"j
6700 Santa Monica ;j
Blvd. il
HOLlywood 4121 i}
• .♦•♦•'♦♦'♦♦•♦♦'♦♦•♦♦'♦♦^•♦•'•••J
TO START MARCH TENTH
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — First session of the
new class in sound recording and re-
production, to be held under the aus-
pices of the Academy of M. P. Arts
and Sciences, gets under way here
Mar. 10. The course will consist of
ten general lectures, one given each
week. Enrollment is limited to 250.
Sessions will be supervised by the
Academy committee on technical ed-
ucation consisting of C. E. Sullivan,
H. Keith Weeks, Walter Stern, Roy
Pomeroy and H. G. Knox.
Columbia Completes Deal
for Iberian Distribution
An agreement for the extensive
distribution of Columbia films in
Spain and Portugal has been en-
tered into with the Renacimiento
Films of Madrid. Milton Schwartz,
foreign sales representative, handled
the negotiations for Columbia.
Silverberg Appointed
Pathe Detroit Manager
Harris Silverberg has been ap-
pointed branch manager for Pathe in
Detroit, succeeding H. P. Zapp, re-
signed, it is announced by Phil Reis-
man.
"Roadhouse Nights" Clicks
All existing records at the Para-
mount, New York, were shattered
last week when a gross of almost
$96,000 was rolled up with "Road-
house Nights." The previous high
was New Year's week which showed
a total of $94,000.
Remodeling 2 Publix Houses
Detroit- — Two Publix houses here
will be remodeled shortly. The La-
Salle, recently acquired from the
Munz interests, has been closed for
this purpose and when it reopens the
name will be changed to New Cen-
tury. The Alhambra will have new
seats installed and also a new mar-
quee.
Uptown Installs Sound
li'cst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco, Cal. — The Uptown
has been equipped for sound and is
now showing pictures under its new
policy. The house is owned by the
Golden State Theater Circuit.
Reopens After Repairs
Greenfield, Mass. — The Lawler has
been reopened after being closed for
some months as result of fire.
I^ooler-y^ire
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
Talk by Hays to Feature
Westinghouse Broadcast
The Westinghouse salute to the
motion picture industry goes on the
air tonight over the N. B. C. coast-
to-coast network. The chief feature
of the broadcast will be an address
by Will H. Hays on the motion pic-
ture and its place in the life of the
world.
Jack Whiting Signed by
Warners for Talkers
Latest Broadway comedy star to
be signed by Warner Bros, is Jack
Whiting, who upon termination of
his engagement in "Heads Up" here,
will go to the Coast to play in a
Vitaphone special, to be followed by
other productions.
German Ministry Framing
New Importation Law
Berlin (By Cable)— The Ministry
of Economics here is preparing a new
law regarding the limitation of im-
ports.
Columbia's 1st March Release
"Guilty"'" is the first release Co-
lumbia has on its schedule for this
nionth. George B. Seitz directed the
picture with Virginia Valli heading
the cast.
Warners Receive 2 Prints
Master prints of "Mammy" and
"Hold Everything" have been re-
ceived from the Coast at the Warner
Bros, home office.
Consolidated Affair March 9
The employees of Consolidated
.Amusement Enterprises will hold a
supper-dance and entertainment on
March 9.
Supporting Morris Month
Cooperation of the Warner ex-
changes in celebration of Sam E.
Morris Month in May has resulted
in a fine start with large and small
theaters supporting the Warner Bros,
event everywhere, the company de-
clares.
Stewart Handling Picture
Detroit. Mich. — Bill Stewart, form-
erly of the Regent. Port Huron, is
-issisting in the distribution of "Her
L^nborn Child" here.
Seek Sunday Shows
.A.rlington, Mass. — Two local the
aters are seeking permission to give
Sundav shows.
AMALGAMATED f
VAUDEVILLE |
AGENCY i
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts {
I 1600 Broadway, New York City
j Phone Perm. 3580
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
5
First Day of Lent.
Mar.
7
Opening of "Case of Sergean
Grischa" at the Globe, N. Y.
Mar,
10
Opening of "Mamba" at th
Gaiety, N. Y.
Mar.
11
Opening of "Song O" My Heart'
in New York at 44th St. Theatei
Mar.
20
Annual election of Maryland M.P
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr.
1
Premiere of "Journey's End" at
Apr. S
Apr.
6-7
May
5-8
May
25
June
2-7
New York house, not yet decideil
upon.
Second annual banquet and bal
of the Warner Club. Inc., at th.
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-State Ml
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at th
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington
D C.
Fox annual sales convention start
to-day.
International Cinema Congress a
Brussels.
Thomas Improving
Charlotte, N. C. — Howard Thomas
assistant manager of the Carolina
who was seriously injured recentl;
when assaulted in a robbery of th.
house, is improving rapidly.
Waxman to Coast Saturday
A. P. Waxman, director of advcr
tising and publicity for Warner Bros,
leaves for the Coast Saturday on :
three-week trip. Waxman will con
fer with Jack L. Warner on 1930
31 product.
Imperial to Be Improved
Charlotte, X. C. — Following a visi
of Eugene Zukor, son of Adolpl
Zukor, here extensive remodeling oi
the Imperial has been announced.
Wanted Tlieaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolpli SoSfferman
1560 Broadway — New York
(Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 3607
Now Available
Sound Studio
IN THE EAST
Sound on FILM
Sound on DISC
REASONABLE DAILY
RENTAL BASIS
Complete Facilitie.<;
FOR EVERY CLASS OF
PRODUCTION
Re-Recording of Assured
Quality
Metropolitan
Studios
INC.
1600 Broadway
New York Tel. Lackawanna 7S1I
uesday, March 4, 1930
DAILY
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
IRADLEY KING DEFItS USE
OF SPEECHES IN TALKERS
"Speeches must first be adapted ti.
ihe character making them in ordei
lo reserve the changes of the speak-
[r's nature, temperament and social
;tanding," declares Bradley King,
Ivho is directing "Roadhouse," for
kox. "After that is accomphshed,"
lontinues the directress, "speeches
jaust be kept within the limits of the
ierseness required for dramatic dia-
logue. Not a word must be employeu
hat is unnecessary to the movement
;j )f the story."
Juvenile Picture Finished
With a cast mainly composed oi
uvenile singers and dancers, "The
lA^edding of Jack and Jill" has been
ompleted by Vitaphone. The short
ubject is in Technicolor with music
ly M. K. Jerome and lyric? by Har-
old; Berg.
Davies for "Rosalie"
Marion Davies' next for M-G-M
•ill be the stage success, "Rosalie."
•Edgar Norton in RKO Film
Edgar Norton has been given a
ole in RKO's "Cooking Her Goose."
iJeaudine for "Those Who Dance"
William Beaudine will direct
I'Those Who Dance," as a Vitaphone
Ipecial for Warners. The cast in-
cludes Monte Blue, Lila Lee, Wil-
'iam Boyd, Bettv Compson, William
[anney, Wilfred Lucas and DeWitt
leanings.
Block for "Sea Wolf"
I Fox has engaged Ralph Block to
Ivrite the contmuity and dialogue for
'The Sea Wolf," which Alfred San-
ell will direct under the supervision
jf James K. McGinness.
New Tunes for "Song of Flame"
Additional tunes by Grant Clarke
ind Harry Akst will be heard in
Song of the Flame," First National
ilm featuring Bernice Claire and
\lexander Gray.
Walker for Chesterfield Film
Johnnie Walker has been engaged
ior the lead opposite Alice Day in
Chesterfield's "Hearts in Bondage."
DeMond Gets New "U" Post
Albert DeMond has been made an
associate producer for Universal.
No Bel I any Shorts
Denial that she is to appear
in shorts for Fowler Bros, is
made by Madge Bellamy. "I
have never made any arrange-
ments to appear in shorts for
any company and have never
considered doing so," she as-
serts.
A Little
from **Lots
By RALPH WILK
7tS"
Hollywood
A RTHUR EDMUND CAREW is
playing a doctor with mesmeric
powers, reminiscent, in a lighter vein
of his "Svengali" in "Trilby." His
current role in "Playboy," starring
Frank Fay and being directed by
Michael Curtiz. Following "Play-
Doy," Carew will appear ■ in "Sweet
Kitty Bellaire, which will be directed
by Alfred E. Green.
* * *
Ray Hams, veteran sce)iarist, is
preparing the motion jncture dia-
logue version of "Rain or Shine,"
which will star Joe Cook. Harris
wrote "Warming Up" and "The
Quarterback," comedy successes star-
ring Richard Dix.
John Burch, assistant direc-
tor; Jack Kitchen, film editor;
Jack Mackenzie, cameraman;
Charles Munroe, electrician ;
Bob Martin, cameraman, are
en route to England, where
they will be members of a unit,
which will make "Escape,"
with Basil Dean directing.
The local men are being sent
by RKO and the picture will
be produced by Associated
Talking Pictures, Ltd., and
RKO as a quota production.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Alfred L.
Werker motoring to the Fox studio;
scores of RKO studio friends bid-
ding goodbye to John Burch, assist-
ant director, who will work on "Es-
cape" in England.
Tiffany Cast Set
Cast for Tiffany's "Down by The
Rio Grande" which is to be directed
by Richard Thorpe now consists of
-\rmida, Don Terry, Margery Kane,
Victor Potel, Wesley Barry, Frank
Glendon and Harry Von Meter.
"Mile. Modiste" Set
Production starts on "Mile. Mod-
iste" at First National this week
under the direction of William A.
Seiter.
Famous to Star Cyril Maude?
Cyril Maude will be starred in
Paramount pictures, according to re-
port.
Song Writers Busy at Tiffany
Will Jason and Val Burton are
preparing musical accompaniments
for "Down by the Rio Grande."
Paramount Retains Brower
Otto Brower has been re-signed as
a Paramount director.
To Direct Buck Jones Talker
Lewis King has been assigned to
direct a talker starring Buck Jones.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Manitowoc, Wis. — The Capitol,
valued at $400,000, was sold at a
sheriff's sale. The sale was to re-
cover a third mortgage held by M.
H. Dempsey against the George,
brothers, owners of the' house.
Greensboro, N. C. — Publix-Saenger
will renovate the National. Work
will include re-seating, new projec-
tion and lighting equipment.
Parkersburg, W. Va. — Sunday
movies will be started here soon as
a result of their success at Hunting-
ton, Wheeling and Clarkesburg.
Foreign
Paris — In an effort to get the bank-
ing interests to extend greater sup-
port to the French film industry a
patriotic organization known as "The
Friends of France" has been formed
here.
Wembley, England — Carmine Gal-
lone, the Italian director, is at work
here on "City of Song" for Asso-
ciated Sound Film Industries. ; The
picture will be made in English,
German, French and Italian.
London — "Escape," the John Gals-
worthy play, will be made into a
talker by Associated Talking Pictures
in association with RKO. It will be
filmed at the British Lion studios at
Beaconsfield.
Seville — The Pathe here and the
Olympia, Valencia, have been equip-
ped with Western Electric apparatus.
There are now 10 theaters in Spain
wired by the American company.
London — Total number of British
theaters equipped with Western Elec-
tric now stands at 552.
New York
Sam Yellen, manager of the Star,
Bronx, is celebrating a six-week Star
Super Show Season. Abe Leff and
Edmund Mantell are the owners.
Consolidated Amusements is now
giving midnight performances at
their Oxford Jerome, Luxor, Willis
and St. Eden houses in the Bronx.
The company is celebrating its 25th
anniversary.
Dave Black is leading Herman
Glucksman's sales force in celebra-
tion of Capital Exchange's 12th year.
PLAYERS
WHO they are and
WHAT they did
INQUIRE WITHIN
'/
YIAR
ROOK 1
IveaJ
1^
!>U;»,L1SHL!>(SV
1930
Edition
Just
off
the
Press !
LAST MINUTE
FLASHES—
3rd week at State, Detroit
3rd week at Warner's Downtown,
Los Angeles
3rd week at California, San
Francisco
Looks like 3 weeks at Phila.
25 Key Showings — ^21 Records
▼- ^r 'v
With CONSTANCE
BEN N ETT
IN
REX BEACH'S
Great story directed by
FRANK LLOYD
Screen version and dialogue by Bradley King
TECHNICOLOR SCENES
OF THE
i
f
^ The _,
SONO
■•* i^'^'^l^
I<
*■ • '- • .' v|f:i
5.V^o
.>H^^
\o*
MovEr sEoma
«GODS
ko^
\e
o*
teVe
\o
r.>?!.V.e
OS ^^^^^ vio*^*' A Vv^T "^*°
o^
<»^ . -«»t*®' *»»t«^®
•<V»e
,oO^
,<<**'
lOT- t<C»«>^ -^xeV
o*
AS -' ^o>'«*; v^o
V4e
>K
A*
l9t^^i[ffeUAftlC&
to
THE
•c&^
DAILY
Tuesday, March 4, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)- —
Berlin Urges Use of
Fewer Songs in Talkers
TN my opinion no picture ex-
cept an operetta should con-
tain more than four songs, but
these four should be sung often.
liven a musical comedy shouldn't
have more than four or at the
most five songs, of which two are
almost certain to become hits.
And a great many pictures would
ije much better if they contained
only one or more songs. There
has been considerable talk about
songs not being up to snufT be-
cause they are being written un-
der pressure. I don't agree with
these people for the simple rea-
son that I think a large percen-
tage of the songs written for pic-
tures have been extremely good,
despite the fact that they have
been written under pressure.
Irving Berlin
* * *
Urges Color Be Used Only
When It Serves a Purpose
\y7HERE dramatic effort can
be heightened by the intro-
duction of color, that is sufficient
excuse for its use. But pro-
ducers should be warned against
the tendency to introduce color
for color sake. No generally poor
film can be made acceptable be-
cause a section of it is more vivid.
And, generally speaking, it is
only the good film which can be
enhanced by color sequence or
sequences. In short, we do not
want patchwork films. If color is
to come, then it must come as a
properly instituted innovation,
which, taken in its entirety,
makes the screen picture seem
more akin to life. That, after
all, is the whole aim and object
of adding dialogue, and it must
now apply to the addition of
color. In some cases a color se-
quence tends to place emphasis
upon a sequence which has only
a minor part in story develop-
ment.
"The Daily Film Renter,"
About 21 production organiza-
tions are engaged in making
feature films in India, these in
addition to firms "shooting"
short product.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
pRITZ WILLIAMS, Shepherd of The Lambs, announces the
Lamb's annual public Gambol will be held this year on Sunday
night, April 27, at the Metropolitan Opera House. The Collie
for the Gambol will be appointed at a meeting scheduled this
week. The entertainment committee already has every stage
and picture star in N. Y. lined up Bernice Claire, F. N.
prima donna in "Song of the Flame," will probably attend the
premiere of that picture when it opens in New York
Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler, Mr. and Mrs. another way of
putting it, are expected to arrive here this week. Both will
remain in our midst for the premiere of Al's latest, "Mammy"
lor Warners George Arliss in "Disraeli" now is round-
ing out its sixth month at the Central here, while the same fel-
low in "The Green Cioddess" is proving equally as popular at
the Winter Garden And just a few caught dunking at
the Algonquin last Saturday were Lucille Webster j:ileason and
Radie Harris, Dudley Murphy, Marc Connelly, Mr. and Mrs.
D. A. Doran and Walter Eberhardt
William Wellman, Paramount director, has arrived here
for a brief stay. Evidently take in 3 or 400 shows and trek
back to the Coast, eh what? Abe Waxman, head of pub-
licity and advertising for Warner Bros., is scheduled to shove
off for the Coast Saturday. A. P. will get a close-up of the
new product lined up for the new season Betty Blythe
is expected in N. Y. to appear in a play, "House Afire."
Fred Niblo will guide Will Haines through his next for M-G-M
labeled "Easy Going."
James Beecroft, formerly of the "Herald-World," has sold
his first story to Satevepost, which will appear as "Aquatic
Guard" some time this June P. A. Parsons will also have
a yarn of his published by the Philly National weekly shortly.
• Willie Wang, who does a lot of clipping" in the M-G-M
library department, is not a Chinaman as one may suspect from
his cognomen
"Mike" Simmons grappled with the mighty pen yesterday,
when he assumed his new duties as headman of the Sono Art-
World Wide publicity and advertising. And he didn't send
this out Jack Holt returned to the Paramount lot for a
role in "The Border Legion."
MARCH 4--HflNY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Dorothy Mackaill
David Bader
Edward Chandler
Pierre Gendron
Robert J. Rubin
Harry Hornik
I
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
A FTER much detective work, our
private investigation department
has tracked down Larry Darmour's
formula for making those topnotch
Mickey (Himself) McGuire and H.
C. Witwer comedies.
According to the voluminous re-
port, Larry always has held fast to
the opinion that talkers must move
just like the silents did. He con-
siders dialogue secondary to action.
Stories must appeal to young and
old, highbrows and vice versa. Mu-
sic and stage acts may be used, but
only when they do not interfere
with the story proper. In short,
Larry's theory is that films are pri-
marily pictures and must appeal to
the eye inore than to the ear.
So now, if you have followed the
lesson, you know how to make those
good Larry Darmour comedies.
The special exploitation boys are
breaking out with all sorts of clever-
ness these days. Joe Weil, of Uni-
versal, is sending around an "Article
of Agreement," done in fitting legal
form, wherein George Sidney, Charlie
Murray, Vera Gordon and Kate
Price, the "Cohens and Kellys" quar-
tette, solmenly swear and declare
that they will provide exhibs with
side-splitting entertainment until the
box offices bust with profits.
Very clever, Joe. And don't for-
get that the exhibs will hold you to
the contract.
Then comes William R. Ferguson,
of M-G-M, with a window and
counter card display, in colors, show-
ing Blanche Sweet supposedly dis-
playing a certain brand of silk hosej
but actually drawing attention to the-j
pulchritudinous contents of the stock- J
ings instead. Either way, it's anf
eye-catcher.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Dupont Film Corp. capitalized at
$100,000 is incorporated at Dover,
Del.
* * ♦
Gibraltar Pictures to open series
of exchanges.
* * *
Paramount after three houses in
San Francisco.
* ♦ ♦
Leon Gaumont develops new color
process.
Tuesday, March 4, 1930
—:m»>^
OAILV
NLN STOCK VALUES ROSE
$XU44,289JN FEBRUARY
{Continued from Pape 1)
represented, came first, while rail-
roads, with 26 listed, ranked second.
The biggest gain was shown by
Warner Bros., whose 2,665,088 shares
jumped 14^ points for an increased
value of $37,977,504. Paramount,
with 2,685,145 shares, was second,
making a gain of 7^ points and a
value of $20,809,874. Loew came
i third with a gain of 11 points for its
1,364,929 shares, which appreciated
$15,014,219. R-K-O stock, amounted
to 1,849,410 shares, rose 2J4 points
for a value of $5,085,877. Fox had
a similar advance on its 820,660
! shares, the increase amounting to $2,-
2,56,815.
A survey made by Ernst & Ernst,
accountants, of corporation profits
for the 11 months of 1929 give amuse-
ment shares the greatest percentage
of gain over the same period of 1928.
The figures are $56,099,000 for 1929,
i against $30,253,000 in 1928, or a gain
i of 85.44 per cent.
I Zukor Explains Reason
for Seeking Name Change
(.Continued from Pane 1)
is the reason given by Adolph Zukor
in explanation of the proposal to
change the name of his company
from Paramount Famous Lasky
Lorp. to Paramount-Publix Corp.
I'his statement was made by the
l^aramount president at a dinner ar-
ranged here in his honor by Jesse L.
Lasky. Approval of the proposed
change will be sought at the com-
pany's annual meeting, which takes
place April 15.
New Series of 13 Boosts
Columbia's Shorts to 143
(Continued irom Pacie 1)
These are a cross between a screen
magazine and a revue. Columbia now
has 143 short subjects on its releas-
ing program for 1930. Other series
ht'ing distributed by the company are
as follows: Screen Snapshots, 26; Co-
hniibia-Victor Gems, 26; Disney Sil-
ly Symphonies, 13; Krazy Kat Kar-
toons, 13; Mickey Mouse Cartoons.
-'>; Photocolor Sensations, 26.
Ark. Rialto Installs W. E.
Camden, Ark. — The Rialto has
been wired with Western Electric
equipment.
Fox Practically Certain to
Vote His Class "B" Stock
(Continued ft
his 50,101 shares of Film "B" stock
and 100,000 shares of Theaters "B"
stock which are now held by the
Bankers Trust Co. under the voting
trustee agreement of Dec. 3, and pre-
venting the Stuart-Otterson group
from using this stock at the meeting
tomorrow.
Judge Levy, after listening to
lengthy arguments from both sides,
ordered briefs to be filed by noon
oday, but did not indicate whether
he would be able to give a decision
by the time the meeting is held to-
morrow. According to the indica-
tions of the court, Fox has at least
an even chance of getting the deci-
sion, and if the Judge fails to reach
a verdict before the stockholders
neet. Fox no doubt will exercise his
right of ownership of the stock, which
s still in his name, bv voting it in
favor of the Lehman plan over the
protest of the Halsey, Stuart in-
terests.
Yesterday's hearing resulted in some heated
clashes between Samuel Untermyer, Fox
attorney, and Richard E. Dwight. represent-
rom Page 1 )
ing the voting trust agreement, which in
effect made him spokesman for the Stuart-
Otterson interests. Dwight said that, aside
from the material considerations involved
under the IS-year contracts held by his
clients in connection with future Fox financ-
ing and the supplying of sound equipment
they had received nationwide publicity over
the voting trust agreement of Dec. 3 and
it would be harmful to their interests if they
withdrew withdht that agreement being
brought to a satisfactory conclusion.
Dwight said his clients were not willing
to see the stock held by Bankers -Trust
turned over to Fox, because the Stuart-Otter-
son group desired to vote these shares in
favor of a different plan, presumably the
one drawn up by Halsey, Stuart, although
■"wight said he was not privileged to divulge
the names of the exact parties behind this
opposition plan.
Counsel for the Bankers Trust asked that
the court issue an order which would pro-
te':t the bank whichever way the decision
was rtndered, and Judge Levy said this
would be done.
There is some likelihood that stockholdert
will not know the court's decision until tht
last minute before tomorrow's meeting.
The Lehman group of bankers already has
put up for Fox in the last few days the sum
of $10,630,000, of which $4,000,000 was in
order to save 250,000 shares of Loew stock
that had been pledged and were threatened
with sale, and $6,300,000 was in connection
with the Gaumont theaters.
Brunswick is Silent on
Deal with Warner Bros.
(Continued from Paae 1)
company to Warner. The only offi-
cial a representative of THE FILM
DAILY could induce to speak was
R. F. Bensinger, vice-president, who
confined himself to this significant
remark: "We cannot disclose any-
thing at this time." He refused, how-
ever, to give a flat aflfirmation or
denial of the report. If the deal is
a fact its consummation will give
the film company control of the com-
plete Brunswick output.
Warners Plan Six More
Houses in Pa. and N J.
(Continued from Paae 1)
cuit will build a 2,000-seat house in
Perth Amboy, a 5,000-seat: theater
in Newark, a 2,100-seat theater in
Ridgewood and a 3,000-seat house in
Trenton. In Pennsylvania it has
chosen Westchester as the site of a
first-run to accommodate 3,000, and
it has acquired the William Penn in
Philadelphia, which it will remodel
at a cost of $300,000.
of New York. .\1-
bany and Buffalo
''The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers' of 4,hO0 the-
atre owners. The
most intcnsi\'el> read
journals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
everlastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
1007o coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-GOOOWIN PUBLICATIONS
1 New York — Philadelphia— Washington '
Ma n Office. 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
New Projection Rooms
Opened for Mass. Censors
Boston — The new projection rooms
where the Massachusetts censors will
pass upon the fitness of motion pic-
tures for public showing have been
opened on Cambridge St. One of
the rooms is equipped for the show-
ing of silent pictures and the other
for the screening of sound subjects.
Western Electric equipment has been
used.
Picquet Favors Voluntary
Arbitration in Carolinas
(Continued from Pape 1)
make radical moves, stating that
"Judge Thacher's decree does not
give us license to disregard our sfg-
nature or to throw our honor to the
four winds. Let's make ourselves a
voluntary arbitration board and set
an example in cooperation that will
make the Carolinas a territory that
will be looked up to by the other
states."
Klangfilm, Warner Deal
Off as Quigley Leaves
(Continued from Pane I )
George E. Quigley, vice president and
tjeneral manager for ^^itaphone, for
Paris.
IW'st Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAIL}
Los Angeles — Harry M. Warner,
upon his arrival here had no com-
ment to make in regard to the Klang-
filni-Tobis deal.
Mexico (Mo.) House Reopened
Mexico. Mo. — Harry Stilvvell and
Donald Tindall have opened the Mid-
way here.
Asheboro House Opened
Asheboro, N. C— J. F. White has
opened the new theater which has a
seating capacity of over 500.
Organization Formed to
Fight Chain Operators
Cleveland, O. — Minute Men, Inc.,
of Ohio, has been incorporated in
Columbus to fight chain systems, it is
claimed with local independent the-
ater owners expected to join the
movement. Meinbership dues of $12
a year will go toward operating a
radio station which will broadcast
propaganda in the interest of the in-
dependent operator in this state.
McCarthy Plans $75,000 House
Brookings, S. D.— Plan-; for a $75.-
'100 theater have been announced bv
Frank McCarthy, owner and man-
ager of the Grand and Fad here. Up-
on completion of the house, which is
to seat 1,000, the Grand will be re-
modeled and redecorated. The Fad
will continue as a silent house.
Hill Gets Milaca House
Milaca, Minn.— E. H. Hill has ac-
quired the Casino from F. L. Simon.
'29-30 PICTURESCHEDULES
ARE 78 PI COMPLETED
(Continued from Paae 1)
49; Fox, 36 out of 48; Warner, 30
out of 42; United Artists, 13 out of
15; RKO, 25 out of 30; Pathe, 15 out
of 30; Columbia, 20 out of 26.
The figures for Pathe, which has
six productions now in work besides
the 15 finished, will not work out
quite the same as with the other
companies, inasmuch as this firm has
adopted a different system for divid-
ing its year into three parts.
Hudson Measure Killed by
New-Formed Committee
(Continued from Pape 1)
the industry at a meeting here. The
meeting was held in the offices of
Visugraphic Pictures with Edward
F. Stevenson, president of that com-
paiiy, presiding. Copies of the reso-
lution were sent to Senators Cope-
land and Wagner and to other con-
gressional representatives from the
New York districts. The committee
also requested permission to appear
before the House committee passing
upon the bill to present the indus-
try's side of the case.
Publix to Acquire More
Houses in New England
(Continued from Pape 1)
of a number of additional theaters
by the circuit in New England. Pub-
lix already has a theater under con-
struction at Salem, and another is
planned at Lynn.
Jury Opens Pathe Fire Probe
Grand Jury began its investigation
yesterday into the Pathe fire in New
York. Its purpose is to determine
whether Henry P. Lally, general
manager of the studio, and John C.
Flinn, vice-president, shall go on
trial for manslaughter.
W. E. at New Rialto
San Francisco, Cal.— The New
Rialto, seating 1640, has completed
installation of a Western Electric
film and disc sound apparatus.
WE BUILD, Buy, LEASE,
OPERATE OR M ANAG E
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DEL AWARE -MARY LAND]
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
Balaban
one of Americas
shrewdest showmen soys:
"The finest performance f have
seen in many a day is that of
ARNER BAXTER
'" Elinor Glyn 's
first love story on the tolking
screen
$U€M MENI
with
CATHERINE DALE OWEN
HEDDA HOPPER • ALBERT CONTI
adaptation and dialog by Emest Vajdo
presented by William Fox r\^
\V^ ^\V
O'-Sc^ y
1
c®":qH
.e«
:\<^
,<^^
o^
se^^^^^^'^0
■ ^i^^r:
iTHE
^HEWSPAPER
p/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
irOL. LI No. 54
Wednesday, March 5, 1930
Price 5 Centi
jC. C. Pettijohn Tears New Hudson Bill to Pieces
SHOWDOWN ON FOXKANS STARTTtODAY
United Artists Plans Seven With Technicolor
Five Pictures to be All-
Color and Two with
\ Color Sequences
Starting with "Whoopee," the Ed-
lie Cantor picture, which is due to
JO in work upon the comedian's ar-
ival in Hollywood about March 15,
Jnited Artists will make seven of
ts scheduled forthcoming productions
vith Technicolor. Five of the pic-
ures will be entirely in color, and
{Continued on Page 7)
HRREADETOBOILD
ON PARIUVENUE SITE
Purchase by Walter Reade of the
[.ite at 59th St. and Park Ave., where
he Anderson Galleries now stand,
or the erection of a 1,500-seat house
'narks the entrance of the second in-
jlependent chain owner into the Park
Ave. district catering to a special
class ot patronage. Top price will
be 75 cents, it is understood.
Success of this venture may prove
)' {Continued on Page 7)
iraynMgen.ngr.
of lucas-jenkins chain
Atlanta, Ga. — W. T. Murray, vet-
ran showman, has been named gen-
ial manager of the Lucas-Jenkins
interests here. Murray was recently
kvith the Marvin Wise chain, prior to
':hat he was with Publix.
l\ow A Necessity
Speaking from the National
Broadcasting studios last night
over a network of 32 stations
in the Westinghouse Salute to
the Motion Picture Industry,
Will H. Hays told radio fans
that pictures have become a
national necessity, and the
question in millions of Amer-
ican homes now is not "Shall
we go to the movies" but "To
which movie shall we go?"
Look for Long Battle
Today's meeting of Fox stockholders to vote on a refinancing
plan is looked upon by the majority of persons in both factions
as just the first of a series of meetings that will be necessary be-
fore a conclusion is reached. Stage is all set at 850 Tenth Ave.,
with the Fox Film meeting due to start at 11 a. m. and the Fox
Theaters meeting at 3 p. m.
Hays Office Council Assails
Proposed Federal Film Control
A detailed assailment of the new Hudson motion picture bill, recently
introduced m Congress, is contained m a memorandum prepared by C. C.
Pettijohn, general counsel of the Hays office, in which he sets forth the
provisions of the measure and at the same time tears them to pieces.
Among his chief objections to the bill
are that it would drag the film in-
dustry into politics and saddle the
business with a tremendous expense
{Continued on Page 5)
MINN. MAYOR OPPOSES
CENSORSHIP IN FILMS
Minneapolis — Local censorship is
opposed by Mayor W. F. Kunze, who
in an address at the Motion Picture
Committee of the Fifth District Fed-
eration of Women's Clubs placed
himself unequivocally against censor-
ship of pictures. He said that "The
movie is an instrumentality for the
{Continued on Page 7)
S.M.P.E. to Form Local
Chapter at Meet Tonight
A New York section of the Society
of Motion Picture Engineers is to
be formed at a meeting to be held
tonight at the Engineering Societies
Building, 29 W. 39th St. According
to J. I. Crabtree, president of the so-
ciety, the new chapter "will be the
means of maintaining interest be-
tween our semi-annual conventions
and will permit of informal discus-
sions which are not always possible
at our convention meetings."
2 Grand Rapids Houses
Are Wrecked by Bombs
Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Family
and Liberty here were partially
wrecked when bombs in both the-
aters exploded, causing considerable
damage. Blasts are attributed to dif-
(Continued on Page 5)
COLUMBIA WILL LAUNCH
AD CAMPAIGN IN APRIL
Preliminary plans have been an-
nounced by Columbia for an exten-
sive advertising campaign of national
cone to be launched in April in
celebration of the company's tenth
anniversary. Fan magazines, na-
tional publications, trade papers,
radio hook-ups, newspapers, fan and
{Continued on Page 5)
Pittsburgh Musicians
to Operate Silent House
I'ittsburgh, Pa. — An organization
of Pittsburgh musicians has been
formed here primarily to provide
work to those aflfected by the slump
{Continued on Page 7)
Collins Made Auditor
of Electrical Research
Western Electric has appointed D.
C. Collins general auditor of Elec-
trical Research Products, Inc. This
promotion follows the recent an-
nouncement of appointment of R. W.
Anderson as treasurer of that com-
pany. Collins takes up his duties
at once.
Halsey-Stuart Proposal
Expected to Bring
Counter Offer
With the new Halsey, Stuart &
Co. Fox-refinancing plan, details of
which were made known yesterday
for the first time, proposing to bring
more new money into the Fox cor-
porations at less cost than the Banc-
america plan, today's meeting of
stockholders is expecct-d l.j b'i'ig a
counter offer from th ..■; > atv^rica
group, and probably rf - • ■ ;. ..'r,v
down on the cheapest i . i.'.uf ; ;.!j.^ ar-
rangement. Present iOiCaiions are
that the matter will resolve itself into
a competitive battle between the two
banking factions, as pointed out sev-
eral weeks ago in THE FILM
DAILY, with the bankers approved
{Continued on Page 8)
ufamayHTudedin
klangfilmjjinerdeal
Berlin (By Cable)— The Klang-
film-Tobis-Warner deal, which was
eported as temporarily off with the
departure of George E. Quiglcy, is
again being discussed in local circles
with the result that the association
now might also include UFA. The
ironing out of arrangements i."; de-
clared to be the only stumbling block
in the deal. Official announcement of
negotiations is expected i^" .- •i:-
tinie next week.
Anti-Chain Speakers
Formed by Pitts. Exhibs
Pittsburgh — Formatior •'' in.::c-
pendent Exhibitors' Sp -.^ Bur-
eau here presages an open battle
against the chain movement by local
theater owners. Purpose of the or-
{Continued on Page 7)
W.E.Up to 4,912
There are 4,912 Western
Electric installations through-
out the world, according to the
latest figures given out by
Electrical Research Products.
The United States has 3,575 of
this total.
^^&^
DAILV
Wednesday, March 5, 1930
ALL THE NEWS
AILTUE TIME
Vol II No. 54 Wednesday, March 5. 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. AJicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La (Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
•Am. Seat 20
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 2m 2O/2 21^8 800
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 23^ 23"4 23!4 100
East. Kodak 222^4 215J4 2\9iA 10,500
Fox Fm. "A" ... 36% 33}4 35-5^ 60,500
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 46 43/. 45J< 36,700
•Keith A-O 36
do pfd 105J4 105J4 lOS^i 100
Loew's Inc 70J^ 69^ 70 4,700
•do pfd. WW (6!/^) 99-4 ...
•do pfd. xw (bVi) SS-^
M-G-M pfd 25^4 25 J4 25}4 100
Para. F-L 69 67-5^ 68/^ 13.20(
Pathe Exch 4 3M 3^ 900
do "A" 8 71/j 7/j 400
R-K-0 32 30J< 31.V« 41,10(
•Univ. Pict. pfd 45
Warner Bros 68J4 67^4 68 58,300
do pfd 60 59 50 1,900
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
•Columbia Pets 29^ ...
Fox Thea. "A" . . . 8J^ TA l^i 9,501
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 33J^ li'A 33'A 20
Loew Inc. war .. IS'A 12 Ji 13H l.IOi
•Nat. Scr. Ser 24 ....
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 12 12 12 200
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-0 6s 46 82
Loew 6s 41ww ..114 113?i 114 16(i
do 6s 41 x-war... 98 97^ 98 37(
Paramount 6s 47 .101 100^ 1 00 "4 U.
Par. By. 5j4s 51.101 101 101 1'
Pathe 7s 37 49M 49}^ 49H ^
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
J^V»#» ♦♦♦♦#♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•#♦♦♦♦•♦♦',*
•> i,<
y New York Long Island City }.<
♦.♦ 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. J.J
*.♦ BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.i
J. E. Brulatoor, Inc.
it Chicago Hollywood
U 1727 Indiana Ave. 6700 Santa Monica
if Blvd.
:.: CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
^:
E. B. Derr is Re-engaged
by Pathe for Three \ ears
IVcst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — A new contract has
been signed by E. B. Derr to remain
as executive vice-president of Pathe
for the next three years. He will
continue in charge of production at
the company's Culver City studio,
making his quarters permanently on
the coast. Arrangements have been
completed by him for the filming
of the 30 features and 52 two-reel
comedies comprising Pathe's 1930
program.
Three More Butterfield
Houses Get Magnascope
Detroit — Three more Butterfield
houses have joined the Majestic,
Grand Rapids, as being equipped with
Magnascope screens. Additional
houses in which equipment has been
installed are: State, Kalamazoo; Cap-
itol, Flint, and Temple, Saginaw.
Educational Releasing
Eight Comedies in March
Eight comedies are scheduled for
release by Educational this month.
They comprise "Match Play," "Bull>
and Bears,'' and "He Trumped Her
Ace," Mack Sennett comedies; "Trou-
ble for Two," a Tuxedo comedj;
"Dad Knows Best," a Jack White
production; "Polished Ivory," a
Lloyd Hamilton feature, and two of
the "Terry-Toon" series called '"Pret-
zels" and "Spanish Onions."
W. E. for League Body
Western Electric equipment has
been installed at the \''illa Torlonia,
Rome, for the use of the Interna-
tional Educational Cinematographic
Institute for the League of Nations.
Reisman Returns
After a five-week tour of western
and southwestern Pathe ex< hanges,
Phil Reisman, general sales manager,
vesterda\- returned to the home of-
fice.
Films to Make Einstein Easy
Motion pictures will be used to
explain the Einstein Theory of Rela-
tivity in a lecture tonight at the Bed-
ford branch of the Y. M. C. .\.
Mineola Sold
Mineola, L. I. — Adam Ciccarone
''s purchased the Mineola from the
Xassau Trust Co. The house has
a seating capacity of 1,500.
Colorcraft Broadcasts
Laying of Cornerstone
Evelyn La>-e, Broadway star, >-es-
terday afternoon laid the cornerstone
to the new Colorcraft laboratory in
l.ong Island Cit\-, and made a short
address which was internationally
broadcast by Columbia Broadcasting
System from the studio on a short
wave length. William Hoyt Peck,
discoverer of the Colorcraft process
also spoke before the mike over a
network of 161 stations.
Publix to Build Million
Dollar Coast Theater
.lacramento, Cal. — C. J. Chittenden
has announced plans for the building
of a new $1,000,000 house here by
.'ublix. An option has been secured
'u the site at K St. between Ninth
and Tenth.
Held Second Time on
Blue Law Violation
I'olianshee, \\". \'a. — h'or the sec-
ond time in two weeks, Floyd Bros.,
operators of the Rex here have been
held by grand jury under $250 each
charged with violating the blue law
by operating their house on Sunday.
Britons to See Fight Films
London — The British public will
see pictures of the Sharkey-Scott
fight, exclusive rights having been
secured here by Wardour Films, Ltd.,
which declare that nothing will be
deleted from the original films when
screened here.
April Warner Releases
Three \"itaphone specials will be
released during April, Sam E. Mor-
ris, vice president of Warners, an-
nounces. They are: "Under a Texas
Moon," "Those Who Dance" and
"The Second Floor Mystery."
10,969 W. E. Inspections in Jan.
Service engineers of Electrical Re-
search Products traveled more than
360,000 miles in January in making
10,969 inspection calls upon United
States theaters equipped with West-
ern Electric apparatus.
O'Reilly Closes Offices
J. Francis O'Reilly, who conducted
a casting office at 152 West 45th
Street, has closed his office and is
scheduled to leave for the Coast
soon.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Today:
Mar.
Mar. 20
Apr. 1
Apr. 5
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
May 25
Iune2-7
I'irst Day of Lent.
Opening of "Case of Sergeani
Grischa" at the Globe, N. Y.
Opening of "Mamba" at tht
Gaiety, N. Y.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York at 44th St. Theater.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at i
New York house, not yet decided'
upon.
Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc., at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at tht
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington
DC.
Fox annual sales convention start!
to-day.
International Cinema Congress al
Brussels.
New Company Organized:
to Operate N. E. Theatei
Dorchester, Mass.— The P. and R
.\musement Co. is the name of a new
company formed to operate the Mag-
net here. Herman Rosenberg for-
merly owned the house, which wili
i)e completely renovated and equip-
ped for sound.
Warner Club to Discuss Affaii
Plans for the second annual ban-
quet and ball, to be held at the Com-
modore on April 5, will be discussed
at the regular meeting and dance oj
the Warner Club at the Pennsylvania
tomorrow.
Reopens Rialto March 9
Sioux City, la.— The Rialto here
will be opened March 9.
AD-VANCE-AD
^
"1 intend to use your trailer ser-
vice as long as I am in the show
business and it is the only business
I know."
GRANADA THEATRE,
PORTLAND, ORE.
WE NEVER DISAPPOINT
BUSTER KEATON
LON CHANEY
NEXT!
Your Newest
Star —
m^RENCE
tiBBETT
"The Rogue Song" in its 2nd month in New-
York and Los Angeles at $2 is playing to abso-
lute capacity. The Star Maker, The Hit Maker!
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
zjS^Sk
DAILV
"The Vagabond King"
Paramount
Criterion, New York
AMERICAN — * * * from the glittering,
colorful strands of "If I Were King," mingled
with the inspiring chords of the Friml oper-
etta. Paramount has woven a production
rich with the rare beauty of a priceless
tapestry.
DAILY MIRROR — Paramount has given
the story an enchanting production pictorially.
The technicolor effects are exquisite. But
the dialogue is so grandiloquent, the actin
so merely attitudinizing, that much of th»
simple beauty of the narrative is lost.
DAILY NEWS — Sets are magnificent,
with no expense spared for spectacular effect.
The production is built on a tremendous
scale, often causing Ah's and O's among
audiences by its >reath-taking beauty of
scene. The songs — especially "Song of
the Vagabonds" and "Only a Rose" — are th»
kind you sing over and over again.
EVENING WORLD — "The Vagabond
King" is a best-seller among the movies,
of course. But it would seem that a little
more could have been expected of it.
HERALD-TRIBUNE _ ♦ * • tasteful,
good looking and surprisingly sprightly photo-
play. Its story has grown a trifle outmoded,
its music has become almost dangerously
familiar and there are some of us who are
inclined to look with a trace of suspicion on
the operetta as a dramatic form ; but even
granting these potential weaknesses, "Thf
Vagabond King" is good entertainment.
MORNING TELEGRAPH — An elabor
ate, tuneful and colorful new talking picture
made its bid for popular favor at the Criter-
ion last night when Paramount offered its
screen version of "The Vagabond King."
The former stage operetta has been trans-
ferred to the cinema with a maximum of
lavish detail, emerging from the studios as
another stage musical piece, directed and
photographed wtih stolid literalness — a series
of colored postcards illustrating, with ex-
travagant acting and gesturing, the beautiful
story of "If I Were King."
POST — In spite of the elaborateness of
the story manages to keep itself always in
evidence, and even when the picture suc-
cumbs, as it occasionally does, to the con-
ventions of the operatic stage the sudden
intrusion of solos and duets does not cluttei
up the action as so often happens when a
stage musical show is transcribed to th»
screen.
TELEGRAM—* * • an excellent adapta
tion of the stage production — an enlarged,
more superior and more entertaining adapta-
tion, to be more accurate * * * a most satis-
fying addition to the ever increasing list ol
first rate operettas that the audible screen
is producing.
TIMES — Out of that glamourous and melo-
dious operetta "The Vagabond King," Para-
mount-Famous-Lasky have produced a beau-
tiful and often quite stirring audible Tech-
nicolor picture.
WORLD — Other than to remark in passing
that the stage version has been transferred
practically intact to the screen, with added
episodes of exterior action which naturally
could not be shown behind the footlights,
there is little to report. ,
PRODUCTION IN EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
EXPERIMENT PROVES HARD
LIGHTS O.K.ri TALKIES
For the first time since the advent
of talking pictures, incandescent
lamps were discarded in favor of the
more brilliant hard lights, which
sound experts everywhere have claim-
ed could not be used, because of
carbon noises. The use of the pow-
erful sunlights, spots and broadsides
were so managed that not the slight-
est trace of buzzing was picked uo
by the microphone. This experiment
took place at the RCA-Victor Gra-
mercy studio, during the filming of
"Kiss Me!" a Chester Bancroft pro-
duction, featuring Olive Shea, For-
rest Stanley, Donald Meek, Alice
Hegeman, Joan Bourdelle and others.
Visugraphic Film Is Used
as Evidence in Del. Case
Edward F. Stevenson, president of
Visugraphic Pictures, recently took
a print of "Happy Landings" to Wil-
mington, Del., where it was shown
as evidence. The case was one in
which the Irving Air Chute Co., of
Buffalo, was suing a competitive con-
cern alleging infringment of patents.
Slow motion photography and close-
ups revealed the most minute details
of the manufacture and use of para-
chutes.
NEW CHAIN OF THEATER!
ISPLANNEDjYPANTAIEl
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM d\l
Los Angeles — Alexander Pantb
is planning to establish a new fn
extensive chain of theaters beajn
his name, according to an annoute
ment made by his son, Rodney, pi
ganization of the circuit is beingd
CMAPT T7Q -OMm T7C u rected by the multi-millionaire «
HARLES RUGGLES, who seems ater man -from his cot in the co-it
to be in high favor with the;, jail whpre he is lying ill of Vi\
Paramount forces, not to mention the I flis4a#e. V v
fans, did a little radio warbling -f \r>*^ ^
if!
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
Saturday night. Ruggles sang "T
Bride Was Dressed in White," by^c
on an old cowboy ditty which h/ir^;
troduced in the stage musical, "Hain-
bow," since brought to the speer
as "Song of the West." [
Stanley Rauh, staff writer af tht
Warner Vitaphone studio, hag en-',
tirely recovered from a recent at-
tack of grippe and is now back ai
his desk turning out bigger and
better sho7-ts material.
Terry-Toon Short Stays
"Caviar," the fir.st Terry-Toon
novelty released by Educational Ex-
changes, and produced by Audio
Cinema, is now in its fourth week
at the Gaiety theater, New York.
"Ye Hearte Shoppe," a Photocolor
production, just completed under thej
direction of Bradley Barker, features
three original song numbers bv
Augustus Barrett. This picture was
recorded by George Oschmarin with'
Ollie Leach in charge of camera
work. \
The Smiths and Cohens \nay
dominate the phone book but\the
good old Irish name of Quinn leads
all others at the Warner Vitaphor^
studio. Besides Phil Quinn and his
brother "Chinnah," Bill Quinn, still
cameraman, is also very much in
evidence.
I.
of i, 1.1.
Universal Radio Tie-Up
Music from Universal's "La Mar-
seillaise," will be broadcast over the
N. B. C. hook-up, March 11, by Paul
Whiteman's orchestra, during the
Old Gold hour. Helen Wright will
sing songs especially written for the
picture by Charles Wakefield Cad-
man.
Japanese Ruler Sees "Rita"
"Rio Rita" has been accorded the
honor of a private showing in the
palace of the Emperor of Japan, ac-
cording to a cable received by RKO.
The film, states another cable, won
the commendation of Admiral Hor-
thy, Hungarian Regent, at the pre-
miere performance in Hungary.
"Cafe in Algiers" Ready
Vitaphone has completed "A Cafe
in Algiers" with Edwin Marshall in
the leadin role. Others in the cast
of this short are Allan Gould, Mesir
Morris and Helen Gray.
Reed's New Assignment
Daniel Reed, who has just com-
pleted directing the dialogue or
"Young Man of Manhattan," will
also act in the same capacity on
"Too Much Luck," Maurice Cheva-
lier's next starring picture, to be
started during the coming week.
Complete Vitaphone Variety
"At Your Service," Vitaphone
short, with Jesse Royce Landis, Wil-
liam Halligan, George Blackwood,
William Carey and Florence Earle
in the cast, has been completed at
the Warner Bros, studio.
Sandrich Collaborating
Mark Sandrich has engaged Rube
Welsh to collaborate with him on
a series of two reel comedies featur-
ing the team of Nick and Tony, to
be produced by Louis Brock for
RKO release. Welsh recently re-
turned from London where he was
connected with C. B. Cochran.
Van Beuren Complete Short
Lois Bennett, Francis Luther and
^valvn Knapp. assisted bv the James
Stanley quartette, are featured in
Love's Memories," the latest Van
Beuren song sketch, just completed
by Director Oscar Lund, for Pathe
release.
Gorney to West Coast
Jay Gorney, musical advisor at the
Paramount Long Island studios, will
leave Tuesday for a two months visit
on the Coast, where he will study
•-ecording conditions at the Holly-
wood studios, as well as write song
numbers for Paramount production?.
Wariiers-Mafce-5^ang<l
in Exchange Personle
Three changes in the personncbi
Warner Bros, offices in the ^;isi
are announced by Sam E. Mo} s
vice president of the company. M'H
Gustaveson has been appointed
change manager for St. Louis
placing M. F. Keller, who is
manager of the Portland office. AiH
Hout, formerly of the Portland k-
change, succeeds R. C. Hill at Set-
tle. ^
Varieties for Two Chains
_ M._ E. Comerford and Ike Lib: „
circuits have signed contracts >r
Vitaphone Varieties, Paul J. Sv t,
general sales manager of Vitaph|e
Corp., announces.
Olivette For Queen High
Nina Olivette, whose comic antics
helped to keep the stage musical.
"Hold Everything!" on the Main
Stem for over a year, has just bfeen
signed by Paramount for the film
version of "Queen High," an all-
Technicolor production which will
shortly go into oroduction at the
Long Island studios.
Visueraphic's Radio Service
A complete radio record service is
maintained in a special department
onened bv Visugraphic Pictures, Inc.,
New York.
Paramount Stars on Radio
Jeanette MacDonald and Lilin
I'Ccth are scheduled to be featuredjin
the Paramount radio broadclt
March 8, over Columbia network.!!
Comzy Gets Second House
Atlanta, Ga. — John A. Con
owner and manager of the Ria
has taken over the lease on
Metropolitan, formerly operated
Sig Samuels.
To Convert House Into Garage
Milwaukee, Wis. — The Gart
which has been closed for mi|^
months, will be remodeled intcB
garage.
THE
dnesday, March 5, 1930
jg^
BBS
DAILV
\lays Office Council Assails
Proposed Federal Film Control
aving to pay the cost of the proposed
ission and its numerous jobholders.
ere is no more justification for classing
TSlms as a public utility, Pettijohn de
than there is for applying this classi-
a sn to the automobile, steel and clothing
tries.
presentative Hudson's present bill is J2
long, which is 22 pages shorter than
(imilar bill introduced by him in 1928.
of the features of the old bill have
left out, but the remaining sections
so socialistic and radical as to consti
a dangerous menace to all branches oi
idustry," Pettijohn says.
■ e measure is known as "a bill to pro
I :he motion picture industry against un-
II trade practices and monopoly; to pro
I just settlement of complaints of unfair
pig; to provide for the manufacture ci
it some motion pictures, both silent ant.
II g, at the sources of production; tt
:, ; a Federal motion picture commission
(fine its powers; and for other purposes.
•>pointment of the commission, consistinR
e men and four women, is to be mad
e President. Pettijohn states that thi.<
most unusual provision, inasmuch a:
itatutes providing for the creation o
commissions or quasi judical bodie
in the provision that the appointment-
be made with the advice and consent
Senate.
Cnmenting on various sections of the bill,
ohn says in part:
le next provision is that not more than
f the nine commissioners shall be mem-
rsDf the same political party after which
provided that they shall be appointed
tlut party designation or without party
spsibility. This is a most contradictory
on, because it is impossible to con-
how not more than five shall be of
e jime party and at the same time be ap-
I without designation. It is next pro-
that an appointment shall not be given
f person who at any time during the
ears preceeding his appointment has had
direct or indirect financial interest or
connection with production, distribu-
exhibition, or any cognate or related
likss. Here again we find another vague,
it lite and contradictory condition, because
have heretofore seen it is first pro
»* that the commissioners shall be quail-
s' y character, experience and training for
«l aties of the office, and it is the heigh.'
"^ ly to assert that any person who has
■ en connected directly or indirectly with
in idustry for five years could be said to
" lalified by character, experience and
onfig for the duties of the oflfice. How
this objection seems to be attempted to
noved by the next sentence, which pro
that the 'Civil Service Commission after
ling the persons under oath and
Ifh corroborating investigations shall cer
-) the President of the United States
he persons chosen by him for the office
with the provisions of this act." With
respect to the ability, standing and
ty of the Civil Service Commission, we
II of the opinion that it would be im
e for even that body to find nine
qualified by training who for fiv
ave had no connection whatsoever with
idustry, to act as the Industry's Su
Court.
is further provided that these com
5ll(iers shall be appointed for a term of
ars and that no member of the com
1 or any deputy commissioner or any
ee shall have any connection with or
al interest in any branch whatsoever
motion picture industry,
is Section differs from the same Sec
. the old Bill wherein members wert
dc appointed by the Secretary of the In
and the Commission was to be a bu
inder this department with the Com-
of Education, with a member ex
This change in the bill, however, doe?
move the objection to wit, that the
sion would be thrown into party poli
mediately and, as will be noted later
1 fsibilities for patronage under its Pro
are very wide. Every layman knows
herever there is patronage there also
found politics and maneuvering, and
1 submit that the effect of the passage
5 bill would create another political
e in Washington, and result in throw
; whole motion picture business intr
a pernicious and ruinous proceedinc
is provided that each commissioner
iceive an annual salary of $9,000, ex
ii'i
(.Continued from Page 1)
cept that the annual salary of the chairman
shall be $10,000. Furthermore, that the
commission shall have authority to emplo}
and fix the compensation of deputy commis
sioners and such other employees as it ma}
find necessary, also to hire suitable offices
procure all necessary supplies and equipment,
and pay all necessary expenses for transpor
talion incurred by the commissioner or their
employee in making investigations or officia
business. This is practically the same pro
vision as Section 3 of the old Bill, and agaii
we point out that this will permit the stafi
of the commission to be packed with 'patron
age without limit.'
"The Section pertaining to offices is thf
same as in the old Bill and provides thai
the principal office of the Commission shah
be in Washington but it may establish office'
or bureaus wherever efficiency, economy and
the public interest require. Each bureau or
office shall be in charge of a commission or
a deputy commissioner. Here again we have
more expense and patronage and the result
of this and the preceding section would be to
constitute a haven for those seeking lucra
five jobs for their constituents as will be
developed later herein. There is absoluteh
no check under the provisions of this Bill
on the number of offices or bureaus or upon
the number of employees it can place upoi'
its payroll, and the whole cost is to be
charged up to the motion picture industry.
"The bill provides that the dutiei of the
Cominisiion shall be to protect the motion
picture induitry from unfair trade practices
and monopoly, to provide for the just let
tiement of trade complaints, to supervise thi
production of silent and talking motion pic
tures at the iource, and to provide for tV-
proper distribution and exhibition thereof.
Thi» i< a useless provision, because the Fed
eral Trade Commission Act was passed and
the commission created thereby in 1914 to
protect all industries from these same, iden
tical practices; and since 1918 this commis
sion has made numerous and extensive inTCi
tigations of the industry and after trials
has entered a large number of orders to ceaie
and desist from unfair practices. Further
more, during the week of Oct. 10, 1927, in
New York, the Federal Trade Commitsioi
conducted a Trade Practice Conference ii
which representatives of all branches of the
industry participated, with the result that .
buiinesi code of ethics was, with the txcep
tion of a few disputed questions, agreed upon
and it today accepted throughout the indu'
try. There is and can be no need or neces
.'ity for another commission. The Feder?
Trade Commission has ample power and au-
thority to dispose of all unfair trade prac
tices and the creation of a new commisno
would nullify all its work of the last ter
yean. The tame situation exists at t<
monopoly, at this is fully and complttely eov
ered by the Sherman law.
"Production and distribution are two of
the greatest problems of the industry. Ever
tince the birth of the industry persons witl
ability, brains and talent to solve these prob
lems have been sought to better condition
and salaries larger than those provided for
the membert of this commiision. It will 1
impossible under the terms of this bill ti
procure the services of those qualified {r.
theie duties and surely no group of political
appointees can potsibly do a better job tha
is being done. The Motion Picture Industr;
has always consistently kept out of politics
This bill would keep it in.
"The bill has a new Section providin
that the Commission shall have power to regu
late the distribution of all motion pictures
in commerce, and may at its discretion create
facilities to provide an equitable basis of
distribution, in a manner that will intui
free competition among producers, exhibieor
and other persons in securing for rental a-
in the renting of all motion pictures. This
simply means that the whole machinery of
distribution which has been built up to a high
degree of efficiency, by the best minds of
industry after years of study and work, is
to be turned over to the regulation and con-
trol of a group of people with no knowledge
or experience in these problems. It means
that the government will go into the moi
picture business and we do not believe thi
the members of Congress are willing to tai.
such a radical step.
"By the provisions of the section on
fees, the commission shall collect from each
applicant for a license or a permit a fee oi
$10 for each one thousand feet or fractio
thereof of film and $5 for each additionc
copy thereof licensed by the comm.ssioi.
Provided, however, that upon the expiratio
of six months from the date of approval c
this Act, and from time to time thereaftt
as circumstances warrant, the commissioi
shall revise and fix the fees of such sum
as will produce no larger income than i;
necessary to support the work of the com
mission, its army of employes and all othe.
expenses. In this analysis of the bill w
have seen how it provides for the creatioi
of this new commission with salaries of $9,-
000 yearly with power to maintain an oniL
in Washington and branch offices anywher
it sees fit, and to employ a staff sufficie
to carry out the aims and purposes of th(
bill. It takes unto itself all the powers and
duties under the various antitrust law
which require a large force of clerks, inves
tigators, examiners and lawyers to investigati
all the violations of such laws and try oi.
these questions, not only before the commis
• ion, but also on appeal to the court, neces
sitating continuous travel over the country
the taking of testimony, stenographic expenses
etc. It proposes to manage and regulate th
sale and distribution of all motion picture:
domestic and foreign which would require a
army of assistants. Also it is to compel an
supervise the registration of any and all per
sons connected with the industry which wi
require another large staff of employees. It
further proposes to similarly supervise al'
trade activities. Not content with this it
proposes to supervise and oversee the boot
keeping and accounts of every person in the
industry which means an enormous force of
accountants, auditors, examiners, clerks, et
and a huge sum for travel expense. Still more
it is its purpose to censor all pictures am
appoint supervisors to go into the studios
all of which will necessitate another large
staff. The expense for all of this is to b
paid by the industry. This means the meir
bers of the commission will be accountablr
to no one but themselves as to the amount of
money they use and the industry will pay th<
bill. The commission will not have to pre
pare and submit a budget each year or ap
pear before any committee of the Congre,'*
and account for the money expended and sub
init their request for an appropriation as a
other Departments, Bureaus and Commission
are now compelled to do in the interest of
FOR RENT
ANIMATED CARTOON STUDIO
FULLY EQUIPPED
with lighted cartoon stands, Cooper-Hewitt lights,
camera stands, camera, piano and everything neces-
sary for the production of animated sound cartoons.
Will Make Very Reasonable Proposition
CHARLES B. MINTZ
25 West 45th Street BRYant 9178
COLUMBIA WILL LAUNCH
AD CAMPAIGN IN APRIL
(Continued from Page 1)
trade contests will be among the
media used to increase interest in
the Columbia product. The drive
will also serve to make the closing
of the greatest year in the history
of the company.
Service to the exhibitor will be
stressed in all trade paper advertising,
which will furnish him with special
novelties and exploitation aids, easy
to put into use. The conduct of this
part of the campaign will be governed
by exhibitor problems in various sec-
tions of the country. Advertising in
fan publications will absorb a great
portion of the budget set aside by the
company.
Thousands of dollars have been set
aside for special contests. This will
include contests for theater-owners,
managers and press agents. Among
the prizes offered will be those for
the exhibitor making the most effec-
tive use of Columbia accessories dur-
ing April, for the best lobby display
and the best exploitation and presen-
tation ideas offered during the month.
2 Grand Rapids Houses
Are Wrecked by Boiiibs
(Continued from Page 1)
faculties with labor unions by ow ''ers
of both houses. Muskegon the .lers
have also reported similar trouble
since non-union operators have been
employed. No one was injured by
the blasts.
economy. There will be no check on this
commission Ijy either the Budget Committee
or the Congress, thus making it an astound-
ing political machine.
"The only remaining feature of the bil
which is of importance is the line which prr
vides that anyone who violates any provision
of the act shall be fined not less than $500
nor more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not
less than six months nor more than five yean
or both."
WE BUILt Buy, LE--.i..,
OPERATI- OR MANAGE
MOTION FUTURE THE».TRES
IN PENN,-'.. .,L« jEratr
DELAWARE — MA Ry LAND]
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philaoelphia.Pa.
—s&^
DAILY
Wednesday, March 5, 1930
Timely Topics
A Din est of
Current Opinion
€
Advises Against Buying
of Cheap Sound Equipment
'T'HE quality of talkie reproduc-
tion is one of the most im-
portant factors in public reaction
for this new medium. It is here
that the small exhibitor has a
very grave responsibility to bear,
because if he instals cheap — and
indifferent — apparatus, he is not
only going to lose his own pa-
trons, but probably affect the
general public attitude towards
the talkie. We would remind ex-
hibitors of the old adage, "Penny
wise, pound foolish." It used to
be an old saying, too, in the show
business, that what was lost on
the swings could be made up on
the roundabouts; but in these
days one has to be careful that
what is made on the roundabouts
is not more than swallowed up
by the losses on the swings.
"The Daily Film Renter,"
London
* * *
Says Industry Needs More
Followers of Film Leaders
^ REVIVAL of the "Wanted a
Leader" idea at a larger sal-
ary than is paid to a film star
may needlessly raise hopes in the
breasts of some whose modesty
is in the inverse ratio to their
capacity. In this description we
do not include those who sponsor
the idea, which is by no means
new, and seldom gets anywhere.
Whom will this wonderful leader
lead? Will he tell renters they
charge too much for their films
and they will promptly lower
their prices? Or will he tell ex-
hibitors to stop booking until
prices are lower, and will they?
Fortunately, this trade has many
good leaders, and their effective-
ness increases according to their
followers. More followers are
needed. There is no dearth of
good leaders.
"The Cinematograph Times,"
London
Four hundred and sixty-one
theaters throughout the United
States cater exclusively to col-
ored audiences.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
I
T'S gonna be quite a Hollywood affair — marriage of Edith
Mayer and William Goetz slated for March 19 at the Hotel
Biltmore in Los Angeles. The bridesmaids will be Marion
Davies, Corinne Griffith, May McAvoy, Bessie Love, Carmel
Myers and Catherine Bennett, whih William A. Seiter, E. J.
Mannix, Walter Morosco, Ned Marin, David Selznick and Lew
Schreiber have been named ushers
JOHN TILLER'S Sunshine Girls, now at the Palace, N. Y.,
have been engaged to appear in Radio Pictures starting
May 3. The troupe of 16 dancers is headed by Marjorie Lane.
Russell E. Markert, who trains the 32 Roxvettes, was
one of the speakers at yesterdav's meeting of the Dance Art
Guild at the Carnegie Hall Bldg Teddy Smith, city
editor of Pathe News, again is on the job after a slight ill-
ness
"(^ENERAL CRACK" will be seen next week at the Beacon.
He was doing jury duty, is the way they labeled it, but
anyway. Jack Level, head man of the Pathe Sun, the rooster's
house organ, is back on the job She came in as meek as
a lamb, sat still for a while, but when she got steamed up. Were
vve sold? Ask Hortense Schorr, she who thinks "Columbia
the Gem of the Ocean" was her company's cheering song
Who's the fellow known to most of us, does his broadcasting
every Saturday, and another guv gets credit?
pRANZ LISZT'S "Les Preludes" will be the orchestral fea-
ture of the regular Sunday broadcast by Major Edward
Bowes and his Capitol Theater Family "Sally" sallies
into the Strand this week Consolidated Amusement En-
terprises got out a neat little booklet about the company's 25tli
anniversary Winnie Sheehan is .said to have lined-up
Kube Goldberg for Fox talkers "Promotion to a higher
position in the organization is not merely a reward for conscien-
tious service in the pa.st. It is an opportunity for greater ser-
vice in the future."— Joe Leo in "Fox Progress." mouthpiece for
box Metropolitan Playhouses
_^ORRIS SMALL of the Edward Small office is in New
York for a brief visit Murrav Roth is now kicking
the ice around Broadway after a brief interlude under Florida
^K'fs Rumor has it that Ben Hecht and Hobart Henlev
will announce definite producing plans upon the completion of
Lhevahers next, which Henlev will direct
5-- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Houston Branch
Aileen Carlyle
Edwin Carewe
Irving Kahal
Jules Furthman
WilHam H. Jenner
Walter Long
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
CAMUEL UNTERMEYER, gener-
alissimo of the Fox legal forces,
had one hectic time Monday morn-
ing in the State Supreme Court
building trying to find a judge who
could sit for the injunction hearinK
in connection with William Fox's
Class "B" stock. It was necessary
that the judge should not be a holder
of American Telephone or Fox or
Bankers Trust stock. So Untermeyer
went from courtroom to courtroom,
upstairs and down, until he got his
man in the person of Judge Aaron
Levy. He has not weighted in yet to
see how many pounds he lost.
* * *
Speaking of that injunction hear-
ing, it ivas like a game that might
be called, "Stock, stock, who's got
the stock?" The Bankers Trust had
it. Fox wanted to get possession.
A)td Stuart-Otterson ivere deter-
mined to prevent the removal. So
Jitdg Levy had one of those Solo-
mon cases on his hands — except that
in this instance an offer to cut the
"babe" in two parts and give each
"mother" one-half might not have
had the same reaction.
FILM QUEEN— Would you send
out a story about the loss of my
pearl necklace?
GLENN ALLVINE — Certainly.
Where did you lose it?
F. Q. — In the Savoy-Ritz dining
room.
G. A. — And how much is it worth?
F. Q. — At least a column on the
front pages.
The girl friend, relates Lynn Far- ',
nol, wos on the tenth page of a let-
ter that she tvas ivriting from Hoi--
lywood to her best beau in N'Yoik.
"But here I am," she said, "talking
only of myself. Now I want to talk
about you for awhile. Tell me, do
you always think of me?"
* *
FAIRY TALES
Once there was a studio watchman
who wasn't hardboiled.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Famous Players Canadian Corp. re-
cently formed will be capitalized at
$15,000,000.
* * *
New Jersey exhibitor factions di-
vided over Sunday opening question.
* * *
Murray W. Garsson, Rene Silz and
Paul Fichet form Fine Art Pictures,
Inc.
* * *
William Cohen plans $100,000 the-
ater in Chicopee, Mass.
THE
Wednesday, March 5, 1930
-.^gg^
DAILY
= Coast Wire Service
Activity on Fox Lot Increases
STUDIO BUSY WITH SEVEN;
4
Activity on the Fox lot is increas-
ing and pictures now in work total
seven, with one due to go into pro-
duction before the end of the week.
Four pictures are set for production,
iwaiting available space. Among re-
cent pictures in work are "Fox Mov-
ietone FoUies of 1930," "Solid Gold
Article," and "Temple Tower." Also
in production are "Arizona Kid,"
'Born Reckless," "A Very Practical
Joke" and "So This Is London."
Three of the four pictures to be
started soon are "The Fatal Wed-
ding," "Common Clay" and "Road-
tiouse." Ihe fourth will be a spe-
:ial to be directed by Raoul Walsh,
;entatively set for production April 1.
Two Associate Producers
Named by Universal
Two associate producers have been
idded to the Universal roster with
ippointments of E. M. Ashe_r and
\lbert DeMond by Carl Laemmle,
[r.
Collyer Signed by P-F-L
Paramount has placed June Coll-
ier under a long term contract.
DeMille Signs Prinz
Leroy Prinz, stage dance director,
las been placed under contract by
Jecil B. DeMille. He will stage en-
iemble numbers in "Madame Satan,"
vhich DeMille is directing and pro-
lucing for M-G-M.
Completes Cast on "U" Film
Cast of "What Men Want" has
leen completed by Universal and now
onsists of Mary Nolan, Robert El-
is, Hallam Cooley and Ben Lyon.
Schertzinger's Contract Renewed
Paramount has renewed Victor
schertzinger's contract. His most
ecent production for the company is
'Safety in Numbers," with Buddy
Rogers.
Complete Casting
Casting has been completed for
'The Dawn Patrol," in which First
National will star Richard Barthel-
ness. Howard Hawks will direct.
[ "The Storm" in Work
' Sound and talking version of "The
>torm," goes into production at the
"niversal studio under direction of
iVilliam Wyler. The cast now con-
;ists of Joseph DeGrasse, Tom Lon-
lon, Ernest Adams and Nick Thomp-
on.
Comedy Team Together Again
The comedy trio Marjorie White,
"1 Brendel and Frank Richardson of
Sunny Side Up" will again be seen
n "Fox Movietone Follies of 1930"
vhich Benjamin Stoloff is directing.
A Little
from
'Lots*
i^^i By RALPH WILK ^^
Hollywood
"DETTER understanding and more
liberality of thought has done
much to remove the menace to mo-
tion pictures which once resided in
censorship, according to Wallace
Smith, internationally known author
and traveller, who is now writing
for RKO.
* * *
Bob Donaldson, veteran publicity
mail, has rejoined First National's
publicity department. He recently
sold an airplane story to "Liberty."
Do you remember: When Walter
Eberhardt was a reporter on the
"Duluth News-Tribune"; when Ed-
ward Eliscu was in charge of enter-
tainment at a New York state sum-
mer resort; when Charles G. Bran-
ham worked on the Virginia, Minne-
sota, Enterprise; when Conrad Nagle
toured in "Experience"?
* * *
Our Passing Show: Walter Stern
and Thomas J. Ahearn practicing
golf on a Beverly Boulevard course;
Lewis R. Foster returning from his
vacation in the High Sierras.
Alfred L. Werker has com-
pleted the direction of "The
Kick-Back," based on William
Lipman's story, "Yonder Grow
the Daisies." Werker has di-
rected several pictures for Fox
and was with the late Fred
Thomson before joining Fox.
Abe Meyer will synchronize sev-
eral versions of Tififany pictures. Hi?
initial work will be on "Peacock Al-
ley."
Chesterfield Adds Two
Two additions have been made to
the cast of Chesterfield's "Hearts in
Bondage," Mary Carr and Freeman
Wood will play in support of Alice
Day and Johnnie Walker in the fea-
tured roles.
Nagel in "Right of Way"
Talker version of "The Right of
Way," made by M-G-M several
years ago with Bert Lytell in the
leading role, will be made by First
National with Conrad Nagel. Frank
Lloyd will direct.
Robertson for Pathe
John S. Robertson will direct "Be-
\'ond Victory," as a special for Pathe.
Minn. Mayor Opposes
Censorship in Films
(Continued from Pane I )
mental and moral education of the
people. Its development has been so
rapid and so reaching that its far-
reaching effects hardly have been
visualized. No doubt with the movie
— as in the case of every good and
useful invention — some evils and
abuses have crept in. But this does
not justify local censorship," the
mayor added, "to which I am un-
alterably opposed." Other speakers
were Merle Potter, drama and pic-
ture editor of the Minn. Journal;
Capt. David Broderick, police censor,
and Mrs. S. A. Sask, president of
the Women's Federation
Pittsburg Musicians Group
to Operate Silent House
(Continued from Pacie 1)
caused by canned music in theaters.
The corporation has leased the
Gaiety, which will be converted into
a silent film house with a 50-piece
orchestra to be featured as well as
another 30-piece symphonic jazz or-
chestra. Officers of the company
are: Umberto Egizi, president and
managing director; Frank Panella,
associate; Edward Zinmieister, treas-
urer, and William Henning, secretary.
Board of directors consists of Hook
Osborne, James Bandi, J. Jones,
James Borelli, Oscar Arbogast and
Berry Laurence.
Bijou Wired for Sound
Jeanerette, La. — The Bijou is
wired with Western Electric.
United Artists Plans 7
Films with Technicolor
(Continued from Page 1)
the other two will have color se-
quences.
Following "Whoopee" will come
Irving Berlin's "Love In A Cottage,"
a Dolores Del Rio picture as yet un-
titled, Joan Bennett in "Smilin'
Thru," and another Joseph M.
Schenck production, all in full-color,
while Howard Hughes' "Hell's An-
gels" and the Arthur Hammerstein
picture, "Bride 66." with Jeanette
MacDonald, will have color se-
quences.
Anti-Chain Speakers
Formed by Pitts. Exhibs
(Continued from Page 1)
ganization is to furnish speakers to
address those organizations that are
affiliated with anti-chain associations.
Expectations of making orations be-
fore Rotary, Kiwanis and such clubs
and boards of trade in Western Penn-
sylvania, West Virginia and Ohio are
in view. Speakers available are An-
thony P. Jim, president of the M.P.
T.O. of W. Pa. and W. Va., David
J. Selznick, Morris Finkel and Fred
Herrington, exhibitor secretary.
Walter Reade to Build
on Park Avenue Site
(Continued from Paqe 1)
the beginning of a strincr of class
houses. Leo Brecher, who recently
opened the Plaza, for some time has
been the only exhibitor catering to
the populace oi this section.
NOW PLAYING
ON BROADWAY
IN THE GEO. M. COHAN THEATRE
White I
Cargo I
The All-Talking Picture of the j
World's Most Sensational Play i
Available For Distribution In All American
and Canadian Territories
Scully, Fox Director
William J. Scully has been signed
bv Fox to direct.
HAROLD AUTEN
LOEW STATE BLDG., NEW YORK
Telephone BRYant 8371
New York — ^Northern New Jersey
Distribution by
HOLLYWOOD PICTURES CORP.
ADOLPH POLLAK, Pres.
630 NINTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY
DAILV
Wednesday, March 5, 1930
II
Showdown on Fox Financing Plans Starts Today
{^Continued from Page 1)
by William Fox standing the best
chances of winning out.
Whether or not Mr. Fox will be
given a court order this morning to
permit him to vote the Class B con-
trolling stock, now held by the Bank-
ers Trust, is still an open question.
Judge Aaron J. Levy did not reach a
decision yesterday, and, as predicted
exclusively in THE FILM DAILY,
he is not likely to hand down his
ruling until just before the meeting
this morning. The new Halse-"-
Stuart plan was submitted to Judge
Levy yesterday afternoon, and he said
he would do his best to study all the
papers of both sides overnight with
a view to making a decision as early
as possible.
Although it is believed that, in
event Judge Levy fails to reach a de-
cision by this morning, Mr. Fox will
attempt to vote his Class B stock
over the protest of the Halsey-Stuart
faction, counsel for the latter group
declare they will do everything pos-
sible to prevent this and that in any
case such an attempt would lead to
greater complications. The Bankers
Trust does not intend to give up the
stock without an order from Judge
Levy, consequently if the Judge does
not hand down a ruling this morn-
ing it will be impossible to have a
deciding vote on any refinancing plan.
Highlights of the new Halsey-
Stuart proposal, which is termed "the
trustee's plan," sponsored by H. L.
Stuart and J. E. Otterson, who with
William Fox, formed the trusteeship
of Dec. 3, are given as follows:
The funds to be provided are to be ob
tained from the issue and sale of $40,000,OOC
principal amount of 10-year 6^^ per cen^
sinking fund convertible gold debentures o
Fox Film, and from the issue and sale o
1,150,000 shares of Class A Fox Film stock
and the issue and sale to Fox Film (subiec
to an offering to stockholders) of $40,000.00'
principal amount of 10-year 7 per cent sinkin'
fund convertible gold debentures of Fox The
aters.
Assuming that all warrants and conversio
privileges under the two plans are exercisei
the trustee plan will retire $20,000,000 mor
debts than the Bancamerica plan, and \vi
require 100,000 less Class A shares.
Since the debentures under the Bancameric
plan called for interest of 7 per cent, t
6J4 per cent rate under the trustee plan rer
resents a yearly saving of $200,000.
No preferred stock is to be issued und'
the trustee plan, thereby saving the $1,75^
000 interest charges on the preferred stoc
under the other plan.
Complete compensation to bankers, etc..
be $4,000,000, and no bonus stock or optin-
as compared with a premium of more *'
$5,000,000 plus 200,000 shares of Fox Film
A stock called for under the other p :
Average per share realized on sale of Fi
FMm A stock would be $28, against $20 und-
th'e other plan.
Trustee plan provides initially an exce
of $9,050 000 in cash over the other plan.
Halsey-Stuart declared this new plan would
be $30,000,000 cheaper in the long run than
the Bancamerica plan. Inasmuch as the
trustee proposal does not call for any pre
ferred stock, only the vote of two-thirds of
the Class B stockholders is necessary to pas?
on it, whereas the Bancamerica arrangement
must have the consent of two-thirds of both
the Class A and Class B shareholders.
In view of this differences, it is possible
that one of the modificitions of the Banc-
america plan will be the elimination of the
preferred stock.
Among the conditions listed are:
That at the date of delivery of the Film
Debentures and the Class A Common Stock
(o) there shall have been cancelled, or re
negotiated in a manner satisfactory to the
underwriters, the contracts for the purchase
by Film of certain theaters in the State of
uniu and in Grand Kapids, Michigan, known
ds the JLibson and Heidingsteld circuit anu
cenaai theaters m the soutuwest known as the
lioblitzelie Circuit and tor the purcnase ij)
West Coast 1 heaters Corporation ot the Mid
■and Circuit, the T. & U. Jr. Circuit anu
cue ArKuah Circuit; (b) all amounts owinj;
uy iura to Wesco Corporation or any of it^
auuswiaries, shall have Deen liquidated or au
justeu in a manner satistactory to tue under
rtriters; and U) there shall not be outstanQ
iiig any contracts or i'lim or Theaters., or aro
oi tue iubsidiaries of either ot tnem, whico
m tile opinion ot the uiiuerwriters materiaii>
jUversely attect the interests of Film or The
aters.
i'urther details of the refinancing plan pre
yared by Halsey-Stuart are as tollows:
The capital stock ot J:' urn as now author-
ized by ccrtihcate and amenaed certincates
ot incorporation lieretoiore nied, shall be in-
creased so tnat tne autnorized capital stocK
snail consist ol 5,UU0,UUU snares, divided into
i,suO,UuU shares ot Class A common itocK
and luu.OuU snares of Class a Couunon
Stock.
ihe number oi directors shall be increased
.rum eigut (H) to twelve U^>.
An amendment to tne ccrtihcate of in-
corporation ol Film will be penecied so as
to provide tnat comiiiencing witft the an-
nual meeting scheduled to be held April ii,
lyjU, the Class A Common stocKttolders win
nave tne exclusive ngnt to elect hve (i)
at the directors and tne Class U Common
atocknolUers will have the exclusive right to
elect seven (7) ol the directors, and, so as
lO lurtner provide that if rilin, ai any time
un or alter October 15, l)fiJ, iails to pay
lour C4) consecutive quarterly .Jividends ol
at least $1 per share, then tne Class A Com-
mon stockholders will have the ngnt to elect
nine (.y; ol the twelve directors and the Class
b Common stockholders will have the ngnt
to elect three ^.i) ot the directors until such
.line as Film again pays tour consecuiivt
quarterly dividends ot at least $1 per share,
at which time the Class B Common stock-
holders will again have the right to elect
seven (,7J of the board of directors.
The foregoing amendments shall be ic-
complished by the hling ol amendments pre-
viously authorized by the stockholders at
meetings held on September 16th and 19th,
1929.
Ihe respective rights of the present 820,660
shares oi Class A Common and 99,^00 shares
ot Class B Common Stock now issued and
outs.anding shall otherwise remain undisturbeu
extept as changed in accordance with the
loregoing.
The authoiized and unissued Class A Com-
mon Stock shall be issued or reserved for
issuance as follows :
l,20U,U0ll shares of the Class A Commoti
Stock are to be reserved for issuance
upon the conversion of Film De-
bentures;
1,150,000 shaies of the Class A Common
Stock shall be offered to the stock-
holders at $30 per share.
1.729,340 shares, the balance of the authorized
Class A Common Stock as in-
creased, are to be available for issue
lor future corporate purposes.
Fox Theaters Corp.
Fox Theaters Corporation (hereinafter
called Theaters) will create an issue of
.WO, 000,000 principal amount of Ten Year
7 per cent Sinking Fund Convertible Gold
Debentures, (hereinafter called the Theaters
Debentures) redeemable, in whole or in part,
at the option of the Corporation at any
time or from time to time on 30 days' pub-
lished notice at the principal amount thereof
and accrued interest, plus a preminum of
five per cent (5%) for five years from their
date, and thereafter at a premium of one
per cent (1%) less for each succeeding year
until maturity, convertible at their principal
amount into Class A Common Stock of The-
aters at a price to be determined by the
underwriters at the time the issue is author-
ized, but not less than $10 per share during
the first year, and thereafter $15 per share.
The Trust Agreement under which they are
issued shall provide that Theaters shall not,
so long as any of the Theaters Debentures
ire outstanding, mortgage or pledge any ol
the assets of Theaters except for current loans
in the ordinary course of business and shall
provide that the Theaters shall in each year,
before paying any dividends on its Class A
or Class B Common Stock, set aside all of
its net earnings up to the sum of $2,000,000,
cumulatively, as a sinking fund to be applied
to the purchase of Theaters Debentures at
not exceeding the redemption price and to
the extent Theaters Debentures cannot be so
purchased to the redemption of such De-
bentures
Offerings to Stockholders
Tlie Film Debentures shall be offered for
subscription at 915 per cent of their principal
amount and accrued interest, and 1,150, UUU
shares oi the Class A Common Stock of
1 ..m shall be offered for subscription at $.50
per share to holders oi the Class A Common
Stock and Class B Common Stock of Film
in iroportion to their holdings thereof. Such
Class A Common Stock and Film Debentures
shall be offered for subscription to the stock-
holders of the earliest practicable date in
accordance with the requirements of the New
I ork Stock Exchange, it being understood
that the rights to subscribe for the Class
A Common Stock shall expire twenty (20)
days after the date of such offer.
The Theaters Debentures shall be offered
fui subscription at their principal amount to
the holders of the Class A Common Stock
and Class B Common Stock of Theaters in
proportion to their holdings thereof. The
rights to subscribe for the Theaters De-
bentures shall be evidenced by warrants or
certificates which shall be issued to stock-
holders of Theaters of record at the earliest
practicable date, said rights to expire twenty
(20) days after the date of issue of such
warrants or certificates.
Underwriting
On the terms and conditions heteiiiafter
set forth the underwriters will underwrite
the offer to stockholders of Film of tne Film
Debentures at the principal amount thereot
and accrued interest. Ihe compensation ot
the underwriters shall aggregate an amount
m cash equal to ten per cent (107o) ol
the aggregate principal amount of said Film
Debentures, Ihe underwriters will likewise
procure others to purchase at $28 per share
all such shares ct said Class A Common
Stock of Film as. are not subscribed lor by
stockholders pursuant to the aforesaid offer-
ing. No ctmptnsation or commissions shall
be payable to the underwriters in respect
of shares oi Class A Common Stock siib-
bcribed for by the stockholders or otherwise
excrpt as above expressly stated.
The offering of the Theaters Debentures
to the stockholders of Theaters shall be
underwritten by Film at the offering price,
and as compensation therefor Film shall re-
ceive an amount in cash equal to 9 per cent
ol the principal amount of the Theaters
Debentures offered. Film shall on the date
of delivery of the Film Debentures and Class
A Common Stock, take up the Theaters De-
bentures, subject to the subscription rights
of the Theaters stockholders if not then ex-
pired.
Voting Trusts
To assure the holders of the new securities
of continuity ot satisfactory management,
at least a majority of the outstanding shares
of Class B Common Stock of Film and all
the shares of Uie Class K Common Stock
of Theaters shall be deposited under voting
trusts, under which there shall be five (5)
Voting Trustees, of whom one (1) shall be
a nominee of William Fox during such period
as he shall be the owner of a substantial
amount of the Class B Common Stock of
Film and Theaters, as the case may be, and
the remaining four (4) Voting Trustees shall
be designated by the underwriters. Botli
voting trusts shall continue for a period oi
5 years and thereafter so long as any of
the Film Debentures shall be outstanding,
but not exceeding an additional 5 years.
Adjustment With Mr. Fox
Mr. Fox shall, prior to the date of the
delivery of the Debentures and Class A
Common Stock of Film, assign to Film all of
his interest in Fox-Hearst Corporation.
It is represented by Mr. Fox that he has
personally paid for and now personally owns
ninety per cent of the stock of American
Tri-Ergon Corporation and 50 per cent of
the stock of Grandeur Inc., and that as
part of this Plan and as a condition of this
Plrin hereunder, has agreed with you, that
1 On or before the date of delivery ',f the
Film Debentures and Class A Common
?t"ck of Film he will cause Amor'can 'I ri-
Ergon Corporation, on behalf of itself
and any successor corporation by merger.
consolidation or sale of substantially all
its assets, and its subsidiaries, to execute
and deposit with Hon. Frank J. Coleman,
for delivery to Film and Theaters on the
date of delivery of the Film D.^bentures
and Class A Common Stock, an agreement
granting and agreeing to grant to Film and
Theaters, and their similar successors and.
subsidiaries, non-exclusive, non-assignable I
royalty-free licenses under all patents or'
patent rights now owned or controlled by
American Tri-Ergon Corporotion, its sub
sidianes and under all patents and patent
rights useful in connection with recording
or reproducing sound or pictures which at
any time within twenty-five years shall bt
owned or controlled by said American Tri-'
Ergon Corporation, its successors and sub-i
sidiaries; provided, however, that if it,
shall be necessary for the purpose of
providing 'or the holders of the remaining-'
ten per cent of the stock of American Tri-
Ergon Corporation, Film and Theaters,
their successors and subsidiaries, may be.
required to pay royalties at a rate no»
exceeding ten per cent of the lowest rate
from time to time charged by American!
Tri-Ergon Corporation to any otheo'
licensee ; and
2. On or before the date of delivery ol
the Film Debentures and Class A Comi
raon Stock of Film he will cause to b(
vested in a new company to be oiganizec
under the laws of the State of New Yorki \
SO per cent of the stock of Grandeur, Inci'S I
That the tiew company shall have no ^owe»\ i'
to enter into any business other than t(
hold said stock or any other securities o:
other property which it may receive u
such stockholder; that on or before sucl
delivery date he will cause the new com:
pany to execute and deposit with Cen
tral Hanover Bank and Trust (Company
for delivery to Film and Theaters on thi
date of delivery of the Film Debentiirei, L
and Class A Common Stock, an agrei-men'
with Film and Theaters for the benefit o
themselves and any successor corporation
by merger, consolidation or sale of substan
tidily all their assets, and the'V subsidinrie!
(1) that it will indemnify Film and The
aters, their successors and subsidiariei
from and against (a) fifty per cent of al
amounts which Grandeur, Inc., its sue
cessors or subsidiaries, may renuire to b
paid by Film or Theaters, their successor
or subsidiaries, whether by wav of rnya'
ties, damages or accounting for profits c
otherwise (excluding reasonab'e servic
charges) for the use or infringement of tli
patents or patent ritrhts of Grandeur, ii
successors or subsidiaries, useful in cor
nection with recording or reprodurintr sonn
or pictures, and fb) fifty per rent of {h
profits of Grandeur Inc.. its successors r
subsidiaries, on any anparat"s or seTu
furnished by it or them to Film or Th.
aters, their successors or subsidiaries, an
(2) that it will not disnose of anv <
said stock in Grandeur, Inc.. or perr
Grandeur. Inc.. its successors or stt
sidiaries, to_ dispose of any of their na'en';
or natent rights unless such new rompa'
shall first have ravsed Grandeur. Tne. i
successors or s"bs!d'aries. as f'r case r"
be. to grant and acree to Brant tn F!
and Theaters, tbeir si'crrssors and sfVe^'
aries, licenses under a'1 naten*s or n^*»
rights rse^til in connTtion w'*li rero^'^-
or reoroducine sound or n'-t'-'-cs •*"
owned or controlled hv O'nndoi.r Tn
or which at any time within tw»»itv f;
vears sba'l be owned or cnntri-'"»d
G'-andeur, Inc., its si'cressnrs or si.
sMiarips. and to use annaratus stiT>r.].V.-i ^
Grandeur, Inc., at rates not f-rrfi"*'
fftv ner rent of t'-e 1iw<'st rates from tir
to time cbarored hv Grandeur, fnc. to ar
otl^er licefsees, and o»Vi»'w!se on as '•■
orable terms as are pran+ed to anv r^i^
bVenseet a"d on or l^oforp the dat^ nf d
livprv of the Fi"1m r>»ben*"rec ar..» ri,cc
Stock be will cause thr rer»'fi'-at»s f ,
said storlc of Grandptir. Trr V»M »i>
new comoanv to be tranefo-^^d !"♦
name, an apnronriate notation of
aereement to be stamned I'oon *^r r^"
ficates for said stnrV and Gfa*id«ur, T'
to be given an annronriate notice of tl
existence of said agreement.
On or before such delivery date Mr. Fi
md Fijm, and Mr. Fox and Theaters, w
enter into written acTeements resncti^el
'o submit to arbitration tinder the Arh'tr
t'on Law of New York whatever claims,
any. Film or Theaters, or any snKoidia
-^f either of them, tnav have aeainst b!
'other than as above nrovided for> or he m;
"^a^'e acainst any of tbem. Tn »T-h rase o'
arh-'+pr shall t^e annointed bv Mr. For. O'
•^v Fi'm or Theaters, as the rase mav V.e_ ?
ter the e'ertion of the new boards of d'tr
*ors fontemnlated bv the Plan, and one
the two arbiters thus chosen, or in the eve
of their failure to agree, bjr
iTHE
f/FILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
\)L. LI No. 55
Thursday, March 6, 1930
Price 5 Cents
importation of Chinese Pictures Shows Increase
STOCKHOLDERS~STAND BY FOX
I
W-G-M to Alternate with Sono Art on Denny Films
An Observation
r-on national advertising
i^=.By JACK ALICOATE ^^^-^
.DVERTISING by the major
anpanies of this colorful and in-
t'guing industry in magazines of
I tional circulation may be the old
icCoy as far as selling stock is
cncerned but, when measured in
cllars and cents, comes far from
fling the seats of any theater at a
jven time and date. We have
aked several exhibitors from as
riny parts of the country during
te past few days what they
tought of this expenditure on the
i:rt of the big companies and all
Aire firmly of the opinion that this
loney might far more advantage-
lisly be spent in local tie-up, news-
j.per copy running day and date
A'th their play dates. It is stretch-
ig- the imagination close to the
leaking point to vision a happy
Imily sitting around the fireside
t d, after reading a full page mag-
cine advertisement selling the vir-
tes of "Show of Shows" at about
til grand a page, rushing for their
(llective hat and coat in haste to
lake the last show at the local
ijovie house that is on that day
iowing "Madame X."
Wanted: Better Music
■&0M OUR present seat way up
i the corner of the grandstand
^latching this magical and irresist-
ile cinema sound parade wend its
^eery way up the avenue we see
'ts weakest exhibit the surely
t unimportant department of mu-
Checking over the menu of the
list few months we find a great
lany fine and compelling pictures
d few, far too few melodies that
uld be remembered a half hour af-
r the picture was finished. "Music
th charms — " but there is music
d music and most of that which
: have been getting lately is any-
ing else but.
Companies Will Make One
Each; Dempsey Being
Sought for Lead
Contractual stipulations between
M-G-M and Sono Art-World Wide,
have been arranged whereby Regin-
ald Denny will divide his time be-
tween both companies. Denny re-
cently completed "His Dark Chap-
ter," first of a series of five for Sono
Art and now is scheduled to make
one for M-G-M. Negotiations are
under way to secure the services of
(Continued on Page 8)
M. A. LtOlNATCHAIN
NOW COMPLEIELYWIfiED
Memphis — M. A. Lightman circuit
of 25 houses located in Arkansas ncn
is completely equipped with sound
apparatus. The company recently in-
(Continued on Page 8)
Publix Cuts Prices After
Survey of Conditions
Rochester, Minn. — Following a
survey of local conditions by repre-
sentatives of the Publix home office,
Gordon C. McKinnon, manager of
the Chateau Dodge, has reduced ad-
mission prices ten cents for evening
(.Continued on Page 8)
Not Giving Up
Although the vote of Fox
stockholders yesterday was
greatly in favor of the Banc-
america refinancing plan, coun-
sel for the Stuart-Otterson in-
terests and the Trusteeship of
Dec. 3 intimated that they
would not gfive up, and that
they had other cards up their
sleeve to play against the con-
summation of the Bancamerica
plan as it now stands.
RICHEY DEFINES STATUS
OF NO. ORGANIZATIONS
Detroit — Clarifying the alliance of
the recently formed Co-operative
Theater Service Corp. and the M.P.
T.O. of Michigan, H. M. Richey, a
director of both organizations, stated
that while exhibitors may be mem-
bers of each, Cooperative operates at
(Continued on Page 8)
Sunday Pictures Win in
Humboldt (la.) Election
Humboldt, la. — Sunday movies
here were carried in a special elec-
tion by a large majority. Sound will
now be installed in accordance with
a promise made to the voters.
Chinese Films Only Shown in
Three Cities in U. S., Lee Says
GENERAL TALKING SUIT
SCHEDULED FOR MAY 19
Wilmington — Opening of the suit
filed by General Talking Pictures
Corp. against Stanley Co., charging
infringement on De Forest Phono-
film, has been set for Mav 19 by
Judge Morris of the District Court
here. Darby and Darby will repre-
sent General Talking Pictures, while
Western Electric, it is claimed, will
defend for Stanley.
Importation of Chinese films by
the U. S. is showing gradual in-
crease, THE FILM DAILY learned
in an interview with Harold L. Lee,
general manager of Chatham Sq.
Theater Corp., and also American
representatives for the Great Wall
Film Co., of Shanghai. Twenty-five
pictures were imported last year, an
increase of five over 1928 with ex-
pectations for the current year pro-
gram ever greater than last year.
Chicago, Los Angeles and New
York are the only cities in this coun-
try where these pictures are shown.
(Continued on Page 8)
Bancamerica Refinancing
Plan is Approved by
15 to 1 Vote
William Fox yesterday scored
a double victory when stockholders
of his two corporations, after a
long and stormy meeting, voted
about 15 to 1 in favor ot the re-
financing plan spnnsoreH hv the
Bancamerica group .vith the approval
of Mr. Fox.
It was a moral \ ictory anc a hla
personal tribute for M^. Fox, .n ad-
dition to the fact ihat, ualcoi thi.
Stuart-Otterson group have other
cards up their sleeve that they can play, it
means Mr. Fox will remain in control of
his companies.
Just as the meeting was being called to
order, word came that Judge Aaron J.
Levy had vacated the temporary order in
connection with the Fox "B" stock, thereby
making it impossible for Fox to obtain pos-
session of this stock to vote at the meeting.
As a result of this, the Fox directors held
a hurried conference and emerged with a
modification in the Bancamerica plan whereby
the proposed issue of preferred stock was
eliminated, thus ; equiring only the board
of directors' vote to pass the plan, and
obviating the necessity of a stockholders' vote.
The stockholders were asked to vote as
originally plaimed, however, in order to
record their attitude tor the guidance of Judge
Frank J. Coleman when he holds the next
(Continued on Page 7)
HISTORY IS REPEATING,
I WILLIAM FOX DECLARES
"History is repeating itself in this
fight," William Fox declared last
night in a statement to THE FILM
DAILY following the stockholders'
vote which resulted overwhelmingly
in his favor. "From 1909 to 1929 I
individually carried on a similar fight
against a group of men who at that
time were trying to create a monopoly
in the silent picture industry. If
they had succeeded, they would have
destroyed the incentive and initia-
tive of those who have since taken
part in building up this business. As
a result of that fight, the film indus-
try has been free of monopoly and
has been conducted on a competitive
basis which has made it possible to
(Continued on Page 8)
z:^^
DAILV
Thursday, March 6, 1930
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
\msi ■■I'll"""" '
Vol II No. 55 Thursday, March 6, 1930 Price 5 Gents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 24/^ 23 23 J4 800
Cun. Fm. Ind. .. 21^4 20J4 20J4 100
*Con. Fra. Ind. pfd 23 K
East. Kodak 22I/2 215}4 216/2 2,300
Fox Fm. "A" .. 36M 32/2 34/2 95,800
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 46-^ 43)4 44/2 21,700
♦Keith A-O 36
do pfd 105?i 105^ 105?i 200
Loew's Inc 705^ 69/2 69f4 3,200
do pfd. WW (6H) 99/8 99^ 99^ 100
•do pfd. xw (6}4) 88}^
'MGM pfd 25 J4
Para. F-L 69)4 68 68)4 21,600
Pathe Exch 3% 3)4 3)4 1,300
do "A" 8 TA 7/2 300
R-K-O 32J4 nVi iWi 2'0,800
*Univ. Pict. pfd 45
Warner Bros 69^ 67^ 67'/J 63,000
do pfd 60J4 59)^ 59)^ 800
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*BaI. & Katz 65
♦Columbia Pets 29!4
Fox Thea. "A" . . Hi 7^ 7% 11,900
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 34% 34 34 700
Loew Inc. war .. 13^ 13 13 54 800
♦Nat. Scr. Ser 24
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict ll'A 11/2 11/2 100
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-0 6s 46. 84 84 84 20
Loew 6s 4Iww . .114'A 114'A II4/2 20
do 6s 41 x-war.. 98 98 98 50
Paramount 6s 47 ..101^ 101 101 80
♦Par. By. 5J^s 51 101
♦Pathe 7s 37 49)^
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
BRYant 4712 STIlIwell 7940
J. E. Brulatour, Inc,
Chicago Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. 6700 Sama^Monica
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
>♦>•,••>♦,♦ •.♦f ,♦♦.♦♦.♦♦,♦♦.♦ ♦.t ♦>♦.♦♦••♦•♦<
Rothafel Designs Special
Program for Anniversary
S. L. Rothafel has arranged a spe-
cial elaborate program for the Roxy,
beginning tomorrow, in celebration
of the theater's third anniversary. In
addition to the screen attraction
"Such Men Are Dangerous," Lew
White and C. A. J. Parmentier will
render organ selections preceding the
especially designed stage show to em-
brace "Laugh Clown Laugh," to be
sung by Harold Van Duzee; "Pro-
cessional Religiose," "In a Jasmine
Garden," and last but not least "An
Anniversary Party."
Local S.M.P.E. Members
to Hold Informal Meet
Informal meeting of the S.M.P.E.
will take place tonight at the Engi-
neering Societies Bldg., 29 W. 39th
St., by the New York section of the
society, according to William Whit-
more, publicity chairman. The con-
fab is being held to manifest an in-
terest between semi-annual conven-
tions.
First National Signs 3
Actors for Starring Roles
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Three new stars have
been added to First National's roster
with the signing of Joe E. Brown,
Fred Kohler and Lila Lee. The trio
have appeared as principal players in
recent pictures produced by the com-
pany.
Reselling Mineola House?
Mineola, L. I. — Adam Ciccarone,
who purchased the Mineola for $ t50,-
000, is understood to be dickering
for the reselling of the house to New
York theatrical interests.
Nolan Leaves for Home
After making arrangements with
several equipment companies to rep-
resent them in Canada, Ambrose No-
lan, of the Avalon, Ottawa, last night
left for home. He will onen an
equipment office there shortly after
his arrival.
Warner Members to be Dined
Members of the Warner Club whi
performed in the show given by them
at the Chanin recently will be given
a dinner tomorrow night at Will
Oakland's Terrace.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
Charles Chaplin to Form
Own Company for Silents
It'cst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Adhering to his belief
that there is still a strong market for
inaudible pictures, Charles Chaplin
is understood considering the forma-
tion of a new company to produce
several silent pictures a year, setting
aside from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000
to this end. Plans are under way for
the erection of a new studio in San
Fernando Valley where Chaplin will
appear in pictures as well as direct.
He will also assemble several stars
it is said.
Mindlin Opens 450-Seat
Playhouse in Cedarhurst
Michael Mindlin, managing direc-
tor of the Fifth Avenue Playhouse
Group, Inc., New York, has opened
his first suburban house at Cedar-
hurst, L. I., under the name of Mind-
lin's Cedarhurst Playhouse. The the-
ater, which seats 450, will change its
programs on Wednesday and Sunday.
"Animal Crackers" Bought
for Four Marx Brothers
Paramount has purchased audible
film rights to "Animal Crackers,"
and have selected the Four Marx
Brothers, who are now appearing in
the play, to star in the screen ver-
sion. Production will take place at
the Astoria studios in about six
weeks.
Menjou Bound for U. S.
Paris — Adolphe Menjou, accom-
panied by his wife, is on his way to
New York aboard the Majestic. The
actor expects to remain in the United
States until September.
J. K. Adams in New York
J. K. Adams, New England man-
ager for DeForest Phonofilm, is visit-
ing the home office of General Talk-
ing Pictures.
Denny's First Due Next Week
Reginald Denny's first picture for
Sono Art, "His Dark Chapter," with
Miriam Seegar, Lucille Ward, Hai-
vey Clark and Charles Coleman, is
expected to arrive here next week.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPE RATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND]
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar. 7
Mar. 10
Mar. 11
Mar. 20
Apr. 1
Apr. 5
Apr. 6-7
May 5-8
May 25
June 2-7
Opening of "Case of Sergeant
Grischa" at the Globe, N. Y.
Opening of "Mamba" at the
Gaiety, N. Y.
Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in New York at 44th St. Theater.
Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc., at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park HoteL Washington,
D C.
Fox annual sales convention starts
to-day.
International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Fox Transfers Melcher
to Milwaukee Exchange
Omaha — Harry Melcher, local Fox
branch manager, has been trans-
ferred to Milwaukee. Hugh Rem-
mie comes from Milwaukee to suc-
ceed him here.
Rogers on Sales Trip
Budd Rogers, director of sales for
Sono Art-World Wide, has left on
a week's tour of Mid-West key cities.
Depinet Returns
Ned E. Depinet, First Nationl
sales manager, has returned from '■
two-weeks' vacation in Miami.
Pathe Hearing Opens
Public hearing on the Pathe fire
case began yesterday before Chief
Magistrate William McAdoo.
Q^JMADISON
Illinois Avenue Overlooking Boardwalk
and Ocean
"A Hotel Distinctively Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAL
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, Inc.
EUOENE C. FETTER, Managing-
Director
BUDDY ROGERS NEAR
ARREST FOR RIOT!
Pandemonium on Broad-
way as Personal Appear-
ance of PARAMOUNT
Star plus B. O. Draw of
"ROADHOUSE NIGHTS "
smashes PARAMOUNT
THEATRE, N.Y. RECORD
BY OVER 17,000!
NIGHTS-
with Helen Morgan, ^ha.
Ruggles and the new
comedy scream
JIMMY DURANTE
Paramoiint's sensational comedy
meloclratna shared record-breaking
honors with Rogers.
Parainoun t's song romance triumph
doing stattd out business at $2.00 at
Criterion, N. Y. Also in $2.00 Phila.
and Palm Beach runs — and 40 ace
theatres at $1.00.
THE BIG STARS!
THE UIG HITS!
PARAMOUNT
William Powell's powerful melo'
drama hit in ,5th S. R, O- week at
Rialto, New York.
Cientlenien be
^tf^^^Ttf^^J Hi and listen to what some
hard - boiled Philadelphia
reviewers have to say —
'^Pathe has brought to the screen a living,
vibrant story of minstrelsy in the super*
production 'The Grand Parade'. It seems to
be what the movie audiences want. That at
the Erlanger yesterday ate it up."
— Philciddphia Record
"A fine story has been provided for this pic-
ture. It has drama, pathos and comedy. There
is a pretty romance, too. This reviewer liked
'The Grand Parade' and can recommend it
as a pleasant evening's entertainment."
— Philadelphia Daily News
'A poignantly beautiful narration that will
appeal with powerful effect to the fathers,
mothers, sisters and brothers, and in fact to
every picture fan of today."
jyuii^^^i^u:
THE GRAND
PARADE
with HELEN TWELVETREES and FRED SCOTT
written and produced by Edmund Goulding. Directed by Fred Newmeyer
ALL MUSIC • ALL AUDIENCE • ALL BOX-OFFICE!
Ik PATHE 3lt
THE
•a&Hk
DAILY
Thursday, March 6. 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Singer Says Opera Will Gain
Greater Popularity on Screen
r^PERA has a social prestige
that the motion pictures will
never equal. But, in time, I sup-
pose— as we become more truly
democratic and the motion pic-
ture public becomes more edu-
cated in a musical sense — the
opera on sound film will be more
poplar than the opera on the
stage.
Grace Moore,
Metropolitan Opera Star
♦ * ♦
Only Mediocre Talent Hurt
By Sound, Says Barthelmess
'TTHE only ones to be driven
permanently from Hollywood
by the talkies are those who
were "hams" even when the
screen was silent. I believe the
talkies the greatest thing that
could have happened for the bet-
terment of the screen. They have
brought new actors, writers and
directors from Broadway. They
have made the public conscious
of superior entertainment. They
have brought a better opportu-
nity for serious stories. And I be-
lieve, too, that they have forced
the stage to produce better
things in order to compete with
the pictures.
Richard Barthelmess
* * *
Says Sound in Films Gives
Writer More Chance for Effect
'T'HERE are a thousand things
that the novelist cannot touch
because they cannot be put across
in narrative on a printed page.
There are several more thousand
things that a dramatist is forbid-
den because of the narrow limita-
tions of his three-sided room and
juggling of entrances and exits.
But the writer laying out script
for talking pictures has the reas-
suring knowledge that with
sound added to the enormous
flexibility of the silent picture
he can count on technicians to
get him any effect necessary for
his purpose.
Louis Bromfield, Author
On the basis of 6,000 feet to af
production, the 11,500 feature
films distributed from Jan. 1,
1915 to the present day, placed
end to end, would reach more
than half way 'round the world.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
R
UDY VALLEE pitched in with his services for the benefit
Aaron Reuben is organizing for crippled children at the
Majestic theater on March 16. Among those scheduled to wab-
ble at the aff^air, so far, are Jack Donahue, Lily Damita, Flor-
ence Moore and Gertrude Lawrence James Hall will
sparkle with Radie Harris next Monday over WMCA
George Abbott will soon leave for the Coast to continue picture
work
pLORENZ ZIEGFELD with his daughter, Patricia, will leave
for the West Bahamas where he has been ordered by hi-;
doctor. After resting, it is probable that Ziegfeld will hop to
the Coast to aid in the filming of "Whoopee." Frank
Tours, director of music at the Paramount Long Island studio,
is on the entertainment committee for the next Lambs' Gambol
So you judge how that department will be taken care
of
* * * •
UARRY MOSKOWITZ, assistant chief of Loew's engineer-
ing and construction department, now is cruising around
the various islands of the Bermudas, no, not the onion
Helen Twelvetrees was born in Brooklyn. That's nothing, well
now she is doino: her stuff in Pathp'« "Swing Hierh," catch on.
Peter Higgins on the next RKO hour again will broad-
cast "Molly," the song from "The Grand Parade."
pROM J. J. McCarthy comes word that tickets for John Mc-
Cormack's "Song O' Mv Heart" which opens at the 44th
St. on March 11, are rapidly being taken uo. Also that foreiqrn
critics and representatives will be on hand to cable their re-
views of the oremiere. Wonder what the "Dublin Journal" will
sav? "Onlv the Brave" with Gary Cooper and Mary
Brian will be ushered into the Paramount tomorrow
pATRONS of the Rialto today will be eiven a break to sec
Fannie Brice in U. A.'s "Be Yourself." Several well
known Broadwav stars are giving voice to the newspaoer humor
in Pathe's Talking Topics of the Day reel Yoo. aeain.
Paramount will feature the w.k. Four Marx Bros. This time
the opus will be "Animal Crackers," their current stage ve-
hicle
* * * •
W^ARREN NOLAN hops around so often that by the time
you read this he probably will be back in town after a
short trip to Detroit They tell me that the noise in 1560
is not from the RKO office, but the M. P. Club fellows still
talking about the Sharkey-Scott dancing lesson Why does
an exploitation man always pad the swindle sheet with newspaper
and stamp items?
MARCH 6-- MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Lee Guglick
Sam Corso
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
AN exchange manager in the Mid-
dle West, virrites Cameron Lenz
from Chicago, got tired of waiting
for a small-town exhib to remit for'
accounts long past due. So the man-i
ager wrote the theater owner a
strong letter. Back came this reply:-
Mr. Exchange Boss, Sir:
What you mean by sending me a letter '
like you wrote the fifth instance? I guess '
I know how to run my own business. ]
Every month I put all my bills in a ticket
Itox and then figure up how much I got
to pay. Then I blindfold my doorman
and he draws out as many bills as I got
money to pay. Now, if you don't like
my way of doing business, I won't even
put your bills in the ticket box.
Yours truly,
OLAF MURPHY.
* * *
EXHIBITOR— What's the delay
in drawing up that new contract withi
the revised arbitration clause in it?:
DISTRIBUTOR — We're waiting,
for a few of you exhibitors to give u&i
a sample of what kind of contract
you would want us to sign if we were
the exhibitors and you were the dis-
tributors.
* * *
Tom Meighan, at a premiere of one
of his pictures a few years ago wasi
being congratulated by his old pal.
John McCormack. The famous tenor
said he would be a happy man if he
could act like Meisrhan, and Tom re
turned the compliment bv declaring
he could wish for nothing better
than to be able to sing like McCor
mack.
So now that the distinguished tenor
has blossomed forth as a film actor
will Tom match him again by break
ing out as a warbler?
* * *
Eddie Onillan says he'd like t*
see: A talker without a backstaa^
scene, a director wearing lona vantt
a theme song mdnus the word "love,
an orchestra leader with a haircu
and a female extra who doesn'
smoke cigarettes.
And we'd like to see Eddie in i
victnre where he doesn't dance, pla-?
the sax or wear tvide college pants
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Producers not worried over ex
change situation existing betweei
Canada and United States.
* ♦ ♦
Goldwyn drops plan to open office'
in Australia.
New York delegates
Utica convention.
leave fo
Loew leases San Francisco Hi;
podrome for 15 years.
THE
Thursday, March 6, 1930
■s^n
OAILV
Stockholders Stand By Wm. Fox in Refinancing Plan
(Continued from Page 1)
earing to decide between a receivership or
1 refinancing plan. ...
An appeal from Judge Levy s decision was
ierved by Fox counsel yesterday aftenioon,
ind a hearing on this appeal is expected
io be held in a week or so. Meanwhile
Ir. Fox, as predicted, put in his vote for
he "B" stock held by the Bankers Trust,
nd Richard E. Dwight, counsel for the
rusteeship of Dec. 3 (which now includes
nly H. L. Stuart and J. E. Otterson, owing
a Mr. Fox having withdrawn), protested
Vlr. Fox's vote and turned in a ballot,
fn behalf of the trusteeship and for the same
hares, against the Bancamerica plan.
Although actual counting of the ballots
jnd proxies is not expected to be completed
efore late this morning, Samuel Untermyer
tated last night that out of a total of 602,-
,00 Fox Film "A" shares represented at the
leeting, 562.000 voted in favor of the modi-
ed Bancamerica plan, while more than 1,-
iOO 000 of the Fox Theaters "A" stock also
i-er'e for this plan. Of the "B" stock not
iwned by Fox or held by the Bankers Trust,
I big majority also was present and in favor
•i the Bancamerica proposal.
: Numerous heated clashes took place between
:ie Fox group and contesting factions. Mr.
i'ox himself, serving as chairman, was smil-
hg and calm except on several occasions
\rhen he was provoked, whereupon he flashed
>ut and invariably won his point. Among
he attorneys and representatives of stock-
jolders who enlivened the meeting by their
rguments were Clarence Berenson and Martin
I'onboy, representing small independent blocks
!f stock. Ridhard E, Dwight spoke in be-
lalf of the Stuart-Otterson trustee plan, and
;obert T. Swaine represented the Banca-
lerica group of bankers.
Emory R. Buckner, counsel for the stock-
nlders protective committee headed by Mor-
,n T. Stern, of .T. S. Bache & Co., and
epre'senting 350,000 shares of Fox Film
A" stock, made the ace speech of the day,
le substance of his argument being that, de-
jite the high cost of the Bancamerica plan,
is committee, after full consideration, had
pci'Ieil in its favor because it offered the only
nown alternative to a receivership.
Untermyer made the statement that Halsey,
tuart had not formed a syndicate to under-
■rite the securities proposed by them, and
lerefore could not cany their plan through
,-en if it were accepted. This drew a pointed
;ply from Bogue, wh,i declared that his
ients had the necessary funds available.
A recess of the Fox Film meeting was
iken from 3:45 to 6:30. Meanwhile the
iieeting of Fox Theaters stockholders was
leld. This proved to be just a short per-
jnctory affair, inasmuch as the amendments
ffecting the Theaters com.pany were not very
lateriai, and the modified Bancamerica plan
'as forthwith approved by a big majority
f the Theaters stockholders. Mr. Fox
nd Tack Leo together had proxies for close
-1 1,100.000 shares, it was stated.
At the evening session. Conboy challenged
le volea of the stockholders' protective com-
ittee, as well as those of Mr. Fox, T-eo, and
hers voting for the Bancamerica plan, and
(isipted that they be sworn according to law.
|his was followed by demand from the Fox
roup that a similar procedure be required
;-om Otterson, Stuart and others voting
fe:ainst the Bancamerica plan. Lawyers were
'xcepted from this formality.
The meeting was adjourned at about 9 p. m.
ir continuance this morning at 10:30.
As matters now stand, the overwhelming
ote in favor of the Bancamerica plan is
"cpected to have a favorable impression on
udge Coleman and cause him to vacate
ie receivership application in favor of this
^financing plan. What legal steps the Stuart-
Itterson faction will take in an attempt to
revent the plan from going through could
ot be learned last night. It is likely, how-
vey, that injunctions and other interferences
'ill be resorted to in due course.
Upon being asked how the Bancamerica
Ian could be carried out if the court does
ot allow Fox to recover his "B" stock
iwhich must be deposited with the Banc-
Imerica trusteeship under the plan), .Swaine
aid they would get around this by forminp
1 voting trust which would take charge when
he present one expires. Meanwhile the Fox
bmpanies would be refinanced. Regardinf
le contracts which Halsey, Stuart and Ot
?rson claim they hold with Fox, it was
;ated by Untermyer that these contracts
ould he denied and declared invalid by Fox
Should the coi.rt .sustain the Stuart-Ot-
•rson group in their claim on the Fox "B"
ock, they could, _ at the next annual meet
ig of Fox Film, in April, elect a new board
f directors to replace the present reffime
■y that time, however, the refinancing would
e all completed and there would be no need
for a new plan, Untermyer stated. In the
case of Fox Theaters, the present board ol
directors was held over at the last scheduled
election, in February, consequently a meet
ing could be called any time to elect a new
hoard for Theaters, but it is not believed that
the result of such action would mean a great
deal in itself.
Among the chief factors operating to the
disadvantage of the Stuart-Otterson plan was
the fact that their alternative proposal wa;
submitted too late for many of the stock
holders to obtain a copy and study it. Mean
while the Fox plan had drawn the bulk o.
supporters, particularly the holders of large
blocks of stock, leaving only a few_ smal
holders in opposition to the Bancamerica ar
rangement.
Untermyer, in a statement after last night's
adjournment, said;
"The stockholders, with all the facts be
fore them, have approved Bancamerica plai
and rejected the Halsey, Stuart plan by a
vote of about 15 to 1, leaving out the "B
stock. It is inconceivable, in the face o
such a verdict of stockholders, that Halsey
Stuart would want to go further with theii
tight or hang on any longer to Mr. Fox';
"B" stock. Mr. Fox and his companies in
sist that the contract of the voting trust ar
rangement was violated by Otterson and
Stuart."
The modifications in the Bancamer-
ica plan are outlined in the follow-
ing letter from Mr. Fox to the Banc-
america group:
"At the meeting of the stockholders of
Fox Film Corporation now being held, there
are held by proxies in favor of the approval
of the Plan of Financing embodied in your
letter dated February 11, 1930, the votes ol
the holders of a majority of shares of Class
A Common Stock but less than two-thirds of
the shares of Class B Common Stock. Ac-
cordingly, while your Plan will be approved,
it is apparent that the vote necessary to
create the 7 per cent Cumulative Convertible
Preferred Stock contemplated by the Plan
cannot be obtained.
"There have been received by the proxy
committee of Fox Theaters Corporation favor-
ing your Plan proxies upon a majority of
the shares of the Class A Common Stock of
said Corporation but as the voting power
in respect of the 100,000 shares of Class B
Stock will be exercised by Messrs. Otterson
and Stuart, Fox Theaters Corporation will
be unable to create the convertible debentures
as contemplated by the Plan.
"The Boards of Directors of Fox Film
Corporation and Fox Theaters Corporation
have considered the matter and propose to
you that the Plan of Financing embodied in
said letter shall Ije modified as follows:
"1. Instead of creating an issue of 7
per cent Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock and amending its Certificate of In
corporation as provided in Clause 2 of Para-
graph 1 of said Plan, and instead of an
oflering of such Preferred Stock as provided
in Paragraph 11 of said Plan, Fox Film
shall forthwith file the Certificate of In-
crease of Number of .Shares and Classification
of Shares and the Certificate of Increase of
Directors from eight to twelve authorized by
the meetings of the stockholders of the Cor-
poration held respectively September 16 and
September 19, 1929, and there shall be of-
fered to its stockholders for subscription, in
lieu of said Preferred Stock, 1,250,000 shares
of Class A Common Stock at the price of
$20 per share.
"2. The compensation of the Syndicate
which you have organized to underwrite said
offering of Preferred Stock shall be. in ad-
dition to the other compensations provided
by the Plan, 9 per cent, of the aggregate
subscription price of said Common Stock, of
$1.80 per share upon the number of shares
so offered.
"3. In lieu of the Ten-Year 7 per cent
Convertible Debentures to be created by Fox
Theaters pursuant to Paragraph 1 of the
Plan, Fox Thea,ters will create an issue of
$40,000,000, principal amount, of Ten-Year
7 per cent Debentures, redeemable in whole
or in part at the option of the Corporation,
at any time, at 105 per cent, of their prin-
cipal amount and accrued interest, and bear-
ing non-detachable warrants entitling the
holders thereof to purchase during the first
year, 10 shares of Class A Common Stock
for each $100 Debenture, at the price of $10
per share, and thereafter 7 shares of Class
A Common Stock of the Corporation at the
price of $15 per share. The Trust Agree
ment under which said Debentures and War-
rants shall be issued shall provide that the
Corporation shall in each year before paying
any dividends on its Class A or Class B
Common Stock, set aside all of its net earn-
ings up to the sum of $2,000,000, cumula-
tively, and in addition thereto, all proceeds
of the exercise of warrants, as a sinking
fund to be applied to the purchase of Deben
lures at not exceeding the redemption price,
and to the extent Debentures cannot be so
purchased, to the redemption of Debentures
Ihere shall be pledged as security for saiu
Debentures the Corporation's equity in the
stock of Loew's, Inc. and the stock held b.>
the Corporation in Fox Metropolitan Play
nouses. Inc., and Fox-New England The
aters, Inc.
"4. In lieu of the conditions specified ii
Clause 7 of Paragraph VIII of said Plan,
Fox Film and Fox Theaters will indemnity
and exonerate you and hold you harnilesL
trom and against all loss, damage, claim,
and expense, including counsel fees, because
of any action taken by you under the Plai
as modified and arising from any claim,
suit or other proceeding by any one claim
ing any preferential banking contract witli
eiiher Fox Film or Fox Theaters.
"Except as so modified, all the terms anu
conditions ot the Plan, including withou,
limitation all the conditions of your obliga
tions and the obligations of said syndicate, o.
any other syndicates which you may caus,
to be organized pursuant to the Plan, as i,e
forth in Paragraph VIII of the Plan, shal,
continue unchanged and unaffected.
"If those modihcations are accepted by you
the Plan as so modified shall be resubm.ue
to the stockholders ot Fox Film upon thi
reconvening of the stockholders meeting, am
as so modified will be submitted to the stock
holders meeting of Fo-x Theaters, and if th
Plan as so modified is approved by a ma
jonty vote of the stockholders present o
represented at said meetings. Fox Film wn
forthwith make the offerings pursuant to th>
Plan as so modified, to stockholders of recorei
March 7, 1930, the subscription period in thi
case of the Debentures to expire March 1,
and the subscription period in the case o.
the Common Stock to expire March 27, 1930,
and Fox Film will tender to you under tiu
Plan the Debentures and Common Stock noi
subscribed for by the stockholders at the
office of Bancamerica-Blair Corp., 24 Broad
St., New York City, on April 1, 1930, hav
ing complied with all conditions and obliga
lions on their part to be performed under uk
Plan."
The following memorandum, di-
rected to be annexed to the minutes
of the meeting of the board of di-
rectors of Fox Film held at 9:30
a. m. yesterday, gives the reasons for
rejecting the new Halsey-Stuart plan:
"In rejecting the plan of Messrs. Halsey,
Stuart, the board of directors have had in
mind, among other considerations, the fol-
lowing:
"1. The so-called trustees mentioned in the
eleventh hour Halsey, Stuart plan are H.
L. Stuart and John E. Otterson. H. L.
Stuart is President of Halsey, Stuart & Co.,
Inc. John E. lOtterson is President of
Electrical Research Products, Inc., subsidiary
of American Telephone & Telegraph Co.
(through the Western Electric Co.). That
plan will therefore be referred to as the
Halsey, Stuart-Telephone plan.
"2. 'The Board of/ Directors on Feb. 13
and Feb. 14, 1930 accepted a plan of financ-
ing submitted by Bancamerica-Blair Corpora-
tion, Lehman Bros, and Dillon, Read & Co.,
which was prepared by the Bancamerica-Blair
group at the earnest solicitation of the Fox
Corporation.
-3. The Companies have since been form
ally notified by the Bancamerica group that
all the cash requirements of the Bancamerica
plan have been fully underwritten, and that
plan has become legally binding on these
companies and on the bankers. The failure
of the Fox Companies to carry that plan
into effect would involve an immediate obliga-
tion on the part of the Fox Companies
of nearly $1,500,000.
"4. The presentation and acceptance of the
Bancamerica plan alone averted a catastrophe.
The companies became not only morally but
legally bound to that plan, subject only to
its approval by the stockholders, besides
which they are satisfied that it is the only
plan possible of consummation in view of
the situation that confronts the companies.
"5. The Halsey, Stuart plan is impossible
of consummation without the active consent
and cooperation of William Fox and the lat-
ter has refused and continues to refuse to
cooperate in any plan, the effect of which
would be to turn over control of the Com
panics to the Halsey, Stuart group. Mr.
Fox's refusal is based upon grounds fully
explained by him and that the Board believes
to be in the best interests of the Com-
panies. Among many other evidences that
have satisfied the Board of Directors of
this unselfish attitude on the part of Mr.
Fox, the board of directors understands that
he has recently refused to sell his Class
"B" stock in the Companies to the Halsey,
Stuart interests for upward of $15,000,000,
on the ground that he would not betray his
fellow stockholders. He feels that coopera-
tion by him in the consummation of any
plan, the effect of which would be to place
the control of these companies with those
interests, would be an equal betrayal on his
part.
"While Mr. Fox has agreed to transfer
his "B" stock to President Delafield, of the
Bank of America, President Howell of the
Commercial National Bank and Trust Com-
pany, and Bernard M. Baruch, as voting
trustees, in whose ability and fairness he has
confidence, the board of directors feels that
lie is fully justified in refusing to transfer
his stock to unnamed voting trustees to be
selected by the Halsey, Stuart interests.
"6. Halsey, Stuart is claiming preferential
contracts for 15 years on all financing of
the companies and is also claiming from
Fox Theaters Corporation the sum of $1,-
"10,000. which claims, the board of directors
is advised, are baseless, but which if the
Halsey, Stuart group secures control of the
companies it is likely to enforce. Electrical
Research Products is claiming that it has
a 15-year contract requiring the exclusive
use of its patented talking-picture apparatus
for Fox Film and the Theaters Corp. The
Companies claim on the other hand that the
electrical company has no such contract and
that they are free to purchase or lease ap-
paratus from competitors of the Electrical
Company. The board of directors is satis-
fied that one of the purposes of this effort
of the Halsey, Stuart interests to seize the
control of the Film and Theaters companies
is to secure the execution of such a con-
tract and to shut out competition, and for
other ulterior purposes that have been ex-
plained to us.
"7. In order to prevent any financing of
the needs of the I" ii and Theaters companies
and to bring ab-.i
.Stuart has threatene
alleged preferent--'
only against the ','
the Bancamerica
agreed to underts
receivership, Halsey-,
le '•nfoir';inent of !''eir
,-k; :'., contracts . 1 • *
■ but also agaii.
.■'<f\ that group '.lid
J .■:-.!!:Cnig).
Until the receipt of this 11-hour Hal-
sey, Stuart plan more than six weeks had
elapsed since receivership proceedings were
instituted and more than three weeks since
the Bancamerica plan was first submitted and
in the meantime neither Halsey-Stuart, nor
the so-called trustees had made any sug-
gestion whatever with respect to a plan except
the illegal plan submitted Feb. 17, which was
promptly rejected by the board of directors
and which the alleged trustees have since
sought to repudiate.
"9. Mr. Fox claims, and this board of di-
rectors believes, that he is justified in his
claim, that the trustees (Messrs. Stuart and
Otterson) not only long since abandoned
their trust but have actually violated it by
applications for receivership, the assertion
of unjustified claims against the Companies,
the presentation of an impossible plan and
efforts to prevent any financing of the com-
panies, except such as would vest control
of the companies in the Halsey-Stuart group.
"10. Since the acceptance by the companies
of the Bancamerica plan, the Bancamerica
group, in reliance upon that acceptance and
in order to prevent the disintegration of the
properties of the companies and a disastrous
receivership, have taken up more than $10.-
^ o onn of the companies' obligations.
"11. The Bancamerica-Blair plan was
mailed to every stockholder of the companies
more than two weeks ago, so that every
stockholder might have the opportunity of
studying it and reaching a decision before
voting on it. personally or by proxy. The
Halsey, Stuart plan, on the other hand (the
contents of which was first made known to
the companies last evening and is now for
the first time made known to their board of
directors), follows a plan presented by these
same interests Feb. 17. That plan was
promptly rejected by the board of both com-
panies.
"12. While the so-called Halsey. Stuart
plan may appear to be less expensive than
the Bancamerica plan, it must be borne in
mind that substantially all the securities to
Ite issued under either plan are to be offered
to the stockholders and that the difference in
cost, if any, will therefore be reflected in
enhanced values for the subscription riehts of
the stockholders: also that, if the suspicions
of the board of directors are justified, th"
nlacing of the Companies under the control
of the Halsey. Stuart interests will in the
long run be much more costly to the Com
panics and their stockholders than the amount
of any passible saving involved as between
the two plans."
DAILY
Thursday, March 6, 1930
HISTORY IS REPEATING
WILLIAM FOX DECLARES
(Continued from Page 1)
give the public the best entertain-
ment at the lowest cost. The win-
ning of the present fight again pre-
vents the entrance into the field of a
monopoly which the telephone com-
pany was trying to establish in talk-
ing pictures as a result of certain
patents they own. In the last two
months I had the choice at one time
of accepting $33,333,000 which was
oflPered to me if I would sell my vot-
ing shares to make possible this
monopoly."
M. A. Lightman Circuit
Now Completely Wired
(Continued from Page 1)
stalled De Forest equipment in the
Dunlap, Clarksville; Majestic, Stutt-
gard and Capitol, Newport, Ark.
Lightman is president of the M.P.
T.O. of America.
Publix Cuts Prices After
Survey of Conditions
(Continued from Page 1)
performances. Falling off of busi-
ness to an appreciable extent has
hurt box-office receipts. This was
followed by a check-up on conditions
locally which resulted in the decision
to revise the evening scale to 50
cents.
M-G-M Will Alternate with
Sono Art on Denny Films
(Continued from Page 1)
Jack Dempsey for the lead in "The
Big Fight," from the Belasco stage
play, which James Cruze will direct
for Sono Art.
With the announcement of Sono
Art-World Wide's 56 mm wide film
process, it is planned to make "Hon-
eymoon Lane" with the new process
early in April. Color also is being
considered for a number of new re-
leases, with no definite number yet
determined.
French Film Receipts Are
$28,000,000 for Last Year
Paris — Receipts of French film the-
aters reached approximately $28,000,-
000 in 1929. Paris houses accounted
for $8,000,000 of this total. Six mil-
lions went for taxes.
Report Publix Seeking
Strand in Providence
Providence, R. L — That the Strand,
a 2,200-seat theater, will be acquired
by Publix is reported in theatrical
circles here.
To Finance RCA Building
Construction of the 50-story RCA-
Victor Building at Lexington Ave.
and 50th St., New York, will be
financed by the General Realty &
Utilities Corp.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Cleveland — Vandals are again busy
here with stench bombs after a two
months' respite. Recent houses to
have been visited by the annoyers
are the Knickerbocker, Strand, Cine-
ma, Cedar and Gaiety. Since Sept.
1, approximately 30 theaters have
suffered from this unlawful act.
Akron, O. — The Allen is now be-
ing managed by Charles Sweitzer,
formerly at the Kent Opera House.
Joplin, Mo. — Work has begun on
the $400,000 house planned here. The
Midland chain has leased the house
for 20 years from the owners.
Washington — Reports to the U. S.
Dept. of Agriculture on two films,
"Mollie of Pine Grove Vat" and
Southern Cattle Yesterday and To-
day," used in the tick eradication
campaign have emphasized Ihe effec-
tiveness of this form of appeal, says
C. W. Warburton, director of Ex-
tension Work of the department.
Faulkton, S. D.— Levi F. Roberts
has signed for RCA Photophone
equipment for his New.
Newark, N. J. — Grand Pictures,
Inc. has been formed here with a cap-
ital of $50,000. Officers of the com-
pany are: Solomon Greene and Lee
Wolkenberg of Newark and Milton
J. Gross of Irvington.
New York
Jack Schwartz, owner of the New
Law, New 14th St. and Sunshine
theaters, is expected back in New
York from Florida Thursday. Ac-
companying him is Morris Needles
of the Park West.
Tom Hamlin, publisher of "Film
Curb," moves his office to the Film
Center Bldg. this week.
Bill Scully, \New Jersey managei
of M-G-M, returns this week from a
sojourn in Havana.
Bookers at the local M-G-M ex-
change are now wearing special tan
jackets. This is the first exchange
to have started a uniform wearing
apparel for its employees.
L. C. Wechsler, formerly with Uni
versal, has been appointed special
representative for the local Sono Art
World Wide exchange.
Irving Dashkin has joined Consol
idated Amusements as manager of
the New Arena.
Richey Defines Status of
Michigan Organizations
{Continued from Page 1)
a profit and the M.P.T.O., a non-
profit association depending on dues,
acts in behalf of the theater owner,
protecting him in his rights as such.
Cooperative, he declared, supplies ex-
hibitors with the service of experi-
enced men in the buying and book-
ing field, enabling them opportuni-
ties not in the constitution of the M.
P. T.O. However, Richey states, "If
Cooperative becomes a destructive
force, the M.P.T.O. will be the first
to condemn it as having failed in its
purpose."
Rialto at Omaha to be
Converted into Bus Depot
Omaha — The Rialto will soon be-
come a bus depot, it is announced by
the real estate interests ih control
of the house. The theater was
closed recently after Publix pur-
chased the Omaha holdings of A. H.
Blank of Des Moines.
Opens in Foreign Countries
Sydney — M-G-M's "The Holly-
wood Revue" had its premiere at the
new Roxy here and also at the Wel-
lington, Auckland, New Zealand.
IMPORTATION OE CHINESE
FILMS SHOWS INCREASE
(Continued front Page 1)
Exhibitors outside of New York can
secure these film through Lee on a
percentage arrangement.
Before Chinese pictures can be screened,
they must be passed by the National Board
of Review. American subtitles supplement
those in Chinese and are run that way in
theaters here. In Los Angeles a Chinese
vaudeville house is converted into a picture
house each time a picture is brought over.
An agent of Chatham in Chicago rents a;
theater in the heart of the city's Chinatown
every time a picture is available.
Duty tax for such pictures is charged at
the rate of one cent per foot, and each pic-
ture is about ten reels in length, Lee states.
"We must guarantee our Shanghai company
$250 on each picture imported and only gat
25 per cent profit over that figure."
In New York these pictures are shown
only at the Chatham, a 600-seat house in
Chatham Sq., on Sunday and Monday. Ad-
mission prices scale 25 cents for minors ana
50 cents for adults at all times. Lee, who
operates the house, says that nearly 1,500
people attend during the two days. Pictures
are advertised in a local Chinese newspapc.
and posters and photos received with th;i
print are used to decorate the front of the
iiouse. During the week, the house is farmed
out to a local exhibitor who runs American
films.
CLAXCY
LOST HIS
SHIRT
SEE X AT
1650 Broadway
LE VINE
New York City
iTHE
o/'FILMDOM
ikLLTHE NEWS
ALL TUE TIME
VOL. LI No. 56
Friday, March 7, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Western Electric Wins Two Points in Patent Suit
tox OT IS NOW uFto judgexoleman
Dep't of Commerce Names Foreign "trade Agent
Harvey Sheahan Appointed
Commercial Agent with
Office in New York
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — With a view to aid-
ing in the development of markets
for fihiis, the Department of Com-
nierce has appointed Harvey Shea-
han, of Wickford, R. L, as a com-
mercial agent with headquarters in
New York. Sheahan for several
years was Mexican representative for
American film interests and had
charge of distribution in Latin Amer-
ica, and his appointment to the new
post in the New York office of the
Department of Commerce is expected
to prove of great assistance to pro-
ducers and distributors. The Depart-
ment states that last year, through
the aid of this office, $6,000,000 in new
business was obtamed from the for-
eign field.
PUBLIX ATTENDANCE UP
TO 35,000,000 WEEKLY
Chicago — Weekly patronage for all
Publix houses during the past year
ncreased 6,000,000 over the preceding
irear when 29.000,000 people attended.
Of the 35,000,000 patrons weekly at
Publix theaters throughout the coun-
(Continned (m Pane 12)
IS
; TELEVISION PROGRAM
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Television programs,
broadcast by a combination of eight
orivate companies operating in eight
parts of the country and all con-
(.Continued on Pacir 12)
New Australian Ministry
to Continue Film Contest
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — The present Austra-
lian ministry has announced it will
rontinue the competition started by
the Bruce-Page government with a
(Continued on Paae 12)
R-K-0 REPORTS NET PROFIT
OF $1,669^4 FOR 1929
Net profits, after all charges, of
$1,669,564.25 are reported by R-K-O
in its annual report for 1929, made
public yesterday b)' Herman Zohbel,
treasurer of the compan\'. This com-
pares with a loss in 1928 of $45,743.39.
Total assets last year were $91,163,-
087.91 as against $71,397,699.36 in
1928. Current assets have increased
(Continued on Page 12)
Chi Engineers Get Wage
Boost in New Contract
Chicago — Local exhibitors and In-
ternational Union of Operating En-
gineers have entered into a two-year
agreement fixing salaries of Grade
"B" engineers from $50.40 to $70 per
(Continued on Page 12)
Fox West Coast Takes
Third in San Bernardino
IVcst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
San Bernardino, Cal. — Fox West
Coast Theaters has concluded nego-
tations with the San Bernardino The-
ater Building Co. for purchase of
(Continued on Page 12)
French Exhibitors Seek
Better Sound Projection
Paris — Aware of the importance of
good reproduction to the success of
talking pictures, distributors in
France have started a movement to
improve the quality of sound in the
(Continued on Page 12)
Matter of Opinion
Upon being queried by THE
FILM DAILY yesterday,
James R. Grainger said that the
endorsement given by himself,
Winfield Sheehan, Saul E.
Rogers, C. P. Sheehan and
John Zanft in favor of the Hal-
sey, Stuart & Co. refinancing
plan for Fox, was merely an
expression of employees who
believed this plan to be the best
one. Grainger said many of
his friends had bought Fox
stock on his recommendation
and he felt duty bound to favor
the plan which in his opinion
seemed most favorable.
SHEEHAN GOING TO COAST
WITH 50 PLAYS, STORIES
Having rounded up about 50 plays
and stories in New York as a starter,
Winfield Sheehan leaves in a few
days for the West Coast to confer
with James R. Grainger and Sol M.
Wurtzel on next season's lineup of
pictures for Fox.
728 Educational Films
in Germany Last Year
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington— A total of 728 edu-
cational pictures were viewed by Ger-
man censors during 1929, advices to
the M. P. Division of the Dept. of
Commerce states. This compares
(Continued on Page 12)
Delaware Court Dismisses
Injunction Against W. E.
Roberts Here for Confab
with Pathe Executives
Charles Roberts, general manager
of the Paris office of Pathe Interna-
tional Corp., has arrived in New York
for conferences with home office ex-
ecutives. Countries of Central Europe
■prefer dialogue pictures in their na-
ive tongue, but would also like Amer-
(Continued on Paae 12)
Wilmington, Del — Western Electric
and Electrical Research Products
won two points yesterday in their ac-
tion against the Stanley Co. for al-
leged patent infringement, based on
the use of Pacent equipment, when
the Federal Court for the District of
Delaware dismissed the alternative
defense offered by Stanley and at
the same time dismissed the request
(Continued on Page 12)
i
Stuart-Otterson Faction
Still Hopes to Block
B'^ camerica
In a much milder se,sion than
those of the previous day, and de-
spite protests from the groups op-
posing the Bancamerica plan, Fox
stockholders yesterday put through
the final formalities in connection
with their approval of this refinancing
arrangement as an alternative to re-
ceivership.
Official reports of Henry E.
Mendes and Carol F. Hall, inspec-
tors who directed the tallymg of
the stockholders' votes taken at the
Fox meetings on Wednesday, give
the final figures as 664,577 shares of
Fox Film "A", out of 696,602 repre-
sented at the meeting, and 93,745 "B"
shares out of 94,805 represented, in
favor of the Bancamerica olan,
while 32,025 of the "A" shares
and 1,060 shares of "B" voted against
the plan. Total outstanding stock of
Fox Film is 820,660 shares of "A"
and 99,900 of "B", and of Fox The-
aters there is 1,583 of "A" and 100,-
000 of "B".
(Continued on Page 9)
Fo;^ "'■ismstD
4 i CENT LAST YEAR
Salto oi rox pictures for 1929 show
an increase of 40 per cent over 1928,
according to an announcement last
night from the Fox offices. Current
sales also are running well ahead
of last year, and it is predicted by
\\'illiam Fox that the current year
(Continued on Page 12)
Lawyers Consulting
Upon being notified yester-
day of the favorable action
taken by Fox stockholders on
the Bancamerica group re-
financing plan, Judge Frank J.
Coleman said he would hold
conferences from day to day
with the attorneys of both
sides with a view to paving the
way for the next formal hear-
ing on the case.
^JXI^
DAILV
Friday, March 7, 1930
ALL THE MEWS
ALITHE TIME
mm ' " '
Vol LI No. 56 Friday, March 7, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publishir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. V., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Btersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editot, En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater' New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, KSO
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone GranCte
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolflfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
An. Seat 24 2iVz 2354 200
(on Fm. Ind. .. 21 20-H 20M 400
(\m. Fm, Ind. pfd. 23fi 23J4 23J4 200
Hast. Kodak 219 21S-/8 2177/8 3.800
Vox Fm. "A" .. 35'/. 3354 34^ -'./OO
Gen Thea. Equ... 45 43/^ 4454 20,400
-Keith AC J6 ....
*do pfd 105?8 ... .
Loew's Inc 74 69 /3'/8 l/..'"i'
<lo pfd. WW (6^) 991A 9914 99% 600
do pfd. xw (6/3) 87 87 87 100
-M-G-M pfd 25M
l'.i,-a F-L 69'^ 6S'A 69-/. 18,800
I'athe Exch 4 354 4 1,800
,1„ "A" 7M 7K' 7'A 200
U-KO 32^ 307/8 32 21.400
fniv. Pict. pfd. . 55 '4 55 Jd SS'4 2.000
Warner Bros 695i 67-4 6STi 5.!.00('
,1„ pfd 60.^8 59 eO-yj; 401
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
*Columl)ia Pets 29^2 ....
Fox Thea. "A" .. 85^ 7H »'4 iOMv
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
I,oew do deb. rts.. 37 335i 37 -tOO
I.oew, Inc., war . 13?^ 13!2 1.>'8 •'<0(i
'Xat. Scr. Ser 24
* Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 13/2 13/2 13 '2 10!
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith AG 6s 46. 84 84 84 20
Loew 6s 41ww ..116 114;^ 116 340
do 6s 41 x-war.. 98}4 98 98^;, 20
Paramount 6s 47 .10154 lOOf/i 101 ,'4 7(i(
"Par. By. S>/is 51 101
♦Pathe 7s 37 4954 •
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
♦> *J
if New York Long Island City t.t
if 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. i.t
M BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940. ;.t
if if
^ :.:
I Eastman Films |
l{ J. E. Brulatoiir, Inc. |
tf
if
if
if
if
if
it:
Chicago Hollywood ♦'{
1727 Indiana Ave. "00 Santa^Monica g
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 t^
Believe Theater Deal on
Despite Owner's Denial
Torrington, Conn. — Despite denials
by the owners of the American
House, that New York theatrical in-
terests were negotiating for the prop-
erty, the deal is understood to be
near comsumniation. Representatives
from various companies have been
here inspecting the house and all
that remains is the signing of the
contract.
Holds Trade Show at Carnegie
A short subject trade showing wa?
held by Educational at the Little
Carnegie Playhouse yesterday. A
buffet luncheon preceded the screen-
ing. The program included "He
Trumped Her Ace" and "Alatcli
Play," both Mack Sennett comedies.
McCormack to Attend Premiere
John McCormack will be among
the audience at the opening of his
first picture, "Song O' My Heart,"
at the Fortv-fourth St. Theater, New
York, March 11.
Hollywood Theaters Formed
Wilmington — Hollywood Theaters,
Inc. has been formed here. Tlie
comiianx- will operate picture houses.
African Film Screened
"The Black Journey," through the
courtesy of Georges Marie-Haardt,
explorer, was shown last iiight al
the Little Studio in the Warner
Bldg. The picture tells of an expe-
dition going through the African
jungle and was shown to persons not
actively interested in motion pic-
tures.
Marcus to Coast
Lee Marcus, executive vice-presi-
dent of Radio Pictures, leaves to-
morrow for the Coa^-t on a business
trip. He will be gone two weeks.
AMPA Directors to Get Report
Report on 'salacious' motion pic-
ture advertising, prepared by Maurice
D. Kami, .\rthur Jame> and Frank
W'ilstach, \\as read before tiie AMP.A
yesterday and will be presented to
the board of directors at a meeting
scheduled this Tuesdav.
Tiffany's "Mamba" Sign
TifiauN' claims that the electric sign
letter for "Mamba" over the Gaiety,
where the picture opens Monday, are
the largest ever seen on Broadway.
Each letter is said to be over 16 feet
in length.
Fire Does $4,000 Damage
Piedmont, W. Va.— A $4,000 dam
a^c was suffered b\- Lloyd Liniger.
when the Majestic recenth was
gutted by fire.
Kooler-y^ire
SILENT PARTNER OF
THE TALKIES
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOU^JT BUILDING
Vitaphone Sales Manager
on Trip to Exchanges
Paul J. Swift, general sales man-
ager of Vitaphone Corp. yesterday
left, on a short visit to several of the
company's exchanges.
Releasing Educational Film
X'isugraphic Pictures, Inc., will
soon release "Bringing the North
Pole Down South," an educational
picture.
Warners Buy Herbert Operetta
Another Victor Herbert operetta
has been acquired by Warner Bros,
with the purchase of talking picture
rights to "The Serenade."
Vacation for Andrews
Boston, Alass. — LeRoy Andrews,
supervisor of projection and main-
tenance for Netoco in New England,
leaves this week on a two weeks' va-
cation in Florida.
Normand Leaves Large Estate
llrsi Coast Bureau. THE FILM VAILV
Lt)s -Angeles — Mabel Normand's
estate is valued at between $100,000
to $300,000. All her property has
been left to her mother.
Erlanger Buys Philly House
Philadelphia — A. L. Erlanger has
taken over the Broad St. from Stan-
Icy Co. of .America. The Erlanger
and Garrick here are also controlled
ii\ the purchaser.
Rename Vancouver House
\'ancouver, B. C. — Beacon is ilu
new name of the former Pantages.
Other Canadian Pantages houses
also will have names changed.
Can. Magnascope Installations
(Mtawa, Ont. — J. P. Nolan is usiiif-
•Magnascope and a wide screen at the
.\valon. "Gold Diggers of Broad
way" was first attraction. Wide
screen equipment has also been in-
stalled at the Centre.
Hold-Up at Winsor
Windsor, Ont. — David Krendal, as-
sistant manager of the Capitol was
held up and robbed of $1,500 re-
cently, but the money was later found.
Rebuilding At Arnprior
Arnprior. Ont. — M. J. O'Brien,
Ltd., is rebuilding the Arnprior re-
cently taken over from the .Aliens.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Opening of "Case of Sergean
Grischa" at the Globe, N. Y.
Mar. 10 Opening of "Mamba" at thi
Gaiety, N. Y.
Mar. 1 1 Opening of "Song O' My Heart'
in New York at 44th St. Theater.
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.P
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr. 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at
New York house, not yet decidei
upon.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and baj
of the Warner Club, Inc., at th
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M
P.T.O. at Memphis.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at th
Wardraan Park Hotel, Washingtor
D C.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention start
to-day.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Movietone News Interesting
Prohibition subjects highlight th
current Fox Mpvietone News wit
other happenings also manifestin
considerable interest. Berry Ala
Xiedfelt, 4, whistles with her tonsi
and Kaye Don is shown in his racini
car, the Silver Bullet.
Two Columbia Films Honore
National Board of Review h;
.■elected "Vengeance" and "Persoi
alit\" for the Photoplay Guild (
popular entertainment for Marcl
I'xilh are (.'olumbia pictures.
Copman with F. N.
-Minneapolis- — Lew Copman, foi
Micrly with Warners in South D;
kota. has succeeded Carl Elbert, t
handle l-". .\. sales in northern Alir
nesota territory.
McAuley Returns to Chicagc
J E.. McAuley of the Mc.Aule
Manufacturing Co. returns to CI
cago today after a brief business trf
to New York.
SALESMAN WANTED
Must be experienced in show
business.
Box Office Boosters, Inc.
37 West 23rd Street
GRAmercy 0731
FOR RENT
ANIMATED CARTOON STUDIO
FULLY EQUIPPED
with lighted cartoon stands, Cooper-Hewitt lights,
camera stands, camera, piano and everything neces-
sary for the production of animated sound cartoons.
Will Make Very Reasonable Proposition
CHARLES B. MINTZ
25 West 4:)th Street BRYant 9178
THE
\ ?riday, March 7, 1930
s^E^
DAILV
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
ack Oakie Gets Contract
I to Star for Paramount
% t Paramount has signed Jack Oakie
li \) a starring contract. First vehicle
nder the new arrangement will be
I High Society," which will go into
roauction within the next few days
t nder direction of Edward Suther-
t .nd. Mary Brian and Skeets Gal-
Lgher are also in the cast.
4 U" Buys "East is West"
1 as Lupe Velez Vehicle
'' \ Universal has purchased Samue.
hipman's stage play "East is West'
3 the next starring picture for Lupe
elez.
Pathe Signs Mary Lewis
Mary Lewis, Metropolitan Opera
.ar, has been signed by Pathe to
lake one picture for the company,
he contract, according to E. B.
»err, executive vice president in
large of production, was made ver-
ally and photographed and record-
1 upon sound films
All Technicolor for Miller
Marilyn Miller's second starring
ehicle for F. N. will all be madt
i Technicolor. The former Zieg-
:ld star will arrive here in about a
lonth to start work on her next pic-
are, as yet undecided upon.
Columbia Signs Murray
Columbia has signed Charlie Mur-
ay and George Sidney for roles in
Around the Corner." The picture
irill be under the co-direction of
5ert Glennon and Patterson McNutt.
Bow Picture Started
Clara Bow has started work in
True to the Navy," in which Fred-
ric March plays opposite her. Frank
Tuttle is directing.
Preparing "Whoopee Girl"
Victor and Edward Halperin are
reparing to film "Whoopee Girl," at
;he Metropolitan Studios. Judith
iiarrie will be starred.
j Martini Makes Screen Debut
i| Nino Martini, Italian tenor, makes
[lis screen debut in "Paramount on
[Parade" in which he sings "Torna a
!>orriento,"
of Philadelphia
of Washington
UP
^aOBJToR
of New York. Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of -1,600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
jouinals in the in-
dustry — Keeping
everlastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
lEMANUEL-GOOOWlN PUBLICATIONS
I > New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
|Ma n Oftice. 219 N BROAD ST., PHILA.
A Little
from '*Lots''
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
CIGMUND ROMBERG and Oscar
Hammerstein are busy writing two
new songs for the European version
of "Viennese Nights," their first
operetta for Warner Bros., now
nearing completion.
:)< * 4<
William Beaudine, who is com-
pleting his contract with First Na-
tional, is seriously considering free-
lancing, although he has two long-
tei-m offers. During the past year
he directed five specials for First
National.
* « «
Donna Grant, the chorus girl with
the remarkable memory, who is no
relative of "Mr. Sims of Seattle,"
jues actors on Billie Dove's "One
Night at Susie's" set.
* * *
Speaking of relatives, Harry Red-
mond and his son. Bill, are dynamite
experts at First National.
* * ♦
"Hank" Arnold is authority for
the statement that there are 14 dup-
licates of the famous Ronald Colman
moustache in the Colman unit, which
is making "Raffles." The owners
of the moustaches include George
Barnes and Gregg Toland, the cam-
eramen; Sidney Howard, the play-
wright; Louis Bromfield, the novel-
ist; "Lucky" Humberstone, assistant
director, and nine other members of
the unit.
* * *
Ad Schaumer, veteran basketball
player, is teaching the fine points
of the court game to Dixie Lee and
other Fox contract players, who
will participate in a basketball garne
in one of the forthcoming Fox pic-
tures.
Bennett Starts "Radio Kisses"
With the completion of "Honey-
moon Zeppelin" Mack Sennett has
started production on "Radio Kisses,"
featuring Marjorie Beebe and George
Duryea. Sennett's new color process
will be used for the first time in this
picture.
"Rosalie" for Marion Davies
Ziegfeld's "Rosalie" will serve as
Marion Davies' next picture for M-
G-M. The musical comedy will be
adapted by Gene Markey.
Fox Signs Stage Director
Fox has signed Gutherie McClin-
tic, stage director, to direct "On
Your Back," Rita Weiman story.
Howard Green is writing the adap-
tation while Geo. Middleton will act
as associate producer.
HLM CENTER BLDG.
44-^" ST. 9TH AVENUE ^5'"" S'^^'
Over 90% rented
Designed for
the film Indus-
try
74 windows to
a floor
3 street front-
ages
Near "L" and
subway sta-
tions
Fireproof
vaults
Projection and
Inspection
Rooms
Unequalled
shipping facili-
ties
Exceptional-
ly low insur-
ance rates
MANY
MORE AT-
TRACTIVE
FEATURES
AT NO
MORE
RENTAL
T UNLESS you are lo-
cated in this build-
ing you will miss its
many advantages for
the quick, efficient and
economic handling of
your business.
And unless you act
q^^^'ckly you may miss
tr. cm forever, for there
is no other building
like it anywhere.
Call at the building or send for illustrated booklet
GROSS & BROWN COMPANY
AGENT
270 MADISON AVE. Tel. Caledonia 7000
FILM CENTER, Inc.
Owners and Builders
ABE, N. ADELSON, President
^A/armr Bros. Alelodioi
nother Caravan of Neu
Romance of Covered Wagon Uays ^ ^
oCacked houses at Warner
Bros. Theatre where "Song
of the West" is playing to
capacity at $2.00 top— attest
to the pubUc demand for
something different in enter-
tainment. This great epic of
the plains in glorious song
and story — All outdoors —
All Technicolor — ofiers an
unprecedented opportunity
to reap a golden harvest of
dollars — right now — while
the demand for Western
Entertainment is at its peak.
•
Available to You Now —
Day and Date With
Broadway!
*
Backed by Tremendoxis
National Advertising
Campaign!
«
UNIQUE SONG HITS
"Come Back To Me"
"The One Girl"
"West Wind"
"Hayfoot, Strawfoot"
"Vitaphone" is the registered trade-mark o( The
Vitophone Corporation designating its products
golden Hits on the way
GRISCHA 'r"&'.^
PiCTLRES
A Fabulous Fortune Stoked on the Genii
of Brenon and the INTELLIGENCE of theotr
goers throughout the world • • • AND RADI
DELIVERS!
Reg. U. S.^ Pot Off.
IKE BOMBSHELL . . .
ATION STEEPED IN FROTH
Clicks Off Amazing Gross First Week
RKO Woods OS Chicago Reels Before
Dramatic Dynamite • . • Baltimore and
Washington Records Go By Boards in
Terrific Assault • • • Stupendous He-man
Show Amid a Welter of Fluff and Pansies.
HERBERT
BMMOHS
MIGHTY BID FOR GOLD MEDAL HONORS
THE CASE or
CHESTER
MORRIS
BETTY
COMPSON
JEAN
HERSHOLT
ALEC B. FRANCIS . . . GUSTAV VON SEYFFERTITZ . . . AND A
SWEEPING HOST OF S U P E R - N U M E R A R I E S
z^m
DAILY
Friday, March 7, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
J. L. Warner Sees Director
Of Silent Era Holding His Own
npHE revolution that shook the
industry with the introduction
of Vitaphone found directors
equal to the new tasks imposed
on them. Today, more than two
years since the making of "The
jazz Singer," the old, silent film
directors are still in command of
the situation. Of course a num-
ber of capable stage directors
have since entered the field, but
they are quite in the minority.
J. L. Warner, Vice President
in Charge of Production,
Warner Bros.
* • *
Thinks American Films
Are Technically Supreme
'THE movies are a mechanical
medium. However question-
able much of Hollywood's output
is from a strictly artistic point of
view, the absolute supremacy of
Hollywood's mechanical contriv-
ances is not to be denied. It was
Europe's lack of production fa-
cilities that made so many of the
silent films from across the wa-
ters something of a trial.
James Gow in "The World,"
New York
^i * *
Talkers Are Held Ideal
For Operatic Productions
TT has been proved by such pro-
ductions as "The Love Pa-
rade" and "The Vagabond
King" that the talking screen is
an ideal medium for the produc-
tion of operatic comedy. There
is no reason that grand opera
with its tragic masque — but with
an English libretto, an American
setting and jazz score — slunild
not succeed as well. I beheve
that Hollywood will produce the
composer who will write the
great American jazz opera for
the reason that it has become
the home and working place for
a majority of the nation's most
famous composers.
W. Franke Harling,
American Composer
"Gentleman Jim" Corbett, for-
mer heavyweieht fistic cham-
pion of the world, is accredited
as being the first motion picture
actor to have been signed un-
der contract.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr,
^LAIRE WINDSOR has been here a coupla days and between
her shopping manages to find time to listen to some patter
from B'way producers. The girl has that yen for the stage and
in the event the footlights don't get her, she is scheduled to
return to the Coast They tell us Carl Laennnle Jr. will
be in New Yawk for the premiere of "King of Jazz."
Have you seen Jolson? He'll be here any day now
TD ICHARD DIX has returned to the Radio lot after hiking
mountains and such. Just a rest' after his latest "Lovin' The
Ladies." Radio just completed a tie-up with Sanborn
Coflfee, Inc Wonder who'll be called the "Big Bean Man."
Alex Grosset, and the other half is Dunlap, after seeing
"Grischa" ordered a large run of the photoplay editions
"Rosalie" will be the next M-G-M has for Marion Davies
Adaptation by Gene Markey
VOU won't be surprised to hear that M. Witmark & Sons are
publishing the sheet music for "Song of the West," but some
of the hits are the work of Grant Clarke and Harry Akst
Don't call A. P. Waxman at the Warner office tomorrow as he
leaves for the Coast "Hit the Deck" will grace the
screen at the Hipp beginning Saturday Who's the fellow
that wanted to know if he needed a tuxedo to see "Puttin' on
the Ritz" ? Ask George
AT the Capitol today the stage revue will be "Days O' Yore"
with feature, "Lord Byron of Broadway." Yasha Bunchuk
will conduct the orchestra through "Tschaikowakiana" a com-
pilation of several melodies of the noted Russian composer. Jack
Barnstyn of World Wide Publishing Co. received hisi first copy
of "Slightly Scarlet" hot from the press. Famous is releasing
the feature According to Jack 100,000 was the first run,
maybe there was more?
"gE YOURSELF" sed Fannie Brice at the Rialto while War-
ner Baxter came back with "Such Men Are Dangerous" at
the Roxy, which goes to prove that "Sally will be at the Strand.
See the bunch tomorrow, pictures of course Well
some of the head men from Germany are coming over, but it
will be a colorful hut sound affair, they say We'll now go
into our daily dozing
MARCH 7-- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Colette Merton
mi
Jack Setchen
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
W/'ILLIAM FOX was surroundec
*^ by congratulatory handshaker
after the stockholders' vote whicl
gave him a majority of steen to one
He had to do so much mitt-squeezin;
that his right paw was on the way t
being ground into pulp.
"Doesn't your arm hurt from a^
that handshaking?" Phil asked him.
"Yes," Bill smiled, "but I feel bet
ter in other places to make up for it.
* * +
HAROLD LLOYD (Picking u
ticker tape): I'm ruined!
BENNY RUBIN: What's the ma-
ter, did you sell Paramount short ?
HAROLD: No, I just remembcre
that my wife wrote me from th
country yesterday to send her ,'
ribbon by special delivery.
* * *
Hazel Hairston used to be a got
cinema ivriter down on the "Hon
ton Chronicle." Then she got th
bug to go into pictures. Havin
heard that Hollywood ^vas the plcu
for film aspirants, she hit out fc
New York. In due course she foun
herself among the extras for "Dai
gerous Nan McGreiv" at Part
mount's L. I. studio. It cured h«
film ambition, but she wrote thn
articles about her experiences fc
the "New York Telegram,," in whii
she was pi'etty nice to Mai St. Clai
Eddie Baldwin, Sol Tepper, ai
other members of the studio gaw
Now she plans to stick to the typ<
writer side of the picture industn
* * *
"I see where John Eberson has ;
radio on that classy new car of lii'?
pipes Cameron Lenz while stoppi"
over in Milwaukee to change tirr
and find out what happened to Schli 1
"That puts my car in the same cl?
as his, because I have a radio ttl
Every night I make my wife, pri
fessionally known as Celia Lloj*
drive the car while I do some tuniii
in. Last night, feeling a pain in n'
jaw, I sez to her, 'Celia, I think I'
getting neuralgia.' And she repHi
'What's the use? We wouldn't u
derstand their language.' "
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DA
IN
Froham Amusement Corp. i
creases capital stock from $500,000
$1,000,000.
* * *
Two $500,000 damage suits fil
against Hodkinson, Collins ai
others.
* * *
Vivian Martin Pictures formed he
with capital of $2,500.
THE
Friday, March 7, 1930
jg^
DAILY
Newspaper Opinions
i "Puttin' on the Ritz"
United Artists
Earl Carroll, New York
i AMERICAN— The photography is excel-
lent but the colored sequences nothing to
ijrag about. Everything considered, Harry
i^ichman and Irving Berlin hold a field day
h "Puttin' on the Ritz."
! DAILY MIRROR— Excellent acting, fin
shed dictation and a beautiful production
old up a rather conventional story. A tech
,icolor sequence, "Alice in Wonderland" is
[harming.
I DAILY NEWS — * * * all-around swellest
ulkie-singie of the back-stage type to reach
jtroadway. * * * Boy, O boy, will this one
jlean up at the box office — and rightfully I
[ EVENING JOURNAL—* * * an enter-
lining piece built on the by now very fa-
liliar backstage formula. Had it come be
pre the deluge of similar plots it would be
lore novel. Richman's voice records ef
pctively and he puts oVer his songs well.
EVENING WORLD— You might wonder
ihat makes "Puttin' On the Ritz ' tick, but
bu'll probably agree that it has an enor-
lous box office appeal.
GRAPHIC — The production is not only
iceptionally good entertainment, but it is
le of the best of the "hoofer" talkies which
ive been released, and that includes the
>lson vehicles.
' I HERALD-TRIBUNE—* * * tuneful, strik-
' igly staged and well acted film musical
I [imedy that is not particularly helped h\
. IS nominal star. There is nothing preten
pus about it, save in production, yet dc
'! [lite Mr. Richman and a narrative that is
(I pither novel nor important, it manages tu
I t rather good entertainment.
i; POST — * * 'remarkable to say, "Puttin
j jn the Ritz" is that rare type of entertain-
lent which gains measurably in speed and
It tterest as it goes along, and its resource
\ ul display of showmanship, its imagina
Wely handled scenes, its lively tempo, its
Ming, its songs, dances and settings wert
'I limulatively responsible for the audience';
II firestrained enthusiasm.
■I SUN — * * * the producers have spared m
;pense in "Puttin' On the Ritz" and it maj
; described as the most handsomely mouiiiei
1! Ikie production of the most typical talkit
11 ory.
)i TELEGRAM—* * * a good picture aiu
j[ le that you should make it a point to see
t :cause you will enjoy it.
li TIMES — With charming music and lyric;
prnished by Irving Berlin, the presence o
• »e talented Joan Bennett, and effective sing
p: g by Harry Richman. "Puttin' On thi
i, ,'tz," well deserved the favor with which it
■ as received by a large audience. It is ;
m that possesses that much sought-aftei
' gredient — good entertainment.
' I WORLD — Toward the end of the picture
kere is a peculiarly bright spot. In a Tech
, fcolor sequence depicting a stage show, th
iiaracters of "Alice in Wonderland" comi
:> life. Though, they are envisioned in the
, iiusical comedy manner, yet in the grotesque
- hnny little creatures, there is a distinguish-
ple breath of the fresh and clean imagina
on of Lewis Carroll.
Decision on Fox Case Now
Up To Judge Frank Coleman
(Continued from Page 1)
To Handle Devices
Wilmington — • Somerset Amuse-
'.[lent, Inc., listing capital at $25,000,
as incorporated and will handle de-
ices of all kinds.
I Publix N. J. Theaters, Inc.
I Wilmington — Publix New Jersey
rheaters, Inc., is a new company
armed here to operate houses in the
tate of N. T.
Remove Stores for Theater
Nashville, Tenn. — A portion of the
uildings on Church St., will be re-
loved to allow for the new Publix
ouse to be erected here.
In the case oi Fox Theaters, the count
was 987,516 "A" shares, out of 1,105,387
represented at the meeting, and the entire
100,000 shares of "B" stock in favor of the
plan, and 99,338 shares of "A" stock against
it. This gives Fox a majority slightly
under the 1 5 to 1 mentioned in the first re-
port Wednesday night. The final count,
according to Vice-president Jack Leo, ex-
cludes about 50,000 pro.xies (or the Banca-
merica side which were left out because they
appeared questionable. A big batch of prox-
ies received yesterday morning also could
not be voted because they arrived too late.
Tlie inspectors stated that the votes for
the 50,101 shares of Fox Film "B" and the
100 shares of Fox Theaters "B" held by the
Bankers Trust, had been counted in favor
of Mr. Fox because "on examination of the
certified list of stockholders as of the record
date, March 1, 1930, we find that William
Fo.x is the owner." This stock had been
voted on two ballots, one by both Mr.
I'ox and the other by John E. Otterson ana
H. L. Stuart as trustees under the agree-
ment of Dec. 3. The inspectors further
stated they had received proxies purporting
to be executed by Bankers Trust, as attorney
for Mr. Fox, in iavor of Stuart and Otter-
son, in respect of the "B" shares, but ex-
cept as mentioned above they had not re-
ceived any ballots signed by Stuart and
Otterson or by any other parties as attorney,
and proxies for Mr. Fox.
Richard E. Dwight, counsel lor the trustee-
ship of Dec. 3, entered protest against the
votes on the ground that a majority of the
trustees (Otterson and Stuart) had the right
to the count of the "B" shares. Dwight said
that Otterson and Stuart had voted this
stock in pursuance of Judge Aaron J. Levy's
action in refusing to grant a restraining
order to Mr. Fox. Samuel Untermyer re-
plied that Judge Levy merely had ruled on
the injunction and there had not been time
to go into the legal aspects involved as to
who was actually qualified to vote the stock
at this time.
Martin Conboy, representing an independent
block of stock, also had his protests against
the votes placed on the record. Another
protest was made by Dwight with respect to
the adjournment of the meeting. Dwight
contended that the meeting could be adjourneii
only by the action of "B" stockholders.
He then raised the point about the four di-
rectors that were to be elected under the new
agreement.
The meeting of Fox Theaters, at 1 :15 p. m..
was just a formality lasting but a few minutes.
Through misunderstanding, part of the Stuart-
Otterson forces and some others, who were
under the impression that the Theaters meet-
ing was to take place at 1 :30, appeared on
the scene after everything was over. Fol
lowing the short afternoon session. Fox di-
rectors held a closed meeting, and it was
the understanding that a report of the stock-
holders' action would be immediately trans-
mitted to .judge Frank J. Coleman, who in
turn is expected to call another hearing,
either today or as soon as he can arrange
it, on the receivership application, which the
Judge said he would dismiss upon proof
that a refinancing plan satisfactory to the
Fox directors was approved by the stock-
holders.
Halsey, Stuart's Statement
Although the Stuart-Otterson side did not
make known any development yesterday
whereby they hoped to prevent the Banca-
merica plan from being put into effect, the
general sentiment in this camp was that
difficulties were bound to result. Counsel
for Halsey, Stuart stated they did not see
how the Fox situation was clarified by the
action taken at the stockholders' meeting and
thought that, rather than clarifying the situa-
tion, the action taken had confused the situa-
tion more than ever. They stated their doubt
that the Bancamerica plan, which provided
for a voting trust radically different, could
be made effective as long as the trust agree-
ment between Fox, .Stuart and Otterson was
a valid agreement.
"The Supreme Court has held that the
trust agreement of December 3, 1929, to be
valid." said Halsey, Stuart's counsel. "They
duestinned the right to make any plan effec-
tive except the plan approved by the trustees
under that instrument. The trustees have not
approved the Bancamerica plan, but, on the
contrary, have approved the plan submitted
by Halsey, Stuart & Co. We doubt if the
Class "A" stockholders and their committee
fully understood the situation, and that, by
voting for the Bancamerica plan, the stock-
holders and their committee may have pro-
duced a situation fraught with more legal
difficulties than any result which would have
followed the adoption of the Halsey, Stuart
plan.
"Mr. Fox has now executed two trust
agreements, one with Otterson and Stuart,
and the other one with Uelaheld, Howell and
Baruch. By the court declaring the first
one valid, it would be difficult to see how
the second one could be valid as well, and it
is a most unusual situation if a man could
make one agreement which was valid and
turn around and make another one directly
contradictory and expect the second one to
hold.
"Counsel and the other attorneys support-
ing the interests behind the Bancamerica
plan must, therelore, realize that the approval
of the Bancamerica plan and any responsibility
resulting from this legal tangle cannot be
charged to Stuart and .Otterson or Halsey,
Stuart, or Electrical Research Products, as
the meeting yesterday had taken action in
defiance of the possibilities of the result oi
Judge Levy's decision."
Robert T. Swaine, counsel for the Banca
merica banking group, gave a different opin-
ion of the Dec. 3 voting trusteeship, declaring
that the present agreement on refinanciiit
would cancel the former one. Notwith
standing whatever legal complications might
arise on this point, Swaine said, the Dec. 3
trusteeship exuires of its own accord on June
1, and for the present the Bancamerica group
probably will take a voting trust to pick
up when the other expires. Meanwhile the
box companies will be refinanced, debts paid,
etc.
After the adjournment of the Fox Film
meeting, Mr. Fox, at the request of stock-
holders for a personal expression and pledge,
made the following statement :
"I hardly think a statement is necessary.
I think that I have not by words, but by
actions, deserved the confidence that you
caused in favor of the plan I recommended.
Those who are opposed to my retaining the
'B' stock, who are the telephone company and
Halsey, Stuart & Co., have done everything
that was in their power to take that away
from me. At first it was their purpose to
purchase this stock and I have a written
communication that has been examined bj
Mr. Dwight, of Hughes, Schurman and
Dwight, in which I could have sold my cer
tificates for $33,333,333. Had I done that,
this meeting would have been conducted bj
Mr. Otterson or by Mr. Stuart. I felt that
it was to your interest not to sell my voting
shares. 1 was offered more for the 50,101
Fox Film voting shares than the entire mar
ket value of the balance of the outstandinj.
820,000 shares that did not belong to me.
When, about two weeks ago, it looked a
though we had no way out, nothing but re
ceivership, this same group of men reduce<.
their price to approximately $18,000,000. The
night before this meeting took place, the\
had reduced their price to $12,500,000. This
is not a quarrel between a group of bank
ers about lending money, it is an effort t.
gain control of the talking motion picture
business. This matter is not going to end
as a result of this meeting. There will bt
plenty to say and to do and you shall reac
in the daily papers of what the ultimate out
come is to be.
"I have given the companies the best year:
of my life, from 21 to 51 and I do no
proposed to work as hard as I have for thi
next 30 years because I have not the vitality
but all I have belongs to this company an
I pledge you that."
To Remodel Colo. Strand
Colo. Springs, Colo. — Plans are
under way for the remodeling of the
Strand, recently taken over by J. E.
Toinpkins.
Sells Galva Movie
Galva, 111. — Mrs. and Mrs. J. A.
Wesee of I<"arnii,iigton have purchased
the Movie House from Mr. and Mrs.
Hippler.
FILM BOARDS OF TRADE
REPORTTHEATER CHANGES
SOUTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Belle Fourche — Iris, sold to Black Hills
Amusement Co. by James O'Neill; Clark —
Idle Hour, sold to L. H. Aultfillisch by
Jamea Leslie; Doland — Palace, sold to Earl
E. Papke by Chester Giese; Eureka — State,
sold to Charles Silver by Joe Bender;
Wagner — Cozy, sold to L. A. Scobell by
R. C. Metzger.
Closings
Rapid City — Auditorium ; Watauga — Wa-
tauga.
New Theaters
Midland — Legion.
Re- Openings
Hill City — Gem.
TENNESSEE
Changes in Ownership
Knoxville — Central, sold to Tim Smith by
P. C. Williams; McKenzie — Capitol, sold
to Y. D. Moore by J. E. Whitten; Mem-
phis— Linden Circle, sold to Malco The-
aters, Inc., by W. W. Fischer; Malco,
sold to Malco Theaters, Inc., by Binswanger
& Fisher.
Closings
Jasper — Jasper; McLemoresville — Civic; Rog-
ersville— Palace; Troy — High School The-
ater; Woodland Mills— Woodland Mills
High School.
WEST VIRGINIA
Changes in Ownership
Buckhannon — Opera House, sold to W. Frank
Thornhill by M. E. Hymes; Huntington —
Avenue, sold to H. W. Clarke by J. F.
Walters; Madison — Rialto, sold to C. & M.
Theatrical Co. by Rupert McNeely; Nevr-
burg — Crystal, sold to Edward B. Shafer
by W. B. Cockrell.
Closings
Bancroft — Virginian ; Blair — Blair ; Cabin
Creek — Herbert; Jodie — Bryce; Mt. Hope-
Royal ; Nitro — Lyric ; Olcutt — Olcutt ;
Parkersburg — Camden; Pettus — Pettus;
Soverign — Soverign.
New Theaters
Williamson — Gem, owners — William Aders &
J. I. Saad.
WISCONSIN
Changes in Ownership
Kenosha — Vogue, sold to E. Wiesner by
Jocius & .Slater; Milwaukee — Greenfield,
sold to A. Zetley by Mr. and Mrs. J.
Ozehno ; Radio, sold to Herbert Perlewitz
by Leon Lee; Mt. Horeb — Strand, sold to
Robert T. Hankel by J. H. Rupp ; She-
boygen — Butterfly, sold to South Side
Amusement Co. by Arthur Lugg.
Closings
Abbotsford — .\rmor ; T5-!rlcy — Opera H'^use;
Brillion — Audit nuni , Cashton — Opera
— i'rtla re ; Excelsior —
lie— Opera House, Ke
- ;;,e ; Merrill — Badger ;
Fichland Center — Or-
SoMiers Gr-.v; —
House: Clinton '
Excelsior; Green .-
waskum — Opera ';'
New Lisbon — Hr.r':
pheum ; Saxon — K't
Electric; Walworth — Liberty, Wats' I'- o—
Coninumitv ; Wauzeka — Opera House;
Winter— F.imilv.
Cody— Rialto,
Closings
Devon Opens With Sound
Devon, Conn. — Talking pictures
have opened at the Devon, which is
now under the management of Miss
Margaret E. Kish. Phototone equip-
ment is the sound device being used.
Aberdeen Work Progressing
Aberdeen, Wash. — Construction
work on the new house being erected
by D. Constantini is rapidly progress-
ing despite the cold weather.
United Chain Takes Space
Philadelphia — United Chain Thea-
ters Corp. has taken office space at
225 So. ISth St.
Neivs!
Yfor^d'^ P^'
. Sig«^e
the
2f he Monfana^Sfentiarit
STARTS AMAZING AND
EXCLUSIVE NEWS
SERVICE
t::..
ibi ••rii f<M TIM Mmiwu SlM^rd l» bnaf ^nt 1^
ShtUffidana
Universal
Newsreel
B
THE EVENING WOKLP MOTION PlCTUKg SKcTIOM. SATURDAY. JANUARY U, IM
Rtttdihe
See
w
i
}
M^NAMEE
Hear America's Greatest Talking Reporter Tell t
1 News of the World As the Scenes Flash on the
^ 11 tR£ i* Ridio')(rc«icti uuKMAccr, ulliBfTow prcwautiofi ol tbc cvcao of ibe i*j. sd
*1 ihc ocrwi of dkft world lor THE EVENING cg^wieaMd wpoo hf ibc man «bo Qomben ri
WORLD-UNIVERSXL NEWSREEL. Om of liMKn-u by cte mJllwiH. The mo« vivid mI
grcttoi tdvaricca ever .ffk«de ia ike ptcioriil prcteatiUaa known. to th« mutioa pictoft worUfl
5#0 rAr Ev^mimg lymUUmiverasi N0mtr40l mt Tktat Tktsirts
EST
"ffi^
"v::r3
©tie Aliening 03loil
UNIVERSAL NEWSREB
^^ Al YOUR NblOUpORHOOD IHEATRE
^£££,
Pre:
vn
11
m
I^^^H Fa 1
IKE WllDFIKE
iThe Whole World — Newspapers. ^•^
Exhibitors, and the Photoplay Fuhlic
is fired with wild enthusiasm over*-
&IIAHAIVI
NAMEE
»r»f -»*I1»3
reduced under the Supervision of
BiSam B. Jacobson — By special arrange-
ment with National Broadcasting Com-
Ipany.
jPresented by Carl Laemmle
TWO A WEEK ON DISC
as the Talking Reporter in the Universal Newsreel.
A MILLION DOLLAR advertising campaign is b"^r!
by fifty-two of the greatest newspapers of the country -
with news space that MILLIONS couldn't buy.
MILLIONS are listening to McNamee every week and pack-
ing theatres to hear him.
And First Run Theatre Exhibitors testify that McNamee
draws like a STAR and is applauded after every showing.
THE
12
FOX SALES INCREASED
40 PER CENl^LAST YEAR
^Continued from Page 1)
will show one of the biggest increases
in the company s bisloiy.
The Fox sales or.f^anization of 96
salesmen and four f^eld representa-
tives working out of the home office,
under the general direction of James
R. Grainger, has not been affected by
the controversy in which the Fox
companies have been involved. It
is stated that at no time has there
been any sign of a break in spirit or
a letdown in effort on the part of
these men, who at all times had con-
fidence in their organization.
Grainger leaves tomorrow for the
Coast on the S. S. California by way
of the Panama Canal. He is taking
the tropical route for the benefit of a
cojd and to get a short rest after
weeks of intensive work. He is due
in Los Angeles March 22.
Roberts Here for Confab
with Pathe Executives
(Continued from Page 1)
ican product provided our pictures are
silent, Roberts declares.
"It is the sound feature which
brings in the big money in Europe.
The silent product is only saleable
in the provinces and to a few unwired
city houses. If the American produc-
ing companies want to continue serv-
ing Central European markets there
are only two possibilities left for
them. First, to make synchronized
silent versions without dialogue of the
talkies with the songs in English,
which is permissible or, second, to
dub the English dialogue of the talk-
ies into German, Spanish and
French."
French Exhibitors Seek
Better Sound Projection
(Continued from Page 1)
country's theaters. The first step is
the establishment of a test commit-
tee by the distributors' division of
the Chambre Syndicate. This com-
mittee plans to withhold films from
theaters equipped with bad sound ap-
paratus pr employing incompetent
proje'-tivjiiists.
Theater for Auditorium
Madison, Neb. — William Youn?-
claus, who has leased the Madison
auditorium from Mrs. Amelia Boett-
ner, will open the house shortly as
a picture theater.
jgE25
OAILYL
Friday, March 7, IQI
728 Educational Fibns
in Germany Last Year
(Continued from Page 1)
with 808 of the previous year. Dur-
ing 1929, a total of 215 firms were
active in educational film production
while in the preceding year this num-
ber was increased by seven. For the
last quarter, the German censor
board passed on 198 films, which
compares with 207 for the three-
month period prior to that and 164
for the second quarter. From Janu-
ary to March, inclusive, 159 pictures
were viewed by the board.
Germany is Preparing
a Television Program
(Continued from Page 1)
trolled by the Reicharundfunkgessel-
scliaft, which acts as a holding com-
pany, are expected to begin shortly
in Germany, according to reports
reaching the Federal Radio Commis-
sion. The system to be used has
been devised by the Telefuiiken Co.,
the Mihaly-Telehor Co. and the
Dentsche-Pernseh Co.
Publix Attendance up
to 35,000,000 Weekly
(Continued from Paqe 1)
try, more than 1,000,000 persons
weekly visited the Balaban & Katz
houses here.
"Perfection of screen equipment for
sound pictures," says .Sam Katz,
president of Publix, "is largely re-
sponsible for the increase." The com-
pany now controls, or is interested in.
approximately 1,200 theaters and is
expected to have 000 more within the
next two vcars, it is claimed.
Fox West Coast Takes
Third in San Bernardino
(Continued from Page 1)
the Fox here. Approximately $600.-
000 is understood to have been paid
for the house which was completed
last September. This makes the third
house for Fox in this city.
Seek to Reopen Chelsea
Chelsea, Mass. — Owners of the
Chelsea are seeking to open the
house Saturdays and Sundays dur-
ing which time a matron will be on
hand. The house was recently closed
when a complaint of conditions at
the house was made to the mayor,
who ordered the house darkened.
1,800-Seat N. H. House
Berlin, N. H. — Maine and New
Hampshire Theaters Corp. plans a
$300,000 theater here to seat 1,800.
The Executor oj the Last Wilt and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
Western Electric Wins 2
Points in Patent Suit
{.Continued from Page 1)
of Warner Bros, and Vitaphone for
an injunction to prevent further
prosecution of the suit against Stan-
ley.
In its reply to the filing of the
suit by Western Electric, the Stan-
ley Co. set up the usual defense and
also an alternative defense. This was
the alleged right to use Pacent equip-
ment in view of the Electrical Re-
search contract with Vitaphone, be-
cause Vitaphone and Stanley both
are subsidiaries of Warner.
Western Electric will now ask for
an early hearing on the merits of the
patents involved in its suit.
New Australian Ministry
to Continue Film Contest
(.Continued from Page 1)
view to aiding the film industry in
-Australia, according to information
in the hands of the M. P. Division
of the Dept. of Commerce. Among
the prizes is one of $25,000 for the
l)est picture produced in the com-
monwealth during the vear ending
March 31.
RKO REPORTS NET PROni
OF $1,669^64 FOR "\
(Continued from Page 1)
from $1,589,546.39 to $8,412,513.
while current liabilities have decliij
from $5,483,061.33 to $4,793,840
The company's income at the bej
ning of the current year was $.
696,860.78, which compares with $4
624,964.76 at the opening of 192SI
"We have started the year 11
well organized, and with our thea|
and motion picture producing and
tributing units on a profitable has
states the companj-. "The polio
inaugurated during the past year ;
the expansion of our operatil
should be reflected in increased ea|
ings during the current year."
Chi Engineers Get Wag(|
Boost in New Contra
(Continued from Page 1) I
week. The contract also provil
that engineers work on an eight-hi
day with double pay for overtil
Jack Miller represented the exl-f
tors while Richard J. WVen sig
for the union.
CLANCY
IN WALL
STREET
PRODUCED BY
EDWARD SMALL
MAKER OF
"McFadden's Flats"
"The Cohens and the Kellys'
and
"The Gorilla"
Distributed
By
1650 Broadway
NAT
L E V I N E' '
New York C^
AMDWEEKLY
iuilLDIGEST
THE ENTIRE INDUS-
TRY IS ENTHUSIAS-
TIC IN ITS PRAISE
FOR THIS BIG MINE
OF INFORMATION.
The Talk of the Industry
1930
Film Daily Year Book
Now in Circulation
REPLETE WITH UP
TO THE MINUTE
DATA ON ALL FACTS
PERTAINING TO
MOTION PICTURES.
Worth more because it
earns more!
. . . that is why
4903 theatres
have selected
the
rr
WestcrtA
sou N D
Wlectric
SYSTEM
Distributed by
Electrical Research Products inc.
250 West 57th Street, New York, N. Y.
Mfmbrr of Motion Pi.-turf Pro.l.i.frs and ni^tribulors of America. Inc. - Will H. Havs. Preside
iTHE
TAemfSPkm
9/'FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
OL. LI No. 57
Sunday, March 9, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Compromise Seen Between Opposing Fox Bankers
COAST PLAYERS NAMEARBITRATIONBOARD
1 1 Paramount Pictures Going in Work This Month
.asky Announces Big List
I Under Way at Coast
I and L. I. Studios
I At least 11 productions will be
aced in work this month bj' Para-
mount, it is announced by Jesse L.
iasky on his return from California
j'sterday. Nine pictures on this un-
Wially heavy program already are
i|i the schedule for the Hollywood
udios, while two will get under
ay shortly at Paramount's Long
land plant.
Productions listed for making on
e Coast, include George Bancroft
"The Caveman," directed by Vic-
{Contiiiiied on Fatii' 16)
mi ELECTED HEAD
OF DENVER FILM BOARD
Denver — Samuel Henley, Para-
ibunt, has been elected president of
te local Film Board, succeeding A.
] Archer, Educational, who has
ben named vice president. Jack
I|um of Columbia is new official
?:retary. New board of directors
:mprise the newly elected officers
id J. R. Morrison, Fox, and S. N.
rinstein, RKO.
-hree Chains Dickering
for New Trenton Theater
■Trenton, N. J. — Three large cir-
Its are understood bidding for the
[pcoln, new 2,300-seat liouse rccent-
Jbuilt at a cost of $1,500,000. Chains
■ported dickering with Hersh field
Ipterprises are Warners. R-K-O and
Jliblix.
Claim Infringement
San Antonio — Charging in-
fringement of disc patents, the
Aleograph Co. of America has
filed suit in Distinct Court
against Electrical Research
products.
Officials of ERPI in New
York say the patents cover
three minor features, and they
disclaim using any of them.
SPOOR-BERGGREN SCREENS
FOR FIVE R-K-0 HOUSES
Preparations are being made by
R-K-O for the installation of Spoor-
Berggren wide screens in five of the
chain's houses. Installations will be
made in five key cities, with the
emainder of the 168 theaters to be
equipped in rapid order.
R-K-O Profits in January
Rose 3-Fold to $723,309
Net profits in January of the cur-
rent year of $723,309 are reported by
R-K-O and its subsidiarj- companies.
This compares with earnings of $232,-
196 in the same month of 1929.
Columbia Earned $2.33
In December Quarter
Earnings of Cohinibia I'iclurcs for
he (|uarter ending last December
iniounted to .$252,081, or $2.33 a
share, against $227,048, or $2.08 a
liare in the previous (luartcr.
Boyd Now Southwestern
Mgr. of Western Electric
Memphis, Tenn. — C. F. Boyd, for-
mer exhibitor and branch manager,
lias been named Southwestern man-
ager for Western Electric. .\n of-
fice will be established here sliortlv.
ONTARIO NEWSREEL QUOTA
PROKLEN FOR CANADA
Ontario — A vexing problem has
been created in Canada as a reul
of the requirement in Ontario that
new events of British or Canadian
occurrence form 40 per cent of all
newsreels shown in the theaters of
the province. At a conference in
Toronto recently film producer-
bound themselves to include in their
weekly newsreel releases one news-
reel made up purely of British and
Canadian news events.
Development of Movies
for Chicago World Fair
Chicago — Developnieiit of the mo-
tion picture industry in display form
is l)eing considered as one of the
forthcoming attractions at the
World's Fair to be held here in 1933,
and to be headed under "A Century
of Progress." The display will in-
clude every step in the various proc-
esses from manufacture of film to
the projection of finished product.
House Named Paramount
Dallas Sales Manager
Dallas — After acting as sales rep-
resentative for Paramount for four
years, Cecil House has been named
(Continued on Parte 16)
Bancamerica Going Ahead
With Fox Refinancing Plan
A compromise between the opposing Fox bankers looms as the next
possible step toward straightening out the affairs of the film and theater
corporations. The chances of such a development are looked upon as
tjood because of the efforts being made by Judge Frank 7. Coleman to
brine the rival parties together in order to avert a receivership.
Judge Coleman, who at present is conferring with lawyers from both
■^ides in an endeavor to clarifv some of the involved points prior to calling
the next court hearing on tlie '-eceivership application, has pointed out that
unless the two factions get together and arbitrate the differences that have
clogged the legal machinery, it will result in either a long series of costh'
litigations or an even more costly receivership.
The fact that, as far as could be learned up to last night. Halsey, Stuart
& Co. and John E. Otterson have not yet made anv definite outward move
to block the refinancing plan approved by the stockholders, is regarded as
(Continued on Page 16)
Actors Seek To Eliminate
Contract Litigation
With Producers
Ifcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM Pf
Hollywood — A board of arbitration,
which will seek to eliminate litigation
between players and producers in
connection with matters arising from
the new free lance contract, has been
appointed by the executive committee
of the actors' branch of the Academy
of M. P. Arts and Sciences. Sam
Hardy, Monte Blue, DeWitt Jenn-
ings, Jean Hersholt and Mitchell
Lewis are the members of the l)oard,
and the actors' committee by whicin
they are named, consists of Robert
Edeson, Conrad Nagel, Lloyd
Hughes, Lois Wilson and Richard
Tucker.
J. J. Murdock, E. J. Alannix, M. C.
Levee, Fred Beetson and George
(.Continued on Page 16)
R-K-O HOUSES UNABLE
TO SHOW "WHITE CARGO"
Because it would be in violation
of the Hays producers' agreement
that no company shall make or show
a picture which has been banned,
unless a certain formula of changes
is complied with, the R-K-O houses
will be unable to exhibit "White
Cargo," made by W. P. Film Ltd..
in luigland and now having a special
(Continued on Page 16)
Quigley and Diamond
Arrive in Amsterdam
Amsterdam — (ieorge E. Quigley
and Martin Diamond arrived here
yesterday from Berlin. They prob-
ibly will go from here to Paris be-
'ore sailing for New York.
Chaplin To Be Busy
West Const Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Charles Chaplin
announces that he will direct at
least two silent dramas yearly,
starring other players than him-
self, and plans to produce at
least five silent features • year.
I
Sunday, March 9, 1930
»oL II No. 57 Sunday. March 9. 193D Price 25CMts
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
lONN W. mCOUTE
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks Inc J. W. Alicoate, President.
EdUor and Publisher; Donald M Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 918
af the oost -office at New York. N. Y., under
the' a'ct'of March 3. 187.9 Ter- JPosUg^
free) United States outside of ^^f «'V„oNew
York $1000 one year; 6 months ?5.uy, o
months! $3.00. Foreign. $15 00. Subscribers
should remit with orde. Address al om^
Swr'N^w^Y^r^k, N.^^Y. Phone Circle
?736-4737-'4738-4739. Cable address: F.lmday
New York. Hollywood. California — Ralph
Wilk 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
^07 London-Ernest W. Fredman, The
i-:i™ rt^ntrr 89-91 Wardour bt., w.
F'^Bernn-Karl Wolffsohn.. Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Par.s-P. A^ Harle
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
{QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
Higb I^w Close Sales
c f 24 2^i/s 24 200
^;;?;. ^-ind.-.: m a 2m 100
Con. Fm Ind. pfd. /. 2i'A 3/. 400
East. Kodak 222 217/| ^l ^^.
?e^n."Thea.Vu.-.ij^4 3p 44/. 19.100
tK-o .:;::;.::. 35^ 31^8 34^8i3-',2n,
•Univ. Pict. pfd. . . • • • ■•■• in0,,gcnr
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65 ...
^Columbia Pet. .. ..^. --^^ 2/. ^-^^^
;]Sr do ^^!- rts;: 43i^ 39^ 42^ MOO
Loew- Inc., war . IS'/s 14 157/4 1.10(
*Nat. Scr. Ser ^4
•Nat. Thea. Sup. . ..•• •■•• -^ ■•-
Univ. Pict 14 14 14 lOr
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AO 6s 46 .••• 84 . ..^
Locw 6s 41ww ..119 115/2 119 300
do 6s 41 x-war.. 98'4 98 98'4 230
Paramount 6s 47 .101 101 0 74 4
Par. By. S'^s 51.101 101 101 2
Pathe 7s 37 .... 49 49 49 2f
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
INDEX
TACr
FINANCIAL. Daily Market Activities '
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES -^
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST '
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. ¥. STUI lOS, by Harry N. Blair '
FOREIGN MARKETS, by William Ornstein "
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS. Coast News by Telegraph 13
-A LITTLE FROM LOTS." by Ralph Wilk 12
PRESENTATIONS, by Dot, C. Gillette '3
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE . . .. 4
TIMELY TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions H
A FILM FACT A DAY 4
ALONG THE RIALTO. by Phil M. Daly. Jr 14
BIRTHDA Y GREETINGS -j
AND THAT'S THAT, by Phil M. Daly "
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily Filr^ 14
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Berg 15
THE WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of Ne^vs 1'
NEWS -OFT HE-DAY "'
REVIEWS
BE YOURSELF 4
HELLO SISTER 4
LORD BYRON OF BROADWAY -l
MOUNTED STRANGER 4
ONLY THE BRAVE 4
SUCH MEN ARE DANGEROUS 4
THE CO-OPTIMISTS ■)
VENGEANCE -t
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND
The Indusiry*s
Date Book
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
June
"Song of Flame" Premiere
Plans are being prepared for pre-
mieres of "Song of the Flame dur-
ing Easter Week. Openmgs are set
for New York and Los Angeles with
other cities now under consideration.
Smith on Sales Trip
A W. Smith. Jr., eastern sales
manager of First National is visitinw
several First National eastern and
mid-western exchanges. Gradvvell L
Sears, western sales manager, is still
on the Coast conferring with west-
ern branch managers and exhibitors.
Wide Screen for Regal, London
London — Wide screen will become
a permanent feature at the Regal fol-
lowing its successful use during the
run of "Gold Diggers of Broadway"
there.
To Resume Pathe Inquiry
Investigation of the recent Pathe
studio fire will be resumed Monda-
before Chief Magistrate McAdoo,
who, on Friday heard several wit-
nesses in the case.
Toe Brandt to Coast
Joe Brandt, president of Columbia
Pictures, left for the coast Satur-
day.
Cohen, Garrett, in New York
Milton Cohen and Sidney Garrett
are in town from London. Garrett
will remain in New York for a month
and then leave for the coast, where
he will look over production activi-
ties, while Cohen, after being away
for six months, will stay here for at
least a year to handle his business in-
terests in this countrj'.
Rodner Coastbound
Harold Rodner. president of Con-
tinental Theater Accessories, Inc., is
en route to the coast.
Nevj York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City j.t
1 54 Crescent St
STUlwell 7940
"China Express" Released
Amkino announces release in the
United States of the new Sovkino
film. "China Express." Illya Traus-
berg directed the picture.
BOOKKEEPER
Familiar with Foreign Ac-
counting Motion Picture in-
dustry, apply
Columbia Pictures Corp.
729 Seventh Avenue
II 1, E, Brulatoor, Inc. t\
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CALumet 2691
Hollywood it
6700 Santa Monica if
Blvd. :.:
HOLlywood 4121 :,{
#»#♦'♦♦*♦•'•♦'♦♦*••'♦•*•♦♦*'♦******
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT ?o-iO
10 Opsning of "Mamba" at the
Gaiety. N. Y.
11 Opening of "Song O' My Heart"
in N»w York at 44th St. Theater,
20 Annual election of Maryland M.P
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at i
New York bouse, not yet decidei
upoH.
5 Second annual banquet and bil
of the Warner Club, Inc., at tli(
Hotel Comniodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring conrcntio* of Trl-State U
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at th
Wardman Park Hotel, Washingtoi
D C.
25 Fox annual sales convention stao
to-day.
2-7 International Cinema Congress s
Brussels.
Sherman Returns
Benjamin Sherman, president (
Manhattan Playhouses, Inc., has n
turned to New York after thrt
weeks in Havana and Miami.
Banton Arrives from Paris
Travis Banton has arrived in Nt
York from Paris and will leave f
Paramount's Coast studios shortl
He is fashion creator for the coi
pany.
Erlanger Passes Away
A. L. Erlanger yesterday died i
ter an illness of 10 days. He was
his 70th year.
Opens House April 1
Fort Worth, Tex.— April 1 1
been set for the opening of the n
1,700 seat house recently leased I
C. T. Donnelly of New York.
slgT*l*K
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHEN YOU GO TO BUY
£XuEX
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DEL AWARE -MARYLAND
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA- "
VIRGINIA AND W VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
, _^..,r.^'/f^^W^f^'
Congratulations
^rom
Elinor Glyn
on
$ycH M
with
WARNER
BAXTER
CATHERINE
DALE OWEN
HEDDA HOPPER
ALBERT CONTI
Adaptation and dialog by
Ernest Vajda
Presented by
William Fox
Cable from London, England
to Winfield Sheehan, New York:
DEEP AND GRATEFUL THANKS FOR HAVING
SO TRULY UNDERSTOOD THE SPIRIT OF MY
STORY AND FOR MAKING SO BEAUTIFUL A
PRODUCTION IF I HAD MADE IT MYSELF I
WOULD NOT HAVE CHANGED ANYTHING
WHICH YOU HAVE DONE AND AS YOU KNOW
ME YOU KNOW THIS IS THE HIGHEST COM-
PLIMENT I THE AUTHOR COULD PAY A THOU-
SAND CONGRATULATIONS AND ENTIRE
APPRECIATION ELINOR GLYN
Now
Playing
ROXY
Celebrating
Anniversary
Week
F#X
Sunday, March 9, 1930
■ I
Fanny Brice in
"Be Yourself"
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., 7 wins.
GOOD COMEDY WITH FAN-
NY BRICE FANS IN FOR AN-
OTHER FUNFEST. AIMED AT
THE BOX-OFFICE.
Another treat for Fanny Brice
worshippers. Its hackneyed plot has
been made delectable by the clown-
ing star and able assistance of Harry
Green as her brother and "section"
lawyer. Often the picture borders
on the melodramatic, but with the
inimitable Fanny to bank on, it veers
right back to its original comedy
route. Bob Armstrong offers a fine
characterization as the dumb "pug"
and Gertrude Astor helps matters
along most favorably as the gold dig-
ger. For some real good laughs, the
preliminary bout with Armstrong and
another slouch tops everything. A
no good "pug" is taken under wing
by a cabaret singer who falls for him
and brings him success, only to be
thrown over for a gold digger. But
Fanny has her little tricks and she
pulls one for a happy finish. The
cabaret routine dance numbers are
well done, especially "Kicking a Hole
in the Sky."
Cast: Fanny liricc, Roliert Avmstiong,
Harry Green, Gertrude Astor, I'at Collins,
Bitdd Fine, Jimmy Tnlson, Margie Kane.
Director, Thornton I'reeland ; Author, Jo-
seph Jackson; Adaptor, .Max .Martin; Dia-
logucr, Not Listed; Editor, Robert Kern;
C»meramen, Karl .Struss. Hubert Pranck ;
Monitor Man, Not Listed.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Ornstein
"Hello Sister"
With Olive Borden and Lloyd
Hughes
(All-Talker)
Sono Art-World Wide
Time, 1 hr., 20 mins.
UNCONVINCING STORY OF
JAZZ GIRL WHO REFORMS IN
ORDER TO RECEIVE INHERIT-
ANCE LEFT BY HER GRAND-
■ATHER. FAILS TO CLICK.
Melodrama. Having a cut-and-dried
ury to work with, the players are
luer a strenuous handicap, turning
out performances that are unsym-
pathetic and forced. Olive Borden as
.he heroine is not in her element
..itraying the jazz-crazed miss who
. forced to change her habits so that
he can be in keeping with require-
_ais of her father's will. Lloyd
ughes is miscast as the hero, but
handles the role to the best of his
ability. As the grandfather, Geo.
i^awcett performs admirably, but the
part is short-lived, the story pivots
ibout a "spoiled" girl who has to live
.1 quaint life before she can inherit
..• grandfather's fortune. The hero
enters the picture as junior partner
of the law film which drew up the
will, takes the duty of executor
and falls in love in a perfunctory
manner that fails to get over.
Cast: Olive Borden, Lloyd Hughes.
George Fawcett, Bodil Rosing, Wilfred Lucas,
.Norman Peck and Howard Hickman.
Director, Walter Lang ; Author, Reita Lam-
bert ; Adaptor, Brian Marlow ; Dial&guer,
Brian iMarlow; Editor, .Not listed; Camera-
man, Hal Rosen; Monitor Man, not listetl.
Direction, poor. Photography, fair.
Ornstein
Hoot Gibson in
"The Mounte'd Stranger"
(All-Talker)
Universal 1 hr., 5 mins.
RIP-ROARING WESTERN
WITH ACTION AND THRILLS
GALORE, OFFERING GOOD
ENTERTAINMENT TO YOUNG
AND OLD ALIKE.
Western of first-rate calibre. This
one is loaded with action. It's on
the trigger from the opening shot,
and when it's all over you know
you've seen plenty of movement in
an hour. The picture is nothing so
nmch as a succession of punches de-
livered in rapid-fire order. Though
"The Mounted Stranger" is notewor-
thy chiefly for its dash and go, it has
many other qualities to give it high
rating among western films. Of ro-
mance it possesses a good quantity,
and of beauty of background it has
more than a fair measure. In humor,
too, it shows itself unsparing, and to
this add some nice acting and pho-
tography that is at times remarkably
effective. The plot concerns a dead-
ly feud between a band of dishonest
cattlemen and the son of one of
their victims. Hoot Gibson turns in
a good performance.
Cast: Hoot Gibson, Hetty Hunter. Milton
Brown. Fred Burns, Tames Corey, Francis
Fonl. Walter Patterson. Fr.ancelia Billington,
Louise Lorraine.
Director, .\rthur Rosson ; Author, Henry
H. Knibbs; Adaptor, Not Listed; Dialoguer,
.Not Listed; Editor. Gilmnre Walker; Camera-
man, Harrv Neiinian ; Monitor Man, Not
Listed.
Direction, good. Photography, fine.
Pelegrine
"Only the Brave"
icith Gary Cooper, Mary Brian
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 7 mins.
NICE PROGRAMMER OF
CIVIL WAR DAYS CHARMING-
LY PRODUCED, WITH FIRST-
RATE ACTING BY GARY
COOPER.
A pleasant picture going back to
the Civil War period for its material
and thereby offering a welcome re-
lief from the sort ot tales that have
gone into the making of most of the
talking films. Though as a motion
oicture plot it is not exactly new, it
comes at a time when the public
has become tired of backstage talk-
ers. '1 he story has to do with a
Northern officer who falls in love
with a Southern girl while doing duty
as a spy. To have his plans suc-
ceed he must arrange to have him-
self captured by the Confederate
troops. He does manage to have
himself caught but is rescued as he
is facing a firing squad. The produc-
tion has captured much of the tender
charm of the South. Gary Cooper
pla\ s the spy with fine skill and re-
markable restraint.
Cast: Gary Cooper, Mary Brian, PhilBpi
Holmes, lames Neill, Morgan Farley, Guy
Oliver, Jo'hn H. K.liott, E. H. Calvert, Vir
ginia Bruce, Klda N'oelkel, William LeMaire.
Fret-man .S. Wood, Lalo Encinas.
Director. Frank Tuttle ; Author, Keene
Thompson; Adaptor, .Xgnes Brand Leahy;
Dialoguer. l~hvar(l Paramore, Jr. ; Editor,
Doris Drought; Cameraman, Harry Fisch
beck: Monitor Man, not listed.
Direction, good. Photography, line.
Pelegriin
"Lord Byron of
Broadway"
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 18 mins.
ENTERTAINING FILM NONE
TOO ORIGINAL IN STORY BUT
CARRYING A LOT OF POPU-
LAR APPEAL.
The chief shortcoming of this pro-
duction is its plot. We are given a
tin pan alley songsmith of the love-
'em-and-leave-'em class. To him ex-
istence is just one woman after an-
other. He describes himself aptly
when he says: "Women are just in-
spiration for my songs." But like
all such giiys in the films he ends
by marrying the little girl whom he
never fully appreciated but who stuck
around hoping and hoping. The pic-
ture has been given a smart produc-
tion and some Technicolor sequences
with settings of startling effective-
ness, and it gains considerably from
the humor that has been injected into
it. Add to this some nice dances
staged by Sammy l.ee. Charles Kaley
as the song writer is a little too phleg-
matic. Marion Shilling does fine work
as the girl he weds.
Cast: Charles Kalev, Ethelind Terry, Mar-
i'li .Sliillinsr. C'ifl' Edwards, Gwen Lee, Benny
Rubin, Drew Drmorest, John Byron, Rita
Flynn. Hazel Craven, Gino CoiTado, Paulette
Paquet.
Directors, William Nigh. Harry Beaumont;
Author. Ne'l Martin; Adaptors. Crane Wil-
bur, Willard Mack; Dialoguers. Crane Wil-
bur, Willard Mack; Editor. Anne Bauchens ;
Cameraman, Henry Shart) ; Monitor Man,
Douglas Shearer.
Direction, all right. Photography, good.
Pelegrin*.
"Vengeance"
(All-Talker)
with Jack Holt, Dorothy Revier
Columbia Time, 1 /(/-., 6 mins.
FAIR DRAMA OF THE CON-
GO HANDICAPPED BY UN-
ORIGINAL STORY AND LACK-
ING THE NECESSARY REAL-
ISM.
Drama of the Congo that just man-
ages to make the grade. Again we
are reminded that in tiie African heat
men rot and disintegrate and descend
to the level of beasts. This is an-
other of those films inspired by
"White Cargo." The present exhibi-
tion bears a resemblance to the stage
sensation of some seasons ago. A
young Englishman is sent to relieve
the manager of a trading post. He
forces his wife to go with him. The
torrid heat almost maddens her. His
refusal to have her return home
throws her into the arms of the man
who is about to return to civilization.
The husband is killed by the infuri-
ated natives after he kills one of their
immber. The rest is easy to sur-
mise. The film fails to produce the
feeling of filth and sweating bodies
under the African sun. One simply
is aware of Hollywood trying hard
to be African. The cast is good.
Cast: Jack Holt, Dorothy Revier, Phillip
.Strange, George Pearce, Hayden Stevenson,
Trma A. Harrison.
Director, Archie Mayo; Author, Ralph
Graves; Adaptor, F. Hugli Herbert; Dia-
loguer, F. Hugh Herbert ; Editor. Gene Mil-
ford ; Cameraman. Ben Reynolds ; Monitor
Man, John P. Livadary.
Direction, all rijiht. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
"The Co-Optimists"
(All-Talker)
New Era Time, 1 hr., 20 mina.
BRITISH SCREEN REVUE
WITH LITTLE SPARKLE AND
PROVIDING BUT MILD EN-
TERTAINMENT.
This is a little transference to the
screen of the famous London stage
revue. In its filming it is routine to
a degree and devoid of much of the
sparkle and spontaneit.\ that enter-
tainment of this sort ought to pos-
sess. It is slow in getting started and
€ven then it follows a course en-
livened but occasionally by a bit of
salty humor or a snatch of effective
singing. Never does the thing really
come to life. The material is for the
most part thin, and only now and
again does it reveal flashes of what it
might have been, though these mo-
ments are worth waiting for. The
production has been given a stage
setting that is ugly and unimagina-
tive. The wliole affair makes you
feel as though you were sitting in on
a rehearsal of a stage revue, so barren
is the suggestion it carries. The cast
boasts such London favorites as
Laddie Cliff, Melville Gideon and
Davy Burnaby.
Cast: Laddie Cliff. Melvi'le Gideon, Phyllis
Monkman, Davy Burnaby, Betty Chester,
Harry Pepper, Elsa Macfarlane, Gilbert Childs.
Director, Edwin Greenwood ; Author, Not
Listed; Adaptor, Laddie Cliff; ExJitor. Not
Listed; Cameraman, Sydney Boyihe; Monitor
Man, Not Listed.
Direction, fair. Photography, fair.
Pelegrine
"Such Men Are
Dangerous"
with Warner Baxter, Catherine
Dale Owen
(All-Talker)
Fox Time, 1 hr., 15 mins i
GOOD GRADE OF ENTERJ
TAINMENT, PRINCIPALLY BEJ
CAUSE OF FINE PERFORM'
ANCE BY BAXTER, NICELV
SUPPORTED BY MISS OWEN.
Warner Ba.xter does himself proin
in a dual role in this picture. He ap
pears first for a stretch as a big fin
ancier (the counterpart of Loewen
stein, who disappeared from an air
plane) who manages to marry ?
lovely girl. His ugliness causes her tt
leave him right after the wedding
lie then does the disappearing act
and emerges a year later under an-
other name and with a handsomely
icmodeied physiognomy performed
on him by a famous plastic surgeon
Thus armed, he proceeds to win hi-
wife all over again, and succeeds
It's a swell plot and Kenneth Hawk'
has done very well by the direction
Besides the good acting of Baxter,
and the attractive support given hin*
by Catherine Dale Owen as the girlir
the case, there are some enjoyabU
bits of incidental acting.
Cast: Warner Baxter. Catherine Dal<
Owen. Albert Conti. Hedda Hopper, Caludil
Allister. Bela Lngosi.
Directors, Kenneth Hawks ; Author, ElinO'
Gh n ; Adaptor, Ernest Vajda ; DialogMl
Ernest \aj<la ; Editor. Harold Schuster.
Cameramen, L. W. O'Connell. George Eail
man; Monitor Man, .'\rthur Von Kirbach.
Direction, tine. Photography, first-rate.
GilUti
^
►
►
HARRISCOLOR
This Speaks for Itself
— -
— — "'•" - — ■"
Craig Hutchinson Produclions, Inc.
HOLLYWOOD. CALrFORNIA
"""■""' ''"°"°"' •"•
l-troh let 1930
Harrlacolor ?ilEs Inc
1040 Horth LoCadden
Hollywood
California
GeDtlen.ens-
.."e Hish to congratulate you o- -he Ren:brBndt
like egfects you obtained ; or us Ir. -.he i.ctural color
picture v/e :.aTfe just I'ir.i&'ued of t. Ffcr/c^on And J.irco ?.'-/uc.
Aside from the- colar vork, ■-; ,uld .Ieo li' -. o
add tnd strisa our £:>precio lion oi the ^i _ ^t 1; '^or. ' c: y
service end courteous buiint-^t ;ct:.o.is ^i . i.ur - ,_ - ^ i ',-...
ic .ISO un<:rrbt„nd, •.■.«t . i or, t; f .-Lij.;ir,
standioint, wlie base ol .our fllir. ullc.va fc vcvy 4;^-
tinot souni' track - sor.ethinij o; -.'.le uttiost iT.^rtince
ir. natural c.,lor procecsea.
It looks like all our i;rQduct wi31 Vc ir.
::arriscolor .roci now on.
Very truly yc.rL,
g^-!^ ■:i"rc:a" '■/ •:,-;. -
Cllla 5^i^^<t»-^, -
/
THE
:%g^
DAILY
Sunday, March 9, 1930
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
Around the Globe
Reports now coming in to
the Colorcraft Corp. show that
the cornerstone laying cere-
monies, broadcast last Tues-
day, at 2 p. m.. from their
Long Island plant were heard
all over the Globe.
It was 9 o'clock that night
when received in Johannesburg,
S. Africa; midnight in Ceylon
and 3 a. m. the next day in
Shanghai. England heard the
broadcast at 7 p. m.
BROCKiBUSY TURNING OUT
RKO SHORT SUBJECTS
"Off to Buffalo," the second of
the Louis Brock comedies featuring
the new team of Nick and Tony, will
be made this week at the Ideal stu-
dios. Mark Sandrich, who wrote the
storj' in collaboration with Rube
Welch, will direct. The Louis Brock
comedy, "Hot Bridge," also directed
by Sandrich, is now playing at the
Globe theater, in conjunction with
"The Case of Sergeant Grischa."
Both these comedies are released by
RKO.
Fleeson Joins Vitaphone
Neville Fleeson, author of "The
Gingham Girl," "Bye Bye Bonnie '
and other musical comedy successes,
has just been added to the writing
staf? at the Warner Vitaphone stu-
dio.
"McGrew" Almost Finished
"Dangerous Nan McGrew," now
in production at the Paramount Long
Island studios, under the direction
of Mai St. Clair, will be completed
on Wednesday. Helen Kane, Frank
Morgan, Stuart Erwin and Louise
Closser Hale are featured. .
"Fast Freezing" Shown
"Bring the North Pole Down
"South," a motion picture showing a
new "fast freezing" method of ship-
ping food products from coast to
coast, will be released soon by Visu-
graphic Pictures, Inc., New York.
Louise Hale to Coast
Louise Closser Hale, upon com-
pleting her work in "Dangerous Nan
McGrew" at the Paramount Long
Island studios, will leave for the
'Coast to play in Warner Bros, pro-
iduction, "See Naples and Die."
Vitaphone Title Change
"Desert Thrills" is the title of the
Vitaphone Varieties sketch previous-
ly anonunced as "A Cafe in Algiers."
Edmund Joseph directed with Edwin
Bartlett, Allan Gould and Mesir
Morris featured.
First Portable Sound Camera
Working at Paramount Studio
The newly developed "baby blimp,"
a sound-proof camera enclosing de-
vice, small enough to allow easy
transportation, is being used in the
East for the first time, at the Para-
mount Long Island studios, on "Dan-
gerous Nan McGrew."
"The first sound-filming booth,"
said George Folsey, chief cinemato-
grapher at the studio, was a large
cabinet affair, with an enormous
plate-glass front. It was difficult
to move and the glass front produced
reflections which tended to blur the
film. Then the "blimp'' was invent-
ed, but this provided too little pro-
tection for the camera and unwanted
microphone sounds crept into the
film.
"Now the 'baby blimp' has been de-
veloped. It differs from the 'blnnp'
in that the entire camera, lens and
all, is enclosed in a box-like affair,
only three feet long by one and one-
half feet wide and two and one-half
feet deep. The box was made of
heavy fiber and other insulating ma-
terial, with edges protected by strips
of duralium metal. The glass cov-
ered aperture, against which the lens
was set, was seven inches square.
"A great advantage o£ this 'baliy blimp'
is that it can be easily transported and,
moreover, it became possible, with this ap-
j>;iratus. to make panoramic or 'follow shots',
■cenes where the camera follows the actor
as he moves about. These 'follow shots',
.lighly desirable indoors, are absolutely nec-
essary in exterior photography."
Improvements were made on this "bab\
Minip" before filming began on "Dangerous
.Van ,Mc(irew," and the result is a picture
.\hich iiermits all the action and ease of
transition usually expected in a silent pic
ure, with a new perfection in clear record
ng of sound and dialogue.
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
£D DuPAR and Ray Foster, cam-
eramen at the Warner Vitaphone
studios, spend their Sundays taking
snapsiiots in Central Park.
Mildred Alexander, telephone op-
rator at the Fox West Coast New
York offices, has discarded the con-
ventional 'hello" in favor of the
English greeting, "Are You There?"
IS a plug for the forthcoming Fox
jroduction of that name.
If nuition picture directing hadn't
proved so attractive, Bradley Bar-
<er would probably have been an ar-
ist. Barker worked out an entirely
new color scheme for Photocolor's
'\'c Hearte Shoppe," which he re-
ently directed at the Ideal .Studios
In addition, he designed the cos-
tnnes and settings.
Murray Roth, who just returned
from Miami looking like a red In-
dian, is cotisidering several stories
a.s a vehicle for Helen Morgan, who
will probably make a Vitaphone
Variety in a few weeks.
The girl scouts of Hawaii are said
to be all het up over Visugraphic's
"The Girl Scout Trail," a sound pic-
ture showing the training and prog-
ress of American girl scouts.
Edmund Joseph, director at the
Warner Vitaphone studios, spends
his time, while not on the set, play-
ing over neivly born melodies while
Harold Levey, Vitaphone's music
expert, composes the lyrics.
Helen Kane's sister, Gertrude, ap-
pears in the costume ball scene in
"Dangerous Nan McGrew," but it
will be impossible to detect an\- re-
semblance since both girls wear
masks duiing the entire scene.
Eddie Buzzell and his wife, Ona
Munsen, have just returned from a
South American cruise.
Tom Douglas heads the cast of
"The Cheer Leader," one of the new-
ly completed \'itaphone Varieties.
Beatrice Blinn, William Casey, Jean
Shelby and Dave Clark are also in
the cast. This sketch was originally
shown at a recent Lambs' Gambol.
Jerry Norris, who has appeared in
several recent Ziegf-eld shotvs, is fea-
tured in Photocolor's "Ye Hearte
Shoppe," opposite Kathryn Reece.
Leigh Lovel, Phil Bishop and Har-
old Foshay are also in the cast.
"Rural Hospitality" is the title of
a ^''itapho^e ■\"ariety just completed
by Roger Inihof, a veteran of the
vaudeville^ minstrel, legitimate and
burlesque stages.
Seven different sets, including a
ballroom scene, were used in "Love's
Memories," a Van Beuren song
sketch just completed here for Pafhe
release.
Hugh O'Connell enjoyed his role
in "The Head Man," a Vitaphone
Variety, if only for the reason that
Ml this he has a chance to prove that
his flair for comedy does not depend
upon the antics of a souse. Kitty
Kelly. Frank Pierlot and Arthur
Hartley head the supporting cast.
AUDIO CINEMA NOW BUSY
ON SERIES OE SHORTS
-A.udio Cinema, Inc., of Long Is-
land City, have announced that their
production schedule for this season
will include two different series of
comedy shorts. The first Bruce
Bairnsfather production, built around
the adventures of "Old Bill," intro-
duced during the War in Bains-
father's "The Better 'Ole," has just
been completed, with others to fol-
low. The "Sheriff' Crumpett" series
from the pen of William Dudley Pel-
le\-," is now in production. Both of
these series will be in two reel
length.
.\ Terry-Toon cartoon series, also
produced by .A.udio Cinema, will
number 26 issues during the present
season, the first of which, "Caviar,"
is now being shown at the Gaiety
Theater, New York. These will be
released by Educational.
Rogan to Edit "Queen High"
Barne\- Rogan has been assigned
to cut and edit Paramount's "Queen
High," soon to get under way at
the Astoria studios. Rogan has just
completed cutting the French ver-
sion of "The Big Pond."
New Studio Secretary
Al ^Vilkie, in charge of the Para-
mount studio publicity, has engaged
Hilda Kay as secretary, succeeding
.Sally Harris, who recently resigned.
Miss Kay was formerly with the
Loew theaters in Cleveland.
"Leave It to Lester" Starts
"Leave It to Lester" is the latest
title decided upon for the first Pub-
lix film presentation unit, produc-
tion on which starts Monday. Pre-
vious title was "Honeymoon Spe-
cial."
Finishes "Head Man"
"The Head Man," with Hugh O'-
Connell and Kitty Kelly, has just
been completed at the Eastern Vita-
phone studios under the direction of
.'Arthur Hurley. Others in the cast
include Frank Pierlot, Arthur Hart-
ley and several prominent princi-
pals .
Parachute Technique
Visugraphic Pictures, Inc., has
completed another of its educational
pictures, this one dealing with the I
American parachute, under the title '
of "Happy Landings." Pilots are
shown using the parachute under all
conditions and at various altitudes.
Slow motion photography is used to
advantage in these scenes.
• ••^
THE ROGUE SONG
LAWRENCE TIBBETT'S
sensational success in this
magnificent Metro - Gold -
wyn - Mayer All - Techni -
color musical drama has
intensified the rising de-
mand for natural color —
Technicolor — among the
theatre-going millions.
Hrts
Technicolor
are the BIG HITS
A new star has risen . . . Technicolor has gone over the top .. . into the hearts
of theatre-goers from coast to coast. Natural color pictures are the sensation
of TODAY! Box-office receipts tell the story! And while natural color lives on
the screen, it is sweeping the imagination of millions more in the Saturday
Evening Post.. . conquering the mighty audiences of the fan magazines ... whirl-
ing on to greater victories every day. More than TOO pictures, in Technicolor,
will be shown in 1930. Technicolor hits are Big Hits ... "all-star" hits that put
the entire city on the line to your Box-Office.
Feature the name, TECHNICOLOR. Headline it . . . for results!
lechnrcolor// natural co/or
fri^irfK
echnicolor
DENNIS KING, famous Ziegfeld
singing star, in Paramount's vivid and
spectacular AII-7 echnicolor produc-
tion of THE VAGABOND KING.
A Ludwig Berger Production with
JEANETTE MacDONALD.
i>^l
HIT THE DECK, with JACK OAKIE and POLLY WALKER; Rodio'sf
of Vincent Youman's hilarious musical success.
DOLORES COSTELLO, lovely Warner Brothers star, is more
'^ /^ %■ charming than ever in Technicolor.
are BiG Hits
/ --^
Of
UNDER A TEXAS MOON, Warner Bros, first outdoor Vifaphone and
Technicolor production. An S. R. O. sensation ! FRANK FAY, ARMIDA
and MYRNA LOY are in the cast.
1 • I
SON OF THE GODS — RICHARD BARTHELMESS stars and
CONSTANCE BENNETT shines in this colorful Rex Beach
story of a youth of Chinatown. Another of First National's
stand-out attractions in Technicolor.
NANCY CARROLL, fascinating Para-
mount star, becomes a new personality J| '^^ K
under the magic wand of Technicolor.
M.^^
/
nico or
fs o Box -Office Nome
i* ADVERTISE IT •!
BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT, with Vivienne Segal
(First National); BRIGHT LIGHTS, with Dorothy
Macicaill (First National); CHASING RAINBOWS,
with Bessie Love and Charles King (Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer) Technicolor Sequences; DEVIL MAY
CARE, starring Ramon Novarro (Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer) Technicolor Sequences; DIXIANA,
with Bebe Daniels (Radio Pictures) Technicolor
Sequences; FOOTLIGHTS AND FOOLS, starring
Colleen Moore (First National) Technicolor Se-
quences; GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN GIRL,
with Mary Eaton. Eddie Cantor, Helen Morgan
and Rudy Vallee in revue scenes (Paramount)
Technicolor Sequences; GOLDEN DAWN, with
Walter Woolf and Vivienne Segal (Warner Bros.);
GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY, with Winnie
Lightner, Conway Tearle, Ann Pennington and
Nick Lucas (Warner Bros.); HELL'S ANGELS,
with Ben Lyon, Jean Marlow, James Hall, Jane
Winton and Thelma Todd (Caddo) Technicolor
Sequences; HIT THE DECK, with Jack Ookie and
Polly Walker (Radio) Technicolor Sequences;
HOLD EVERYTHING, with Winnie Lightner and
Joe E. Brown (Warner Bros.); HOLLYWOOD
REVUE OF 1929, (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayet); IT'S
A GREAT LIFE, starring the Duncan Sisters
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Technicolor Sequences;
John Barrymore in GENERAL CRACK (Warner
Bros.) Technicolor Sequences; MAMBA, with Elea-
nor Boardman, Ralph Forbes and Jean Hersholt
(Tiffany) ; MAMMY, starring Al Jolson (Warner
Bros.) Technicolor Sequences; MARCH OF TIME,
all-star cast (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Technicolor
Sequences; NO, NO, NANETTE, with Bernice
Claire and Alexander Gray (first National) Tech-
TECHNICOLOR Inc.
NEW YORK
HOLLYWOOD
I •!
nicolor Sequences; ON WITH THE SHOW, with
Betty Compson, Joe E. Brown, Louise Fazenda
(Warner Bros.); PARIS, starring Irene Bordoni
(First National) Technicolor Sequences; PUTTIN'
ON THE RITZ, with Harry Richman (United Ar-
tists) Technicolor Sequences; POINTED HEELS,
with William Powell and Helen Kane (Para-
mount) Technicolor Sequences; RADIO RAM-
BLERS, with Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, and
Dorothy Lee (Radio) Technicolor Sequences; RIO
RITA, with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, Bert
Wheeler and Robert Woolsey (Radio); PARA-
MOUNT ON PARADE, all-star revue (Paramount)
Technicolor Sequences; THE ROGUE SONG,
with Lawrence Tibbelt and Catherine Dale Owen
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer); SALLY, starring Marilyn
Miller (First National); SHOW OF SHOWS, with
77 stars (Warner Bros.); SHOW GIRL IN HOL-
LYWOOD, with Alice White (First National) Tech-
nicolor Sequences; SONG OF THE WEST, with
John Boles and Vivienne Segal (Warner Bros.).
THE DANCE OF LIFE, with Hal Skelly and Nancy
Carroll (Paramount) Technicolor Sequences; THE
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, with Lionel Barrymore,
Lloyd Hughes and Jane Daly (Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer); THE VAGABOND KING, starring Dennis
King (Paramount); THE VIKING, with Pauline
Starke, Donald Crisp and leroy Mason (Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer); UNDER A TEXAS MOON, all-
star cast (Warner Bros).
NO, NO, NANETTE, featuring BERNICE CLAIRE and ALEXANDER GRAY
(First Notional Pictures).
lech nicolor// naturo/ co/or
Sunday. March 9, 1930
THE
<XI^
DAILV
11
RAPID STRIDES ARE BEING
MADE IN THE FOREIGN
FIELD. KEEP POSTED
THROUGH "FOREIGN-
MARKETS"
Foreign Markets
NEWS FLASHES FROM FILM
CENTERS ALL OVER THE
GLOBE: MELBOURNE,
LONDON, BERLIN,
PARIS
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN
NEW CENSORSHIP BOARDS
APPOINTEDfAUSTRALIA
\ Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Appointment of cen-
sorship officials in Australia is re-
ported in a dispatch to the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce.
Walter Cresswell O'Reilly has been
i continued as chief censor. Other
I members of the board of censors are
: Colonel Hurley and Gwendoline Han-
i sen. The personnel of the censor ap-
i peal board is as follows: Professor
I John Le Gay Brereton, chairman;
I John Vincent Gould and Mrs. Mary
Gilmore.
GRAMOPHONE DENIES PLAN
T0]BEC0ME1NDEPENDENT
London — The Gramophone Co. has
branded as false the report that it
is planning to produce pictures as an
independent organization in studios
to be constructed solely for its use.
At present the company is produc-
ing a number of pictures in con-
junction with British and Dominions.
SOVKINO AND KINO-SIBERIA
IN SOVIET m COMBINE
Moscow — Amalgamation has been
effected between Sovkino and Kino-
Siberia. Production units now under
the direction of the latter compan>'
will operate under the Siberian di-
vision of Sovkino.
Whiting Making British Silent
London — A silent picture tenta-
; tively called "When East Meets
j West," is being produced at the Wor-
I ton Hall studio by Edward Whit-
' ing. The film will be given a syn-
chronized score when completed.
Edward Dryhurst is directing.
Butcher Wires Nine More
London — Nine more theaters have
been wired by Butcher. They are
Harehills Cinema, Leeds; Super.
Congleton; Palace, Port Glasgow;
Palace, Armley; Royal Pier Pavilion,
Aberystwyth; Palace, Haslingden;
King George's Picturedrome. Gor-
ton, Manchester; Empire, Larkhall;
and the Pavilion, Barrhead.
Films in Germany 50% Foreign
Berlin — Of the 32 films released in
Germany in January half were of
foreign make.
New Zealand Exhibitors
Elect Officers for 1930
Wellington — Officers for 1930 were
elected by the New Zealand Motion
Picture Exhibitors Ass'n at its an-
nual meeting here recently. W. R.
Kemball and O. N. Gillespie will
continue as president and vice-presi-
dent, respectively. W. Braemer was
appointed Dominion executive.
Plan Talkers in Hungary
with Government Aid
Budapest — Production of sound
films as a national enterprise is con-
templated here. The National Hun-
nia studios are being rebuilt for the
purpose. Home Secretary Szitovsky
is being mentioned to head the ven-
ture.
Sound Film Production
is Started in Norway
Christiania — Nordisk Tonefilm has
begun talking picture production,
marking the entrance of Norway into
the field of sound films. The first
ambitious effort in the new medium
will be an adaptation of Einar Mik-
kelsen's novel "John Dale." It will
be filmed in Alaska under the di-
rection of Georges Schnievaigt and
will have Mona Martenson as its
star.
Britain Got $1,360,000
From Film Duty in 1929
London — Revenue of approximate-
1\' $1,360,000 was derived by the
British government last year from
taxes on films imported from abroad.
This compares with an approximate
revenue of $953,000 last year from
the same source.
Du Maurier for "Escape" Lead
London — Sir Gerald du Maurier
has Ijeen engaged to play the lead-
ing role in the talker transcription of
Galsworthy's play "Escape" to be
produced by Basil Dean in associa-
tion with RKO.
Oliver Lodge at S.M.P.E. Dinner
London — Sir Oliver Lodge will be
a guest at the dinner of the S.M.P.E.
at the May Fair Hotel April 10.
To Manage A.B.C. Cardiff House
Cardifl^, England — J. Leo-Rippin
of Bristol has been named manager
of the Pavilion, local Associated
British Cinemas house.
Plans More Nature Films
I-ondon — Another series of six
"Secrets of Nature" films will be pro-
duced l)y British Instructional.
Ernest Tyler Joins "U"
Sheffield, England — Ernest Tyler,
who recently resigned as manager for
Pro Patria in Yorkshire, has asso-
ciated himself with Universal as
representative in this territorv.
Foreign Service
Through the medium of
Trade Papers International, a
reciprocal news arrangement in
which this publication partici-
pates, spot news of all impor-
tant foreign developments is
brought to the readers of THE
FILM DAILY as rapidly as
modern news-gathering facili-
ties permit.
Trade Papers International
is represented in London by
Ernest W. Fredman, editor of
"The Daily Film Renter"; in
BerHn by Karl Wolffsohn, edi-
tor of "Lichtbildbuehne," and
in Paris by P. A. Harle, editor
of "La Cinematographie Fran-
faise."
Many New Film Houses
for Suburban London
London — The end of the year will
see many additions to the ranks of
suburban picture houses. New the-
aters are planned for Catford, East
Sheen, Finchley, Beckenham and
Bromley. The Sheen Cinema, Sheen,
will be closed in May, reopening the
end of the year as a talking picture
house seating 2,000.
Aubert-Franco Combine
with Pathe-Natan Final
Paris — Merger between Aubert-
I'^ranco and Pathe-Natan has become
final, it is reported here. The amal-
gamation is representative of every
division of the industrv.
May Make "Atlantic" Sequel
London — There is the likelihood
that British International will make
a sequel to E. A. Dupont's "Atlan-
tic" bearing the title "The Survivors."
A.B.C. Acquires Another
Bristol, England — The Vandyck at
Fishponds, a suburb, has been ac-
quired by the A.B.C. circuit. The
chain already has three theaters in
this citv.
Leon Poirer Completes "Cain"
Marseilles — With the completion
of "Cain" in Madagascar, Leon Poi-
rer is expected here the middle of
March.
French Film in 2 Tongues
Paris — "Tenderness" is being made
at the Rue Francoeur studios in Ger-
man and French under the direction
of Andre Hugon.
To Push Films for Young
Paris — An organization to promote
films for children has been formed
here under the name Infancy Cinema
Club.
BRITISH GETNEWPROCESS
TO PROTECT FILM STOCK
London — Evolution of a new Brit-
ish process for the protection of film
stock has been announced here by
Development of Industries, Ltd., the
chairman of which is William Evans,
joint managing director of Gaumont-
British. It is said that under the
process a reel can be run any length
of time without buckling or becoming
brittle. The coating on the film re-
mains unaffected by oil and dirt, it
is said. The cost is termed "neglig-
ible."
DRIVE SET TO PUSH FILMS
OF BRITAIN IN AUSTRALIA
Sydney — Following the merging of
British Dominions Films with Great-
er Australasian Films a concerted
drive is about to be launched in Aus-
tralia to promote British pictures in
the commonwealth. The plan of
the combined companies is to dis-
tribute 52 films in Australia during
1930, half of them American and
half British.
TO SEEKNOTION PICTURE
Dublin — Legislation providing for
film censorship will be sought in the
Irish Dail during the present session
by Minister for Industry and Com-
merce McGilligan.
UFA Signs Dearly, French Star
Berlin — Max Dearly, the French
stage star, has been signed by Ufa
to play in talking pictures.
Gaston Rondes Held Insolvent
Paris — Gaston Rondes, owner of
the Neuilly studios, is reported in
bankruptcy.
Rlchmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. In^ New York City
D. J. MOUNTAH. Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreign represcnta
tives for Piayart Pi.tures Corpo-
ration and othrr eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPiCSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEIAY, London
Cable Address: RICH PIC. N. V.
Exporting only the
l^est in Motion Picturet
THE
12
■c&ak
DAILV
Sunday. March 9, 1930
Seven Under Way On Universal Lot
Line-up Includes Two Specials — Sennett Develops Color Process to Be Used on "Radio Kisses"
M-G-M Music Dept. in New Bldg. — Radio Signs Hugh Herbert — Wilk's Paragraphs and Other Coast News
SCHEDUlf ALSO INCLUDES
2eiflLHN"U"L0T
Production activities at the Uni-
versal studio now are being concen-
trated on seven production, two of
which are specials, three others now
completed and another being pre-
pared for immediate filming. In ad-
dition to the group of features two
serials are in production. The final
episode of the "Sporting Youth" se-
ries has just been completed.
Among the seven features are:
"King of Jazz" featuring Paul White-
man under direction of John Mur-
ray Anderson; "All Quiet on the
Western Front," which Lewis Mile-
stone is directing; "What Men
Want," being directed by Ernst
Laemmle; "The Storm," under direc-
tion of William Wyler; "Czar of
Broadway," being directed by Wil-
liam James Craft; "Trigger Tricks,"
with Hoot Gibson, and "Song of the
Saddle," starring Ken Maynard.
The three features completed are:
"La Marseillaise," "Carnival Girl"
and "Kettle Creek." The two serials
in work are "Lightning Express" and
"Terry of the Times."
M-G-M Music Dept. Moves
Into Private Building
From a scattered collection of 12
temporary buildings, M-G-M has de-
signed the new music department
headquarters. The new structure has
31 offices, three vocal rehearsal halls,
two individual audition rooms, one
chorus girls' lounging room, music
library, and projection room. List
of composers and lyricists on the
M-G-M roster now includes Arthur
Freed, Herbert Stothart, Clifford
Grey, Roy Turk, Fred Albert, Lou
Alter, Fred Fisher, Howard John-
son, Reggie Montgomery, Andy Rice,
J. Russell Robinson, George Wagner
and George Ward.
A Little from ''Lots''
^_i^^^^« By RALPH IVILK _...^_^
Radio Signs Hugh Herbert
as Writer and Director
Hugh Herbert, who has been with
Radio as writer and dialogue spe-
cialist, has been signed under a long
term contract. He will write as well
as direct feature productions for Ra-
dio.
Burgess in "Fame"
Dorothy Burgess has been cast for
the leading role in "Fame." Belle
Bennett and John Halliday will ap-
pear in principal roles.
Warners Renew Two Contracts
Contract of Roy Del Ruth, direc-
tor, and Joseph Jackson, writer,
have been renewed by Warners.
Hollywood
J^ALPH HAMMERAS, head of
the Fox trick and miniature de-
partment, has been signed to a new
long term contract. Hammeras was
with First National for several years
before joining Fox.
* * *
That producers of Spanish talk-
ing pictures will be able to realize
their negative costs from the rev-
enue for their pictures shown in this
country, is the belief of Jose Bohr,
star of "Sombras de Gloria," who
has started work in "Things of
Life." "Sombras de Gloria" played
simultaneously at the Fox San Car-
los, Crystal and Jewel in Los An-
geles.
* * *
Cyril Gardner, for several years a
film editor, has been promoted by
Paramount and is handling the pic-
torial direction on the Spanish ver-
sion of "The Benson Murder Case."
* * *
Do you remember when:
Warner Oland toured in "The
Yellow Passport"; when Her-
bert Crooker attended the
Minneapolis Madison public
school; when John LeRoy
Johnson was a sport cartoonist
on the St. Paul Daily News;
when Gerritt Jack Lloyd was a
reporter on the old Minneapolis
Daily News; when Ben Hend-
ricks toured in "Yon Yonson"?
* * *
Roy J. Pomeroy, RKO director, is
expected to begin actual production
of his first Radio picture within the
next 10 days. He directed "Inter-
ference" for Paramount.
* * :^
Lenore Coffee, who wrote the sce-
nario and dialogue for "The Bishop
Murder Case," has completed her
M-G-M contract and will soon an^
nounce her new affiliation. Miss
Coffee ranks as one of the highest
paid of creative workers in the fertv-
inine contingent.
* * *
Joseph W. Farnham, veteran title
and dialogue writer, has been signed
under a new long term contract by
M-G-M. Farnham was a New York
stage playwright and producer be-
fore entering pictures. His titles in
"The Fair Co-Ed" and "Telling the
World" won him an Academy of M.
P. Arts and Science's prize. He also
titled "The Big Parade" and "Tell
It to the Marines."
* * it:
Twenty-four of the most ex-
pert players in the world gath-
ered at the Midwick Polo club
Friday to play the initial pro-
fessional cricket match on the
West Coast. The game was
photographed as a sequence in
Ronald Colman's new starring
production, "Raffles."
* * *
John Stone, veteran Fox executive
and writer, is passing out the Hava-
nas. The reason is he has become a
father for a second time. His newest
offspring is a boj-.
* * *
Edward H. Griffith is becoming
an authority on Philip Barry plays.
He directed Barry's "Paris Bound"
ayid will soon start work on Barry's
"Holiday." Griffith will use Ina
Claire in the starring role in "Holi-
day."
* * ♦
"This thief is suffering from hy-
pochrondriacal ideas and klepto-
mania, due to the gradual produc-
tion of a dissociation related to the
amnesia producible in hypnosis,"
said "Professor" Robert Woolsey to
"Hypnotist" Bert Wheeler of the
RKO "Radio Revels." "O.K. for
sound," cried -the-mixer.
Cody for RKO Villain Role
Villain role in "The Second Man"
has been given to Lew Cody. RKO
will make the picture under super-
vision of William Le Baron.
Berkley to Do "'Whoopee" Numbers
Dance and ensemble numbers for
"Whoopee," in which Eddie Cantor
will be starred, have been assigned
to Busby Berkley. This will be the
first film under the Ziegfeld-Goldwyn
partnership.
Fawcett in Columbia Special
George Fawcett has been signed
for an important role in Columbia's
'Ladies of Leisure," under the di-
rection of Frank Capra.
Fairbanks, Jr., Young in F. N. Film
First National has reunited Doug-
las Fairbanks, Jr., and Loretta Young
for featured parts in "Forever After,"
from the play by Owen Davis. Adap-
tation and dialogue are being pre-
pared by F. Hugh Herbert.
Writers Completing Score
Musical score for Warners "Sweet
Kitty Bellaire" is being completed
by Walter O'Keefe and Bobby Do-
lan. Alfred Green is directing.
"Dawn Patrol" Starts Soon
Howard Hawks will begin direct-
ing Richard Barthelmess in "The
Dawn Patrol," for First National
shortly.
MACK SENNEIT INVENTOR
OF NEW COLOR PROCESS:
Mack Sennett has invented a new
color process which will be used
for the first time in "Radio Kisses,"
which goes into production immedi-
ately under the direction of A. Les-
lie Pearce. Only normal lighting for
black and white photographj' is used
on interior shots, cutting down pro-
duction costs and eliminating terrific ;
heat said to be generated when other i
color systems are employed, Sennett ■'
declares. In photographic value, the :
producer claims a complete absence ;
of "fuzz," and a sharper focus, deep-
er focal length and absolute fidelity ,
in reproduction of colors.
THE
Doonrax of HospltaJltr
dU* popular luMtalry and you f«*l at
Thara't an acmosphcr* of cordial wai
whldl marki tha diCFarcoca batwaaa
Hollywood Plasa aad ordinary hotaU.
Toor rooai, coo, ha< thai addad
of dUdncdon. Plcturai on tha wall, oiaa
•tnffad fumltura, a floor lamp and n«^lt
lamp . . . thaia ara but a faw of tha frnmrmrmt
that ouika you faal at homa.
PiC'B Whlada Dioins Sarvlca Uuim* «w
baat of food. Tharafora, whan you ara naV
la L** Ansalaa b« mra to Inyaadsaca.
THE HOLLYWOOD
PLAZA
HOTEL
Vina ttraat at Hollywood Boulayaa^
HOLLYWOOD. CALIFORNIA ''
THE
■ssiai
VSiL
13
C) Short Subjects f)
SOUND
"Match Play"
Educational Time, 21 mins.
This stands out as a decided
achievement in the field of talking
comedies. It has all the makings ot
sweeping popular success. Rating
high among comedy of the more in-
telligent sort, it has enough to satisfy
the most critical of movie-goer. Goli
enthusiasts will find it doubly enter-
taining, dealing as it does with a golf
contest upon the outcome of which
depends whether a young lady shall
become the wife of a chap who isn't
exactly to her liking. Two of the
opponents in the contest are none
other than Walter Hagen, and Leo
Diegel. How these two boys get
themselves out of some tough holes
is a treat for golfers. The fun is
chiefiy doled out by Andy Clyde,
Marjorie Beebe and Bud Jamieson.
"Good Old School Days"
Pathe Time, 6 mins.
Aesop Fable
That "a powdered nose is no guar-
antee of a clean neck" forms the ba-
sis of this Aesop Fable. The scene
is a country school. When the teach-
er asks one of her charges to pre-
sent his composition, the fellow re-
sponds with a song-and-dance num-
ber. The other pupils follows suit,
with the result that the vibrations
cause the schoolhouse to collapse.
Highly amusing filler.
Sid Saylor in
"French Leave"
Universal Time, 21 mins.
Fair Comedy
Fairlj' entertaining comedy with a
number of good gags. The story
revolves around a French miss who
dates up two American doughboys
for the same hour and the same place.
Sparks fly when the two rivals come
together. \Vhen the husband of the
mademoiselle discovers them in the
village cafe with his wife they arc
forced to run for it. There is enough
fun in this one to carry it over.
"He Trumped Her Ace"
Educational Time, 21 mins.
A Sttre Ace
; Here is a pip of a comedy. Mack
I Sennett has teamed Marjorie Beebe
j and Johnny Burke in a laugh-getter
1 that should prove a big number with
J exhibitors. In adopting as its thenif
; the tale of the wife who sues for
divorce because her husband trumped
her ace when everything was at
stake, this film falls under the classi-
fication of satirical comedy. Its cen-
tral situation is a tremendously hu-
man one, considerably strengthened
by expert handling and fine acting.
This should be trumped as an ace of
comedies.
Sid Saylor in
"Fellow Students"
Universal Time, 21 mins.
Good Comedy Stuff
Sid Saylor manages to squeeze con-
siderable fun out of the character
of the young medical practitioner
who finds himself with an office but
no patients. How he tries to drum
up trade is productive of some goo^
lusty laughs. He gets into trouble
with his girl when she accuses him
of making love to a lady patient. In
the end everything is sugar when he
saves her from death in a runaway
automobile. An acceptable comedy.
"Foolish Follies"
Pathe Time, 6 mins.
Aesop Fable
A vaudeville show is the subject
of this Aesop Fable. All manner of
animals do their stuff on the stage,
and all goes well until Miss Hippo
slips in the course of an adagio
dance, breaks through the stage, cuts
a hole through the earth with her
enormous weight and emerges to
find herself in China. Serves to il-
lustrate that "the whole world is a
stage covered with banana peels."
C Presentations f)
By DON CARLE GILLETTE
"Seeing Stars"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
One of the Sporting Youth series.
Mingled with its humor is a certain
amount of drama. This time Judy
succeeds in becoming a picture ac-
tress when she is hired by a star to
pose as her double in a fire scene
without the director's knowledge.
The fire develops into a real one and
the girl is barely rescued by her boy
friend. The fire scenes give the film
a thrilling finish.
"Fifty Miles From Broadway"
Pathe Time, 20 mins.
So-So Comedy
This Rubeville comedy turns out
a far from satisfactory affair. It is
highly artificial comedy of the old
school. There is much triteness to
some of its humor and a lot of danc-
ing that is little short of common-
place. It is all about two lovesick
performers, who quit Broadway for
the old home town. Harry B. W'at-
son, Reg Merville and Olga Woods
are the chief players. There are a
number of tunes, some good, some
bad.
Pathe Audio Review Noi 10
First-Rate Filler
10 mins.
This number has great interest
and no little fascination. It reaches
the height of beauty with a study of
clouds over a late afternoon land-
:cape. The photography is the work
of Nicholas Cavaliere. In the same
issue we see and hear an "effects"
machine of a quarter century back.
Another feature is .A.ttilio Mar-
chetti conducting the Audio Revi'en'
Orchestra.
PARAMOUNT STAGE SHOW
PROVES A RIOT OT TUN
"Tin Type Revue," the stage show
at the Paramount this week, has an
inane quality that makes it a sure
fun fest. It is almost all humor from
beginning to end, and for the most
part, humor of the fast, nonsensical
type. Charlie Hill as master of cere-
monies has some of the choicest hu-
mor of the show. He gets a barrel
of fun out of his lines and actions
without striving too strenuously for
effect. He puts over an amusing and
at the same time instructive number
in which he demonstrates on the
piano how the writer of popular tunes
sometimes gets the music for his
songs. Scarcely less entertaining are
the Lassiter Brothers, two boys who
combine a considerable amount of
acrobatics with their comedy. The
Three White Flashes contribute some
fine work on roller skates. They
dance on the old ball-bearings with
a steadiness that belies the fact they
have wheels on their feet. Others on
the stage are Llora Hoft'man and
tiie Dorothea Burke Girls. This
week's show marks the return of
Dave Rubinoff to the Paramount
following a tour of the Publi.x houses.
Besides conducting the orchestra, he
plays a number of solos on the violin.
WESLEY EDDY HIGtlLIGtlT
OT CAPITOL STAGE SHOW
The stage show at the Capitol this
week, "Days O' Yore," is notable
for two things. In the first place,
it has sufficient diversity to make
fine all-around entertainment. In the
second place, and perhaps most im-
portant of all, is the presence of Wes-
ley Eddy as master of ceremonies.
This Eddy fellow is easily the hio'h-
liglit of the presentation. Not only
because he reveals an ingratiating
personality, but also because he
proves himself a no mean entertain-
er. His singing pleases, to be sure,
but it is because of several highly
amusing impersonations that he
proves so great a hit. Among them
is one of Helen Kane. Another par-
ticularly bright spot is a dancing and
singing chorus of ten beef-trust mam-
mas-— very much like that in the pic-
ture "Applause." These same ladies
are used also in a novel number in
which they are wheeled onto the stage
in bathtubs to the crooning of "Sing-
ing in the Bathtub." Other enter-
tainers of note are the Chevalier
Brothers, who do some trickv acro-
batics, and King, King and King, a
trio of fast and fancy tap dancers.
Also on the program are Charlotte
Conrad, Thiel and Howard, and Nat
Spira. The revue opens on a south-
ern setting.
MY' SPREADS HIMSELT
FOR ANNIVERSARY BILL
For the Roxy's third anniversary,
S. L. Rothafel ("Roxy") has spread
himself with unusual generosity in
the way of a stage show. Every fa-
cility of the big theater, from mus-
ical and mechanical to scenic and
architectural, are employed in the
program. Harold Van Duzee opens
the bill with a revival of his "Laugh,
Clown, Laugh," which he puts over
for the count. This is followed by
a stupendous pageant, "Processional
Religioso," featuring some spectacu-
lar effects and ensemble singing led
by M. Vodnoy, J. Parker Coombs
and Stanislaw Portopovitch. "In A
Jasmine Garden" is another big num-
ber, with Patricia Bowman and
Leonide Massine as the high spots
of the dancing items, while Bea-
trice Belkin sings in an upper left
box and Margaret "Mickey" McKee
does her bird warbling from a simi-
lar spot on the right. Russell E.
Markert's Roxyettes get a special
hand in this act with a diverting rou-
tine of flowery stunts. As the high
spot, there is a closing get-together
called "An Anniversary Party," spe-
cially arranged for this occasion,
with a rich line of merriment pro-
vided by Frank Moulan, Viola Philo,
Patricia Bowman, Malinoff Octette.
Wally Crisham, Marie Doranelli,
The Chef Quartette, the Roxy Uni-
form Staff and all the Roxy units.
.'Ml in all, it is a truly eventful show.
Strand to Be Changed to State
Sioux City, la. — With the arrival
here of Harry Kupper, new manager
of the Strand, a remodeling program
of $15,000 is planned. The name
will be changed to State. Sound will
be installed.
Honeck Succeeds James
Wausau, Wis. — Richard Honeck
has assumed duties as manager of
the Fox here succeeding W. C. James,
who has been made supervisor of
15 Fox houses in Milwaukee.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Peiin. 3580
THE
14
DAILY
Sunday, March 9, 1930
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Talking Films Entering
Artistic Stage, Is Belief
X-TAVING passed the novelty
stage, and surmounted most
of the mechanical problems, talk-
ies are beginning to reach an
artistic plane never before dream-
ed of. The world's greatest talent
has been sifted through the
Hollywood mills and brought
within reach of the smallest ham-
let. Artistic standards are sure
to be advanced now that the
general public may enjoy the
artistry of an Arhss or a Barry-
more. Greater appreciation of
fine music is sure to result from
hearing such singers as Tibbett,
McCormack and Grace Moore.
Ears once attuned to the strains
of Franz Lehar and Oscar
Straus will care less and less for
red-hot jazz. Any but the best
dialogue will fall fiat in competi-
tion with such writers as Sydney
Howard and Stephen Vincent
Benet. No doubt about it. The
Hollywood renaissance is on.
The old "hit or miss" days arc
gone forever.
"Mike" in "The Morning
Telegraph," New York
* * *
Shaw Says Talking Films
Need a New Type of Actor
TT may taken seven or eight
years, but by that time an art-
ist who is exclusively a "talkie"
artist, as opposed to a stage or
silent film artist, will have been
evolved. Let producers stop try-
ing to improve machinery that is
already excellent and concentrate
on the human side of "talkie"
making. Stage artists sing and
speak well in the "talkies" but
can only act in a stage-like man-
ner. Film artists, act as required,
new kind of artist exclusively de-
voted to this type of entertain-
ment has to be discovered before
"talkies" can be seen at their best.
What I want is to see the evolu-
tion of actors and actresses who
are exclusively "talkie" stars.
George Bernard Shaw
The most photographed West-
ern actor playing parts in the
feature production field for the
year 1929, was T. P. McGowan,
Western star who completed 19
releases.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr,
J^EMEMBER "Sweet Adeline," the song, of course, well the
the same gang of men who were present at the first sale
28 years ago, claims M. Witmark & Sons, again got together
recently for the renewal of the copyright. Yes the event was
knocked off with a so-called "Adeline's 28th Birthday Party."
Tiffany is getting all set for the opening of "Mamba,"
which will unfurl itself at the Gaiety Monday
gET he's drinking the ol' tea out there, James A. FitzPatrick
just dropped anchor at Colombo, Ceylon. James is gather-
ing material to be incorporated into his Traveltalks. He'll see
Miss Liberty some time in May Samuel Shipman parted
with another of his w.k. stage play rights to Universal so that
Lupe Velez can be starred in "East Is West." Naturally,
it'll be a talker
^ND as usual on Mondays at 3:30 P. M. the 'debies' Misses
Josephine King and Inez Geraghty together with Elvie
Hitchings wUl broadcast their opinions on many current pro-
ductions via Station WPCH Wesley Eddy this week
is doing his stuff at the Capitol Detroiters also added
their praise to "Puttin' on the Ritz" and Harry Richman will
leave for Hollywood some time in June for another for United
Artists
* * * ♦
CAILINGS scheduled for today (Saturday) include, in addi-
tion to J. R. Grainger, Fox generalissimo, D. G. C. Adams
of Radio on the S. S. California for Los Angeles and Newton
J. Steers, president of DuPont Pathe Film Co. on the Adriatic
for a 45-day Mediterranean cruise The Little Picture
House this week is presenting Clive Brook in "The Return of
Sherlock Holmes." Yeh, we read about that fellow
t^INOGRAMS, Educational newsreel, now is in its eleventh
year. For a short reel it sure is growing fast Mar-
tin Starr, AM PA boy who went West, got himself a sweet
break in Hollywood Filmograph. The streamer read "Martin
Starr and His Eastern Prize Beauties." But they didn't use his
pitchur "Mike" Ames, formerly of U. of Michigan, now
does his stuff as a female in a Warner short, "The Varsity
Vamp."
MARCH 8-9-MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who on these days are cele-
brating their birthdays:
March 8
Hal Hodes
Edgar B. Hatrick
Dick Willis
March 9
Margaret Lee
Walter Miller
Jess Smith
Bobby Vernon
-AND
THAT'S
THAT
By PHIL M. DALY
'T'HOSE six-day bike riders have /.
nothing on Jack Leo. From what
we are told, the industrious vice
president of Fox is about 199 hours
behind on sleep as a result of extra
duties incident to the present situa-
tion. Jack, we hear, did one stretch
of 72 hours on the job without sleep.
What an ideal pal he made for In-
somnia!
Fay Marhe, with accent on the "e"
siyice her foreign sojourn, visited
the RKO studios and watched Pearl
Eaton do her stuff. Pearl, who like
Fay has deserted the Broadway foot-
lights for the Hollywood kliegs,
mikes and megs, was putting a big
cho7-us through some nifty paces.
"Pearl," said Fay admiriyigly,
"Mr. Webster certainly was right
when he described you as a gem."
"Which Mr. Webster was that?"
asked Pearl.
"I don't know his first name," re-
plied Fay, "but you can find his
opinion of yaii in every dictionary."
"VN'rite simply, accurately, concisely,
and above all, truthfully. Do not em-
broider your syntax with extravagant ad-
jectives or polysyllabic euphemisms."
The foregoing is a random ex-
cerpt from the best course we have
seen on "how to become a success-
ful press agent." It appeared Wed- 1;
nesday in the "Morning Telegraph"
in the form of a "semi-open letter"
from Pierre de Rohan, provocative
cinema and drama scribe, to Flor-
ence Ross on the occasion of hef
joining the Warner press depart-t:
ment. Get it and read it, and after'
you heed it if you don't increase youri
space-landing average 133 per cent
we will refund your money.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
Annual meeting of N. Y. State Ex-
hibitors' League opens in Utica.
* ♦ *
Hallmark shows first three releases
of Benny Leonard series.
tf it A
Province of Ontario officially sanc-
tioned picture of Willard-Dempsey
fight.
■* if *
Alfred S. Black to build a 2,000-
seat house in Cambridge, Mass.
THE
Sunday, March 9, 1930
■^^
DAILV
15
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
tAYION SCREEN SECOItES
I DISTRIBm IN SOUTH
Dallas — Distribution of the Ray-
one sound screen, manufactured by
Ihe Schoonmaker Equipment Co., of
kew York, has been taken over here
'ly the Southwestern Electrical Prod-
ucts Co., for 17 southern states.
Southwestern, with headquarters here,
iias branches in Kansas City, Omaha,
klemphis, Atlanta and New Orleans.
The Raytone screen has been adopted
|)y the Electrical Research Products,
New Preservatone Process is
Aid to Life of Film, Says Lyons
8ig Demand for Film on
How Talkers Are Made
! Electrical Research Products, Inc.,
IS receiving many requests for "Find-
iig His Voice," 1,000 foot talking pic-
jure that tells how sound pictures
lire made. The film is done in car-
joon comedy style, illustrating the
ialk of three characters as they go
[hrough a black and white ink-drawn
itudio and see how sound enters the
famera and then into a theater, in
ihe projection room and behind the
icreen to see how it is reproduced
n the theater. The film is supplied
o all houses equipped with Western
,lectric apparatus.
Charles Barrell wrote the scenario
,nd Max Fleischer created the char-
cter, while Frank Goldman did the
jlrawings.
\. E. Company Offering
Low-Priced Apparatus
Boston — Talking Picture Equip-
uent Co., of New England, now is
narketing a new low-priced sound-
)n-disc equipment claimed suitable
or houses having small seating ca-
pacities. The apparatus is com-
pete and sells for under $500 with
quipment for two projection ma-
hines.
Preservatone Film Process, Inc.,
has been formed here with John
Lyons, president and offers a com-
plete film renovating service, which
is claimed to add additional life to
films as well as making them scratch-
proof.
The process is the invention of S.
E. Hartman, German inventor. This
new process, according to the com-
pany, increases the brilliancy of the
picture, protects the sound tracks,
eliminates the necessity of waxing
new prints and can be cleaned in any
cleaning fluid without removing the
process.
The processing operation, it is
claimed, requires five and one-half
minutes a reel and is reported to
make the emulsion on the film 75
per cent harder without effecting the
celluloid. The solution is non-in-
Wide Screen for Perth Amboy
Perth Amboy, N. J. — A wide screen
s being installed at the Majestic,
erry J. Buchbinder, president and
nanagcr of the theater, announces.
FLAME PRCX)F
IT JUST WONT BUBl^
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
Process Tested
Demonstrations of the new
Preservatone process, a devel-
opment of the Preservatone
Film Process, Inc. was recent-
ly conducted before Arthur
Smith, chief projectionist of
the Roxy theater and a num-
ber of Fox executives, and met
with enthusiastic welcome, ac-
cording to the company.
flammable and harmless and, it is
claimed, will add 50 per cent addi-
tional life to prints. The process re-
quired 21 months of research and
experimenting and now is declared a
finished product. Shortly the com-
pany will be in a position to handle
800 reels a day.
Nicholson Develops New
Automatic Light Control
Pittsburgh — N. A. Nicholson, for-
mer projectionist of Johnstown, has
developed a new film safety device
for projectors which will shortly be
marketed here by the N. A. N. Au-
tomatic Light Control Co. The new
device, it is claimed, consists of a
three-shutter unit, one of which is
adapted to be used as a changeover
device. This control, according to
the company has been approved by
the State Dept. of Labor and Indus-
try. Its entry into the local market
brings the total of safety devices to
five.
National Distribution on
Pfeil Automatic Control
Johnstown. Pa. — John C. Pfeil,
president of the Pfeil Automatic
Safety Control, shortly expects to
have product of his company distri-
buted nationally, according to re-
ports here. Pfeil controls now are
being turned out for the ATcKenna
Brass Co.. manufacturers of the de-
vice for Simplex projectors and by
General Engineering Co., makers of
the units for Powers machines.
Four Get Oro-Tone System
Pittsburgh— Four houses in this
ferritorv have been equipned "''tb
Oro-Tone disc devices, according to
H. A. Lande. local representative.
The houses are the Safetv. Bentle-
ville; Auditorium. Burgettstown and
Slovan. Pa. and the Paramount. Pine-
grove, W. Va.
Gets Photo-Electric Cells
Buffalo, N. Y. — Sales rights for
Photo-electric cells have been ac-
nuired here bv M. S. EnHand. local
Afellaphone distributor. The tube is
built for any sound-on-film equio-
ment that employs a four-prong base,
except W. F. and RCA.
Campbell Engineering Co.
Selling New Disc Device
Kansas City ■ — A new medium-
priced disc equipment is being mark-
eted here by the Campbell Engineer-
ing Co. E. W. Campbell, president
of the company, claims the machine
is built sturdy and entirely elimi-
nates vibrations. In addition the
company also distributes the Racon
acoustic chambers. Seth E. Barnes,
a former projectionist and Howell A.
Parker, who has been doing installa-
tion work for Pacent and Biophone,
now are associated with Campbell.
McRae is Tone-0-Graph
Special Representative
Atlanta — A. R. McRae, formerly
connected with RKO, has been ap-
pointed special representative here
or the North American Sound Equip-
ment Co., distributors of the Tone-
O-Graph sound apparatus. McRae
also will supervise in the .'\labania
and Tennessee territory.
Simplimus Device to be
Sold by Film Exchange
Dallas — Simplimus sound equip-
ment will be distributed in this sec-
tion by the Square Deal Film Ex-
change, according to J. G. Tonilin
manager. The apparatus is a dua'
disc and sound-on-film device and mav
be purchased in seoarate units. The
dual equipment is marketed for
if;i.650 while the disc system sells for
^650. Simplimus apparatus is manu-
factured in Boston.
To Complete House May 1
Middletown. N. Y. — The new Para-
mount being- erected here is exoected
to be completed by May 1. the build-
ers declare.
or TRADE
REPORTTHEATER CHANCES
ARKANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Caraway — Caraway, sold to Sidney Mangrum
by .Mrs. Louise Smith; Clarendon — Strand,
sold to J. W. Crabtree by P. F. Engle;
Diea-ks — Laverne, sold to F. J. Bennett by
Mrs. L. B. Taylor; Graysonia — Graysonia,
sold to Kelly & Bratton by Ladies Aid
Society Theater; Huntsvillei — Dixie, sold to
Jerry Simpson by J B. Warren; Pang-
burn— Liberty, sold to Harvey H. Miller
by American Legion; Swifton — Gem, sold
to G. O. Causey by Mrs. Harvey.
Closings
Aahdown — Palace; BPanth — Electric; Hut-
tig — Princess; Lewisville — Gem; Gurdon —
Wright's.
CALIFORNIA
Changes in Ownership
Bucna Park — Buena Park, sold to Mrs. M.
H. Seeger by Valuskis Film Corp. ; Dos
Pales — Dos Palos, sold to E. K. Angle
by Sam DuBois; El Monte — Rialto, sold
to A. L, Sanborn by Jesse Jones; Glendora
— Mission, sold to J. A. Lisy by E. L.
Franck ; La Mesa — La Mesa, sold to C.
Lewinston & Gleason by R. W. Davis; Los
Angeles — Amusu, sold to Mr. Garrett by A.
Freed, Division, sold to H. Wakerman &
T. Henderson by Lambert & Shackelford.
Gem, sold to Paul Neuerburg by Herman
Schwartz, Savoy, sold to Consolidated The-
aters by Gore Bros., Star, sold to Con-
solidated Amusement Co. of Wichita, Kans.,
by Carl Burns, Montrose, sold to Reve
Houck by E. R. Skirboll ; Oakland — Park,
sold to A. F. Myrson by Al. B. Illog;
Oranee— Colonial, sold to A. L. Easterly
by Valuskis Fi'm Corp.; Pinole— Pinole,
sold to L. W. Eaton by M. Hughes & J.
Gardinier ; Rodeo — Rodeo, sold to L. W.
Eaton by M. Hughes; San Francisco —
Parkview, sold to G. Austin by A. White;
San luna— Star, sold to J. Valasco by E.
P. Giacomazzi ; Soledad — Mission, sold to
Martin Schlesinger bv T. W. Lubkert ;
Southgate— Garden, sold to Stofle & Swan-
son by Valuskis Film Corp. ; Upper Lake
Lake, sold to Mr. & Mrs. Clarke Green
& A. Obert by Sarah A. Fuel; Watti —
^ eager, sold to Charles S. Krause by W.
Ferdii
Closings
Alturas — Empress ; Anaheim — United ; Col-
ton — Colton; Los Angeles — Alpine, Floren-
cita. Ideal, Principal. Rainbow; Madera —
Progress; Pinole — Pinole; Rodeo — Rodeo;
Stockton — Stockton.
New Theaters
Peyaluma— Strand, owner— Dan Tocchini.
Re-Openings
Arcadia — Arcadia; Lone Pine — Lone Pine;
San Ysidro— Pioneer; Sierra Madre — Wit-
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiLcoa^HBys
▼▼110 »West Sa^Sr.NewMorh.lAy^^
Phone Penna. 0330
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie
THE
16
1^
-^^
DAILV
Sunday, March 9, 1930
Compromise Seen Between
Opposing Fox Bank Groups
giving weight to the report that a get
tdgctiier is under way.
Meanwhile the Bancamerica-Blair Corp.
group, which also includes Lehman Bros.,
and Dillon, Read & Co., is proceeding with
arrangements for the immediate offering of
new securities of Fox Film to stockholders
luultr their refinancing plan.
Kox Film has formally notified the N. Y.
Stock Exchange that holders of Class "A"
•<ti)ck of record March 10 will receive rights
to subscribe to Class "A" common and to
(lel)tnture bonds. Stock will carry due bdls
on tractions beginning March 10 and will
not sell ex-rights till further notice.
In a report attached to copies of the
Bancamerica refinancing plan, the exact cur-
rent position of the Fox companies is set
forth for the first time. It shows, for the
year ended Dec. 28, 1929, $90,739,885 cur-
rent liabilities, excluding inter-company items,
against combined quick assets of $29,164,396.
Together with bonds, obligations of the two
Fox concerns aggregate $161,872,643.
Earnings of Fox Film, reported at $12.8/
a share on the combined Class A and Class
U stock, were close to earlier estimates.
Current liabilities of the Fox Theaters
Corp., which have been principally respon-
sible for the difficulties of the two companies,
amount to $65,428,029, including $17,751,904
owing to Fox Film. In addition Fox The-
aters has outstanding $53,148,116 bonds and
mortgages, and $2,666,864 long-term ac-
counts payable, making a total of $121,243.-
on". Cuircnt liabilities of Fox Film Corp.
(Continued from Page 1)
total $43,063,760 and bonds total $15,317,-
878, a total of $58,381,638.
Current assets of Fox Film Corp. are
$24,261,884, including $2,736,570 cash, $2,-
798,516 accounts receivable and $17,726,797
inventories. Current assets of Fox Theaters
Corp. total $4,902,512, including $1,859,047
cash. Combined quick assets are thus $29,-
164,396.
.Since the plan approved provides approxi-
mately $60,000,000 in new money, it will
apparently leave the two companies with
roughly $30,000,000 current payables and
about $4,500,000 in cash between them. Of
course this may be improved by current
earnings.
Banking group comprising Bancamerica-
Blair Corp., Lehman Bros, and Dillon, Read
& Co, is proceeding with plans for an
immediate offering of new securities of Fox
Film Corp. to stockholders vunder their plan
of reorganization.
For the year ended December 28, 1929, net
profit of Fox Film was $11,848,2'76 after
depreciation, interest, federal taxes and other
charges, equivalent to $12.87 a share on the
combined 820.660 no-par shares of class A
and 99.900 no-par shares of class B stock,
comparing with net profit of $5,957,218 or
$6.47 .T share on the combined shares in
1928. In addition to the 1929 net profit
of $11,848,276 there was a profit of $5,612,609
on sale of securities, wliich was credtied to
surplus account against chargc-offs for de-
preciation of silent films.
R-K-0 HOUSES UNABLE
TO SHOW'WHITE CARGO"
(Continued from Page 1)
Broadway run at the George M.
Cohan.
The picture had been booked for
tlie Cameo and negotiations were
under way between the Hollywood
Pictures, local distributors, and the
R-K-O offices for showings in other
iiouses of this circuit. Meanwhile
R-K-O notified Capt. Harold Auten,
representative for W. P. Film in this
country, that the feature could not be
shown in the circuit's theaters be-
cause of the Hays office ruling.
"White Cargo," after its sensation-
al stage career, was banned from
screen production here by mutual
agreement of American companies.
The Hays organization formula,
which has been in effect for several
^ ears, re(|uires that in cases where a
play or book has been banned in its
original form the story must be re-
written with the elimination of mat-
ter that is considered objectionable.
In view of this standing rule, the
Havs office states that it was not
necessary to issue any special order
in the case of "White Cargo."
Captain Auten declares that, inas-
iMich as the picture was passed by
the National Board of Review and
the New York censor, he is taking
IcL'al stens to get around the Hays
office ruling.
House Named Paramount
Dallas Sales Manager
(Continued from Pape 1>
sales manager of that exchange by
J. B. Dugger, branch manager. Dug-
ger also promoted Heywood .Sim-
mons to head booker of the local
exchange. He succeeds Ralph Low-
man, who resigned to join Pathc.
IIPARAHOUNT PICTURES
IN WORK THIS MONTH
(Continued from Pane 1)
tor Schertzinger, with dialogue and
adaptation by William Slavens Mc-
Nutt and Grover Jones, who did simi-
lar work for "The Mighty": "The
Devil's Holiday," written and direct-
ed by Edmund Goulding, with Nancy
Carroll; "Follow Thru," second
Schwab & Mandel musical feature,
with Nancy Carroll and Buddy Rog-
ers; Clara Bow in "True to the
Navy," directed bv Frank Tnttle;
Jack Oakie in "High Society," direct-
ed by Edward Sutherland; "The
Border Legion." directed bv Otto
Brower and Edwin Knopf, with
Richard Arlen. Fay Wray and Jack
Holt; the Soanish version of "The
Benson Murder Case," and two other
pictures not yet titled.
Eastern activity will include Mnn-
rice Chevalier in "Too ^Tuch Luck,"
';in'j:ing and talking feature and
"Oiieen High," first of the Schwab
"^^ Afandel musicals, directed bv Fred
Newmevcr, with Charles Ruco'les.
Fr.Tnk Aforgan. Ginger Rogers, Stan-
'cA Smith and Bettv Garde.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Jackson, Mich. — After recuperating
in Florida from a recent illness,
Steve Springett of the Family has
returned to continue his duties at the
theater.
Trenton, N. J. — K. D. McLaren,
W. Hoffman and W. Varndell are the
officers of the newly formed Milburn
Theater Corp., which has 2,500 shares
of no par stock and will operate the-
aters in Jersey City.
Los Angeles — Von Herberg, who
recently sold the Forum to Warner
Bros., will shortly open their new
house at Beverly Blvd. and Fairfax
Ave.
Arbitration Board Named
by West Coast Players
(Continticd -from Pnrir 11
Cohen, who constitute the committee
^DDointcd bv the Ass'n of M. P. Pro-
ducers to studv methods and practices
of agents and artists' renresentatives
in Hollvwood. plan to hold confer-
ences with aeents, actors and others
■ntcrested, with a view to obtaininfr
•"'"'•nmmendations on the best method
of doing av\-av with existing evils.
Chel<=<^a Theater SoM
Beatrice Theater Corp. lins pur-
'-'lased the Chelsea from the Sterber
Holding Corp.
Grand Rapids, Mich. — .^fter hav-
ng been operated as a first run, the
Savoy formerly the Temple, has
•losed.
Appleton, Wis. — Carl Berlinger has
closed the Majestic which he has
l)erated for IS years.
New Iberia, La. — Having pur-
chased a site on Main St., Mahfouse
and Elias will erect a modern pic-
ture house to cost a)>out $40,000.
Quincy, Mass. — With the purchase
of the Weymouth by Philip Smith
of Smith Theatrical Enterprises, the
house will be completely remodeled
and improved with sound apparatus.
Cleveland — Max Lefkowitch has
taken over the Oriental, now closed
and being wired. The house will be
ready for opening in two weeks.
Portland, Ore. — Ted Gamble, for-
nierl\- with ITiiiversal, is now man-
aging the RK() ( )rpheimi here,
lames .-V. Carrier, announces.
Healdsburg, Cal. — Redwood Thea-
ters. Inc., has announced acquisition
of a site here for the erection of a
$100,000 house. The seating capac-
ity of the new addition will be 1,000.
Norman C. Coulter is the architect.
Edina, Mo. — William Collins, of
Flat River has purchased the Main-
street from Carl Muff. The seller
operated the house for the past eight
years.
Pittsburgh — Bert Barnett has re-
signed as office manager of the U. A.
exchange. He was formerly with
Paramount and Fox in N. Y.
Atlanta — W. J. Collins, formerly of
Pathe, has Joined Western Electric
as special representative handling
theatrical sales in Northern Georgia,
Alabama and northwest Florida.
Minneapolis — William O'Hare has
■■I'cceeded Harry Watts as manager
of the six loop theaters here. He
was formerh manager of the Para-
mount.
Cincinnati, O. — Tenants on the
proposed site of the new theater at
Hamilton and Second Sts., have been
given notice to move. Razing will
begin as soon as the houses have
been vacated.
Charlotte, N. C— .\ttempt of Uni-
versity of No. Carolina students to
bring about a reduction of ten cents
in admission at the Carolina by
threats of boycotting the house have
met with failure.
Stamford, Conn. — Publix is report-
ed seeking the Palace and Strand,
local houses controlled by the Vuono
interests.
Rowelsburg, W. Va.— R. A. Jack-
son has leased the American here to
T. E. Dunn.
Republic, Pa.— Charles Johns ha.s
renewed his lease on the Grand
Frank Hall is the owner.
Boston, Mass. — William J. Burke
has been appointed manager of the
Xew Coolidge, which has reopened
under new management. Western
Electric e(]uipment has been installed.
No. Baltimore, O.— R. E. Bishop
plans to remodel the Knodel grocery
store into a theater.
New York
Irving Fineman is now managing,
the Ozone Park under M. MacLevy.
From assistant to manager of thdi
Capitol, Brooklyn, is the promotion'
for Irving Grishman.
I'ox .Mctroi)olitan I'layhouses ha-
promoted John Martin, former assis'
ant manager of the Carlton, Bklyii
to manage one of the circuit's up
State houses.
-Atlantic, Bklyn., is now unde.
management of J. Cohen, who wa-
formerlx- assistant manager of tlii
Rivera.
A. Sterns has been made assistaii:
manager of the Stratford, Bklyn.
M. Schultz has been transferred b)
Fox from the Park to the Riviera.
Edward Small has completed tlie
first of four pictures for Aristocrat
Pictures, "Clancy in Wall St.," with
Charles Murray in the title role.
Tarrytown — The Strand wlil
not close during installation of sound
apparatus. Edward Pollack is prop-
rietor of the house.
Binghamton — William J. Lavery
is managing the Laurel, which has
reopened after being completely
remodeled.
Watertown — The Palace, for
merly known as the Wonderland,
will be demolished. Stores will re-
place the theater.
MAINTAINING SIMPLEX SUPREMACY
new
Vignette Type
new
Pre-Focusing Lens System
Eye Shield
Threading and Framing Lamps
Rear Shutter
new
Oiling System
Lens Mount
Film Trap
TRADE MARK B6GD.
The International Projector
The International Projector Corporation
90 GOLD STREET, NEW YORK
Anitke/i ^O^ movietone muAu:aUffWiA
with,
JACK MULHA
SUE CAROL
EL BRENDEL
MARJORIE WHITE
RICHARD KEENE
WALTER CATLETT
PAUL PAGE
and a gold^rx array o\
Hollywood: s \)reiii&st girls
Here's an eye-Filling, tune-thrilling
medy of love and laughter and ped-
al extrennities. A knockout story wit
El Brendel and Marjorie White again
providing laughs galore. Gorgeous
settings! Tuneful music and loads of
songs! This one is in the money — BIG!
A. ARON
b^<>HEWSPAPER
o/FILMDOM
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
VOL. LI No. 58
Monday, March 10, 1930
Price 5 Cents
New Reform Crusade Sponsored by Former Exhib.
B. S. MOSS TO BUILD~40 TALKERHOUSES
First Publix Film^ Unit Goes In Work Today
Help Wanted
— in the story department
-■^=^By JACK ALICOATE^:^^
THE OLD CRY of lack of proper
story material and seasoned, com-
petent writers, is again being heard
in the foothills of the San Bardoo
mountains. That a new writing
technique must be cut and tailored
to tit tne sound screen is univer-
sally recognized. As has been true
of the amusement business since
the memory of man runneth not to
the contrary, the values of story
production material must be con-
stantly on the up-grade. In the
present situation the re-vamping
of the old silents into talker come-
backs will help for a while but it's
simply taking the easiest way.
Lifting material bodily from the
legitimate stage and transplanting
it on the talkative celluloid will do
Duly in spots. Probably more than
fifty per cent of stage material,
joth past and present, is utterly
mfit for screen use. The problem
then resolves itself into one of
original material, written directly
for the screen and with all of its
nany and complicated require-
nents taken into consideration.
When this crop of screen writers
lias fully matured in the produc-
tion garden and is ready for pick-
ng, the talkers will have then es-
tablished themselves definitely as
the world's outstanding and per-
nanent amusement leader.
Mr. Myers Observes
While we have had many a good
3ang-up argument with our old
:lass-mate Abram Myers and most
3f the time do not agree with his
;onclusions regarding this industry
kve do have the greatest admira-
(.Continued on Page 2)
Four-Reelers Designed to
Replace Stage Shows
in Some Cities
First of the Publix presentations
to be made in film form, with the
idea of using them to replace stage
shows in cities where such shows are
not practicable, will go into produc-
tion under the direction of Frank
Cambria at the Paramount Long Is-
land studios. The initial production
is called "Leave It to Lester," and
because of the elaborate scale on
which it will be made the finished
picture, though running not more
{Continued on Page 8)
PUBLIX MANAGERS START
m. CONVENTION TODAY
Chicago — A three-day convention
of Publix executives and managers
to outline policies for the coming
season, will get under way today at
the Drake Hotel here. Sam Katz
will preside and W. K. Hollander
is in charge of arrangements for the
meeting.
Alexander Sono Art
Mid-West Representative
Chicago — Larry Alexander, former
Universal district manager, has been
appointed special Mid-West repre-
sentative by Sono Art. Alexander
formerly was First National exchange
manager here.
COLUMBIA TAKES OVER
"MOUSE" WORLD RIGHTS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Columbia has taken
over the world rights to the remain-
ing 15 "Mickey Mouse" subjects in
the current series, according to Roy
Disney, business manager of Walt
Disney Productions. Existing con-
tracts held by exhibitors for these
cartoon subjects will be carried out
by Columbia, Disney states.
E. O. Brooks as Contact
on Universal Newsreel
E. Oswald Brooks has been ap-
pointed contact man between the
Universal home office and the first-
run accounts using the Universal
Newsreel. He is now on his way
to St. Louis.
Davis Continues as Head
of Portland Film Board
Portland, Ore. — L. E. Davis, First
National, has been reelected presi-
dent of the Film Board of Trade
here. Charles Powers, Fox, succeeds
(Continued on Page 8)
Publix Makes Managerial
Changes in Omaha House
Omaha — - Lionel Wasson, house
manager of the World, has been pro-
moted by Publix to assistant city
manager of Publix theaters here.
(Continued on Page 8)
Fred Eastman Heads New Move
To Class Pictures As Utility
Oxtoby Succeeds Lukan as
F. N. Seattle Manager
Seattle — Al Oxtoby, at one time
manager of First National's Portland
office and more recently working as
special sales representative, out of
San Francisco, has been appointed
manager of the company's local of-
fice, succeeding L. O. Lukan, re-
signed.
Chicago — Following close upon the
introduction of the Hudson Bill in
Congress, a reform crusade along
similar lines to have the film industry
classed and regulated as a public
utility has been launched here, with
Fred Eastman, former exhibitor, as
leader of the movement in co-opera-
tion with "The Christian Century,"
religious publication. Eastman, who
is now an instructor in a local theo-
(.Contmuti on Pag* 8)
Big Chain of Specially
Designed Theaters
Is Planned
Establishment of a national chain
of 40 or more theaters built express-
ly for the showing of talkers is an-
nounced by B. S. Moss, who has
been out of the vaudeville and pic-
ture field for the last two years. Six
of the houses will be located in New
York, Moss says, and the first, which
will serve as a model, will be built
at 23rd St. and 8th Ave. This thea-
ter, costing $2,000,"000, is to be erect-
ed immediately.
OTTO H. KAHN ATTENDS
CONFERENCE IN EOX CASE
Probability of a compromise be-
tween the two groups of Fox bankers
was further strengthened Saturday
when Otto H. Kahn, of Kuhn, Loeb
& Co., who up to now have not been
mentioned in connection with the sit-
uation, attended a conference with
representatives of the other banking
groups in the chambers of Judge
Frank J. Coleman.
Robertson Is Made Fox
Coast Theater Executive
Seattle — H. C. Robertson has been
idvanced from manager of the Coli-
.eum here to an executive post with
Fox West Co: ;t Theaters. In his
lew position 1 will handle impor-
tant secretarial matters involving all
;ompanies under Fox West Coast
(Continued on Page 8)
$150,000 Theater to Seat
1,200 Planned in Richmond
Richmond— A $150,000 theater to
seat 1,200 is being planned here with
the financial backing of the Phoenix
Amusement Co., which lists among
its theaters the Strand and Ben Ali
in this city. The project will rise
on the site of the Richmond Opera
House.
THE
DAILY
Monday, March 10, 193
Vol. LI No. 58 Monday, March 10, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICGATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate. President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La (^inematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
The Broadway Parade
'TpWO important openings are scheduled for this week. Tonight "Mamba" suc-
ceeds "Troopers Three" at the Gaiety, while tomorrow will see the premiere
at the Forty-fourth St, of John McCormack's first screen effort, "Song O' My
Heart."
Picture Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Love Parade" Paramount Rivoli Nov. 1 9
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan. 28
"Green Goddess" Warner Winter Garden. . . .Feb. 13
"Puttin" on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb. 14
"Vagabond King". . . .' Paramount Criterion .Feb. 19
"White Cargo" W.P.Film Co,, Ltd. Cohan Feb. 21
"Song of the West" Warner Warner Feb. 27
"Case of Sergeant Grischa" . . . RKO Globe Mar. 7
"Mamba" Tiffany Gaiety Mar. ID
"Song O' My Heart" Fox 44th St Mar. 11
The Industry's
Date Book
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sales
*Am, Seat 24 ....
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 21?^ 211/2 21Ji 100
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 24 24 24 600
Eabt. Kodak 228 220J4 226^ 4UU
Fox Fm. "A" 35^ 34^4 35 2,70U
Gen. Thea. Equ... 44>i 43J^ 44 4UU
*Keith A-0 33
do pfd 110J4 llOM llOJi lUG
Loew's, Inc 80J4 77^ 80 1,400
do pfd. WW (6}4).104 101J4 104 20U
*do pfd. xw (65/^) 87M
M-G-M pfd 25J4 25J4 25^ lUu
Para. F-L 71}^ 70'A Tl'/z 1,5UU
Pathe Exch 4 3^ 4 100
do "A" 7!4 7ji r'/i lOU
K-K-O 35 33M 35 40,300
*Univ. Pict. pfd 55 Ji
Warner Bros 72 70}^ 72 5,700
do pfd 63 62 63 1,500
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*BaI. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 30 293/^ 30 600
Fox Thea. "A"... 7^ 7?i 7V» 1,700
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts... 45 Al'A 45 l,70u
l.oew, Inc., war... 16 15}4 16 200
•Nat. Scr. Ser 24
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 16 16 16 30(,
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith AC 6s 46 84
Loew 6s 41ww 119J4117J4 119^4 90
do 6s 41 x-war 98^ 9854 98/^ 2d
Paramount 6s 47..101J4 lOlJ^ 101^ 31
•Par. By. 5'AsS\ 101
Pathe 7s37 48^4 48}4 48^^ 5r
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
y New York Long Island City fj
g 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. it
♦.* BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 i'i
I J. E. Brulatoor, Inc. «
if Chicago Hollywood ♦•;
U 1727 Indiana Ave. 6'°° Santa Monica ;>
♦,♦ „ , Blvd. a
:,: CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 {'j
J.t ;>
♦^•••♦♦♦•♦♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦.♦♦♦♦»v»w»«ww»»vW}JI
Help Wanted
— in the story department
(Continued from Page 1>
tioii for his honesty and integrity
in respect to any given situation.
In these days of industry strife
we were rather impressed with a
rather frank thought of his, re-
cently given in an address before
the Bureau of Personal Adminis-
tration in New York City. We
pass it on:
"It is not necessary that the ulti-
mate purpose of a code should be
wholly unselfish. Morality is no less
commendable because prompted by
self-interest. The ancient maxim that
honesty is the best policy really
smacks of commercialism. One en-
counters true disinterestedness only
in those who have retired from busi-
ness. The test, therefore, is whether
the advantages to be gained by the
industry are fairly balanced by the
elevation of standards and benefits
to the public. If there is an honest
effort to arrive at a basis of right
action, that effort is not to be con-
deimied because it is made in the
hope of reward."
Regular K-A-O Dividend
Regularly quarterly dividend of
1>4 per cent on the convertible pre-
ferred stock has been declared by
Keith-Albee-Orpheum directors, pay-
able April to stockholders of record
March 19. Orpheum Circuit direc-
tors also declared regularly quarter-
ly dividend of 2 per cent on the pre-
ferred stock of this company, pay-
able April 1 to stockholders of rec-
ord March 19.
Columbia Moves K. C. Office
Kansas City — Columbia Pictures is
now located in their new offices at
115 West 17th St., formerly occupied
by Independent Film Corp.
"Royal Box" for Philly
Warner Bros, will open "The
Royal Box" at the Metropolitan,
Philadelphia, April 21, for an indefi-
nite run.
Judea Ready to Release
First Two Jewish Talkers
Judea Films, Inc., announced it is
ready to release the first two of a
series of 26 talkers completely in
Jewish dialogue. The completed films
are "Style and Class" and "ihe
Shoemaker's Romance." Marty Ba-
ratz and Goldie Eisman are featured
in the first; Joseph Buloff in the
other. The head of the company is
Joseph Seiden, president of Sieden
Films. Other officers are Samuel
Berliner, treasurer, and Morris Gold-
man, sales manager.
Jannings in "Great Tenor,"
Pommer's Next for UFA
Hmil Jannings has been signed by
Ufa to appear in Erich Pommers
next, tentatively titled "The Great
Tenor" (Der Grosse Tenor), accord-
ing to a cablegram received by the
New York office of the company.
Agfa in New Quarters
Afga Raw Film Corp. has moved
from 1600 Broadway to new quarters
at 1328 Broadway.
Warren Doane Here
Warren Doane, general manager of
the Hal Roach studio, is in New
York, where he plans to spend sev-
jeral weeks.
Botsford to Attend Meeting
A. M. Botsford of Publix left Sat-
urday for Chicago where he will at-
tend the managers convention at the
Drake Hotel.
Esterley Joins Goodhall
Kansas City — Charles E. Esterley
is now representing Goodhall Elec-
tric, Inc., manufacturers of the Good-
hall synchronizer. He was formerly
with Oro-Tone.
Publix Increases Prices
Kansas City — With the showing
of "The Vagabond King," Publix
has increased admission prices at the
Newman.
Today: Opening of "Mamba" at t
Gaiety, N. Y.
Mar. n Opening of "Song C My Heai
in New York at 44th St. Theat
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M:
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr. 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at
New York house, not yet decid
upon.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and b
of the Warner Club, Inc., at t
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State
P.T.O. at Memphis.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at I
Wardman Park Hotel, Washingtc
DC.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention sta:
to-day.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Pathe Starts 1930 in Mexico
Pathe has begun its 1930 progra
in Mexico with the opening
"Lucky in Love" in Mexico Cii
Other Pathe films to be released
.Uexico this month are "the Go
less Girl," "Her Private Affair," a
"Red Hot Rhythm."
Dedicate House Wednesday
Sault Ste. Alarie, Mich. — Dcdic
tion of the Soo, new Butterfie
house, will take place here W'cdiu
day.
Poland Joins St. Louis Firm
St. Loui.s — Jimmie Poland, former
distributor for the Polar Air cooling
system in Kansas City, has joined
the Supreme Heating and Ventilating
Co. of this city in a sales capacity.
R-K-O After Albany Site
Albany, N. Y. — R-K-O is report
after the Knights of Columbus Bk
on North Pearl St. for the erectii
of a new 3,200-seat house. Rt
estate negotiations are understo
under way for the purchase of t
site.
Schairer RCA Vice Presidei
Radio Corp. of America has nam
Otto S. Schairer vice president
charge of its patent department.
N. Y. Shovi^ing for F. N. Fij
"Murder Will Out" will be gi
a Broadway showing by F. N. she;
ly. Clarence Badger directed.
Smith Arrives Today
Stanley Smith arrives in N
York today to play in the fi
version of "Queen Hiph." to be nu
at the Paramount Astoria studios
NATIONAL
SCREENI
SERVICl
SSSIUNT
THE
onday, March 10, 1930
■eStl
DAILY
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
-=€)-=
erchandising Held Vital
'[D the Exhibitor's Success
[ATERCHANDISING is an im-
portant part of exhibition
j — it always has been — and to-
(day it seems to be more vitally
'essential to theater success than
lever before. Aside from having
entertainment merit a success-
[ful picture must have merchan-
'dising values. Press sheets sup-
iplied on all feature releases, gen-
erally contain some good ideas.
' But they are not always new
ideas. Often tie-ups of national
and local value are made after
the press sheets have been print-
ed and placed in the exchanges
for distribution.
Ben Shlyen in
"Michigan Film Reviews"
* * *
rges Independent Producer
0 Adverise More Extensively
'T'HE majority of tlieaters in the
United States are independ-
ently owned and operated. They
will always remain so by reason
of their remote location, limited
population surrounding, and un-
desirable competitive conditions.
The men operating tliese theaters
are appealed to by their patrons
for exhibition of the pictures
THEY know about. In most
instances they are tlie pictures
of national producers. Nation-
ally advertised. Zone premiere
publicity. All of this Mr. In-
dependent Exhibitor endeavors
to capitalize upon. At times it
clicks to the satisfaction of him-
self and the public. At other
times the unknown, unadvertised
1 independent picture might give
Ithe greatest satisfaction, but less
i financial. This brings us hack
III the economics of the busi-
ness. If it's a proven outstand-
ling piece of screen work, then
ADVERTISING, more AD-
VERTISING, and still MORE
ADVERTISING.
Thomas D. Vav Oaten in
"Pacific Coast Indcnendent
Exhibitor"
American films are shown in
70 countries, with titles trans-
lated into 37 tongues.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
A LBERT HOWSON, scenario editor for Warner Bros., last
week was the principal speaker at the Temple Israel Sister-
hood, where he spoke on "The Development of the Talking
Screen Through Vitaphone" Yes, and George Bernard
Shaw now is a movie fan, according to his comment on seeing
"Disraeli," which appears in the London Mirror Claims
he likes the talkers
J^OUGLAS FAIRBANKS, JR., we are told, has just placed
a series of stories and caricatures with Vanity Fair
Fair enough sez we Lady Baden-Powell, head of Girl
Guides of England and president of the Affiliated Girl Scout or-
ganization of the world, the other day was guest of honor at a
showing of James FitzPatrick's "The Lady of the Lake"
A/TORE than 35 stars will be present at the Crippled Children's
show which Aaron Reuben is arranging. The event takes
place next Sunday "Hold Everything," new Warner film,
will inaugurate the opening of the company's new Hollywood
Theater here. When? That's another story Tiffany's
"Mamba" is on tap tonight at the Gaiety, so if you're pushed
about the big street, that's the reason
* * ♦ *
'"pO that inquiry, Eric Von Stroheim has turned actor again and
will appear in "Three Faces East" Why is it that
Eddie Quiilan's family gets a bigger kick out of screen activities
than he does? Simple, it's Eddie's nature That RKO
bunch burns the wires with the fact that "The Case of Sergeant
Grischa" is doing a turnaway business at the Globe, raking in
better business on its opening night than "Hit the Deck"
A BE MEYER, who recently returned from the Coast, has been
engaged by Morris Press jto handle certain portions of the
Paramount music dept. work. Meyer, by the way, was associated
with Hugo Riesenfeld, former managing director of the Rialto,
RivoH and Criterion Now that sound equipment will be
installed on the Leviathan ,wonder who'll be the first "head man"
in the industry to install same on his yacht?
MARCH 10--MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
William Courtright
Lowell Calvert
Melville Brown
Frank P. Donovan
Gregory La Cava
Jean Girard
Stuart Holmes
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
Stamped 20,000 Bags
to Help Out Theater
J^. S. ORR, of the I'ublix-Saenger
Theater, Winston-Salem, N. C,
got 20,000 advertisements for "Show
of Shows" stamped on paper bags
used in local sto.es ahead of and dur-
ing the run.
The stunt was a sort of co-opera-
tive, if you get what we mean. Mr.
Orr supplied the stamps, the stores
supplied the bags and the employees
put in their spare time slapping the
bags with the stamp, so it cost the
house only the stamps. It is a good
dea even where it is necessary to pay
for printed bags. If you can get the
bags and printing gratis, so much
the better.
—Zit's.
Red Extra Revived for
'Dynamite" Showing
A S one feature of the exploitation
for the showing of "Dynamite"
nt Loew's Valentine, Toledo, W. G.
Bishop, exploiteer, and J. H. Merri-
man, house manager, revived the old
red extra, using the following copy:
EXTRA! EXTRA!
DYNAMITE FOUND
IN THEATER
Now Showing
Cecil B. De Mille's
First All-Talking
Super Motion Picture
"DYNAMITE"
Loew's Valentine
Bishop purchased 3,000 copies of
the Toledo "Times," using newsboys
to distribute 2,000 in downtown To-
ledo and 1,000 in East Toledo.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
m
William A. Brady Pictures Corp.
formed with Travers Vale, director
general.
Character Pictures purchase Flo-
rida studio.
N. Y. State Exhibitors' Conven-
tion under way at Utica.
Zukor reported in international
combine with Lord Beaverbrook.
fm
"^
^r'*"^^
\
^^^K^^""'
\tA
^V»e^ Ve*'
^oNV^
'^'•>- :.*>-" .P^O
a«««
,00^^\.xo.
?^^. ..NO*^" .v,et»
.?^^' .XA^«
,cO
^^^^^V^"^ ^1
A,e^
oO^^Vo^r^o^^**
G<«
A HUfad Show
l^f traction
^ver-shodow-
ing anything
'er released
y Columbia
I3MBI
€m HITS
To Celebrate ColUttlbia^S
Tenth Anniversary
Ladies of Leisure
A supreme Road-Show Attraction, opening Los Angeles and San Francisco at
— $2 top
Charles Murray and George Sidney in
Around the Corner
A laugh riot from beginning to end
AT^ _T Tl ^ with William Collier, Jr.
KOyal KOmanCe and Pauime StarWe
A gem of romance, thrills and laughter
"^Klyul Call of the West Moore
An all-talking Western romance thriller
Aileen Pringle and Ian Keith
Prince of Diamonds
A story of international diamond smugglers
E f^ceT
THE
-S&^
DAILV
Monday, March 10, li
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
F. N. Has Three in Work
and Eight Ready to Start
'i hree piciures are lu actual pro-
di:ction and eight are being prepareci
for early shooting at the First Na-
tional studios. Richard Barthelmes;
is working in "The Dawn Patrol,'
Bernice Claire and Walter Pidgeoi.
are being featured in "Mile. Mo-
diste," and "Under Western Skies,'
an all-Technicolor production witi
Sidney Blackmer and Lila Lee. Pic
tures about ready to go into work
are "The Right of Way," "The Gir
of the Golden West," "Heart of tht
North," "Forever After," "God^
Country and the Woman," "Th-
Fortune Teller," "The Devil's Play-
ground" and "Man Crazy."
Radio Puts New Power
Plant Into Operation
Radio has placed into service its
new 3,000-watt electric power plant.
The plant supplies power to a ca-
pacity of 3,000 kilowatts, sufficient Ic
light a city of 30,000 people, the
company claims. Three huge trans-
formers reduce the current from 35,-
000 volts to 22,000 volts. This vol-
tage operates the motor generator
sets. Smaller transformers for in-
candescent stage lighting arc alx
included in the new plant.
"Madame Satan" Starts
Actual production has begun or.
"Madam Satan," under direction v:
Cecil B. De Mille. The director ha>
until now rehearsed several scenes in
dummy sets on the M-G-M lot.
Writers Working on Original
Original screen operetta now be-
ing written by Otto A. Harbach anci
Jerome Kern may be used as Marilyn
Aliller's next starring vehicle for
First National.
Lowell's Second for Radio
Lowell Sherman's second picture
for Radio Pictures will be known a;
"He Knew Women."
Tiffany Signs Song Writers
Tiffany has signed Violinsky and
Silverstein, song writers, to do the
music and lyrics for "Hot Curves."
Norman Taurog will direct.
of Philadelphia
of '\\^ishington
IjXJBIBIToR.
of New Yorli. Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4,600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
everlastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-GOODWIN PUBLICATIONS
' New York — Philadelphia — Washington '
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
A Little
from ''Lots"
By RALPH WILK ^ii^^
Hollywood
pORREST HALSEY declares
charming, old Spanish spirit and
hospitality are to be found in Las
Pas, Mexico. It is a most gorgeous,
untouched country, he avers. In
bidding farewell to the governor of
Las Pas, Halsey kissed him and the
governor returned the kiss, much to
the astonishment of American on-
lookers.
* * *
By the way, Halsey's hobby is
reading palms and on his trip to
Las Pas he read the palms of lead-
'ng members of the governor's staff.
Halsey has read the palms of the
King of Spai7i, the Prince of Wales,
Gloria Sivanson and Cecile Sorel,
famous French actress. Incidentally,
Halsey is the only scenarist who
was made an Officier de'Acadaniie
by the French Government.
* * ♦
Roy J. Pomeroy, director
and sound expert, declares that
it is possible to photograph
singers and speakers in New
York by silent cameras and si-
multaneously record t h e ir
voices on sound films in Holly-
wood, and, by undetectable
process photography, have the
singer or speaker lead a revue
or appear foremost in a gath-
ering, which is being photo-
graphed and recorded in a
Hollywood studio.
* * *
We are informed that "silent" Cal-
\'in Coolidge is far from silent when
viewing a Laurel and Hardy comedy.
Mr. Coolidge has confessed that he
is a great Laurel and Hardy fan and
enjoys these funsters immensely.
William Randolph Hearst, who was
the Coolidge host at the Hearst
''anch. arranged for a special show-
ing of "Brats," the latest Laurel and
Hardv comedv.
Russell Ball on Stills
Russell Ball, formerly a New York
portrait photographer and latelv en-
'jaged in the same capacity in Holly-
wood, has been signed to make all
stills and special portraits in con-
nection with Gloria Swanson's next
United Artists release "What a
Widow!"
Columbia Adds Two to Cast
Columbia has added Ullric Haupt
and Betty Boyd to the cast of "A
Roval ■Romance." Earle C. Kenton
is din.-<tiiiLr with William Collier, Jr.,
and Pauline Starke in -leading roles.
Young for "Right of Way"
Loretta Young will have the femi-
nine lead in "The Right of Wav."
which Frank Lloyd will direct fo
First National.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Chang^
ALABAMA
Changes in Ownership
Arab — .Arab, sold to Arab Theater Co. by K.
S. Martin ; Birmingham — Cameo, sold to
Grover Wise by Marvin Wise Theaters,
Inc.; Centerville — Frances, sold to L. H.
Anthony by J. P. Nix; Eufaula — Lee, sold
to M. G. Lee by Lee Amusement Co. ;
Foley— Palm, sold to G. H. Buley by J.
T. Dumas ; Margaret — Margaret, sold to
M. T. Fambrough by T. G. Anderson;
Mobile — Crescent, sold to E. M. Frankel
by Walter Mitchell.
Closings
CoUinsville — Cricket; Geneva — Arcade; North
Birmingham — Rivoli : Towmley — Pastime ;
Wylam — Wylam ; Montgomery — Para-
mount.
ARIZONA
Closings
Peoria — Metro.
CONNECTICUT
Changes in Ownership
Devon — Devon, sold to M. Kish by R. Sta-
wowrzyk ; Easthampton — Majestic, sold to
R. Youngs by P. Blanchard ; Newr Britain
— Rialto. sold to M. Ahlstrom by Parker-
Smith Co. ; West Hartford— Central, sold
fo West Hartford Community Tlieater,
Inc. by Maxfield & Schumann.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Changes in Ownership
Deanwood — .Strand, sold to G. Gray by Dean-
wood .Amusement Co.
FLORIDA
Changes in Ownership
Clearwater — Palace, sold to E. J. Sparks by
H. Pitman: Fernandina — Rex, sold to G.
H. Herbert bv F. W. Sadler; Jasper— Fay,
sold to Charles C. Nelson by Fred L.
Freeman ; Kissimmee — Arcade, sold to G.
T. Wilby by F. J. Sparks; Lakeland-
Strand, sold to James Raiilerson by Harold
Pavey; Madison — Royal, sold to C. A.
Tilalock by Fred L. Freeman.
Closings
Daytona Beach — Kingston; Hastings —
Casin. : Orlando — Isis.
GEORGIA
Changes in Ownership
Cuthbert — Lee, sold to M. G. Lee by ;
Amusement Co. ; Dawson — Lee, sold ti ,1
G. Lee by Lee Amusement Co.; Eatc>
— Di.xie, sold to P. C. Rossee by Bi
Cooper; Reynolds — Grand, sold to j
Mangham by G. L. Cooper; Vidalia— i
sold to Pal Theater, Inc. by E. R. Co!.!
Closings
Lavonia — Franklin.
IDAHO
Changes in Ownership i
Oakley; — Orpheum, sold to Farmers 'f
mercial and Savings Bank of Oakley
Fred G. Erickson; Soda Springs — Ida a
sold to J. W. Lauritson by Gorton Thje
Company.
Closings
Kendrick — Kendrick ; Lewiston — Tenlt
Troy — Liberty.
ILLINOIS
Changes in Ownership
Bement — Avalon, sold to Durbin Bros. It
R. Mellinger; Bluffs — Majestic, sold t*!
Tice bv C. E. Cooper ; Bradford — En t
sold to W. W. Dorgan by F. G. Bo).;,!
Chicago — ^Francis, sold to G. P. M.S]
by L. Blum, Parkside, sold to Par (li
Theater Corp. by Brunhild Bros., t
phony, sold to Samuel C. Levin by U?
Theaters Corp. ; Columbia — Columbia. 1.
to Columbia Gymnasium Associatioi u
Burcker & Schneider; LeRoy — Prir .s
sold to Wdliam Taro'ton by George I li
aels ; Marengo — Royal, sold to Royal p
ater Corp. by Neil Wilson; Niles Cen -
Niles, sold to George Goldkette by A )■
Kausal; Sheffield— Sheffield, sold to J t>
F, Masters by Boyden, Duke & Hovil:
Villa Grove— Star, sold to L. T. K
felder bv Mrs. C. Knox ; Virden
sold to Kienbirtz & Wilson by
McNaniar .
Closings
Alsey — Alsey ; Bridgeport — .Anatole ;
— Star; Bunker Hill — Lincoln; Cfi
— Lyric; Chicago' — A^ernon : Chrisir-
Fmpire East St. Louis— New Amstei
Washington. Waverly ; Grays Lake —
Ipava — Ganlen : Marshall — Pythian ; M
City — Palm; New Athens — Central O.'
Riverton — Riverton ; Toledo — "R" ; Wt
ly — Bijou.
W
BnJi
o Ci
More Sound Installations
Made in Theaters in the U.
DeForest sound equipment instal-
lations made during the past week
include the following houses: Huck-
■etp. Bowling Green, Okla.; Ava-
Detroit; Folly, Duncan, Okla.: Ava-
lon, Avalon, N. J.; Dreamland, Ma-
con, Miss.: Strand, Pittsburgh, Pa.;
Strand, Frankfort, Ind.; Temple,
Mangum, Okla.: City, Philadelphia.
Tex.: Strand, Tupelo, Miss.; Ritz,
Midland, Tex.
Chattanooga, Tenn. — Western
p]lectric has wired the Park.
Tampa — More than 27 houses in
this district have been equipped with
Mellophone sound equipment, accord-
ing to Amusement Supply Co.
Memphis, Tenn. — The Daisy has
installed Western Electric equipment.
Red Wing, Minn. — Electrophone
sound apparatus is being installed at
the Metro. George W. Johnson is
manager.
Gridlev, Cal. — The Finks will open
with RCA Photophone apparatus.
The Sun and the Canarsie^n
Brooklyn are two latest additior'O
the Western Electric installation;
this district. Both have film and
equipment.
Jackson, Cal. — The Jackson isrt-
ing wired by RCA Photophone i-
gineers.
Chatham, Mass. — Western Ele(ic
apparatus has gone into the Orph( J
Humboldt, la.— RCA Photopl le
engineers are wiring the Humota '
sound.
New Castle, Pa. — The Nixon ts
put in Western P^lectric equipn t.
Oberlin, Kan. — The Opera H(
will open soon with RCA Ph >
phone equipment.
Cimarron, Kan. — RCA Photop^
equipment is being installed in f
Morris. I
Cleveland, O. — The Arion has '•
stalled the Western Electric eq
ment.
DAILY
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Dallas — Twenty managers of the
i & R Circuit attended the seini-
ijnual convention held here recent-
li The conferences, which lasted
;'o days, gave the various nianagerf
I opportunity to get acquainted with
ei:h other and debate questions re-
j;-ding theaters throughout the cir-
:it.
l\
M'^ew Orleans, La. — Magnascope
i; been installed at the Saenger by
f C. Zrenner, sound engineer for
Fiblix theaters.
! Bennington, Vt.— John B. Harte,
.)ner of the Stark Strand, and three
'i'ployees were arraigned in court
i<j violation of the Sunday law.
;, [Wontgomery, Ala. — William Woli-
m, formerly manager of the Strand,
% been transferred to the Para-
jifunt.
li (\ugusta, Me. — Approximately
'""iJO.OOO will be spent for remodeling
4 Opera House by the Augusta
Jlleater Co. It is expected that the
i|ise will be ready for opening by
.ikt fall.
ill iTacoma, Wash. — The Paramount
f-x:. been acquired by M. R. Martin
{.il A. O. Strixrud of the M. R.
K rtin Co. of Tacoma. Perfectone
(]iipment has been installed.
Wattle, Wash.— The U. S. Army
A P. Service has moved its offices
cj805 Republic Bldg. The com-
iiay was formerly located at 2319
ii'ond Ave.
„. j'.altimore, Md. — J. C. Cremen of
iijH Carey has signed up for RCA
Optophone equipment. George N.
jjvin, district manager for RCA,
, [Iped the deal.
Foreign
! serlin — Frederick M. Sackett, re-
■< tly appointed American Ambas-
or to Germany, was a visitor to
l,fi) Neubabelsberg studio of the Ufa
ipany.
pans — Talking picture production
w'^starting in earnest at the Join-
"?/|e Studios. Pictures being made
;l^re^ are Andre Hugon's "Tend-
iNse," Maurice Tourneur's "Un
[Qme dans le Music Hall" and Jac-
Vts de Baroncelli's version of the
DVidet novel "L'Arlesienne."
Berlin— "Die Nacht Gehort Uns,"
■h Tobis talking picture, is drawing
ord crowds to the Capitol here.
E hty thousand saw the film in four
w;ks.
Munich, Bavaria — "Ludwig II,
King of Bavaria," has been banned
lere on the ground that it would in-
ite to disorder.
London — "The Two Worlds," the
,. A. Dupont film being made hi
.nglish, French and German, will
nark John Longden's elevation to
.tardoni.
Sydney — Fox has purchased "The
Russell Affair," an Australian silent
film made in 1928 by De La Ruze
Productions, and will distribute it
in Great Britain. It will probably
be released as a quota film.
Bolton, England — Fire recently
destroyed the Tonge Moor Picture-
drome near here.
New York
Irving Sher is now managing the
Garden, Springfield Garden, for the
owners of the building. He was for-
merly with Fox.
B. Bernard Thomas is now manag-
ing the new Loew 175th St.
Fire at the Rialto, Poughkeepsie,
operated by Harry Cohen, recently
caused the owner $300 for replacinp
the damaged effects.
Laurelton — ^The Laurelton is being
wired for sound by RCA Photophone
engineers.
Rochester — New policy of vaude-
ville and talking pictures is now in
effect at the Piccadilly here.
Watertown — James W. Glover,
president of the Seneca Falls Thea-
ter Co., has closed a deal whereby he
is to operate the State here. Harry
E. Jenner will manage the house.
The deal was closed with B. B. and
M. J. Gustadt.
Alexander Here Arranging
Showing of "Ingagi"
Bill Alexander of Congo Pictures,
Ltd., has arrived here with a print
of "Ingagi," and is arranging for a
roadshow as well as a Broadway
showing. The picture, produced by
Sir Herbert Winstead in the Belgian
Congo, took three years to make and
is recorded on film and disc. Ar-
rangements are being made to have
the picture recorded in ten languages.
First showing of "Ingagi" was at
the Spreckels, San Diego, where it
played three weeks.
Strain Operating Lexington
Milwaukee — ^John Strain is the new
■'operator of the Lexington.
Thomas Joins Celebrated
Milwaukee — William Thomas, for-
merly with the Exhibitors Service
Bureau, has joined Celebrated Play-
ers as salesman.
Thieves Frightened Away
Milwaukee — Thieves broke into the
Colonial but were frightened away
before they had opportunity to blow
the safe.
Butterfly Installs Sound
Palmyra, Wis. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the Butterfly.
Desormeaux Closes Madison
Mineral Point, Wis. — The Munici-
pal here, owned by A. P. Desor-
meaux, Madison, is now closed.
New Theaters
Centerville, la. — A new theater will re-
place the Drake here, Homer Vorder, man-
ager announces. The house recently burnt
down.
Tucson, Ariz. — Work will be started in
a few days on a new theater to be erected
at W. Congress and Plaza streets by A. Kauf-
man, who has already leased the project to
Joe Gross.
Baxley, Ga. — Construction will start at
once on the new project Warren E. Swain,
local capitalist, is building. Mrs. F. W.
Collins and Mrs. S. V. Brown, managers
of the Appling, will operate the house.
Cheyenne, Wyo. — The new Paramount has
opened here.
Green Bay, Wis. — Fox West Coast has
opened the new Fox here.
Nashville, Tenn. — Razing of the old Cap-
itol to make way for the new $1,250,000 the-
ater to be erected here by Crescent Amuse-
ments has begun. Seating capacity of the
new structure will be 2,700.
Los Angeles — Plans are understood to be
completed for the new Fox to cost $1,000,-
)00. Site selected is on Pico Blvd. between
Robertson Blvd. and Livonia Ave.
Mebane, N. C. — C. S. Parnell, operator of
the Majestic which recently was destroyed by
fire, will build a new theater here shortly,
he announces
Joplin, Mo. — Approximately $400,000 is to
be spent on the new theater project on Fifth
St. and Virginia Ave. Completion of the
structure is expected Sept. 1.
Binghamton, N. Y.— Reconstniction of
the Stone will represent an investment of
"500,000, David Cohen of the Kodeco Realty
Co. announces. Plans are set for work to
begin immediately.
Barruss Sells Clinton House
Clinton, Wis. — The Gem has been
sold by Floyd Barruss to A. Ander-
son of Beloit.
Nyack— -Agents for two companies
have been here looking over sites for
a proposed house here. While loca-
tions have been selected, nothing
definite has yet been announced.
Buffalo — George H. Wiley, dis-
trict manager of RCA Photophone,
Inc., with headquarters here, an-
nounces the installation of RCA
equipment in the follo-\ying theaters:
Strand, Dorgeville; Temple, Fair-
port; Temple, Geneva; Rialto, East
Rochester; and Wedgeway, Schenec-
tady.
What were the
TEN BEST PICTURES OF
1929?
INQUIRE WITHIN
Now
being
distributed
to all
subscribers
to
THE
FILM
DAILY
DAILV
Monday, March 10, 1,0
"White Cargo"
W. P. FUms
George M. Cohan, New York
AMERICAN — Save for a very few cut-ins
the action is all in one set, and theatrical
division into acts and scenes is apparent.
Atmospheric shots are obviously clips from
some antiquated reel, and studio back-drops
detract from the production values vi-hich are
small at best. The photography leaves much
to be desired.
DAILY NEWS— Photography is better
than the average English tilms. The syn-
chronization job isn't very well done. It
seems much of tlie dialogue was spoken after
the film was photographed. You can tell
this by the fact the lip movement doesn't
always keep time with verbal sounds. All in
all. "White Cargo" has a fair amount oi
interest.
EVENING WORLD— The British produc-
ers have told their story in a restrained,
unsensational manner, and sometimes, because
of this, the picture appears slow and tame.
Whenever the pace is heightened and the
characters shout above conversational tones,
you can't understand them, for the reason
that the RCA recording isn't of the best.
SUN — In any case, the film may probablj
be described as a fair transcription of the
original. The production suffers from a lack
of atmosphere — also a lack of visual variety.
TELEGRAM — * * * creates and sustains
a definite mood and it is one of the few of
the recent talking pictures in which any real
drama has been projected. As the picture
is smoothly directed and splendidly per-
formed, it becomes a pungent and moving
tragedy of a group of Englishmen cut off from
civilization on a rubber plantation in Africa.
TIMES — In its direction and in the work
of most of the members of the cast the
British audible pictorial version of Leon Gor-
don's play, "White Cargo," frequently re-
veals inexperience with the microphone. This
production is virtually a photographic copy of
the original, with little in the way of cinematic
value.
WORLD — As a piece of convincmg melo-
drama "White Cargo" is a splendid work.
The slow degeneration of Englishmen who
venture into the tropics as overseers of a
rubber plantation is pictured and acted im-
pressively. The present version follows the
stage production carefully — almost too care-
fully, for most of the action is laid indoors
and there is far too much of dialogue.
Dietrich M. C. at Wisconsin
Milwaukee — Roy Dietrich, formerly
with the National Playhouses in
Chicago and tenor with the Grand
Central Light Opera company for
several seasons, is master of cere-
monies at the Wisconsin replacing
Max Bradfield.
Mil. Exchanges Move
Milwaukee — The Columbia and R-
K-O film exchanges have moved to
their new quarters at 337 8th Street.
FIRST PUBLIX m UNIT
GOES IN WORK TODAY
(Continued from Page 1)
than four reels, is expected to cost
as much as an eight-reel feature.
"Leave It to Lester" covers the
adventures of a newly married cou-
ple on their honeymoon trip abroad.
There will be a scene laid in each of
the principal European countries, re-
quiring some big sets, most of which
were designed by Ernest Fegte.
Evelyn Hoey and Lester Allen are
featured, with other attractions in-
cluding Tilly Losch, dancer; the
Gamby girls; five German girl tum-
blers, who have never before ap-
peared in America, and a chorus of
JO voices, led by Henri Scott, oper-
atic baritone.
Special music numbers have been
written for this picture by Para-
mount's staff composers, including
Frank Tours, who will direct the mu-
sical end. When completed, the pic-
ture will run 40 minutes.
Robertson Is Made Fox
Coast Theater Executive
(.Continued from Page P
control. Robertson, in the Seattle
theater field a quarter century, has
been succeeded at the Coliseum by
Dave Himelhoch, who is head of the
Seattle board of theater owners.
Publix Makes Managerial
Changes in Omaha House
(Continued from Page 1)
George Munroe becomes house man-
ager of the World, and Chester
i'riedman, assistant manager of the
Paramount, has been transferred to
the general offices in New York
where he will assist in training house
managers for Publix.
J. E. Williams Delivers Lecture
Kansas City — J. E. Williams, un-
dersea explorer, recently delivered an
illustrated lecture on "Beauty and
Tragedy Under the Sea" at Mary In-
stitute.
Rialto Joins Sound List
Camden, Ark. — The Rialto has
joined the list of wired houses. West-
ern Electric equipment was installed.
FOR RENT
ANIMATED CARTOON STUDIO
FULLY EQUIPPED
with lighted cartoon stands, Cooper-Hewitt lights,
camera stands, camera, piano and everything neces-
sary for the production of animated sound cartoons.
Will Make Very Reasonable Proposition
CHARLES B. MINTZ
25 West 45th Street BRYant 9178
FORMER EXHIBITOR STARTS
NEW REfORN GRltSADE
(Continued from Page 1)
logical seminary, has written a series
of articles, which have been issued
in pamphlet form and are being sent
to all influential organizations, poli-
ticians, churches, newspapers, public
officials and others who may be of
assistance in mobilizing public opin-
ion.
One of the first responses to the
campaign already has been reported
from Indiana, where Governor Harry
G. Leslie is said to have referred the
pamphlet to a committee for consid-
eration.
Davis Continues as Head
of Portland Film Board
(Continued from Page 1)
Harry Percy as vice president, while
E. A. Lamb of RKO has been named
second vice president, a newly cre-
ated office. Lou Ammacher, M-G-M,
Harry Percy, Pathe, and Howard
Maples, Star Film Exchange, are
member of the Board of Directors.
Ginsberg Names Juergens
Comptroller of Windsor
S. F. Juergens has been named
comptroller for Windsor Pictures by
Henry Ginsberg. Juergens formerly
occupied the same post at Tiffany
for a number of years.
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "General Crack"
Cameo — "China Express"
Capitol — "Lord Bryon of Broadway"
Camegie — "Paris," first half; "Trt<[.as
second half
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Cohens and Kellys in Scotland
Criterion — "Vagabond King"
Earl Carroll — "Puttin' on the Ritz"
Fifth Ave. — "Woman Trap," first half; "Id
Diggers of Broadway," second half .
Fifty-fifth St.— "Dich Hab Ich Gelk"
("Because I Loved You") '
Film Guild — "Up the Congo" |
Forty-fourth St.— "Song O' My H'V,
(.Opening tomorrow) i
Gaiety — "Mamba" (Opening tonight) i
George M. Cohan — "White Cargo" I
Globe — "The Case of Sergeant Grischaa
Hippodrome — "Hit the Deck" 1
Little Picture House — "Charming Sinnerj
Loew's New York — Monday, "New
Nights"; Tuesday, "Happy Days"; ^id'
nesday, "Heroic Lover" and "Up ni
Congo"; Thursday, "Bishop Murder Ci''
Friday, "Not So Dumb"; Saturday, i|
ticer O'Brien"; Sunday, "The Great <i
vide"
Paramount — "Only the Brave"
Rialto — "Be Yourself"
Rivoli — "Love Parade"
Roxy — "Such Men Are Dangerous"
Strand — "Sally"
Warners — "Song of the West" __
Winter Garden — "Green Goddess"
Plath at Enid Criterion
Enid, Okla.— Hugh Plath, forrr-
ly supervisor of public theaters il
of Dallas, now is managing the i-
terion here.
A NEW THEATRE
FOR THE OLD ONE!
REDECORATE m REFURNISH
At moderate cost and
in quick time
Atmosplier ic —Modern — Formal
Schemes
The MICHEL ANGELO STUDIOS, Inc.
200 West 57tli Street, New York
iTFE
^/FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
i^OL. LI No. 59
Tuesday, March 11, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Metzger Takes on Work of "U" Sales Direction
15 CHICAGO AREA HOUSES CLOSE INMONTH
j
Eastern Exhibs Pass Resolution on Percentage
Small Operators Appeal
for More Equitable
Selling Method
i Philadelphia — A resolution in favor
oi selling pictures by the percentage
Inethod has been adopted by the
;)oard of managers of the M. P. T. O.
l)f Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern
i^ew Jersey and Delaware, with no-
tice to this effect mailed to the home
pfBce of each national distributing
rompany.
,j j The most equitable percentage ar-
j 1 (.Continued on Page 7)
m LABTiolliNDlE
1 500,000 FEET WEEKLY
I
I Echo Film Lab. Inc., recently or-
, tanized with A. J. Hart, president,
' jnd Herman Gronwoldt secretary and
reasurer in addition to supervising
[ales, has opened offices at 729 Sev-
I (.Continued on Page 7)
Sew Censorship Measure
I Looms in St. Louis
j St. Louis — Creation of censorship
|oard here looms with a drastic mo-
jon picture and theatrical bill short-
\r to be introduced to the Board of
(Continued on Page 7)
Jayeg Loses Appeal on
Sunday 'Blue' Violation
I Ennis, Texas — Affirming the case
f John M. Sayeg, owner of the
jirand here, the Court of Appeals
|as held that the operation of a
I (Continued on Page 7)
Ticker Forecast?
Spirited buying of R-K-O
and Pathe stocks, both of
which scored substantial gains
yesterday, accompanied a re-
vival of merger reports involv-
ing these two companies. Pathe
"A" made the biggest jump,
3/4 points or an appreciation
of almost 50 per cent, while
Pathe common was up 1%
points and R-K-O advanced 3
points.
Reduced- Price Drive in Seattle
Seattle— Local houses are engaged in a reduced-price cam-
paign for business. The Metropolitan has cut its evening rate
from 60 cents to 50 cents, the Liberty is operating at 15-25-35, the
Blue Mouse, Music Box and New Orpheum are running 25-cent
matinees, and the Fox houses likewise are giving bargain after-
noon shows.
WEST COAST CHAIN GETS
fOORMM ILLINOIS
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Fox West Coast has
acquired four more houses in Illinois.
They are the Palace and American
in Johnson City, and the Lyric and
Orpheum in Salem. Tom Reid, dis-
trict manager of the Illinois division,
will operate the houses for West
Coast.
Expect New Fox Tucson
to Be Ready Next Week
Tucson, Ariz. — Construction of the
new $325,000 Fox News is expected
to be completed sometime next week.
With the opening of this 1,300-seat
house Fox will be well represented
in this section, having recently taken
over the Lyric. Albert D. Stetson
has been appointed manager with
George Dianos as assistant.
223 Theaters Wired in
Germany During 1929
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Only four per cent
of theaters in Germany were wired
up to the close of 1929, advices to
the M. P. Division of the Dept. of
Commerce indicate. In round figures,
223 houses of 5,267 installed sound
devices, which represents 10.5 per
cent, of the number of houses operat-
ing daily, or 2,106 theaters.
f.P.
TWO HAMILTON THEATERS
Hamilton, Ont. — Famous Players
Canadian Corp., has taken over the
operation of the Capitol and Pan-
tages, two of the leading local the-
aters, owned by Hamilton United
Theaters, in which Famous Players
owns a large block of stock. The
new arrangement was accompanied
by a change in the name of the
(Continued on Page 7)
Columbia to Release Buck
Jones Talking Pictures
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood— Columbia will release
the 16 Buck Jones talkers to be made
by Sol Lesser, it is reported here.
Publix May Revise Stage
Show Policies in West
Dallas — Split week stage policies
at Publix houses here and in Denver
and Kansas City may be revised, as
the experiment has not proved suc-
(Continued on Page 7)
Henry Henigson Becomes
Producer for Inspiration
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Henry Henigson has
become associated with Inspiration
Pictures as a production manager.
'U' Department Being Realigned
With Resignation of Van Praag
Consolidated Profited
by $2,377,620 in 1929
Net profits of $2,377,620.52 are re-
ported by Consolidated Film Indus-
tries, Inc., for 1929. This represents
an increase of 51 per cent over earn-
(Continued on Page 7)
Due to the resignation of M. Van
Praag, the duties of sales director of
Universal have been taken over by
Lou B. Metzger, who will handle
the work in conjunction with his post
as general manager. Metzger will
supervise the sales department
(Continued on Page 7)
Stiff Talker Competition
Mostly Responsible
for Shutdowns
Chicago — Due principally to stiff
competition from talker houses, IS
theaters in this territory went dark
last month, it is reported by the Chi-
cago Film Board of Trade. In two
instances, Lovington and Riverton,
the shutdowns were due to fires.
Other closings were; Austin, Gar-
den, Kenwood, Prairie and Mono-
gram, Chicago; Liberty, Chicago
Heights; Empire, Chrisnian; Lyric,
Earville; Central, Fairbury; Picture
Play, Hamilton; Auditorium, Proph-
etstown; Fargo, Sycamore ;Liberty,
Waukegan. Another closing was the
Crystal, Butler, Ind.
RECORD AlSiENT TAX
PAID BY HO IN '29
Ottawa, Ont. — The amusement tax
collected in the Province of Ontario
during 1929 beat all records, the
amount being $1,315,655.67, accord-
ing to the annual financial statement
just presented. The increase was
due to the general introduction of
(Continued on Page 7)
NEWMOSSMSTOBE
BUILT «LEVISION
In anticipation of the early adop-
tion of the wide screen and, possibly,
television, the theaters planned by
B. S. Moss for his announced chain
of 40 or 50 snecially designed talker
chain will be constructed so that they
(Continued on Page 7)
80 P. C. Endorsed
Birmingham— Out of 861 first
run films shown here last year,
a total of 644, or more than 80
per cent, were endorsed, while
654 were deemed suitable for
showing to young people and
22 were banned, according to
the annual report of the City
Amusement Inspector.
THE
l^BmSH^L
DAILV
Tuesday, March 11, 193
Vol. LI No. 59 Tuesday, March 11, 1930 PriceSCents
JOHN W. AllCOATE : : : Editor and PublishBr
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United Sutes outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone _ Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Fi'mday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
]
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 22 2\Vi 21-4 30U
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 24^8 22 24^8 20,300
Con. Fm. Ind. Pfd. 28K 24 27 27,500
East. Kodak 233M 225^ 229/. 17,500
Fox Fm. "A" .... 36^4 35^ 35^4 33,100
Gen. Thea. Equ. .. 44/2 43 44J4 14,400
Keith AG 35 35 35 200
do pfd 118 11154 lis. 400
Loew's, Inc 83-4 80K 82/8 34,300
do pfd. WW (6/2). 105 104 105 500
do pfd. xw (6!4). 88Ji 88 88^ 200
♦M-G-M pfd 25K _••■•
Para. F-L nVi 70 J4 71 '4 37,700
Pathe Exch Wi 3V» 5J4.5:),50u
do "A" 12 7H 11 18.300
R-K-0 38^ 34?^ 38 142,300
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 55 K
Warner Bros 73 71/ 72/g 61,500
do pfd 635^ 6254 63Vs 2,000
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 31J4 3054 3154 400
Fox Thea. "A" ..8 7% 8 3,000
*Intern. Proj 25 ...
Loew do deb rts ..48 46 47^^ 80(i
Loew, Inc., war. .. 165i 15!4 16J4 1,500
*Nat. Scr. Ser 24
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 16 16 16 200
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46 . . 87 87 87 3(
Loew 6s 41ww ..122 120^^ 121/ 170
do 6s 41 x-war. .. 98/ 98 98 190
Paramount 6s 47 . AOiVs 101 101/ 5(
Par. By. 5/s51 ..102 101 101 120
Pathe 7s37 53/ 49/ 52 19l
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
^♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦•♦♦••♦'♦♦•♦♦•♦♦■♦♦•♦♦v«>»»v.»
Nev» York Long Island City I't
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. if
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 g
if
Eastman Films |
]♦ E. Brulatour, Inc. |^
Chicago
Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. ^^°° Santa^Monica J^
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ♦':
if
104 Dead, 100 Injured
in Korean Film Fire
Seoul, Korea (By Cable) — Fire
originating from ignited film in a
warehouse at the Chinkal naval base,
where a picture show was being given
at a national celebration, resulted in
104 deaths and 100 injured.
Leff Dickering for Two
More Bronx Theaters
Abe Leff, owner of the Art, and
interested in the Star, both in the
Bronx, now is dickering for two
more theaters in that borough. The
deal is expected to be closed next
week.
Wires So. Norfolk House
So. Norfolk, Va. — The Grand has
been equipped for Western Electric
apparatus.
Showing Talkers Again
Port Gibson, Miss. — Sound pictures
are again being shown at the Happy-
land.
Reopens Creston, Iowa
Creston, la. — The newly decorated
Iowa has reopened with Western
Electric sound equipment. Clayton
Bacon is manager.
Rothacker Moves Offices
Eastern offices of the Rothacker
Film Corp. are now located at 729-
7th Ave., having moved from 542
Fifth Ave.
"Lummox" for Rivoli
"The Love Parade" is to be suc-
ceeded at the Rivoli, New York, by
"Lummox," directed by Herbert
Brenon from the Fannie Hurst novel
of the same name. The film marks
Winifred Westover's return to the
screen after an absence of eight years.
4 Warner Specials in May
Warners will release four specials
in May: "Hold Everything" being
scheduled for May 1; "Dumbbells in
Ermine," for May 10; "The Man
From Blankey's," May 24, and Al
Jolson's "Mammy" on the last day
of the month.
Davis Back in Winnipeg
Winnipeg — Walter F. Davis, man-
ager of the Capitol has returned home
after a winter holiday in his old
home in Mobile, Ala.
Columbia Exchange Moves
Milwaukee — The Columbia ex-
change here has moved into larger
and more up-to-date quarters at 345
Eighth St.
M-G-M Moves Dallas Branch
Dallas — M-G-M has moved its local
branch to 2013 Jackson St.
Kooler-A'''^
NATURE'S HEALTHFUL
REFRIGERATION
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
,o,4 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
Fourteen Texas Houses
Install Sound Devices
Dallas — Theaters in Texas to have
installed sound devices recently, are
the Dixie, Bastrop; Palace, Jackson-
ville; Queen, Dallas; La Vista, Ray-
mondville; Queen, Wharton; Liberty,
Rising Star; Palace, Pyote; Queen,
Tyler; Rialto, Arkansas Pass; Isis,
Lockney; Yale, Groesbeck; Star,
Hereford; Dixie, Coleman, and Pal-
ace, Brady.
Projection Council Picks
New Officers on March 25
Annual meeting of the Projection
Advisory Council at which new of-
ficers will be elected will be held at
Town Hall, New York, on Tuesday,
March 25.
Lyric to Close for Alterations
Norfolk, Neb. — The Lyric will
close for extensive remodeling and
redecorating. Sound apparatus also
will be installed.
Plans to Reopen Va. House
Roanoke, Va. — Plans are being
completed for the reopening of the
Academy of Music.
Thieves Get $339
Milwaukee — Burglars forced the
safe in the olifice of the Granada re-
cently and escaped with $339.
Max Milder's Father Dead
The father of Max Milder, central
sales manager for Warner, died re-
cently in Cleveland.
Union Arts Plans Building
Lhiion Arts Club, Inc. will erect a
22-story building on Central Park
West near Columbus Circle. The
purpose of the structure is to bring
together musicians, writers, players,
painters, sculptors and other actively
interested in the allied arts.
"La Marseillaise" for Roxy
"La Marseillaise," in which Uni-
versal is co-starring Laura La Plante
and John Boles, will be pre-released
at the Roxy, New York, probably
the week of March 28.
Fire Does $1,000 Damages
Sheridan, Wyo. — Fire at the Fox
Lotus caused a damage of $1,000.
Fred Bezold is manager of the house.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions Sor |
I Picture Tlieatres j
Standard
VaudeviUe Acts
I 1600 Broadway, New York City
i Phone Penn. 3580
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Opening of '"Song O' My Hear
in New York at 44th St. Theati
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Apr. 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at
New York house, not yet decid
upon.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and b.
of the Warner Club, Inc., at t
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State 1
P.T.O. at Memphis.
May S-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meetiiig at t
Wardman Park Hotel, Washingto
D C.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention stat
to-day.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Mindlin Quits Fifth Avenue
Michael Mindlin has sold his i.
cerest in the Fifth Avenue Playhous
of which he has been director, to :
Stanley Groves, Jr., of Philadelphr
He plans to devote himself to the e,
tablishment of a new type of pictui
house.
"Cohens and Kellys" in Chi
Besides playing at the Colony, Ne
iork, "The Cohens and Kellys
Scotland" has started a pre-relea
run at the Woods Theater, Chica^
where it is reported to have gross
$8,000 in two days.
FOR SALE
Bell & Howell Silenced Cam-
era, Complete Equipment
LANG
244 W. 49th St. N. Y. City
Telephone CHIckering 4233
Wanted Theaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolph Sofferman
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 3607
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPE RATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND J
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
soiJ^
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
uesday, March 11, 1930
— ;;Bg^
DAILY
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
San Bernardino, Cal. — The Old
;trand has been changed to the Ritz
^y Herbert Jack, resident manager of
he Orange Belt Theaters, Inc.
[ Bellefontaine, O. — Schine Theater
lo. of Watertown, N. Y., has secured
i lease on the new 1,400-seat house
, jO be erected here by the Bellefon-
( taine Theater Co.
, I Grand Rapids, Mich. — Allen John-
on, head of the M.P.T.O. of Michi-
1 i,'an has leased Our theater from
iViller and Boshoven.
II \ Newark, N .J. — Seaside Heights
. i'ier & Amusement Co., of Toms
,; (liver, has incorporated here with a
, lapital stock of $60,000 in preferred
[ jnd $60,000 in common issues.
' I Waterloo, la. — RKO is reported
' eeking a site here. Several options
lave been taken on locations and cir-
[uit representatives and contractors
k [ave spent several days making ob-
^1 jervations.
ij Hartington, Neb. — Automatic doors
f the projection booth of the Royal
' irevented fire damage to the theater
nd panic in the audience when a
_ Im caught fire, by immediately clos-
- fig after the operators leaped out.
Omaha — Gold service pins have
een received by Fred Bierman and
;ivera Roslund from Pathe. The
:)rmer has been in the exchange here
0 years and the latter five.
Centerville, la. — The Drake Ave-
- kie, one of the most pretentious
" [uildings here, was destroyed by fire
"j ith heavy loss.
Germantown, Pa. — Bandbox, re-
;ntly opened by the Motion Picture
I uild, Inc., is managed by Clyde V.
, IcKay, formerly manager of the
n ittle theater, Baltimore.
I Bahimore — The Parkside, Balti-
= fore suburban house, has been
osed and is now for rent.
London — W. A. Mutch has quit as
film critic of the "Daily Chronicle."
Washington — Uruguay has re-
quested from the U. S. Dept. of
Agriculture 136 educational films,
which represents the largest single
order from a foreign government for
agricultural films.
London — Production has been
started by Butcher on the third of
its "Cockney Spirit in the War" ser-
ies.
Brisbane, Australia — "The Love
Parade" has opened for an extended
run at the Wintergarden here.
London — Edward T. Carr, general
sales manager for United Artists, if
resting on a Mediterranean trip.
Brisbane — Increase in order for
sound equipment has forced West-
ern Electric to enlarge its offices in
Queensland.
i Pittsburgh — Joseph Lefko has suc-
;eded Jack Cohen as manager of the
ical Tiffany exchange.
Central City, Neb. — Fred Bredow
as opened the State here.
Foreign
. i London — Norman Walker has
Iarted production on "Loose Ends,"
hich has Owen Nares and Edna
est in the chief roles. Other play-
's are Donald Calthrop and Miles
Xander.
London — Associated Sound Film
industries, Ltd., is producing at its
Wembley studios a series of shorts
Inirlesquing well known films, the
stars of which will be impersonated
by marionettes.
Dr. Marston Back From
Chicago Child Confab
Dr. William M. Marston, vice
president of the Equitable Pictures
Corp., recently organized to make
pictures for release by the Motion
Picture Congress, has returned to
New York from a Chicago confer-
ence on the emotional life of the
child, sponsored by the Chicago
Ass'n for Child Study and Parent
Education.
Armo Theater Incorporated
So. Bend, Ind. — Papers for the in-
corporation of the Armo theater have
been filed with the Secretar-^ of State.
Articles call for a capitalization of
400 shares of no par value stock with
Esther Lerman, Sam Suchar, Morris
Lerman, Sophie Lerman and Anna
Maltz listed as incorporators.
Cushing Going Sound
Cushing, Okla. — Sound equipment
is being put in at the American and
will be ready in about a week.
Hartwick Sub-Leases Strand
Taunton, Mass. — The Strand has
been leased to the Briston Amuse-
ment Co. by Frederick J. Hartwick,
who has been operating the house for
the past three years.
Turnage Nearly Completed
Washington. D. C. — The new
Turnage is nearlv completed. The
house will seat 700.
Slough, England — The Adelphi has
been opened here as a talking picture
house.
London — "Suspense" is being pro-
duced by Walter Summers for Brit-
ish International Pictures.
Paris — "L'Enfant de L'Amour"
has been completed by Marcel
L'Herbier.
London — Edibell reports installa-
tions in Hungary, Belgium, Holland
and Spain.
Bristol, England — The Eastville
Hinnodrome has reopened with Edi-
bell equipment.
London — Production has started at
Elstree on "Symphony in Two
Flats," in which Jacqueline Logan
and Ivor Novello have the chief
parts.
/ ; Sheffield, England — The new sound
)j., buipment put out by British Thom-
- Ison-Houston was shown to the
ade for the first time recently at
Et le Cinema House here.
London — Archibald Nettleford has
started production on his first all-
talking picture based on the play
"The Last Hour." Walter Forde is
directing.
Buys Spearville Dreamland
Spearville, Kan. — A. M. Gilliatt
has purchased the Dreamland.
Exhibitors
Daily Reminder
r
Proper light-
ing in aisles
not only
gives better
service to pa-
trons but also
removes pos-
sibilities of
accidents.
Tuesday, Mar. 11, 1930
Publix Leases Proposed House
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
San Francisco — With the transfer-
ring of the deed to property on the
west line of Broadway, Oakland, to
the investment Properties Co., Pub-
lix announces that they have secured
a lease on the new theater the in-
vestment company will build.
Sorg to Build New House
St. Francis, Kan. — A new theater
will be erected here by Charles Sorg.
Grandeur for Dallas Majestic
Dallas — Grandeur eouipment will
be installed at the Afajestic shortly.
Remodel Borger Theaters
Borger. Tex. — Griffith Bros, have
emodeled the Rig and Rex having
■nstalled sound equipment in both
houses.
Sound for Sealy House
Sealy, Tex. — The Texas has in-
stalled sound equipment.
Goliad Goes Sound
Goliad, Tex. — Sound apparatus has
been installed at the Goliad.
Redecorating Mission
Mission, Tex. — Manager Smith an-
nounced that redecoration of the
Mission will be completed by next
week.
Millerton to Be Remodeled
Millerton, N. Y.— E. J. Stuart, R.
F. ShafTer and V. A. Stuart, owners
of the Millerton, will remodel the
house.
New York
The Orient is carrying out its sound
picture policv by installing the West-
ern Electric Sound System.
Western Electric has wired the
Film Guild Cinema.
Sydney— The Royal has been re- The New Law has installed West-
)ened as a long-run talker house. ern Electric apparatus.
Charles Murray
Star of "McFADDEN'S FLATS" and
"THE COHENS and THE KELLYS"
AND
Edi^ard Small
Producer of Those Two
Money-'Making Comedies
NOW OFFER THEIR
GREATEST LAUGH PICTURE
**CLANCy IN WALL STREET"
READY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nat L«viiie, Aristocrat[Plctures, 16S0 B^way
THE
DAILV
Tuesday, March 11, 1930
More Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Ft. Pierce, Fla. — Both houses here
are now equipped with sound and are
under the management of R. N.
Knoblegard, Jr., and affihated with
the Sparks chain. The Sunrise was
the first house to go sound with the
Sample having apparatus installed
only recently.
Croydon, la. — Western Electric ap-
paratus has been installed in the
Auditorium.
Highmore, S. Dak. — The New
Grand has installed sound equipment.
Belton, S. C. — The Cameo here
will soon open with sound policy,
RCA Photophone apparatus having
been installed.
Las Animas, Colo. — The Simons
has joined the list of wired houses,
installing Western Electric Sound
System.
Farmville, Va. — William H. Rip-
pard, manager of the Eaco, has had
the house improved.
Kenedy, Texas — The Rialto is be-
ing wired by RCA Photophone sound
engineers.
Calexico, Calif. — Sound pictures
are to be shown at the Rialto fol-
lowing an installation by Western
Electric engineers.
Manchester, N. H. — Globe is being
wired for sound by RCA Photo-
phone.
Clarksville, Tenn. — The Capitol has
installed Western Electric equipment.
Cokato, Alinn. — Cecile has been
wired with RCA equipment.
Kansas City — Bestone apparatus
has been installed at the Home.
Highnore, S. D. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed at the
New Grand.
Sterling, 111. — The Illini has in-
stalled Western Electric equipment.
Heron Lake, Minn. — Funds have
been raised by the Heron Lake Com-
munity Theater Assn. to pay for the
installation of Ultraphone equipment
at the local house.
Rayville, La.- — The Richland has
installed Western Electric equipment.
Coleman, Tex. — The Dixie has
been wired for sound by Western
Electric.
Belview, Minn. — ^Victory in Sun-
day shows vote has induced manage''-
ment of the Odeon to install sound
equipinent.
Ironwood. ISIich. — Sound equip-
ment has been installed at the Com-
munity.
Toccoa, Ga. — The Star has been
equipped for sound pictures.
Tulsa, Okla. — Western Electric has
wired the Circle,
Mazeppa, Minn. — J. S. Wild and
Gerhardt Gahler have made a sound
device for the Royal.
Pierre, S. D. — RCA apparatus has
been installed at the Bijou.
Barnesboro, Pa. — Western Electric
apparatus has been put into Smith's.
Bowling Green, Mo. — Huckteps
las been equipped with DeForest
equipment.
Iowa City, la. — RCA Photophone
has equipped the Garden here.
The Windsor Theater, Brooklyn
has been wired for sound by Western
Electric. H. Rachmil is the owner.
Stuggart, Ark. — Exhibitor Coffin
has installed sound apparatus at the
Majestic and is now showing pictures
under the new policy.
Iowa City, la. — RCA Photophone
equipment has been installed at the
Garden.
Peru, Ind. — Sound equipment has
been installed in the Liberty by West-
ern Electric.
Au Sable Forks, N. Y. — Electrical
engineers are working at the Bridge
where sound equipment is now be-
ing installed.
Omaha — Theaters recently install-
ing Bestone are the Omaha, Schuyler,
Neb.; Rex, Hanover, Kan.; Home,
and Tenth Street, at Kansas City.
The latter two are operated by E. T.
Burgan.
Pittsfield, Mass. — Manager Raif-
stanger is now having Western Elec-
tric installed at the Mahaiwe.
Lynn, Mass. — DeForest equipment
is now being installed at the Stand-
ard here.
Baltimore, Md. — The management
of the Good Time announces the in-
stallation of RCA Photophone equip-
ment.
Ellenville, N. Y. — Talking pictures
are coming to the Shadowland, which
has installed Western Electric appar-
atus.
Linton, N. C. — The Willows is be-
ing wired for sound by RCA Photo-
phone.
Los Angeles, Cal. — The Joy has
installed Western Electric device.
Olivia, Minn. — The State will open
soon with RCA Photophone equip-
ment.
Oakland. Cal. — The Golden State
is now showing talking pictures over
Western Electric equipment.
Pawcatuck, Conn. — Western Elec-
tric has wired the Central here.
Mandel's, Chicago Store,
To Honor Lee DeForest
Mandel Bros, of Chicago, leading
department store, will honor Dr. Lee
DeForest, research engineer for
General Talking Pictures, at its
75th anniversary celebration to be
leld during the week of March 17.
Besides a radio talk over the store's
broadcasting station and an address
before a luncheon at which the city's
business leaders will be in attend-
ance, the Phonofilm inventor's pro-
gran during his stay in Chicago will
include talks before the women's
clubs and at the convention of the
Institute of Radio Engineers.
Dayton Palace to Be Sold
Dayton, O. — Offers are being
taken on the Palace, recently fore-
closed.
Morgan Installs Sound Device
Hay Springs, Neb. — Manager Mor-
5?an has installed sound equipment
'n the Star.
Hungarian Inventor Has
New Sound Reproducer
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A Hungarian scien-
tist and television expert has devel-
oped a new sound-on-film system, a
report to the M. P. Division of the
Dept. of Commerce advises. Radical
in departure, salient features in this
new device are that a comparatively
small piece of apparatus is attached
to almost any type of projector, and
no bulky amplifiers or control appa-
ratus are placed in the box so that
need for structural or other alteration
in the projection booth is eliminated.
No wiring is needed between the
screen and booth, the screen becom-
ing a part of the loud speaker sys-
tem, it is declared.
Fox Visalia Opens
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Visalia, Cal. — The new Fox has
opened here, states A. M. Bowles,
head of Fox West Coast theaters in
No. California. Manager Hunsucker
is in charge.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
Cleveland. O. — The Crown has in-
stalled W. E. apparatus.
INDIANA
Changes in Ownership
Albany — Strand, sold to Cecil Gray ; Ander-
son— Rivieria, sold to Publix Fitz & Co.
L. L. Goldberg, Starland, sold to Publix
Filz & Mc. by L. L. Goldberg; Bedford
— Indiana, sold to Publix Fitzpatrick &
McElroy by H .E. McCarrell ; Beech Grove
— Beech Grove, sold to R. L. Van Bursun
by C. Nicholson; Crawfordsville— Strand,
sold to Publix Fitzpatrick & McElroy by
H. P. Vonderschmitt ; Fort Wayne — Em-
boyd, sold to RKO Dist. Corp. by Quimby
Enterprises; Fort Wayne — Jefferson, sold
to RKO Dist. Corp. by Quimby Enter-
prises, Palace, sold to RKO Dist. Corp.
by Quimby Enterprises ; Gary — Grand, sold
to City Amusement Co. by James Bikos;
Huntington — Jefferson, sold to Publix Fitz-
patrick & McElroy by L. L. Goldberg;
Kouts — Gem, sold to Edward Stibbe by
Griffith & Griffith; Mooresville.— Idle Hour,
sold to Mr. McCarty by E. V. Milhon;
Oxford — Princtss, sold to C. McGuire by
Irvin & Dorsey; Knightstown — Strand, sold
to Mr. Chiranza by Mr. Sipe; Morristown
— Liberty, sold to E. T. Arbuckle. L. V.
Hauk and A. B. Gates by H. R. Thalls ;
Portland — Princess, sold to P. Mailers by
Mrs. J. S. Hines; Sellersburg — Empire,
sold to J. H. Kerstiens by I. E. Robinson ;
Valparaiso^Varsity, sold to G .G. Shauer
& Sons Co. by J. J. Gregory & Ed. Rose-
can.
Closings
Arcadia — Bee-Pint ; Auburn — Empire ; Audi-
bon — Mystic ; Carlisle — Star ; Cloverdale —
Roachdale Hall ; Cynthiana — American ;
Dugger — Majestic : Indianapolis — Eastland,
Northwestern ; MonticeUo^Strand ; New-
port — Holly : Russelleville — Keystone ;
Worthington — Palace.
IOWA
Changes in Ownership
Arlington — O. H.. sold to John K. Hill by
Joseph Peters Casey — Garden, sold to A.
M. Fae;Hn by Mr. Thompson ; Coon Rapids
' — I^yric, sold to Howell & Savage by J.
E. Edgeway ; Creston — Crest, sold to Otis
Sears by Albert Pace ; Davenport — Mirror,
sold to Rhodes & Cahaill by J. H. Pabst,
iOIvmpic, sold to Charies Berdill by L.
Steffen ; Dexter — Princess, sold to H. E.
Gronn bv G. Foster; McGregor — Strand,
sold to H. H. Hall by H. Simpson; N«w
London — .Mamo, sold to E. Bell by W.
D. Berry : Washington — Graham, sold to
H. L. Redding by Harry Frankel ; Waukon
— Cota, sold to P. D. Cota by H. G.
Ludeman.
Closings
Alton — Opera House ; Churdan — Isis ; Dows
— Amuzu ; Fort Dodge — Plaza ; La Porte
City — Pastime ; Merrill — Palace ; Sioux City
— Strand ; Vail — Cozy Corner ; Morning
Sun — Opera House ; New London — Alamo
KANSAS
Changes in Ownership
Cottonwood Falls — Odeon. sold to Earl Har-
mon by Paul Gish ; Esbon — Standard, sold
to P. A. Simmons by R. A. Gaston; Fon-
tana — Loew's Midtown, sold to F. L. &
R. L. Lowe by Lester F. Barnes ; Glasco
— Lyric, sold to Leo Porter by R. R.
Bourne; Kansas City — Empire, sold to Alex
C. Mescon by Sam Naster ; Lo^n — Pas-
time, sold to J. N. Welty by E. A. Dye;
Oxford — Palace, sold to W .1. Sain Show
Co. Inc. by William Looker; Protection —
Pastime, sold to A. W. Steen & Son
W. Clyde Pile ; Salina— Del Harco, sold
to Joseph E. Soukey by Delmar F. Harris ;
'Sevety — Severy, sold to M. C. Meyers ;
by K. A. Roberts; Troy — Opera House,
sold to Hagcn & Zimmerman by Floyd
Randall; Wellsville — Liberty, sold to M.
A. Cook by J. H. Campbell.
Closings
Bluff City — BluflF City; Burr Oak — Favorite;
Cawkor Cit3r — Art ; Coldvrater — Pleasant
Hour; Edmund — Lyric; Edna — Commun-
ity; Holyrood — Legion: l*bo — Peerless;
McDonald — McDonald ; Morganville —
Elite ; Morrowville — Majestic ; MuUinville
—Dawn ; Noosho Falls — Lyric ; Oxford —
Palace ; Sublette — Rex : Uniontown — Pas-
time; Wilson — Opera House.
New Theaters
Buffalo— Lyric, owner — E. O. Briles.
KENTUCKY
Changes in Ownership
Blackey— Mountain, sold to E. D. Sort-
wood by Dr. L. Whitaker; Hardinsburg
—Lyric, sold to F. P. Britt by W. S.
Conway; Hazard — Lyric, sold to Putnam
& Gibson; Jeff — Gay, sold to M. W. Bryan
by Troy Combs ; Lewisburg — Palace, sold
to W. F. Larman by T. Brown ; Lexing-
ton— Dixie, sold to Mr. John Kennedy ;
Louisville — Empire, sold to F. P. Tracey
by H. B. Strube. Superba. sold to Mr.
Grimes by M. Calentino ; Praise — Breaks,
sold to Hall &■ Belcher by G. C. Sanders; j
Russell — Regent, sold to Parsons Invest- ,
ment Co. by E. R. Layne. |
Closings )
Augusta — Odeon ; Catlettsburg — Reel ; Ca- i
virood — Marys ; Harlan — Cumberland ; ,
Louisville — Sun : Maysville — Washington |
O H.; Seco^Seco; Sturgis — Princess. '
THE
uesday, March 11, 1930
■a&Sl
DAILY
Newspaper Opinions
"Song of the West"
Warner
Warner, New York
AMERICAN— As a whole "Song of the
'est" fails to attain the high standard estab-
ihed by recent singing films. There is
ovement and color, but the story is frayed,
e songs indiflcrent and their rendition not
pecially impiessive.
DAILY MIRROR— The apparently gay
;id carefree life of the covered wagon pion-
rs forms the background for this story,
hich is beautiful enough as a series of
echnicolor landscapes, but which misses
ousing tense anxiety over the fates of the
incipal characters concerned in it.
DAILY NEWS — For sets, scenery, hues
d voices, this talkie-singje rates more than
St fair. However, these assets must offset
formidable array of liabilities. For in-
ince, there is a story set to celluloid in
!l seriousness, which can't help but rate
ighs instead of sympathy.
HBRALDTRIBUNE— • * * slovenly,
,:ly, clumsy and generally dull motion pic-
re that even ruins its fine songs and that
always tragically unworthy of its bril-
,nt, if unlucky, original. You could never
less from "Song of the West" that "Rain-
W" was an exceptionally good musical
ow.
MORNING TELEGRAPH—* • * tritest,
fliest and least engaging screen operetta
laginable* * *
TIMES — Compelling prismatic scenes of
e covered wagon days in the West and
>od comedy are the chief attributes of the
itaphone-Technicolor adaptation of the mu-
;al comedy, "Rainbow." The singing for
le most part, however, is far from suc-
;5sful* • •
WORLD — * * * carries on true to the
pe of the familiar old Westerns, with all
le broad strokes and accustomed gestures
' long expected of such an adventure. It
?ms to me a pretty tame entertainment.
Doty to Adapt Columbia Film
Douglas Z. Doty, former niaga-
ne editor, has been selected by Co-
mbia to adapt "For the Love O'
il."
St. Clair Gets M-G-M Contract
His work in "Montana Moon," in
,hich Joan Crawford is starred, has
'ought Malcohii St. Clair a long-
t.-m contract with M-G-M.
1 Sparks in Will Rogers' Film
; Martha Lee Sparks, 4-year old
jtress, will be seen in Will Rogers'
itest for Fox, "So This Is London!"
J I Shearer in "Let Us Be Gay"
, I M-G-M will star Norma Shearer
s i a screen adaptation of Rachel
irothers' play "Let Us Be Gay,"
liich Robert Z. Leonard will direct.
. Skinner for F. N. Film
I Otis Skinner will be starred by
fijirst National in an all-Technicolor
] cture. The star now on road tour
: ill arrive here within the next few
t fieks.
* I Lillie Picture is Titled
; ;"Are You There?" has been se-
• cted as the title for Beatrice Lil-
■' f's picture for Fox.
Jennings in F. N. Film
Al Jennings has been enlisted by
rst National to portray a featured
le in "Under Western Skies," which
'arence Badger is directing.
Coast Wire Service
Latest Hollywood Happenings
A Little
from *'Lots**
^^^^ By RALPH WILK hhih
Hollywood
jDRADLEY KING, who wrote the
screen play and dialogue for
"Roadhouse," for Fox, has been given
another assignment at Fox. Miss
King's current release is "Son of the
Gods."
* * *
Do you remember when the fol-
lowing played football: Jack Meador,
at Chicago; C. R. Seeyle, at Rut-
gers; Alan Dufan, at Notre Dame;
Eddie Ruben, E. Bromley and Roger
Gray, at Minnesota; Paul Dickey,
at Michigan.
* * *
Regis Toomey has had his
contract renewed at Para-
mount. Regis flashed into
prominence in "Alibi," his first
picture. He has appeared in
eight pictures.
* * *
James Monaco and Cliff Friend,
who fashioned the songs for "The
Golden Calf," are writing two num-
bers for "The Solid Gold Article."
James fashions the music and Cliff
the lyrics.
* * *
Faxon Dean, ace cameramMn,
prizes an automobile license that was
issued to his father 23 years ago, in
Washington, D. C.
* * Jt:
Proof that Broadway producers are
feeling the departure of such famous
composers as Harry Tiemey, Sig-
mund Romberg and Rudolph Friml is
found in the receipt of a telegram
by Tiemey from a leading musical
comedy producer, requesting the
composer to return and prepare a
show for him, at virtually his own
figure.
* * *
Do you remember when: I. H.
Ruben ran a clothing store in Des
Moines; when Russell Phelps and
Joel Swenson worked on the Minne-
apolis Journal; when Wellyn Totman
introduced Ruth Draper to Duluth;
when Harry Joe Brown studied law
at Syracuse?
"Cock O' the Walk" Completed
"Cock O' the Walk," formerly
known as "The Soul of the Tango,"
has been completed and will soon be
ready for release by Sono Art-World
Wide. R. William Neill directed
with Olive Tell heading the cast. A
Spanish version is planned.
Stewart in "Bom Reckless"
Roy Stewart has joined the cast of
"Born Reckless," which John Ford
is directing for Fox. Edmund Lowe
plays the part of a gangster.
Radio Signs Several to
Long Term Contracts
Following the completion of
"Framed," which he directed, George
Archainbaud has been given a three-
year contract by Radio Pictures.
Among others to have been awarded
contracts by the company are: Paul
Sloane, director; Melville Brown, di-
rector; Max Ree, art director; Roy
J. Pomeroy, director; Helen Kaiser,
Ned Sparks and Pandro Berman.
Added to "Medicine Man"
Dorothea Wolbert and Billy Butls
have been added to the cast of "The
Medicine Man," Tiffany picture be-
ing directed by Scott Pembroke.
Pathe Erects New Sign
Pathe has erected a new electrical
sign on its studio, 35 feet in length
and seven feet in height.
Big Cast for Fox Film
Two former First National stars
will be seen in "A Very Practical
Joke," which is being made by Fox,
namely Milton Sills and Dorothy
Mackaill. Harvey Clark is the lat-
est addition to the cast.
New Firm Plans 12 Films
Based on Indian Legends
Red Wing Productions, Ltd., has
been formed with Chief Robert Red
Wing, president; Dr. F. H. Chamber-
Iain, vice-president; Dr. William
Bartosch, secretary-treasurer; J. E.
Bowen, general manager; Charles T.
Lester, counsel. The company will
produce 12 features based on Indian
legends. The productions will be
made in color, with sound and dia-
logue.
Ziegfeld Here April 1
Florenz Ziegfeld will arrive here
April 1 to begin work with Samuel
Goldwyn on "Whoopee," in which
Eddie Cantor will be starred.
Two More for Columbia Cast
Richard Carlyle and Robert Haines
have been added to the cast of Co-
lumbia's "Guilty?" which is being
directed by George B. Seitz.
Cook Cast by F. N. Film
Clyde Cook has been cast by F. N.
to play a featured role in "Undei
Western Skies," which Clarence
Badger will direct.
Current Release
"SONG OF THE WEST"
(Directed by Kay Enright)
Coming Releases
"HOLD EVEKYTHING"
"GOLDEN DAWN"
1?
Warner Brothers and
Firsi National Vitaphone Productions
Glenn E. Rominger
(Sound Technician)
THE
DAILV
Tuesday, March 11, 193
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Advises. Wiring as Few
Silents Will be Available
"PXHIBITORS who have not
seen fit to wire their houses
had better give serious considera-
tion to this move immediately for
from present indications there
will be very few pictures for their
use next year. Major companies
are of the opinion that the un-
wired house is not of sufficient
value for them to go to the trou-
ble and expense of making silent
versions of their talkies; and it
is almost impossible to find a
producer of any type who would
be foolish enough to shoot a pic-
ture in silence hoping to syn-
chronize talk and effects in it
later. Another angle for the un-
wired house to consider is the
fact that silent versions of talkies,
at their best, have been very bad
from an entertainment point of
view. This type production will
drive patrons away from the the-
ater insteady of bringing them in.
"Motion Picture Review and
Theater Management"
Holds Plays Brought Literally
To Screen Make Poor Films
'T'HE terrible examples of screen
plays which have derived from
the stage are those in which the
content has been lifted bodily
from one medium to the other.
That was what happened with
practically all of the earlier talk-
ies, and it is why so many dis-
cerning people threw up their
hands in horror when sound sup-
planted silence in the motion pic-
ture realm. Even today, when
definite advances have been made
toward a distinct talking picture
technique, it is seldom that a
stage play successfully survives
the transcription to the talking
screen.
Thornton Delehanty in
"New York Eveninn Post"
Nine corporations formed the
Motion Picture Producers and
Distributors of America, Inc.,
in 1921. Its membership today
is 24 companies.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M.Daly, Jr.
jyf AJOR ALBERT WARNER, v.p. of Warner Bros., returned
here after a brief vacation in Havana J. V. Allen,
southern and western sales manager, is expected at the Warner
home office today from Seattle R. C. Griffith, head man
for Griffith Amusement Co., out Oklahoma City way, visited the
Big City for a few days Al Herman, said to be the
greatest contortionist, is en route to the Coast for RKO's
"Dixiana"
Jy/[R. AND MRS. HYMAN ROSENBERG, parents of Moe
Rosenberg, Warner executive, will celebrate their Golden
Wedding anniversary on Mar. 16 The couple came from
Russia more than 50 years ago Lots of luck, Moe and
Mr. and Mrs James Montana, not from the state bearing
his name, but still a hard man after 6'/^ years with Pathe, now is
head cashier of that company's New York Exchange
Some 'change
A DOLPHE MENJOU and Cathrine Carver are expected in
today on the S.S. Majestic Lou Tellegen, for the
fourth time, promises to love, honor and oh, be yourself. This
time Eve Casanova was the lucky one. Congratulations, folks
Gar O'Neill, big man of Pathe's ad and pub. dept., is
back on the job Bebe Daniels plays crooked in "Smooth
as Satin," of course, you know, a crook role
A LMA RUBENS resumes her vaudeville activities here, when
she opens at the RKO Coliseum today Among those
who have been invited to attend "Song O' My Heart" today at
44th St. are ex-Governor Alfred E. Smith, Mayor James J. Walker,
Grover Whalen, Victor Ridder, Lucrezia Bori, James Curry and
a gang of others "The Great Gabbo" is sceduled at the
Film Guild Cinema for Saturday
gDDIE ("BANJO EYES") CANTOR, whose life is in your
hands, leaves for the Coast next week, to appear in the film
version of "Whoopee," which Sam Goldwyn will produce
Legit theaters in New York have reduced their prices
Jed Harris is said to be plotting a play in which Lillian Gish
will star
"pIVE Irving Berlin numbers will be heard in Al Jolson's
latest, "Mammy," for Warner Bros. They are, "Let Me
Sing," "To My Mammy," "Looking At You," "Knights of the
Road" and "Here We Are" Theatrical Press Representa-
tives will hold their sixth annual benefit performance at the
Erlanger, April 19
MARCH 11 --MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Oliver B. Garver
Ralph A. Kohn
sSSfi,^
Scott Seaton
Raoul Walsh
Exploitettes
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas ■
—€)—
Getting Co-operation
From Public Schools
TN many localities the interest of tl-
schools can be aroused because (
the educational, inspirational ari
patriotic phases. Their endorseniei:
will be valuable. In discussing tl
club with school authorities (
teachers, emphasize that the Mickf
Mouse Club encourages and rewar*
application to studies.
Many schools co-operate with tl
theater by offering the student ha
ing the best standing and who sho
the best behavior for the week,
each class, a pass for the Mick.
Mouse Matinee.
— Now.
* * *
Minstrel Band on Broadway
for "The Grand Parade"
CEVENTY-FIRST Armory band
minstrel attire played in the vici
ity and in front of the Colony, N(
York, when the "Grand paradi
played there recently. This sti
headed a series of ideas evolved
Henry Siegel, manager of the hoi
and Joseph Rivkin. Lobby displa
exhibit of old-time minstrel sht
pictures, radio and music store t
ups, heralds and newspaper adv'
tising were other means used to i
over the picture.
— Pathe
* » *
Had Greta's Doubles
to Usher Her Feature
COMETHING new in the usi
line comes from the Criten
Theater, Los Angeles, where "A"'.
Christie" has been laying it on ^
box office shelf in a big way. 7'
house advertised for erirls who •
sembled Greta to act as ushers (■
ing the run, and about three hunc|l
girls turned up. The best one of i-
lot was told to stick around in a '•
by frame and the rest went insido
stack out the seats. The winner ■ >
startlingly like the star, and !
others came close enough to ans r
the demand. „. ,
—Zit'
TEN YEARS AGO TO-Di'
ipii
M.P.E. of A. convention schedid
for Chicago instead of Ocean V ',
Va.
Famous Players Canadian €?■
plan two Canadian houses to ,st
$750,000. I
* * *
A. L. Aaronson slated to leave |W
Australia as Goldwyn representa «■
Tssday, March 11, 1930
PAILV
Short Shots from
New York Studios
SiS By HARRY N. BLAIR ^m^
"•"■AXI, TALKS," a playlet by
' Frederic and Fanny Hatton, has
b n made into a Vitaphone Variety
wh a Broadway cast including
^yo Methot, Katherine Alexander,
Rger Pryor, Spencer Tracy, Evelyn
Kapp, Vernon Wallace and others.
fhe Chester Beecroft production,
":iss Me!" was previewed at Loew's
itro theater last night and wen.
(yr so well that a Broadway run
it'iow being planned.
3abe Egan and her Hollywood
Rdheads, with Jack Thompson,
Grtrude McDonald and Maxine
Lwis, recently completed a Vita-
pone Variety band number, with
sygs and dances.
One of the first short subjects to
b made at the Warner Vitaphone
sidios for foreign distribution, has
jit been completed with Luana Al-
ciiiz and Juan Puerta featured, as-
sled by their Marimba band. Ed-
n\nd Joseph directed.
Walter Strenge, president of the
c^aeramen's local, was seeing snakes
tl; other day. Strenge was engaged
b^ Talking Epics to photograph Dr.
dtmars, of the N. Y. Zoological
S;iety while the latter spoke on
c|)ras, using live specimens to il-
hitrate his talk. This will be used
ai a prologue to the sound version
o the "Mongoose and Cobra" short
s|)ject.
^Villiam Palmer, chief electrician
a the Paramount Long Island
, sdios, has been elected chairman of
tb New York section of the So-
c!ty of Motion Picture Engineers.
lew Censorship Measure
Looms up in St. Louis
{Continued from Page 1)
/dermen. To defray the cost of
s:h a board, a fee of $10 would be
Ci.rged for each picture of 1,200 feet
o, less and $15 for films over this
iy tage. All fees collected would go
tl the city treasury.
Turner Takes Two in Kenosha
Kenosha, Wis.— The Butterfly and
-Fosevelt, formerly operated by the
I Ijiosevelt Theater Co., have been
Utten over by L. A. Turner.
Uman Takes W. Salem House
West Salem, Wis.— A. U. Uman
'ns taken over the management of
I'tk Rex theater. W. H. Simering
(ffmerly operated the theater.
; I Lima House to Change Hands
Lima, O. — Lima Ritz Theater,
1:., is expected to take over the
Iric here shortly. The house will
bjremodeled, it is understood.
ycvey Back at Port Washington
Port Washington, N. Y. — William
^\ Levey, former manager of the
'. I aeon, has returned to that house
1:1 the same capacity. Century Cir-
'cjt owns the house.
RECORD AMUSEMENT TAX
PAID BY ONTARIO IN '29
(Continued from Page 1)
talking pictures, increased admission
J. Res, and the opening of larger the-
aters which replaced various small
.louses.
i^icense fees paid for the 428 the-
_tters in the Province during the year
..iiounted to $97,512. Fees collected
or ihe censoring of moving pictures
jy the Ontario Board of Moving Pic-
.ure Censors totalled $46,659, while
-.laiies paid to censors, clerks, etc.,
amounted to $20,459. No new taxes
jr changes in the ticket tax or license
fees for 1930 were announced.
Metzger Takes on Work of
Universal Sales Direction
(Continued from Page 1)
through the division of the exchanges
into two parts with a sales director
handling each division. Ted Sch-
langer has been promoted to general
sales director of the eastern division,
and Harry Taylor has been elevated
to a similar post in the western divi-
sion. Under these two will be five
assistant directors, who are expected
to have their headquarters in New
York.
Van Praag, after a week's rest, will
announce his newly made plans.
Canadian F. P. Acquires
Two Hamilton Theaters
(Continued from Page 1)
Pantages to the Palace. The houses
liave a combined seating capacity of
4,563.
Leonard Bishop, manager of the
rivoli for several years, has been
placed in charge of the Capitol and
has been succeeded at the Tivoli by
Robert Knevels. George Stroud con-
tinues as manager of the Palace.
Famous Players also has taken over
the Strand here and H. E. Wilton,
a former alderman, continues as man-
ager.
Consolidated Profited
by $2,377,620 in 1929
(Continued from Page 1)
ings of $1,575,966.49 in 1928. Last
year's earnings are equivalent to
$3.40 per share on common and pre-
ferred as compared with $2.25 in
1928. In the first two months of the
current year the company earned
$459,062.01 as against $403,888.58 in
the similar period a year ago. A reg-
ular quarterly dividend of 50 cents
on common and preferred has been
declared, payable April 1 on stock of
record March 18, 1930.
Mae Murray Sues Tiffany
II' est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Charging that "Pea-
cock Alley" is an artistic failure be-
cause of insufficient skill in produc-
tion, Mae Murray has sued Tiffany
for $1,750,000, claiming her career has
been damaged to that extent.
NEW MOSS HOUSES TO BE
BUILT FOR TELEVISION
(Continued from Page I)
may readily be adapted to either or
both mediums, Moss announces.
Another advanced feature of the
equipment will be the installation of
remote control, thus relieving the
projectionist of the responsibility for
the sound reception. An expert
acoustical engineer will maintain con-
trol of tone from the rear of the or-
chestra.
New Laboratory to Handle
500,000 Feet Per Week
(Continued from Page 1)
enth Ave. where the company will
shortly have completed a fully
equipped laboratory for the printing
of standard and 16mm films. Ar-
rangements are under way whereby
the company will be in a position
to handle 500,000 feet a week. A
subsidiary of the above company,
M. P. Engineering Co., has been
formed to build equipment for the
new laboratory as well as for others.
George Vlahov and Charles Larney,
engineers, will be in charge of the
new equipment plant.
Overlea Equipped, Remodeled
Overlea, Md. — The Overlea, now
being operated by Benjamin Cluster
and Son, who conduct the Cluster,
has been redecorated and equipoed
for sound pictures.
EASTERN EXHIBITORS PASS
PERCENTAOE RESOLUTION
(Continued from Page 1)
rangement thus far suggested is one
that requires a small guarantee, allow-
ing the exhibitor his overhead, plus
cost of the film, records, short prod-
uct and 50 per cent of the guarantee
figure for profit, and then a 50-50
Split.
Sayeg Loses Appeal on
Sunday 'Blue' Violation
(Continued from Page 1)
motion picture show on Sunday on
the contribution or "free will offer-
ing" plan was a "subterfuge and an
evasion of the law which should not
be countenanced." Sayeg was con-
victed recently and fined $35 for
operating on Sunday, a decision
which he appealed.
Publix May Revise Stage
Show Policies in West
(Continued from Page 1)
cessful. The Melba, running week
stands after the Palace, on a four-day
showing, is said to be paying ex-
penses, while the other houses on
three and four-day policies cannot
show as good results.
W. E. At Wilmington Rialto
Wilmington — The Rialto has put
in a Western Electric device.
Attorneys for Tiffany in New York
stated that they did not place much
significance on the suit.
What were the
TEN BEST PICTURES OF
1929?
INQUIRE WITHIN
Now
being
distributed
to all
subscribers
to
THE
FILM
DAILY
The Best Picture ot the Year !
Strong words, but
deny them if you can
after screening
'/^
Mi^M SociETy
with
JANET
GAYNOR
CHARLES
FARRELL
WILLIAM COLLIER, Sr.
HEDDA HOPPER
LUCIEN LITTLEFIELD
LOUISE FAZENDA
JOYCE COMPTON
Story by Dana Burnet
Dialog and adaptation by
Howard. J. Green
Words and music by
James Hanley and
Joseph McCarthy
Mack by the trio re-
sponsible for SUNN^'
SlDIi UP ami the studio
that produced THE
COCK i:VED WORLD
miT/
AcuiQa
%
Directed. I
D A V I E
BUTLEI
Presented by
WILLIAM FOKl
M
WZ:' ff-ii, „ , ■ ■ " :,♦ f f .' s ,
-^r ■■mm gaynor ond farreu
"I'm In The Market For You
"High Society Blues"
"Just Like A Story Book"
"Eleanor"
Published b>
RED STAR
MUSIC COMPANY
iTHE
;^^HEWSPAPER
0/'FILMDOM
/ILL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
'OL. LI No. 60
Wednesday, March 12, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Cameramen Form New Working Hours Agreement!
pRTHWEST RECEIPTSUP 100 TO 300PER CEN'
{Cleveland Exchanges Discontinue Credit System
Main Street
— is still Main Street
= By JACK ALICOATEs=
MOST PICTURE folk who are
industry-wise in most of their
iviews and whose business as well
ias artistic inspiration comes from
[metropolitan centers are too apt to
[confuse the standards of Broad-
iway, the Loop and Hollywood with
(that of "Main Street," in thou-
isands of cities and towns scattered
ithroughout the land. To a typical
iNew Yorker it is hard to see be-
'yond the Palisades, yet here lies
that great ninety per cent, the
backbone of this great country.
:We have recently gotten quite a
(kick out of making as many per-
[formances at small houses, far
jfrom the main stems, as we could.
jif any one were to ask us for a
jfew nutshell observations on the
•small town house, and nobody has,
i we would opine :
— ^THAT regardless of the modern
and universal trend of progressive
thought what they'll take in the
valley of bright lights won't al-
ways go in the small places.
— SOME gags that wont go over
the pit on Broadway are good for
big laughs in the little towns and
likewise certain sophisticated bits
are entirely lost on small town
minds.
— THAT the small town theater
owner is usually well liked and
active in community affairs but the
small town chain theater manager
is too puffed up with his im-
portance to amount to much, either
to the theater or chain he repre-
sents.
— THAT sound reproduction is
the major problem in the small
(.Conimved on Page 2)
Advance Payment Asked
Due to Suspension
of Arbitration
Cleveland — As a result of arbitra-
tion being suspended, branch man-
agers of the Paramount, RKO, War-
ner, M-G-M, Educational, Universal,
Columbia, First National and Pathe
exchanges have sent letters to ex-
hibitors throughout this territory no-
tifying them that the privilege of
preferred credits will be withdrawn
effective March IS, and payment in
(Continued on Page 12)
EXHIBITORSlii TERNS
WITH JANITOfiS' UNION
Chicago — Closing of Chicago
houses by a threatened walkout of
operators and engineers in sympathy
with janitors was averted yesterday
when exhibitors and the janitors'
union arrived at terms which will
form the basis of a new contract to
replace the one which expired yes-
(Continued on Page 12)
DETROIT MWRSHAL
Detroit — A warning to the effect
that there will be rigid enforcement
of the fireproof screen requirements
in accordance with the building code
has been issued by Gabe Goldwaler,
local fire marshal. The edict against
inflammable material also applies to
other stage materials.
Contracts Valid
Detroit — Although the
Thacher decree has made pres-
ent contracts not enforceable
through arbitration, they can
be entorced through the courts,
H. M. Richey, general man-
ager of the M.P.T.O. of Michi-
gan, states in the current issue
of "The Lowdown," official
bulletin of the organization.
While Judge Thacher declared
compulsory arbitration illegal,
he did not deprive producers
of the right to take contracts
into court and sue on them,
Richey says.
300 P. C. JUMP IN SALES
REPORTEHYSONOART
An increase of about 300 per cent,
running between $12,000 and $15,000
a week, in bookings and billings of
Sono Art-World Wide pictures since
Jan. 1 is reported by Budd Rogers,
director of sales, following a tour of
(Continued on Page 12)
PUBLIC INMl SOUND,
CHATKIN TELLS MANAGERS
Chicago — Picture patrons not only
have definitely turned from silents to
talkers, but are insisting on audible
entertainment in preference to the
other. David J. Chatkin told a group
of about 200 managers and execu-
(Continued on Page 12)
New Scale Permits Cameramen
to Work More Than 1 6 Hours
Fox Visits Washington
on Undisclosed Mission
William Fox returned yesterday
from a flying trip to Washington,
D. C. The purpose of his visit to
the capital was not disclosed.
There have been no official results
(.Continued on Page 12)
li'est Coast Bureau. THE PiLM DAILY
Los Angeles — Producers and of-
ficers of International Photographers'
Local 659 have made new arrange-
ments regarding working hours
whereby cameramen may work more
than 10 hours at a stretch provided
first cameramen are paid a flat rate
(Continued on Page 12)
Exchanges in Minneapolis
District Report Big
Jump in Trade
Minneapolis — Gains of from 100 to
6 ' \> .: cent over the corresponding
period last year are reported by local
film exchanges in their receipts for
the first two months of ,this year.
Theaters throughout the Northwest
ter- tory served by these exchanges
also report new tops in fcox-offices'
grosses.
Practically every loca/1 exchange
shares in the amazing /increase in
(Continued on Pagk 12)
PATHE GETS FILM
Atlantic City — P
awarded the motion
at the American Fair
the local Auditorium
27, it is announced
(Continued on
the has been
picture rights
to be held in
17 to Aug.
Lincoln G.
e 12)
Jily
by
Pdg
Harry Cohen Resigning
From Columbia Pictures
Harry Cohen, foreign manager oi
Columbia, shortly leaves the com
pany of his own volition. Cohen has
long been an important figure in film
activities abroad.
"Song O'My Heart"
Based on John McCormack's
box-office draw, this is sure
a money picture. It has enough
songs to qualify as a concert,
which is what McCormack
fans want, and in addition it
has a fair story sprinkled with
plenty of robust comedy, is
pictorially beautiful, and is a
superb job of recording. Mc-
Cormack's voice reproduces
with forceful clearness, and his
acting is satisfactory. This
picture should make thousands
of new talker fans.
Gillette.
PAILV
Wednesday, March 12, 1930
ViL U No. 60 Wednesday, March 12, 1930 Price 5 CenU
JOHN W. AUCOATE
Editor and Puliiislier
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, iyi».
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all conr
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway. New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk. 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredraan, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Kue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
* A m ^pat 21i4 -■•■
(f^"- Fm! "ind." ... 27M 25 26^8 16.900
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 28K 267/8 27^ 13,300
East. Kodak ...... 232y. 228 229^ 4.100
Fox Fm. "A".... 35 j4 34 J4 35/. 8.800
Gen. Thea. Equ... 44J-4 43 43^ 2.700
do''tfd^."!'..::::::ii8"- umnl 'soo
Loew's,- Inc 82/4 76/4 78/4 2.100
do pfd. WW (6/.). 105 104 104 200
•do pfd. xw (654) o°y>
*M-GM pfd 25/2 . . . •
Para F-L 72 70.^ 70/8 12,500
Pathe Exch 6 5H 5^ 16,800
do "A" 12/, 11/. 11/, 7,500
KK-O 38H 36^ 37/8 50.100
•Univ. Pet. pfd 55 ^i .-.•
Warner Bros 72^ 70/, 71 41,500
do pfd 635^ 62 62 300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 33Ji 33 33 200
Fox Thea. "A" . . SVs S S'A 5,900
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts... 44!^ 44'/4 44!^ 100
Loew, Inc., war.. 16 ISH 15fi 400
•Nat. Scr. Ser 24
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46.. 91 89J4 91 12(
Loew 6s 41ww 121 120 120 50
do 6s 41 x-war 98^ 98 98 IK
Paramount 6s 47..101!4 101^ 101 H 60
•Par. By. 5Hs51 101
Pathe 7s37 54 52/ 53 340
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City }.t
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. J.t
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 It
:.:
i.t
It
Eastman Films |
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. l{
Chicago
Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. "0" Sama^ Monica g
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 |"J
Main Street
— is still Main Street
(Continued from Page 1)
house. On the big streets in the
big cities it is perfect. In the little
houses, in small places, where pro-
per service is not handy it is caus-
ing plenty of grief.
— THAT the owner of the small
house is inclined to let it run down
and become shabby. Paint is prob-
ably the cheapest thing we know of
around a theater and a little goes a
long long way.
Unusual Pictures of the
Monk Hermit Are Shown
Pictures of the monk hermit who
lives under a rock on Mount Athos
were shown for the first time last
night at the Princeton Club. Capt.
Vladimir Perfilheff spoke of him as
the most ascetic of 2,400 ascetic
monks on Green peninsula barred to
women for a thousand years. For
37 of his 80 years the monk has
sheltered under the rock which is
situated at an altitude of 3,000 feet.
Sunday Case Continued
Bennington, Vt. — John B. Harte,
owner of the Stark Strand and three
employees, were recently arrainged
in municipal court, charged with vio-
lation of the Sunday closing law.
Case was continued for jury trial.
Sound and Radio Outfit
A compact projection machine and
radio for the house is a new outfit
now on the market, "Popular Me-
chanics" makes known. The repro-
ducing device is for disc only and
the radio can be played in accompani-
ment to non-talking pictures.
Minn. Salesmen Meet Mar, 15
Minneapolis — All film salesmen
will meet at the local Film Board of
Trade on March 15. Important mat-
ters concerning the industry will be
discussed at this confab, Tom Burke,
president, declares.
Columbia Opens New Office
Columbia exchange in New York
officially opened its new quarters on
the ninth floor yesterday with a buf-
fet lunch. Jack Bellman played host
to exhibitors and exchangemen.
Supreme Court Vacates
Neon Suit Attachment
.Supreme Court Justice Bijur has
vacated the attachment for $1,000,-
000 against the property of William
T. P. Hollingsworth, president of the
Claude Neon Lights, Inc., obtained
in the suit brought by the investment
firm of C. T. Bob & Co. on the
ground that statements made in an
advertisement caused the failure of
a stock issue of the Federal Neon
system sponsored by the Bob firm
Columbia to Release
8 Buck Jones Westerns
Columbia will distril)ute eight
westerns starring Buck Jones, to be
produced by Sol Lester. 'The Man
From Hell's River" will be the first
release in the series.
New Names Given to 3
Pantages Can. Houses
Toronto — Names of the tiiree Pan-
tages houses in Canada have been
changed so that there is no similaritj
in the new titles. The house in Van-
couver now is known as the Beacon;
in Hamilton, Ontario, the name ha^
been changed to the Palace, while
Pantages here has the new name of
Imperial.
"Song O' My Heart" in Sept.
"Song O' My Heart," in which
John McCormack made his debut in
pictures last night at the 44th Street
theater. New York, is scheduled for
general release in important cities
next September. Dublin and London
will see the picture in June.
6 Educational Releases in April
Educational announces six April
releases. They are "Indian Pudding"
and "Roman Punch," Terry-Toons;
"Honeymoon Zeppelin," a Mack Sen-
nett comedy; "Western Knights," a
Mermaid comedy; "Follow the Swal-
low," a Lloyd Hamilton comedy, and
"Bitter Friends," a Tuxedo comedy.
M-G-M Revue in Australasia
"The Hollywood Revue" is re-
ported in cables received at the
M-G-M offices in New York to have
opened to record breaking crowds at
the Roxy, Sydney, Australia, and the
Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand.
Let Us Solve Your Prohlems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
June
20 Annual election of Maryland M.P,
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" u a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
5 Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc., at thi
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.P. at Memphis.
5-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washineton.
DC.
25 Fox annual sales convention itaiti
to-day.
2-7 International Cinema Congress ti
Brussels.
Carolina Houses Change Hands
Charlotte, N. C. — Recent changes
of ownership among Carolina thea-
ters are reported as foUews: Park,
Elk Park, sold to Teaster Bros, by
\V. T. Tucker; Amuzu, Inman, sold
to H. M. Ragan by J. C. Crowe;
Carolina, West Asheville, sold to L.
L. Williams by J. C. Skidmore; Caro-
lina. West Jefferson, sold to P. T.
McNeil by C. C. Parsons.
AD-VANCE-AD
"Wish to say that your trailer
service has been very satisfactory. Ad-
Vance Trailers help our business a
great deal."
PLAZA THEATRE,
BROOKFIELD, MO.
EXniBIK5R
of Pliiladelphia
of Washington
iXaanbit
of New York, Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4,600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
everlastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-GOODWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington'
Ma n Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA,
"WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
mmm
INCORPORATED '
220 WEST 42^-° STREET
NEW YORK
Phone: Wisconsin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES.CEN.MCR.
A RIOT IN
CLEVELAND!
First Popular
Priced Engagement
at Stilhnan, Clevelandy
electrifies the industry!
LAWRENCE
TIBBETT
The Biggest Thing in Talkies
The ROGUE
SONG
The Big Ones are always
METRO-GOL
Standee business at Stillman, Cleveland!
Your
ISewest
Star!
"Rogue Song" is likely to be-
come the beacon that will
shine out in the world of the
sound pictures as "The Birth
of a Nation" revealed the pos-
sibilities of the silent picture."
— Archie Bell, Cleveland News
YER
Plunges Show World Into
Upheaval of Controversy
and Debate • .Whams New
York forWhoopla Business
as Critics Pound Machines
in Furious Discussion . • •
Virtual Landslide of Praise From Press
of Nation . . . Lauding Brenon Genius
and Radio's Daring and Resourceful
Showmanship... Mighty Bid for New
Gold Medal Laurels.
HERBERT
BRENON S
"Grischa" is a set-up for a public sated witli
ftuff and pansy drama. Make it an EVENT in
your town. It is tlie DIFFERENT show ... for a
public that faces life standing up. Get back
of "Grischa" and "Grischa" will get back of
you at the box-office.
mAtti^.
SERGEAMT
GRISCHA
NEW YORK
"A superb performance by
Chester Morris . . . Gripping
and moving beyond descrip-
tion.". . . New Yorli Telegram.
"A distinguished war movie,
impressive and eloquent . . .
Mr. Morris' performance will
stand out as the acting job of
the season." . . . New. York
Mirror.
"Very human and affecting
... A fine, vigorous, astonish-
ingly courageous finale." . . .
Morning World.
CHICAGO
"... one of the most unusual
and affecting pictures we ever
encountered. We unquestion-
ably place it among the
achievements of the talkie
area. Don't pass up this pic-
ture or you'll be missing one
of the most sensational talkies
thus far." . . . Chicago Even-
ing American.
"It's an excellent film, this
one about "Sergt. Grischa"
and one that will be remem-
bered a long time after being
seen ... a notable picture
achievement.". . . Chicago
Evening Post.
PITTSBURGH
"... a deep, moving power-
ful and at times terrifying
drama . . . Herbert Brenon's
masterpiece, paling even his
"Beau Geste" and "Sorrel
and Son" . . . Ace picture of
the present year. Nothing
quite like it has ever before
been brought to the screen."
. . . Pittsburgh Post - Gazette.
"It is so much different from
"What Price Glory", "The Big
Parade", and others this"Ca5e
of Sergt. Grischa"; it undoubt-
edly will be acclaimed the
best of its line." . . . Pitts-
burgh Press.
WASH., D. C.
"One of those really different
productions ... no choruses,
no popular theme song, but
it is one of those great mov-
ing stories that Herbert Bre-
non, its director, has doneonce
or twice before." . . . Wash-
ington Daily News.
" 'The Case of Sergt. Grischo',
notable and often powerful
. . . stands on the merits of its
show eloquence, terminating
in the most realistic climaxes
ever presented in the films."
. . . Washington Evening Star-
PHILLY . . .
"Without a doubt, it is one of
the'best'picturesof theyeor."
. . . Philadelphia Evenino
Ledger.
CHESTER
MORRIS
BETTY
COMPSON
JEAN
HERSHOLT
ALEC B. FRANCIS
GUSTAV VON
SEYFFERTITZ . . .
THE
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Critic Regards Producers
Eager to Make Good Films
T WOULD like to destroy right
away any suspicion that I am
trying to whitewash the screen
magnates. They are, in the main,
ignorant, mercenary and quite
magnificent in the power of their
weakness. But at least they are
not smug. They are terribly fill-
ed with an inferiority complex;
with the fear that they are too
small for the medium they are
exploiting and they pray that by
doing something good they can
justifv_themselves. Then, too, I
cannot'see how they are any more
mercenary, any more concerned
with the turning out of success-
ful trade goods than are the pub-
lishers and the theatrical pro-
ducers. They would really like
to make good pictures, and they
are so childlike that they can be
led with incredible ease by any
group with pretensions to culture
that would take them by the
hand and stroke their heads occa-
sionally.
Richard Watts, Jr., in
"New York Herald-Tribune"
Holds Talkers Have Created
A Greater Love for Music
'T'HE greatest achievement of
the cinema is probably its uni-
versality of appeal. With a
unique language it breaks down
all barriers of nationality. The
talking, film unfortunately,
against its realism has put up
those barriers again. The talkie
is comprehensible only where it
is made, or with audiences who
speak the same language. But it
has other compensations than
realism. These lie mainly in the
field of music. It has introduced
to foreign audiences the cream of
other countries' musicians and
orchestras. Melody is more en-
throned today in popular taste
than ever before.
"To-day's Cinema," London
American productions are
shown in 70 countries, with
titles translated into 37 tongues.
■^^
DAILV
Wednesday, March 12, 193C
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M, Daly, Jr.
'T'HEY started the buzzing and when the smoke cleared, it was
avowed that Sidney Garret and Abe Stem came to a mutual
agreement at the M. P. Club. Maybe another merger?
Why does Rutgers Neilson send us the 5-and-lO jokes about
Bob Armstrong, who is retruning to the Pathe fold? The
Feb. telephone bills for transatlantic conferences between Eamuel
Goldwyn and Florenz Ziegfeld, relating to the filming of "Whoo-
pee," are reported at $1530.25 That's hot and heavy conversa-
tion
WAANTED 1,000,000 Cuckoo Clocks, apply Radio Pictures
....This is on the up and low, really that Radio gang still
is panting from the severe search they have made for these
clocks. Reason Here's the gag, the>' changed the title "Radio
Revels" to "The Cuckoos." We would suggest tying up with the
telephone company or street cars, instead of having bells rung,
change the tunes to Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Cuckoo No, Hy, no
charge for the tip, you knov*'
'yiFFANY had quite a turnout the other night for the premiere
of "Mamba" in addition to the executives of the company
among the distinguished guests were H. M. Richey, Col. H. A.
Cole, Abram F. Myers and Glen A. Cro%s Congratula-
tions to Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Hanson upon the arrival of a baby
girl No, not the Tiffany Hanson, but the official of the
Film Truck Service in Indianapolis Grace Moore, soprano,
with an M-G-M contract under her wing, left the other night for
Hollywood
CORTY minutes of broadcasting time, spread over eight stations
in different parts of the country, is being accorded Educa-
tional's comedy talkers, "'Match Play" and "He Trumped Her
Ace," as a result of the enthusiasm these subjects received by
the reviewing committee of the M. P. Bureau of the International
Federation of Catholic Akimnae The Capitol this Friday
will feature Greta Garbo in "Anna Christie" while on Sunday
Yasha Bunchuk will be presented b}' Major Bowes in a 'cello solo
with the Capitol family
"CPANISH ONIONS," "Indian Pudding" and "Roman Punch"
are the delectable titles for the next three animated sound
cartoons in the Terry-Toons which Paul Terry is making for
Educational "Top Speed" they say will be Mervyn Le
Roy's next for First National under his new contract
Phillip L. Thomson, director of public relations for Western
Electric, will be guest speaker at today's session of the Adver-
tising Club
MARCH 12--MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Oliver B. Garver
Ralph A. Kohn
Jack Pyser
EXPLOITETTES 1
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€
!a?H
"Disraeli" Essays Build
Business at Vancouver
AN essay contest was used to b^
business when "Disraeli" pla?
at the Dominion, Vancouver. Tie
up was arranged with the Vancouvejl
Star to publish essays by schoc ^
children and to award prizes give
by O. B. Allan, local jewelers. Allan
also used its principal window for
"Disraeli" display during the run c
the picture.
Warner Bros.
* * ^t
Current News
Always Catchy
jgASEBALL with all it's aiiendir
fanfare will be soon underwa
Quite a number of towns around t\
circuit, number big league player
among their foremost sons. No ot
likes publicity and ballyhoo any be
ter than these boys. And the idi
of arranging farewell parties to the
is one wherein you can capitali:
on their news value.
Arrange to have the farewell c
testimonial party at your theate
Speeches, gatherings of old friend
a gift; together with a plea from tl
mayor to "go out for the fame at
glory of good old . . . ." are some
the interesting features that can 1
worked up.
— Now.
Made a Two-Day Stunt
of Cross-Word Puzzle
/JETTING a newspaper ride on
cross-word puzzle with the a
swers in the classified ads is not
new, but F. C. Croson, of the Ft
lix-Princess, Sioux City, Iowa, pu
little more kick into it by making
run for two days. The first days '
vertical words were hidden in '.
want ads, and the horizontals w
given the following day. Got him
long run and 1,100 replies for "I
a Great Life," and it boosted bii
ness.
With the replies so plainly ini
catcd, neatness was made the >
ciding factor, with 36 prizes.
—Zit's.
TEN YEARS AGO TO-D^
niii
Tarkington Baker leaves Univer
to form own organization.
* * *
National M. P. League in Albc
to create demand for clean pictui
4: *: «
Artcraft Theater Corp. is formec
Indianapolis with capital of $200,(
A MESSAGE
TO YOU FROM
.,-^^^72:
..^'
.=^'.
V. >v->**vw%«Ac;«-.-
^fiffirfi.f-rrixt's-ietgjtfi^f'.
S. R. KE XT
wwwuiwiiniiiiiiiii
\
,'^».
ii iiwwiiyMi.BKiWirWii
^^rf^^S^'^
X don't often address you in print.
But since my return from Europe I
have seen and heard things which I
believe you should know for the good
of your box office.
I have personally screened 10 com-
ing Paramount Pictures. I have
received information by telephone or
wire almost daily from Mr. Lasky, who
is at our Hollywood studio. I have
checked carefully every Paramount
release. T/iis is certain:
THE FINEST PRODUCTIONS IN
PARAMOUNT'S CURRENT GROUP
ARE COMING BETWEEN NOW AND
AUGUST — AND COMING IN
QUANTITY. For example:
The Vagabond King
Sara It nitil Sim
Roadhouse l\lghts
Young Eagles
Murder Case
Tlie LigliL uj
Western Stars
Tin- li
"THE VAGABOND KING." Showmen agree it's the
finest piece of entertainment yet produced. Business in
New York, Philadelphia and Palm Beach, where it has
opened $2 runs, backs their judgement. The fact that
35 of America's ace theatres have voluntarily raised
admission prices 331/3% or more, for this attraction
speaks for itself.
"SARAH ANO <iON '* With Ruth Chatterton rising above
even her work in "Madame X"and "The Laughing Lady."
One of the real big dramatic punches of 1930.
"HONEY." Starring Nancy Carroll, with Lillian Roth,
Skeets Gallagher, Harry Green, Stanley Smith and others.
A musical comedy with everything "Sweetie" had, and
more.
"ROADHOUSE NIGHTS.'^ Listed by Photoplay
Magazine among the 6 best pictures of the month. With
a tip to watch the new comedy sensation, Jimmy Durante.
Motion Picture News calls him "the Charlie Chaplin of
the talking screen."
"YOUNG EAGLES/^ Charles "Buddy" Rogers and Jean
Arthur in a second edition of "Wings."
"THE BENSON MURDER CASE." Latest and best of
the"Philo Vance" mystery stories. With William Powell,
Eugene Palletle and the others who made this series
Grade AA box office.
"LADIES LOVE BRUTES.'^ Starring George Bancroft,
whom Variety's annual poll names the biggest drawing
card on the screen today.
"THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS." With Richard
Arlen, Mary Brian and Harry Green. By Zane Grey.
Mr. Lasky wires me that this is an even better outdoors
all-talker than "The Virginian."
"PARAMOUNT '^> PARADE." With every big star on
the Paramount payroll in it. A giant musical comedy
different from anything this business has yet seen.
"THE BIG POND." Starring Maurice Chevalier in a
modern American comedy romance, with songs and
Claudette Colbert. This should top "The Love Parade."
"SAFETY IIN NUMBERS." "Buddy" Rogers in a musical
show with three beautiful girl heroines and six song hits.
"HIGH SOCIETY." Jack Oakie, the comedy craze of the
hour.
"DANGEROUS NAN McGREW." Helen Kane and big
Broadway cast in a singing comedy-melodrama. (Para-
mount gives you the new stars while they're hot.)
"THE TEXAN." With Gary Cooper. Companion picture
to "The Virginian."
"TRUE TO THE NAVY." Clara Bow and a whale of a
Bow title.
"THE RETURN OF DR. FU MANCHU." With Warner
Oland and the fine cast that did so well in the first "Fu
Manchu" hit.
"THE BORDER LEGION." Richard Arlen, Mary Brian,
Jack Holt. By Zane Grey. The demand today is for big
action-studded talkers like this one.
"THE DEVIL'S HOLIDAY." Nancy Carroll in a down-
to-earth drama written and directed by Edmund
Goulding, who made "The Trespasser."
"YOUNG MAN OF MANHATTAN." The best selling
novel of 1930 from coast to coast. Claudette Colbert
and Charles Ruggles heading the cast.
EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTION. The exclusive motion
pictures taken WIT!' !^? AR ADMIR M M^^"» \T THE
SOUTH POLE, including the actual airplane flight over
the Pole.
- ^it¥ig1iiTiMtlll»li«iMliilW«W^^
McGrew
The ticiurit o/
Dr. Fu Manchu
The UevU
s lh>li<la\
J
r^
M
kl
^
d
'd
r1
r
iMaiihnt 1(111
^4^r "ft/
V l'AKA310l >T ;"
V k «H AI.ITl *"
^ »illOilTS
Sill
Between March 1st and August 1st you
get 27 outstanding pictures, the cream
of Paramount's current season's line-up.
/ say it to you frankly and honestly:
IF YOU HAVE PARAMOUNT
BOOKED, YOU MUST PREPARE
NOW TO HANDLE MORE BIG
PICTURES IN THE NEXT 5
MONTHS THAN YOU VE EVER HAD
BEFORE IN AN ENTIRE SEASON.
If you haven't Paramount booked,
you should protect yourself by in-
specting eacli one of these new
pictures when a print arrives at your
Paramount exchange. Your own judg-
ment will tell you what to do next.
THE
Wednesday, March 12. 1930
•!&^
DAILY
11
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
A Little I
from *'Lots''
^— , By RALPH WILK ..^_J
Hollywood
irUGH HERBERT has signed a
^ long term contract with Radio
Jctures by which he will both write
id direct features. He has been
\th Radio Pictures for several
unths as a writer and dialogue spe-
cilist. He wrote more than 100 one-
it plays that have been successfully
ftoduced on the stage and is credited
■Jth the script of the first all-talking
li;ture ever produced.
\ 4s « *
Our Passing Shotu: John T.
iurray, Monroe Lathvop, Edwin
li,hallert, Jimmy Starr and Janet
icLeod of Buffalo, N. Y., at Ar-
iur Zellner's "house-warming" ; Al-
ti McNeil motoring to the United
Hists studio.
* ♦ *
I Albert DeMond, Universal's
I newest associate producer, has
handled scenarios, titles and
dialogue on more than 100
Universal features during his
1 three years with that organi-
zation. In addition to Uni-
versal, he has also been associ-
ated with Harold Lloyd and
Pathe.
♦ * *
Next production to be directed by
Sng Vidor will be a dramatization
<! the career of Billy the Kid, the
/verican desperado. Laurence Stal-
llgs is preparing the script.
* * *
'Ivan Lebedeff is conversant with
qht languages — English, French,
brman, Russian, Turkish, Armen-
h; Italian and Greek.
ack in 1924, William Le Baron,
t=n head of the Paramount Long
Land studio, gave Paul Sloane his
ist directorial opportunity. This
Vfck, LeBaron, now vice-president
i'charge of RKO production, signed
bane to a long term contract to
cect Radio Pictures. Sloane re-
cyitly completed the direction of
'adio Revels."
Tom Jackson in "Good News"
Tom Jackson has been added to
ti cast of M-G-M's "Good News"
■le will be teamed up with Clifif Ed-
Wrds. Bessie Love has the chief
flninine role.
Summerville in "U" Film
Slim Summerville is doing a com-
«b^_ number in "King of Jazz" for
Iniversal.
Goodwin Signs in F. N. Film
Mary Goodwin, former script girl,
\11 be heard singing a number in
Ille. Modiste," now in production
I First National.
Jack White Doing Away
With Slapstick Comedy
Jack White Productions announces
It has "eliminated almost entirely
broad and slapstick forms of comedy."
vVith the adoption of a policy of
■legitimate and logical forms of en-
tertainment." The change was
prompted by the fact that "the newer
lorm of entertainment is proving
Highly successful."
Exteriors for "Dixiana"
Being Filmed in South
While interiors are being iilmed by
Luther Reed on the RKO lot in
Hollywood, exterior scenes for "Dix-
iana" are being "shot" 2,000 miles
away, along the Mississippi, north ol
iNiew Orleans, by Fred Jf'leck, assis-
tant director of the film, in which
Bebe Daniels is being starred.
Joan Peers Signed
Columbia has signed Joan Peers
under a long term contract. She
will begin active work in two weeks.
"Fu Manchu" Sequel In Work
Paramount has put into produc-
tion "The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu,"
which is being directed by Rowland
V. Lee. The cast includes Warner
Oland, Jean Arthur, Neil Hamilton,
O. P. Heggie and William Austin.
Irish Find Gets Second Role
Maureen O'Sullivan, Fox featured
player brought over from Ireland to
play in "Song of My Heart," has
been cast for the feminine lead in
"So This Is London," Will Rogers'
starring vehicle.
Claire Not to Leave F. N.
Bernice Claire, who is being
sought by theatrical producers to
play on the legitimate stage, will not
desert pictures. First National has
plans for her appearance in future
productions after her legitimate ap-
pearance.
Barrymore to Remake Silent
Lionel Barrymore will remake
"Never the Twain Shall Meet" into
a talking picture for M-G-M.
Columbia Adds Two
Additions to the cast of "Prince
of Diamonds," have been made with
the selection of Tyrrell Davis and
Claude King for important roles in
the Columbia picture.
Pitts with Nancy Carroll
Paramount has cast Zasu Pitts to
play with Nancy Carroll in "The
Devil's Holiday," which will be un-
der the direction of Edmund Gould-
ing, author of the story.
Four N. Carolina Houses
Sued by First National
Charlotte, N. C. — First National
has tiled suits in Mecklenburg supe-
rior court against four North Caro-
lina theaters for $81,815. Allegeo
breach of contracts formed the basis
of the actions instituted. The Dixie
and Carolina at Hamlet, the Macon
at Goldsboro, and the Ansonia at
VVadesboro are the houses named in
the litigation.
Scott at New Wis. House
Black River Falls, Wis. — The new
Scott has been opened. Earl Scott
is manager of the new theater.
Paramount Changes Title
"The Two Black Crows" has been
changed to "Anybody's War" by
Paramount. The picture stars Moran
and Mack and was directed by Rich-
ard Wallace.
Sound for New Idle Hour
Phillips, Wis. — De Forest equip-
ment is to be installed in the New
Idle Hour.
Chapin Managing Lyric
Mcintosh, S. Dak. — ihe Lyric has
been reopened with sound. William
Chapin is manager.
Billows to Open State
Central City, Neb. — C. Billows will
open the new State here.
Opens With Sound Policy
Lake Providence, La. — The Ace
has opened up with sound with
Western Electric equipment.
Duncan Equips American
Gushing, Okla. — The American has
been equipped for sound pictures. ..^„ «.. ...^ „.^..^„
Hiram Duncan is owner of the house. I W^estern Electric apparatus.
Western Electric Gets
11 Contracts From Chile
Western Electric has received con-
tracts for 11 sound installations in
Chile. One house, the Teatro Car-
rera, Santiago, already has been
equipped and opened a few days ago
with "The Broadway Melody."
More DeForest Installations
Dallas — DeForest equipment has
been sold in the following Texas
towns: El Reno, Clackwell, Ada,
Duncan, Anadarko, Erick and Cres-
cent.
Eagles Wired
St. Bernard, O. — The Eagles has
been wired by W'estern Electric.
Phototone for Milo
Cleveland — The Milo has installed
Phototone equipment.
Soimd for La Paloma
Encinitas, Cal. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the La Paloma.
L. R. Mathews is manager.
Blair House Goes Sound
Blair, Wis. — J. S. Johnson has in-
stalled sound equipment at the lo-
cal theater here.
Alamo Installs W. E.
Fayette, Mo. — -The Alamo has in-
stalled Western Electric apparatus.
Installs Sound
Foxboro, Mass. — Engineers are
now at the Orpheum, wiring it with
WHAT TECHNICAL PROGRESiS
Has Reen Reported for 1929
by the S. M. P. E. ?
INQUIRE WITHIN
y
3^lt
YIAR !
BOOK 1
^950 1
If ^,- .... r..,-W.<S?« |H
Now
being
distributed
to all
subscribers
to
THE
FILM
DAILY
12
DAILV
Wednesday, March 12, 19
NORTHWEST RECEIPTS UP
100 TO 300 PER CENT
(Continued from Pane \)
business. Columbia's branch here,
managed by Ben Marcus, is said to
lead ttie entire U. S. in percentage oi
quota reached to date. Contracts
show a 300 per cent jump, wlnie
weekly collections are running Zbl
per cent ahead of a year ago. As a
result of this showing, W. A. Run-
ning, booker, has been made office
manager, while Irving Marks has
been appointed booker in the poster
department.
Tiffany's sales also are around 3U0
per cent ahead of last year, accord-
ing to A. Fischer, branch manager.
M. E. Montgomery, Pathe branch
manager, has been notified by the
home office that his exchange is run-
ning fourth in volume of trade
throughout the country. The local
branch of United Artists led the
country in February in played ana
earned business, with M. C. Burton,
office manager, receiving a home of-
fice commendation as a result. Tom
Burke, branch manager, has led an
aggressive sales campaign that also
put U. A. in the top class for vol-
ume of sales.
Paramount, Warner, M-G-M, Fox,
RKO, First National, Educational
and Sono Art also are making good
showings. Future prospects are con-
sidered most encouraging.
Releasing "Rogue Song"
to Forty Key Theaters
M-G-M announces "The Rogue
Song," starring Lawrence Tibbett,
will be released for popular showing
during this month and next in 40
key houses throughout the country.
On Saturday the film is scheduled to
open at the following first-run houses;
Loew's, Buffalo; Eoew's, Dayton;
State, Syracuse; Valentine, Toledo;
Palace, Indianapolis; State, Provi-
dence, and State, Louisville.
300 P.C. Jump in Sales
Reported by Sono Art
(Contintied from Page 1)
the company's Mid-West exchanges.
Chain operators are more receptive
than ever to the independent pro-
ducer's selling story, Rogers states,
and are on the alert for product that
has merit.
Texas Houses Go Sound
Dallas — The following houses in
this vicinity have installed sound
equipment: Austin, Nacogdoches;
Strand, Honey Grove; Dixie, Bos-
trop; Palace and Lyric, Brady.
Hanibal, Mo. — Harry Schiedger,
general manager of the Hanibal The-
ater Co., has been elected president
of the Capital Chamber of Commerce.
Arlington at Manhattan, Kan.
Manhattan, Tex. — Duane Arling-
ton has been named manager of the
Miller here.
Fox Visits Washington
on Undisclosed Mission
t^Continued from Page \}
as yet trom the conterence being
neld by Fox bankers at Judge FrauK
J. Coleman's chambers. Halsey,
:3tuart & Co., upon being questioneu
as to what proceedings they contem-
plate, said It appears to be up to
rox and the Bancamenca group to
make the next move, and that ii
judge Coleman calls a hearing the
rlalsey, Stuart group will state Us
position at that time.
Meanwhile the Brooklyn Supreme
Court today will hold a hearing on
.he incidental Fox suit brought last
week.
EXtitBITORSREACHTERMS
WITH JANIIORS' UNION
(Continued from Page 1)
terday. Conterences had been in
progress for 10 days.
Ihe janitors have come out partly
victorious with a raise of $Z.50 a
week for those who were getting less
Jian $30 weekly and an increase ol
^1 for those earning more than $30.
Originally the union demanded 8(J
cents an hour for men and 75 cents
tor women on an eight-hour and six-
Jay basis. The compromise was pro-
posed by Jack Miller and approvea
oy 400 janitors at a special meeting
yesterday morning.
Sound Fihns Meet With
Approval in Shanghai
Shanghai — Talking pictures have
found so much favor with the people
here that it is almost impossible to
get tickets for a show on the same
day. Attendance at local theaters
has been so large that patrons have
had to reserve their seats three and
four days in advance. Chief among
the reasons for success of sound pic-
tures is the musical revue. Foreigners
of all nationalities, including French,
German and British join the Chinese
in attending sound shows.
Pathe Gets Film Rights
at Coming American Fair
(Continued from Page 1)
Dickey, manager of the exposition
building. The Films of Commerce
Division of the Pathe Exchange will
conduct an industrial theater, located
in the big ballroom of the Audi-
torium, where films of America at
work will be shown. Descriptive
programs from this industrial show
will be broadcast from Station WPG.
Golden to Operate Irving
Brightmore, Mich. — Operation of
the Irving here will be taken over
by John G. Golden April 1. The
house will be completely redecorated
and renovated. Western Electric
sound apparatus will be installed.
Stebbins to Get Detroit House
Detroit — Lease on the Regent here
will be taken over by S. J. Stebbins,
who has formed a new company for
this purpose. W. J. Klatt has been
operating the 2,200-seat house for the
past two years.
STOP CREDIT SYSTEM AT
CLEVELAND EXCHANGES
jjContinued from Page I )
advance or on delivery will go into
effect at that time. Preferred credit
policies have been in effect locally
tor several years, but only as a mat-
ter of practice.
Leading exhibitors here are con-
tinuing their efforts to find a suitable
substitute for arbitration. Julej.
Schwartz has proposed that every
theater owner put up $500 with the
Cleveland M. P. Exhibitors' .A.ss'n,
which in turn would guarantee pay-
ment to distributors in case of dis-
pute over a picture.
The Ass'n, through its secretary,
George W. Erdmann, also is urging
its members to consider film con-
tracts binding, and attempts to break
contracts are being discouraged. Ex-
hibitors are being asked to pay for
their films and then, if they have
any complaints, to seek readjust-
ments from branch managers, and
to submit matters to the association
as a final resort. Erdmann says he
has settled 90 per cent of the dis-
putes he has handled this way.
New Working Agreement
Formed by Camera. Union
(Continued from Page 1)
of $12.50 an hour for overtime, with
second cameramen, still men and as-
sistants also being paid an overtime
scale. Double pay will apply for for
holidays.
Under the old arrangement cam-
eramen could not be worked more
than 16 hours at a stretch except in
emergencies, and much friction arose
between producers and cameramen
over emergency cases.
Former Detroit Exhibs
Open Realty Company
Detroit — Madison Realty Co. is the
name of the new firm recently form-
ed here by John H. Kunsky and
George W. Trendle, former exhibi-
tors. The company now is locatcf'
on the third floor of the Madison
Theater Bldg.
Price of Popularity
Vienna (By Cable) — Emil
Jannings, arriving here to act
in a play, was surrounded by a \
mob of enthusiastic fans, who i
hoisted the star up in the air
to carry him to his auto. But
in the jostUng, the support
dropped from under Jannings
and he fell to the ground. Up-
on emerging, besides being bad-!
ly trampled, the souvenir hunt-
ers had taken his hat, collar,:
tie and all the buttons on his
coat.
PUBLIC INSISTS ON SOyNI
CHATKINTELLS MANAGE!
(Continued from Page 1)
lives at the opening session of
Publix convention being held at
Drake Hotel here. The public I
become so "sound-minded," Chat
said, that when a silent short
shown the audience usually becoi
fidgety.
Speaking of material for talk*
Chatkin declared the producers ho
loads of stories and novels on ha
in addition to the talker possibili
of dozens of former successful sile:
so that no shortage of ideas is ant
pated.
A. M. Botsford, director of
vertising and publicity, speaking
the second session, said that the s
jects favored by screen fans are .'
money and adventure, and that
three years all pictures will be
color as well as sound.
More Outdoor Pictures i
Be Made by Fox in Ud
Salt Lake City — Plans have '
announced that Fox will shoot i
teriors on a number of product
here. At present the companj
making "The Arizona Kid," sequj
"In Old Arizona," virtually aljf
which was filmed here. Next
ture slated to use local atmosp;
is "The Oregon Trail." Otherj
this type will be put into work
shortly, it is understood.
FOR RENT
ANIMATED CARTOON STUDIO
FULLY EQUIPPED
with lighted cartoon stands, Cooper-Hewitt lights,
camera stands, camera, piano and everything neces-
sary for the production of animated sound cartoons.
Will Make Very Reasonable Proposition
CHARLES B. MINTZ
25 West 45th Street BRYant 9178
iTHE
o/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
\)L. LI No. 61
Thursday, March 13, 1930
Price 5 Cents
kf. P. T. O. A. Will Tackle Arbitration Problem
PROPOSED STATE TAX ON CHAINS FAILS
iO Loew Theaters Equipped With Wide Screen
The Mirror
— a column of comment
I THE survey made by Electrical
Ifsearch Products of reproduction
Western Electric-equipped houses
cjn be regarded as any criterion, the-
rs throughout the country are serv-
', up an improved brand of sound.
II some instances, however, repro-
cction continues to be a source of
anoyance. The calibre of the record-
j is seldom at fault when the pic-
tres being played are the product
i major companies, as, generally
geaking, recording in their studios
\s reached a high degree of con-
stent quality. Poor reproduction,
oe to cheap, inadequate equipment
(j incompetent operation of repro-
acers, or both, is hurting in some
eots. It's a crime to play a cracker-
jpk picture on your screen and then
Hock all the box-office stuffings out
c it through distorted reproduction.
i. FRANKE HARLING, who has
dne a good bit of composing him-
af, sees the talking screen as an
leal background for operatic produc-
t!>ns. That is something that the
l;x-ofifice will definitely determine.
Wever, there does seem as though
ttsre ought to be a remedy for some
cj the stilted, antiquated acting tech-
rjiue employed in a number of the
fbtures based on operas and operet-
lj5. Work of this type, according to
fir experience, gets laughs when it
tight to bring reaction of an opposite
iiture.
«ARLES CHAPLIN, the last of
te Old Guard to continue allegiance
' the silent picture, is going to
rther emphasize his faith in the
id form of entertainment by produc-
ig several of 'em. It will be just as
iteresting to watch what happens
l5w as when Vitaphone took the
itial fling in talkers a few years
Ick.
Installations Being Made
First in Circuit's
De Luxe Houses
Thirty theaters in the Loew cir-
cuit already have been equipped with
the wide screen, Lester B. Isaac,
supervisor of projection for the Loew
theaters, told THE FILM DAILY
yesterday.
Installations are being made first
in the de luxe houses, with the Para-
dise, Valencia, Pitkin, 175th St.,
Kings, Astor and several others in
the New York district, as well as the
Jersey City, among those equipped
to date. Loew's State is next on the
list. In houses under construction
or to be erected later, the enlarged
screen will be installed as part of the
original equipment.
ERUlNGERTiJlER CHAIN
TOCONTIMPANSiON
A. L. Erlanger's death last week
will not result in disposal of his
properties or discontinuance of the
expansion program he had mapped
(Continued on Page 12)
Universal Makes Wittman
Assistant Sales Manager
Sig Wittman, recently manager of
the Universal exchange in Philadel-
phia, has been promoted to assistant
Eastern sales manager of the com-
(Continued on Page 12)
JERSEY EXHIBITORS FIGHT
BILLBOARD TAX MEASURE
Trenton, N. J. — Introduction of
Assembly Bill 22, proposing a tax on
all billboard advertising, has met with
strong opposition by exhibitors of
this state. The measure provides for
a tax of five cents per square foot,
but the Amendment Committee has
reduced it to three cents. News-
papers are fighting for the measure.
On the first vote the bill failed to
pass, and its sponsors have had it
held over for the next session of the
legislature.
N. L. Nathanson Denies
Negotiations for Merger
N. L. Nathanson, in a telegram
from Toronto to THE FILM
DAILY', denies the daily newspaper
reports that he is negotiating a sale
or merger between Famous Players
Canadian Corp. and Paramount. Any
such negotiations, Nathanson says,
(Continued on Page 12)
$180,000 Loss Reported
by French Phototone
Paris — A loss of approximately
$180,000, after allowing for deprecia-
tion, is reported by French Photo-
tone, Ltd., for the past year. The
company has an issued capital of
$1,000,000.
Arbitration To Be Discussed
at Coming M. P. T. O. A. Meet
How "Mergers" Start
Asked what started the latest
rumors about a merger of
Warners and Paramount, an of-
ficial of one of the companies
said: "I suppose one of our
executives happened to say
'Hello' to an executive of the
other company on the street,
and the Times Square scouts
immediately interpreted this as
a merger conference."
An elTort to work out a plan of
arbitration conforming to require-
ments of the Thacher ruling and be
acceptable to all parties concerned
will be made at the meeting of the
board of directors of the M. P. T. O.
of America to be held in New York
within the next few weeks, it is stated
by M. P. O'Toole, secretary of the
organization. M. A. Lightman, presi-
dent, and Edward M. Fay, chairman
of the board, now are consulting with
(Cotitinued on Page 12)
Virginia Measure Dies on
Calendar — Texas Bill
is Disapproved
State taxation of theater chains, as
a result of bills introduced in sev-
eral legislatures with a view to im-
posing an occupational levy on each
individual organization operating
more than five units in a state, has
been made a remote possibility as a
result of precedents set by the de-
feat of one such bill in Virginia and
the unfavorable reporting of a simi-
lar measure in Texas.
The Virginia bill has died on the
calendar after the Senate and House
conferees failed to reach an agree-
ment, while in Texas the committee
on revenues and taxation has report-
(Continued on Page 12)
PARAMOUflLfBEGIN
SALES MEETING MAY 16
Paramount will hold its annual
eastern sales convention at Atlantic
City beginning May 16 and winding
up on May 19. Western sales division
(Continued on Page 12)
Warner Gets Permit to
Change Radio Equipment
Washington Bureau o1> THE FILM DAILY
Washington — KFWB, the Warner
Bros, broadcasting station in Holly-
wood, has been granted a permit by
the Federal Radio Commission to
change its equipment and increase
its daytime power.
Demand Pictures
Buffalo — Declaring that fail-
ure to reopen the Jubilee, a
Schine house, Niagara St. near
Hamilton St., is giving the com-
munity a black eye, the Black
Rock Business Men's Ass'n has
sent a formal protest to the
Schine home office and notified
the chain operators that unless
they open the house soon the
business men of the district will
build and operate a theater of
their own.
THE
DAILV
Thursday, March 13, I93
ViL U Nt. 61i;Thorsday, Manh 13, 1930 Prici 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editar md PubttsHir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managring Editor. E»
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 16S0
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. C^able address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 642S Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. fredman. The
FWm Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La (iinematograpliie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat 21 54
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 26« 24-1. 25'/i 10,000
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 28 26?-^ 27% lO.OdO
East. Kodak 230 224 224'A 6,600
Fox Fm. "A" ... 36;^ 35% 35>^ 16,700
Gen. Thea. Equ. . ASH 42 4.", ID.OOd
*Keith A-O 35
do pfd 116'/2 114 115^1. 600
Loew's Inc 78% 74!^ 75!-'. 13.000
do pfd .WW (6^0. 10054 ^OO'A 100!4 100
*(lo pfd. xw (e'A) 88M! •■ ■ ■
*MG-M pfd 2S'A ....
Para. FL 70'/. 68^^ 69 24,800
Pathe Exch 6 SVi S'A 10,300
do "A" n 10« 10J4 .'.-^W'
R-K-O 37'A 35 36 70.300
*Univ. Pict. pfd .'iS'/i
Warner Bros 71 K 68!/2 695/^ 98,000
do pfd 6I/2 61 K> 61>/< 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
'Hal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 38 33 38 1,000
Fox Thea. "A" . . . S'A 8 854 •^-•'OO
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts. 42 405^ 40/8 200
Loew, Inc., war .. 14'/^ 14% iA'A 200
*Nat. Scr. Ser 24
*Nat. Thea Sup 25
*Univ. Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46.. 885-^ »S"- SS-'^i 60
Loew 6s 41ww 1185^; 116« 118 220
do 6s 41 x-war.... 98'/. 98 98 120
Paramount 6s 47..10iy8 10154 lOU/s 50
Par. By. S/2S 51.101 101 101 .>('
Pathe 7s 37 55 545^5 54}4 70
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City W
154 Crescent St. «
STIllwell 7940 g
if
if
if
if
if
if
I — I
S Chicago Hollywood Jt
5 , .. A 6700 Santa Monica Jt
i mi Indiana Ave. 3,^^ ^j
i CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 :]:
Eastman Films
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
HEARING TODAY ON WRIT
OVER FOni" STOCK
Judge Frank J. Coleman yesterday
granted William Fox a federal court
order, returnable today, compelling
H. L. Stuart and John E. Otterson
to show cause why they should not
be enjoined from exercising their
rights as co-trustees under the Dec.
3 voting trusteeship with William
Fox.
At the same time Stuart and Otter-
son must show cause why a prelim-
inary injunction should not be granted
restraining them from exercising the
proxies of the Fox "B" stock held
by the bankers trust.
Educational Has Neat
Golf Film Press Book
Educational's press book on
"Match Play," all-talker short com-
edy special directed by Mack Sen-
nett, contains six pages of useful
publicity material. Two special pages
are devoted to publicity matter, one
page to exploitation stunts and the
rest to feature stories. Pen sketches
of the principles are printed in two
colors on the cover.
A. B. C. Chain Acquires
Three More in Britain
London — Three theaters have been
added to the Associated British Cine-
ma chain as the result of negotia-
tions with the Beau Nash Cinema
C'o., Ltd., of Bath, and the Triangle
and Whiteladies Picture House (7o..
Ltd., of Bristol.
Taking Vote March 26
on RKO Stock Increase
A special meeting of RKO stock-
holders has been called for March
26 to vote on the proposed increase
in authorized Class "A" stock from
?,.S00,00n to 4,500,000.
Pathe Exchange Wins Trophy
A silver lighthouse trophy, known
as the M.P.P. and D. of .America
Conservation Trophy, has been
awarded the Pathe exchange in Salt
Lake City by "Good Housekeeping,"
as having the best record for "keep-
ing its house in order." A. J. O'Keefe
is branch manager of that ofifice.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions Sor
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
10 Technicolor Films
Out of 18 on Broadway
Out of 18 feature films on Broad-
way this week, 10 are either partly
or entirely in Technicolor. The all-
color productions are "The Rogue
Song," Astor; "The Vagabond King,"
Criterion; "Song of the West," War-
ner; "Sally", Strand, and "Mamba",
Gaiety. Part-color pictures include
"Hit the Deck", Hippodrome; "Gen-
eral Crack", Beacon; "Puttin' on the
Ritz", Earl Carroll; "Lord Byron of
Broadway," Capitol, and "Devil May
Care", Loew's State.
4 Stars on Publix Hour
Among Paramount stars on the
March ISth Paramount-Publix radio
hour will be Nancv Carroll, Skeets
Gallagher, Lillian Roth and Little
Mitzi Green. The program will be
broadcast over the Columbia net-
work.
Wilson Being Remodeled
Wilson, N. C. — Workmen have
been busy here remodeling and re-
decorating the New Wilson, Publix
house.
Hubert Voight Honored
Hubert Voight, F. N. publicity di-
rector on the coast, has been elected
a member of the Los Angeles Junior
Chamber of Commerce. Other pic-
ture members are Ben Lyon, Carl
Laemmle, Jr. and John Mack Brown.
Destroys Chariton Theater
Chariton, la. — Lincoln theater and
building was recently destroyed when
a fire reaching menacing proportions
necessitated dynamiting the walls of
the picture house by firemen.
Pacent Installs Two More
Cleveland — Pacent now has five
ilowntown installations with the wir-
ing of the Columbia and Oriental.
Roman Atmosphere in New Fox
IKrrf Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — .Architectural features
originated in the Roman amphitheater
will be followed in the new Fo.x the-
ater going up here.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DEL AWARE -MARYLAND]
—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland U.
T.O. ofiicers at Baltimore. i
Apr. : Premiere of "Journey's End" m
New York bouse, not yet detid)
upon. '
Apr. S Second annual banquet and b
of the Warner Club, Inc, at t
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring^ convention of Tri-Stale 1
P.T.O. at Memphis.
May S-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at t
Wardman Park Hotel, Washinnc
D C.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention iU
to-day.
June 2-7 International Cinema CongrcM
Brussels.
Barrymore Print Arrives
Master print of "The Man frc
Blankley's," featuring John Bart
more, has been received in the W;
ner Bros, office here from the Coa
Gish Returns to Stage
Lillian Gish will return to t
stage shortly. She will appear
Tchehov's "Uncle Vanya," in K
York. Her last screen work w
"One Romantic Night" for U. A
Warner Special Booked
Sixtj'-five theaters have alrea
dated "Under a Texas Moon," W
ner Bros, special, to be releai
April 1.
ELMER PEARSON
Business Counsel and
Producers' Representative
17 EAST 45TH STREET N. Y. C
Q^MADIS
IIHiiois Avenue Overlooking Boardwatt
and Ocean
"A Hotel Distinctively Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAI
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 DaUy.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, Inc
EUGENE C. FETTER, Managia
Director
BIG
AND
SMALL!
EXHIBITORS ALL
PLAY & PRAISE »»
PATHE NEWS (sound & silent)
PATHE audio REVIEW
Grontland Rice Sportlights
Von Beuren Song Sketches
Talking Topics of the Day
Aesop's sound Fables
PATHE
ONE-REEL
SHORTS
Preseniiiig THtiLt MORI
WARIVER BROS, present
UNDER
A TEXAS
MOON
Selected as the premiere
attraction for Warner Bros.
Winter Garden ^c/ian^g^e ofpoUcy
"The SECOl^D
FLOOR
MYSTERY"
featuring
Hollywood s Most Romantic Couple
GRANT WITHERS = LORETTA YOUNG
and a great cast including H. B. Warner/ Claire McDo-
well/ Sydney Bracy/ CrauFord Kent. A new kind oF baFF>
ling mystery story From the Famous novel ''The Agony
Column'' by Earl Derr Biggers. Screen dialogue by
Joseph Jackson. Directed by Roy Del Ruth.
Hold Everything . . .
for
HOLD EVERYTHING
with
WIIVXIE LIGHTNER • JOE E. BROWN
ENS4YION4L MONEVM4KEKS
will be hailed as one of the season's
greatest pictures. It's a fascinating tale
of a gay two-gun Lothario who makes
the famous heart wreckers of history
look like boy scouts. A glamorous sing-
ing, talking Technicolor production with
FRANK FAY, RAQUEL TORRES,
MYRNA LOY, NOAH BERRY,
FRED KOHLER, ARMIDA, TULLY MARSHALL.
And hundreds of ravishing senoritas.
Adapted by Gordon Rigby from the
story by Stewart Edward White.
Directed by Michael Curtiz.
^f
THO!$E
WHO DANCE
99
TIMELY— VIVID — GRIPPING
with
MONTE BLUE
LILA LEE • BEHY COMPSON • WILLIAM
BOYD • DE WITT JENNINGS • WILLIAM
JANNEY • WILFRED LUCAS
o
Fearless guardians of the law fighting fire with fire— match-
ing wits and nerve with a desperate band of racketeers.
A daring expose of an amazing phase of underworld life.
From the famous story by George Kibbe Turner. Adapted
by Joseph Jackson. Directed by William Beaudine.
Coming!
AL. J0L80N
phono'' is the registered trade-mark of The
hone. Corporation designating its products
"MAMMY
99
A Box-office Combination that can't be beat.
national
Picture*
That's the Sign
First National
S h owm en are
using these days.
They're keeping
it handy for ^ ^ ^
SONG OF THE FLAM
Alexander Gray, Bernice Claire, Noah Beery, Alice Gentle. All Technicolor. 5000 in the ci
BRIDE OFTHE REGIMEN
With one of the greatest singing casts including Vivienne Segal, Allan Prior, Walter Pidgec
Louise Fazenda, Ford Sterling, Myrna Loy, Lupino Lane. Ail Technicolor
SHOW GIRL
IN HOLLYWOO
with Alice White, "America's Girl Friend," Jack Mulhall, Blanche Sweet, Ford Sterling, J<|
Miljan. Part Technicolor. Based on J. P. McEvoy's nationally famous best-seller
FIRST NATIONAL ak
You'll find this
sign on theatres
Z are playing
RICHARD
BARTHELMESS
In The Supreme Box-Office Sensation Of The Century
SON OF THE GODS
With CONSTANCE BENNETT
Topping attendance records, box-office records, playing time records,
every possible kind of records every day. From Rex Beach's Great Story.
Part Technicolor
MARILYN MILLER
"The Queen Of The Box-Office" in
L Y
ALEXANDER GRAY, JOE E. BROWN, PERT KELTON
All Technicolor Extravaganza. Unmatched Grosses! Unbelievable
Profits! Extended runs everywhere.
^ O, N O,
N A N E T T E
with
ALEXANDER GRAY, BERNICE CLAIRE, LOUISE FAZENDA
Screen's best-singing love team in the fastest girl-and-music show ever pro-
duced. Part Technicolor. With some of the most stupendous stage settings
ever devised.
W ^ f ^^AH. MARK Jw^-^^^^^^
26 Records
the first 3'
Showings te|
the box-offi(
story of "S(
Of The Gods.
Now drawinj
biggest crowc
of year to Ne>
York Stroni
after sevei
s m a s h i n
weeks on Broad-
way at $2.0(
more crow<
and morepr
its than they
have seen
Ifh'is season.
rUMe
"Vitophone" is the registered trade mark of the Vitaphone Corp. designating its products
THE
Short Shots from
New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
CTANLEY SMITH, Paramount's
rising young juvenile, has earned
himself the title of the "candy kid"_
having appeared in both "Sweetie
and "Honey" recently. Stanley's
next assignment is "Queen High,
now in rehearsal at the Long Island
studios.
"Business in Great Waters," pro-
duced by Western Electric and
scored and synchronized by Audio
Cinema, has been booked solid by
the Loew Circuit. This two reel spe-
cial depicts the dramatic struggle
with the elements in laying a cable
between Newfoundland and the
Azores. Charles W. Barrell directed.
"Kiss Me!" the Chester Beecroft
production, gives the "lowdown" on
social life in a girls' academy. Rol>
ert R. Snody, who wrote and directeu
the picture, proves that he knows
his women — but why shouldn't he?
Bob had an early start, being "born
and brought up with" over one hun-
dred girls! You see, his folks ran
the Welland dormitory for girls at
Oswego, N. Y.
Betty Garde, who scored in "The
Lady Lies," for Paramount, will re-
turn to the screen when "Queen
High" is filmed at the Astoria stu-
dios, beginning next Monday.
Rasch Ballet Completes Number
The Albertina Rasch Ballet haj
completed "The Showman," a new
dance creation which is being used
in M-G-M's "The March of Time."
Sloman's First for Columbia
Edward Sloman's first assignment
for Columbia will be the direction of
"Soldiers and Women." The picture
will go into production shortly.
Murphy to Write for Pathe
Ralph Murray will write original
scripts for Pathe, according to E. B.
Derr, executive vice president in
charge of production.
Peterson in "Madame Satan"
Elsa Peterson will make her debut
in talking pictures playing a featured
role in Cecil B. De Mille's "Madame
Satan," for M-G-M.
-JgBg^
DAILV
Thursday, March 13, 19
Coast Wire Service
Latest Hollywood Happenings
Light on Camera Tells
When Film is Slipping
Another problem incidental to
talking pictures has been solved at
last through the ingenuity of Henrj
Sharp, M-G-M cameraman. By
means of a flashlight attached to the
motion picture camera. Sharp has
made it possible to tell when film iS
"buckling" or going "out of line,"
things which hitherto have been im-
possible of detection because of the
sound-proof housing of talking pic-
ture camera.
4 Added to Bow Picture
Additions to "True to the Navy,"
in which Clara Bow will star for
Paramount are Adele Windsor, Rex
Bell, Eddie Fetherson and Charles
Sullivan. Frank Tuttle is directing.
Bradbury in Fox Film
James Bradbury has been cast for
a part in "A Very Practical Joke,"
being directed by Berthold Viertel
for Fox.
Lund Making More Song Sketches
Oscar Lund is making two addi-
tional Song Sketches for Pathe re-
lease. They are "Deep South" and
"Homing."
Sidney, Murray in "U" Special
George Sidney and Charlie Mur-
ray will be seen in "The King of
Jazz," Paul Whiteman's revue for
Universal.
Collier, Jr., Signed by Fox
Fox has signed William Collier, Jr.,
for an important role in "Fox Movie-
tone Follies of 1930." Benjamin
Stoloff is directing.
Borden in Paramount Role
Olive Borden will plav the femin-
ine menace in "High Society," for
Paramount.
M-G-M Starts "High Road"
M-G-M has placed "Hic;h Road" in
production with Ruth Chatterton in
the principal role. The film is based
on the Frederick Lonsdale play. Sid-
ney Franklin is directing.
Corday in "Hawk Island"
Marcella Corday has been added
to the cast of "Hawk Island" at the
Radio studios.
Talking Picture rights on. all
stories previously filmed fa s7 silent
Pictures are available.
Write or wire for coniplete information
SERVICE FOR AUTHORS, INC.
150 Nassau Street
^Exclusive Agents^
New York
Little
from ''Lots''
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
IJOLLYWOOD has made a hit
with Claudia Dell, former Zieg-
feld favorite, who is appearing in
"Sweet Kitty Bellairs," her initial
picture. She has been particularly
impressed by the varied attractions
for the lover of sports.
* * *
Benny Rubin is keeping busy, to
say the least. In addition to his
starring activities at Tiffany, Benny
also conducts a weekly radio broad-
cast and finds time to ajjpear at
numberless benefits. He has also
written "The Laugh Song," ivhich
includes his famous "Yankee Doodle
Laugh."
* * *
Henry Gerrard, ace camera-
man, who photographed "The
Vagabond King," will also be
in charge of the camera work
on "Follow Thru," which will
be made by Paramount.
* :ti *
Do you remember when Bob Arm-
strong was the leading man in a Des
Moines stock company and played
the title role in "The Masquerader";
when William Koenig managed the-
aters in Milwaukee; when Scott Pem-
broke was Olga Nethersole's leading
man in "Sappho"; when Fred New-
meyer was a southpaw?
* * *
Ralph Dietrich, who cut "Crazy
That Way," for Fox, is editing
"Alone With You," which is being
directed by Sidney Lanfield.
Howard Estabrook will remain
with First National for two more
assignments. The author-scenarist's
original story, "Under Western
Skies," is now being made bv First
National, with Clarence Badger di-
recting.
Hamilton in "Rich People"
In Pathe's "Rich People," Mahlon
Hamilton will play the father of Con-
stance Bennett. E. H. Griffith is
directing.
Fletcher Opposite Moran
Bramwell Fletcher has been re-
placed by Walter Byron in "The
Solid Gold Article," in which Loif
Moran is the star.
Bennett for "Common Clay"
Feminine lead in "Common Clay"
has been assigned to Constance Ben-
nett by Fox. Victor Fleming will
direct.
Lillian Roth in "Madame Satan"
Lillian Roth has been assigned a
role in "Madame Satan," which Cecil
B. DeMille is to make for M-G-M.
3 March Releases End
Christie 1929-30 Progn
With three releases this mor.jj
Christie completes its 1929-30 seas
Bert Roach and Johnny Arthun
"Down With Husbands," Can
Myers and Bert Roach in "'
Stronger Sex," and Charlie Mur
in "His Honor, the Mayor" are
three March releases.
Character Role for Sills
In "A Very Practical Joke," }
ton Sills plays the first characb
role since his recent illness. BerthF
Viertel is directing.
Adapting Columbia Picture f
Adaptation of "The Last of
Lone Wolf," for Columbia is be
made by J. G. Hawks.
Wellman Back at Coast
William Wellman has returnee
the Paramount studios, following
visit to New York, where he diri
ed Charles Rogers in "Yo
Eagles."
Leila Hyams in "Big Housed
Leila Hyams has been cast for
chief feminine role in M-G-M's "
Big House," now in production ui
the direction of George Hill.
Two Added to "Abraham LincO'
In addition to Walter Huf
playing the role of Abraham
coin, being produced by D. W. (
fith for U. A. Kay Hammond
portray Mary Todd and Jason
bards will appear as William H(
Herndon, Lincoln's law partne
Films Swanson Rehearsal
Dress rehearsal of Gloria S
son's "What a Widow!" was
pletely filmed and recorded i
hours so that analysis and revi
might be afTorded prior to fil
the actual picture. Allan Dwa;
reeled the rehearsal and will dj
the picture.
Cast for "Call of the West"
Matt Moore and Dorothy Rf?
will be featured by Columbia in "
of the West," to be directed bj^
Ray.
Helen Virgil in "Good News
Helen Virgil will be making ts
screen debut in "Good News," w^li
Edgar MacGregor and Nick Gr J'
are directing for M-G-M.
Halperins Set on Wide Filn
After completion of "Who «
Girl," at the Metropolitan stu 'i
Victor and Edward Halperin wil n-
terest themselves in wide film fo u
ture productions.
Lewis Stone with Garbo
Lewis Stone will have a feat eii
role in "Romance," Greta Ga j'i
next picture for M-G-M.
h-sday, March 13, 1930
—JXI^
PAILV
Vore Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Ctskill, N. Y. — When installation
■ 3und equipment has been made
t he Community, this town will
a', its first sound house. RCA
ilophone apparatus is being in-
4;d.
liion.
luerque, N. Mex. — Western
equipment has gone into the
Iscagoula, Miss. — Western Elec-
icsquipment has been installed in
eN'elson.
Jjndson, Mass. — RCA is wiring
e Capitol for Photophone appa-
ti.
C icago — The Famous has in-
aid Western Electric equipment.
Ichmond, Cal. — The Richmond is
)i being wired with RCA Photo-
Ceat Harrington, Mass. — Talking
clres are coming to the Mahaiwe
tilh has installed Western Elec-
dequipment.
I troit — Sound will be a feature
e Empress shortly. RCA Photo-
iCe engineers are now wiring the
Jeston, la. — The Iowa has com-
Hd installation of a Western Elec-
id Sound System.
divert, Ind.— The Queen, owned
'larl Allday, is having RCA Pho-
Done installed.
ttlford, Conn.— Completion of the
^tern Electric sound installation
je Colonial, Walnut Beach, brings
liuncement of reopening from the
tjnetor, Mrs. Martha Gill.
Suthington, Conn.— Talking equip-
ejt and a new projection booth
y been installed at Coleman's
Monson, Mass. — Wiring of the
Capitol here, with RCA Photophone
sound equipment is now nearing
completion.
Belmond, la. — The Lyric is being
equipped tor RCA Photophone ap-
paratus.
Coquille, Ore. — Western Electric
apparatus has been put into the Lib-
erty.
Faulkton, S. D. — Sound equipment
has been purchased by Levi Roberts
tor the New. RCA Photophone de-
vice is to be installed.
Louisville, Ky. — The Brown has
been wired for sound by Western
Electric.
Cleveland — The Ideal will be closed
to permit installation of RCA appa-
ratus, LeMotto Smith, president of
the Smith Amusement Co. of Alli-
ance, states.
Philadelphia, Pa. — The Cinema has
gone sound with the installation of
the Western Electric equipment.
Detroit — RCA Photophone service
headquarters for this district are now
located in the Fox building.
San Benito, Tex. — The Palace has
been wired for sound by Western
Electric.
Humboldt, la. — RCA equipment is
being installed at the Humota. W. B.
Franke is the owner.
Lyons, Kans. — The Lyons has
opened up with sound. Western
Electric equipment was installed.
Sioux City, la. — Sound apparatus
is going into the Strand here. The
house is also being redecorated and
will reopen under a new name.
!implimus in Larger Quarters
hston— Simplimus, Inc., makers of
«SAF 3 Mixer, have taken addi-
Hil space at 67 Church St.
! May Reopen Racine Allen
jicine, Wis.— Plans are in view
r,he reopening of the Allen which
y:d several weeks ago.
[Duplex Step Printer
' 20 Light Change
I In Splendid Condition
iCan be Seen Running
Will Sell Reasonable
Meyer-Rieger Laboratories
30 West 46th St., N. Y. C.
Phone Bryant 5237
Lang, Jr., Acquires Uptown
Detroit — Otto Lang, Jr., has ac-
quired the Uptown from Henry S.
Koppin.
Cionciolo Reopens Akron House
Akron, O. — Joe Cionciolo has re-
opened the Miles Royal.
Plan Negro House in Boston
Boston — Initial steps in a plan for
a theater for negro persons, were
taken here last week when a play
was given at the Fine Arts, to raise
money ior the enterprise.
Enlarging Bijou, Pittsfield
Pittsfield, Mass. — Work is now
under way on the enlarging of space
in the Bijou, to make room for
modernized rest rooms.
Leases Taunton House
Taunton, Mass. — Frederick J.
Hartwick has leased the Strand here,
to the Bristol Amusement Co. of Bos-
ton.
Columbia Plans Beauty
Contest in Fan Papers
A beauty contest to be held in con-
junction with 13 of the country's
leading fan publications is planned
by Columbia in connection with the
advertising campaign which will
mark the company's tenth anniver-
sary in April. The winner will be
designated as "Miss Columbia" and
will be posed as the Columbia trade
mark. Judges will be the editors of
the publications aided by two officials
of the iilm company.
Medford House April 1
Medford, Ore. — At the present rate
of progress, it is expected that the
new Holly, being erected at Sixth
and Holly Sts., will be completed
by April 1, according to Assistant
Manager Earle Davis.
"Clancy in Wall Street"
Premiere at Providence
Providence, R. I.— "Clancy in Wall
St." will have its world's premiere
here March IS when it opens at the
R-K-O Albee. Charles Reed Jones,
publicity and advertising manager for
Aristocrat Pictures, is here handling
exploitation.
Sound Policy Shortly
Geneva, N. Y. — C. C. Young, man-
ager of the Temple announces that
the new sound picture policy will
shortly go into effect.
Mrs. Collins to Operate House
Baxley, Ga.— Mrs. F. W. Collins
will operate the new theater being
built by Warren E. Swain. The
house will have vaudeville and sound
pictures.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
LOUISIANA
Changes in Ownership
New Orleans — Metairie, sold to Johnson &
Stauss by A .Dumestre ; New Roads —
Alamo, sold to Eugtne Pourciau by L. J.
Langlois.
Closings
Arcadia — Dixie ; Fordoche — Fordoche ; Gil-
liam— Rialto.
MARYLAND
Changes in Ownership
Baltimore — (jooatime, sold to State Amuse-
ment Co. by Mae Byrum, Schanze, sold
to E. A. Matthews by Harry E. Reddish;
Overlea — lOverlea, sold to Max & Ben
Cluster by L. Tunick.
MASSACHUSETTS
Changes in Ownership
Andover — Colonial, sold to Colonial The-
ater of Andover, Mass., Inc. by S. Resnick ;
Leominster — Plymouth, sold to Plymouth
Amusement Co. by McEvoy Amusement
Co., Rialto, sold to Plymouth Amusement
Co. by McEvoy Amusement Co. ; Maiden
— Auditorium, sold to George Ramsdell by
Dr. Hunt.
MICHIGAN
Changes in Ownership
Berkley — ^iSerkiey, sold to M. L. LeCocq by
Stuart Woodbridge; Clinton — Temple, sold
to \V. A. Stout by R. N. Slater; Detroit
— Bandbox, sold to Frederick Weierman by
Hyman Coffman, Castle, sold to Sellers-
Leasia Corp. by John M. Leasia, Charles,
sold to Steven Mirosavylevich by M.
Robriski, DeLuxe, sold to DeLuxe Theater
Co. by Kunsky Theaters Corp., Dix, sold
to J. B. Krul by M. Koleda and E.
Lostink, Greenfield, sold to Dan Fuciu
by Michael Kuruc, Highland Park, sold
to Earl W. Wright by Woodward Theater
Co., Library, sold to Alvin Sehaedel by
Herbert L. Taylor, Norwood, sold to Earl
W. Wright by Woodward Theater Co.,
Plaza, sold to I. Grass by Alex Schreiber,
Republic, sold to Earl W. Wright by
Woodward Theater Co., Vem, sold to
Frank Davey & David Feltz by L. Wil-
czynski, Victoria, sold to Andrew Kamin-
ski & A. Kielb by Louis Boze, Woodward
No. 2, sold to John Coveleski by George
F. Koppin Co.; Flat Rock — Flat Rock,
sold to George Bunte by Frank Hawley ;
Grand Ledge>— Grand, sold to Ella M. Rice
by Asa Stevens; Grand Rapids — Savoy,
sold to Savoy Theater Co. by Temple
Theater Co. ; Manchester — Merryette, sold
to Parul Parsons by A. J. Ellis; Morenci —
Ritz, sold to Frank McArthur by C. J.
Aubie; Scottville — Amusu, sold to R. E.
Hardy by F. R. Dodge.
Closings
Bannistei^-Community ; Channing — l^iberty ;
Colon — Booster ; Detroit — Junction,
Strand ; Quincjr — Gem ; Reading — Pastime ;
Rose City — Rose ; Stockbridge — Starland ;
Utica — Rex.
New Theaters
Crosse Pointe Farms — Punch and Jury, own-
er— M. J. Kavanaugh; River Rouge—
Visger, owner — J. J. Pennefather.
MISSOURI
Changes in Ownership
Gait— Gait, sold to Frank C. Bingham by
George Rusk ; Hermitage — Hermitage, sold
to W. J. Richardson by R. L. Hartriss;
Kansas City — New Center, sold to L. O.
Gardner by C. C. Vaughan ; Lutesville —
Pastime, sold to Sam Hilderbrand by
Chandler & Clark; Minden Mines — Electric,
sold to John Bair by R. J. Keys; Palmyra
—Pal, sold to E. H. Wieser by C. C.
Lewellen; Ravanna — Community, sold to
George D. French by E. Brooks; St. Louis
— Hudson, sold to Bernhardt Geiger by
Paul Saum and Joseph Rathheim; Wells-
ton, sold to Fred Robinson by Louis
Stahl ; Watson — Mainstreet, sold to M. A.
McNeal by I. B. Gaines.
Closings
Elsberry — Orpheum ; Fairplay — Fairplay ;
Hallsville— High School; Kansas City — In-
diana ; Macon — Valencia ; Newark — Para-
mount; Rockville — ^Community; St. James
— Atlanta; St. Joseph — Charwood, Rivoli ;
Steelville — Gem ; Summer — Star.
New Theaters
Amoret — Amoret, owner — A. L. Mahaffey.
MONTANA
Closings
Ronan — Gaiety. St. Ignatius.
NEBRASKA
Changes in Ownership
Bassett— Kozy, sold tQ A. M. Carlson by J.
M. Sutherland; Blair — Home, sold to Mrs.
Robinson by H. R. Robinson; David City —
Community, sold to Inter-State Theater,
Inc., by J. Jenkins; Gering — Muse, sold to
Ernest Holcomb by L. J. Cross; Harvard —
Harvard, sold to J. V. Frank by C. C.
Pinkerton ; HiU City— Opera House, sold to
Amos J. Ewing by J. E. Kurka ; KlmbaU—
Lumco ; Lodgepole — Opera House, sold to
A. F. Groshart by C. D. Moorhead ;
Madison— Auditorium, sold to William
Youngclaus by Mrs. O. R. Boettner; Morse
Bluffs — Liberty, sold to O. M. Moss by
O. J. Kleeman; North Bend — Star, sold to
O. M. Moss by O. J. Kleeman; Riverton —
New. sold to E. R. Thomas by W. H.
Cline ; Seneca — Idle Hour, sold to H. F.
Taylor; Wauneta — Crystal, sold to Kenneth
Powell by Johnson & Grosbach ; Show,
sold to Kenneth Powell by Johnson &
Grosbach.
Closings
Amherst — Community ; Bamston — Bamston ;
Bruning — Opera House ; Cotesfield — Opera
House; Edison — Sun; Elk Creek — Elk;
Ericson — Opera House; Evnng — Quality;
Hardy — Liberty; Kimball — Lumco; Vir-
ginia— Virginia.
Openings
Alexandria — Lyric ; Ansley — Paramount ;
Bayard — Movie; Carlton — Auditorium;
Eddyville — ^Opera House; North Bend —
Star.
THE
10
■S&^
DAILV
Thursday. March 13. 192
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Screen Confounded Critics
In Its Rise to Supremacy
pAR-REACHING has been,
especially in recent years, the
effect of motion pictures on the
means of our entertainment. Not
long ago, this form of diversion
was considerably frowned upon
and these were those who
thought it presumptuous to re-
gard the cinema seriously. Much
maligned was the screen, ana-
themized, derided, bemired — but
never ignored. In the concert of
opprobrium, in the caterwauling
whirl of blame, meek flute-thin
apologia could be heard in justi-
fication, only to be drowned out
by the cacophonies of the critics.
And overnight, what changes!
"" Franklin Gordon in
"The American Hebrew"
♦ * ♦
Sherwood Says Director
Is Everything to a Film
npHE director is the divine au-
thority, the all-in-all, in mo-
tion pictures, sound as well as si-
lent. He is the one who tells the
story, and it is only when he is a
man of ideas and sympathetic in-
telligence— in other words, a
Chaplin, a von Stroheim, a Lu-
bitsch, a Vidor or a von Stern-
berg— that artistry results on the
screen. It is impossible to write
moving pictures with a pen. The
necessary creative process can be
accomplished only with a camera.
Robert E. Sherwood in
"New York Evening Post"
* * *
Bromfield Expects Talkers
To Develop Own Material
TT is understandable enough that
while mechanical difficulties
were being worked out the talk-
ies should have used the stage as
a source of ready-made material.
But new art forms demand their
own forms of expression ancT^
look for the great talkies of the
next ten years to have been stu-
dio-made from the ground up.
Louis Bromfield, Novelist
First motion picture studio,
owned by Thomas Edison, was
called the Black Maria.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr,
JEROME BEATTY is going West on a month's jaunt and will
J spend about two weeks in Hollywood gathering material for
a quartette of articles which "The American Magazine" has
commissioned him to write. During his absence, the Technicolor
publicity tasks will repose entirely on the sturdy shoulders of
Blake McVeigh Incidentally, Mrs. Natalie Kalmus, who
was due to come East recently, has changed her plans and is
remaining on the Coast, where Eddie Cantor's "Whoopee", the
latest Technicolor production, is on the verge of going in
work
'T'HEY'RE off; Charlie Goetz and Mrs. Harry Goetz and wife,
Mrs. Anna Laskin as well as Mrs. D. Dorson, both sisters of
the Goetz boys, leave today for the Coast to attend the wedding
of William Goetz. Now you guess who gets Goetz
Arthur J. Newman has arrived from Albany and will serve as
special representative in the metropolitan area for Vitaphone due
to the illness of Harry Danto Charlie Penser has been
made special short rep. for Columbia
JyTACAULEY CO., book pubUshers, gave Herb Crooker, of
'^ First National a break. He let them publish "The Hollywood
Murder Mystery," his latest. Herb also aided the printing by
sending a carload to his Coast friends "Cohens & Kellys"
will be held over at the Colony for another week Here,
catch this, William Stoermer, vice president of Colorart Corp.,
sorry we forgot your birthday the other day. Get a load of
these congratulations
'T'HE Johnsons in "Across the World with Mr. and Mrs. Martin
Johnson" will be at the Little Carnegie Playhouse tomor-
row George J. Rubin, formerly assistant manager of
Loew's 46th St., Bklyn., now is assistant manager at Loew's
New York. James Risk now is manager of Loew's Circle
Here's another from Mike Simmons, a left handed blotter. Who
has some old shoes? Dave Apollon will be master of
ceremonies of the Capitol show which gets under way tomor-
row
D OGER FERRI'S latest "Dynamo" hits forth with this, "We'll
Have Decks Clear". .. .Wonder if he means Radio's "Hit
the Deck" Charles Rosenzweig of Radio leaves today for
a trip to the company's southern exchanges "Sarah and
Son" was previewed yesterday at the Criterion and it looked like
a good idea .... Quite a gang turned out, enjoyed the picture as
well as the eats .... or at least so many of the boys claimed
The picture will open at the Paramount tomorrow
MARCH 13--MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Paul Fix * Henry Roquemore
Lloyd Mosler A, C. Martin
Carroll Johnson
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
Thirteen Ads for
"Thirteenth Chair"
Q.ETTING an ad for each of t
chairs used to advertise "T
Thirteenth Chair" at the Publ
Saenger Theater at Durham, N.
City Manager Terry McDaniel (
a furniture store to make a wind-
display of thirteen chairs. The cem
carried sales copy for both stci
and the picture at the Paris, but t
other twelve carried only catchlir
for the picture.
Thirteen chairs in a row, each w.
some advertising, looked strange
a furniture store, so people stopp
to read all about it.
—Zit't
« * *
Masked Woman Used for
"Madame X" Stunt
\V7ILLARD OSBORNE, manaj
^^ of the Springfield, O., Reg^
arranged a tie-up with a newspa;
and a department store to exp!
a "Find the mysterious Madame 'I
stunt. Masked woman appeared |
the store window and on the stre-
In addition to this stunt, a car w
a large panel reading: "The Lice
number of Madame X's car is wb
It consists of four figures. They t«l
17. The difference between the nt
ber made by the first two figv
and number made by the last 1
is seventeen." Passes were gives
the first ten to figure out the con
number. ,, ,
— M-C
* * •
"Marriage Playground"
Mailing Card and Ring
CENDING out 1,000 wedding n
^ to advertise "The Marriage F^
<?round," Phil Fourmet, of the Pu»
Rialto, Denver, attached theni}
'-ivate mailing cards. The name^
address appeared on one side,
with a stamp sized portrait ins
of a stamp, as the cards were
tributed and not mailed. The reV
carried the sales message. The r
were attached by means of p
clips, which seemed to work)
night.
—Zit
TEN YEARS AGO TO-D}
m
kin
ALLT
IBSIISf«*f
Selznick organization comh *l
various companies throughout io
country.
Stanley Co. to
house in Trenton.
erect
$1,00 1«
Praise From Caesar Is Praise Indeed!
ZirS THEATRICAL NEWSPAPER
gree
ywright,
ess wife
of their
that a
1 Oak-
ge and
couple
t year
to no
fldove,
rting
He
ear-
and
had
a sit-
o when
united
iri Lon-
as a/'t-
wife
lux-
< on
ouse
para-
•; SiTxd
York,
low-
told
'or-
re-
Film Daily Service
includes
A. COMPLETE YEARLY SERVICE AT A
?10.00 SUBSCRIPTION RATE INCLUDES
THE FILM DAILY
Every Day Except Saturday and Holidays
THE WEEKLY FILM DIGEST
(Every Sunday
News, Reviews of All Features — Short Subjects
Presentations, Sound. Equipment; Eastern Studio Data,
I West Coast Productions, Etc.
•directors- annual and PRODUCTION GUIDE
Every June — A Great Production Reference Book
SHORT SUBJECTS QUARTERLY
All Aliout Short Subjects
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
Filmdom's RecogTiized Book of Reference
1100 pages covering every branch of the industry
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $15.00 PER YEAR
^"%ar
Film Daily Releases
Twelfth Year Book
FHm Daily's Year Book of. Pic-
tures for 1930, the true bible of
the still infant industry, is once
more finding' its place on the desk
of practically every executive and
exhibitor in the business, for there
is probably no one above the
grade of office boy who does not,
at some time, and in most in-
stances very frequently, require
the information made so readily
accessible through intelligent com-
pilation and indexing. It is so
comprehensively laid out that it
covers practically every phase of
picture making, and showing and
does it accurately, concisely and
intelligently.
Now in its twelfth season, the
Year Book is at once an epitome
and encyclopedia of the picture
bu.siness and fills a need that is
met by no other publication. We
know of no other line of business
more completely served by its an-
nual Few are so fortunate as to
ha<'e the necessary trade informa-
tion so completely and compactly
as.semblod. This season there has
been added a mass of valuable in
formation on sound picture?,
bringing this new field down <'^
the date of publication.
The Year Book is
included in tiie
FILM DAILY
SERVICE
Subscribe Now
Price $10.00
To.
r
Date.
THE FILM DAILY.
1650 Broadway,
New York City.
Gentlemen :
Herewith my check for $10.00 — Start my yearly
subscription to Film Daily service immediately.
NAME .
STREET
CITY STATE.
THE
Clanger THEATER CHAIN
TO CONTINUE E)
i2E2S
DAILY
Thursday, March 13. 19:1
(Continued from Page 1)
out for his organization, it is an-
nounced by the A. L. Erlanger
Amusement Enterprises, and the
erection of another Chicago house
will be the first activity. Former
Justice Mitchell L. Erlanger, brother
of the late theater operator, has been
elected president of the corporation
with a board of directors consisting
of Charles B. Dillingham, Florenz
Ziegfeld, Marcus Heiman and Saul
J. Baron. Among the associates and
allies of the Erlanger organization
are the Stanley Co. and Fred Nird-
Hnger. Quite a few of the Erlanger
houses have been wired for sound,
and installation of equipment in
others is under way.
N. L. Nathanson Denies
Negotiations for Merger
(Continued from Page 1)
would be earned on between Adolph
Zukgr and I. W. Killam, who are a
majority of the voting trustees of the
Canadian company. '" Hie matter of a
sale or merger has never been dis-
cussed with me by either of the other
two voting trustees," Nathanson
states.
Orpheum Reports Gain
of $142,830 Last Year
Net profit of $142,830, after all
charges, is reported by the Orpheum
Circuit, Inc., for 1929, as against a
net loss in 1928 of $8,931. Last year
Keith-Albee-Orpheum Corp. suffered
a net loss of $2,362 taxes and charges.
This compares with earnings of
$356,907 in 1928.
Reopens After Alterations
Orange, N. J. — After remodeling
and installation of sound equipment,
the Brighton, East Orange, has been
reopened.
Reopens Sioux City House
Sioux City, la. — This city's thea-
ter, the New State, has reopened
after being completely remodeled. It
was formerly known as the Strand.
Midnight Show in W. Va.
Parkersburg, W. Va. — Midnight
shows are now being offered at the
Lincoln.
Universal Makes Wittman
Assistant Sales Manager
(Continued from Page 1)
pany, it is announced by Lou B.
ivietzger, who has taken charge of
the sales division along with his other
duties. Wittman is the first of five
assistant sales managers to be ap-
pointed. He will have headquarters
in New York.
Proposed State Tax on
Virginia Chains Fails
(Continued from Page 1)
ed the measure back to the House
with the recommendation that it be
Hot passed.
Another chain tax bill, put through
in Indiana at the last session of the
legislature, recently was declared dis-
criminatory and unconstitutional by
the U. S. District Court.
Remodeling Pittsiield Bijou
Pittsfield, Me. — Work on remodel-
ing the Bijou has begun. Additional
seats will be installed and the en-
trance will be enlarged.
Cox Opens New N. C. House
Asheboro, N. C— K. D. Cox has
opened the new movie house here.
J. F. Whyte, Jr., manager of the
Capitol, will also act in a similar
capacity at the new house.
Picher House Sold
Picher, Okla. — The new Baxter
has been purchased by the Midland
Theater Co. from J. D. Wineland.
Estimates on Philly House
Philadelphia — Estimates are being
taken for the new Warner theater to
be erected at High St., near Gray,
West Chester. C. L. and George W.
Rapp are the architects.
650-Seat House for Tucson
Tucson, Ariz. — Seating capacity of
the new Palace, which will be com-
pleted in 60 days, will be 650. A.
Kaufman is owner of the structure
being built at a cost of $60,000.
Sound for Ladysmith
Ladysmith, Wis.— With renewal of
lease on the Unique, G. E. Miner of
the Miner Amusement Corp. plans
to install sound apparatus.
New Fox Wired for W. E.
Green Bay, Wis. — The New Fox,
seating 2000, has been wired for
sound by Western Electric.
Riva Leases Tilton Pastime
Tilton, N. H.— Mrs. C. A. Riva has
leased the Tilton Pastime to Wil-
liam Reeves of Portland. Sound
equipment was recently installed.
Altering House for Sound
Stockton, Cal. — The Rialto is un-
dergoing alterations for installation
of RCA sound apparatus.
Weber Remodeling Ellinwood
Ellinwood, Kan. — Renovating of
the Ellinwood is under vray. Man-
ager Warren Weber will also re-
model the lobby.
W. E. at New England
New England, N. D. — Arvin Wik-
lund, manager of the New England,
announces installation of Western
Electric apparatus.
Adopts Sound Policy
Tooele, Utah— The Strand has
adopted talking pictures. W. E.
equipment is being installed.
Wiring Bethlehem House
Bethlehem, Pa. — Western Electric
equipment is being installed at the
State.
GeUer Installing RCA Photophone
Louis Geller is installing RCA
Photophone at the 86th St. Play-
house, New York.
E. E. ALBEE'S FUNERAL
WILL BE HELD SATURDAY
Funeral of Edward F. Albee, form-
er president of Keith-Albee-Orpheum,
will be held at 11 o'clock Saturday
morning from the Cathedral of St.
John the Divine, with burial in Ken-
sico Cemetery. The body of the
noted vaudeville and film theater
operator, who died Tuesday night
in Palm Beach of heart disease, will
arrive in New York tomorrow morn-
ing and lie in state in the Chapel
of St. Ansgarius, St. John's Cathedral,
from 2 to 6 p. m. Albee withdrew
from the industry about two years
ago following the organization of
the present R-K-O enterprises.
M.P.T.O.A. Will Tackle
the Arbitration Problem
(Continued from Page 1)
the other members for the purpose
of setting the exact date for the con-
ference.
Other matters to be discussed in-
clude changes of different kinds with-
in the industry, music tax and legis-
lative activities in various states.
Lobby Golf Draws
Boston — A golf course in the
lounge of the Metropolitan is
proving quite a drawing card.
Daily prizes are awarded in
putting contests for both men
and women, and as a special
feature there are demonstra-
tions and lectures by a profes-
sional.
Falmouth Equipped with Pacent
Falmouth, Ky. — Messrs. Shoe-
maker and Kinney have equipped the
Falmouth here with Pacent equip-
ment.
Improved Oliver Reproducer
Cleveland — A new Oliver repro-
ducer de luxe has been placed on the
market by E. E. Oliver, president of
the company bearing his name. The
new equipment offers a synchronous
motor and a silent chain drive.
Handling "U" Akron House
Cleveland — Charles Davie is now
in charge of Akron sales for Upi-
versal with headquarters in that city.
Davie was formerly branch manager
of the company's Omaha branch.
PARAMOUNT WILL BECINI
SALES MEETING MAY
(Continued from Page 1)
will convene at San Francisco
four days starting May 24. G
Schaefer will supervise the east
confab while Johnnie Clark ■
handle the Western meet. Sid
Kent will preside at both meetin
Pearson Joins Ad. House
Elmer Pearson is now assbcia
with Lennen and Mitchell at 17 E
45th St.
Toledo Galena Closed
Toledo, O. — The Galena has b
closed by Alfred Berger.
Sound for Southland
Bossier City, la. — The Southla
492 seater, has just installed
Western Electric Sound System
Oliver Reproducer for Strandf '''
Cambridge, O. — Oliver Reprodti
has been purchased for the Str Iti
by C. & M. Amusement Co.
Goshen Circle Being Wired
Goshen, Ind. — RCA Photoph
engineers are busy wiring the '
cle here.
Shahane Wires Ritz
Morris Shahane's Ritz has \
wired for talking pictures by WeSi
Electric. |
Colonial to Show Talkers Sound Policy for Forest
Milford, Conn. — Sound pictures will Dallas, Tex. — The Forest has
be shown at the Colonial over the wired with Western Electric,
Western Electric Sound apparatus, later seats 420.
sc
las J
■ 1
CHARLES MURRAY'S
FUNNIEST PICTURE
THE COMEDY EPIC
OF
THE SVCKERS OF
WALL STREET
FUNNIER THAN
McFADDEN'S FLATS
''CLANCY IN WALL STREET
AN EDWARD SMALL PRODUCTION
READY FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Nat Levine, Aristocrat Pictures, 16S0 B*wa
\
fc;
fJ
sf^NEWSPAPER
«<FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
LI No. 62
Friday, March 14, 1930
Price 5 Cents
K E. Installing 90 Weekly— 5,000 Mark Reached
►5-5 TOJOLD OPENMEETING APRIL FIRST
Earners Take Complete Control of Equity Houses
Arbitration
— is peacefully at rest
= Bv JACK ALICOATE=^
CJ'^E but not forgotten. That's
ration, the relatively good old
id of former years that has
Ad many an exhibitor as well
distributor time, money and
nee, and satisfactorily settled
ajy a sore and sensitive spot to
^satisfaction of all concerned.
this without expensive and
n drawn-out legal procedure of
Osort.
IS manifestly impossible to
2 thousands of controversies
iijng a year without causing at
a certain amount of dissatis-
•don. This, of course, does not
ea that arbitration, as a system
\t"ong. If you analyze the situa-
;)jfor a moment you must come
|e inevitable conclusion that all
jsiess transactions are the re-
•ijof arbitration. The bartering
tieen buyer and seller before
imase and the settling of any
fitences thereafter is nothing
5« than arbitration. Here you
i> the very essence of sound
isiess principles, the meeting of
kminds in settlement of differ-
itjnewpoints. The spirit of arbi-
aon is recognized in internation-
w, by all the governments of
.eworld in settlement of their
'tmal as well as external diffi-
\'es and by big business every-
tife as a speedy and ethical
eiod of the adjustment of major
i jell as minor contentions.
I A Necessity
"jFHE system of arbitration as
fa iced for many years in the mo-
)i: picture industry was wrong it
d have been changed, not junked.
le short space of time that has
(.Continued on Page 2)
Pennsylvania Circuit to be
Operated by the
Stanley Co.
Philadelphia — Complete control of
the Equity chain of theaters, which
includes more than 30 houses in
Pennsylvania, has been taken over
by Warner Bros., it is announced
here. The deal was negotiated on
the basis of an exchange of stock,
and it is understood the circuit will
be operated by the Stanley Co.
PUBLIX TAKING HRST
NEW MY THEATER
Trenton — Publix is taking over the
Lincoln here as its first house in
New Jersey. Other acquisitions in
the state are understood to be un-
der consideration.
90 Installations a Week
Now Being Made by W. E.
With installations now being made
at the rate of about 90 a week, and
expected to continue on this basis
throughout the year. Western Elec-
tric announces that its 5,000th sound
system has just been placed in the
Lyceum, Belfast, Ireland. The first
W. E. apparatus was installed in the
Warner, New York, for John Barry-
more in "Don Juan," which opened
Aug. 7, 1926. By the end of 1926
only IS houses had been equipped
by W. E. At the end of 1927 the
total was 157 and in 1928 the total
was brought up to 1,046. The figure
up to the first of this year was 4,354.
F"irst installation by W. E. abroad
was made Oct. 11, 1927, in the New
Gallery, London. There are now
1,371 of these sound systems in 40
foreign countries, while 3,629 are in
the United States. An installation
also is being made on the Leviathan
and one already has been completed
on the President Fillmore, which is
making a trip around the world.
NEWSAEETY REGULATIONS
ARE ENACTED IN ONTARIO
Ottawa — Licensing and regulation
of film exchanges, cancellation of
theater licenses after May 31, 1931,
where the buildings are not of fire-
proof construction, and the re-ex-
amination of projectionists at inter-
vals to be designated, are among the
new enactments of the Ontario legis-
lature with a view to promoting
(Continued on Page 8)
David O. Selznick Gets
New Paramount Contract
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Paramount has
signed David O. Selznick to a new
long-term contract as executive as-
sistant to B. P. Schulberg, general
manager of West Coast production.
EXPECT TO RESIE SOON
Production will shortly be resumed
at the old Cosmopolitan studios,
127th St. and Second Ave., accord-
ing to report. Built by William
R. Hearst about ten years ago, the
property is now under lease to M-G-
M until Aug. 1, at which time it re-
(Cmitinued on Page 8)
Fairbanks Will Appear
as Bandit in Tale of '49
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — "Days of '49," a
story by Elton Thomas, will serve as
Douglas Fairbank's next talking pic-
ture. The star will again appear in
a bandit role. The dialogue is by
Porter Emerson Browne and James
Warner Bellah.
New Committee of Seven
Will Hold Sessions
in New York
Following a closed conferenee
held yesterday at the Union League
Club, Sidney R. Kent issued a state-
ment that a committee of seven,
consisting of two distributor repre-
sentatives, two from the M.P.T.O.A.,
two from the Allied States Ass'n
and one from Affiliated Theaters,
would meet April 1 in New York to
put into concrete language trve sub-
ject matters heretofore taken up by
the so-called 5-5-5 committee. The
future sessions, Kent said, will be
open to the trade press.
Present at the meeting yesterday
in addition to Kent, were Felix F.
Feist, and Phil Reisman, represent-
(_Contimied on Page 8)
decisionYIerved
in fox brooklyn case
After listening to lengthy argu-
ments in the Supreme Court in
Brooklyn yesterday. Justice Norman
S. Dike reserved decision in the ac-
tion brought by J. Markham Mar-
shall, attorney for a small group of
Fox stockholders, to enjoin the Fox
companies from any new financing.
Meanwhile another minority fac-
(Continued on Page 8)
Plan Several Road Shows
for John McCormack Film
Several road shows of the Fox
production "Song O' My Heart,"
starring John McCormack, are be-
ing planned under the direction ©f
J. J. McCarthy, with J. C. Shea
(Continued on Page 8)
Featuring Color
As evidence of the value
placed by exhibitors on color
as a drawing card, the line "In
Technicolor" now is being
used a lot in billing matter
space that formerly was de-
voted to featuring the names
of players.
THE
DAILV
Friday, March 14, l;
YoLllNo.62 Friday, March 14,1930 Prices Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publhlnr
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredinan, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
* A m Seat 21/4 •••.
Con." Fm.'lnd.' .. 26-4 25/, 2S'A 4,900
Con Fm. Ind. pfd. 27^ 26^8 2'6/j 1.900
East. Kodak ... .226J4 222/. 226^4 3,800
Fox Fm "A" ... 35 J4 34^ 35 5,400
Gen. Thea. Equ.. 43^^* 41^ 42/a 10,800
^"'U^°..::::::ii5-- ivr m '^66
Loew's Inc 75 7/8 74 75/2 8.500
*do pfd. WW (6/2) 100J4 ••••
»do pfd. xw (.e'A) 88Ji
•M-G-M pfd 2Sy2
Para F-L 69^8 68^4 69^^ 18,300
Pathe Exch 5-/8 S% S/3 8.000
do -'A" 10/2 10/8 10^8 1.500
RK-O 36/8 35 36/8 56.800
♦Univ. Pict. pfd 55'/i
Warner Bros. ... 70'^ 68/2 69/2 61,500
do pfd 61!4 61 em 700
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 39/. 37% llVi 1,500
Fox Thea. "A" . 8Ji 8 8 800
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts.. 40 40 40 100
Loew. Inc. war ..12 12 12 100
*Nat. Scr. Ser 24
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-0 6s 46 88s^
Loew 6s 41ww ..117 116^ 117 3S0
do 6s 41 x-war.. 98^ 98 98}^ 160
Paramount 6s 47 .101 101 101 60
Par. By. 5J^s 51.102!^ 102 IO2/2 90
Pathe 7s 37 55^^ 55^ 55^ 20
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City J.j
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ..J
BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 ?.♦
]♦ E. Brulatoiir, Inc. %
:.:
Chicago Hollywood ;'J
...,, T J- A . 6700 Santa Monica •'{
1727 ladiana Ave. "' gj^^ :•}
CALumet 2601 HOLlywood 4121 5^
Axhitration
— is peacefully at rest
(.Continued from Page 1)
elapsed since motion picture arbitra-
tion was formally dropped in the ash
can thousands of suits have been in-
stituted at law throughout the country
at a cost of perhaps millions to those
involved, and this cost must be born
eventually by the entire industry.
The Personal Side
ASIDE FROM the business angle
the personal side of the question
should not be overlooked in an in-
dustry such as this with exhibiting,
distributing and producing interests
so dove-tailed as to be inseparable.
The result of a controversy arbi-
trated usually leaves a good feeling
all around. The decision in a case
at law or equity never does.
Arbitration Needed Now
PROBABLY at no time in its his-
tory has a satisfactory system of
arbitration been needed as badly in
this field as right at this time with
sound and its difficulties here and
Wide Film coming soon. We have
interviewed many exhibitors during
the past month on the subject. Their
private views, summed up, arc about
as follows: 1, Arbitration is needed by
the square-shooting exhibitor to set-
tle his honest difficulties with the
distributor. 2, Arbitration as gener-
ally practiced in this industry before
its breakdown was ninety-five per
cent satisfactory. 3, The speedy re-
turn of some sort of system for the
settlement of difficulties without re-
sort to court action is sorely needed
and the sooner this is brought about
the better it will be for the entire
industrv and all concerned.
Lillie Expected Mar. 15
Beatrice Lillie is expected to ar-
rive here March 15 to start work
in "Are You There?" David Butler
will direct for Fox.
Held to Remodel Bldg.
Griswold, la. — P. G. Held, operator
of the Strand, will remodel the Gren-
cell building into a theater.
Harris on Phototone Board
London — A. W. Harris has been
appointed to the board of French
Phototone.
Sells Sanborn Princess
Sanborn, la. — ^McClurg and Bink-
ley have sold the Princess here to
Dr. J. C. Sanders.
Mrs. Palmer Sells Ideal
Akron, O. — Mrs. Park Palmer has
sold the Ideal to H. B. Keckler.
Remodeling Olympia
Monongahela. Pa. -^Remodeling of
the Olympia has gotten under way
with W. E. apparatus to be installed.
Curry Altering Colonial
MilledgevillCj Ga. — Manager M. L.
Curry is remodeling the Colonial
here.
House in Gary, Indiana,
Closed by Reformers
Gary, Ind. — Charging that the
shows were objectionable, a local
reform group, including a number
of clergymen, has caused Mayor R.
O. Johnson to order the closing oi
the Gary, a silent picture and bur-
lesque house.
Doyle Succeeds Wittman
as "U" Philly Manager
i'hiladelphia — William Doyle,
formerly assistant manager and city
salesman for Universal here, has been
appointed to succeed Sig Wittman as
branch manager.
Phila. Exhib on Trial
for Copyright Violation
Philadelphia — Harry Perlman,
.ocal exhiDitor, is to face trial Mon-
day in a suit brought by the govern-
ment on charges of copyright viola-
tion involving a Paramount picture.
ihis is the first case of the kind to
come up here.
Geller Installing W.E.
Louis Geller is installing Western
Electric sound apparatus, instead of
RCA as previously mentioned, in
the 86th St. Playhouse here.
Zukor Back From Confab
Eugene Zukor, A. M. Botsford
and others are expected to arrive
here today from Chicago where they
attended the Publix managers' ses-
sions at the Drake Hotel.
Ricardo Cortez at Palace
Ricardo Cortez is billed for the
Palace, New York, tomorrow.
Starts Eldon House Today
Eldon, Mo. — Construction on the
new house to be built here by
Thomas Ghosen will begin today.
Mercer Reopens at Wheeling
Wheeling, \V. Va. — J. W. Mercer,
owner of the Lincoln, has reopened
the house after having it remodeled.
Michael Goddard has been appointed
manager.
New Edinburg House
Edinburg, Tex. — Mrs. L. J. Mon-
tague, operator of the Valley here,
is building a new house in this city.
The Industry's
Date Book
Annua! election of Maryland I
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Premiere of "Journey's End" ;
New York house, not yet dec
upon.
Second annual banquet and
of the Warner Club. Inc., at
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-Statt
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at
Wardman Park Hotel, Washini
D C.
May 25 Fox annual sales conventioii tnl
to-day.
June 2-7 International Cinema CongTMi;
Brussels.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
Robinson Visits Clifton Foi
Cliftton Forge, Va.— H. L. Roi |
son has been visiting here in the)
terests of Universal Chain Theal
While in this city he completed p
for the new theater to be erectei
Ridgeway St., and in addition c
pleted details for the redecora
of the Masonic.
New Amusement Corp.
Wilmington — Idlewild-Woodl
Inc., has been incorporated to
erate amusements. $50,000 is
capital listed.
To Reopen Arbuckle Sta
Arbuckle, Cal.— N. C. Steek
the Colusa, Colusa, will soon re
the Star here.
Akron Park Reopens
Akron, O. — The Park has bee
opened here after having been c
for some time.
Wide Screen for Zenitl
Milwaukee — A wide screen
be installed shortly at the ZIM
Edward Maertz, manager, annoil
Laurelhurst, Portland, Wjj
Portland, Ore. — Western
Sound System has begun operatj
the Laurelhurst. 679 seats.
Kooler-Aini
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING C
1014 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW
The Executor oj the Last Wilt and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
lb
Joseph M, Schenck presents
HARRY
RICHMAN
PUTTIN'
tZ RITZ
with JOAN BENNEH
James Gleason — Lilyan
Tashman — Aileen Pringle
MUSIC and LYRICS
IRVING BERLIN
Directed by
Edward Sloman
Joseph M. Schenck presents
HERBERT
BRENON'S
Lummox
From the Best Seller
by FANNIE HURST
Winifred
Westover
Ben Lyon — Edna Murphy
William Collier, Jr.
Joseph M. Schenck presents
FANNY
BRICE
"Be
Yourself"
with HARRY
GREEN
Robert Armstrong
Directed by
Thornton Freeland
'^Puttin' on the Ritz'' is the
present $2.00 sensation of
N. Y.
Newspapers praised it as best
all around entertainment of
the year.
''Richman puts over his songs
like a million dollars/' said
the Graphic.
''Boy,0 boy,will this one clean
up at the box-office — and
rightfully/' said the News.
''The best talkie-singie to
reach Broadway."
''A box-office hit. A triumph
for United Artists. A picture
that gets under your skin/'
said the World.
''Lively, tuneful and effective
songs that stand every chance
of a deserved radio, phono-
graph and orchestral popu-
larity." —Tribune.
"Joan Bennett so beautiful
audience broke into audible
spasms every time she walked
across the screen." —Post.
"Jimmy Gleason is grand and
Lilyan Tashman amusing."
— Journal.
"'Lummox' is a great picture.
Quite possibly the greatest
picture the talkies have pro-
duced. A classic. Is brave and
fine, sincerely interesting,
gripping and satisfying."
— Globe-Democrat.
"The talkies have shown noth-
ing more absorbing. A picture
of unusual entertainment
quality." — San Francisco Call
and Bulletin.
"The picture at Loew's this
week is one of the best and
most beautifully made movies
of this year, it stands in the
line of supermovies that are
'super'." — St. Louis Times.
"Will leave its imprint upon
the memory of all who see it.
Miss Westover's portrayal
one of the most profoundly
impressive that the screen —
silent or sound — has given
us." — Examiner.
"Woman should fall heavily
for 'Lummox.' Will find it
vital, unusual and decidedly
lovely." — Louisville Courier
Journal.
"Excellent work by Fannie! ill
Brice. Harry Green is very |i ml
funny. Good dancing andiibei
singing." — Hartford Courant. n^
Kit
"Fanny Brice always funnyi ^
and ebullient in spirit. Harryi '^'
Green is a whole show in him- ^^
self. Comic and smart. Arm-' '^i
strong with another pugilist^ °n
characterization that is cleveri
and convincing and at thQ
same time entirely different."^
— Detroit Free-Pressj
"Just what her customers
like. Sings 'Cooking Break-!
fast for the One I Love' andH^Si
'Kicking a Hole in the Sky'—
her gestures and rapidly'
changing expressions bring
back fond memories of Old
Follies days." — Detroit News/
h
H
%
"The laugh sensation of the
day. The funniest comedy
trio that have been seen or'
the screen since the coming
of talking pictures."
m£OMING!
ration Pictures presents
RY KING'S
« LUPE VELEZ
Jean Hershbit
I Holland— Al St. John
IJHarbor' can stand on
njegs without any bally-
i^ause it measures up
tif standard of a great
lay. This is a mirror re-
ijthe emotions of man-
'imance and lust, greed
I joy of youth."
E^pa Morning Tribune.
^aranteed to cure the
jjse of extreme ennui
tf on by an overdose
i^ironized boom-boom.
Nplez is gorgeous — a
^nsation."
-Greenland Magazine.
cfhis down in your date
IS something that
■ NOT be missed. The
Baphy is nothing short
TJS and the direction
^. —Exhibitors Herald.
»|al box-office appeal
Lupe Velez excel-
— Film Daily.
DOLORES
DEL RIO
The Bad One
//
Wl
th
EDMUND LOWE
GEORGE FITZMAURICE Production
Presented by Joseph M. Schenck
Joseph M. Schenck presents
LILLIAN GISH
ONE ROMANTIC
NIGHT'' with Rod La
Rocque, Conrad Nagle, Marie
Dressier, O. P. Heggie
Directed by PAUL STEIN
THE UNITED ARTISTS
HIT RECORD IS NOW
13 OUT OF 13 PICTURES
KELEASED ^ Mary Pickford's
"Coquette" ^ Roland West's "Alibi" ^ Ronald
Colman in "Bulldog Drummond" and "Condemned"
^^ Gloria Swonson in "The Trespasser" ^ Norma
Talmadge in "New York Nights" C^^ Mary Pickford
and Douglas Fairbanks in "Taming of the Shrew"
p^ "Three Live Ghosts."
THE SCREEN
^^"The Locked Door
ARISTOCRATS OF
DAILY
Friday, March 14, 19-'
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Contract Violations Threaten
Future of Independent Distributor
(^NE independent distributor told
^^ us this week that 90 per cent
of the contracts being violated are
those of the independent distribut-
ing organizations.
"Our losses," he said, "are tre-
mendous, despite the fact that the
independents are heartily cooperating
with independent exhibitors in mak-
ing every possible adjustment._ If
this situation continues, the inde-
pendent distributors will soon be
forced to close up shop," he said.
This is really a very serious situ-
ation. The independent distributors
must be kept in business for the fu-
ture of the independent exhibitor
particularly. If they are eliminated,
the competitive situation will react
to the detriment of the independent
theater owner.
An investigation of the books and
records of the particular independent
distributor referred to revealed that
in many instances adjustments had
been made which brought rental
prices of talking product, including
score charges, down to the level of
the company's former silent prices.
And still the contracts were being
violated by refusal of exhibitors to
furnish play dates.
Independent exhibitors must play
fair with the independent distribu-
tors. To put them out of business
would be merely to jeopardize the
already shaky position of the inde-
pendent theater owner and thereby
strengthen the interests of_ the pow-
ers now prettv generally in control
of the film industry.
Every independent exhibitor owes
it to his business to make a check-
up of his support of the independent
distributor and make such revisions
in the conduct of his business as will
assure independent distributors of
sufficient business to carrying on.
This situation is of such serious
proportions as to require the_ im-
mediate attention of every inde-
pendent theater owner.
— Greater Amusementif
There are more wired houses
in New York City than in all
of the following States com-
bined: Alabama, Arizona. Del-
aware, Nevada, New Hamp-
shire, New Mexico, Rhode Is-
land, So. Carolina, So. Dakota,
Utah, Vermont and Wyoming.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
'T'HE Film Favorites' Program, broadcast every Sunday evening
from the First National studios, is declared to be making
quite a hit. The patter is sent over Station KFWB, yes, of
course, the Warner station Jack Whiting, who made a
name for himself in musical comedies here, leaves for the Coast
Sunday to fulfill that F. N. contract. He'll be top man in "Top
Speed", which goes into production next week
'7EPPELINS, dozens of combat planes, bombed villages, color
and 100 per cent dialogue, all to the tune of $4,000,000, will
be seen and heard in United Artists' "Hell's Angels" when it
zooms into Fox's Chinese sometime in May. Howard Hughes
will take a bow for this one Dick Brady of Eastman
Kodak has returned from a vacation. Yeh, but he won't say
where he was, even though he looks great Who remem-
bers when Ben Lyon lost 30 cents a day as an extra? Ask Sam
Warshawsky
pjARRY MOSKOWITZ, big construction and engineering
guy for Loew, has returned from a fishing cruise in the West
Indies Harry shortly will make tests of the diggings for the
new 4,000-seat Loew house in Astoria, L. I "Disraeli"
still refuses to blink an eye at the idea of leaving the Central
here.... It's a Warner screen classic William A. Wolff,
advertising manager for Western Electric, this month completes
his 25th year with the company. . . .Just a mark for Walter Eber-
hardt to shoot for
"DOB MELLIN, Chicago mgr. for Remick, pulled a corker with
the Chi elevated transit system and "White City", the Windy
City's Coney Island, by having one-sheet posters telling all about
the "El" ride and "Cryin' For The Carolines", the theme song
in F. N.'s "Spring Is Here." It used to be "Did You
Have Your Iron", but now exhibitors are chirping "Did You
Arbitrate Today" Betty Mastbaum, daughter of the late
Jules Mastbaum, is to announce her engagement to Harry
Grabosky in Philadelphia
1-IOWARD DIETZ, head of M-G-M publicity and advertising
dept., is scheduled to leave for the Coast in a few
weeks "Under a Texas Moon" follows "The Green God-
dess" at the Winter Garden here soon Jack Lewis, he
with the gorgeous smile, now is handling all the souvenir pro-
grams for Warner special productions, in addition to editing the
Vitaphone News Weekly. . . .How goes the buffonery, Jack
Wonder what the New York boys think of when they leave
Broadway?
MARCH 14-- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Sydney Norton Evelyn Thatcher
Joseph I. Schnitzer Charles Francis Reisner
William Thomas Brent
Maitland Rice
James Lederer
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€
Dancing Lessons Help Put
Over "It's a Great Life"
pREE instruction in the "Dunci
Sisters' Hop," helped put ov
"It's a Great Life," at the Ald(
Portland, Ore. George McMurph
manager, co-operated with the Cu
Wheatley School of Dancing ard t
Portland News.
Special permission was granted
M-G-M to have the school teach t
dance and the News ran a daily std
and registration blank. More th
300 persons filled in the blank c
took the free lessons at Miss Whe;
ley's school.
—M-G-M
* « «
Stunt for "On the Border"
Goes Over in Minneapolis
pRANK BURKE, pubhcity di-
rector for the Hennepin-Orph-
eum theater in Minneapolis, gets
credit for the clever exploitatior
stunt pulled recently in connec-
tion with Warner Bros. Vita-
phone picture, "On the Border,'
starring Rin-Tin-Tin. A contes'
was started for boys of the citj
owning police dogs. The anima
adjudged to have the closest re-
semblance to Rin-Tin-Tin was
given a gold studded dog collat
by radio Station WCCO wit!
several other prizes added tr
stimulate further interest. Eacl
boy to enter a dog in the con;
test received a pass for the the
ater, provided he carried a ban
ner announcing the entry of h
dog in the contest and bearin;
the information that Rin-Tin-Ti
would be at the Hennepin-Orph
eum. The radio station and tb
local newspapers went strong fo^
all publicity in connection wit'
the contest.
— Warner Bi
TEN YEARS AGO T0-D4|
IN
Isaac Wolper, Mayflower, deii
deal with F. C. Quimby, of As
ciated Exhibitors.
« >» *
Reelcraft Pictures Corp. absc)
number of state rights short '
companies.
* o •
Whitman Bennett resigns as \:
duction manager of Famous-Play ^
* * * !
W. R. Rothacker of Chicago |-
sorbs the Leggett-Gruen Corp. [
THE
F|day, March 14, 1930
DAILV
N-E-W-S OF T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
VoUaston, Mass. — After undergo-
ir renovating and repainting the
V)llaston, Netoco house, has re-
otned under the management of
fceph McDermott.
'rovidence — Harry Storin, former
mager of the LeRoy in Pawtucket,
i; assumed the management of the
Vtory, RKO house.
Uint, Mich. — Lester Matt has
;a?n back the Strand and State from
;1 Woodward Theater Co., opera-
Li for the past three years. J. H.
Cjchran continues as manager of
j(|h houses.
^rookline, Mass. — A petition ask-
nj for motion pictures in this town
ii been sent to the Board of Se-
emen to be put on the State bal-
o next November.
Vilmington — Capital in the Mo-
:ili Picture Theater Grand, Inc., has
)^n increased from $50,000 to $200,-
K and from 1,200 shares to 10,600
iljres.
ioston — A new organ said to be an
::^ct reproduction of the one at the
Pramount, New York, will be in-
stiled at the Metropolitan here, and
ml entail an expense of $75,000.
I ..
iJuincy, Mass. — Magnascope has
Mn installed at the Strand.
IJoston — Kenneth Fleming, former
ispciate manager of the Netoco
Eyptian, Brighton, Mass., is now
ijise manager of the Regent, Nor-
vtk Downs.
feattle — Mayor Frank Edwards of
:^ city, former owner of the Winter
jirden, was nominated for a second
:tm in office in the city's primary
ilbtion.
'{oston — Marcel Mekelberg will
y.dle product of the Big 4 Film
Qp. in this territory.
llanitowoc. Wis. — M. H. Dempsey
lit F. T. Zentner have taken over
ij Capitol due to failure of the op-
iitors to meet their mortgage of
SSOO.
Minneapolis — W. L. Hamilton has
(jied Pathe and will cover south-
«Btern Minnesota and So. Dakota
I'a. Eddie Burke, of Pathe, re-
cced Hamilton at the Columbia ex-
;llnge.
\tlanta — Frank W. Salley is now
3 the RKO sales force.
,\llentown, Pa.— Robert John Fluck
snow managing the Lyric here.
Omaha — L. L. Phipps, distributor
^<, Talking Picture Epics, is located
lithe Columbia exchange.
Oexter, la.— Haaken Gronn of
^!ita, la., has purchased the theater
i_e and will operate the house him-
Canton, O. — RCA Photoplay will
be installed at the McKinley, Max
Young house.
Barberton, O. — Owners of the
Lyric, Messrs. Harold Makinson and
Frank W. Gaethke, have purchased
RCA apparatus for their house. They
also own the Park where the same
apparatus is installed.
Youngstown, O. — Jack Steinberg
opened his Regent with RCA Photo-
phone sound last week.
Table Rock, Neb.— The local the-
ater has been acquired by W. N.
Hale, Lincoln, Neb., from L. M.
Green.
Toledo, O. — The Rivoli here has
closed. Rumors are current that the
house will be reopened by R-K-0,
although Manager Howard Feigley
would neither deny nor confirm the
report.
Omaha — C. M. Pullman and F. J.
Poulter, are new additions to the
Paramount exchange here.
Bessemer, Colo. — Dewey Spoor,
manager of the Critcher, will close
the house March 20 to permit in-
stallation of Western Electric ap-
paratus.
Foreign Li \
London — Construction has begun
on a 3000-seat house in Fulham.
WooUahra, N.S.W.— The Elite has
been opened to the public here by
Olympic Theaters. The house cost
$125,000.
London — A record was set by
Western Electric in Great Britain re-
cently when orders for 51 equipments
were received in a single week.
Berlin — The "Hamburg," recently
launched by the Hamburg-American
Line, carries Tobis sound equipment.
London — Additional capital is be-
ing sought to finance the work of
converting the Elephant and Castle
Theater, Ltd., into a talking pictuie
house.
Croydon, England — The Cinema
Royal has been sold at auction.
London — Elite Pictures Theaters
has disposed of the Elite Kinema,
Wembley Park, to Louis Morris.
New York
Jack Perley, formerly assistant in
the Brooklyn booking department of
the Paramount exchange, is now head
booker for the Jersey branch.
Frank Damis, formerly of Para-
mount, has joined the booking de-
partment of the Warner exchange.
Utica — John S. McNeil now is in
full charge of the Fox.
Warner Executives Hold
Conference at Astor
Branch and district managers of
Warner Bros, and First National
with several Warner theater ex-
ecutives held a get-together meeting
at the Hotel Astor here where many
important matters were discussed.
Spyros Skouras presided, with Claude
Ezell and Ned Depinet delivering
speeches.
Those in attendance of the Warner ex-
changes were: Joe Hebrew Philadelphia; R.
E. Binns, Washington ; H. E. Elder, Bos-
ton ; J. A. Davis, New Haven ; Nat Beier
Albany; H. S. Dunn, Pittsburgh; C. E.
Almy, Cleveland, Geo H. Balsdon, New
York, Terry Herzog, New Jersey and Max
Milder, J. S. Hummel, C. C. Ezell, Lou
Brager, Tom Namack of the home office.
Representing Warner theaters were : Reeves
Espey and Earl Bell, Pittsburgh; Dave
Weschner, Newark ; Dan Finklestone, Atlan-
tic City; William Goldman, Philadelphia; J.
J. Payette, Washington ; Bernard Depkin,
Jr., Utica. First National branch managers
were: W. J. Brandt, Cleveland; R. H.
Haines, Pittsburgh ; H. W. Thompson, Al-
bany; M. H. Keleher, New Haven; T. B.
Spry, Boston; Joe Vergesslich, New York;
H. Hummell, New Jersey; W. J. Heenan.
Philadelphia ; Robert Smeltzer, Washington ;
A. W. Smith, Jr., sales manager; Chas.
Einfeld, publicity director; A. W. Schwal-
berg and Ned Depinet, general sales manager.
RCA for Columbus Royal
Columbus, O. — William Chesboro
will equip his Royal with RCA
Photophone equipment.
Ricker to Install RCA
Massilon, O. — Fred T. Ricker will
install RCA Photophone equipment
in the Lyric.
Many Notables to be
E. F. Albee Pallbearers
Many notables will be among the
honorary pallbearers at the funeral
of E. F. Albee tomorrow following
services at the Cathedral of St. John
the Divine at which Bishop William
T. Manning will officiate. Prominent
among them will be Secretary of
Labor Davis, Mayor Walker, Dr.
Nicholas Murray Butler and Adolph
Zukor.
Others who will accompany the body will
be Dr. Fred H. Albee, Dr. Bernard I. Bell,
Hiram S. Brown, Henry Chesterfield, Rev.
Richard Cobden, George M. Cohan, Walter
P. Cooke, Hon. Victor J. Dowling, Daniel
Frohman, Maurice Goodman, Marcus Hei-
man, Percy H. Johnson, Harry T. Jordan.
Thomas W. Lamb, Mark A. Luescher, John
J. McNally, Dr. Herbert Willy Meyer, Dr.
Willy Meyer, William L. Mitchell, Benjamin
S. Moss, John Ringling, David Sarnoff, Fred
C. Schanberger, Samuel Scribner, Fred Stone.
Walter Vincent, Hon. J. Henry Walters.
Sidney Wilmer, C. F. Zittel.
"Sally" Trade Shown in Berlin
Berlin — Full American dialogue
version of "Sally," with cut-in titles
in German, has been trade shown
here prior to its opening at the Ufa
Palast, March 18. Exhibitors, au-
thors and composers attended the
showing as well as H. A. Bandy,
foreign manager for Warner Bros.-
First National.
3 Order RCA in Detroit
Detroit — RCA Photophone ap-
paratus will be put in the following
houses in this city: Cozy, Courtesy,
Echo. The Bijou at Mt. demons
will also be equipped with this sound
device.
THE ANSWER
to any Question about the
Motion Picture Industry
INQUIRE WITHIN
y
"^«e
YfAR
fiOOK
'950
IClTlON
It BOOK 1
1' ' i^n
Now
being
distributed
to all
subscribers
to
THE
FILM
DAILY
THE
DAILV
Friday, March 14, 193!
OPEN MEETING OF 5-5-5
TO BE HELD APRIL 1ST
(Continued from Page li
ing distributors; Abram Myers, Al
Steffes, H. M. Richey, Glenn W.
Cross and Herman Blum, represent-
ing the Allied States Ass'n, and C.
C. Pettijohn and Gabriel Hess, rep-
resenting the Film Boards of Trade.
The April 1 date for the forthcom-
ing conference was set after long
distance talks between Kent, Petti-
john and M. A. Lightman, president
of the M.P.T.O.A., which also plans
a meeting of its directors to be held
in New York around the first of the
month.
As a result of yesterday's session
and the conversation with Lightman,
all of the various groups are opti-
mistic about the eventual results and
it is felt that a general agreement
can now be reached, Kent said.
Plan Several Road Shows
for John McCormack Film
(Continued from Page 1^
handling exploitation. The picture,
which received a big send-ofT at its
world premiere Wednesda}- at the
44th St., New York, already has been
set to open March 20 at the Fox-
Locust, Philadelphia, and March 24
at the Majestic, Boston. In May it
will be shown at Grauman's Chinese,
Hollywood, and showings in London
and Dublin are scheduled for June.
General release in principal cities
will take place next September.
Cosmopolitan Studios
Expect to Resume Soon
(Continued irom Pane 1)
verts back to Hearst. M-G-M spent
$1,000,000 installing sound equip-
ment last year, and started produc-
tion which was abandoned a short
time thereafter.
Pathe and Universal both are said
to have been interested in the stu-
dio at one time, but were frightened
away by the high rental, M-G-M de-
manding $10,000 weekly, according to
report. The studio is in shape to
start work immediately.
W. E. Engineers at Lincoln
Los Angeles, Cal. — Engineers of
the Western Electric Company are
now installing sound apparatus in the
Lincoln.
Star Wired by W. E.
Annapolis, Md. — The Star has been
wired for sound by the Western Elec-
tric Company.
W. E. Equips Two Philly Houses
Philadelphia, Pa. — Coliseum and
Eureka are the latest to install
Western Electric Sound System.
Charwood Being Equipped
St. Joseph, Mo. — The Charwood is
being equipped for RCA Photophone
equipment.
Allendale Installs Sound Apparatus
Oakland, Calif. — Film and disc
equipment has been installed in the
Allendale by Western Electric's en-
gineers.
More Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Norfolk, Va. — Western Electric ap-
paratus has gone into the Park.
Covington, Tenn, — The 530-seat
Palace has installed the Western
Electric sound apparatus.
Beaumont, Tex. — The Tivoli, seat-
ing 550, has put in Western Electric
tilm and disc equipment.
Henderson, Tex. — The Palace has
been wired for sound by W. E.
Bowling Green, Ky. — The Capitol
has installed W. E. film and disc
equipment.
Marietta, O. — The Auditorium has
opened up with sound, via Western
Electric equipment.
Wharton, Tex. — Talking pictures
are coming to the Queen, which has
mstalled the Western Electric sound
system.
Nacogdoches, Tex. — The Austin
has put in Western Electric film and
disc system.
Lufkin, Tex. — Western Electric
sound system has been installed in
the Pines.
Jacksonville, Tex. — The Palace has
been wired by Western Electric.
Detroit — Engineers for Western
Electric have completed wiring the
1,752-seat Kramer.
Newport, Ky. — The Strand has
gone talkie with the installation of
Western Electric apparatus.
Wheaton, 111. — The Paramount has
installed W. E. equipment.
Longview, Tex. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Rembert. The house seats 795.
Utica, N. Y. — Western Electric
engineers have wired the Colonial.
Syracuse, N. Y. — The Cameo has
completed installation of a Western
Electric sound system.
Luray, Va. — Western Electric has
gone into the Page.
Ferandina, Fla. — The Amelia ha*
been reopened by G. H. Herbert.
Nantucket, Mass. — Sound pictures
will be shown at the Dreamland over
the Western Electric Sound equip-
ment.
Roseburg, Ore.— The .Antlers has
gone sound with the installation of
the Western Electric equipment.
Buena Vista. Pa.— The Rockbridge
has adapted the Western Electric
Electric sound system to introduce
their talking pictures.
Cincinnati — Engineers have been
at Gifts, wiring it for sound with
W. E.
Jacksonville — The Ritz is carrying
out its sound picture policy by in-
stalling Western Electric apparatus.
Granite Falls, Minn. — Sound pic-
tures will be shown at the Avalon
over the Western Electric equipment.
Scottsbluff, Neb. — The Orpheum
has gone talkie with the installation
of the Western Electric apparatus.
White River Junction, Vt. — The
Lyric has been wired for sound by
Western Electric. The house seats
Hyattsville, Md. — The installation
of the Western Electric has been
completed at the Arcade.
McGehee, Ark. — Western Electric
equipment has gone into the Seigle.
Monroe, La. — The Seigle has con-
wired for sound by Western Electric.
Cleveland — The Nerval has com-
pleted installation of a Western
Electric sound system.
Kansas City — The Art, seating
1,042, has installed Western Electric
equipment.
Monessen, Pa. — The Olympic has
been wired for sound with W. E.
apparatus.
Cheyenne, Wyo. — The Strand has
joined the list of wired houses, in-
stalling W. E. sound system.
Del Norte, Colo. — The Princess
now is showing talking pictures over
Western Electric equipment.
Glenside, Pa. — The Glenside has
completed installation of a Western
Electric equipment.
Cloquet, Minn. — The Leb has put
in W. E. film and disc system.
Franklinville, N. Y.— Western Elec-
tric sound equipment has gone into
the Adelphi.
Alexandria Bay, N. Y. — Western
Electric has wired the Weller.
Chicago — The Parkside has put in
Western Electric apparatus.
Cordova, Alas. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Empress.
Cory, Pa. — The Grand is having
RCA Photophone equipment in-
stalled.
Roanoke, Va.— Elmore D. Heins,
owner of the Park, will install sound
apparatus. The organ will be kept in
use between shows, Heins states.
Portland, Ore.— After being closed
for six months, the Oregon has re-
opened. Western Electric equipment
has been installed in addition to com-
plete renovation of the house.
DEraNinESERVED
IN FOX BROOKLYN CAS^
(Continued from Page 1) j
tion from Boston, represented
Arthur Berenson, filed suit in .,
State Supreme Court seeking to pn(
vent the consummation of either
Bancamerica refinancing plan or
one proposed by Halsey, Stuart
Co., and requiring the defendant
show cause why a receiver sh
not be appointed for the Fox
panies. Justice Townley made
order returnable on Monday.
William Fox's suit to compel
L. Stuart and J. E. Otterson to „
linquish their rights under the D|
3 trusteeship, as well as their clai
on the Fox "B" stock held by tl
Bankers Trust, comes up this mor.
ing before Judge Frank J. Colemai
New Safety Regulations
Are Enacted in Ontar
(Continued from Page 1)
greater safety in places of amur
ment.
The age limit for children barti
from attending theaters in Onta:
except when accomplished by adi
has been raised from 15 years to
years. The new legislation goes ii
effect June 1.
100,000 More Preferred
Offered by Consolidate
Stockholders of Consolidated Ff
Industries, Inc., will be offered lOi
000 additional shares of preferred >
$20 a share. Common and prefer:
may be exchanged at the rate of c
share of old for one-seventh shi
of the new. The purpose of the n
issue is to provide capital for exp^
sion.
Princess Installs Sound
Tucumcari, N. M. — The Prin9
has installed Western Electric
paratus.
K. C. Summit Wired
Kansas City, Mo. — Engineers]
Western Electric have completed
ing the Summit.
Nuart Installs W. E. Sound
Blackfoot, Idaho— The Nuart
installed Western Electric appara'j
Sound for Ecorse House
Ecorse, Mich. — Western Elec|
equipment has been installed in
Ecorse.
W. E. Wires Dickinson
Hiawatha, Kans. — The Dickin
has been wired by Western Elect
Show Shop Going Sound
Glendale, Cal.-— RCA Photoph '
engineers are wiring the Show 51 •J \
Sound for Two Ft. Wayne Houi
Ft. Wayne, Ind. — Work on ins
lation of sound equipment at
Capitol and Creighton, owned by ■
Nelleson Amusement Co., will b(
shortly, Tony H. Nelleson, heac
the company announces. R: i"
Fisher is manager of both hous
f<> NEWSPAPER
/FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
/^
as /y^HMMMG BEPOMEft ofu
By Special Arrangement with NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY
SHORT SUBJECTS
SHOW MARKED
INCREASE IN
PRODUCTION
VALUES FOR
CURRENT YEAR
For Shorts or Features, Sound or Silent
Film Daily Revie^w^s
are the recognized authority
KEEP POSTED ON
SHORTS THRU
THE INDUSTRY'S
LEADING MEDIUM
IB
The Greatest Month^s Offering
|%|ARCH is an all-fair-weather of COlliedleS
-^^^ month for the showman who has ^ mm ^
EducationaVs Talking Comedies— ||j| all OI
it brings the most outstanding group
of short comedy releases in the history fT/Jlt r* rw fl rknrvl^ Q
of this company. And that means the Ml^UUl.U LlUtiUl d
greatest group of short comedies ever ¥¥| ^^Ol*^
offered in one month by any company. ■* 1 » 1^ tf 1 J
"BULLS AND BEARS "
MACK SENNETT
Talking Comedy
with
Daphne Pollard Andy Clyde
Marjorie Becbe
"A humdinger." — M. I'. ISeus
"For genuine entertainment, 'Bulls and
Bears' stands head and shoulders ahove
the feature picture itself."
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
LLOYD HAMILTON
in
"POLISHED IVOR\"
A Talking Comedy
The big romedian up to many of the old
tricks that made him famous. Plenty of
slam-hang action in a comedy that will
polish off any program with a lot of
laughs.
(^^x^Loocitlcruxl (j -tctu^XJiA-^
fHE SPICE OFTHE PROGRAM"
'TROUBLE FOR TWO"
TUXEDO
Talking Comedy
A jack U kite Production
Raymond McKee
Anita Garvin
Addie McPhail
Harold Goodwin
Mixed doubles in a fast and furious eve-
ning out. Trouble for the blues but a
fun feast for the fans.
AS ALTER HAGEN and LEO DIEGEL
"MATCH PLAY"
A MACK SENNETT
Special Short Feature
A great talking comedy on golf, with
greater exploitation possibilities than most
features.
"Best of the Sennett series."
— Detroit News
"A decided achievement . . . has all the
makings of sweeping popular success."
— Film Dailyi;
"HE TRUMPED HER ACE"
MACK SENNETT
Talking Comedy
with
Marjorie Beebe Johnny Burke
"A sure ace ... a pip of a comedy."
— Film Daily
"The best example of dialogued comedy
to be presented since the shorts went vo-
cal . . . has universal appeal." • — Zit's
"DAD KNOWS BEST"
JACK WHITE
Talking Comedy
with
Taylor Holmes
and Helen Bolton
Smartest thing so far in the whole Jacl
White Talking Comedy series. All th.
cleverness this talented and popular sta
can give to a bright farce story, with th'
universal appeal that comes from livel
action and sparkling dialogue.
TERRY -TOONS
Two new cartoons that keep up the pace
set by Paul Terry in "Caviar" for this
series of tuneful novelties.
'SPANISH ONIONS"
'PRETZELS'
EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES. Inc., E. W. MAMMONS, Presiden
Member Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. — Will H. Hays, President
iTHE
$f€> NEWSPAPER
^/FILMDOM
AHDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
JOL. LI No. 63
Sunday, March 16, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Consolidated Film Soon to Launch Color Process
tELIEFJOR EXHIBS_WITH BAD EQUIPMENT
European Exhibs Coming to Study U. S. Methods
E)>reign Theater Men Will
Inspect Methods in
U. S. Cities
^n inspection tour of American
)^ure theaters is being arranged for
I jarty of members of the German
As'n of Photoplay Theater Pro-
)il:tors, together with a large con-
itent of exhibitors from Austria,
Zicho-Slovakia, Poland, Hungary
in other European countries, who
ir; coming over to study U. S.
irthods in the picture field. The
^iiup is due to arrive in New York
Ds June 28 aboard the Hamburg-
{Continiied on Page 12)
[N80HSHIP OF TRAILERS
Columbus — Following vigorous
j'-test from the M. P. T. O. oi
Djo, the State Board of Education,
A'lch serves as the censoring body
n'Oliio, has agreed to discontinue
111 censorship of trailers advertising
i {Continued on Page 12)
H.H. THOMAS ADVOCATES
EXHIBITOR CO-OPERATtON
Extending exploitation assistance
to exhibitors, instead of merely get-
ting a play date for a picture, forms
one of the chief planks in the new
selling policy of Sono Art-World
Wide Pictures, says Harry H.
Thomas, vice-president, in discussing
the newly instituted policy. "Land-
ing the play date is not the end of
a salesman's job," Thomas declared.
"An instance of what I mean may be
seen in the kind of co-operation we
(Continued mi Page 12)
THREE TIFFANY SPECIALS
NOW IN CUTTING ROOM
Three of the productions on the
1930 schedule of Tiffany specials are
now in the cutting room being
whipped into final shape under the
direction of Martin G. Cohn. These
pictures are "Swellhead," with James
Gleason, Marion Shilling, Johnny
Walker, Lillian Elliott and Paul
Hurst; "Sunny Skies," with Benny
Rubin, Rex Lease, Marceline Dav.
Wesley Barry, Marjorie Kane and
Greta Granstedt, directed by Norman
(Continued on Page 12)
New Color Printing Method
is Expected in Near Future
DeForest Creates Clinic to
Rebuild Bootleg
Apparatus
Exhibitors who have been faced
with the necessity of junking their
bootleg sound equipment and taking
a loss as a result of their ill-advised
purchases are now offered some prac-
tical relief through the medium of a
"sound clinic" just established by
General Talking Pictures whereby
inferior machines will be recon-
structed and invested with DeForest
Phonofilm standards at nominal cost.
The idea, according to General
Talking engineers, is to add a Die-
Forest sound head and other necess-
ary parts so that the equipment will
(Continued on Page 12)
^ITER SUIT DELAYS
JOX'B' STOCK HEARING
Ik counter suit by H. L. Stuart
j.iUi J. E. Otterson, who obtained a
iclporary injunction, originally re-
.-uhable Monday, but expected
ijojbe postponed unt'l Wednesday,
jffTTi Justice Aaron J. Levy to
■ej:rain William Fox from pro-
:(ding with his suit against the
r'liteeship in which Stuart and Ot-
ej.on are involved, caused a post-
)()ement of the Friday morning
j (Continued on Page 12)
'^^stern Pa. Exhibs to
][old Annual Meet in Oct.
I'itstburgh — The M.P.T.O. of
iVstern Pennsylvania will hold its
Oi annual convention early in Oc-
:r, something unusual for this or-
ization that has held its former
yearly sessions during April.
R-K-0 District Managers
Meet in N. Y., Mar. 18
Aleeting of district managers of
R-K-O houses has been arranged to
take place at the home office here
starting March 18, announcement
from Joseph Plunkett, vice president
and general manager of the circuit,
states. Division managers who will
attend are Charles L. Winston, New
(Continued on Pane 12)
A new color printing process, de-
tails of which are being withheld at
this time, will be launched in the
near future by Consolidated Film
Industries. It is expected that Con-
solidated will have exclusive control
of the process, which is different
from any already on the market, ac-
cording to Herljert J. Yates, presi-
dent of the company.
In its annual report, mailed to
(Continued on Page 12)
Arbitration Set for Comeback
M. P. T. O. A. to map out plan which will not trespass on
Thacher decree — Workable system object of forthcoming
conference — Trying to label the industry a
public utility.
ARBITRATION, which took a kayo punch delivered by the
Thacher decree, seems definitely set for a come-back in some
practical form or other. Spurred on by exhibitor requests from
every corner of the country, the M. P. T. O. A. is now planning a
conference at which an arbitration system, equitable and in conformity'
to the Thacher ruling-, will be sought. In its efiforts to arrive at a
workable plan, the national exhibitor organization no doubt will have
the moral if not the actual support of thousands of theaters outside its
roster. Theater-operating people, regardless of their preference in
national e.xhibitor groups, are united in a realization of the tremendous
(Continued on Page 3)
JOE LEO IS PROMOTED
IN FOX THEATER POST
Joe Leo, president of Fox Metro-
politan Playhouses, has been promot-
ed to the post of director of all Fox
theaters in the Metropolitan area.
He takes over the duties formerly
handled by John Zanft.
Pitts. Exchanges Plan
Seven Copyright Suits
Pittsburgh — Local distributors are
understood planning to file seven
new suits against exhibitors charg-
ing infringement of the copyright
law for bicycling and holding over
of pictures. This will bring the
number of cases filed in the United
(Continued On Page 12)
New Television Process
is Developed in France
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A new television
process said to be in advance of any
so far devised has been developed by
M. Bernard of the French Radio
Corp., it is reported to the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce.
The inventor has applied to the
French government for the establish-
ment of four broadcasting stations.
-f&^
DAILV
Sunday, March 16, 19
FILMOOHS ^IJZIfJV^^AHDWEEKLY
NEWSPAPER ^^l*'"^^
pi*"* ■ "^ FILM DIGEST
**«\jaD;^||sfa
VbLUNo. 63 Sunday.MarchlG. 1930 Price 25 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918.
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne.
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La (Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
*Am. Seat 21 J4
Con, Fm. Ind. .. 26!^ 25^ 25'4 5,300
Con, Fm, Ind. pfd. 26}4 26'/^ 26/2 2,800
East, Kodak 230 224M 225^4 4,800
Fox Fm, "A" .. 3554 34'A 3Ayi 8.600
Gen, Thea, Equ. . 43 4VA 42!^ 6,800
•Keith A-O 35
do pfd 115 115 115 100
Loew's Inc 78 74J4 75 9,300
•do pfd, WW (6'/^) 100'^
•do pfd, xw (eVi) 88!^
•M-G-M pfd 2'5i^
Para, F-L 70^ 69 693^ 22,300
Pathe Exch 5'/^ 5% S'A 1,800
do "A" lOJj 1054 10>i 2,300
R-K-0 36^ 35 35 50,000
•Univ. Pict. pfd 55 ^^
Warner Bros 71^ 68'/3 695^ 83,000
do pfd 62'^ 62 62;4 6O1
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal, & Katz ... .... 65
Columbia Pets, ... 3S'A 38J4 38^ 100
Fox Thea, "A" . 7% 7H 7H MOi
•Intern, Proj 25 . , , ,
Loew do deb. rts.. 42J4 39^ 40?^ 200
•Intern, Proj
Loew, Inc, war .. 12yi 12^ i2'A 100
•Nat, Scr, Ser 24
•Nat, Thea, Sup 25
•Univ, Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith AG 6s 46 885^
Loew 6s 41ww ..119J4 116 119!/2 35f
do 6s 41 x-war.. 99 98^ 9SH 170
Paramount 6s 47 AOlU lOlH 10154 280
Par, By, 5'/is 51.10251 102J4 102^ 2f
Pathe 7s 37 57 56?4 57 390
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
INDEX
PAGF
FINANCIAL. Daily Market Activhies 2
N ElV S -OF -T HE-DAY ,1
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Witliam Ornstein 4
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE s
TIMELY TOPICS, Diaest of Current Opinions i
A FILM FACT A DAY ' s
ALONG THE RIALTO. by Phil M. Daly, Jr s
BIRTH DA Y GREETINGS ' S
EXPLOITETTES 5
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily Files 5
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST f,
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. V. STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair.. (,
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast News by Telegraph 7
'■A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk 7
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 8
PRESENTATIONS, by Don Carle GJlette 9
LATEST SOUND INSTALLATIONS '. in
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by Herbert S. Berg n
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of News ij
REVIEWS
PAGE
CHINA EXPRESS 8
CLANCY IN WALL STREET... 8
MAMBA «
SARAH AND SONt. S
PAGE
THE DEVIL'S PIT 8
SONG O' MY HEART 8
THE FIGHTING LEGION R
THE HECTIC LOVER *
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND 9 SILENT 9
"U" Declares 2 Per Cent
Dividend on Preferred
Board of Directors of Universal
has declared a quarterly dividend of
two per cent per share to be paid
April 1 to first preferred stockhold-
ers of record March 24. Transfer
books of the company for this stock
will be closed for business on March
24 and reopened April 2.
Boles East for Premiere
John Boles will arrive here March
22 for the premiere of "La Mar-
seillaise." The picture will open at
the Roxy March 28.
Merge N. Y.- State Houses
Waterloo, N. Y. — Seneca Falls
Theater Co. is now operating the
State, here, and the Seneca, Seneca
Falls, having merged both theaters
into this operating company. Jerome
Gutstdat has retired from the man-
agement of the local house with
Harry E. Jenner, formerly of the
Fisher, Seneca Falls, now in charge.
8 Newr York Long Island City ^t
g 1540 Broadv»ay 154 Crescent St. J.X
♦.♦ BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.X
ff i}
I Eastman Films i
i\ J. E. Brulatoor, Inc. S
if »
ft «
if a
if rt
if Chicago Hollywood J'J
!•! 1727 Indiana Ave, 6700 Santa Monica J^
M Blvd. }{
^ CALumet 2681 HOLlywood 4121 T*J
if it
New Iowa Theater Co.
Sioux City, la. — State Theater Co.
has been formed with capital stock
of $10,000. Georg Migoun is presi-
dent and E. L. Lindquist, secretary.
Batsel Off to Discuss
Recording with Studios
M. C. Batsel, chief engineer for
RCA Photophone, has left New York
for Los Angeles, where he will take
part in a series of conferences with
recording licensees of the company
He will remain on the coast a month.
Completes Greek Talker
William Salzman, director, has
completed the first of a series of
Greek talkers for Orthophonic Pic-
tures. Tetos Denietriadous is fea-
tured in "The Punch of the Hunch-
back" which was recently completed
at the Metropolitan studios. It is
probable the film will be made in
other foreign languages. The com-
pany also plans a series of features.
Benefit for Opening
Roanoke, Va. — Proceeds from the
opening night, March 24th, of the
Salem will go to the underprivileged
children's committee of the Salem
Kiwanis club and the Salem Com-
munity Nursing Ass'n,
Harry Long at Syracuse
Syracuse, N. Y, — Harry E. Long
has succeeded Charles Cohen as
manager of Loew's State.
Let Us Solve Your Problems /
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 304O
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
Apr.
20
Annual election of Maryland N
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" i
New York house, not yet deci
upon.
5 Second annual banquet and
of the Warner Club, Inc., at
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-Stat«
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S,M,P.E Spring Meeting at (
Wardman Park Hotel, Washinr
DC. ■
Fox annual sales convention
to-day.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congres
Brussels.
Apr,
Apr,
May
May
5-8
Smith Sings to Carroll
Stanley Smith will sing from ^
York to Nancy Carroll in H(_
wood Saturday evening over Col
bia Broadcasting system during
Paramount-Publix radio hour. I
Carroll will respond from the cc;
RCA Wires Blank House:
Davenport, la. — Homer EUil
division manager for RCA, rep
that the entire A. H. Blank cji
in Iowa and Nebraska has inst.i
Photophone equipment.
Bursch On West Indies Tr
Joseph H. Bursch, head of F
lab, Inc., has left on the Caled
on a West Indies cruise, retur
to New York on April 3. He is
companied by his wife.
it
Pathe Fire Inquiry to Ea-
Inquiry into the Pathe Fire ij
pected to be completed next \
District Attorney C. T. Grain si
Friday. ■
BROOK
COSTUME'
OO-WNS AMD UNIFORIVI
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE
OPE RATE OR MAN AGf
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA,-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND;
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W, VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREEll
Philadelphia,Pa.
SuS:
THE
day, March 16, 1930
■<&^
DAILY
I
-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
idarlotte, N. C. — Howard Thomas,
llitant manager of the CaroHna,
was injured when the house
held up several weeks ago, is
to be up in a wheel-chair.
Sibool, Mo. — O. L. Gentry has
id the Cabool and plans to wire
e for sound.
thll River, Kan.— M. C. Meyers
\\ opened a new house here.
Siokane, Wash.— N. B. (Nick)
i^Dng, late of the Pantages, is now
alaging the Post, formerly the
1 riran. House was recently ren-
•ftrtland. Ore. — Ted Gamble is
)'i managing the RKO Orpheum.
Jingor, Me. — Work has been al-
jd completed on the Park which
■i|;ing remodeled.
]^adson, Mass. — Michael J. Maley
JDW managing the Hudson. He
a formerly associated with the
lanard.
4toona, Pa. — M. Leventhal has
d the Embassy from Wilmer &
ijent. House will be equipped for
d pictures.
nnyside, Wash. — Fred Mercy
purchased the Liberty from the
iiyside Land & Investment Co.
(iey
.enne, Wyo. — Harry W. Blake,
s managing the newly reopened
for Publix.
rid
!l;thuen, Mass. — Local interests
,1 leased the Century.
■^aterloo, la. — A. G. Stolte has
(I made district manager for
rloo. Cedar Rapids and Mar-
own by Publix.
iimpa, la. — Adelaide is the new
.£5 for the former Liberty. E.
j/addell has renovated the house
Id installed sound equipment.
Foreign
liris — A short talker called "Ro-
a!:e" is being made by Alexandroff,
I'^Russian director, at the Tobis
liifos at Epinay.
]^ris — Alberto Cavalcanti has
commissioned by a Brazilian
to make a film based on the life
Solivar.
iJvansea, Wales — Construction has
aUd here on the largest picture
jster in West Wales. The house,
^ijcted to be completed by Septem-
:i|is being built at a cost of $500,-
It will seat 3,000.
iris — Pierre Colombier will pro-
a Spanish version of "The
ilappy Concert" in which Conchita
Montenegro will be starred.
Paris — Etoile-Film will start pro-
duction the end of this month of a
film based on Anatole France's "Syl-
vestre Bonnard's Crime." Andre
Berthomieu will direct and Gina
■ aibieri and Charles Lamy will have
the leading roles.
Sheffield, England — The Grey-
stones Picture House, a suburban
house, is being wired with British
Thomson-Houston equipment.
Watford, England — Enrique Car-
reras will add a new theater to his
chain when he opens the New Co-
liseum here the end of the month.
The theater will seat 1,100.
London — "Song of Soho" the Brit-
ish International picture, will be dis-
tributed by First National-Pathe.
Berlin — New members of the Ger-
man Board of Censors are Directoi
Goldschmid of Sud-Film and Herr
Noll, general secretary of the Ger-
man Cinematography Exhibitors
Ass'n.
London — "Balaclava" has been
completed by Gainsborough under
the direction of Milton Rosmer.
Cyril McLaglen is among the play-
ers.
Paris — A talker is being made at
the Tobis studios at Epinay by Ker-
ven Films. Loulou Hegoburu is the
star and M. V. de Kerven the direc-
tor.
London — -"The W Plan" has been
placed in production by Burlington
at the Elstree studios under the di-
rection of Victor Saville.
Cannes, France — The Olympia
here has been wired with Western
Electric.
London — A. E. Sowerbutts and C.
S. Le Page have been added to the
sales staff of Showman Films, Ltd.
Bert Grant, Fred King and E. C.
Agnew are no longer with the com-
pany.
Birmingham, England — The Apol-
lo, the latest addition to the Parker
circuit, has been opened at Birches
Green, Erdington, a suburb of this
city. E. Ellerslie is manager of the
theater, which seats 1,250.
New York
Troy — Lease on the Palace, has
been transferred from Gaspare Bat-
taglia to J. Robert Yates, for a period
of three vears.
Oakfield — Mrs. Samuel Baglio, of
Batavia, has taken over the Ooera
House and will convert it into a
talking picture house.
Arbitration Set
for Comeback
(Continued from Pane 1)
values to be derived from arbitra-
tions— including the economies.
Monday: The latest fashion in re-
form crusades affecting (or more
precisely, trying to affect) the film
industry is one sponsored by Fred
Eastman, ex-officio exhibitor, who
aspires to have the business classed
and regulated as a public utility. So
far the campaign is confined to
Indiana, the state of its unfortunate
origin. Well, many a good idea has
died in the geographical state in
which it was born. . . . Following
soft whisperings, some of which got
into this publication in printed form,
B. S. Moss announces his return to
the theater field — with plans for 40 or
more theaters. Mr. Moss, who used
to specialize in presenting vaudeville
to the public at large, is now going to
adopt talkers as the principal item on
his menu. There must be a reason.
. . . Publix intends to replace its
stage shows in some cities with talk-
ing picture versions of the same. In
other words, presentations, in certain
exhibition spots, are putting too
heavy a burden on the nut. . . .
Tuesday: Out Chicago way, at
least, it seems to be a case of wire
your house or else fold up. Fifteen
more theaters of the soundless specie
have gone dark, largely owing to the
competition of houses employing 1930
entertainment methods. . . . The M.
P. T. O. of Eastern Pennsylvania, on
which you can pin a medal for alert-
ness and general initiative, is always
digging into problems involving not
only its own members but exhibitors
beyond its jurisdiction as well. Now
its board of managers has adopted a
resolution favoring the selling of pic-
tures on a percentage basis. . . .
Wednesday: Talking pictures are
bringing home the dough so far as
the exchanges in the Minneapolis ter-
ritory are concerned. Their reports
indicate gains of from 100 to 300 per
cent during the first two months of
this year, as compared with the cor-
responding period in 1929. . . . The
ever-back-firing Thacher decree now
causes something of a commotion in
Cleveland. Effective March 15, the
present credit system will be junked
by distributors and exhibitors will
pay in advance or C. O .D Suits
by First National against four North
Carolina exhibitors for contract viola-
tion constitute the first legal action
by distributors against exhibs as a
result of the Thacher decision which
makes it impossible to arbitrate the
matters out of court....
Thursday: Attempts here and
there throughout the Union to tax
profits of theater chains have ap-
parently fallen by the wayside. Vir-
ginia and Texas legislators are
among the law-makers who decided
that such an assessment comes under
the category of unnecessary evils.
. . . That general adoption of wide
screen is just around the corner
everybody knows. But the question
is: Just how far away is that corner?
While we ruminate over this one, let
Photophone Waives Rights
to Dividend on RKO Stock
With the consent of RCA Photo-
phone, which owns 500,000 shares
of Class B stock of RKO, to waive
the right to dividends on this stock,
which is convertible into Class A as
the net earnings of the corporation
reach a certain point, it is now pos-
sible to eliminate the provisions for
accured dividends on the Class A
stock of RKO, making it a full com-
mon stock entitled to all of the earn-
ings of the corporation. It was
found advisable to make these
changes in connection with the pro-
posed increase in the authorized Class
A stock of RKO to 4,000,000 shares
from 3,500,000 shares, which is be-
ing done to provide the company
with additional stock for expansion
purposes when needed.
Fire At Paris Court
Fire at the Paris Court, Brooklyn,
operated by Gordel and Greenfield,
caused a damage estimated at $5,000.
Vitaphone Short Booked
Libson and Comerford circuits
have booked the two-reel Vitaphone
Variety "Hello Baby," starring Ann
Pennington, Paul J. Swift, general
sales manager of the company states.
t be recorded that Loew has already
installed wide screens in 30 of its
houses.
Friday: Distributors and exhibi-
tors will assemble in conference
April 1 to give battle to problems
confronting the industry and echoing
from the 5-5-5 conference held late
last year. Each side of the fence
will be represented by a galaxy of
talent and there is every reason to
expect that the confab will produce
remedies for some, if not all, of the
various irritating ills Warner
Bros, grabs off the Equity chain of
more than 30 theaters in Pennsyl-
vania, and in the same news breath
we learn that Publix is entering the
New Jersey field. Theater expansion,
like Mr. Tennyson's famous brook,
seems to go on forever.
THE
-s^m^
DAILV
Sunday, March 16, 1930
RAPID STRIDES ARE BEING
MADE IN THE FOREIGN
FIELD. KEEP POSTED
THROUGH "FOREIGN-
MARKETS"
Foreign Markets
NEWS FLASHES FROM FILM
CENTERS ALL OVER THE
GLOBE: MELBOURNE,
LONDON. BERLIN,
PARIS
Foreign Service
Through the medium of
Trade Papers International, a
reciprocal news arrangement in
which this pubHcation partici-
pates, spot news of all impor-
tant foreign developments is
brought to the readers of THE
FILM DAILY as rapidly as
modern news-gathering facili-
ties permit.
Trade Papers International
is represented in London by
Ernest W. Fredman, editor of
"The Daily Film Renter"; in
Berlin by Karl Wolffsohn, edi-
tor of "Lichtbildbuehne," and
in Paris by P. A. Harle, editor
of "La Cinematographie Fran-
caise."
81 Features Censored
in Britain in January
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Eight3-oiie feature
hlms were censored m Great Britain
in Januarj', according to British
iioard of Censors statistics obtained
Dy the M. P. Division of the Dept.
ut Commerce. Fortj-nine were sound
pictures.
PLANTO UNITE IN FRANCE
Paris — A move has been started
among independent exhibitors in
France to unite in a national body
in an effort to compete with the
trusts controlling the production and
theater fields. It is hoped that b)
applying the principle of group buy-
ing the country's independent the-
ater owners will be able to acquire
film attractions at lower rentals. The
scheme would also provide for the
purchase of films in foreign coun-
tries and for the advancement oi
monetary aid to independent produc-
ers in France.
W. E. Installations Near
600 Mark in British Isles
London — There are 587 Western
Electric installations in the British
Isles, according to the latest figures
given out by the company. Among
most recent are those at the Wal-
dorf, Sparkbrook, Birmingham; Elite,
St. Leonards; Theater Royal, Win-
chester; Empire, Ilford; Palladium,
Blackpool; La Scala, Nottingham;
Savoy, Atherton; Rialto, Manches-
ter; Sherburn, Hull; Eureka, Hull;
Ritz, Hull; Queen's, Longsight, Man-
chester; Majestic, Patricroft; and the
Prince's, Leicester.
The Art Picture House, Bury: and
the Pavilion, Stanley.
Talkers to Aid Paris Police
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Talking pictures have
been adopted by the Paris police for
recording crime confessions, dis-
patches to the M. P. Division of the
Dept. of Commerce reveal.
Fire Destroys English House
Stanley, England — Theater Royal
was totally destroyed bv fire recent-
ly at a loss of $65,000.
147 Pictures Rejected
in Singapore in 1929
Singapore — The official censor oi
the federated Malay States reveals
in his annual report that there were
147 rejections out of 1,621 films re-
viewed in 1929.
Union Chain to Aid Films
of Britain in Australia
Sydney — Union Theaters, Ltd., tht
largest theater circuit in Australia,
has joined the movement to promote
British films in the commonvvealth.
fhe chain is making arrangements
to release in its theaters a certain
number of British-made pictures.
SEEK MINIMUM COSTTO
IMPROVE BRITISH FILMS
London — In an etifort to improve
the quality of British films the Fed-
eration of British Industries has
united with the Cinematography Ex-
hibitors Ass'n in urging an amend-
ment to the Films Act which would
compel producers to spend not less
than $50,000 on the production of
a Quota film.
French Police Must Keep
Record of Installations
Paris — French exhibitors are now
required by law to report all sound
equipment installations to the Paris
chief of police with a view to promot-
ing safety in film theaters, says a
report to the M. P. Division of the
Dept. of Commerce.
With U. A. in Birmingham
Birmingham, England — -J. Baker
has been engaged by United Artists
to cover the Notts, Derby and Lei-
cester territory.
Mistinguett for Hollywood
Paris — Mistinguett, star of the
French music halls, is reported to
have signed to appear in talking pic-
ture in Hollywood.
Marcel L'Herbier's Next
Paris — Marcel L'Herbier plans a
talker based on "The Picture of Dor-
ian Grey."
Foreign Talkers Won't
be Banned in Germany
Berlin — That foreign talking films
will be permitted free access to the
German market is indicated by the
removal of threats to place a ban on
American audible pictures in Ger-
many. The country's film produc-
ers are buckling down in earnest
to the production of sound films.
Australian Legit Chain
Bows to Talker Craze
Melbourne — Sir Benjamin Fuller
plans to turn all his legitimate and
vaudeville theaters in Australia, val-
ued at $15,000,000, into talking pic-
ture houses.
Ulster Theater Owners
Organize to Fight Tax
Dublin — Exhibitors in Ulster are
organizing a movement to eliminate
or decrease the entertainment tax.
If they fail in having the impost
abolished, they will demand that it
be reduced to the level of that ob-
taining in England.
VICTORIA PLANS TO AID
BRITISH FILMS IN FRANCE
Paris — Victoria Films is expanding
its activities with the completion of
plans to increase its distribution ot
British films in France. Graham
Maingot, head of the company, has
contracted for the showing of Gau-
mont Sound News in French the-
aters. More Gainsborough and Gau-
niont films will be presented by him
in France this year than ever before.
P. D. C. Will Distribute
14 in Great Britain
London — ^ Producers Distributing
Corp. has 14 talking films ready for
distribution in the British Isles.
Alfred Jackaman Ellis Dead
London — Alfred Jackaman Ellis, a
pioneer in the British film trade, died
recently at 73.
More Sound in Britain
Hanwell, England— The Grand
lias installed Corophone equipment.
Ogilvie Quits Tussauds
London— Leslie Ogilvie has tend-
ered his resignation as general man-
ager of Madame Tussauds as the re-
sult of disagreement over the policy
of the theater.
Southan Morris Opens Another
Luton, England— The Empire, the
latest addition to the Southan Mor-
circuit, has been opened here.
To Censor Sound
The Hague— The Govern-
ment has extended the powers
of the Board of Censors to
all dialogue in pictures pre-
sented in Holland. Before
sound or talking pictures can
be distributed in the country
they must be submitted to the
censors for approval.
BERLIN EJ
FICHT MUNICIPAL
Berlin — Exhibitors here have unit-
ed in opposition to the plans of tht
municipal authorities to establish i
film department for the purpose o)
producing and exhibiting films of ar
educational nature. Film theatei
owners are fighting the move on tht
ground their business will suffer a:
a result of their inability to competi
with the low admission prices whicl
the city proposes to charge.
Sweden Releases Its
Initial Sound Pictur<
Stockholm — The first sound pic
ture to be made in Sweden is nov
lieiiig shown in the country's the
aters. The name of the film i
"Disle en Musique."
Making German Version]
of 'Great Gabbo' in Berliil
Berlin — A German version
Erich Von Stroheim's "The Grev
Gabbo" is being produced here L'
Fellner and Somlo under the dire(
tion of Felix Basch, with Hans Pe,
pier playing the chief role.
Serving Anglo-Saxon in Paris
H'ashington Bureau of THE FILM DAIL
Washington — A talking pictu;
house to meet the needs of Englis
and American audiences has besi
established in Paris by Louis Nalis
under the name Alma Palace, iv\
reported to the M. P. Division of $\
Dept. of Commerce.
RIchmount Picture)
723 7th Ave. Inc. New York Cit!
D. J. MOUNTAN. Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreigv representa I
tives for Rayart Pi.tures Corpo-
ration and other rading indc- j
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris I
Cable Address: DEEJAY. London I
Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. Y.
Exporting only thi
r:-.T/i*r;iwriff.!.rJf>;4it;-l
Sunday, March 16, 1930
—JXI^
DAILV
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— t) —
ilms Can't Do Justice
> Stage Musical, Critic Says
■jSJO one yet has succeeded in
' ^ screening with any measure
of beHevable beauty, a musical
piece written for the stage. And
■ no one ever will. A new idiom is
needed. New thought must be
! given to the problem. Imagina-
tion must be brought to the aid
of the camera and microphone.
Pierre de Rohan in
"The Morning Telegraph"
* ♦ *
jays Perfection of Detail
'obs Films of Human Warmth
'THE talkies are so frozen in
; their details that they afford
I few opportunities for the genial
■ errors that may happen at any
I time in any stage play, and lend
it human warmth. For the talkies
simply retake a scene where a
mistake occurs, just as a typist
would erase an error on a ma-
f chine, and the canned goods
I comes out perfectly straight, as if
nothing had happened.
John Anderson in
"New York Evening Journal"
* * *
haw Holds Censorship
oes Little to Promote Good
I TT convinces me, as one who
; frequents picture-houses, and
I knows the lengths to which they
' go in the direction which the
censorship exists solely to bar,
ithat it is quite useless for good
land terribly efficient for evil.
George Bernard Shaw,
British Playwright
* * *
)hn McCormack Finds
ilms Aid Him in His Work
."DEFORE I do anything impor-
i tant such as signing a con-
j tract or giving a concert I usually
:find time to go to a picture show.
Ilt's restful and diverting and
'afterward I can approach the
: matter in hand with a fresh view-
i point.
I John McCormack, Irish Tenor
The Strand, New York City,
opened April 14, 1914, was the
first Broadway de luxe house.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr.
A RTHUR KNORR, producer of stage revues and art director
for the Capitol, N. Y., left for a vacation in Havana. Accom-
panying Arthur is Mrs. Knorr. Chester Hale will grapple with
Knorr's tasks while he's away Five de luxe shows for
"Anna Christie" will be given on Saturdays and Sundays at the
Capitol. Did you see the line formed at that house early yester-
day morning? Joe Sherman has been elected head of the
WAMPAS succeeding Harry Hammond Beall
VW'ELL, here it is — many were in doubt as to the age of Joe E.
Brown. So Warren Nolan sends us the yarn that the lad is
but 37 and for 28 years has been doing his stuff before the public.
Now he's taking his bows in U. A.'s "Bride 60" "The
Bridge of San Luis Rey" opened at the Plaza yesterday
Paul Whiteman-Old Gold Hour gets under way this 1 uesday at
9-10 P. M Congratulate Myron Selznick. A baby girl is
the new arrival at his home. Mrs. Selznick, former Marjorie Daw,
is doing splendidly
"QERRY" RUDULPH, publicity chief of RCA Photophone, is
considerably elated over the fact that Lupita Tovar is to
play opposite Douglas Fairbanks in the sound version of "The
Mark of Zorro." "Gerry" discovered Miss Tovar in a public
school in Mexico City about 18 months ago while seeking talent
for Fox Films and she was one of the two beauties who were
selected from 59 screen tests made in the Cine Mexico studio.
"Gerry," come, look over the talent in our office
A WEEKLY broadcast of movie chatter will be given every
Saturday morning at 10:50 over station WMCA Pierre
de Rohan, cinema ed of The Telegraph will be the first to speak.
Fuller Mellish, Jr., now is appearing in "Sarah and Son,"
his last Jack Trop and Dave Bader claim they are not
writing a theme song just to remind some of the boys
Charles "Buddy" Rogers' first phonograph recording has been
made by the Columbia Phono. Co. and is scheduled for release
April 15
"COME LIKE IT HOT," Dorothy Herzog's latest book is
among the three best sellers out Hollywood way
Sigmund Romberg is back from the Coast "The Bad
One" for Fox again will bring together Dolores Del Rio and
Edmund Lowe Jack Whiting met a gang of newspaper
folks last Friday and today is headed for Hollywood where he
will appear in a First National production
MARCH 15-16--MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days on these days:
March 15th
James J. De Vore
Lorraine Eddy
Howard Higgin
George Sidney
Frank J. Holliday
Lee Shubert
March 16th
Marion Byron James S. Brown, Jr.
Harrison Ford Abel H. Baer
Conrad Nagel Joseph F. Coufal
Gus Schlesinger Gisa Prushone
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€
Ritzy Club Exploits
"Blaze O' Glory"
"W/ITH a broadcast each eve-
ning of one musical number
from the Eddie Dowling fea-
ture, "Blaze O' Glory" by the
orchestra of the Mounds Coun-
try Club, for a period of sixteen
days, and the designation of an
"Eddie Dowling Night" at the
club, the presentation of this
picture at the Ambassador The-
ater in St. Louis is attracting a
considerable amount of local at-
tention. In broadcasting the mu-
sic, the Master of Ceremonies at
the club announced the playing
dates of this release, and the
fact that the star would make a
personal appearance on March
26th.
— Sono Art-World Wide
4: * *
Free Cosmetics and Vanities
Advertise "The Kiss" at Utica
2y[. KEPKIN, Jr., manager of
the Stanley, Utica, arranged
with Betts & Mumpton for "The
Kiss" free beauty treatment,
which enabled the women pa-
trons to receive a free cosmetic
prescription and a free vanity.
This was tied up with the
Hewitt Drug Store, which put
a large window display on
Greta Garbo in "The Kiss" in
conjunction with a display of
Betts & Mempton Finesse prod-
ucts.
—M-G-M
* ♦ *
Puzzle Contest Helps
"Lilies of the Field"
Ji^NICKERBOCKER Theater,
Nashville, Tenn., used a
puzzle contest to stimulate in-
terest in "Lilies of the Field."
Dewey Mousson, manager, re-
ceived over 4,000 replies from
the contest.
— First National
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
m
David P. Howell sees danger in ac-
tion of importers turning to other
phases of the domestic business.
Carl Laemmle and Robert H.
Cochrane seek to purchase P. A.
Powers' interest in Universal.
* * *
National Pictures Theaters to hold
six-day convention at Astor in April.
the;
DAILY
Sunday, March 16, 193C,
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
MATINEE DAY BANE OF
STAGE-MOVff PLAYERS
The Paramount Long Island stu-
dios have been turning out a steady
procession of feature pictures ahead
of schedule, despite various handi-
caps such as the necessity of rout-
ing around matinee days. Many of
the players appearing in pictures
are also working in Broadway shows
and provision must be made for this
fact.
During the shootmg of "Nan Mc-
Grew," schedules were planned to
allow Victor Moore Wednesday
afternoons off to appear in "Heads
Up," the stage play, while Frank
Morgan had to be excused on
Thursday afternoons to enact the
leading role in "Topaze," another
Broadway success.
In the case of "Young Man of
Manhattan," both Norman Foster and
Ginger Rogers had to knock off for
Wednesday matinee, which made
the situation somewhat easier to
handle, but in both cases it required
careful planning to get around a
condition which West Coast studios
are seldom required to solve.
Claudette Colbert on
World Tour After Next
Claudette Colbert having completed
her role in "The Big Pond," will
leave for the Paramount West Coast
studios April 1, to appear in "Man-
slaughter," under the direction of
George Abbott. Following this, slie
will leave on an around-the-world
cruise, returning Oct. 1 to appear in
a stage play and also continue her
picture work. Miss Colbert's con-
tract with Paramount calls for four
pictures per year and "Manslaughter"
brings her up to schedule so far as
the present season is concerned.
Color Great Factor in
Human Life Says Expert
"Color plays a major part in its
effect on every person's make-up,
whether seen by the eye or absorbed
in the body," according to Wm.
Hoyt Peck, vice president of the
Colorcraft Corporation.
"The phenomena of light and color
does not begin at the red and end
at the violet rays, but extends below
and beyond these limits, penetrating
on one side into the region of the
infra-red and on the other side that
of the chemical radiation, ultra-vio-
let.
"While it is reasonable to suppose
that they give out colors, this fact
cannot be proven since our eyes are
not capable of seeing them. How-
ever, these rays, particularly the in-
fra-red, affect us in most unusual
ways. They penetrate our nerve tis-
sues with a destructive reaction up-
on the nerve cells. The color red,
giving off minute quantities of these
infra-red rays, creates an irritation
in the human body similar to that
caused by infra-red rays. This irri-
tating sensation puts a person on
"edge," which probably accounts for
the color red being used as a sign
of danger.
"In quite a different way, the color
green plays on the optic nerves and
yields a quiet, soothing effect. This
response to the color green is, no
doubt, the reason why it is the uni-
\ersal symbol of safety."
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
INCOME TAX is the principal sul)-
ject of conversation around the
various studios, these days. George
O'Keefe and Edward Savin, auditors
at the Warner Vitaphone studio,
have been assisting employees to fill
out income reports and Paramount
have also assigned several men tn
tlie same service.
Stanley Rauh of the Warner Broa.
writing staff, having noted ivith
I envy the smi'tan exhibited by friends
newly returned from Florida, is em-
barking for a Southern port this
week, where he will spend a short
vacation.
Reed Busy Again
Daniel Reed, who directed dia-
logue on "Young Man of Manhat-
tan," has been engaged to act in the
same capacity on "Leave It to Les-
ter," now in production.
LOUIS BROCK
Comedy Productions
just completed
"Barnum Was Wrong"
and
"Off To Peoria"
featuring the comedy team, of
NICK and TONY
An interesting cast of stage play-
ers were engaged by Louis Brock
to appear in "Off to Peoria," just
completed at the Ideal studios, un-
der the direction of Mark Sandrich.
The comedy team of Nick and Tony
are featured with Meyer Berenson,
Jean Newcombe, Rube Welch, Irene
Cody, Avis Adair, and Spencer
Barnes in support.
The Paramount Long Island
studios employ a piano tuner whose
entire time is spent in keeping the
various pianos used in picture work,
up to concert pitch. Incessant mov-
ing throws the instruments out of
key and that's where the tu7ier's
work comes in.
Jl'ST imagine the embarrassment of
Harry Burkhardt, one of the make-
up men at the Warner Vitaphone
studios, when in pulling out his hand-
kerchief while in the subway, a pow-
der puff, lipstick and eyebrow pencil
dropped to tiie floor. And Harry i>
so manly, too!
Ernest Zatorsky, chief monitor
man at the Paramount Long Island
studios, has returned from a trip to
Montreal where he went to absorb
some of the ale for which that place
is famous.
A completely equipped recording
studio is in almost daily operation
in the loft of an old church located
on East 47th St. Here, under the
direction of Jack Gardiner, of Visu-
graphic Pictures, complete radio pro-
gram and motion picture accompani-
ments are recorded, employing a
complete staff, in addition to the or-
chestra and artists.
Julian Eltinge is sure to turn
green with envy should he happen to
see Nick Basil, of the team of Tony
and Nick, as he appears in "Off to
Peoria," Louis Brock's latest com-
edy. Nick is required to wear
feminine attire through most of the
picture and the effect is startling to
say the least.
Preparing "Too Much Luck"
"Too Much Luck," Chevalier's
next starring picture for Paramount,
will go into production on March
31, at the Long Island studios, under
the direction of Hobart Henley.
West Coast Musician Here
Karl Hajos, of Paramount's West
Coast music department, has arrived
at the Long Island studios, where
he will spend several months study-
ing the methods used there.
MOTION PICTURES AID
TO DANCUAYS EXPEIl
Motion pictures allow much grea
er opportunity to develop origin
dance routines, in the opinion
Maria Gamberelli, former prima ba
lerina at the Roxy theater, who
better known as "Gamby."
An illustration of this is the stai
way dance featured in "Leave It ■
Lester," the four reel Publix presei
tation film unit, for which "Gambj
is putting on the dance number
During this number, the dancer
costumes change three differeij
times, an effect that would be in
possible on the stage.
"Gamby" discloses that all hi
dance routines are planned by meai
of choreography, a system of do
and dashes which she advocate
should be taught to all students t
the dance, as well as the art of pai
tomime which she feels to be all in
portant in aiding a dancer to e:
press emotion.
Audience Reaction Best
Guide, Director Claim
Audience reaction, a decided a:
in the days of silent pictures, is a
absolute necessity with talking pi'
tures, in the opinion of Mark Sane
rich, who has just finished directiri
"Off to Peoria," the latest Loui
Brock comedy.
"Our comedies are alwaj's show,
to several different audiences befc
the final editing is made," says San*
ricli. Projection room showings a<.
of little value, he feels, since mo
of those viewing the picture are ti.
close to the subject to really jud^
what is most effective.
To Direct "Queen High" Music
.\1 Goodman, who is now conduc
ing the orchestra of "Flying High
the Broadway stage musical, h<
been engaged by Paramount to d*
rect the music for "Queen High
production on which starts Monda
Ethel Gordon Leaves Warners
Ethel Gordon has resigned her pc
sition as publicity chief of the Wa
ner Vitaphone studio, to become gei
eral press representative for Lai
rence Rivers, Inc., producers of "Tl
Green Pastures," the current stag
success by Marc Connelly.
What, No Women?
Twenty-two men and no wome
will take part in "Strong Arm,"
Vitaphone Variety, production c
which starts Monday at the Warn(
studios in Flatbush. John Harrinj
ton, E. L. Fernandez, Paul Harve
Henry O'Neill, Harry Clark, No
man Keedwell and Alan Campbe
are among the players engaged.
Sunday, March 16, 1930
DAILY
M-G-M To Start Five Language Talker
English, German, Spanish, French and Italian Versions to Be Made — Spanish Version for "Grand Parade"
Sono Art Starts "Big Fight"— U. A. Preparing Short— Ralph Wilk's Notes and Other Wired Coast News
MONSIEUR LE FOX' WILL
I HAVE ROLAND rOR LEAD
i\ In announcing plans for the early
lilming of "Monsieur Le Fox," M-G-
|[ discloses another producing inno-
( ation. This picture will be made
imultaneously in five languages —
inglish, German, Spanish, French
tfid Italian. Complete casts for each
f. the multi-lingual versions will be
c lisembled and rehearsed in advance
); I: camera work. As soon as a scene
i ! filmed in one language a new cast
: lill be moved onto the set and will
e4act the same sequence in a different
« inguage, so that the total "shooting"
■'lie for the production will not be
'."great deal longer than the normal
' ihedule for a feature photoplay.
'ilbert Roland has been borrowed
itifsm Joseph M. Schenck Productions
i play the male lead. He will have
*iis role in at least two versions,
t. Inglish and Spanish.
' SThe picturization of "Monsieur Le
l)x" will mark the affiliation of Hal
iach with the M-G-M studio in the
('pacify of director. The comedy
pducer will personally supervise
entire undertaking. The new
'i)ry is an original by Willard Mack.
^^umbia Buys Rights
! to "The Criminal Code"
* Columbia Pictures has secured
sreen and dialogue rights to "The
"(fiminal Code." The original Broad-
"■^y cast will appear in the screen
"vrsion.
Myrna Ley in "Man Crazy"
^irst National has cast Myrna
I{y for Alice White's next starring
p'ture "Man Crazy," which will
.ptly be done in Technicolor.
j,j ! Sono Art Completes Cast
'[past of "Reno," in which Ruth
Pland will make her return to the
seen, has been completed, O. E.
Cebel, president of Sono Art, an-
aLinces. Shooting starts March 24,
etiivh Kenneth Thompson in the lead-
tiiil' male role.
fi New Contract for Mary Doran
If ll-G-M has signed Mary Doran
"b\a new long-term contract.
Select Spanish Cast
In the Spanish version of
"The Benson Murder Case,"
Paramount has cast for lead-
ing roles Antonio Moreno,
jBarry Norton and Andre de
Sergurola. Cyril Gardner and
A. Washington Pezei will co-
direct.
A Little from ''Lots''
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
A . F. ERICKSON, who directed
George O'Brien in "The Lone
Star Ranger," is making preparations
for "The Last of the Duanes." His
current production, as yet untitled,
has been delayed, owing to the ill-
ness of Helen Chandler, one of the
leads.
* * *
Eddie Lambert, revue and vaude-
ville headliner, is working in "The
Big House," his initial feature. It
is being directed by George Hill.
Eddie will also appear in "The
March of Time," M-G-M's revue.
He recently completed a long term
contract with Jack White of Educa-
tiorml.
* * *
William Janney attended the New
York Professional Children's School
and his classmates included Ruby
Keeler, now Mrs. Al Jolson, Mar-
guerite Churchill, Russell Gleason
and Helen Chandler. He made his
first stage appearance at the age of
12 as understudy for Glenn Hunter
in "Merton of the Movies." He also
played the office-boy and became
famed for his realistic stage yawns.
* * *
Albertina Rasch is ivorking on six
dance ensembles at the M-G-M stu- 1
dios, while three ■major productions
of the stage featuring her girls are
in New York or on the road. Dimitri
Tiom,kin, Russian pianist and com-
poser, who is her husband, is writing
music for her dance creations, thus
ignoring calls for a European con-
cert tour.
* ♦ *
George O'Brien, who will
soon start work in "The Last
of the Duanes," was at one
time an amateur boxer of some
talent, being light heavyweight
champion of the Navy during
his enlistment. George recent-
ly completed work in "The
Girl Who Wasn't Wanted."
* * 0
Bradley King, who wrote the
screen play and dialogue for "Road-
house," is en route to Honolulu,
where she will spent a month's vaca-
tion. She wrote several scripts foi
Richard Barthelmess.
* * *
"Top Speed" will be Mervyn Le-
Roy's initial picture under his new
contract with First National. He
recently completed the direction of
"Numbered Men." "Show Girl in
Hollywood," "Broadway Babies" and
"Playing Around" were among the
pictures he directed last year.
Joyce Opposite Sherman
Alice Joyce has been signed tc'
play opposite Lowell Sherman in
'He Knew Women," for Radio Pic-
tures.
Lowe in "Fatal Wedding"
Edmund Lowe will play the niale
lead in the Fox film "The Fatal
Wedding," now being prepared f >r
direction by William K. Howard
Clark in "Fall Guy"
Mae Clark will appear in "The Fall
Guy," opposite Jack Mulhall, which
is being supervised by William Sis-
trom for Radio.
Boyd Cast for "Spoilers"
Paramount has given William
Boyd, stage player, an important
role in "The Spoilers," now being
prepared for production. Edwin
Carewe will direct with Geo. Ban-
croft in the leading part.
New Contract for Polly Moran
M-G-M has signed Polly Moran
to a new long-term contract.
Radio Changes Title
Title of ".Smooth as Satin" has
been changed by Radio Pictures to
"French Gerty."
Rounds Out Columbia Cast
Cast of "Ladies of Leisure" has
l)eei) rounded out with the selection
of Johnnie Walker and Juliette
Compton for important roles.
Messenger in Fox Film
Buddy Messenger will appear in a
featured role in "Alone With You,"
for Fox.
Warners Sign Louise Hale
Latest addition to Warner Bros,
list of featured players for forthcom-
ing Vitaphone specials is Louise
Closser Hale.
Laura Lee Signed by Warners
Laura Lee has been signed by J. L.
Warner to appear in Vitaphone spe-
cial.
Raquel Torres in Spanish Version
I^aquel Torres will play the chief
role opposite Buster Keaton in the
Spanish version of M-G-M's "Free
and Easy," which Edward Sedgwick
is directing.
Warners Change Title
Warners have changed the title of
"A Woman's Game" to "New Boy."
FPATHE
E' IN WORK
Rehearsals are now under way at
the Pathe studio for making of the
Spanish version of "The Grand Pa-
rade." Players that played the roles
in the Spanish version of "Her
Private Affair," have been cast by
Emil de Recat for parts in the latest
foreign picture. It is expected to be
completed within three weeks. Harry
Delmar's comedy "A Night in a
Dormitory," has also been remade
in Spanish.
James Cruze Starts Work
on "Big Fight" for Sono
Production has started on "The
Big Fight," adapted from the David
Belasco stage play, at the Educa-
tional studios here, where Samuel
Zierler, president of the Cruze or-
ganization recently leased three
sound stages. James Cruze is direct-
ing with Guinn Williams in the lead
opposite Lola Lane. Others in the
cast are Stepin Fetchit, Ralph Ince,
W'heeler Oakman and Edna Bennett.
Hamilton With Barthelmess
Neil Hamilton is the latest addi-
tion to the cast of "The Dawn
Patrol," starring Richard Barthel-
mess and under direction of Howard
Hawks.
Cast For Fox Film
Dorothy Christy has been selected
for an important role in "So This
Is London," Will Rogers vehicle.
Shearer Film in Rehearsal
M-G-M has put into rehearsal "Let
Us Be Gay," Norma Shearer's next
starring vehicle. Robert Z. Leonard
will direct.
Role for McNaughton
Fox has assigned Charles Mc-
Naughton a prominent role in
"Common Clay," which Victor Flem-
ing will direct.
"U" Changes Title
Title of "Barbary Coast" has been
changed to "Young Desires" by
Universal. Lew Collins directed with
Mary Nolan in the starring role.
U, A. Short Set
Next U. A. featurette will
be "The Sorcerer's Appren-
tice," based on Goethe's poem,
and with Dukas's music. Fritz
Feld, Josef Swickard, Greta
Grenstedt and Bernard Seigel
are in the cast and Dr. Hugo
Riesenfeld and William Cam-
eron Menzies are the producers.
THE
j^E25
DAILV
Sunday, March 16, 193
John McCormack in
"Song O' My Heart"
(All-Talker)
Fox Time, 1 hr., 25 mbis.
A BOX OFFICE CERTAINTY.
GOOD ACTING BY McCOR-
MACK. EXCELLENT RE-
CORDING OF HIS VOICE, TO-
GETHER WITH BEAUTIFUL
PHOTOGRAPHY.
Perhaps the outstanding merit of
this picture, and one that will cause
much surprised comment which in
turn will be profitable advertising, is
the fact that John McCormack's
famous tenor voice is reproduced so
naturally and so pleasingly. Against
the background of a simple but fit-
ting sentimental story, McCormack
sings about a dozen well chosen
songs, enough to satisfy the expecta-
tions of the class of audience he is
most likely to draw. Other values
of the picture include some thor-
oughly enjoyable comedy by J. M.
Kerrigan and Farrell MacDonald, a
feast of scenic beauty and gracefully
directed action. Director, camera-
man and sound engineer share in the
technical triumph. Injection of
juvenile interest is accomplished
through a talented youngster.
Cast: John McCormack, Alice Joyce,
Maureen O'SuUivan, J. M. Kerrigan, John
Garrick, Tommy Clifford, Farrell Mac-
Donald, Efiie Ellsler, Emily Fitzroy, Edwin
Schneider, Endreas de Segurola, Edward
Martindel.
Director, Frank Borzage ; Author, Tom
Barry ; Adaptor, Sonya Levien ; Dialoguer,
Not Listed ; Editor, Margaret Clancy ; Cam-
eraman, Chester Lyons; Monitor Man, G. P.
Costello.
Direction, excellent. Photography, superb.
Gillette
Ruth Chatterton in
"Sarah and Son"
(All-Talker)
Ptnamount Time, 1 hr., 16 m,ins.
A DRAMATIC MASTERPIECE
TOUCHING IN ITS HUMAN
SENTIMENT. RUTH CHAT-
TERTON GIVES A GREAT PER-
FORMANCE. LOTS OF SUS-
PENSE. EXCEPTIONALLY
WELL DIRECTED.
Rarely does the screen ofifer that
deep sincerity that makes of "Sarah
and Son" something fine and beauti-
ful. Few are the pictures that can
boast such tense, soul-searing drama
or such honesty of purpose. Not
for a moment is it permitted to devi-
ate from the course it sets itself from
the first. Onward it moves to a cli-
max as effective as ever was con-
ceived, and never does cheapness
intrude to mar the genuineness of its
pathos. That you live and suffer
with Sarah Storm is the mark of
the film's greatness. For sure, here
is an intelligent film. The story re-
lates a mother's search for the son
placed in the keeping of a wealthy
family by the husband who a,ban-
doned her. Ruth Chatterton gives
a magnificent performance as Sarah
Storm. She masters a German accent
with remarkable fidelity. The cast is
capital.
Cast: Ruth Chatterton, Frederic March,
Fuller Mellish, Jr., Gilbert Emery, Doris
Lloyd, William Stack, Philippe de Lacy.
Director, Dorothy Arzner; Author, Timothy
Shea ; Adaptor, Zee Akins ; Dialoguer, Zoe
Akins; Editor, Verna Willis; Cameraman,
Charles Lang.
Direction, splendid. Photography, first-rate.
Pelegrine
"Mamba"
With Jean Hersholt, Eleanor Board-
man, Ralph Forbes
(All-Talker)
Tiffany Time, 1 hr., 18 miyis.
ACTIONFUL DRAMA OF
DARK AFRICA GAUGED FOR
POPULAR TASTE. JEAN
HERSHOLT ITS FINEST FEA-
TURE. SHOULD PULL.
Jean Hersholt puts across a splen-
did characterization. Forbes and
Boardman are passive as romantic
leads. The picture is beautifully
photographed, excepting early pan-
j.aniic "shots' 'that are hard on the
eyes. The jungle scenery, native
hordes and English and German
patrols lend themselves admirably to
jior process. Plenty of action and
carries good general audience appeal.
Eleanor Boardman, heroine of the
piece is saved repeatedly "in the nick
of time," and climax is typical, of
action thriller. "Mamba" (meaning
snake) is name given by natives to
Hersholt, whose swinish character
predominates the story. Hated by
everyone he weds a destitute noble-
woman but loses her to a young
German officer, and is later slain.
Cast: Jean Hersholt, Eleanor Boardman,
Ralph Forbes, Josef Swickard, Claude Flem-
ing, William Stanton. William von Brincken,
Noble Johnson, Hazel Jones, Arthur Stone,
Torben Meyer.
Director AI Rogell ; Authors, F. Schumann-
Heink and John Reinhardt ; Continuity, Tom
Miranda, Winifred Dunn ; Dialoguers, Tom
Miranda, Winifred Dunn ; Editor, Not listed ;
Art Director, Andre Chautin ; Cameraman,
Charles Boyle; Monitor Man, Louis J. Myers.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Reddy
"China Express'
(Synchronized)
Amkino Time, 50 mim
i^rplIaplTic tableau de
picting an episode of th]
uprising of chinese peas
ants. fair programmer.
Denouement of this tale all take
place on train en route to the Ian
of the settmg sun, with principal
and other characters giving splendi
performances. While most of th
cast comprises natives of China, sev
eral Europeans are seen in importati
roles. D^ail in classification of pa;
sengers boarding tram retards tb
action somewhat, but once it gair
momentum, a steady pace is kej
throughout. This incident of the n
bellion has to do with unfair trea:
ment of the coolies, whose wome
are attacked by the whites on an
provocation, particularly a young si'
ter of two brothersj one an enginet
and the other a passenger on tf
same train. In the fight to save h
sister from the wretched hands of j
overseer, the brother sees her ui
mercifully killed, and joins the rebe
to win their rights. A massacre
started on the train and then bloa
Bhed IS rampant, with the coolies vi
torious in the end.
,.r''""A, ^- ^'O'"' San Bo Van. Chu CI
Wan, Chzan Kai, A. Vardul, Chai Wan S:
Lian Din Do, J. Goodkin, I. Saveli<
Director, Illy Trauberg; Author, Not li
ed; Adaptor, L. I. Yerikhonov; Titler. Mii
ael Gold; Editor, Michael Gold; Cimerauu
Boris Khrenikov.
Direction, good. Phototraphy, skilUuL
Om»te
"Clancy in Wall Street"
(All-Talker)
Aristocrat Time, 1 hr., 15 mins.
WELL GAGGED COMEDY
DRAMA THAT WILL CLICK.
CHARLIE MURRAY AND LU-
CIEN LITTLEFIELD ARE DI-
RECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE LAUGHS.
This comedy is a real laugh get-
ter. The story is the "get rich
quick" idea and the picture scores
because of its humorously gagged
sequences, which are capably han-
dled by Charlie Murray and a good
surrounding cast headed by Lucien
Littlefield. Recording is well done
and the smooth direction of Ted
Wilde is noticeable throughout.
Murray is cast as the stubborn Irish
partner of Littlefield, in the plumb-
ing firm of 'Clancy & Mcintosh.'
The comic 'high spots' occur when
Clancy makes a fprtune in the stock
market, quits plumbing and attemnts
to live the high life. He meets with
disaster socially, and later is caught
in the big Wall St. crash. Aggie
Herring in the role of Mrs. Clancy
gives a pleasing characterization, and
of course there is the usual juvenile
romance, in which Miriam Seegar
and Edward Nugent figure.
Cast: Charles Murray, Lucien Littlefield,
Aggie Herring, Edward Nugent, Miriam
Seegar, Reed Howes.
Director, Ted Wilde; Authors, Ralph Bell
and Jack Wagner ; Adaptor, Not Listed ;
Dialoguer, William Dugan ; Editor, Phil
Cahn; Cameraman, Harry Jackson; Monitor
Man, Jack Gregor ; Produced by Edward
Small.
Direction, good. Photography, satisfactory.
Reddy
"The Heroic Lover"
(Synchronized)
General Pictures Corp. Time, 1 hr.
COMEDY WITH A SMALL-
TOWN SETTING OFFERING
GOOD CLEAN ENTERTAIN-
MENT FOR THE FAMILY
TRADE.
This is the type of film ideally
suited to the family trade. True
enough, its comedy is highly naive
and for the most part completely ele-
mental, yet there is no questioning
its ability to provide plenty of
wholesome amusement — for the
young in particular. There are a
number of slapstick moments that
are mirthful to the extreme. At any
rate it can never be accused of dull-
ness or lack of movement. Leonard
St. Leo and William Franey are
chiefly responsible for keeping the
humor of the piece in an efifervescent
state. The story tells of a pair of
vil^rator salesmen who happen into
a small town at the time of a train
robbery and who through a lucky
chance bring about the capture of
the robbers. A great asset to the
enjoyment of the film is the faithful-
ness with which the small-town at-
mosphere has been captured. This
is a Richard Talmadge production.
Cast: Leonard St. Leo, William Franey,
Barbara Bedford, Ted Snell, Hugh Metcalf,
Stuart Holmes.
Director, Noel Mason; Author, Not Listed;
Adaptor, Not Listed ; Title Writer. Not
Listed ; Editor. Not Listed ; Cameraman,
Harry Cooper.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Pelegrine
Ken Maynard in
The Fighting Legion"
(Part-Talker)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 15 mins.
GOOD ACTION WESTERN
WITH KEN MAYNARD AT HIS
BEST. NICE STORY, WELL
BALANCED CAST, CAPABLY
DIRECTED.
Melodrama. Everything that goes
for the making of an action western,
notably, thrills, hard riding, fighting,
love and comedy, is packed into this
outdoor film. Maynard fans are
treated to another story where their
favorite comes thru several fights in
fine form. Tarzan, the horse, con-
tinues to demonstrate his uncanniness
when his pal and owner is in trouble.
Harry Todd handles the role of
comedian in top notch fashion.
Dorothy Dwan does a nice bit as the
heroine. First half of the picture is
synchronized and talking in last half
does not deter the action any. After
befriending a Texas Ranger, two pal.s
find him dying, set out to get the
murderer and land in Bowden, where
strangers are most unwelcome. May-
nard is accused of the murder, but
how he works out of the mess,
is cleverly handled by Director Harry
J. Brown.
Cast: Ken Maynard, Dorothy Dwan,
Harry Todd, Frank Rice, Ellis Adams,
Stanley BIystone, Jack Fowler, Bob Walker.
Les Bates, Chas. Whittacker.
Director, Harry J. Brown; Author, Ben
nett Cohen; Adaptor, Not listed; Editor,
Fred Allen; Titler, Leslie Nathan; Dia-
loguer, Leslie Nathan; Cameraman, Ted
McCord.
Direction, good. Photography, fine.
Ornstein
"The Devil's Pit"
(Part-Talker) \
Universal Time, 1 hr., 5 mit
EXCITING DRAMA FILME
AMONG THE MAORIS OF NE'
ZEALAND WITH A NATIV
CAST AND PROVIDING
SCENIC TREAT.
Those who like films depicting ,
among strange peoples will not be
only ones to find pleasure in "1
Devil's Pit." For there is enoi'
tenseness in the narrative that !■
been fashioned for it to give sa-
faction to those who enjoy drama
whatever setting. What is suppos*
ly a Maori legend serves as the hz ■
of the film. It concerns two lov ■
who are kept from marriage by i:
enmity separating their tribes. 1:
man has a rival in a prince belong:j
to the girl's tribe. The climax i
the film is a battle to the death •
tween the men and the result J
struggle between the two tril;.
These scenes have been grippin .'
filmed. The picture is an interest;
record of Maori rituals, chants :i
dances. Some of the singing is m t
alluring. At times the photogra]/
fails to do justice to the scenic ba -
ground.
Director, Lew Collins ; Author, ■»
Collins; Adaptor, Lew Collins; Title Wij'.
Walter Anthony ; Editor, Ray Cur
C?.meramen. Wilfred Cline, Harold Sm
Direction, good. Photography, all r
Pelegi
I iiinday, March 16. 1930
DAILY
f) Short Subjects f)
I SOUND
Buck and Bubbles in
"Honest Crooks"
jithe Time, 18 mins.
. Entertaining Comedy
! Despite its slightness this comedy
!rns out a pretty entertaining affair.
' owes much of its eft'ectiveness to
e skill with which the element of
ystery has been sustained. The
otive for its fun is the discovery by
luck and Bubbles of a bag of money
idden in a hay rick by a couple ot
ooks. How the latter try to re-
i)ver it leads to some extremely
Inusing scenes in a deserted mill,
jhis part of the film would have been
,r more funny had the colored com-
Jians been more effective in their
icpression of terror.
I "Big Top Champions"
^the Time, 10 mins.
Grantland Rice Sportlight
I This Sportlight offers absorbing
titertainment. The scene is the win-
|r quarters of Ringling Bros, at
firasota, Fla. We are made piiv)
(I the method of training followed
breaking horses, llamas and ele-
liants for the circus. Albert Shef-
fz, who trains the Ringling cle-
(lants, gives a remarkable exhibition
' human courage when he permits
jumbo_to carry him in its mouth —
fst by the body, then by the head,
lere's a decided treat for the chil-
ren in particular.
. [ "Dogging It"
athe Time, 10 mins.
' I Grantland Rice Sportlight
(A remarkable record of dogs in
'aining and in action. The opening
renes are taken in the Ringling
'ros. winter quarters at Sarasota,
jla. We see how homeless canines
i re trained to perform some of the
, jost difficult of feats. The second
' Klf of the film, taken at Miami, is
I'll more fascinating. It shows how
[ le greyhound is trained for racing
I I'd how it is kept in condition. This
? iirt of the picture opens and closes
I lith scenes of greyhounds on the
t jack. To see their long sleek bod-
is shoot by is almost as thrilling as
l^eing a horse race. You won't be
: ble to keep the kids quiet when they
I ie this one.
Pathe Audio Review No. 11
I Time, 8 mins.
(Here is one of the best of Pathe
tudio Reviews. This carries tre-
mendous interest through its entire
length. For eerie beauty we have
glimpses of the cloud-enshrouded
coast of Labrador. Maurice Keller-
man deserves a word of praise for
the softness of effect that makes
these scenes so enthralling. For
homely sentiment we have a quar-
tette singing "Home, Sweet Home"'
ai the parlor of the composer's home
at East Hampton, L. I. The room
is furnished in the 1890 manner.
There are also a number of exterior
views of the old homestead. For
passion we have a collection of kiss-
ing scenes from Pathe films of 'way
back when. A number of different
but equally approved styles of kiss-
ing are shown.
SILENT
Bobby Nelson in
"Six Gun Justice"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Fair Western
While the plot of this western does
not deviate from the familiar lines,
it certainly manages to create the ef-
lect it strives for — namely, that of
excitement and suspense. Its adult
appeal is almost nil. But those chil-
uren who see it may be certain ot
getting plenty of thrills out of it.
ihe story concerns the efforts of a
group of badmen to deprive an eld-
erly man of his claim to a gold mine.
Thank God, there's his little boy to
confound the villains! Bobbie Nel-
son as the son does creditably
enough.
Universal
Sid Say lor in
"Foul Ball"
Time, 20 mins.
Good Comedy
This comedy proves generally
amusing and possesses a number ot
really good gags. This time Sid
Saylor appears as a sap with base-
oall aspirations. He wanders into a
stadium. There while dreaming of
himself as a hero of the diamond he
catches the attention of the owner
of a baseball club — and of his daugh-
ter incidentally. He gets a chance
but proves a false alarm. Later at
a dance he gets into an argument
with his rival for the young lady's
affection. When the fellow starts
throwing things at him, Sid bats
them back with such precision that
the girl's father signs him up then
and there.
I Managing 2 Wis. Houses
: jMenasha, Wis. — Jack LeVois,
i janager of the Brin, Appleton, has
jen appointed manager of the Em-
Issy and Brin here.
McDonald Opens Scott
Black River Falls, Wis.— The new
ott, built by J. R. McDonald, has
en opened.
Otis Loyd at Geneva
Lake Geneva, Wis. — Otis Loyd
has been appointed manager of the
Geneva by the Community Theaters,
Inc.
W. W. Parady Transferred
Pittsfield, Alass.— Willis W. Par-
ad}-, formerly chief of service at the
Paramount in Springfield, has been
appointed assistant manager of the
Capitol there.
C Presentations C
By DON CARLE GILLETTE
DAVE APOLLON PUTS PEP
IN CAPITOL PRESENTATION
Against a colorful Russian back-
ground and with a Volga note pre-
dominant in the costuming, Dave
Apollon peps up the current Capitol
stage offering in a manner that fully
conforms to its title, "Zip Zip". His
bits run all the way from a Russian
takeoff on Rudy Vallee to an adagio
travestj' that is a humorous gem. In
between he serves as master of cere-
monies and does a snappy job of it.
Danzi Goodell, Lillian Shade, Byrnes
and Swanson, and the Royal Filipino
Orchestra are the other featured
artists on the bill. The male im-
personation, singing and wiggly danc-
ing of a blonde charmer delights the
patrons into some big applause, and
a generous hand is garnered by the
skilfull adagio team of Byrnes and
Swanson and likewise by an acro-
batic stepping miss. A fluffy ballet
number also proves an enjoyabk
morsel, and among other highlights
are the string work of the Filipino
musicians, who are dressed in kilts
against a Russian setting, and a vocal
number bj' a member of this orches-
tra. Chester Hale's girls and the
Capitolians also join in the merri-
ment.
Sound Policy at Oil City
Oil City. La. — Sound pictures go
into the Dixie following the instal-
lation of Western Electric equipment.
Sound Policy for Spielmont
Marcus Hook, Pa. — The Spielmont
las completed installation of West-
. n h'lectric apparatus and is opening
.\ith a sound picture polic\-.
W. E. at San Antonio House
-San -Antonio, Tex. — Installation of
a Western Electric Sound System has
iccn completed in the Uptown here.
W. G. for Norristown Westmar
Xorristown, Pa. — The Westmar
has installed a Western Electric
Roimd system for both film and disc
reproduction.
W. E. Installed at Bailey
Bunkie, La. — The Bailey has
Western Electric film and disc re-
producing equipment now.
W. E. Wires Palace
Maryville, Tenn. — Western Elec-
tric has wired the Palace for sound
oictures.
Athol Capitol Installs W. E.
Athol, Mass. — Western Electric
equipment is in the Capitol.
Ark. Best Has Sound
England, Ark. — Western Electric
system is now providing sound films
at the Best.
SAMMY COHEN DISPORTS
ON PARAMOUNT STACE
Sammy Cohen, the screen's youth-
ful Hebrew comedian, is the chief
item of interest in Louis W. McDer-
mott's stage show, entitled "Puttin'
on the Dog" at the Paramount. After
engaging in an assorted line of gen-
eral comedy business, Sammy does a
travesty, supposed to be the enact-
ment of a scene from one of his lat-
test pictures, in which he plays three
characters at one time — doing straight
for the hero, using a blonde wig for
the heroine, and working a mustache
as the villain. By getting the lines
and makeup crossed he creates plenty
of laughs. In keeping with its title,
the presentation is populated with
dogs of various kinds, including Jud.
Brady's beautiful collies, a little
poodle that performs with Barbarina
in an acrobatic specialty, and George
Ali, who impersonates a dog in a
manner that provides some keen
amusement. Doris Roche puts over
some agreeable singing, while Bobby
Jackson ofiiciates nicely as master
of ceremonies and also acquits him-
self with credit in some stepping.
Then there is an attractive beauty
parade emanating from a revolving
lage pedestal, seme graceful danc-
ing by the girls of the Fred Evans
Ensemble, Rubinoff's expert conduct-
ing of the Paramount orchestra in
"Irish Rhapsody," and the Jesse
Crawford organ treats.
W. E. at Ponca City House
Ponca City, Okla.— The large 1200
seat Poncan has installed Western
Electric equipment.
Flint House Goes Sound
Flint, Mich. — The Western Electric
equipment has been installed at the
Michigan. This is a 1,500 seat house.
W. E. Apparatus at Brawley
Brawler, Calif. — The 807-seat
Brawley has completed the installa-
tion of Western Electric equipment.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
I Picture Tlieatres
I Standard
I Vaudeville Acts
I 1600 Broadway, New York City
^ Phone Penn. 3580
THE
mm
10
DAILV
Sunday, March 16, 193'
Exhibitors
Daily Reminder
Order new pa-
per for coining
features and
shorts and
posterize your
town. It pays
handsome div-
idends.
Sunday, March 16, 1930
Discontinue Publix Tour
of the "Chauve-Souris"
Publix and Nikita Balieff have ar-
ranged to call off the road tour
of "Chauve-Souris," which was sched-
uled for 16 weeks on the circuit.
Baileff sails for Europe next week
and will return to America with a
new company next Spring.
RCA for Avalon (Cal.) House
Avalon, Cal. — New Casino The-
ater has opened with Photophone.
Philippine House Wired
Cebu, P. I. — Ma'gallanes Theater
has been opened with Photophone
by Dr. Jacinto Velez, owner of the
house.
Photophone in Manila
Manila^The Cine Lux, operated
by the Manila Film Co. has opened
with Photophone.
RCA for Singapore House
Singapore, Straits Settlements —
The Victoria has been equipped with
Photophone.
Another for Photophone
Bloomfield, la. — The Iowa will
open with Photophone.
RCA for Missouri House
Jefferson City, Mo. — Photophone
engineers are installing sound equip-
ment at the Gem.
RCA at Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, N. C. — The Lin-
coln is being wired for sound by
Photophone.
Change Sound Equipment
Fairport, N. Y. — Schine Enter-
prises, Inc. has replaced sound equip-
ment at the Temple with RCA Pho-
tophone.
W. E. Wires Rialto
Chicago — The Rialto has been
wired for sound by Western Electric.
Talkers for Randolph
Chicago — Talking pictures are
coming to the Randolph which has
installed Western Electric sound sys^
tern.
PATHE BUILDING CANERAS
FOR COLOR SOUND NEWS
A big battery of Coloratura cam-
eras, to be used for sound news m
color, has been placed in construc-
tion by Pathe, followmg the suc-
cessful shootmg of the New Orleans
Mardi Gras parade taken in natural
color and released in the current
Pathe Sound News. Stuart W. Webb
and Terry Ramsaye are responsible
tor bringmg the Coloratura process
to a practical standard. The new
machine will have certain modifica-
tions suggested by the experience
of the units now in the field.
460 Theaters in Texas
Now Equipped for Sound
Dallas — Installations of sound
equipment in Texas now total 400,
according to Don Douglas, secretary
of the local Film Board of Trade.
Of this number, 75 per cent are in
towns with population of less than
2,000. Ahhough there are about loO
nouses closed in this state, none with
sound fall into this category. At the
present rate of installation about 93
per cent of the houses will be wired
oy the end of the next selling sea-
son, it is believed here.
3 Out of 4 Houses Are
Closed in Sanford, Me.
Sanford, Me. — With the closing of
the Sanford by Arthur Mattieu,
owner and operator, the new State
stands alone among theaters here
now in operation. Of the four
houses, three are closed. The Leav-
itt, seating 1,300 and the largest
here, has been closed for some time
while the Colonial went dark several
weeks ago.
Spring Valley to Get Sound
Spring X'alley, Wis. — Sound equip-
ment will be placed into the local
house.
Woods Installs Sound
Chino, Cal. — The Woods has been
equipped for sound and is now show-
ing pictures under the new policy.
RCA Wiring Weldon House
Weldon, N. C— RCA Photophone
is wiring the Opera House here.
RCA Wiring East St. Louis House
East St. Louis, 111. — RCA is wir-
ing the Waverly for Photophone
equipment.
W. E. At University
Cambridge, Mass. — University has
installed W. E. apparatus.
Marvel to Show Talkers
Cleveland, Ohio — The Marvel has
been wired by Western Electric.
Sound Policy At Douglas
Chicago, 111.- — The' Douglas has in-
stalled Western Electric equipment.
Imperial Installs W. E.
Chicago, 111. — The Imperial has
installed Western Electric apparatus.
Impregnation and Rejuvenatiot
Processes Add Life to Film^
Adding life to negative and posi-
tive films is the claim of American
Recono, Inc., of New York, which
has two processes that will restore
damaged prints and preserve them
for future use, each adaptable to
color positives. The processes do
not consist of lacquers nor coatings,
but operate by the impregnation of
certain chemicals into the emulsion
or celluloid sides of the film.
liy the Rejuvenation Process, scratches
and other mechanical abrasions are removed
from both emulsion and celluloid sides ol
negatives and positives. A 75 per cent to
100 per cent removal of scratches is ef-
fected on the emulsion side if even the
thinnest film of emulsion remains in the
bases of the scratches. Dried or even brittle
tilm is restored to its original elasticity ;
and in addition, given a glossy emulsion
surface. Eight weeks' run positives are thus
rejuvenated to first or second weeks' run
quality.
The Impregnation (Preservation) Proc-
esses increase the elasticity Cthe stretch) of
the film by at least 50 per cent. (This can
be measured on suitable testing machines).
Thus buckling is minimized. The resultant
greater play in the sprocket holes reduces
perforation damage. The emulsion side is
given a high gloss surface impervious to oil
and moisture penetration. (Waxing or buff-
ing therefore unnecessary).
The surface of the emulsion itself is
hardened, making it more resistant to
ecratches. The Impregnation (Preservatior
Processes actually cements the emulsion to tl
celluloid base so firmly that it can only 1
removed with sharp metal instruments. Th
makes it much less likely that all the emu
sion will be removed when scratching d
curs. (Hence film so preserved can be moi
perfectly rejuvenated by us later. This
of great importance for negatives). Imprei
r.ated negatives will print several times moi
positives before graining or mushiness si
in.
All the processes result in a definite in
provement of the brilliancy and plasticit
of the projected photography. The inte
slices between the emulsion granules are in
pregnated with a substance homogeneous
ts light transparency with the granule
this results in a reduction in light sprayir
or difTusion, and accordingly, in a straight*
light path. Thus, treated negatives prii
better positives ; whidh, in turn, can I
further improved when treated. Treatt
color-positives show a striking improvemei
in brilliancy and resist smudging for week
The effect on the soundtrack is an improv
ment in the clarity of the tone.
Seven years of commercial operation
Germany have demonstrated that the In
pregnation Process results in new positiv
lasting two to three times longer; the pe
foration strip will often last more than o>
hundred playing days without damage. 11
to 125 treated prints will supply a demai
which would otherwise require 150 print
and at the same time maintain a belt
screening condition. (This saving of
per cent to 3i per cent would mean a savit
of 60 to 330 reels in a 1000 reel oer d>
plant.)
More Sound Installations
Made in Tlieaters of the U. S
Terre Haute, Ind. — B. Van Bors-
sum is installing sound equipment
in the Savoy.
El Paso, Tex. — Sound equipment
is being installed at the Fort Bliss'
Seventh cavalry theater.
Amory, Miss. — J. A. Owen and L.
S. Hager are installing talking pic-
ture equipment at the Mingo.
.\u Sable Forks, N. Y.— "Broad-
way Scandals" was the opening pic-
ture of the sound picture policy at
the Bridge.
Monson, Mass. — RCA equipment
has been installed at the Monson by
L. U. Labine.
Dallas — Southwestern Electrical
Products Co. has installed Powers
Cinephone in four more houses. They
are: Majestic and Palace, Hico; Ma-
jestic, Hillsboro and Lyric, Mena,
Ark.
Linton, Ind. — Pacent equipment
has been installed at the Scherer-
Ritz, formerly the Nickolo.
Birmingham — Queen Feature Ser-
vice, Inc. has installed sound equip-
ment in the following houses: Pal-
ace, LaFayette, Ga.; City, Philadel-
phia, Miss.; Regent, Cleveland, Miss.:
Cameo, Avondale, Ala.; Capitol,
and Royal, Birmingham.
Belton, S. C. — Cameo has bet
wired with RCA equipment.
Dallas — Photo-Talker equipmei
has been installed in four mo.
nouses. Star, Smithville, Tex.; Da\i
son, Dawson, Tex.; Yale, Groesbec
Tex.; and Palace, Calhoun Citi
Miss, are the houses.
Creston, la. — Western Electij
equipment has been installed at t
VVillard which has been renovate
Midland, S. D. — Local busine
men have installed sound equipmt
in the American Legion hall.
Ipswich, S. D. — E. J. Guinn w
wire the State, which he recen>
took over, for sound pictures.
Shakopee, Minn. — RCA Phot
phone equipment has been install
at the Gem.
Bagley, Minn. — Family has be
wired for sound.
Lake Benton, Minn. — Majestic I
been wired for sound.
Ada, Minn. — Sound equipment v
be installed at the Orpheum,
If
Chaska, Minn. — Horace Young \
installed sound equipment at 1
Rex.
Carlton, Minn. — W. M. Miller 1
wired the leb with Western El
trie equipment.
THE
anday, March 16, 1930
-;;Bg^
DAILV
11
Theater Equipment
By HERBERT S. BERG
RCINU-MHASNEW
mX' COOLING SYSTEM
; Dallas — With the establishing of a
l)cal branch office of Arctic Nu-Air
'orp. at 2004 Commerce St., here,
j'. J. Clair, supervisor, announces
tie new "Sphynx" model of cooling
[y'stem designed for sound houses.
i'he new device it is claimed, is
kpable of distributing a current ot
It over every seat in any house. An
occlusive feature is the dual deflec-
or which is mostly for winter time
[se, enabling an exhibitor to operate
lie cooling system in the winter ai
iery low speeds. It acts as a direct
'entilator taking the superheated air
ft the ceiling and disseminating all
leat uniformly throughout the the-
Iter. The new Kooler-Aire tank is
juilt entirely of copperheating steel
nd has no riveted or soldered joints.
Exclusive use of the aquastat is in-
!uded, giving humidity control in
ill parts of the house.
^efferson Amusement Co.
f Orders 18 Blower Fans
I Chicago — Eighten American
i^lower Sirocco fans will be installed
ji theaters of the Jefferson Amuse-
lent Co. and East Texas Theaters,
inc. The new American Blower,
ihich is being distributed by Na-
[onal Theater Supply Co. here is
(aimed to be the dual solution to
ientilation and acoustic problems.
Griffith Circuit Orders
Carrier Air Washers
' Oklahoma City — Griffith Amuse-
jent Co. of this city has purchased
arrier Air Washer equipment from
ie Buffalo Engineering company for
p of their houses located in Okla-
^ma and Texas. The devices are
j)w being installed.
I ERPI Opens St. Louis Office
j St. Louis — An office has been
(jened here by Electrical Research
froducts in the Olive Bldg., 1218
jlive St.
Peter Clark Gets Contract
j Peter Clark, Inc., has been award-
'A the complete contract for the
fippodrome, Westchester County,
3w being erected. The contract in-
[Udes complete stage rigging, con-
jle lift, etc. The house will seat
200.
CINEMA
Write For Trial Sample
ALKING NEEDLES
VALL-KANE NEEDLE MFG. CO.. Inc.
922 14th Ave. Brooklyn. N. Y
Westinghouse Marketing
Photo-Electric Cell
Pittsburgh • — ■ Westinghouse Elec-
tric and Manufacturing Co. now has
on the market a photo-electric cell
with an amplifier as a unit. It is a
light sensitive device claimed to aid
in the perfection of talking pictures
and television. The amplifier unit
consists of a die-cast aluminum box
in which are mounted the necessary
coupling devices. The top, which is
a Micarta panel, is provided with
two four-prong bases for mounting
the photo-electric cell and amplifier
tube. All wiring is concealed, con-
nections being made to binding posts
on the top panel. The unit is claim-
ed to be dust-proof and moisture-
proof.
Southwestern Electrical
to Open Five Branches
Dallas — In line with its expansion
program. Southwestern Electrical
Products will establish five new of-
fices in the south and middle west.
The company, which distributes
Powers Cinephone junior film and
lisc equipment, acoustical material,
Balsam wool, Raytoiie Flameproof
screen, Macy horns and speakers,
Gardiner products, Senator Safety
Control, generators and rectifiers,
Presto pick-ups and acoustic panels,,
will open new offices at Omaha, Kan-
sas City, Atlanta. Memphis and New
Orleans.
Artificial Flowers Meet
with Fire Regulations
Artificial flower designs in all col-
ors, shapes and forms with fireproof
and waterproof material is the ideal
feature for theaters having to do
away with orchestra pits since the
advent of sound. Decorations can bt
made to meet with requirements of
any house, and its display will
brighten up the interior to an ap-
preciable extent. Frank Netschert,
Inc. of New York claims that de-
signs can be had in any color to fit
the scheme of the house.
MOTION PICTURE
APPARATUS
of Every Type
Consult Us and Save Money
REPAIR SHOP with Experts on
Professional Cameras
Right on Premises
uiiLCoavHBys
▼▼HO West SJ^St New >ter«» NV ^
Phone Penna. 0330 I
Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie |
Kansas City Exchanges
Plan Larger Quarters
Kansas Citj- — Due to rapid develop-
ments of the industry, several film
exchanges here have been forced to
enlarge their space. Warners are
building a new exchange on the
southwest corner of Wyandotte and
17th Sts., where the company and
tint National will make new
quarters. M-G-M will shortly move
into its own structure now being
Lonipleted at 18th and Central Sts.
Columbia^ Tiffany and Universal are
planning to increase their space and
it is expected that the lot on south-
, . Loiner of 18th and Wyandotte
will see the erection of a new three-
story exchange building shortly.
1 hese companies plan to move there
as soon as construction has been
completed.
General Electric Has
Smallest 110- Volt Lamp
Smallest lamp ever made to oper-
ate on an ordinary 110-volt house-
hold lighting system is claimed to
nave been developed by General Elec-
..ic Co. of Hoboken, N. J. The lamp
measures a quarter of an inch in
diameter and a half inch in width.
Contrasted with one of the largest
■ncadescent lamps which is rated at
approximately 100,000 candlepower
and used for motion picture studio
lighting, the new lamp can burn
continuously for a year at a cost ot
less than a nickle, the company de-
clares.
Beltone Mfgrs. Making
Scientific Equipment
Pasedena, Cal. — The Burt Labora-
tories, manufacturers of Beltone
sound equipment, aside from produc-
ing photo-electric cells and special
lenses used in their device, also de-
velop pieces of scientific apparatus;
manufactures oscilloscope, which
iiieasures the wave form of electric
currents; and an ultra-violet photo-
meter for measuring quality and quan-
tity of ultra-violet light used in
physiotherapy work.
AMERICAN BLOWER SYSTEM
BUILT EOR WIRED HOUSES
Dallas — During the past year, Na-
tional Theater Supply Co. has
equipped more than 40 Southern
theaters with the American Blower
fan, especially designed to operate
quietly so as not to interfere with
projection of sound pictures and at
the same time giving a large volume
of air with sufficient velocity for the
desired cooling effect. Installations
of the blower system have been made
in the following states: Alabama,
Louisiana, Florida, No. Carolina, So.
Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Texas and Georgia.
This new product is the outcome
of extensive experimental and re-
search work on the part of the
American Blower Corp. in collabora-
tion with National Theater Supply
Co., the latter having furnished the
basic information on the practical
needs of the theater industry from
which the manufacturer has devel-
oped the ventilating unit.
Putting on New Front
La Crosse, Wis. — Workmen are
now busy tearing down the front of
the old La Crosse which will be re-
olaced by a Bedford stone front, four
stories in height.
FLAME PROOF
ITJUSTWOMTBURNf
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
FIRE-PROOF
WATER-PROOF
Ruscus Trees, Hedges, Flame-Proof, also Water-Proof for indoor and outdoor
use. Artificial Flowers, Plants, Trees. Vines, Iron Wrought Decorated Stands
for Lobby. Theatre and Hall Decorations Illustrated in Our SEASONABLE
CATALOGUE No. 3. MAILED FREE ON APPLICATION.
Suggestions and Estimates Cheerfully Furnished.
FRANK NETSCHERT, Inc.
61 Barclay Street
New York, N. Y.
12
DAILY
Sunday, March 16, I931
Week's Headlines
Monday
New Rcfoini Crusade Sponsored by Former
Kxhiliitor.
R S. Moss to Build 40 Talker Houses.
Virst Puhlix Film Unit Goes in Work Today.
Tuesday
.Mefzger Takes on Work of Universal Sales
Direction. .
15 Chicago Area Houses Close in Month.
Eastern Exhibitors Pass Resolution on Per-
centage.
Wednesday
Cameramen Form New Working Hours
Agreement.
Northwest Receipts up 100 to 300 per cent.
Cleveland Exchanges Discontinue Credit Sys-
tem.
Thursday
M. P. T. O. A. Will Tackle Arbitration
Problem.
Proposed State Tax on Chains Fails
30 Loew Theaters Equipped With Wide
Screens.
Friday
\V. E. Installing 90 Weekly— 5,000 Mark
^-S-S^To Hold Open Meeting April First.
Warners Take Complete Control of Equity
Houses.
Today
Consolidated Film Soon to Launch Color
Relie'f'^^or Exhibs with Bad Equipment.
European Exhibs Coming to Study U. h,.
Methods.
H.H.THOMASlfOCflTE8
EXHIBlTORJO^OPtRATiON
{Continued from Page 1^ . .
are giving exhibitors on 'Fighting
for the Fatherland'. Salesmen are
instructed to offer, gratis, the news-
paper serial rights on 'All Quiet on
the Western Front' with each book-
ing of the picture. In fact, they have
been instructed to personally effect
the tie-up for him with his local
newspaper. In return for the privi-
lege of running the story the news-
paper runs a display ad with each
installment stating that 'Fighting for
the Fatherland' will be shown the fol-
lowing Monday at the so-and-so the-
ater."
Counter Suit Delays
Fox *B' Stock Hearing
(Continued from Page i)
hearing before Judge Frank J. Cole-
man. Attorneys for both sides
asked for a delay to allow time
for consideration of the latest suit,
the case was placed on the calendar
for Tuesday.
The action of Stuart and Otterson
was filed in the State Supreme
Court, whereas the present William
Fox suit was to have been heard ir
Federal Court, on the contention that
this suit by Fox is identical to the
one that was disposed of by Justice
Levy about two weeks ago in favor
of Stuart and Otterson.
Justice Townley also had a Fox
suit, brought by an independent
group of stockholders who ask a re-
ceivership, on the calendar for Mon-
day, but Fox yesterday obtained an
order from Judge Coleman requiring
these stockholders to appear on Tues-
day to show cause why they should
not be restrained from bringing their
suit.
CONSOLIDATED FILM WILL
LAUNCH COLOR PROCESS
(Continued from Page 1)
stockholders a few days ago. Con-
solidated shows net earnings for 1929
amounting to $2,389,373, an increase
of 52 per cent over the $1,575,966
reported in 1928. The earnings for
last year are equal to $3.41 a share,
against $2.25 in 1928. A comparison
of business done in January and
t^ebruary of this year with the same
two months in 1929 also shows a
sizeable increase, the figures being
S459,062 for the first two months of
1930 against $403,888 for the cor-
responding period last year.
Directors of Consolidated have ap-
proved the issuance of 100,000 addi-
tional shares of preferred, to be of-
fered to stockholders at $20 on the
basis of one share of new stock for
each share of common or preferred
now held. The proceeds from this
financing will be used in further ex-
pansion.
Full control of the Spoor-Thomp-
son film printing patents, in which
Consolidated recently acquired a
substantial interest, is expected to
be announced as one of the next
steps.
Ohio Board Discontinues
Censorship of Trailers
(Continued from Page 1)
coming attractions. J. L. Clifton, di-
rector of education, informs P. J.
Wood, business manager of the exhi-
bitors' organization, that arrange-
ments have been made with the trail-
er makers to not use any eliminated
material, and so long as they keep
faith the exhibitors are authorized to
show the trailers without leaders.
Pat Garyn, of National Screen
Service, made a special trip from
New York and gave valuable assist-
ance in having the censorsliip order
recalled.
R-K-0 District Managers
Meet in N. Y., Mar. 18
(Continued from Page \)
England; Charles B. McDonald
Manhattan; David Beehler. Brook-
'vn and Long Island; H. R. Emde.
Westchester County, N. Y., and
Newark, N. J.; Lou Golding, New
York State; Claude Saunders. Wash-
■ngton; J. E. Firnkoess, Cleveland:
Nate Blumberg, Chicago: ThomaF
D. Soriero, St. Louis: T. L. McCurdy.
Minneapolis: Frank W. Vincent. Lo=
\ngeles; and James Carrier, North-
west.
Wiring Cambridste House
Cambridge. Pa. — The Cambridge
being wired by Murray Bros.
Sparks Installing Sound
Dolgeville. N. Y. — Lester Spark<:
has eauipped the Strand with RCA
Photophone.
European Exhibs Coming
to Study U. S. Methods
(Continued from Page 1>
American Line's motorship Milwau-
kee.
.■\fter three days in New York,
where they will be accorded a re-
ception by Will H. Hays and con-
ducted through the Roxy, Para-
mount, Embassy and other houses,
as well as the Paramount and Publix
business organizations, the foreign
theater men will visit Philadelphia,
Washington, Cincinnati, St. Louis,
Kansas City, Los .A.ngeles, Holly-
wood, San Francisco, Salt Lake City,
Chicago, Cleveland. Buffalo, Niagara
F"alls, Rochester and Albany. They
are scheduled to sail for home July
26 on the St. Louis.
RELIEF FOR EXHIBITOiiS
Kissell Wiring Winner
Louisbursr. N. C— R. R. Kissell.
manager of the Winner, is having
'^mmd e(|nipiiient installed.
Pitts. Exchanges Plan
Seven Copyright Suits
(Continued from Page 1)
States District Court in Phtsburgb
to nine, action having already been
instituted in two instances. Under
the copyright law a minimum of $250
and maximum of $5,000 is the pen-
alty for such an infringement. Sev-
eral appeals to theater owners against
this unfair practice have been made
bv the local exhibitor organization.
THREE TIFFANY SPECIALS
NOW
(Continued from Page 1)
Taurog, and "Journey's End," the
war plaj', with Colin Clive, Ian Mac-
Claren, David Manners, Billy Be-
van, Anthony Bushell and Thomas
Whitely, directed by James Whale.
"The Medicine Man," based on the
stage play, is nearing completion un-
der the direction of Scott Peml)roke,
with a cast including Jack Benny,
Betty Bronson, Eva Novak, A. Alvii
Warren, Georgie Stone, Tom Dugan.
Billy Butts, Will Walling and Dor-
othy Wolbert. Fast progress also
is being made on "Song of the
LTrales," big outdoor special direct-
ed by Richard Thorpe, and in which
Armida, Don Terry, Marjorie Kane,
Wesley Barry, Victor Potel, Harry
Von Meter and Frank Glendon have
the principal roles.
Preparations also are under way for
"The Great Wide Trail," dealing
with the gold rush in Alaska. Ed
Speers, cameraman, and a technical
staff now are in Alaska getting at-
mospheric shots. Phil Goldstone,
studio executive, entered into the
agreement for this picture on a ten-
tative basis, subject to the results,
in film and sound, of the first few
weeks of work by the technicla.
Crossett Wired for Sound
Crossett. Ark. — Western Electric
equipment has gone into the Crossett,
seating 494.
W. E. Installed at Grenada
Grenada, Miss. — Western E'ectrlc
sound system has been installed in
the Grenada.
(Continued from Page 1)
provide DeForest reproducing qual
ity. After being rebuilt, the ma
chines will be covered by the sam
patent protection applying to De
Forest apparatus.
Announcement of this plan is e.v
pected to aid scores of exhibitors i
solving a pressing problem.
E. M. Loew Buys at Hartford
Hartford, Conn. — The Majesti
here, has been taken over by E. 1
Loew circuit, and re-equipment plar
include installation of DeForest soun
device.
Kordzikowski Leases Cameo
Palmer, Mass. — The Cameo hei
has been leased bj' John Kordzikov
ski, who will operate the house undi
a sound policy.
Completes W. E. Installation
Conway, Ark. — Western Electr
sound apparatus installation has bei
completed at the Conway.
aza
Going tc
■i€LLy>V€€D1
You will find a cordial welcome i
the charming and hospitable Holl<
wood Plaza Hotel. ..right in the het,
of movieland. Enjoy the ideal loc,
tion, and quiet homelike atmosphe4
...the luxurious furnishings, faultli
service... and, noted guests. Thedi
ing room is operated by the famoi
Pig'n Whistle Caterers. Rates a.<
most reasonable.
The Plaza is only a few minutes fro'
the beaches, golf courses, studiol
downtown loop of Los Angeles, an
within a block of Hollywood's famoi
fashion shops, theatres, cafes, etc.
Write or wire for reservations, of *
for FREE illustrated booklet, and ratt,
HOLLVWOOn
-T-g-
P WMZAi
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.
f
Low-Cost^ Colored
Sound Pictures
xHE ever-growing success of Sono-
chrome is based on one simple fact.
This Eastman film meets the de-
mands of the new-day motion pic-
ture, by giving both color and
sound-on-film — at the cost of ordi-
nary black-and-white.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
J. E. Brulatour, Inc., Distributors
New York Chicago Hollywood
Laughin' an
Lovin' oiiiii
VICTOR McLAGLEN
WILLIAM HARRIGAN - LILYAN TASHMAN
Score another triumph for "smiling" Vic
What a man, sez we -and you sez ditto!
VICTOR McLAGLEN is a box off.ce name that
means DOUGH and loads of it Just thmk of
"The Cock Eyed World'-then "Hot for Pans
-and now, "oN THE level". What a strmg
of knockouts!
When you're thinking of romance and ACTION
with a big A-then, on the level, you're ail
set to play "on the level".
wimK
Story by
WILLIAM K. WELLS
Directed by
IRVING CUMMINGS
Presented by
WILLIAM FOX
l/FILMDOM
ILL THE NEWS
IALLTH£ TIME
V)L. LI No. 65
Tuesday, March 18, 1930
Price 5 Cents
sTezt? Trinz Firm Plans 52 Home Talkers Yearly
nQimS^O SEEK ACADEMY RECOGNITION
12 Two-Reel Comedies from Pathe in 1930-31
The Mirror
\—a column of comment
!"iX HAS PICKED the roadshow
[I out of the warehouse and has
li:ed it off for use in connection
n\ "Song O' My Heart." Such
11 action on the part of so enter-
ring and up-to-the-minute an or-
a zation opens up new latitude
n longitude for speculation. A few
es back the roadshow plan was
iiirded by major companies who,
y his gesture, stigmatized it as un-
ritable and obsolete. Now, how-
vf, a revival of interest in this
i^hod of pre-general release show-
ifi is indicated. The net reaction
3f'Song O' My Heart" will be
oething interesting to watch.
t MAGAZINE writer strikes a
o of lamentation because motion
icjires are not being made espe-
/ for children. There's consid-
le truth in his impression that
Dverwhelming majority of films
Nnot designed to entertain juve-
ilf. But the writer in question,
kjmany other individuals who oc-
aj)nally peep into motion picture
iijtory, forgets that the films are
ri arily a business and like other
uiiess enterprises, are, in the first
la;, concerned with making profits.
rjiding pictures for children could
einade with a consistent paying
rctt, no doubt more of them would
roduced. As matters stand, how-
{i there's too much of an element
ambling to invest heavily in so
f
n4rtain a market.
C/.^QUEE ADORNMENTS, in
Icion to picture billings, are now
loi; and more being used to plug
3l' and recognized sound repro-
U'iig devices, report our scouts. A
ii'hy sign, this increasing applica-
oi of merchandising principles.
Program of Shorts to be
Divided in Eight
Sections
A program of 52 two-reel comedies,
oftered in eight series, is announced
by E. B. Derr as having been set by
Pathe for 1930-31. Each series will
offer a different type of comedy, the
lineup including the Checker Com-
edies, started last season; Manhattan
Comedies, sophisticated farce; Mel-
ody Comedies, in which music will
be featured; Campus Comedies, treat-
ing on college life; Follies Comedies,
short, snappy revues; Rodeo Com-
edies, westerns; Rainbow Comedies,
(Continued on Page 8)
NONTH'SIBPLANNED
AT _
iVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAI Li
Los Angeles — Universal will shut
down its studios at Universal City
for one month upon completion of its
current production program. Three
pictures, now in work, are expected
(Continued on Page 8)
Jennie Goldstein Signed
for Jewish Talker Series
Jennie Goldstein, Yiddish stage
favorite, has been signed by Joseph
Seiden for a series of talkers in both
Jewish and English. Seiden Film
(Continued on Page 8)
Taiker Nickelodeon
Kansas City — Talkers at
nickelodeon prices have made
their bow here in the New
Center, 1,450-seat house owned
by L. O. Gardner, who offers
"Bargain Monday" perform-
ances that are advertised as the
biggest show in the U. S. for
a nickel. On other nights the
scale is 10 and 15 cents.
riLNUELEVISION ADDED
TO EQUITY CONSTITUTION
Films, radio and television have
oeen made a part of the constitution
of Actors' Equity Ass'n as a result
of the adoption of amendments to
this effect at a special meeting held
yesterday in the Hotel Astor. The
appointment of a vice-president to
represent the membership from the
(Continued on Page 8)
Gottesman Tour Linked
with Warner Expansion
A. Gottesman, executive assistant
to Major Albert Warner, has left for
a two months' tour of the country.
The trip is believed to be in con-
nection with the proposed expansion
plans which Warner Bros, announc-
ed a short time ago.
Home Talkers to be Released
Through Department Stores
First Full Ufatone Drama
is Acclaimed in Berlin
Berlin (By Cable) — "The Last
Company," first 100 per cent Ufatone
drama, was acclaimed at its premiere
here. A distinguished audience was
present for the opening. The story
deals in an impartial way with the
1806 conflict between Napoleon and
Prussia. Acting and scenery are
among the highlights.
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAIIA
Los Angeles — Edward Trinz, ol
Chicago, has organized the Trinz
Educational Production Co. here to
make talking pictures for home
showing, with release being accom-
plished through department stores.
J. Samuel Berkowitz has been named
production manager of the newly
formed company and it is planned to
put out 52 subjects a year. The first
release will be a series known as
"Home Topics," and the initial num-
ber of this group is titled "Cake
Baking."
Franchise Plan Is Opposed
by West Coast Artists'
Representatives
iVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Agents and artists'
representatives here will seek to ob-
tam recognition by the Academy
of M. P. Arts and Sciences,
it is reported. Some opposi-
tion has cropped out against the
idea of a franchise system as sug-
gested in connection with the newly
formed association of agtnts. Per-
(Continued on Page 8)
FIVE featIereleases
BY PARAMOUNT IN APRIL
Five important features are on the
schedule for release by Paramount
in April. The list is headed by
"Paramount on Parade," in which
the entire Paramount players' roster
(Continued on Page 8)
John M. Stahl Reported
as New M-G-M Director
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — John M. Stahl is to
be added to the directorial staff on
.he M-G-M lot, according to reports
current here.
Song Sheet Racketeers
Again Active in N. Y.
Despite indictment of three men
n Supreme Court a few weeks ago
or hawking pirated songs on the
treets in New York, the racketeer-
(Continued on Page 8)
Made Good
Apparently as a result of the
very favorable reception ac-
corded the picture on its show-
ings in some of the minor
houses. Fox has changed the
title of "Harmony At Home"
to "She Steps Out" and is
presenting it this week at the
Fox in Brooklyn. Picture ia
based on the Harry Delf stage
play, "The Family Upstairs."
^:xm,
DAILV
Tuesday, March 18, 193
Vol. LI No. 65 Tuesday, March 18, 1930 Price 5 Cents
lOHN W. ALICOATE : : : Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyriRht (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, iyi»,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, fhe
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Kue oe la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
SONGWRIIING TRIO COS
3-YEflR FOX CONIRIICT
Dc Sylva, Brown and Henderson,
Broadway's most prohtic songwritmg
icain, who are now on their way to
Hollywood, have been given a tnree-
ycar contract by Fox calling tor four
original musical comedies. VVintield
Sheehan signed the trio and the con-
tract is said to involve one of the
biggest financial considerations since
talkers came along.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am Seat 21^4 2m 2154 200
Co"n. %^: Ind. .. 26"" fV. 2^,, 3,20U
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 27 26/4 26/. 2,200
East. Kodak 236 223 234 4,800
Fr,v Fm "A" ..34 32 32J4 16,800
Is film A^ rts.. 7/. m 6^» 19,500
Fox Film deb. rts. /. % Ji }MOU
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 42/a 41 42/. 18,800
♦Keith AG j^=
I^J^w'f 'inc.- •;:::: 76^ 73^ 76^ im^
;^-V";..::: 7op 6^ f | imoo
Pathe Exch. . . . H 5 ^5/ 5,500
r"k-o ..:::::::: 36H 34^ \% so,7oo
^-. ^^L '!':: n^ mi % 4o;5m
do pfd 6254 6I/2 62!4 30
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz ... ..•• •••• 65 ....
Columbia Pets. ..35/. 35/8 35/8 20
Fox Thea. "A" .. 7/. 7}4 7Ji 2,30(,
♦Intern. Proj. ....... •••• J^ •■•■
Loew do deb. rts.. 40 38/. 40 lOn
♦Loew, Inc., war. .... .... i^/2 ■•■■
Nat. Scr. Ser. .. 23/. 23 23/. 200
♦Nat. Thea. Sup f^
♦Univ. Pict l" ^ ■■'■
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keth A-O 6s 46. 90 90 90
Loew 6s 41WW...117 117 117
'^jL:^.ts-lV:A<^2 1^0?/. IK. -'
74^e^^s^r".-65./8 6m'6L^ ' 2V
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
ft Nev» York Long Island City g
fa 1540 Broadway 154 ,9,"=""' .^*- «
ia BRYant 4712 STIUwell 7940 j.j
i Eastman Films if
I J, E. Brulatoor, Inc. |
K Chicago Hollywood ♦];
♦•} , .. , 6700 Santa Monica jj
».♦ 1727 Indiana Ave. B\vi. il
;•♦ CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ;|:
London Music Men in N. Y.
to Confer with Red Star
jonn Abbott, of Francis, Day 6:
riunier, English music House, is m
.Ncw lork conferring with i'at Fian-
(.i i> , executive director ot tne Keo
.^lar Music Co., Fox subsidiary, on
loieign rights for the latter com-
pany s catalog. Victor Alberti, tiie
ociun publisher, also is in town lo.
.lie same purpose. Flaherty recent-
ly made arrangements wneieu.
v_ampDell-Connelly Ltd., of London,
will nave the exclusive United Kmg-
aoiu rights to all Red Star music loi
ci iwo-year period.
Warners Get Lease on
Proposed Coast House
iicst Coast Bureau, THE I'lI.Al UAiLi
i^os Angeles — Warner Bros, has
taken a long lease on the new mil-
lion dollar theater to be built at
\\ ilshire and Western here.
New Warner Theater
for Morgantown, W. Va.
J. L. Warner announces plans for
ihe construction of a 2,000-seat War-
ner house in Morgantown, W. Va.
Pathe Officials Fined $500
Fines of $500 each, for alleged vio-
lation of the ordinance against tin
storage of more than 5,000 feet oi
film, were imposed upon John C.
Flinn and Henry F. Lally yesterday
by Magistrate George W. Simpson
m Municipal Term Court. Nathan
Burkan, counsel, said the fines wouk.
be paid under protest and appealcc
on the ground that the Fire De-
partment at no time had fil^^' a com
plaint against the studio's failure to
obtain a permit for storing film.
Muskegon Regent Bombed
Muskegon, Mich. — The Regent
was yesterday bombed, causing an
estimated damage of $30,000. The
V. J. Schlossman Amusement Co.,
owners, attributed the trouble to la-
bor difficulties.
I^ooler-y^ire
BALANCED
REFRIGERATION
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
PARAMOUNT BUILDING
$250,000 on Voice
Vivienne Segal, whom the
Warners coaxed from the mus-
ical stage, has taken out $250,-
000 voice insurance from
Lloyds. The policy is for one
year.
Radio Theater in Debut
Atop the New Amsterdam
.\ radio theater, where patrons
may watch the broadcasting artists
betore the microphone, made its de-
but Sunday night atop the New
.•Amsterdam in New York. The
stage of the former home of the
Ziegfeld Frolics has been converted
into a radio studio, with a heavy
glass in a steel frame taking the
place of the usual stage curtain. Per-
formers did their stuff behind this
glass, while the audience heard the
proceedings through loudspeakers.
FitzPatrick Releasing
2 New Music Masters
Two new Music Master films,
"George Frederick Handel" and
"I'rederick Chopin," are now being
released by FitzPatrick Pictures.
Nathaniel Shilkret conducts his Vic-
tor concert orchestra throughout
these releases.
Boles Leaves for New York
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAIL\
Los Angeles — Following his broad
cast in Paul Whiteman's hour pvc
a national radio-hook-up, John Bolc;
leaves tonight for New York where
lie will attend the premiere of "La
Marseillaise" at the Roxy.
Luncheon for Grant Cook
(irant L. Cook, executive vice
president of Tiffany and recently
back from the coast, will be the guest
of honor at a luncheon in the Yacht
Room of the Hotel Astor, Thursdav
at 12:45.
Pastime Sold
Estelline, Tex. — The Pastime has
been sold by Clifton & Whaley to
John Cahudoin.
ELMER PEARSON
Business Counsel and
Producers' Representative
17 EAST 4STH STREET N. Y. C.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions Sor
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Perm. 3580
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: R-K-O district managers meet
New York.
Mar. 20 Annual election of Maryland M.
TO. officers at Baltimore.
Mar. 25 Annual meeting of Projection A
visory Council at Town H?
N. Y.
Mar. 26 Premiere of "Mammy" at the W
ner, N. Y.
Apr. 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at
New York house, not yet decid
upon.
5-5-5 Conference will take place
N. Y.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and i\
of the Warner Club. Inc., at tl
Hotel Commodore, N. Y. I
THEATRE WANTED
For rent or lease. Modern house,
talking equipment, seating not less
than 1,000. In New York, Brooklyn
or Long Island. Write giving full
description and terms. P. O. Box
177. Station N, 203 West 69th Street,
New York.
Wanted Theaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolph Sof f erman
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 360?
PHOTOCOLOR
CORPORATION
now located at
729 Seventh Ave
I SUITE 605)
Telephone: BRYant 989
Color and Sound - Disc and Fill
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OP ERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
N PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
Business Is Excellent When Tou Run Good Pictures
PROVEN BY
Clancy in Wall Street
THE LAUGH PANIC OF THE YEAR
featuring CHARLEY MURRAY and LUCIEN LITTLEFIELD
WHICH OPENED AT
R. K. O.'S ALBEE THEATRE, Providence, R. I.
TO TREMENDOUS BUSINESS AGAINST COMPETITION OF TWO
OF THE SEASON'S OUTSTANDING PICTURES
READ THIS WIRE
cuss OF SERVICE DESIRED
NIGHT MESSAGE
NIGHT LETTER
Patrons should mark an X oppo-
site the class of service desired;
OTHERWISE THE MESSAGE
WILL BE TRANSMIHED AS A
FULL-RATE TELEGRAM
WESTEj^li UNION
AM
NEWCOMB CARLTON, PRESIDENT GEORGE W. E. ATKINS, first vrcE-PRESlDENT
NO.
CASH OR CHG
CHECK
TIME FlLEJp
PTA 373 38 NL PROVIDENCE
Nat Levine,
Aristocrat Pictures,
1650 Broadway, New York City.
Clancy in Wall Street Opened Saturday and Sunday Splendidly to the Best
Business in Many Weeks With Tremendous Competition in the Opening of the
Vagabond King at Fays and The Rogue Song at Loews stop We Look for
Record Breaking Week as the Audience Reaction of Picture is Wonderful,
People are Laughing and Talking About Picture stop You have a Comedy
Sensation That Should Do Big Business Everywheres Good Luck
Charles Reed Jones
A BETTER MONEY PICTURE THAN MACFADDENS FLATS— BOTH
PICTURES PRODUCED BY EDWARD SMALL
First Run Bookings Now Being Arranged
Communicate
NAT LEVINE— ARISTOCRAT PICTURES
16S0 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
Just out
i:)ATHE C€MEDIE§
^ The announcement
book for Pothe's new
season comedy product
is out today.
^ This book keynotes
a new thought and a
new pace in comedy
making.
*l Pathe has ever been
supreme in this field
and this announcement
sets a new high mark.
General Sales Manager
PATHE EXCHANGE, INC.
;e$
rCC I93€ AND *31
CHECKER COMEDIES
(SIX)
MANHATTAN COMEDIES
(SIX)
MELODY COMEDIES
(SIX)
CAMPUS COMEDIES
(SIX)
FOLLY COMEDI ES
(SIX)
RODEO COMEDIES
(SIX)
RAINBOW COMEDIES
(EIGHT)
WHOOPEE COMEDIES
(EIGHT)
{all two-part productions}
Produced at Path'e's
Culver City Studios
E. B. DERR, Executive vice President
in charge of production
JOHN C. FLINN, vice President
in charge of comedy production
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€)
Declares Sound Has Changed
Film Illusion Into Realism
YESTERDAY the silent film,
a thing of lights and shad-
ows, was its own justification. It
created again for us the events of
yesterday, the doings of the
world and the happenings of
time, translated into terms of
patterns and movement. But it
was an illusion, no more than a
clever fake, that hypnotised us
by its mystery and charm into
belief in the imitation. But the
sound-film moves on different
lines. With it illusion is vanished
beneath the power of realism.
What was seen was delightful.
What is seen and heard con-
vinces. This is history that can
be worthily preserved. With it
the common man is able to be
present at the greatnesses of con-
temporary happenings even as
their murmur has as yet not died
down. Not just their shadows,
but their tonal substance.
"To-Day's Cinema," London
♦ * *
Salvation Army Benefit
for Toledo "Untamed" Showing
T. H. MERRIMAN, manager of
J Loew's Valentine, Toledo, as-
sisted in promoting a special
Thanksgiving fund for the Sal-
vation Army. Arrangements
were made to place two booths
in and near the lobby of the
house, and a cut-out of Joan
Crawford holding a tambourine
was attached to each. Public
was invited to pitch two coins
in succession into the tambour-
ine for which they ivould see
"Untamed." All the money went
to the Salvation Army.
—M-G-M
America produces 85 per cent
of the world's motion picture
entertainment.
^hj&fhr!
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
A . P. WAXMAN'S fame as "Silk Hat A. P." having spread
to the West Coast, where the natives like to make visitors
feel at home, the Warner publicity chief on his recent arrival in
Hollywood was greeted by a barrage of top-hat wearers, the
dudes being Max Shagrin, Harry Maizlish, George Thomas and
Maurice Silver Ted Healy has been g^ven a Loew head-
line berth for four weeks around New York prior to getting into
a lower berth headed for Hollywood's talker factories
* * 4t *
J^UCILLE WEBSTER GLEASON had to change her vaude-
ville plans and return to the Coast, where husband Jimmy
goes to work for Pathe as soon as the dentist is finished work-
ing on him, which can't be too soon to please Jimmy
George K. Arthur also is Hollywood-bound after a vaudeville
sojourn Mrs. Irving Berlin attended a private New York
showing of "Mammy," which her hubby wrote for Al Jolson,
who incidentally is in town for the premiere March 25 at the
Warner
* « * 0
J^ICARDO CORTEZ is scoring heavily with his gripping
drama, "Wanted." at the Palace this week Also on
the bill is Fannie Brice, who recently became a full-fledged
cinemastar It is United Artists, and nobody else, who will
oroduce "The Bad One" with Dolores Del Rio and Edmund
Lowe, and, if your curiosity aches to know which of the two
stars is to be the "bad" one, just call up Warren Nolan
T^ENNIS KING, who vagabonds it in the musical picture at
the Criterion, will go to London to play in "The Three
Musketeers" at the Drury Lane Eddie Cantor is back
in New York after finishing his stage tour in Cleveland and
will start West next week to begin his Hollywood activities.
Walter Knapp, formerly of the Hammerstein offices,
now is connected with Edward Small in New York
'J'ERRY RAMSAYE hit upon a hot idea when he dug up a
batch of screen lovers' clutches that have made serial history
and collated them into the current Pathe Audio Review
Laurence Schwab, who left Broadway behind to make talkers
in Hollvwood, is reported as havinq: declared that the futufp of
the legitimate sta^e is all in Hollywood Charles Mac-
Arthur and Ben Hecht have another play scenario under way.
tiLTHOUGH Ben Lyon started work in "Hell's Angels"
more than a year and a half before he did "Lummox," he
will he seen on Broadivay in the latter film, six months before
the first one — and this is not a mathematical teaser, either.
Tuesday, March 18, 193(
MARCH 18--MANY HAPPY^JETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
I. Brodie Ben Hall
Bartlett Cormack Edward Everett Horton
Truman H. Talley
EXPLOITETTES
A. Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
Hagerstown House Inaugurates
New Idea in Kiddies' Matinee Club
W/'ARNER BROS. Maryland
theater in Hagerstown, Md.,
has instituted a new idea in chil-
dren's matinees which is being
well received by its patrons.
Every boy and girl under 16
years of age who regularly at-
tends the house has been given
a membership button in the Kid-
dies' Matinee Club. Each Sat-
urday ten numbers, selected from
the numbers on the membershipi
buttons, are posted in front of
the house, allowing free admit-
tance to their owners providing
they show their numbered but-
tons to the doorman. There are
other attractive features to these
Saturday matinees including the
unexpected awarding of prizes
and novelties from the stage dur-
ing the progress of the show.
From time to time, special per-
formances are announced at
which club members are admit-
ted at reduced prices.
— Warner Bros.
* * *
Football Game Used for
"So This Is College" i
pACT that local interest was,
centered on a championship
high school football game at thr
time of the showing of "So Thi:
Is College," enabled S. Pechner
manager of the Fox, at Sa<
Francisco, to put over a goo
stunt. Pechner arranged to hav.
both teams see the picture. The
appeared in uniform and sat in
special block of seats accon '
panied by cheer leaders and teai;
supporters. Mayor Rolph pri
sented the trophy to the winnin-
team on the stage of the theate.
Announcements of the ever
were made in the schools and i
local newspapers.
—M-G-r
TEN YEARS AGO TO-Dif
IN
Educational to release 13 two- :1
Chester comedies.
* * *
Select closes deal for Prizma ■■
leases.
* * *
Paramount reported making i-
vestigations relative to sale of fu «
product. ;
THE
Tuesday, March 18, 1930
OAlUf.
Coast Wire Service
f) Latest Hollywood Happenings C
FINIStlES WORK
3 FOREIGN VERSIONS
German versions of "A Lady to
,ove" and "Anna Chrisue, nav^
een completed at the M-u-M s.u
ios. Jacques Feyder has finishes
jirecting the all-taiking French p.u-
juction "Le Spectre Vert" (i'liL
[rreen Ghost). Spanish version oi
Free and Easy," which stars Bus-
ir Keaton and with Racquel Tor-
is in the feminine lead, is expected
) be completed some time in March.
Tiffany Cameramen Now
Using the New Sound Box
' Tiffany cameramen are now work-
, Jig in what has been termed "cin-
: Liia box," invented to safeguard the
. iealth of motion picture photograph-
rs. This new box is a rectangular
tair and contains a camera run by
n electric motor, a "finder" of s,
ew and improved type, a focusing
langement which permits the cam-
anian to change or adjust his
)cus without opening up the door
lu getting at the camera, and com-
lUations of strange fibers and ma-
liials. The box can be moved to
ly part of the studio, working on
lotors just as the present camera
3X does.
A Little from ''Lots
^^^^1^^;^^^^ B3 RALPH WILK m^^^^^
9 9
Bow in "Paramount on Parade"
Elaborate cast of "Paramount on
|f jarade" will include Clara Bow, who
s ks upon her return to the Coast
:•• fade a sequence for the Paramount
" becial.
Ill
lean Luau Lii^ . xv,3s in
jjAierica is dead. Far from it.
n fact we look for rather a
pfAaissance in the legitimate field
ing the ncvt few years. You will
er displar (i irely the stage ot
h and blood by mechanical sound
"^ 2 Cast by Columbia
„ , Important roles in "Soldiers and
'' /omen" have been assigned Ail'.^n
t 'ringle and Grant Withers by Co-
- jmbia. The production is under the
I) irection of Edward Sloman.
j.mes Gleason in "Beyond Victory"
[James Gleason will play a featured
jj^le in "Beyond Victory" scheduled
ill Ir early production at the Pathe
■ ludios. John Robertson will direct.
*t 3 More in "All Quiet"
jZasu Pitts, Edwin Maxwell and
jUcille Powers have been cast for
If jiportant roles in "All Quiet on the
,'estern Front."
Barbara Kent in Nolan Film
Supporting Mary Nolan in "What
en Want" will be Barbara Kent,
lio is the latest addition to the cast.
TACK BENNY says he knows a
J chap wno bought a two-pants
suit to save money and then burned
a hole in the coat.
George Duryea had an ambition
gratified when he played in "Radio
Kisses' for Mack Sennett. During
his three years in pictures he has
always enacted emotional roles, al-
though he had usually played com-
edy roles on the stage. It was when
he had almost despaired of ever
doing anything in the lighter field,
on the screen, that he was engaged
for the Sennett comedy.
* * *
Our Passing Show: David
Butler, Melville Burke, Joseph
Schildkraut, Jack Oakie, Al
Rosen, Regis Toomey, Ralph
Forbes, Jack Fier, Edward
Belasco, Jean Hersholt, Gus
Barth, David Burton, Max
Hart, WilHam S. Gill at the
"Rope's End" opening; Noel
Madison and William S. Gill
visiting First National.
* * *
The largest and most powerful in-
candescent lamp in the world is being
demonstrated at the studios. It gives
a 3,000,000 beam candle power over
a spread of 120 degrees, when housed
in its mammoth reflector. It oper-
ates without noise and has been de-
signed especially for huge Techni-
color sets.
* * ♦
Frank McHugh has been
signed to a long term contract
by First National. He was
signed as a direct result of his
work in "Madamoiselle Mo-
diste," now being filmed. He
was introduced to pictures by
Robert Armstrong, with whom
he worked in a Des Moines
stock company several years
ago. "Bright Lights" was his
first picture.
Al Dubin and Joe Burke, the
prolific writers, recently completed
the score of "See Naples and Die,"
for Warner Brothers, and also wrote
a new score for "Top Speed," for
First National. Al composes the
music, while Joe furnishes the lyrics.
Columbia officials were so
well pleased with the work of
Bert Glennon, who directed
"Around the Comer," that
they gave him a long term
contract. With the exception
of Frank Capra, Glennon is
the only director at Columbia
with such an agreement.
T EO McCAREY, who will direct
"Roadhouse," for Fox, has writ-
ten "The Count of Ten," a play
based on the incidents in the life ol
his father; "Uncle" Tom McCarey
long a noted fight promoter. The
play is expected to be placed in pro-
duction in the East in the sprmg.
Director McCarey held the mega-
phone on "The Sophomore," for
Pathe, and his most recent assign-
ment was "Let's Go Native," for
Paramount.
* ♦ *
Do you remember when
Frank Joyce was in vaudeville;
when Allen McNeil was a
leading heavyweight; when
Donn Hayes was an expert
drummer in Henry Halsted's
band; when Harry Wilson was
a Mack Sennett comedian;
when Forrest Halsey was a
painter; when Jack Cunning-
ham was f«reman of the Be-
midji, Minn., Pioneer print
shop?
* * ♦
Benny Rubin is all smiles these
days. He will have had four pic-
tures on Broadway within six
weeks. The pictures are "They
Learned About Women," "Mon-
tana," "The Song Writer" and
"Lord Byron of Broadway."
* * *
When Mauri Grashin and Tom
Lennon, Pathe writers, got their
names in the paper for the first time,
they became quite excited. Purchas-
ing 100 copies of all the sheets in
town, they carefully cHpped out the
item. "What'll we do with the rest
of the papers?" asked Lennon. "I'll
show you," said Grashin. He then
folded the papers neat and went out
on Washington Blvd., where, with
part of the sheets missing he sold
them at a discount.
"U" Signs Fort
Garrett Fort will write dialogue
for Universal, having been signed
under a long term contract.
O'BRIENWKSON TO DO
THIRD TOGETHER FOR FOX
George O'Brien, star, and A. F.
Erickson, director, will again work
together in making "The Last of the
Duanes," for Fox. The same com-
bination already has made for the
company "The Lone Star Ranger"
and "Rough Romance." Adaptation
and dialogue for the latest picture is
being written by Gerrit Lloyd.
"Whoopee" Cast Here April 1
Eddie Cantor and practically the
entire cast of "Whoopee" will ar-
rive at the Samuel Goldwyn studio
here before April 1. Production of
the musical extravaganza will be un-
der joint supervision of Goldwyn and
Ziegfeld and will begin April 17.
M-G-M Revue Nears Completion
"The March of Time," Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer revue, featuring
stars, humor and dances, of the past,
present and future is now nearing
completion. Latest units added to
the production were "Graduation
Day," featuring the Duncan Sisters,
and a Cliff Edwards skit.
2 English Players Cast
Jillian Sand and John Garrisck,
English players, have been added to
the cast of "Are You There?" which
will star Beatrice Lillie. David But-
ler will direct for Fox.
11 Featured Players in Cast
Number of featured players in "Fox
Movietone Follies of 1930" has been
increased to eleven with the addition
of Huntley Gordon to the cast.
Van Buren with "U"
Universal has signed A. H. Van
Buren, stage director. He is now
at work with Ernst Laemmle who
is directing "What Men Want."
Arthur Lake to Be Starred
Arthur Lake will be starred by
Radio Pictures in "Tommy," which
Melvin Brown is directing.
CURRENT RELEASE
"SONG OF THE WEST"
(Directed by Ray Enright)
COMING KELEASES
"HOLD EVERYTHING"
"GOLDEN DAWN"
Wirner Brothers and
First N*tk)n*l Vitapbione Productions
Glenn E. Romingcr
{Sound Technician)
THE
-.%g»S
PAILV
Tuesday, March 18, 1931
EIGHT SEAniE HOUSES
NOW HAVE WIDE SCREEN
Seattle — Eight theaters here are
now equipped with enlarged screens,
with many exhibitors planning future
installations. The houses now ready
to show enlarged pictures are the
Egyptian, Liberty, Venetian, Roxy,
Bagdad, Columbia, Music Box and
Blue Mouse.
Month's Layoff Planned
at Universal Studios
{Continued from Page 1)
to be finished in about three weeks.
As soon as final scenes are completed,
Carl Laemmle, Jr., will depart for
New York where he will confer with
executives on product for the forth-
coming season.
Jennie Goldstein Signed
for Jewish Talker Series
(Continued from Page 1)
will start production as soon as Miss
Goldstein completes a road tour. The
first picture will be based on "Sonit-
chka," the musical play in which she
is now appearing at Gabel's in New
York.
Illinois Exhibs in Tieup
with Advance Trailer
Chicago — Arthur F. Gangel, dis-
trict manager of Advance Trailer
Service, has arranged a tieup where-
by his firm will supply advertising
film to all houses of the Illinois In-
dependent Theater Owners' Ass'n.
4th Ave. Amusement Co.
Shifts Several Managers
Louisville, Ky. — Flynn T. Stubble-
field, manager of the Alamo, has
been appointed manager of the
Strand, and Kenneth T. Collins,
present manager, has been transfer-
red to the Apollo in Indianapolis.
J. Johnson Musselmann, formerly at
the Alamo and now in charge of the
Hippodrome and Liberty theaters in
Terre Haute, will be recalled to as-
sume his old duties there. The
houses are all owned by the Fourth
Ave. Amusement Co., of which Fred
J. Dolle is president.
Publix Drops Stage Units
in Dallas and San Antonio
Dropping of Publix units at the
Palace, Dallas, and the Texas, San
Antonio, effective last Saturday,
leaves the state of Texas entirely off
the circuit's presentation route.
Color Cartoon in "U" Film
An animated cartoon sequence in
color illustrating how Paul While-
man became king of jazz will serve
as a prologue to "King of Jazz," in
which Universal is starring the band
leader.
Harriscolor Deal Reported Off
IVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Negotiations by
Warners for the purchase of Har-
riscolor are reported as having been
called off.
Citizens Back Theater
JJonna, Tex. — A committee
has been formed by local citi-
zens to raise $40,o00 tor the
uuuding of a modern theater
nere. Since Publix closed the
Oonna, the populace of this
town has been obliged to visit
neighboring cities tor picture
entertainment, with business
men complaining as a result.
COAST AGENTS TO SEEK
(Continued from Page 1)
sonnel of this body is said to con-
sist of Freddie iralick, president;
Myron Selznick, vice president; Ben
Englander, secretary, and Grant E.
Doige, treasurer, with the charter
members being reported as Fralick,
Uolge, Lichtig and Englander, Selz-
nick and Joyce, Rebecca and Silton,
Harry Wurtzel, Arthur M. Landau,
John Lancaster and George Ullnian.
The flow of talent from the East
to Hollywood has caused the num-
ber of local agencies to increase
ironi around 35 to nearly double that
number in the last few months.
George W. Pearson
Returning to England
George W. Pearson of vVelsh-
Pearson-Elder, Ltd., London, is due
in New York today from the Coast
for conferences with Grant L. Cook,
executive vice-president of Tiffany.
While in Hollywood, Pearson acted
as supervisor in the making oi
"Journey's End," representing his
own company and Gainsborough
Productions, Ltd., which are produc-
ing the picture in conjunction with
Tiffany. He will leave for London
in a few days.
Western Electric Reports
43 P. C. Increase in 1929
An increase of 43 per cent in sales
is reported by Western Electric for
1929 as compared with the previous
year. Sales last year amounted to
$410,950,000 and net profit was ^22,-
980,000 or 5.6 per cent on sales,
against 6.7 per cent in 1928.
In the sound field, besides installing
systems in about 3.000 theaters, the
company equipped 70 film studios.
Dr. Sheppard Is Awarded
Nichols Medal for 1930
Dr. Samuel Edward Sheppard, as-
sistant director of the research de-
partment of the Eastman Kodak Co.,
has been made the 1930 recipient of
the William H. Nichols medal of the
New York section of the American
Chemical Society. The award was
made for "outstanding achievement
in the chemistry of photography."
Clara Bow Cuts Finger
IVcxt Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — While smashing a
bottle in a scene she was making,
Clara Bow suffered severe cuts on
her fingers. She was treated at a
local hospital.
AL
BROTHER'S INTEREST
Manchester, N. H. — Theater in-
terests of the late Eugene Couture
have passed into the hands of his
brother, Al, who acquires sole owner-
ship to the Paramount-Crown and a
half interest in the Star, as well as
coming into control of the lease of
the Park. Couture also is head of
the Strand Amusement Corp., own-
ers of the Strand, which is being re-
modeled to seat 1,400.
Five Feature Releases
by Paramount in April
(Continued from Page 1)
takes part, and also includes Charles
"Buddy" Rogers in "Young Eagles,'
directed by William Wellraan;
George Bancroft in "Ladies Love
Brutes," William Powell in "The
Benson Murder Case," and "The
Light of Western Stars," with Rich-
ard Arlen, Mary Brian, Regis
Toomey, Harry Green and Fred
Kohler.
Song
Agai
Sheet Racketeers
in Active in N. Y.
(Continued from Page 1)
.ng in this line has been resumed on
such a scale that John G. Paine,
chairman of the Music Publisher's
Protective Ass'n, has appealed to
Police Commissioner Whalen for aid
in stopping the illegal practice,
which is costing music publishers
and film companies together around
$15,000,000 a year in loss of royal-
ties, according to Paine.
Films, Television Added
to Equity Constitution
(Continued from Page 1)
picture field also was approved and
a selection will be made before the
annual election in May.
The purpose of these changes,
Equity officials stated, is to place the
association in a position to extend
greater protection to its members,
and to prepare for developments!
which may arise from television^
which is considered to be just
around the corner. No plans are
under way at present for a resump-
tion of efforts to organize all the ac-
tors in Hollywood, but it is inti-
inated_ that something along this
line will be undertaken again at the
proper time.
K. C. Theater Men Refuse
Places on Censor Board
Kansas City — Efforts to have a
group of local theater men serve on
a censor board with six women have
met with protest from the managers
named by Judge Carlin P. Smith.
The Judge selected Ben Ketcham,
Orpheum; Ray Whittaker, Shubert;
Lawrence Lehman, Mainstreet; Chas.
Raymond, Midland; Louis Charnin-
sky, Pantages, and George Young,
Gayety. The censorship board ideas
is the outgrowth of cases involving
three burlesque houses, one of which
is now closed for staging objection-
able shows.
Anti-Dirt Club
Kansas City — Members of
the local Fox exchange, have
formed the Broom and Duster
Club to promote cleanliness and
orderliness around the building.
Forrest E. Judd is president
and Roy Wilcox vice-president,
with Charles Lewis and Her-
bert Buckmaster as assistants.
52 TWO-REEL COMEDIES
ERON PATHE IN 1930-3;
(Continued from Page 1)
entirely in color, and Whoopee Com
edies, musical and novelty features i:
miniature.
Comedians already signed include Daphr
Pollard, Alma Bennett, Alice Day, Edd
Lambert, Trixie Friganza, Flora Finch, Job
T. Murray, Walter Hiers, Anita Garvin, Jao
UutFy, James Finlayson, Bobby Vemoi
Estelle Bradley, Neely Edwards, Betty Boy
Jerry Drew, Chester Conklin, Buster Wes
Alona "Topsy" Kay, Clyde Cook, Kate Prio
I.ige Connely, Mack Swain, Vivien Oaklan
Al St. John, Al Cooke, Poodles Hannefoi
Bert Koach, Kay Griffith, Lee Moran, Geori
Stone, Tyler Brooke, Thelma Hill. Gertru-
Astor, Kuth Taylor, T. Koy Barnes, Ru
Hiatt, Nat Carr, Kichard Carle, Bobl
Agnew, Carmelita Geraghty, Mildred Harr
Tom Mahoney, Nick Cogley, Mona Ric
Charles Kaley, and George Towne Hall.
Two large stages at the Pathe studios a
being devoted exclusively to the producti
of comedies and $250,000 is being spent I
a complete comedy village which will provi
permanent exterior and interior sets.
William WooUenden is supervisor
scenarios. Josiah Zuro, director general
music for Pathe, will also act in a sup
visory capacity for music in comedies.
Five directors now at work are An
Heath, Kobert DeLacy, F"red Guiol, Walls
Fox and Monte Carter. Carter is to dirt
two-reel musical comedies. Robert Fellol
and Al Smiley are the assistant directc
Charles Younger is in charge of sound reco
ing and John Mescall is chief cameram
The list of writers includes George O'N
John Cantwell, Luther Jantis, Dan Kus
Sam Lewis, Ray Hodgdon, Hugh Cummin
Guy Voyer, Walter De Leon, J. Keirn B
nan, Betty Scott and Frank Davis.
Among the songwriters who are contj
uting numbers to the short feature come
appear'ea'^nY''S''ninM'i5"i''"an§'"'s'ar in a'
special block of seats accom- '
panied by cheer leaders and team !
supporters. Mayor Rolph pre-
sented the trophy to the winning |
team on the stage of the theater. '
Announcements of the event
2 Chain De Luxe Houses
to Be Built in Ei
Erie, Pa. — This city will see t
new circuit de luxe houses h
shortly. Loew's is understood pli
ning to build a 4,000-seat house, '
has not decided as yet upon
site. William A. Finney of the ho
office recently visited here with vi'l
of acquiring a location. Some ti
next month construction will be
on the new Warner project on
block bounded by State, Frer
Eighth and Ninth Sts. The ho
will seat 4,250 and estimated cc
have been set at $1,000,000.
!
Curtis at Richmond Lyric
Richmond — Herbert Curtis is r
managing the Lyric. He was
merly in charge of the Colonial.
!
;»^NEWSPAPER
(•/FILMDOM
y)L. LI No. 64
Monday, March 17, 1930
Price 5 Cents
West Coast Theaters Plans Further Expansion
i ALKERS~GET 78 P. CFORMER DRAMA FANS
i>awson and Sper To Produce 18 For Sono-Art
The Eclipse
— of the legitimate
^=By JACK ALICOATE-
I YOU live in a city or town
e than a pullman jump from
valley of bright lights 'and the
h\\ you are about to see that
;\ning at the local opry house
(lertises it as direct from Broad-
Yj you may be safe in putting it
t/n as a slight deception or
4;ion of the truth, because, in
Broadway and the legitimate
now permanently divorced
motion pictures as the co
e;>ondent. Take a morning walk
n the Times building to the
iile where Columbus in statue
ojn hangs out and you will find
talkers in and the shows out,
ywhere. By this we do not
iin that the show business in
Uerica is dead. Far from it
'\ fact we look for rather a
eiissance in the legitimate field
II ig the next few years. You wiii
I.- 1 displar (I'irely the stage ot
e and blood by mechanical sound
n more than you can kill direct
>i ligation by use of the telephont;.
li iact that we wish to make here
inii)ly that Broadway has sur-
■ 'led like Uncle Tom, with body
' -• '\\\, completely to the movies.
1 Wide-Film Last Call!
iRE IS a certain restless, rather
live energy being used in sev-
directions that tells us in unmis-
l<|3le terms that one of these fine
lings he will wake up and find
new wide-film feller spread all
the land. We have previously
d our merry opinion that this
Mnent is irresistible and an en-
ijjig step forward for the indus-
The exhibitors or theater own-
ho is not up-to-the minute on
n; conquering innovation and the
cer time for its installation may
lately find himself on the out-
looking in.
Series Starring Silver
King to Be Made in
Three Years
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — ■ Douglas S. Dawson
and Norman L. Sper have just con-
cluded arrangements to produce 18
pictures starring the horse, Silver
King, for release through Sono Art-
World Wide. The series will be
made over a period of three years,
it is stated.
CHICAGO CAMERAMEN HOLD
NOMINATION OF OEEICERS
Chicago — Nominations for com-
ing elections of the Cameramen's
Union Local 666 were held recently
at Essany studios. Charles Daviu
was again selected for the presidency
while Oscar Acbe was renominated
for vice-presidency. Gene Cour de-
clined renomination for secretaryship
in favor of Norman Alley. Elections
will be held at the annual meeting at
the Palmer House, April 7.
British Exhibitor Group
to Make Silent Survey
London — A committee has been
appointed by the London section of
the Cinematography Exhibitors Ass'n
to study the silent film situation. Its
{Continued on Page 7)
To Much Business!
Toledo — Business is so good
here that theaters are standing
them up in all available space,
with the result that the city
council has ordered the safety
committee to investigate com-
plaints of overcrowding and
possible violations of safety
ordinances.
EILN LEADERS WILL SPEAK
AT m. INDORSERS MEET
Indianapolis — Annual convention
if the Indiana Indorsers of Photo-
plays will be held here at the Clay-
pool Hotel for two days beginning
April 21. Dr. Clinton L. Wunder
of Philadelphia will be one of the
principal speakers with leaders of the
industry scheduled to take part in
discussions. Mrs. David Ross of
this city is general chairman of ar-
rangements and Mrs. Earl Peters of
Fort Wayne will preside.
Former Rochester Exhibs
Sue Six Film Distributors
Rochester, N. Y. — Elmer Loritz
and William Stahley, former opera-
tors of the Monroe, have filed suit
for $400,000 in Supreme Court against
the Film Board of Trade and six
distributors whom they charge with
(Continued on Page 7)
Development to be Continued
By Fox's West Coast Circuit
Capitol Breaks Record
with "Anna Christie"
A new record for opening day as
vvell as for week-day business at the
Capitol was set by "Anna Christie,"
which drew $5,000 more than the
previous first day record gross, ac-
cording to the management. Tremen-
dous crowds continued over Satur-
day and Sunday and another record
is expected on the week.
IVcst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — With business since
the first of the year running well over
$1,000,000 a week, and all signs point-
ing to a continuance of that pace.
Fox West Coast Theaters will go in
for further expansion this year, it is
announced by H. B. Franklin. The
contemplated development, which gets
under way with the arrangements
concluded for a 1,700-seat house cost-
{Continued on Page 7)
One-Time Legit. Patrons
Prefer Screen Fare to
Amateurs
Preference of the public for talkers,
when it is a matter of choosing be-
tween screen entertainment and the
stage performances put on by the
amateur or semi-professional drama
groups known as Little Theaters, is
indicated in about 400 responses to
a questionnaire sent to theater men
and others throughout the country
with a view to determining what has
become of the patrons formerly
claimed by legitimate road shows.
The returns show that 78 per cent of
these one-time drama fans have been
absorbed by the talkers, while only
(.Continued on Page 7)
WARNERSIePORTED AFTER
HARRISCOLOR PROCESS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Warner Bros, are
reported negotiating for the Harris-
color process, which has been in-
spected and given a favorable report
by the Warner engineers. While no
(Continued on Page 7)
12 New Members Join
Illinois Exhibitor Assn.
Chicago — In response to a letter
sent out by the Illinois Independent
Theater Owners for new members,
12 exhibitors, five of whom represent
downstate theaters, enrolled within
a week.
Fox Hearings
Scheduled hearings in con-
nection with the Fox affairs
now stand as follows:
Tuesday, 3 p. m. — Show cause order
obtained from Judge Coleman by Wil-
liam Fox to restrain small independent
group of stockholders in demands for
receivership, and action by William
Fox against H. L. Stuart and J. E.
Otterson over Fox's "B" stock.
Wednesday, 10 a. m. — ^State Su-
preme Court hearing before Justice
Aaron J. Levy in suit by Stuart and
Otterson to enjoin Fox from his ac-
tion for recovery of "B" stock.
THE
^^
DAILV
Monday, March 17, 1930
ALITHE mew:
ULTME TlMf
wmi ■■""■■■■■
Itl II No. 64 Monday, March 17, 1930 Prico 5 Gonts
JOHN W. ALICOATE
: Editor aod Publislier
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager,
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., undei
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolflfsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A. Harle,
La Cineraatographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATUKDA
High Low Close
Am. Seat 2VA 20yi 21^
Con. Fm. Ind 25 J^ 25% 25M
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 26% 2b% 26/4
East. Kodak 225% 222% 224
Fox "Fm. -A"... 34% 34 34
Gen. Thea. Equ. . . 42^4 41)4 42 J4
'Keith A-O 35
■do pfd 115
Locw's, Inc 75}^ 73% 74
'do pfd. WW (6}4) 100^
d„ pfd. xw (6/2).. HS'A 88% 88^8
M-li-M pfd 25/2 25^ 25 J4
Para. F-L 69% 68>4 68/2
loathe Exch 5}4 5 5
do "A" 10% 9% 9H
R-K-O 35% 34J4 iS'A
*Univ. Pict. pfd 55 J4
Warner Bros 70% O&Vs 69'A
do pfd 62 62 62
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
"Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. .. 36J4 36% 36>4
Fox Thea. "A".. 7% 7% 7-%
'Intern. Proj 25
Loew do. deb. rts.. 39 J4 39 39
''Loew, Inc., war 12}4
Nat. Scr. Ser 23 22 22
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
*Univ. Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
*Keith A-0 6s 46 88%
Loew 6s 41ww 11754 117^ 117}i
do 6s 41 x-war 9&H 98J4 98%
Paramount 6s 47..101/2 101/2 lOl/a
Par. By. 554s51 . . .IOIK2 101J4 IOI/2
*Palhe 7s.37 57
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
>■)
Sales
200
6U0
60U
SOU
1,8U0
600
900
ioo
100
3,900
1,000
300
3,700
9,5UU
100
100
400
{.^♦♦♦•♦••♦♦♦♦♦♦♦V* •♦♦•♦♦♦♦•♦♦>♦♦♦♦♦*♦♦>•••♦♦•'♦♦ •♦♦♦•%.>
if New York Long Island City j"{
« 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. J.J
♦.♦ BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.t
I J. £♦ Brulatour, Inc. |
ft Chicago Hollywood ;'{
U 1727 Indiana Ave. ^''°° Santa Monica it
tf Blvd. ;t
J.: CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ;'J
•I i'x
The Broadway Parade
No important openings are scheduled for this week. Two long-run films came
to Broadway last week, "Mamba," which is at the Gaiety, and "Song O' My
Heart," which is playing at the Forty-fourth Street. "White Cargo" closed at
the Cohan yesterday.
Pictur* Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Love Parade" Paramount Rivoli Nov. 19
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan. 28
"Green Goddess" Warner Winter Garden. . . .Feb. 13
"Puttin' on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb. 14
"Vagabond King" Paramount Criterion Feb. 19
"Song of the West" Warner Warner Feb. 27
"Case of Sergeant Grischa" . . . RKO Globe Mar. 7
"Mamba" Tiffany Gaiety Mar. 10
"Song O' My Heart" Fox 44th St Mar. 11
Ginsberg on Trip
Henry Ginsberg is on a trip to
Middle West Windsor exchanges.
He will visit St. Louis, Milwaukee
and Cleveland.
To Reopen at Fairmont
Fairmont, Minn. — W. P. Nicholas
will reopen the Nicholas which was
damaged by fire.
Maxwell Succeeds Payne
Cape Girardeau, Mo. — Reynolds
Maxwell of Joplin has succeeded ( .
C. Payne as manager of the local
Fox.
Alexander Sells Theater
Alishawaka, Ind. — L. W. Alexan-
der, owner of the Tivoli here, has
leased the house to Lewis Corcho-
vety, Max Brown and Henry Lowen-
stein, all of South Bend, Ind. Alex-
ander was recently appointed man-
ager of the Sono Art.
Kennedy Resigns from Apollo
Indianapolis — James D. Kenned\
has resigned from the Apollo aftei
eight years. Fourth Ave. Amuse-
ment Co. is now operating the house.
Glick Joins Texas Circuits
Belton, Tex. — After 15 years with
Lhiiversal, C. C. Cluck has resigned
to become affiliated with the Bel-
tonian and Beltex theaters here. Ht
has purchased an interest in the com-
pany.
Marlow Sells to Fox
Herrin, 111. — John Marlow has sok.
his theaters in this city and Murphys-
boro to Fox.
Parsons Leaves New Era
London — R. J. Vivian Parsons has
quit New Era Films to join Produc-
ers Distributing Corp., which he will
represent in western England.
Mauk to Have Sound
Superior. Ariz. — Western Electric
apparatus has been put in the Mauk
Opens with Sound
Nanipa, Idaho — The Adelaide has
opened up with sound. Western
Electric equipment is used.
M-G-M Opens Dallas Branch
Dallas — M-G-M has formally open-
ed its new exchange here. Leroy
Bickle is manager.
Sunday Shows for Gainesville
Gainesville, Tex. — Sunday shows
will become a reality here within six
months, says the Witchita Falls
"Times."
Publix to Reopen Plaza
El Paso, Tex. — Plans are under
way for the reopening of the Plaza
Here some time m July. John Pax-
ton of Publix is taking bids for the
remodeling of the house which is
expected to be completed about
July 15.
Talkers for Bristol House
Bristol, England — Eastville Hip-
podrome has been opened to the pub-
lic with talking pictures. Edibell is
the equipment.
Completes Improvements
Rhinelander, Wis. — Improvements
at the Majestic, including a new
sound screen and new upholstered
seats, have been completed.
Orpheum Equipped
Twin Falls, Idalio — New velvet
curtains and stage draperies have
been installed at the Orpheum.
To Handle U. S. Films
London — Equity will distribute in
1930 eight silent films featuring
Buddy Roosevelt through an agree-
ment with Artclass Pictures Corp.
of New York.
British Theater Sold
Leeds, England— Max Goldstone
of this city has sold the Plaza, Bat-
ley.
Brady Palace Wired
Brady, Tex.— Western Electric en-
gineers have wired the Palace.
SALESMEN WANTED
Must be experienced in show
business.
Box Office Boosters, Inc.
37 West 23rd Street
GRAmercy 0731
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
June
20 Annual election of Maryland M.P.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" at a
New York house, not yet decided
upon.
5 Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc., at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
5-8 S.M.P.E Spring Meeting at the
Wardman Park Hotel, Washington,
D C.
25 Fox annual sales convention starti
to-day.
2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
New Officers Elected
to Corsicana Amuse. Co.i
Corsicana, Tex. — Officers of the
Corsicana Amusement Co. were re-
cently elected at a meeting of the
stockholders. J. N. Garrity was.
.lamed president. W. T. McEhvee,:
v'ice-president; John Murray McGee,;
secretary and treasurer. The board
of directors now consists of J. N
Garrity, W. T. McElwee, T. J. W'al
ton, H. O. Blanding, William Peck
and R. L. Hamilton.
William Wellman Gets
Release from Contract
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM D.IIU
Hollywood — William W'cUnian,
whose contract with Paramount had
some time to run, has obtained lii^
release from the agreement and is
leaving that company.
Mrs. Berlin Sees "Mammy"",
A private showing of "Mammy'
has been given Mrs. Irving Berlin at
the Warner home office. Berlin wrote
all the songs for the Al Jolson pic :;
ture. ,!
Skouras Becomes Father
Spyros Skouras has become th i
father of a nine and a half pound
boy, born March 7 at Miss Lippin*
cott's Sanitarium. Mrs. Skouras !'•
doing nicely.
F. N. Gets Release Date
April 20 has been set by First Na
tional as the general release date fo:
"Show Girl of Hollywood."
ExniBnQR
of Philadelphia
of Washington
^TnK NEW YOBK STAJl
of New York, Al-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Co(^"\
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4,600 the- 1
aire owners. The i
most intensively read
journals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
everlastingly at it for'
the 12th successive
year.
1007o coverage o
a 35 7o territory!
EMANUEL-GOODWIN PUBLICATION!
< New York — Philadelphia — Washington'
Main Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA
jeo. W. Weeks.. Executive Vice-Pres.
larry H. Thomas. Vice-Pres.. in
Charge of Distribution
THi: JAMES CRUZE PRODUCTION
Starring OLIVE BORDEN and LLOYD
HUGHES in a fast bubbling tale with a new
angle on flippant flappers, seeking sheiks and
rowdy revels. Indulgent fathers, careful
mothers and reformed radio announcers, too,
are going for it like kids for the jam closet.
lSK RK-O, STANLEYWARNER, fox, LOEW, sparks, circuit managers -they KNOW!
Gi^^^^fevil
o<t^
or-.^»lJ
»Sl^'
A
^0C
- S*^!
~^i!^
A Tremendous UNITE
Presented by JOSEPH M. SCHENCK
0>N^^
•«s
. riot o1 *»"S «"»?
-^es a" of **»*
con»e"- „ ^ H. ' • of
u 'Bt ^ tale-
Oproa«^'»*'^ , at '
gives
sup
rid
VMo
fotw*
>,oKets- »*
mot'.
GR^^*?
CO
wito^!
best
tall^»«
con*"
cdies
oi ftO*«*^
br^c^
ilUul
clever
nd *^*.-; .atcW
a
conte^^.Y
'^^ Mirror
o^^^^^Vort^*"'
*^ cuttent-^^^^l^ivn ^as
tunnies*-
•Btoo*
,tiin»
toets
issio^
to ^^^^'^
, tOMt"
imSTS Hit!
Directed by THORNTON FREELAND
THE
^^
DAILY
Monday, March 17, 19.'
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Avers Exploitation Hasn't
Advanced Since Films Began
TF editors today have clipped
the wings of the press agent
by demanding some foundation
in fact for piibHcity, and thus
forced some change for the bet-
ter, it is unfortunately true that
there has been no marked degree
of improvement in so-called ex-
ploitation stunts. Seventeen years
ago, and more, too, for that mat-
ter, they were presenting the
keys of the city, staging joke
parades and races, holding re-
semblance contests and otherwise
striving for newspaper space.
Nor, in studying the press sheets
prepared for present-day talking
pictures, do you find anything
materially new. The same ideas,
slightly revamped and thinly dis-
guised, are printed.
Chester B. Bahn in
"Syracuse Herald"
* * *
Opposed to Motion Pictures
Produced Entirely in Color
pOSSIBLY we are archaic, but
we believe we represent a
substantial section of the picture-
going public when we say that
while an occasional sequence in
color may help a picture, the all-
colored product is, to borrow a
convenient street saying, a pain
in the eye. Costs enter into the
subject also. The costs naturally
are passed to the exhibitor.
Jay Emanuel in
"The National Exhibitor"
* * *
Sees the Closeup Doomed
by New Film Developments
"NTEW equipment has rung the
curtain on closeups, both the
talking movies and technicolor
movies contributing their share.
But it is expected that Grandeur
film will forever deprive the ac-
tors of their greatest joy, the
close-up.
Bland Johaneson tu
"Daily Mirror," New York
The 212 motion picture the-
aters in Norway grossed ap-
proximately $158,000 for the
year 1929.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
jyf ARJORIE SULLIVAN, executive secretary of the National
M. P. League, tips us off to the fact that Faith Vilas,
Fononda Sheeseley and Laura Niles, debutante members of the
Junior Radio Commission of the League, will talk about current
films over WPCH at 3:30 p. m. today. For their good deed they
will be treated to a lunch at Pierre's by Mrs. Stanley P. Wood-
ward, the League's president, and Elvie Hitchings, reviewing
secretary, will discuss selected films with the debs
* + * *
r)ONALD H1^:NDKR.S()N CLARKE says that if Jack I<>ancis
gave him all the material for "Louis Beretti," as printed, he
wishes Jack would hurry up and send him material for the novel
he is now working on, by the same system, which must be
telepathy since Don hasn't seen Jack in years Warner
Bros, has signed Laura Lee as featured comedienne in "Top
Speed" Mel Hey man, of Metro's press department has
worn out two pairs of shoes in the past months placing stills
and copy
(^ARL E. MILLIKEN, aide to Will H. Hays, spoke to 600
representative Washington women who met in the Caoital
under the auspices of the Better Films Committee of the East-
ern division. Daughters of the American Revolution
Dr. Frederick A. Cook, explorer-adventurer, recently released
from the Federal penitentiary, makes his first public appear-
ance and statement since his release at the Embassy via Fox
Movietone News Godfrey H. Boger, owner of Boger's
nrojection rooms, has retired and transferred his business to
Emanuel Rosenbloom and Joseph Josephson who will operate
under the name Audio Public Projection Rooms on the seventh
floor of the Film Center Bldg
A L SMITH, no, not our former governor, took the first prize
in the Puhlix Gold Getter Contest recently when box-office
receipts were smashed to smitherings on "Her Unborn Child"
at the Winona, Winona, Minn. Alice Goodman, who does a lot
o\ reading for the M-G-M scenario department, expects to take
the prize for s\nopsiz.ing the most amount of short stories dur-
ing the year. She'll take the prize providing no one sees her
doing it Helen Morgan has been recruited by R-K-O to
play at the I'alace for the week l)eginning March 20th
And we also hear that Gus Edwards will appear on R-K-O time
for four weeks. He will open at the Palace. Chicago. March 22.
then to Cincinnati, Cleveland and the dear old Palace on Broad-
"wav
17" "MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Elinor Golden Flynn
John McCarthy
H. D. Goldberg
Marie Quillan
Harry Reichenbach
Sid Grauman
Patricia Harris
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
Candy Ballyhoo Boosts
"Chasing Rainbows" at Schenecta(
Q. GRAVES, manager of tb
State, Schenectady, used
candy ballyhoo in his cam
paign to put over the sliowin
of "Chasing Rainbows." A tic
up was arranged with th
Wedgeway Theater, legit housi
where just before the curtail
and during intermission, ther
was a sale of candy. Arrangt
ments were made with the sale
men to talk up on "Chasin
Rainbows" chocolates. Th
was done four times a day. Eac
box of candy had a herald c
"Chasing Rainbows" wrapp(
around it. In addition s
chorus girls from the show
the Wedgeway walked tl
streets with open umbrellas m
a cloth banner with this cop
"I don't mind the rain. I a
going to see 'Chasing Rainbow
at the State."
—M-G-
A
Most Courteous Child Contest
Stimulates Interest
COURTESY contest. h;i
died in conjunction with t
engagement of "Son of t
Gods" at the Warner Theat
Charlotte, N. C, got a big brc
in the Charlotte napers
brought the good will of narei
and educational leaders in tl
city. The contest was announr,
in all of the Charlotte scho<
as well as in the local press,
of the classes in the pul
'chools were invited to select)
ballot, the most courteous m4j
hers of each class. The wini
were entertained at matinee
formances of "Son of the Go«
At a comparatively small
npiise, the management of
\\'nrner Theater was able
stimulate both good will
iiatronage in a citv that i;
toriously conservative in gi»sj
publicity to motion pictures.
— First Natiii
TEN YEARS AGO TO- A|
im
Star Co. brings suit against 'i'
graph and Pathe Freres whe; tb
announce production of "GetR"
Quick Wallingford."
Tri-Star Pictures Corp.
with $1,000,000 capital to
pictures.
■do
:
DAILV
BLIX OrnCIALS RETURN
I f ROM MANAGERS' MEEI
lublix executives are back in town
■r spending the past week in Chi-
il), where they attended a meeting
'tiivision and district managers at
II Drake Hotel. Sound was one
Ethe chief topics of discussion a
^conference, which was in session
(ii Monday to Wednesday and
F:h was presided over by D. J.
lltkin, general supervisor of the-
4 managemeht.
he main address was by Dr. M.
at^orte, sound expert for the Pub-
ic-hain, who discussed methods of
.'looming bad projection of audi-
Itj films. Bill Saal, in charge of
jling, said the future held promise
f fill better films. A. M. Botsford,
ritor of advertising and publicity,
Ae of clean advertising. L. J.
,i3wig, chief of the costs depart-
i^t, took as his topic the control
' lieater expenditures, while Comp-
o|."r Fred Metzler discussed the
ilj: of token machines in proniot-
jionesty. Sound novelties and the
_, of music on the theater pro-
4 was taken up by Boris Morros,
■^ of the music department.
Avice on how to make up the
nprogram was offered to the 250
,r;ns in attendance by John Bala-
■ji president of I'ublix-Balaban &
It
i'tier speakers were Dr. E, Stern,
ii( of the welfare department, and
ills Greenberg, in charge of
i.i enance and construction, who
■e^ed the importance of theater
ii^ilitntion.
f>itors Co-Operating
ith Warner in Drive
Sam E. Morris drive being
lucied by Warner for May play-
■' ;« has been given added impetus
cgh the co-operation offered by
vitors throughout this country
,1 Canada.
win r ^ .
"W,000 Verdict Awarded
Jinita Hansen Set Aside
J.O: $167,000 verdict won by Juan-
ivill iansen last November for scalds
,t i>ii she said she suffered while at
III i llotel Lincoln, New York, has
-utsrjset aside in White Plains Su-
yiitii| Court by Justice George H.
^ r, Jr., on the ground it was
^^ffiive and was rendered out of
TrtliUhy for the former film star.
Warners Reported After
Harriscolor Process
{Continued from Page 1)
definite information is obtainable at
this time, the presence here of H. M.
W'arner, Sam E. Morris and A. P.
Waxman is construed as having some
connection with the prospective deal.
H. M. Warner is said to be due back
in New York on April 1.
West Coast Theaters
Plan Further Expansion
(Continncd from Ptige 1)
ng $50J,000 to be erected at Hunting-
ton Park, will include a number of
construction jobs as well as acquisi-
tions of established properties.
Franklin predicts that 1930 will be
another boom year for West Coast
Theaters, which exceeded all expec-
tations for business in 1929.
Former Rochester Exhibs
Sue Six Film Distributors
{Continued from Page 1)
refusing to supply films to the Mon-
roe after Loritz and Stahley had
failed to pay an arbitration award of
%77 in a dispute with I'athe. It is
claimed that the companies demand-
ed $250 each as security before re-
leases of films was resumed under
the contract agreement.
British Exhibitor Group
to Make Silent Survey
{Continued from Page 1)
members are H. E. Hay ward, J.
Alexander, James Tilney, H. P. Sel-
vvyn, S. Dorin and E. A. Huddles-
ton. The move was prompted in
the belief that silent films are essen-
tial even to wired theaters.
Ilecording Chevalier Songs
>) songs sung by Maurice
C'^flier in "The Big Pond" are
jH recorded by Paul Whiteman
nifsl jhis orchestra on Columbia
,,1,, Chooses Oakie's Second
( Oti!: Oakie's second starring pic-
CorP'
for Paramount will be "The
om Syracuse," from the stage
(jy by John Wray, Jack O'Don-
nd John Hayden. It will be
at the Astoria studios.
Bill Cody Will Make 6
Outdoors for Sono Art
H'cst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAII Y
Los Angeles — Sono Art is report-
ed to have signed Bill Cody to star
in a series of six outdoor pictures
for the company.
Smith PDC Manager
Reginald Smith, formerly secretary
of Producers Distributing Co., Ltd.,
I'athe's distributors in Great Britain,
has been named managing director of
the organization. He replaces George
Smith who resigned recently.
Relieves Sick Manager
San Antonio — Al Fourmet, former
.nanager of the Texas here, is tem-
porarily relieving the manager of the
Kirby, Houston, who is ill.
"Outboards" Finished
A new Sportlight for Patiie en-
titled "Outboards" has just been
completed at St. Augustine, Fla.
TALKERS GET 78:P. C.
OP FORMER DRAMA FANS
{Continued from Page \)
11 per cent can be traced to the
Little Theater fan ranks, and the
other 11 per cent is on the fence.
In reply to a query as to the rea-
son for the preference displayed, an
overwhelming majority mentioned
standard of performance, entertain-
ment value, diversity of program sub-
jects, popular prices and the con-
venience afforded by continuous
shows, as the chief determining fac-
tors.
Asked if the public would be likely
to continue its regular preference for
the talkers even if road shows were
made available, about 75 per cent of
the replies were in the affirmative,
with quite a number adding that the
only hope of any competitor with the
talkers would be, first of all, by meet-
ing the matter of admission price,
which tlie traveling attractions are
considered unable to do under pres-
ent conditions.
Vaudeville, as well as legitimate
attractions, has lost most of its ap-
peal for the masses in favor of talk-
ing specialties, the survey indicated.
W. E. Wires Another in Memphis
Memphis, Tenn. — The Linden
Circle is the latest theater here to
install Western Electric.
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "General Crack"
Cameo — "Strange Case of District Attornev
M"
Capitol — "Anna Christie"
Carnegie — "Across the World with Mr. and
Mrs. Martin Johnson"
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony — "Cohens and Kellys in Scotland"
Criterion — "Vagaljond King"
Earl Carroll — "Puttin' on the Ritz"
Fifth Ave. — "Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu"
Fifty-fifth St.— "Dich Hab Ich Geliebt"
("Because I Loved You")
Film Guild — "Blackmail" and "Hunting
Tigers in Africa"
Forty-fourth St.— "Song O' My Heart"
Gaiety — "ilaniba"
Globe — "The Case of .Sergeant Grischa"
Hippodrome — "Street of Chance"
Little Picture House — "Up the Congo"
Loew's New York — Monday, "Devil May
Care"; Tuesday, "Lost Zeppelin"; Wed-
nesoay, "Across the World with Mr. and
Mrs. Martin Johnson"; Thursday, "Dark
Red Roses" ; Saturday, "Troopers Three" ;
Sunday, "Little Johnny Jones"
Paramount — "Sarah and Son"
Rialto — "Be Yourself"
Rivoli — "The Love Parade"
Roxy — "Such Men Are Dangerous"
Strand — "Son of the Gods"
Warners — "Song of the West"
Winter Garden — "Green Goddess"
Universal Discounts Nolan Suit
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Charges of unfair
treatment in a suit brought by Mary
Nolan against Universal because she
claims she was removed from "What
Men Want" are branded as ridicu-
lous by Carl Laemmle, Jr.
"Van Beuren News" Is Latest
"Van Beuren News" is the latest
release of Talking Topics of the
Day.
DIRECTORS
Who They Are and
What They Did
INQUIRE WITHIN
"^!&
IbookJI
Yf AR i
BOOK :
'950
IBlTiON
■A)V.i.fiittV>t,i
Now
being
distributed
to all
subscribers
to
THE
FILM
DAILY
Dr. De Forest Sound Cliiiie
To The Rescue
You can have De Forest Sound Quality without
junking your present equipment. Have De Forest
engineers diagnose the ailments of your machine.
Hundreds of exhibitors are desperate ! They are faced with
the necessity of junking their ill-purchased bootleg sound equip-
ment and taking the loss. This is a burden that few of them can
bear. It is to those theatre owners that this message is directed.
DR. DE FOREST SOUND CLINIC will show you how your
present equipment may be completely rebuilt without the neces-
sity of losing your original investment. By the addition of De
Forest sound head and necessary parts, you will have De Forest
sound quality and Protection.
Clinic engineers will gladly examine your present equipment
free and give you an estimate of the cost of rebuilding. Factory
trained men will reconstruct your machine at surprisingly low
cost, and you will have sound that will make friends for your
theatre.
This is the first concrete plan to come from any manufacturer
of sound equipment to give the exhibitor material aid in his press-
ing problem. The plan was conceived for you. Make the most of it !
'Our Clinic for Your Gimmick*
General Talking Pictures Corporation
218 West 42nd Street New York, N. Y.
I
iTHE
;^€>HEWSPAPER
(»/'FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 66
Wednesday, March 19, 1930
Price S Cents
Actors' Equity Spent $85,582 in Fight on Coast
LEGAL DELAYS COMSiCATE FOX ^UATION
Demonstrate Projector Head for 56 mm. Films
Sausages
and individual effort
■ By JACK ALICOATE s=^
'iNE WERE ASKED by a well-
neaning, picture-novice banker
he other day if we did not think
he present crop of pictures
vevQ so much alike as to be
ermed factory-made or chain
tore product. We replied that
some picture companies, like
iome butchers, do turn out pic-
ture product like links of sau-
sages, but, like the sameness of
each link, do not always sell
itheir product at a profit for this
[very reason. It has always been
bur contention that every suc-
cessful picture reflects the gen-
ius of a single or small group
of individuals. Now, more than
iever, is creative thought needed
las an offset to the easier but un-
I'.nspired studio factory methods.
To our way of thinking the
■door was never more wide open
nor the opportunity greater for
the individual creator of the ar-
tistic, the unusual and the com-
pelling than is oflfered now as
well as in the future of the talk-
ing picture.
The Idea Market
IT STANDS to reason that the
same set of men working day in
and day out on the same lot in
the same old way must grow
brain weary trying to find the
way out Studio business en-
ergy and efficiency is decidedly
one thing and individual crea-
tive effort within the same stu-
dio is definitely another. The
day of the small producer may
be waning but the hour of indi-
(Continued on Page 2)
Natural Vision Head is
Now Being Made for
G. W. Weeks
Practicability of showing 56 mm
pictures by attaching a new projec-
tor head and upper magazine to a
standard projection machine was yes-
terday demonstrated to representa-
tives of the trade press. The new
device, which is known as Natural
Vision head, is being exclusively
manufactured for George W. Weeks,
vice-president of Sono Art-World
Wide Pictures. Replacement can
be made in approximately 30 min-
utes.
While no definite plans have yet
{Continued on Page 7)
REC0RD8flmPlT0L,N.Y.
Four records have been broken by
"Anna Christie" first Greta Garbo
talker, in the first four days of its
run at the Capitol, N. Y., the latest
{Continued on Page 7)
Sunday Midnight Shows
for 2 More Philly Houses
Philadelphia — Two more local
houses in the downtown section have
adopted Sunday midnight shows as a
regular policy. They are the Karl-
ton and Stanton.
$1,000,000 NETESTIITED
FOR COLUMBIA THIS YEAR
Columbia Pictures will earn a net
of around $1,000,000 this year, com-
pared to the record of $551,822 in
the fiscal term ended June 30, 1929,
according to an estimate published
in "The Wall Street News." The
profits at this rate would be equal
to $9 a share on the 100,000 shares
{Ccmtinued on Page 7)
26 VAN BEOREN TRAVELOGS
TO BE RELEASED BY PATHE
A series of 26 one-reel sound sub-
jects, known as "Vagabond Adven-
tures" and presenting the experiences
in the travels of Tom Terris as the
"Vagabond Director," will be re-
(Continued on Page 7)
Hammond Demonstrates
New Recording Device
Gloucester, Mass. — John Hays
Hammond Jr., has invented a record-
ing device vvhich is said to eliminate
extraneous mechanical noises. The
device was recently demonstrated
here before a group of experts.
Equity Fight on West Coast
Not Very Costly, Audit Shows
Actors' Equity Ass'n spent $85,-
582.66 in its fight for a uniform shop
in pictures, it is revealed by the re-
port of Frank Mesurac & Co., ac-
countants, who audited the books in
connection with the campaign. Net
cost to the association, however, was
only $43,973.75, as a result of $25,-
511.22 having been contributed to the
campaign fund by Equity members,
while $16,097.69 was realized from
the carnival staged in Los Angeles.
The chief item among the expendi-
tures was $52,989.65 for relief to
striking actors. Legal work cost $4,-
561.50, salaries to extra help amount-
ed to $7,257.70, administrative ex-
penses were $3,463.12, while various
smaller items made up the remainder
of the total cost.
Equity officials consider the money
well spent inasmuch as the new play-
ers' contract of the Academy of M.
P. Arts and Sciences incorporates
many of the principles for which
Equity fought, and members of the
actors' union will enjoy the benefit
of these changes along with other
players.
Maze of Injunctions Seen
as Harmful to Banc-
america Plan
By a postponement till tomorrow
afternoon of yesterday's Fox hear-
ings before Federal Judge Frank J.
Coleman, the stumbling blocks that
have been thrown in the way of the
Bancamerica group refinancing plan
as a result of injunctions and counter
injunctions, the situation has reached
the stage where it is generally felt
that legal complications will prevent
a settlement before April 15, the date
of the next annual election.
In this event, and provided H. L.
Stuart and J. E. Otterson are able
to go through with a Supreme Court
{Continued on Page 7)
VA. EXHIBS SAFE FROM
NEW TAXES FOR 2 YEARS
Richmond, Va. — With the adjourn-
ment of the State Legislature, Vir-
ginia amusements have no fear of
state tax measures for two years.
Lucian H. Shrader of the House of
Delegates who had plamud to intro-
duce a bill which wouk place a 10
per cent tax on theater tickets, has
gone home to Amherst.
Warners Definitely Set
Plans for Two Houses
Two more Eastern theaters are
definitely set for Warner Bros. A
3,000-seat house will be erected at
West Chester, Pa. and will be ready
about the first of 193L At Torring-
ton. Conn., a 2,S00-seat theater is
planned, with the opening set for
the Fall.
The complete text of
the Revised Standard
Player - Producer Con-
tract, prepared by the
Academy of M. P. Arts
and Sciences, is printed
on page 6.
THE
DAILY
Wednesday, March 19, 19
Vol. II No. 66 Wednasday, March 19, 1930 Pries 5 Gents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
: Editor and Publisliir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Sausages
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 21 21 21 100
Con. Fm. Iiid. .. 25^ 24^ 25 2.300
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 26J4 24>4 25 2.900
East. Kodak 240^ 234^ 239^ 13,000
Fox Fm. "A" ... 33 32^4 SZVg 15,300
Fox Film A rts.. 6^
Fox Film deb. rts. 54
Gen. Thea. Equ.. 44
*Keith AG
do pfd 118 116 118
Loew's Inc 78?^ 76H 78
do pfd. WW {6yi).10lH lOl'A 10154
do pfd. xw (654) 89 89 89
*M-G-M pfd 25 54 .
Para. F-L 7354 70J4 7354 32
Pathe Exch 5Ji
do "A" 1154
R-K-O 3754
*Univ. Pict. pfd
Warner Bros. .... 75
do pfd 64% 6354
S5i 5J4 10.100
54 54 15,500
4254 43^ 17,900
.... 35
200
7,900
100
100
554 5Ji 2,100
1054 1154 1,800
36}i 37H 40,800
.... 5554 •■-.
72H 75 101,500
64Ji 3,300
— and individual effort
(.Continued from Page 1)
vidual creative effort, brains and
background in picture technique
is just dawning. The individual
will rise again in pictures for
as far as talkers are concerned
no truer word was ever written
than "If a man can write a bet-
ter book, preach a better ser-
mon, or make a better mouse
trap than his neighbor, though
he build his house in the woods,
the world will make a beaten
path to his door."
Eastman Kodak Stock up
15/2 Points in Two Days
Stock of Eastman Kodak has
registered a gain of 15j^ points in
the past two days. Sale of shares
for yesterday's Exchange session
witnessed a turnover of 13,000 shares,
for a rise of 5j^. Monday totaled
4,800, with the stock moving up 10
points.
Capitol Exch. to Handle
"Clancy" in Two States
Capitol Fihn Exchange has ob-
tained the Greater New York and
Northern New Jersey distribution
fights for the comedy, "Clancy in
Wall Street," produced by Aristocrat
Pictures, featuring Charles Murray
and Lucien Littlefield. A preview
screening for the trade will be given
at 2 p. m. tomorrow at Loew's New
York Roof.
Excelsior to Release
Films in Latin Countries
Excelsior Talkafilms Products
Corp. has made arrangements for the
releasing of talkers in France, Italy,
Spain and South America. The pro-
ductions, to be made in New York
with Italian, French and Spanish
artists, will include features of spe-
cial appeal to Latin audiences and
short educational and historical sub-
jects with talking sequences. Officers
of the corporation are Joseph Gag-
liano, president; T. R. Milana, vice-
president and treasurer, and Thedora
Marcone, secretary.
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
»Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. .. 3'^^ 335^ 34
Fox Thea. "A" . . 7^ 65i 7
♦Intern. Proj 25
Loew do deb. rts. 41^5 415^ 4154
Loew Inc. war... H"^ 1454 1454
Nat. Scr. Ser. .. 23% 235i 27J^
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
*Univ. Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 90
Loew 6s 41ww .119 119 119
do 6s- 41 x-war.. 99J4 99 9954
Paramount 6s 47 .101J4 101^ 10154
♦Par. By. 554s 51 10154
Pathe 75 37 685^ 675^ 68
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
%
is
New York Long Island City },{
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. if
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 :.:
'}
Eastman Films ||
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. l\
h
:.t
:.:
Chicago Hollywood ♦"♦
1727 Indiana Ave. ^^OO Sa^^ta^Monica ^j
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 jj
Gov. Favors N. J. Billboard Tax
Trenton, N. J. — Governor Morgan
F. Larson has gone on record as be-
ing in favor of the billboard regula-
tion act introduced into the Assem-
bly by Agnes C. Jones of Essex
County. The M.P.T.O. of New Jer-
sey is fighting against the proposed
measure.
Schmeling in German Talker
Berlin — "Love in the Ring," fea-
turing Max Schmeling, heavyweight
fighter, and Olga Tchekhova, was
shown here recently.
No More Complaints
Complaints concerning salacious
advertising now reaching the Hays
office are practically nil, it was stated
yesterday.
R-K-0 Division Managers
Holding Meetings Here
R-K-O Division managers, repre-
senting the 12 groups in the R-K-O
circuit, are holding a series of meet-
ings which will last until Friday.
The operating chiefs are meeting in
the office of Joseph Plunkett, vice
president and general manager.
Standard Gets Four
State Rights Talkers
Cleveland — Standard Film Service
Co. has purchased four features for
distribution in Pittsburgh, Cincin-
nati and Detroit where the company
maintains offices in addition to this
territory. The pictures are: "Dark
Red Roses," "Love at First Sight,"
"The Crimson Circle" and "The
Call of the Circus," all of which are
talkers.
Two Warner Specials Open
Next Week on Broadway
Two Warner specials will have
their premieres on Broadway next
week. Al Jolson in "Mammy"
opens March 26 at the Warner, while
John Barrymore in "The Man from
Blankley's" makes its debut March
28 at the Central.
Sharick Back at Cleveland
Cleveland, O. — Andrew Sharick,
Universal exploiteer who has been
managing a Universal house in
Washington, is back again. Ralph
Ravenscroft, who has been doubling
for Sharick in the territory, has re-
turned to Kansas City.
$200,000 Alterations
Warners is spending about $200,000
in remodeling the Winter Garden
and installing a new box-office.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. telephone bryant 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
May
May
June
20 Annual election of Maryland M
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
25 Annual meeting of Projection /
visory Council at Town H
N. Y.
26 Premiere of "Mammy" at the W
ner, N. Y.
28 Opening of "The Man fr
Blankey's" at Central, New Yo
1 Premiere of "Journey's End" al
New York house, not yet decic
upon.
5-5-5 Conference will take place
N. Y.
5 Second annual banquet and t
of the Warner Club, Inc., at '
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State
P.T.O. at Memphis.
5-8 'S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at i
Wardman Park Hotel. Washii
ton, D. C.
16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern nui
gers hold annual sales meet
Atlantic City.
24-25-26-27 Paramount western nui
gers will hold annual sales m
at San Francisco.
25 Fox annual sales convention sli
today.
2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Schnibben at Washington Hos
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAIl
Washington — M. F. Schnibben
the Colonial, Florence, S. C, is nc
being treated at the Walter Re
Hospital here for foot injuries
sustained last October.
AD -VANCE. AD
"I have certainly been receiving,
wonderful service on your trailers anf
want to thank you for it."
GRAND THEATRE.
West Palm Beach, Florida
WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
INCORPORATED
220WEST42^-^STREE
NEW YORK
Phone: WlSconiin 6876
ALLAN A.LOWNES. CEN.MCR.
GARBO SMASHES ALL
CAPITOL N.Y. RECORDS!
Morning!
Noon!
Night!
METRO-GOLDW
Electrifying the Amusement World!
lAYER
THE
DAILY
Wednesday, March 19, H
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
o
Foresees Great Future
for the Sound Newsreel
A NEWSPAPER relies on
•^ alertness to news values, on
its up-to-the-minute service, on
succinctness, raciness and gen-
eral efficiency. These qualities
must be established firmly in the
policy of the news reel, and there
can be no doubt that the "talkie"
newspaper will speedily open a
new era in news getting and
news dissemination, and create
for itself a vast territory of its
own. A future greater even than
of our own imagining opens up
to the film, not only as an art or
entertainment, but as a great so-
cial force. With the "talkie" and
sound magazine there is an equal-
ly wide vista ahead. The vivid-
ness and variety of the popular
journal is as nothing beside the
vividness, the realism, and the
vast sweep of the sound maga-
zine.
"To-Day's Cinema," London
Film Industry Is Held
Unprepared for Wide Screen
'THE wide screen idea is
■*• spreading. A news report
states that an entire circuit of
some twenty or thirty houses has
already made several installa-
tions and will continue them un-
til their houses are all equipped.
Th£ industry as a whole is far
from ready for another "revolu-
tion" and we see no need of
hurrying it along. Progress
can't be stopped, 'tis said, but
many times it proves the wiser to
make haste slowly. Let every-
one get over the shock caused
by sound — then proceed. Per-
haps by that time all of the wide
film producers will have agreed
upon a standard width and re-
lieve the industry from another
"interchangeability" bugbear.
Ben Shlyen in
"Michigan Film Revietv"
Industry spends close to $100,-
000,000 yearly in advertising.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
J. J. McCarthy, who is credited with originating the idea
of showing films at $2 just like stage plays, declares the
John McCormack film, "Song O' My Heart," at the 44th St.,
has the biggest advance sale ever enjoyed by a special
And Major Edward Bowes, of the Capitol, sez "Anna Christie"
must continue to give five shows daily throughout the week in
order to accommodate the clamoring crowds Also, Rich-
ard Barthelmess and Constance Bennett in "Son of the Gods"
will be held a second week at the New York Strand
Irving Berlin is coming East for the premiere of "Mammy" at
the Warner on March 26
J^ERBERT BRENON returns from Europe in time for the
opening of "Lummox," which he directed, at the Rivoli
on March 27 Winifred Westover had planned to come
from Hollywood for the same premiere, but can't get away
on account of pressing duties on a western lot Edgar
Selwyn treks to the Coast shortly to help on some M-G-M
films Sigmund Romberg has returned to New York from
Hollywood and will remain for six weeks or so
<K * * *
JESS F. NORMAN, president of the Tri-State M.P.T.O., is
J having elaborate plans made for the convention to be held
at the Lafayette Hotel in Little Rock on April 6 and 7
Otto Harbach and Jerome Kern, song-writing team recently
signed by Warners, leave languorous Palm Beach soon for Holly-
wood and action Sophie Smith has made a change in
running time at the Little Picture House and weekday shows
now start on the odd hour, rurming from 1 to 11 p. m., while
Sunday shows will run on the even" hour from two to mid-
night
* * * *
A L DUBIN and Joe Burke, who wrote the score of "Hold
Everything," have been working together 15 years
Yasha Bunchuk will conduct an orchestra of 200 musicians at
the benefit for the Israel Orphan Asylum to be given March
22 in Madison Square Garden Dr. Lee De Forest is in
Chicago to lecture before the physics faculty of the University
of Chicago, at the Lewis Institute and Institute of Radio Engi-
neering
« <» * «
Jy[ESSMORE KENDALL, of the Capitol, has accepted the
chairmanship of the m. p. division of the annual mainten-
ance appeal of the Salvation Army Harry Milstein, Uni-
versal branch manager in Pittsburgh, and his bride are back
from a honeymoon trip Charles Reed Jones has returned
from Providence where he exploited the premiere of "Clancy in
Wall Street" at the R-K-O Albee Helen Morgan will
sail for Europe after a short appearance in vaudeville. She has
booked passage for April 18
MARCH I9--MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Charles Galloway Clark
Arthur Ho3rt
William Sistrom
mi,
Charles Z. Clarke
Jim Sweeney
Melvin M. Hirsch
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
All Sallys Get Passes
to See "Sally"
AN exploitation stunt tha
proved effective at Warrer
Pa., during the engagement o
"Sally," was put over by E
Paul, manager of the Columbi;
in association with the Timer
Mirror.
All women in the neighboi
hood of Warren bearing th
name of Sally were invited t
register at the Times-Mirror
fice where they would receiv
passes admitting them to th
picture. This offer resulted i
considerable new paper spac
and increased patronage for th
house.
— First Natioru
* * *
Merchants' Exposition
Successful B. O. Tie-Up
'^ARNER'S Uptown theate
Cleveland, under the dire
tion of David Schaefer, manag
of exploitation and promotion f
the Warner theaters, has ju
concluded a local Merchants' El
position in which 32 neighbc
hood merchants contributi
$5,700 worth of merchandi
which the theater gave awj
while more than tripling its bw
ness, according to Ben Schwar
house manager. The large lob
and foyer of the 300-scat I
town was filled with disp?
merchandise, many of the
hibits having constant attenda
to answer questions and to
orders. Dresses, furs, hats 3*
coats, iceless refrigerators a
furniture were sold directly fr
the samples on exhibition.
— Ohio Showm
i
TEN YEARS AGO TO-lt
IN
Foreign situation reported asi
rious. * * *
United Pictures Theaters
new distributing company.
* * *
Percentage booking looms as |*
acteristic of new selling seasor
^
2.100,000 Publix House
i Planned for Okla. City
C'lahoma City — Publix has com-
eid plans for a $2,000,000 theater
;ij which will be the largest and
'o elaborate in the Southwest,
:ang 3,000 and equipoed with a
;ri; screen. Construction starts
ittn six months and the theater is
» )e completed within one year.
u ix will also erect a $250,000 the-
:& in the Capitol Hill section of
il«ihoma City in the near future.
THE
j^^
DAILV
y Sales Convention
[Is Set for Los Angeles
j)S Angeles has been selected as
ulcity for the coming Fox annual
il; convention, which begins May
District managers, branch man-
s, salesmen and bookers will at-
mith Chain Acquires Another
teymouth, Mass. — Phil Smith cir-
jij has acquired the Weymouth,
h has been closed to permit the
i^iUation of Western Electric
pment.
/ease Methuen (Mass.) House
ethuen, Mass. — Century, seating
has been leased to a group of
i^ter operators headed by Nathaniel
oldberg of Boston. The theater
reopen at the beginning of April
sli talker house under the name
[fhuen.
More Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Wichita Falls, Tex. — Western
Electric goes into the State which
will soon begin offering sound pic-
tures.
Plainfield, N. J. — The Cameo, un-
der the management of C. Henry,
has reopened with talkers after be-
ing renovated.
Belleville, 111. — The Washington,
has installed Western Electric equip-
ment.
Comanche, Okla. — The Ritz has
been equipped with Western Elec-
tric.
Bellaire, O. — Western Electric ap-
paratus has been installed in the Tem-
ple.
No. Birmingham, Ala. — The No.
Birmingham will open soon with
RCA Photophone sound equipment.
Long Beach, Cal. — RCA Photo-
phone engineers are wiring the
Laughlin for sound.
Sanderson, Tex. — The Princess is
being wired by RCA Photophone
engineers.
Portland, Ore. — The Oregon is
carrying out its sound picture policy
by installing the Western Electric
apparatus.
Milwaukee, Wis. — Western Elec-
tric has wired the Pabst for film
and disc.
Aurora, Mo. — W. E. film and disc
equipment is now in the Princess.
Boston, Mass. — Moviephone has
been installed at the Strand, operated
by Eddie Markell.
Vergigre, Neb. — Sound apparatus
will be installed at the Empress,
owned by A. V. Jecminck.
Jackson, Fla. — The Casino has com-
pleted installation of a Western Elec-
tric Sound System.
Madisonville, Ky. — Talking pic-
tures are coming to the New Capi-
tol which has installed Western Elec-
tric.
Fort Stockton, Tex. — The Grand
has installed new talking equipment.
Westhampton Beach, N. Y.— The
Star is being wired by RCA Photo-
phone.
Annapolis, Md. — Western Electric
equipment has gone into the Star,
seating 371.
Kulpmont, Pa. ■ — Installation of
Western Electric sound system has
been completed at the Imperial.
Co-Operative Service
Adds 18 More Houses
Detroit — Eighteen new theaters
have been added to the list of those
being booked by Co-Operative The-
ater Service Corp. In this city, the
Republic and Highland Park have
joined while at Flint the Woodward
Theater Co. has enlisted the Ambas-
sador, Calvin, Ferndale, Garden,
Harmony, Koppin, Lakewood, Ri-
alto, Uptown, Wayne, White Star
and Durant. The Riveria, Strand
and Echo at Niles and Family at
Jackson also are among the new-
comers.
Elect Officers for
N. Y. S.M.P.E. Branch
William Palmer of Paramount has
been elected permanent chairman oi
the New York chapter of the S. M.
P. E. Other officers of the recently
formed branch are: Donald F. Hynd-
man of Eastman Kodak, secretary-
treasurer; Timothy E. Shea of Bell
Laboratory Co., and Max C. Bastel
of RCA Photophone, board of man-
agers.
Edward Getlin Dies in Paris
Edward Getlin, European repre-
sentative of all Hearst newsreels
and editor of the Paris edition,
known as P-G-M Actualities, died
Monday morning in Paris, cable
dispatches state. He was born in
Brooklyn Z7 years ago and had been
in Europe 11 years for Hearst. A
widow and child survive. Burial
will take place abroad.
Don't Take Our IVord For It I
THAT
Clancy in Wall Street
IS THE
Laugh Panic of the Year
LET
A FELLOW EXHIBITOR
TELL YOU
Us Funnier Than *'McFadden's Flats*
NAT LEVINE- ARISTOCRAT PICTURES
1650 BROADWAY, NEW YORK
EMPIRE THEATRE
PORTLAND, MAINE
March 15, 1930.
Hollywood Pictures Corp.,
56 Piedmont Street,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlemen:
It is gratifying to write you that "Clancy in
Wall Street" opened to-day, not only to
capacity business, but the best business we have
enjoyed in many weeks.
I believe this speaks volumes for "Clancy in
Wall Street" as an attraction, as for opposition
we have Irene Bordoni in "Paris" at the Strand,
and "Song of the West" at the State.
"Clancy" is surely one hundred per cent enter-
tainment, and the comments from our audiences
to-day were most enthusiastic and highly favor-
able.
There is every indication that you have a
box office winner in "Clancy in Wall Street,"
and I wish you every success.
Very trxxly yours,
A. Goodside (signed)
Owner.
f^^
DAILV
Wednesday, March 19, 1',
Text of Revised Player-Producer Contrac
Various Clauses Changed in
New Academy Agreements
Following is the text of the new standard foiin of the player-
producer' contract prepared by the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences,
as revised to Feb. 5, 1930. Clauses appearing in italic type are revised
from the preceding Academy contract:
THIS AGREEMENT, made this
day of 1930 — between
(hereinafter called the producer) and
(hereinafter calleti the artist),
WITNESSETH:
1. The producer hereby engages the artist
to render services as such in the role of
in a photoplay the working
title of which is now " "
at a salary of ($ )
per week. The artist accepts said engage-
ment upon the terms herein specified.
2. The term of employment herenmlcr
shall begin on or about the. . . . day of
193..., and shall continue thereafter until
the completion of the photographing and/or
recordation of said role. If after the ex-
piration of the term hereof the producer
should desire the services of the artist in
making retakes, or in making added scenes,
or in making "trailers" , or in making any
cluinge or changes in said photoplay, or in
makin-g any foreign version or versions of
said photoplay, then and in either of said
events, the artist agrees to render such ser-
vices in connection therewith as and 7vhcn the
producer may request, unless the artist is
otherwise employed, but if otherwise employed
the artist will cooperate to the fullest extent
CHESTER CONKLIN
'Whaddya mean
stealing my
make-up?''
(HE'S IN IT)
in the making of sucli retakes, added scenes,
"trailers", changes, and/or foreign versions.
Sennces in connectimt with retakes, addea
scenes "trailers" , changes, and/or foreign
version, if such services are commenced with-
in six (6) months after the crpiration of the
Icrm hereof, shall he upon the same terms
and at the same rate of compensation oj- here-
in set forth, such compensation to be paid
from the time when the artist's serz-ices are
first rendered in connection with such re-
takes, added scents, "trailers", changes, and/
or foreign versions, until the completion of
the artists's services in connection therewith.
The phrase "on or about" as hereinabove
used shall allow a latitude of forty-eight (48)
hours (exclusive of Sundays and holidays)
either prior to or after the date hereinabove
specified as the commencement of the term
hereof; it being agreed that the e.xact date
for the commencement of the term hereof
is to be specified by the producer and is to
be not earlier than forty-eight (48) hours
before the date hereinabove specified, nor
later than forty-eight (48) hours after the
date hereinabove specified (exclusive of Sun-
days and holidays). The term "role" as
used in this agreement shall I)e deemed to
refer to said role as now written and/or as
it may from time to time hereafter be re-
written and/or lengthened and/or shortened
by the producer in the exercise of its sole dis-
cretion and judgment.
3. The artist agrees to be prompt in ap-
pearing for work as required by the producer,
to perform services hereunder in a conscien-
tious .^nd painstaking manner ;;nd in ac-
cordance with the reasonable instructions of
the producer, and to abide by the reasonable
studio rales and regulations of the producer.
The producer shall have the exclusive right
to the services of the artist during the term
hereof, and the artist agrees that during the
term hereof the artist will not render any
services of any kind to or for any person,
firm or corporation other than the producer
without first obtaining the express written
consent of the producer.
4. The term "photoplay" as used in this
agreement shall be deemed to include motion
pictures produced and/or exhibited with sound
and voice recording, reproducing and/or
transmitting devices, radio devices, and all
other improvements and devices, which are
no7v or may be hereafter used in connection
with the production and/or exhibition and/or
transmission of any present or future kind
of motion picture production. The producer
shall have the right to photograph and/or
otherwise produce, reproduce, transmit, ex
hibil, distribute, and exploit in connection
with the said photoplay any and all of the
artist's acts, poses, plays and appearances of
any and all kinds hereunder, and shall fur-
ther have the right to record, reproduce,
transmit, exhibit, distribute, and exploit in
connection with said photoplay the artist's
voice, and all instrumental, musical, and
other sound effects produced by the artist in
connection with such acts, poses, plays and
appearances. The producer shall likewise
have the right to use and give publicity to
the artist's name and likeness, photographic
or otherwise, and to recordations and repro-
ductions of the artist's voice and all instru-
mental, musical, and other sound effects pro-
duced by the artist hereunder in connecticm
•uifh the advertising and exploitation of said
photoplay. The rights in this paragraph
granted to the producer shall inure to the
CINEMA
Write For Trial Sample
TALKING NEEDLES
WALL-KANE NEEDLE MFG. CO., Inc
3922 14th Ave. Brooklyn, N. Y
benefit not only of the producer, but also to
the benefit of all persons who may hereafter
acquire from the producer any right to dis-
tribute, transmit, exhibit, advertise, or ex-
ploit said photoplay.
.S. The producer agrees that it will not
"dub" or use a "double" in lieu of the ar-
tist, except under the following circum-
stances: (a) when necessary to expeditiously
meet the requirements of foreign exhibition:
(b) wlicn necessary to expeditiously meet
censorship requirements, both foreign and
domestic; (c) when, in the opinion of the
producer, the failure to use a "double for
the performance of hazardous acts might re
suit in physical injury to the artist; (d)
when the artist is not available: and \e)
tvhen_ the artist fails or is unable to meet
certain requirements of the role, such a.<
singing or the rendition of instrumental mu
sic or other similar services requiring spe
cial talent or ability other than that pos-
sessed by the artist. The artist does herebv
agree that under either or any of the condi-
tions hereinabove in subdivision (a) to (c)
both inclusive, of this paragraph 5 set forth,
the producer shall have the right to "double"
and/or "dub" not only the acts, poses, plays
and appearances of the artist, but also the
voice of the artist, and all instrumental, mus-
ical, and other sound effects to be produced
by the artists, to such extent as may be re
quired by the producer.
6. Where the services of the artist are
required to be performed outside of the City
of Los Angeles or its environs, the producer
shall transport the artist and the reasonable
personal baggage of the artist and pay al!
necessary travelling expenses including rea-
sonable charges for board and lodging of the
artist.
7. If the production of said photoplay be
necessarily prevented, suspended, or post-
poned during the cour.se of production, by
reason of fire, accident, strike, riot, act of
God, or of the public enemy, or by any
executive or judicial order, no salary need
be paid the artist for the first week's preven-
tion, suspension, or postponement. If the
production of said photoplay be prevented,
suspended or postponed by reason of the
illness of any other member of the cast or
of the director, full salary shall be paid the
artist for the first week's prevention, sus-
pension, or postponement. Tt shall be the
duty of the producer during the first week of
any prevention, suspension or postponement
to notify the artist in writing whether or not
the producer will entirely discontinue the
production or further suspend or postpone it.
and in the latter event the producer shall
pay the artist half sabiry iluring such further
suspended or postponed period. At the end
of five (5) weeks from the date on which
the producer has stopped production the .artist
may terminate this emnloyment if the artist
so elect, unless the nrodiirer continues there-
after to pav the artist full weekly compensa-
tion. If the prnditction of said photoplay
is prevented, sii'^nended or postponed for any
reason hereinabove in this paragraph pro-
vided, then and in that event the producer
may terminate this employment at any time
after the commencement of si'ch prevention,
suspension, or postponement. If the producer
elect to terminate this employment by reason
of the illness of anv other member of the
cast or of the director, then the producer
shall be obliged to pay the artist such balance,
if any. as is thfn iinonid for services thereto-
fore rendered bv the artist, and also one
week's compensation, upon the pavment of
which the prodri-rr shall tie diseharp'ed
of and from a'l babilltv whatsoever hereunder.
If such termin.Ttion be bnsed on the happen-
ing of any ot''er cause hereinabove in thi«
paragraph set forth, then the producer shall
be obligated to pav t'-'p artist onlv such bal-
.ince. if any. as is then tmpaid for service'-
theretofore rendered bv the artist, and upon
the payment nf cuch nnnaid balance, if any.
the producer shall be d'^charged of and from
a!! liabilitv whatsoever hereunder. The pro-
ducer need pav no sniarv during any period
that the artist is incapacitated, by illnes-:
or otherwise, from performing the renuired
services hereunder, and in the event of such
iMness or incnpacitv thr producer, at its
option, may terminate this employment with-
out further liability.
8. The (producer) (artist) agrees to fur-
nish all modern wardrobe and wearing ap-
parel reasonablv necessary for the portrava!
of s<nid role, it being agreed, however, that
should sn-ralled "character" or "Period"
costumes be required the producer shall
supply the same. Any loss of or dam
to costumes, wardrobe, and other propi
furnished by the artist necessarily ari-
through the performance of the artist's
vices, or through lack of due care on
part of the producer, shall be paid for
the producer to the artist. All costun
wardrobe, and other property furnished
the producer shall belong to the prodi
and be returned promptly to it, and
loss of or damage thereto arising thro
lack of due care on the part of the ari
or not necessarily arising through the •
formance of the artist's services, shall be i
for by the artist to the producer. Any
of or damage to wardrobe, for which eit
party hereto may be liable, shall be c^
puted on the basis of depreciation schedt
to be furnished from time to time by
American Appraisal Company.
9. The producer may terminate the arti
employment at any time, either prior to
commencement of production of said ph.
play or during the course of producti
provided, however, that if the producer e
to terminate the artist's employment h
under more than thirty (30) days prior
the starting date hereinabove in paragr
2 specified, then and in that event the j
ducer shall be free from all liability of e»
kind whatsoever ; but provided further t
if the producer elect to terminate the artr
employment hereunder at any time
thirty (30) days prior to said starting <
or at any time thereafter, or during
course of production of said photoplay, ,
producer shall be obligated to pay the ai
uch balance, if any, as is then unpaid
services theretofore rendered by the art
nd also one week's compensation, upon
payment of which the producer shall be
charged of and from all liability whatsoe
hereunder, subject, however, to the provisi
of paragraph 7 hereof,
10. If during the first or last week
the artist's employment hereunder the ar
shall have actually appeared before the can'
or been on call less than six (6) full d;
then the artist's salary for such week s'
be prorated, and for this purpose one d:
salary shall be one-sixth (1-6) of the we«
rate. If the services of the artist at ,
commencement of the term hereof are to:
rendered at a place which can be reached fi
the producer's studio within twenty-four (
hours of travel by ordinary means of tn
portation, then and in that event compensal
shall not begin to accrue to the artist u
the artist's first appearance before the can
at such place or until the artist is first
on call at such place; provided, however, 1
in any event compensation must commf
to accrue to the artist not later than foi
eight (48) hours after such place has
reached ; and compensation shall accruti
the artist during the time reasonably requj
to return the artist to Los Angeles, If.I
services of the artist at the commencei
of the term hereof are to be rendered
place which cannot be reached from
producer's studio within twenty-four (
hours of travel by ordinary means of ta
portation, then and in that event compd
tion shall or shall not commence to aci
to the artist during such travel pd
and prior to the artist's first appearance)
fore the camera at such place, or prioi
the time when artist is first put on cali
such place; provided, however, that in •
event compensation must commence to
crue to the artist not later than forty-e
(48) hours after such place has been read
and compensation shall or shall not aci
to the artist during the time reasonable
quired to return the artist to Los Angji
A week shall be deemed to start at I!
a.m. on and end at 12 o'c
midniqht of the succeeding... ,
If. during any week the artist shall I
actually appeared before the camera or 1
on call each day, the artist shall receive
day's additional compensation for the ser\
rendered by the artist on Sunday, and *
this purpose, also, one day's salary shal
one-sixth (1/6) of the weekly rate. (
pensation to the artist hereunder shall
payable on _. . , .for ser^
rendered up to and including the pre,*'
ing
11. The producer guarantees thai it
furnish the artist not less than
(....) week's employment }
under: and if the foregoing blank is
filled in. then the producer shall be dee"
In have agreed to guarantee to the artiid j'
{Continued on Page 7)
V«nesday, March 19, 1930
-:xii^
OAILY
iSESCHANeiNNEW
ACADEMY AGREEMENTS
(Continued from Page 6)
•// furnish the artist not less than one
)veek's employment hereunder. The gital-
in this paragraph II set forth shall be
b<ct, of course, to the rights of snspcn
oy, and termination hereinabove in para-
•a( 7 granted to the producer. The pro-
uj agrees, that upon request of the artist,
ill advise the artist, if and when able to
),!'/ the estimated date on which, in tht
>ij«j of the producer the artist's employ
ei hereunder will terminate, it being un
•r\K)d, of course, tttat such estimated date
■rminatioti shall not be binding on the
cer, but that the producer in good faith
o the best of its ability will endeavor to
? the artist of such estimated date of
nation as far in advance of the actual
of termination as the producer may be
'llfo estimate the same.
1 // the artist shall be dismissed for the
>j[ the artist shall not thereafter be re
Ji' for work within a period of less than
■jee hours after the time of such dis-
i^l for the day.
If this agreement is not executed by
"rroducer and available for delivery it
rtist at th-e producer's studio, or if the
tii is not executed by the producer and
aid to the artist, on or before the close
tsiness on tht next succeeding busines:
ifter this agreement has been executed
e artist, then this agreement, at the op
» of the artist, shall be null and void
'd the artist elect to exercise the right
rmination under the provisions of ihif
raph 13, the artist must do so by writ-
lotice to be served upon the producei
? twelve o'clock noon, of the second
ess day after the execution hereof by
rtist.
All notices which the producer is re-
iili or may desire to give to the artist may
iven either by mailing the same ad-
tSfd to the artist at Los An-
California. or such notice may be
to ^ the artist personally, either orally
writing.
THE ARTIST MUST KEEP THE
DUCER'S CASTING OFFICE OR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SAID
TOPLAY ADVISED AS TO WHERE
ARTIST MAY BE REACHED BY
^PHONE WITHOUT UNREASON-
E DELAY.
Should any dispute or controversy
between the parties hereto with refer
to this contract or the employment here
ovided for, such dispute or controversy
be referred for determination to a com
'tl? consisting of five foundation member
;e Actors Branch of the Academy o
ofn Picture Arts and Sciences, which
trittce is to be selected by the Executive
ifnittee of the Actors' Branch of said
:c:my of Motion Picture Arts and
i-ces. Either party to such arbitratioi
li appeal from the decision rendered h
ci committee, and in such event the dis
tior controversy between the parties here
all be determined by the Conciliatioi
t. lit tee of said Academy of Motion Pic
fi Arts and Sciences. Any arbitratioi
r ider shall be conducted in accordana
it the by-laws of the said Academy o
ot^ri Picture Arts and Sciences, and in ac
rtfice with such rules as may from tim
I me be formulated by said Academy r
pftt Picture Arts and Sciences.
Comanche House Planned
t)manche, Tex.— A new theater to
>^ $20,000 is planned here by N.
^jStory, RCA Photophone equip-
^t will be installed.
'\ Wilson Made Asst. Mgr.
Ijchmond — Herman Wilson has
;f appointed assistant manager of
fBijou, Wilmer & Vincent house,
';>ee Levy.
Kitzmiller Managing Two
Jichmond — In addition to manag-
fthe Colonial, Harold J. Kitzmil-
now has full charge of the Bijou.
i Myers Succeeds Michael
ichmond— Stewart H. Myers ha;-
I'leeded Earl H. Michael as assis-
' manager of the Loew's here.
Audio-Cinema Starts
Work on "I Pagliacci"
Audio-Cineina has put "I ragliacci"
into production at the Edison studios,
New York, where Jos. Coflman is in
charge of the production and direc-
tion. A number of opera stars will
be in the cast including Fernando
Bertini, tenor; Alba Novella, soprano;
Ciuiseppe Interrante, Nino Fucile and
Mario Valle, all baritones. Fortune
Gallo will assist Cofifman in the di-
rection. Western Electric system is
being used for recording.
DEMONSTRATE PROJECTOR
HEAD FOR 56NN.TILNS
(Continued from Page 1)
been made for distribution, it was
declared that Natural Vision will be
sold outright for about $500 per head,
or rented to exhibitors in conjunction
with the showing of Sono Art-World
Wide pictures made on this size film.
The company, for the time being,
will also continue to use the standara
width film on all pictures.
Distortion is entirely eliminated
when using the 56 mm head, giv-
ing added perspective and natural-
ness it is claimed. Weeks sails for
London Tuesday where he will nego-
tiate for the sale of foreign distribu-
tion rights.
26 Van Beuren Travelogs
to be Released by Pathe
(Continued from Page 1)
leased by the Van Beuren Corp.
through Pathe. The first three,
"The Golden Pagoda," "The Street
of Mystery" and "The Lair of
Chang-Ow," will be issued shortly.
Publix Reopens Detroit Century
Detroit — Publix has reopened the
Century after spending about $75,000
for renovations. The house was for-
merly known as La Salle Garden.
Caplan Returns to Detroit
Detroit — Sam Caplan has returned
from Florida where he has been re-
cuperating from ill health. He is
vice president of Metropolitan M. P.
Co. here.
Zada at Soo, Sault Ste. Marie
Detroit — E. T. Zada has been ap-
pointed manager of the new Butter-
field Soo, which recently opened at
Sault Ste. Marie. The house has
1,300 seats.
Findlay Marvin Reopened
Findlay, O. — The Marvin, renamed
the Abowd, has been reopened by
Abowd Theaters, Inc., of which
Joseph Abowd is president. A. M.
and H. C. Horater formerly operated
the house.
Gets Cleveland Rights
Cleveland, O. — Independent Pic-
tures, Inc., has purchased for Ohio
and Kentucky release 12 two reel
Kiddy Trouper comedies and 14 sin-
gle reel all-talking westerns featuring
Texas Guinan.
Warns Against Music and
Film Copyright Violations
Atlanta
The standard exhibitor
contract is a license to show copy-
righted films and exhibitors must
have permission to play copyrighted
music in any form pointed out. L.
B. Harrell, executive secretary of the
Southeastern Theater Owners Asso-
ciation, in a statement recently issued.
Harrell warns exhibitors against tak-
ing the Thacher decisions the wrong
way and leaving themselves open to
court actions.
LEGAL DELAYS COMPLICATE
SEmiNG FOX SITUATION
(Continued from Page 1)
order granting them the right to the
Fox "B" stock held by the Bankers
Trust, they undoubtedly will use the
voting power of that stock to elect a
new board of directors for the Fox
interests and thereby come into con-
trol.
Adjournment of yesterday's actions,
one of which was a show cause order
obtained by William Fox to restrain
a small group of independent stock-
holders demanding a receivership,
while the other was a similar order
against Stuart and Otterson over
Fox's "B" stock, was by agreement
between the lawyers, who on the pre-
vious day had asked postponements
on the actions brought against Fox
by Stuart and Otterson and by the
independent stockholders. These ac-
tions are due to come up in the State
Supreme Court today. Two receiver-
ship actions also are scheduled to be
heard by Judge Coleman tomorrow.
Although the growing legal tan-
gles, which are regarded in some
quarters as being engineered to keep
the Fox case in abeyance until the
annual meeting, may prove fatal to
the Bancamerica refinancing plan, the
New York Stock Exchange already
has begun trading in rights to sub-
scribe to additional A stock and de-
bentures proposed under this plan.
Rights will expire March 28.
An order permitting Fox Film and
Fox Theaters to act as co-plaintiffs
with William Fox in his suit against
Stuart and Otterson was signed by
Judge Coleman yesterday morning.
$1,000,000 Net Estimated
for Columbia This Year
(Continued from Page 1)
of common, after payment of pre-
ferred dividends. Columbia earned
$249,931 in 1928, $155,638 in 1927 and
$59,907 in 1926.
Robbins Gets Taunton Post
Taunton, Mass. — Clarence E. Rob-
bins is the new manager of the
Strand, local Bristol Amusement Co.
house, coming from the Strand, Wor-
cester.
Sues Theater for $15,000
Winstead, Conn.— Suit for 15,000
has been filed against the Winstead
Opera House by Kosmos Constantin
of Milford over the lease on the the-
ater and the purchase of an organ.
LONGER SCREEN CAREERS
PREDICTED BY KALMUS
Ten to IS years will be added to
the careers of picture stars by color
photography, according to Dr. Her-
bert T. Kalmus, president of Tech-
nicolor. Contracts are now being
given stars between thirty and forty
years of age. Dr. Kalmus claims, be-
cause color does not show sagging
chins, wrinkles and lines around the
eyes.
'Anna Christie' Breaking
Records at Capitol, N. Y.
(Continued from Page 1)
being the gross for the first four
days, estimated at nearly $70,000,
which is better than the full week's
business for some pictures at this
house. Other new records include
the opening day's gross, Monday
business and the intake for any week-
day, all of which have been exceeded.
As a result the picture will be held
over for a second and probably a
third week. Five shows a day are
being given at present.
Edward L. Klein Gets Judgment
A judgment for $465.44 in favor
of the Edward L. Klein Corp. has
been entered against the Cinema Art
Guild, headed by Julian T. Machat,
operating the Hollywood, formerly
known as the Film Guild Cinema, in
Philadelphia, and similar houses in
Buffalo, Rochester and Chicago. The
suit was brought for balance due on
an exhibition contract.
Zapp Tendered Banquet
Detroit — Members of the local
Film Board tendered Henry Zapp,
newly appointed Pathe manager here,
a banquet in appreciation of his
work as a member of the board.
Doff With RCA
Oklahoma City — William Doff has
succeeded H. L. Pettey as RCA
salesman. Pettey is now handling
Detroit territory for the same com-
pany.
Hall Recovering
Beeville, Tex.— Henry Hall, man-
ager of the Hall Bros, here, is re-
covering from injuries received in an
automobile accident.
Remodeling Providence Strand
Providence — With the taking over
of the Strand by Publix, the house
has been closed for renovations.
Sound equipment will be installed.
Fire Watchman
Omaha — All local houses
seating more than 1,000 will
be required to keep a watch-
man on duty to guard against
fire hazards, if a bill introduced
at the last council meeting
goes through. Omaha theater
employees are supporting the
measure.
opens Garrick Theatre, Chicago,i
Next Sunday, March 23
WILL EARN FIVE MILLION DOLLARS SURE IN FIVE YEARS!
ONLY ONCE IN EVERY TEN YEARS DOES ONE LIKE IT GOME ALONG!
When a New Picture Opens Cold in a 3 Day Town and Draws a
Standing Box Office Line that Lasts Two Weeks — Some of It In
the Rain — Then You Know You've Struck Something!
IT DRAWS IT CASHES IT CLICKS
BECAUSE BECAUSE BECAUSE
IT'S NEW! IT'S BIG! IT'S THERE!
NOTHING LIKE IT EVER SEEN BEFORE
The Belgian Gongo Picture with the New Slant
The Amazing Gamera Gaptures of the Royal Expedition into the Heart of Africa Headed
by Sir Hubert Winstead, F.R.G.S.
Showing in 8 Reels of astounding shots the entire wild animal deni-
zens of the locale and including startling tribal traditions including
GORILLAS, WILD WOMEN! Z. UNBELIEVABLE
An Authentic incontestable Gelluloid Document show-
ing the Sacrifice of a Living Woman to Gorilla Hordes!
The Term for Gorilla in the African Tongue Is '
NGAGI
And that's the Name of the Newest Picture House Box
Ofl&ce Record Breaker that in Its First Tryout in San
Diego Played to Over 40,000 People in 13 Days!
.
CONGO PICTURES, Ltd.
U. S. Headquarters--! 105 No. Western Ave., Hollywood, Gali
N. Y. Representative— WILLIAM ALEXANDER— Hotel Astor
b NEWSPAPER
I^FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
Z,. LI No. 67
Thursday, March 20, 1930
Price 5 Cents
\ox Actions in Federal Court Blocked Till April 7
Ile denial to abramson suit"charges
\rliss Quits Stage to Make Warner Talker Series
I The ^Iyyoy
-U column of covament
DJE OF that big-check-bookcd
t{ known as Park Avenue, which
donally cross-towns to legit,
laway for its evening's entertain-
nj is going in for the talkers. A
^B house is planned for this area
(ii|iortant dough. Such news no
,bl will make interesting reading
(lanning Pollock and other un-
ijentlemen who have the iinpres-
i |hat motion pictures are made
:rsrtain morons. It is extremely
ly that Mr. Pollock et al will
;<that Park Avenue is not exact-
i asture where the gullible and
nisticated gambol. They have
ilfor grown-up theatricals along
Ht and the talkers are the new
ur source of supply.
"Disraeli" Star Is Due
Back from England
Next Week
As a result of arrangements just
concluded with Warner Bros.,
George Arliss will quit the legiti-
mate stage, for several seasons at
least, to make a series of Vitaphone
pictures. When the noted English
and American star was making the
talker version of "Disraeli," J. L.
Warner obtained an option on his
luture services for the screen. This
option has been taken up and Arliss,
who has been vacationing in Eng-
land, is due to sail for New York on
the Berengaria at the end of this
week, and will leave for Hollywood
shortly after his arrival here next
week.
"BOOST CANADA" move-
tjnider one phase of which On-
) j-equires that news events of
is or Canadian origin form 40
<!nt of all newsreels shown in
pjvince, has created a trouble-
ijituation for the exhibitor, pa-
jid American newsreels. The
3ers apparently prefer the pep
ajpe of the product emanating
ifiis side of the boundary line,
liompliment for the U. S. news-
nkers.
|| * * *
^JNICOLOR'S earnings for the
f-f| year are expected to reach
■'' tare, which is a mighty con-
n way of saying that color is
"li for an exciting year in the
business. Looks like expan-
lograms will never cease.
AVERT ST. LOUIS MUSICIAN
STRIKE OVER MATINEE CUT
St. Louis — Dispute between the
Musicians' Mutual Benefit Ass'n and
the St. Louis Amusement Co., con-
trolled by Skouras Bros. Enterprises,
has been settled after a series of
(Continued on Page 5)
Manchurian Theater Fire
Kills 76 and Injures 126
Kirin, Manchuria — Seventy-six per-
sons were killed and 126 injured when
fire caused by a film explosion des-
troyed a picture theater in this city.
(Continued on Page 51
Warner Memorial
Youngstown, Ohio — Warner
will start construction here
soon of a memorial theater to
the late Sam Warner. The
house, which will have a wide
screen and earphones for those
hard of hearing, will cost up-
wards of $1,000,000 and seat
3,000. David Robbins, a broth-
er-in-law of the Warners, will
manage the theater.
LOWER PRICED EHUIPMENT
REPORTED DUE FROM W.E.
A reproducing equipment costing
al)out $3,500, complete with projec-
tor, is to be placed on the market
in a few weeks it is understood. De-
tails have not been announced as
yet, although it is understood some
exhibitor associations have been no-
tified of the lower priced apparatus.
The equipment involves sound on
film, it is reported.
Members of Congress Set
Against Hudson Measure
Washington — Producers of motion
pictures are being supported in Con-
gressional circles in their opposition
to the Hudson censorship bill.
Among those who are antagonistic
to the measure are Senator Royal S.
Copeland and Representatives Soi
Bloom, John J. O'Connor and J.
(Contmued on Page 5)
Papers Represent Answer
of 48 Defendants in
Damages Action
Constituting a blanket denial of
charges made by Ivan Abramson and
the Graphic Film Corp., against 48
motion picture companies and indi-
viduals, the defendants yesterday
filed their answer to the suit seek-
ing damages amounting to $1,300,000
and alleging violation of the Sherman
Anti-trust Law. The action, which
was filed Der, 31 in the U. S. District
Court, Southern District of New
York, is against 13 major companies,
five important executives,. Film
Boards of Trade and the Hays or-
ganization.
Attorneys for the defendants are
(Continued on Page 5)
Judge Coleman Restrained
From Acting in Fox Suits
M-G-M EXECUTIVES SAIL
FOR CONTINENTAL TOUR
Arthur Loew, foreign manager of
M-Ci-M, accompanied by Dave Blum
and Joseph K. Freeman, Paris repre-
sentative of the company, sail tonight
(Continued on Page 5)
By going to a higher court and
obtaining from Federal Judge Mar-
tin T. Manton, senior judge of the
LI. S. Circuit Court of Appeals, an
order requiring Federal Judge Frank
J. Coleman to show cause why he
should not be restrained from taking
any steps whatever in actions pend-
ing before him with regard to the
Fox affairs, H. L. Stuart and J. E.
Otterson have caused another delay
(Continued on Page 2)
TO PRODUCE
COLOR CARTOON SERIES
A series of animated cartoons in
color will be produced by Elias
Brucker in association with Photo-
color. Milt Gross will write the sce-
narios. Brucker has a five-year con-
tract with Gross and Thomas A.
Johnstone for the production of these
shorts, the first of which will go
into work within two weeks in the
East.
SHERMAN TAKING OVER
12 MiE N. Y. THEATERS
From 12 to 14 additional houses
are expected to be added to the
Manhattan Playhouses circuit in
about two weeks, according to Ben-
jamin Sherman, president of the
company. The theaters are located
in various parts of New York City.
Paramount Convention
is Scheduled for June
Paramount will hold its annual
sales convention about June 1.
DAILV
Thursday, March 20, 19
Villi No.67 Thursday, March 20, 1930 PrtctSCtnts
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor aod Publistiir
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Ekiitor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. (iable address: Filmday,
N«w York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Gramte
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Fox Blocked Till April 7th,
In Federal Court Actions
(.Continued from Page 1)
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Seat
Fm. Ind. . . 25
Fm. Ind. pfd. 25!
245^
245-S
roil
Con. » .... - I --,„
East. Kodak 240}4 236
Fox Fm. "A" .. 32/j 29 ■4
Fox Film "A" rts. 5J^ 4%
Fox Film deb. rts. Ji 'A
(ien. Thea. Equ. . 44 J4 43K
Keith AG 36H 36
*do pfd
Loew's Inc 79 1^ 76'A
do i.fd. WW ((.;4).103K 103
"do pfd. xw (.b'A) ....
M-G-M pfd 25 H
Para. F-L 74
Pathe Exch 5%
do "A" im
L'niv. Pict. pfd.
Warner Bros. .
do pfd
21
2-4Ji 1,700
24^2 1,800
239 11,500
30J'8 31,90C
4)4 22,300
% 25.80.)
44V4 29,100
3;6K 100
118
77
lOi'A
11,600
200
66 H
25^
72%
55^
10^
74"
64'A
25H lOli
73'A 37,80(
SH -t.soo
11 3,500
55J4 •■•■
74/2 76,001
6S!4 l,80i
that is likely to prevent William Fox
and the Bancamerica group of bank-
ers from going through with their
refinancing plan before the annual
meeting on April 15.
Judge Manton's order is return-
able till April 7. Meanwhile Judge
Coleman is restrained from acting on
any suits in connection with the Fox
case. These actions include, in ad-
dition to the original and subsequent
petitions for receivership, a suit
brought by Fox for an injunction to
prevent Stuart and Otterson from
exercising the power of Fox's "B"
stock now held by the Bankers
Trust. Justice Aaron J. Levy, of
the State Supreme Court, recently
handed down an adverse decision on
Fox's application for an order to
enable him to obtain possession of
this voting stock, and this suit be-
fore Judge Coleman is an appeal
from that decision.
Meanwhile there is pending a
State Supreme Court suit brought by
Stuart and Otterson to enjoin Fox
from the foregoing action for re-
covery of his stock. Stuart and Ot-
terson claim that this suit in Judge
Coleman's court seeks substantially
the same relief that was denied by
Justice Levy. The State Court hear-
mg was to have been heard yester-
day, but an adjournment was ob-
tained until tomorrow.
In the case brought in Brooklyn
Supreme Court by Henry F. Otto and
Isidor Weiss, minority stockholders,
to enjoin Fox from pledging the
Loew stock in any further financing,
Justice Norman S. Dike has granted
a temporary injunction, pending trial
of a suit for a permanent injunction,
restraining the execution of any Fox
refinancing plan which would not
protect the Fox Theaters stockhold-
ers.
Mathews Made Winnipeg
First National Manager
G. A. Mathews has been made
^\'innipeg branch manager for First
National, Succeeding M. Isman, who
has resigned to operate his own
houses.
Acquire Former Cruze Studio
l^est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Final papers were re-
cently signed whereby Pan-Amer-
ican Pictures has acquired the Sunset
and Gower studio, formerly known
as the James Cruze studio.
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
34. H
42
12 A
22M
65
35 'X
25
42
13J4
22M
25
16
*Bal. & Katz
Columbia Pets. ... 35 !4
Fox Thea. "A" . 7
•Intern. Proj
I.oew do deb. rts. 42
l.otw. Inc., war . . 13)4
Xat. Scr. Ser. . . 23}^
Nat. Thea. Sup
'Univ. Pict
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 90 90 90
l.oew 6s 41WW...121 120 i20A
.lo 6s 41 x-war..l00!4 99^2 100
Paramount 6s 47 .102^ 101)4 102!4
l>ar. By. SA^ 51.102 lOm 101)4
I'athe 7s 37 69 68 68
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
Greening at Detroit Hipp.
Detroit — Gus Greening is now
managing the Hippodrome which re-
cently reopened after being closed
for alterations.
Cantor Making Short
Eddie Cantor is making an un-
titled short, being directed by Hobart
Henley at the Paramount Long
Island Studios.
Reginald Smith Named
P.D.C. Managing Director
London — Reginald Smith has been
advanced from secretary to manag-
ing director of Producers Distribut-
ing Co., Ltd., distributors for Pathe
in Great Britain. He succeeds George
Smith, who recently resigned.
Warners Making Beacon
Double Feature House
With the showing of "Wide Open"
and "Lady Windermere's Fan,"
starting Friday the Beacon becomes
a double feature house with one
talking and one silent picture on
each program.
Quigk
KV#»>V#» •*•♦♦♦♦••♦♦♦♦♦♦>•♦••♦♦•••♦♦♦♦♦>♦♦• ♦♦♦♦♦••<*••
P New York Long Island City ft
a 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. g
M BRYant 4712 STIlIwell 7940 «
:jt {}
I Eastman Films |
0 J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
it Chicago Hollywood j'j
1^ 1727 Indiana Ave. 6700 Santa Monica g
it CALumet 2691
ft
Mr • ♦,• ♦.* ♦,* <v'*»,'»»,'»»>y^,'»fi
Blvd.
HOLlywood 4121 ft
:-»«-»«-»3:$t«'»'»«^
New AMPA Meeting Place
Starting today, the AMPA will
meet on the second floor of the Blue
Ribbon Restaurant at 145 W. 44th
St. Louis Fehr, of the "New York
American" and president of the
Newspaper Club of New York, will
be the speaker.
. „ ley and Diamond Arrive
George E. Quigley and Milton
Diamond, of Warner Bros., arrived
yesterday from Europe. Represen-
tatives of the Tobis and Kuechen-
meister talking picture companies
sailed^ Tuesday from the other side
tor New York to continue confer-
ences toward forming a working
agreement with Warner Bros.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OP ERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DEL AWARE -MARYLAND I
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Anuual election of Maryland M.
T.O. officers at Baltimore.
Mar. 25 Annual meeting of Projection ,
visory Council at Town H
N. Y.
Mar. 26 Premiere of "Mammy" at the V>
ner, N. Y.
Mar. 28 Opening of "The Man fi
Blankey's" at Central, New Y(!
Apr. 1 Premiere of "Journey's End" a
New York house, not yet deci
upon.
5-5-S Conference will take pUc(>
N. Y.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and
of the Warner Club. Inc., at
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State .
P. T.O. at Memphis.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at 1
Wardman Park Hotel, WashiS
ton, D. C. '
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern msi
gers hold annual sales meet:{
Atlantic City.
Eberson on Chicago Trip[j
John Eberson left yesterday on
brief business trip to Chicago. |
is expected back in New York
.Monday.
ELMER PEARSON
Business Counsel and
Producers' Representative
17 EAST 45TH STREET N. Y. C.
FOR SALE
Complete disc talking equip-i|
ment in excellent conditioni
now operating in theatre.
S. OSHRIN
Telephone Olinville 9801
Illinois Avenue Overlooking Boardwalk
and Ocean
"A Hotel Distinctively Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAL
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
Fireproof — Showers and Baths
Throughout
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, Inc.
EUGENE C. FETTER. Managing-
Director
THE NEW SHOW WORLDS
FINEST^ACHIEVEMENT ^
Dennis '
, »B!I K J
NEW YORK. In 5th week of $2 run
"The Vagabond King" is doing abso'
lute capacity every performance at
the Criterion. Topping receipts of
"Covered Wagon," "Wings" and
other hits playing this famous Broad-
way road show theatre.
WHILE
FILMDOM
ACCLAIMS SUCCESS OF
THE VACABOXD KING
X
- %Q>icims/M
CHICAGO. Broke all existing records opening week-end at United Artists
Theatre.
ROCHESTER. First picture to play Eastman Theatre second week since
opening of house in 1922.
MIAMI. Three times normal business at Fairfax Theatre. Miami Herald says:
''So amazingly perfect that one hesitates to compare it with any other motion
picture."
NEW ORLEANS. Variety reports, " 'Vagabond King' topping all previous
records at Saenger Theatre."
BOSTON. Wire from Uptown Theatre: "'Vagabond King' perfect box
office attraction.
MINNEAPOLIS. Wire from Century Theatre : " 'Vagabond King' got greatest
reception from audiences in Minneapolis show history. Started big and
growing bigger."
NEWARK. All records smashed at Rialto Theatre.
SAN FRANCISCO. Greatest business St. Francis Theatre has seen in months.
COME THE
'v^^
»ji
B. O.
HITS IN HISTORY
•'SARAH AXD SON." Ruth Chatterton, Fredric
March. "Greatest dramatic hit of 1930," agree N. Y.i
reviewers. Tremendous week - end business N. Y.
Paramount.
''HONEY." Like "Sweetie," and even bigger.
Musical comedy starring Nancy Carroll, Harry Green,
Skeets Gallagher, Lillian Roth, Stanley Smith. Includes
great song hit, "Sing, You Sinners." "Biggest business
in four months," wires Colonial Theatre, Akron.
"YOUNG EAGLES." Buddy Rogers, star of
"Wings," unites with director of "Wings" to produce
greatest air- romance thriller yet! With Jean Arthur,
Paul Lukas, Stuart Erwin.
"BENSON MURDER CASE." WUliam PoweU
as "Philo Vance" in best of all S. S. Van Dine mystery
thrillers. Same principals as in "Canary" and "Greene."
GEO. BANCBOFT in "Ladies Love Brutes." Variety
names Bancroft "biggest box office draw on the screen''
in annual poll. This hit, with Mary Astor and Fredric
March, shows why.
"LIGHT OF WESTEBN STABS." Anothe
"Virginian." Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, Harry Green
Regis Toomey.
"PABAMOUNT ON PABADE" The Frolic o
the Stars: Richard Arlen, Geo. Bancroft, Clara Bow
Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook, Nancy Carroll, Ruth Chat
terton, Maurice Chevalier, Gary Cooper, Leon Errol
Skeets Gallagher, Harry Green, Helen Kane, Denni
King, Abe Lyman and Band, Jack Oakie, Zelma O'Nea
William Powell, Buddy Rogers — and more — in one Bi{
Big Smashing Hit!
ANO 20 MOBE JUST AS BIG!
PARAMOUNT NEW SHOW WORLD
ursday, March 20, 1930
DAILY
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
AT
leven pictures are now being filni-
■i at the Paramount studio. Six
r all-talking English and one is a
j.inish version of "The Benson
I'rder Case."
"rank Tuttle is directing "True to
H Navy," starring Clara Bow, with
vderic March; Nancy Carroll is
vrking on the "Devil's Holiday,''
vh Edmund Goulding directing:
"'le Return of Dr. Fu Manchu,"
V ch Roland V. Lee is directing, is
itrly completed; Louis Gasnier jind
iltc Marcin are directing William
'ivell in "The City of Silent Men";
sjk Oakie is working on "High
jijiety," with Edward Sutherland
liicting; Otto Brower and Edwin
Cbpf are directing "The Border
ion," with Richard Arlen, Fay
ly and Jack Holt, and the "Ben-
Murder Case," Spanish version,
5 ! nder direction of Cyril Gardner
n\ A. W. Pezet.
iiiinon Will Supervise
I New Vagabond Series
'Ifred T. Mannon will supervise
h^ Vagabond Adventure series and
hiiHumorettes College Novelties to
lemade at the Tec-Art Studio for
"^ndee J. Van Beuren.
Writes Swanson Music
ncent Youmans has composed
songs to be sung by Gloria
wnson in "What a Widow!" for
Jned Artists.
Cody Opposite Swanson
w Cody will play in Gloria
wHson's "What a Widow!" in
lar of Ian Keith. Owen Moore
'il'have the other principal male
jUn the United Artists picture.
M-G-M Signs Wodehouse
F G. Wodehouse has been signed
> yite originals for M-G-M. Wode-
DUe is now in England, but will
IDnj to Hollywood in May.
A Little
from ''Lots**
m^^ By RALPH WILK m^^
Hollywood
'TpHREE former leading foreign cor-
respondents arc fashioning scena-
rios and originals at local studios.
They are Hayden Talbot, who is
with Fox and is a veteran Hearst
man; Samuel Spewack, now with
Paramount, but formerly Moscow
and Berlin representative of the New
York World; Basil Woon, of First
National, a former Hearst man.
Richard Keene is playing the
leading masculine role in "Top
Speed," which Mervyn LeRoy
is directing. Keene recently
played in "Happy Days" and
"Let's Go Places," and before
coming to the Coast had ap-
peared in "The Big Party,"
"The Golden Calf," "Spring Is
Here," "Seventeen," and the
New York Music Box Revue.
Do you remember when Irvin Wil-
lat, Victor Fleming and Phil Rosen
were cameramen; when John Gil-
bert was a director; when Jacque-
line Logan was a reporter in Scott
Bluffs, Neb.; when Harvey Thew,
John Flinn, Jack Meador, Ray
Doyle and Tom Geraghty worked
on the "Neiv York Herald"; when
Patterson MacNutt was golf ex-
pert on the "New York World";
when Harry Hammond Beall was
the pride of Gallipolis, 0.; when
Charles West and Ollie Garver
worked on the "Los Angeles
Times"?
Our Passing Show: Ollie
Garver singing "Second Hand
Rose"; George Lipschultz busy
at Fox.
iiirt St. Louis Musician
Strike Over Matinee Cut
[ I (Continued from Page 1)
)njrences, thus averting another
[)[ri|:. The dispute was the result
'» misunderstanding over a point
\. t> settlement of the strike of last
ovmber. The agreement made
to^des that in some of the smaller
'^)U s musicians were to receive
8lDr seven nights and one mati-
eii week. Several houses elim-
atjl the Sunday matinee, and the
ians received but $44 a week.
natinee will be resumed, restor-
le wage originally agreed to.
Reopen at Milaca
iMaca, Minn. — The Casino has
remodeled and reopened.
Manchurian Theater Fire
Kills 76 and Injures 126
(Continued from Pane 1)
.\nioii,g the dead are 23 policemen,
wlio lost t,heir lives in attempting to
check the fire and prevent a panic
•iiiKMig tlie 1,000 persons in the audi-
ence.
Sells Galva House
Galva, 111. — W. C. Hippler has
sold his theater here and is return-
ing to Maquoketa, la.
Buy Chagrin Falls House
Chagrin Falls, O. — Herb Ochs and
T. S. Cagney have taken over the
Falls and are decorating the house
and installing sound equipment.
riLE BLANKET DENIAL TO
ABRAMSON SUIT CHARGES
(Continued from Page 1)
Ma.x D. Steuer, Henry Epstein and
Gabriel L. Hess. Date of trial of
tiie suit is indefinite and may not
occur for many months.
A statement issued yesterday af-
ternoon from the Hays office says
the action is based on "the alleged
refusal to exhibit certain motion pic-
tures produced by the plaintiffs."
"Some of the pictures produced by
Mr. Abramson, and in defense of
which he wrote a book in 1929, called
'Mother of Truth,' were 'Forbidden
Fruit,' 'A Fool's Paradise,' 'Sex
Lure' and 'Enlighten Thy Daugh-
ter'," says the statement.
"The charjfe of monopoly or restraint of
tr.ule I)ein8; responsible for the failure of
lliese and similar pictures," Steuer, in part,
said "is utterly ridiculous. No industry i:
more intensely competitive than the produc
tion, distribution and exhibition of motioi
pictures.
"However, the responsible elements in th^
liusiness have consistently affirmed, and now
reaffirm, their intention not to use the world';
yreat entertainment medium to transmit sala
cioiisness and moral uncleanliness to a worlil
audience of 250,000,000 weekly."
The answer describes, in part, as follows,
the working of "The Formula," under which
"selection of wholesome screen material is
made :"
"There is little difference of opinion \>(
tween what is fundamentally right and what
is fundamentally wrong. Perfectly con-
scientious people, however, differ about themes
•.vhich are on the border line. Who is to de-
c'de what is right? The companies, them
selves, with a growing consciousness of ther
responsibilites and of their pledges, took upoi
themselves conscientiously to determine, \v
sofar as they were able, what was suitable
Tud w^hat was not. On June 24, 1924, the
voluntarily set up a svitem planned to ex-
r'ude those themes which depended on sala
--iousness for success. This system becmr
known as 'The Formu'a' and operated as
(hen agreed on until December 15, 1927, whe
it was modified bv an agreement executed
with the Authors' League of America, whir
brought the author into the situation in a
more intimate way."
M-G-M Executives Sail
for Continental Tour
(Contitiued from Page 1)
on the France for a six weeks' tour
of inspection of the M-G-M offices
in Europe, winding up with a con-
tinental convention of the company's
representatives to be held in Paris.
The trio will disembark at Naples,
one of the ports of call on the Medi-
terranean cruise of the France, and
proceed from there to Rome, then
Berlin and Paris.
Loew, Blum and Freeman are tak-
ing abroad with them the first two
foreign film versions made by M-G-
M. One is in German, titled "Die
Sehnsucht Geder Frau," with Vilma
Banky as the star, and the other is
"Le Specter Vert," in French, di-
rected by Jacques Feyder, with Andre
Luguet starred. Both pictures were
made with a different cast and di-
rector from that used in the English
versions.
At the Paris convention Arthur
Loew, who has just returned from
Hollywood, will tell the continental
representatives of M-G-M about the
progress being made in the Coast
studios.
More Communism
Tiffany's special ballyhoo
for "Mamba," a jinrickshaw
pulled by Daniel Henderson,
Negro in African gear, with
Helen Basil, showgirl, in the
seat, invaded Wall St. yester-
day and then went up to City
Hall to invite Mayor Walker
to see "Mamba." Police took
it for one of those communis-
tic demonstrations and escorted
the exploiteers to the Tombs.
Newspapers hopped on the
yarn. Publicity.
Members of Congress Set
Against Hudson Measure
(Continued from Page 1)
Mayhew Wainwright, states Edward
F. .Stevenson, president of Visu-
graphic Pictures, who presided at
the recent meeting of producers
when a resolution protesting against
the proposed legislation as "an in-
sidious unwarranted attempt to
throttle and paralyze one of this na-
tion's greatest industries" was unani-
mously adopted.
Extra Sunday Showing
"Song O' My Heart," will be
shown three times on Sundays dur-
ing its run at the Forty-fourth St.
Shows will start at 3, 5:45 and 8:45.
BEN TURPIN
'Ain't he a funny
lookin' feller!''
(HE'S IN IT)
THE
■€&!^
PAILV
Timely Topics
A Diuesi of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Finds Wide Screen Welcomed
For Better Vision It Affords
"CNTHUSIASM over the wide
film and the broad screen
has focused on the visual aspects.
The new wide film which gives
greater scope to the visual scene
also has an amplified sound
track which permits wider range,
higher frequency, and better re-
ception. Half of the effect of
talking pictures has been lost in
motion picture cathedrals where
patrons are often at a consider-
able distance from the screen
because of the narrow sound
track on the film and the
cramped limits of the porous
screen.
Dr. Lee De Forest
* * *
Avers Broadway Invasion
Has Altered Film Capital
pjOLLYWOOD isn't the place
that it once was. It has lost
some of its old individuality.
This change is due to the enor-
mous number of immigrants
from Broadway who have lately
swarmed in. They have settled
down, and some of them have
intermarried with the natives,
and before long they will own
the place — unless the old-time
silent film stars form a Ku Klux
Klan and drive the foreigners
out.
Robert E. Sherwood in
"Netv York Evening Post"
* * *
Unlike Stage, Films Never Try
To Be Highbrow, Critic Asserts
'THE more I think of the the-
ater in New York the more
I realize what infinite possibili-
ties there are in the talkies. The
theater is constantly striving to
be more and more highbrow.
The stage plays that are suc-
cesses are often too eccentric and
unusual. The talkies cater to the
great masses. Let us hope they
never get to the place where they
feel they must be ultra.
Louella O. Parsons.
Motion picture editor
A total of 577 features were
released in this country dur-
in<? 1929. Of these, 335 were
talkine. '^2 synchronized and
190 silent.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
jLJELEN MORGAN is biKed to play the Palace next week
and she ought to draw a heap of extra trade as a result
of the increased following she has attracted through her film
appearances J. P. McEvoy will leave Havana behind in
time to attend the N'yawk opening of Alice White in "Show
Girl in Hollywood," which J. P. wrote Herbert Spencer
Berg is now holding forth in the exploitation department of
Columbia
W/'ILLIAM "BILL" TRUOG, Kansas City manager for
United Artists and a popular boy in the 'Sippi Valley, is
entitled to feel proud of his abilities as a teaclier, now that two
of his former men have been made branch managers. Lee
Doty is in New Orleans and "Tommy" Thompson in Milwau-
kee Irving Fields is now making the rounds in the in-
terests of publicity for Davis, Coots & Engel's music cata-
logue
■pDDIE CANTOR is back in town from the road tour of
"Whoopee." He and some o f the original cast will leave
Saturday for Hollywood to make a film version of the show
Will Whitmore tells us that the geographical boundaries of
the N. Y. branch of S. M. P. E. have been defined as the area
taken in by a circle having a radius of 50 miles from Times
Square
W/'ILLIAM E. RAYNOR, director of short subjects sales
for Pathe, is in Philadelphia, where he will be spending
several days conferring with Robert Mochrie and his boys at
the company's branch office there Little Billy, who ha-^
the part of the midget in the Pathe circus picture called "Swing
High," once had the strange experience of being shipped by
express during a theatrical tour. "They just put a tag on me
and handed me to the express agent," he relates. "I wasn't
even marked 'Perishable'." Perhaps they discovered it cost less
to have Billy travel that way, as he makes such a small package.
MARCH 20--MANY HAPPY RET0RN8
Best wishes and congfratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Bert Frank
I ouis Wm. Chandel
Eleanor Griffith
Howard J. Green
M. H. Hoffman
Milton Sands
Merle Linton
Thursday, March 20, V
EXPLOITETTEJ
A Clearing House for j
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
Santa Fe Railway Ties-Up
With "Song of the West"
WAARNER BROS, have efTec
ed a far-reaching tie-up wit]
the Atchison, Topeka & San
Fe Railway for the new Vit;
phone production, "Song of ti'
West," which is scheduled for n
lease on March 15. The exploit?
tion arrangements provide {{■
the display of scenes from tl
picture in the colored automat
lantern slide devices operated ;
all Santa Fe stations and agei'
cies. The photographs will ala
be used in several new folders i
be issued soon by the Santa I
to summer travelers.
— Warner Bra
* * *
Write a Song Contest
Boosts "Devil May Care"
A "Write a Song for Ranic
Novarro" contest was used
exploit "Devil May Care," wh<!
it played at Keith's Palat
Youngstown, O. J. R. Ellio
manager of the house, ran a tra
er a week in advance of the pi
ture telling of the contest and c
fering prizes ranging from fiftei
dollars to a pair of tickets. A ti
up also was arranged with t
"Vindicator," which ran a dai
story giving details of the co:
test.'
— M-G-.
♦ * ♦
Women's Clubs Back Charity ■
Drive at "Son of the Gods" Shct
"DEXTER Film Chapter of Mi
Federation of Wome!
Clubs, with some 30,000 me'
hers in Akron, backed a chi
ity showing of "Son of the GofJ
at the Strand. Food was '
cepted as the admission pfj
and was turned over to the C'i
Family Service for distributii
Boy Scouts collected the fo
at the door and announcenii;i
of the event was broadc
over local stations by the Dir
tor of Public Safety in Oh
Stunt was launched b\- Ray
Brown, manager of the hou
— First Natim
TEN YEARS AGO TOE
IN
California holding company
ed to build four Loew theaters.
Marshall Neilan plans to
-everal pictures in Europe.
//
It's Such Men as You
Who Break Trusting Hearts''
said the irate mother of a trusting girl old enough
to have voted for Grover Cleveland. "You men
trample on the souls of young girls and make a joke
of their confidence — you — you — viper in trousers."
Haldane was innocent; knew he was innocent —
but just at the moment could think of nothing really
effective to say. But he eventually regained his pres-
ence of mind — and WHAT he said and how he
said it is disclosed in the dialog of this talking
typhoon of comedy.
OPENING
Warner Bros.
IB E A € O N
Theatre
March
21
Example of unus-
ual and effective ad
campaign available
in Press Sheet.
VMajnet?>»°*-''
EDWARD EVERETT NORTON ^ LOUISE
FAZENDA ^ PATSY RUTH MILLER ^
T. ROY BARNES ^ EDNA MURPHY
From the novel 'The Narrow Street
by Edward Bateman Morris.
Adapted by James A. Starr and Arthur Caesar.
Directed by Archie L. Mayo.
^^1
.*
^f
^J»'^^''
"i/ie??fe
?-^'i:lU-^
It'^o^^'
AL JOLSON in ^'Mammff^'
Opening Warner Bros. Theatre — March 26
HoldEverythingfor'nOLD EVERYTHOICr
^ith WINNIE LIGHTNER and JOE E. BROWN
First National has put
you in the big money
class. First National
will keep you in the
big money class with
hit after hit after hit!
iTHE
rFILMDOM
ALL THE HEWS
ALL THE TIME
(L. LI No. 68
Friday, March 21, 1930
Price 5 Cents
ilver Duty May Cost Films $10,000,000 Yearly
f FEATURES FROMJIFFANY 1N1930-31
Vide Film Projectors Set for April Delivery
econd Thoughts
— on first rate subjects
•^=By JACK ALICOATE -^^^^
IJ^CENTAGE booking looms
aihe horizon as the one sensible,
Tghtforward and satisfactory
lu'cr to the pressing problems
f listrilnition. The analysis of
s ipplication is elemental. An
tlbitor, large or small, should
'vhe Droducer and distributor
given production an amount
1^:1 on the actual takings at his
office. No more and no less,
arrangement is obviously just
^(jequitable. We are not trying
ipver the pros and cons of per-
ijiige in a paragraph, but we do
i^]tuously suggest that perhaps
i the way out, and that it may
)ji far sooner tlian most film
ilf expect.
* * *
' ■: WE A PULITZER prize
! 'ulitzer prize book and
1 prize editorial. Why not
I'lii/.er prize motion picture?
' . -member hearing something
- thought in the dim and dis-
iii a-t but, like other good deeds
i buy scouts, is probably now
> shelf gathering dust. We
Iiave the facts and figures at
.1 Ibu.v just at this minute but
e'lbet our last season's pass to
e htrand Theater that twenty
lie as many people see any one
|e Ten Best Pictures of the
alias see the Pulitzer prize play
idread the Pulitzer prize book
idWitorial combined.
' ! * * 3|<
KNOW OF no business
ce quite as childish and no
tidi as dumb as that of the ex-
bir primarily, and secondarily
reducer and distributor, in
{Continued on Page 2)
International Projectar is
Preparing to Market
>Jew Equipment
Projectors for wide film will be
ready for delivery by International
Projector Co. the latter part of April,
THE FILM DAILY learns. It is
understood the company already has
orders for approximately 200 of the
devices, which are being made foi
either 70 mm. or 65 mm. with the
probability that the 65 mm. will bt
standardized. The 65 mm projector
made by International Projectoi
can be used for the present stand-
ard 35 mm film by a snriple arrange-
ment of changing of sprockets anci
(Continued on Page S>
sformerISpolitan
EXHIBSMRriED
Within the last week, three form-
er metropolitan exhibitors re-entered
the exhibition field. Michael Rudin,
who recently sold his Brooklyn chain
o Fox Aletropolitan, has taken over
(Continued on Page 8)
Bunn Calls Good Sound
Aid to the Community
Good sound equipment in the pic-
ture theater helps to build up the
business of a town and is an asset
to the community, says C. W. Bunn,
(Continued on Page 8)
le EXPECTED TO SHOW
$5ASnAREINISTHAEE
Earnings of Loew's for the first
28 weeks of the current fiscal year
are estimated at around $7,500,000,
equivalent to $5 a share after deduc-
tion of preferred dividends, accord-
ing to "The Wall Street Journal."
Returns in the first quarter of the
present j-ear were equal to $2.15 a
share, a new record for the company.
210 AMERICAN PICTURES
L FOR ENGLAND THIS YEAR
li'ashinciton Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Out of 317 pictures
scheduled for distribution in Great
Britain this year, 210 will come from
American producers, and 240 of the
total will be in sound, according to
the Department of Commerce.
Fox N. Y. Exchange Files
34 Suits Against Exhibs
Thirty-four suits have been filed
by the Fox New York exchange
against exhibitors on the exhibition
contract since the signing of the
Thacher Decree, which makes com-
(Continuei on Page 8)
Adoption of Duty on Silver
Seen Raising Films' Cost
M-G-M Plans 5 Versions
of "Monsieur Le Fox"
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — M-G-M will produce
"Monsieur Le Fox" simultaneously in
five languages, English, German,
Spanish, French and Italian. Gilbert
Roland will play the male lead in at
least two versions, the English and
the Spanish. Hal Roach will direct
and supervise.
Uashington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington— About $10,000,000 a
year may be added to the cost of
motion pictures as a result of the
adoption by the Senate of a duty of
30 cents an ounce on silver. This
cost is based upon the assumption
that the price of silver will advance
the full amount of the duty. Sen-
ator Pittman, of Nevada, who pro-
posed the amendment, contends that
the full amount will not be passed
on to the consumers.
Several Wide Film and
Color Productions
Are Planned
Tiilany will have 30 features on
Its 1930-31 program, stated Grant L.
Cook, executive vice-president, to
THE FILM DAILY yesterday. This
compares with 26 features on the
current schedule, said Cook, who
has just returned East from the
Coast.
Several pictures will be made on
wide as well as standard film, Cook
stated, and three or four will be made
in color. As yet no wide film proc-
ess has been selected.
At a luncheon given Cook yester-
day by Tiffany, with newspaper and
(Continued on Page 8)
CHAIN OFImAlThOOSES
PLANNED INMIDDLE WEST
Topeka, Kan. — Plans for the forma-
tion of a chain of theaters in the
smaller towns of Nebraska, Mis-
souri, Iowa and Kansas have been
announced by Maurice W. Jenks,
president of the National Theaters
Co. He plans the acquisition of
ibout 20 small houses within 60 days.
S. R. Luby to Work with
Brucker on Cartoons
S. Roy Luby, formerly production
iianager of Inkwell Studios, is to
>e associated with Elias A. Bruck-
er in the production of the Milt
Gross animated cartoons to be made
in conjunction with Photocolor
Corp.
Now the Smellies
Wash. Bur. of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — A patent for a
device transmitting odors as-
sociated with scenes displayed
on the screen has just been
issued to John H. Leavell of
Los Angeles by the U. S. Pat-
ent Office.
DAILV
Friday, March 21,
V0LLIN0.8S Friday, March 21, 1330 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE : : : Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by VVid's Films and Film
Folks, inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class niatter. May 21, 191S,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act o£ March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
Now York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolftsoiin, Lichtbildbuehue,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Crvr-cl^s-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat H'A 21/^ 22 300
Coil. I'm. lud. ... 24?.^ 23^4 Z^Vi 1,5U0
Con. Fm. liid. pfd. .? ' V4 24% 24% 1.8U0
East. Kodak 236*» 235>4 236^ 9,200
Fo.\ Fm. "A" .. 30 26}4 28-4 53,800
Fo.K Film "A" rts. 4^4 3J4 4^ 16,800
Fox Film deb. rts. V^ V» Vi 9.700
Cell. Tliea Equ. . 45J4 44-4 45^ 31,700
•Keith A-0 3614
do pfd 115 115 115 400
Loew's Inc 77% 75-^ 75 J^ 3,800
do pfd. WW (65/4). 103^5 103 103 500
*do pfd. xw (6J4) 89
M-G-M pfd 25J4 2514 25K 200
I'ara. F-L 73% 73/8 1W% 25,500
Pathe Exch 5/2 5/8 S/s 2,300
do "A" 11/8 10/2 10/2 500
KK-O 37'4 35^4 36^ 11,500
*Univ. Pict. pfd 55J4
Warner Bros 74-% 733/8 73/^ 53,000
do pfd 65H 64% 65 J4 700
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... ZlYz 3614 36^-^ 100
Fox Thea. "A" .. C!4 6}4 6!4 3,00i
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Leew do deb. rts. 42 ....
*Locw, Inc., war 13^
•Nat. Scr. Ser 22 J4
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 16
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-0 6s 46 90
•I^ew 6s 41ww 120 Ji
•do 6s 41 x-war 100
•Paramount 6s 47 10254 ...
•Par. By. 5j4s 51 10134 ■•.
•Pathe 7s 37 68
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
Long Island City },X
154 Crescent St. J.t
STIllwell 7940 J.t
Eastniain
J. E. Brulatoiir, Inc. l\
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CALumet 2691
Hollywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
HOLlywood 4121
Second Thoughts
— onlfirst rate subjects
(.Continued from Page 1)
withdrawing advertising from a
given publication because of an
unfavorable criticism or review of
a picture. The greatest friends
this industry can have are the
newspapers. They can likewise be
dangerous enemies. Critics are but
human. They give their best and
their duty is to their readers first,
last and always. The exhibito.
who tries to intimidate his local
newspaper is a chump.
Columbia Arranges Many
Tie-Ups for Anniversary
Columbia has arranged amiiverbary
tie-ups with the Gribsby-Gruiio Co.,
barbasol, Starr Piano, Royal Type-
writer, Fashion Knit, Grape hiuit
Growers' Ass'n, Kleenex, Sehratt
Candy Co., Standard Oil, W'inton
Watch, Ronson Lighter, W'estnieis-
ter Hose and other manufacturers,
i le-ups will be on radio tune, co-
operative advertising, window dis-
plays, etc.
120 Increase in Week
in W. E. Installations
Latest figures show 5,120 Western
Electric installations throughout the
world. This is an increase of 120
over a week ago. (Jf this total 3,-
703 are in the United States and 620
in Great Britain.
Feist, Dietz, to Coast
Felix Feist, director of sales for
M-G-M and Howard Dietz, pub-
licity and advertising director, leave
today for the Coast on a three
weeks' trip.
New Norfolk Cori>oration
Norfolk, Va. — Micro-amplifying
Lens Corp. has been formed with
capital stod: of $25,000. F. W. Sut-
ton is presidciU; V.'. Al. W'iler, vice
president; L. F. Vogel, secretary-
treasurer and Bertram S. Nusbaum,
general counsel.
Loewr Extends Booking
Extension of the bookmgs of
"Sugar IMum Papa," Educational-
Mack Sennctt Talking comedy, has
been made by the Loew Circuit of
Greater New York. Today, the com-
edy concludes a 123-day booking over
the deluxe Loew houses, but will
continue for seven days in some of
the circuit's smaller houses.
Sunday Talkers O. K.
Garner, la. — Sunday shows will be
permitted here. Mayor Barz has in-
formed the supporters of the move-
ment, provided the theater managers
install equipment and present talkers.
Diebold Takes Back Waterloo
Waterloo, la. — A. J. Diebold, who
recently leased the Waterloo to
Joseph Weaver, will take over opera-
tion of the house again shortly.
Doorman Nearly Perishes
in Fire at Fox's Academy
^ Leslie Quigley, head doorman at
Fox's Academy Theater, almost lost
nis life yesterday when he was over-
come by smoke in attempting to put
out a fire in a storage room on the
mezzanine Hoor of the theater. Only
the quick work of ushers saved him.
Firemen extinguished the blaze while
those in the audience remained un-
aware of tlie danger.
Silents in Germany Lose
in Battle Against Sound
H'ashuigton Bureau oj THE FILM DAILY
W'ashington — That audible him
are definitely supplanting silent pic-
tures at the larger German theaters
IS reported to the M. P. Division o.
(he Department of Commerce. The
.--howing of silent attractions is being
limited to the smaller houses thai
cannot afford to install sound equip-
ment. This condition has en-
couraged the rise of "mushroom" dis-
tributors in the field of silent pic-
tures.
Third Dimension Films,
Inc., Obtains Charter
Dover, Del. — Third Dimension
Films, Inc., of Dover, has been
granted a Delaware charter. In-
corporation papers, filed by the Cap-
ital Trust Co. of Delaware, show the
company capitalized at 100 shares of
common.
Lifton with Sono Art
Louis S. Lifton is now assisting
Mike Simmons in the advertising and
publicity department of Sono Art-
World Wide.
Cantor at Cincinnati
Cincinnati — Edward Cantor is now
working out of the local Sono Art-
World Wide office.
Lindsay Theater Receiver
Audubon, N. J. — Frank W. Lind-
say has been appointed temporary
receiver of the New Century, whicli
is now closed. South Jersey Amuse-
ment Co. was former operator of the
house.
To Start Clovis, N. M., House
Clovis, N. M. — Work will be im-
mediately started on the new house
flardwick Brothers are to build here.
Boiler Bros., of Los Angeles, is mak-
ing the plans.
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
Mar.
Apr,
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
May
28
Annual meeting of Projection
visory Council at Town
N. Y.
Premiere of "Mammy" at the
ner, N. Y.
Opening of "The Man
Blankey's" at Central, New
Premiere of "Journey's End
the Gaiety, New York.
5-5-5 Conference will take pla
N. Y.
Second annual banquet and
of the Warner Club, Inc., a
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Spring convention of Tri-Stal
P.T.O. at Memphis.
S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting ai
Wardman Park Hotel, Was
ton, D. C.
I6-17-l»-i9 Paramount Eastern i
gers hold annual sales mti
Atlantic City.
24-25-26-27 Paramount western 1
gers will hold annual sales
at San Francisco.
6-7
5-8
ERPI Establishes New
Office in St. Lo
St. Louis — Offices of Electrical
.Nearcli Products, Inc., subsidiary
distributors of Western Ele
c(|iiipment, have been opened
with Morris Chase in charge.
iiffice has a staff of 40 men for
■md in.stallation work.
Moran in Coast Hospita
a est Coast Bureau. THE f ' I 1/ /)
Los .\ngeles — George Moran, 11
lier of the Moran and Mack t
.s in a hospital here recovering
an operation.
Managers Exchange Job
Ogdcn City, Utah— Ross G
man, for some time manager oi
Paramount, now is at the Orpb
replacing J. D. Marpole, who
taken Classman's place at the
mount. E. L. LeVesconte wrj
main at the Orpheum as assi
manager and Jack Braunagi
comes assistant manager of the
mount. Both are Publix hous
Kooler-Airi
Revolutionizes Air Condition
Summer and Winter
KOOtER-AIRE ENGINEERING CC
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW V^
Jk
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post OfTice • Detroit
THE
lay, March 21, 1930
New Theaters
idon. Xcb. — Clyde Pace is building n
Jhouse here.
i Angeles — March 26 will be opening
^of tlie Fairfax, at Beverly Bvld. and
ilix Ave.
lie Ste. Marie, Mich.— Butterfield The-
rlhas opened the Soo. House will run
Hes and legitimate shows.
3:land, Cal. — Investment Properties
■\ has bought a site between Twentieth
ijHobarts Streets and Broadway and
Japh Avenues and has leased the prop
fjo Paramount for a theater.
Vhington. D. C. — C. A. Turiiage has
111 his new house here,
litington Park, Cal— Fox West Cua^l
eJ-rs will build a $500,000 house here, to
tj,700.
rison, Ariz. — A. Kaufman will build a
19 at West Congress and Court streets
h known as the Capitol or Plaza.
JWiamton, N. Y.— Bingliamton Theatei
, ill build a 2,000 seat house here,
kllanc N. C— C. S. Parnel will build
nJse to replace the Majestic which wa^
c|y destroyed by lire.
»6tsburg, X. v.- William 1-:. Benton, ol
™,i & Leary, has announced a $100,000
IS to take the place of the c Iinlon, which
I two years ago.
Ben Joel Promoted
CJvelaiid — Ben Joel has succeeded
idiiia Stair as booker for the
>C''s Ohio circuit.
LeVois at Menasha
Ik^lnasha, Wis.— Jack Le\'ois has
made manager of tlie Brin. A.
^lint, who has been managing,' two
s, will manage the Embassy.
uys Two Kenosha Houses
losha, Wis. — L. A. Turner has
over the Butterfly and Roose-
roni the Roosevelt Theater Co.
Juys Mineral Point House
leral Point, Wis.— R. W. Bel-
Ichas taken over the Municipal
^ A. P. Desornieaux.
I Sells West Salem House
Rst Salem, Wis. — W. H. Silering
I bid the Rex to A. U. Uman
M Sells Clinton House
tton, Wis. — Floyd Barruss ha
•he Gem to .'\. Anderson.
I Buys Interest at Walnut
(nut, S. D. — O. C. Johnson has
ised a half interest in the
and will operate the house
A. Duke.
pens Milwaukee Branch
aukee — United Artists has
an exchange here to be man-
dby T. R. Thompson, formerly
Klnsas City.
I)va Company Gets Charter
;i<lx City, la.— The State The-
r [0. has been granted a charter
Corporation. Capital stock is
,0). George Magoun is presi-
it nd E. L. Lindquist is secre-
'•
Omaha House Changes
iha, Neb.— World Realty Co.
ased the Moon. This house
le Muse will be operated by
Goldberg formerly of Publix.
shows will be shown at the
by Publix.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Well Known Cameramen
on Staff of Technicolor
With the increased demand for
Technicolor cameras for color scenes
in pictures now being made, the com-
pany has enlarged its staff which now
includes such men as Karl Fruend,
who is known for his work on "The
Last Laugh," "Variety" and other
Ufa films; Al (iilks, for many years
with l^aramount and photographer of
Wallace Reid pictures and "Old Iron-
sides"; Frank Good, Ray Rennahan,
Howard Green, Charles Schoenbaum
and Edward T. Estabrook, head of
the camera department.
Start on "Border Legion"
\\'ork has been started on Para-
mount's "The Border Legion," which
features Richard Arlen, Fay Wra>
and Jack Holt. Otto Brower and
Edwin Knopf are directing.
Garbo in "Romance"
Greta Garbo has started work on
Romance", her second talking pic-
ture for AI-G-AI. Gavin Gordon,
Lewis Stone and Florence Lake are
also cast with Clarence Brown di-
recting.
Cook at Columbia Studios
Joe Cook is here to commence
work on "Rain or Shine" for Colum-
bia. Jo Swerling is handling the
adaptation oi the James Gleason
play.
Radio Gets "Scrap of Paper"
Radio Pictures have acquired the
talking screen rights to "A Scrap
of i'aper," by Victor Sardou. An
English transcription of the French
pla\- is now being made.
Starke Replaces Mary Nolan
Pauline Starke has replaced Mary
\oIan in the cast of "What Men
Want." The former star was forced
to retire from the Universal picture
due to illness.
Hawks Directs by Radio
Howard Hawks, directing "'J'hc
Dawn Patrol" for First National.
starring Richard Barthelmess, has
had an elaborate radio broadcasting
set installed at the location from
which he gives directi(ms to fliers
while in the air jnaking scenes for the
film.
Fox to Make Horse Picture
William Scully will direct Max
Brands' story "Alcatraz" for Fox. A
suitable liorse is now being sought
for a feature part in the picture.
Seeking Fairbanks Film Title
WHiile there is much speculation
on the title of Douglas Fairbr.nks'
next picture, "Days of '49" will not
be the name as was expected. A new
title is under consideration.
A Little
from '*Lots''
miHi, By RALPH WILK ....1
Hollywood
T?OY HUNT, ace cameraman, has
a private amateur broadcasting
station. He is now photographing
"Smooth as Satin" for RKO, and
each night he tells the world ove.
his station what happened on the
"set" during the day. His radio ap-
paratus operates on an 85-meter
wave length, and often is heard in
Canada, Hawaii and even New Zea-
land.
* * *
Lvcien Littiefield has always as-
pired to become a director, but his
success in comedy character roles
has kept him so m demand for this
type of part that he has been un-
able to get atvay from the makeup
box long enough to launch himself
upon a career as a director.
* * *
Do you remember when Jed
Buell managed the Elitch Gar-
dens, Denver; when Jack Fow-
ler acted in Harold Lloyd's
first starring picture at the old
Court St. studio?
S)i * *
Bobby Vernon has finished work
in "Cry Baby," a Vitaphone subject,
his first talking comedy. While a
youngster in San Francisco, Bobby
was known as "Buttons," the sing-
ing newsboy. He was discovered by
Sid Grauman. Later he joined Kolb
and Dill and acted as Dill's under-
study. When Dill broke his leg dur-
ing an engagement in "The Rollick-
ing Girl," Bobby stepped in and
plaved the role for three weeks.
* * *
"Eventually, but Not Now," a
Darmoiir-H. C. Witwer subject, is
notv in production at the Larry
Darmour studio, with Lewis Foster
'^■irectinq. "The Land of the Sky
Blue Daughters" and Mickey's
Tjuck" were recently completed ni
'he studio. Excellent reports filter
<n on the previciv of "Mickey's
Luck."
Added to Warner Cast
Tom Ricket.s, Tina Marshall,
George Northover. .Allk'rt Hart,
Flora Finch and Christiane Yves have
been added to the cast of ".Sweet
Kittv Bcllairs."
Torres for Spanish Version
Renee Torres, sister of Raqucl has
been added to the cast of the Soan-
ish version of Bu.ster Keaton's Met-
ro-Goldwyn-Mayer production "Free
and Et. .y." now being filmed under
the direction of Edward Sedgwick.
Selected for Leading Roles
Cast of Columbia's "Prince of Dia-
monds" will see Jozelle Joynier and
Colonell McDonald in leading roles.
Get King's Portrait
Producers who contributed
to the "Barcelona Trailer,"
made here a year ago in Span-
ish and which was the first all
Spanish talking picture to be
shown in Spain, will be pre-
sented with portraits of King
Alfonso. Adolph Zukor, Jos-
eph M. Schenck, Harold
Lloyd, Joseph Schnitzer, Wil-
liam Le Barcn, Louis B.
Mayer, Irving Thalberg, Carl
Laemmle and Will H. Hays
will receive the portraits from
Marcelo M. B. Ventura, com-
missioned by the King.
Security Distributing for
Chesterfield in Illlinois
Chicago — Security Pictures will
distribute Chesterfield's "Lo\e at
First Sight," in Illinois and Indiana.
Pathe Executives Win
Pathe hoiiie office executives who
have organized a bowling team called
the "Swing High" team beat the reg-
ular Company's team in a match re-
cently. The executives team was
made up of Phi! Reisman, John Mc-
Aloon, Ed Balientine, Fred Lally,
William McShea, C. J. Scollard, Bill
Raynor and Tom Gorman. The regu-
lar team consisted of Jack Level,
George Ronon, Ed Helouis, Ed
Kramer, Jack McCarron, Emmet
Cashman and Frank Hagetter.
BRYANT WASHBURN
Ladies and gentlemen!
It's the greatest show
on earth. Don't miss it!
(HE'S IN IT)
' What Leaders oS the I
1930 FILM DAI
T
Reflects Progress of Industry
HE Film Daily Year Ituok ol 1930 reflects most eloiiueiitly the
progress of tlie motion picture industry. In size, in interest and
in value it is better than ever ^Harold B. FrankHll
Pres. Fox T. C. Theaters
•^ -w -w
Constant Source of Real Help
IDOX'T know of anything connected with the motion picture in-
dustry which is such a constant source of real help as the Year
Book. In production we consult it frequently and I know it must be
of equal assistance to people in other branches of the business.
—Jesse Lu Lasky
First V.P., Pitramount Fnmous-Lusky
Nothing Like It
IT must have been a huge undertaking to compile all this data con-
cerning the motion picture business. There is nothing like it and
I am sure it will prove valuable to persons in every branch of the
'"<^"^^y- — Louis B. Mayer
^ ^ ^ First V.P.. MOM
A Ready Reference Book
IT IS unnecessary for me to tell you th.it, as always, the Film Daily
Year Book is a ready reference book and t'liide to us lu-re.
—Sol M. Wurtzel
Gen. Siti>t.. Fox W . C. Studio
•w -w ^w
Veritable Film Almanac
a book of ready reference, and I don't see how any person
Would Be Lost Without It
I JUST want you to know that I feel that this is not only the great-
est volume of interesting reading matter I have ever had my hands
on, but like all previous editions, it is a necessary part of my busi-
ness tools.
Without it I would be lost, and I often wonder if the people in
this industry realize the amount of work, energy and enthusiasm it
takes to place such a marvelous and comprehensive book of facts in
the busy motion picture executive's lap.
— Phil Reisman
Pathr
•w -w "W
Dunn & Bradstreet of Industry
IT IS so definitely the Dunn & Bradstreet of the industiy that 1
feel right at home in looking it over. 1 congratulate you on a
marvelous job. — J. P. Kennedy
Pathe
flK
A Fine Volume
;eresting ai
chievement
Pre
T IS indeed a fine volume of interesting and useful inionnatiou ami
. 1 c'MigratuIatc voit upon its _ . ._
—J. E. Otterson
Electrical Research I'rocliicis
A interested directly or indirectly
without it. It is a veritable film almai
tion regarding every field of endeavo
picture business.
film matters can get along
:. full of important infornia-
aiid .-ictivity in Oic motion
— Nathan Burkan
Attorney
Better Than Its Predecessors
As in the past, will no doubt, furnish important information as
and when needed by me, as I always make freo.uent use of the
data contained in that book. Tliis year's book seems to be even
better than its predecessors.
— Alfred Weiss
T
Pros. Anfa Raie Film Corp.
More Complete, More Interesting
HE current copy is finer,
any of its predecessors.
riorc complete, more interesting than
-John C. Flinn
Pathe
Finest Yet Produced
You may rest assured th.it tJiis l.itest book is tlie finest l-'ihii Daily
has yet produced and please accept mv sincere c-iucv '("htinns.
— Harry B. Wilson
Inspiration Pictures
It Will Be Very Helpful
IT is an interesting piece of work and is certainly worthy of the
effort and research that has gone into its making. T am sure it
will be very helpful to me.
— Hugo Riesenfeld
United Artists
Increasingly Helpful
IWA.NT to assure you that this l)ook becomes incre.isiugly helpful
to us each year. Particularly in my own otttce lure, do ne refer
to it daily and have grown to depend on it.
— George W. Weeks
Vice-Pres.. Sono Art Prod.
■V •▼• -v
Great Piece of Work
It is surely a great piece of work DoUglaS Fairbanks
'▼■-▼■'▼■
Film Man's Encyclopedia
In. WE only had time to glance through it. and it can trul> be
called the Film Man's Encyclopaedia. It is chuck full of practical
and helpful information, and acts as a ready reference for the many
things which must be referred to in the course of a season. _
— Fred Quimby
l/ffr. Shorts Pept.. MGM
•^ yr -w
Occupies the Place of Honor
ICA.V assure you that the Film Year Book always occupies the
place of honor and most ready use on my desk. T refer to it con-
tinually and only tlie .stoutness of the binding keeps it from being
worn out long before the end of the vear.
— C. J. North
Chief. M. P. Diiision. Dept. of Commerce
A SpiendiJwork
LET me add my congratulations to the hundreds of others that I
know you arc receiving. It's a splendid work, and a great book,
and I feel proud to have been one of the many to contribute to its
extensive content. I feel sure that much credit is due you for your
constant and untiring efforts in making this publication a complete
success.
— E. L Way
Chief, Industrial & Educational Section,
Dept. of Commerce
->:
Eleven hundred
indexed and an >
stamped in gol
FILM DAILY SERVICE Includes
A Complete Yearly Service at a $10.00 Subscription Rate
THE FILM DAILY, Every Day Except Saturday and holidays.
THE WEEKLY FILM DIGEST, Every Sunday; News, Re-
views of all features, short subjects, presentations, sound,
equipment, Eastern studio data. West Coast productions, etc.
SHORT SUBJECTS QUARTERLY— All about short subjects.
DIRECTORS ANNUAL and PRODUCTION GUIDE, Every
June. A great production reference book.
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK, Filmdom's recognized Book of
reference; 1,100 pages covering every branch of the industry.
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTIONS, $15.00 PER YEAR
The Year Book is given
The ]
Subscription $10.00
Mm^^M. Read about this ser\
lustry Say About the
YEAR BOOKm
statistics, etc.,
Cloth bound,
Most Complete Source of Information
I CONSIDER it tlic most complete source of intormation availaljlc
oil all nliases of tlie motion nicturc industry. There is hardly an
item covering' the industry tliat lias been overlooked, and I heartily
recommend its tiso to any one at all in^cresterl in the motion picture
'"i'^f'^y — N. D. Golden
M. I'. Ditisioji, I)<'i>t. of Commerce
•V -v -V
Consult the Year Book
Dl'RIXC; the }ear hundreds of letters are received from college
and high school students and oilier investigators, asking for facts
as to motion jiictures. Invariably our ;insNvcr is, "Consult tile Film
Daily Year Book." —Barrett KlesHng
Cecil B. Dc Mille Prod.
■▼•■▼■ -v
A Real Achievement
I WANT to congratulate you .Tud \(iiir siaff on a real achievement.
l''rankly, I do not kuuw how I would ^ct along without it.
— N. L. Manheim
Export Manager, Universal
^v- ■▼■ ■▼■
Few Days I Do Not Use It
Il.ClOK forward each year to tlie publication of the book and there
arc few days in the year when I do not actually make use of it.
— W. J. German
/. E. Brulutour, Inc.
'V "V •^
More Interesting Than Ever
IrillXK it is a great book and more interesting than ever. It is
the kind of a book that every n iire^ciitntive in the film industry
will without (luestion keep handy.
— Raymond S. Reed
Adrl. l/fjr., 11 eyuoodWake field Co.
'▼■'▼■■▼■
Tribute to the Industry
TT is a splendid piece of work and a tubule to the industrv.
^ —Walter F. Wanger
Cm. Mfir.. Production Dept.
I'linimoiint Famoiis-Ldnky
Used Daily by Producers
no publications which is of
duccrs than the I'ilm Daily Year Hook.
IKXOW of no publications which is of greater use daily to pro-
ducers than the I'ilm Daily Year l!oo
-Robert Fairbanks
Doiifilds Fairbanks Pictures Corp.
Records That Are Priceless
WHAT the book itself means not only to me, but to everyone who
is interested in the progress of an industry, only posterity can
tell. The fact, however, remains that were it not for the Year Book
much of vital importance in the history of the motion picture industry
would have been buried in he archives of fdrgotten memories and it
is due to yon that generations to come can find records that are
I'""'"' — Victor B. Hedman
Most Perfect Thing of Its Kind
liELIEVE it to be the ni>
lished about any industry.
st perfect thing of its kind ever pub-
— Monta Bell
Paramount
Look It Up in the Year Book
I I is a comprehensive and inexhaustible mine of information re-
garding our great industry. I have examined it cursorily, but a
real thorough examination would involve weeks of study, which it
will undoubtedly receive from time to time during the year as various
problems arise. Hardly a day passes that some cpiestion does not
come up regarding which 1 say, "Look it up in the Film Daily Year
Book."
— John Boyce-Smith
J ice-President, Inspiration Pictures
▼■ -^ •▼
Bigger and Better
' I 'HK Film Daily Year Book is certainly becoming "bigger and
w' number.
— Lou B. Metzger
Cen. Mffr.. Universal Pictures Corp.
-i- better" with everi
A Masterpiece
PLEASE accept my congratulations. This is certainly a master-
piece and I will use it to good advantage during tlit coining year.
— James R. Grainger
Gen. Sales Mgr., Fox Film Corp.
An Amazing Array of Facts
s an amazing arr;
le motion picture e-\cciiti
IT presents an amazing array of facts, readily accessible, of use to
the
-Terry Ramsaye
Editor-in-Chief. Pathe .iudio Review
•w "W -^
A Knockout
IT'S a knockout! Every year, when it's put on my desk, I've gone
through it and concluded that it's by far the best you've done to
date._ This one, however, so far suriiasses any of the others, that
there's no comparison.
— Arch Reeve
Publicity Dir., Paramount W\ C. Studio
•w 'W -w
Can Intelligently Answer Any Question
WE just received your surprise package, "The Film Daily Year
Book, 1930." This is the most comprehensive moving picture
industry encyclopedia ever assembled.
With this excellent data at our disposal, we can intelligently answer
any and every question concerning our business.
— A. P. Archer
Inter-Mountain Educational Film Exchange
^- -w yr
Need a Fresh Set of Superlatives
AN hour after T received your letter this morning the postman
staggered in with a copy of the Year Book which you were kiml
enough to send nic. Honestly it would need a fresh set of superlatives
to describe this wonderful work.
— Ernest Fredman
Editor, Daily Film Renter and M. P. News
Will Be Weil^humbed
THE academy, as you know, is building up a comprehensive library
on motion picture subjects. In this library, the 1930 Film Daily
Year Book will be put in a prized place; and. yon may be assured,
its valuably informative pages will be well thumbed by the time the
next year book is published.
— Frank Woods
Secret<n-y, Academy of M. P. Arts & Sciences
1 a Year's Subscription to
ILY
•i Copies of Book $5.00
i
his coupon to get it ^^*^
Date
To THE FILM DAILY,
1650 Broadway,
New York City.
Gentlemen :
Herewith my check for $10.00. Start my yearly sub-
scription to Film Daily Service immediately.
NAME
STREET
CITY STATE
f-^^
DAILV
Friday, March 21,
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €=-
"Good Play Ne/er Makes
Good Movie," lubitsch Says
A GOOD novel never makes a
good play. A good play nev-
er makes a good movie. It is
good originally because it has
been cast in the perfect medium
of expression. Aletamorphosing
it into another medium will not
improve it. I steer clear of great
stage success.;s. They are not
good material. In the same way
the splendidly written novel al-
ways will be a disappointment
to those who have enjoyed it
when they se: it robbed of the
diction which has served to
make it great.
Ernst Liibitxch, director
* * *
Critic Says the Screen
Has Come to E'emand Respect
TT has become bromidic to re-
fer to the movies as an "in-
fant" in the ranks of either art or
commerce. And scoffers glory in
sneering that the films have not
only grown tc a moronic matur-
ity but have jjassed into decrepit
senility. It is no longer "smart"
to pan picture:. In fact, each day
the alleged intelligentsia devotes
to that passe indoor sport brands
its members as dumb, dumber
and dumbest.
Regina Crewe in
"Neio York American"
* * *
Asserts Public Is Ever
Demanding Soriething Better
'T'HE public, educated by bally-
hoo to motion picture tech-
nique, is constantly demanding
something better. It has not
only demanded better pictures
but better motion pictures, not
carbon copies of stage plays.
When Grandeur brought to the
screen scenic glories in accord-
ance with a tiuly minematic tra-
dition, the producer was forced
to open his pates to the found-
ling and take in the infant
prodigy despi:e the turmoil and
expense it wculd entail.
"The World," New York
Of the 57,7'13 theaters in the
world, 27,379 are in Europe,
20,500 in tl'.e United States,
3,981 in Lalin America, 3,976
in the Far I'.ast, 1,100 in Can-
ada, 755 in Africa and 52 in
the Netherlands.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
TJ. F. (Pete) WOODHULL of General Talking Pictures is
receiving a lot of compliments in connection with his idea of
establishing the DeForest sound clinic. Pete's one of the most
widely-known chaps in exhibitor circles
A. J. KENDRICK, president of Sound Studios, informs that
he has leased an extra floor in the Sonora Bldg. to be used
as a review room for demonstrations of recorded radio programs,
the Sound Studios claiming to have been awarded the first license
by Western Electric for such recording William McCaf-
frey has resigned from the vaudeville department of R-K-O after
a long association
* * * *
TRVING BERLIN arrived in town yesterday from Hollywood,
but remains only long enough to catch his breath, departing
again in a few days with Mrs. Berlin for the Coast to supervise
"Love in a Cottage" for United Artists The vaudeville
engagement of Lou Clayton, Eddie Jackson and Jimmie Durante
at Fox's Audubon next week will be their last Eastern appear-
ance for a while, says Blanche F. Livingston, the knockout com-
edy team being slated to go West for some picture work
* * * *
X-I. M. WILCOX, operating manager of E. R. V. I. on April 1
will address the Princeton Club on "Talkies of the Future."
Rutgers Neilson called up to say that Pathe's first song
sketch, "Mandalay," is now in its tenth week on Broadway
* * * *
"W/'ARNER FOLKS are all keyed up for the gladsome affair,
the second annual banquet and ball of the Warner Club,
Inc., at the Hotel Commodore on April 5, and from all that can
be learned in advance it is going to be a truly jubilant party.
Mary Duncan will leave the Roosevelt Hospital next
week and choo choo to her home in Virginia to recuperate
"VW'E have just received word from Hy Daab that we are one of
1,500 members enrolled in the Grand and Benevolent Order
of Cuckoos. My! My! Isn't that lovely! Never knew Hy sus-
pected we were that way. As an official badee of our status we
have been presented with a cuckoo clock. Well, here's hoping
it's not a cuckoo timekeeper. But time will tell, time will tell.
By the by, we understand Bert Wheeler and Robert
Woolsey, stars of "Cuckoos," are charter members.
MARCH 21--MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Sidney Franklin
James Flood
Sam Hardy
Jack Jungmeyer
W. S. Van Dyke
Edward Cronjager
exploitette:
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
o
Colored Lights on Steam
Makes Attractive Display
^AURICE A. MECHANI
of the New, Baltimore, at 1
showing of. "Hot for Paris, " co
nected a perforated pipe to 1
steam heating plant and ran
across the front of the liou;
Colored lights played on the r
leased steam and made an attra
tive balhhoo.
— Fc
* * *
Street Car Exploits
Spanish Version
ri. R. NAYLOR, manager
the Medal Film Co., used
street car ballyhoo to exploit fl
.Spanish version of "Her Priva
Affair" ("Su Intimo Sccreto
at the Havana showing. C
was covered with signs telling i
the perfect Spanish dialogue usi
through the feature and a bai
inside drew attention to the ba
ners.
—Patr
* ♦ *
Model Zeppelin on Truck
Used for "Lost Zeppelin"
ATIKE NEWMAN, exploit
tion man at the .Spreckc
San Diego, built an 18 foot zc
pelin and mounted it on a trii
with lights and loud speakers
attract attention to the "Lc
Zeppelin." Newman also g
good newspaper breaks by ru
ning a benefit for the Car
Kcarnev Dirigible Base Fund.
—Tiffi
* * *
Radio Tie-Ups Push
"Untamed" at Binghamton
T7RED PERRY, manager of
Strand, Binghamton, N.
J.
arranged to have song hits ?
announcements of the showi,
of "Untamed" broadcast on t-
(lailv radio programs. This a
a classified ad puzzle runni;
daily in the Sun helped put t;
picture over.
' —M-G-
TEN YEARS AGO TOD
IN
"Virgin of Stamboul" opens
Broadway.
* * *
Ethel Clayton to form her
company.
* * *
Oliver Curwood plans to sue i
nanies making features of stories
for two reel subjects.
SECOND ANNUAL
WARNER CLUB
FROLIC
BANQUET
AND BALL
♦'
. APRIL )
Dinner 0^^^ Stars
at 050 ^^B^ Galore
>HISIC G^Y
SamLanniiiis IpanaloDbadois
Hollywood Degrees
Hollywood is the university
of the film industry and no
one who has the responsibil-
ity for the direction and pro-
duction of pictures can con-
sider himself a producer or a
director unless he is a gradu-
ate of this great university. So
says George Pearson, English
film man of 20 years' experi-
ence, upon his arrival in New
York from the coast where he
assisted in the making of
"Journey's End."
30 TEATURE PRODUCTIONS
fROMTIEFANY IN 1930-31
(.Continued from Page 1)
trade people present, it was disclosed
that "Journey's End" will have its
preiniere at the Gaiety April IS.
Tiffany intends to make four for-
eign versions of the picture, these be-
ing in Spanish, French, German and
Italian. Tiffany will produce each
picture in its respective country in
association with a local producer,
Gainsborough and Welsh-Pearson.
George Pearson, who has arrived
from the Coast after supervising the
picture, spoke briefly, stating that
the play on which the film is based
is now playing in 24 countries. He
sails tomorrow for England. On
Monday, Arthur Lee, Tiffany for-
eign manager, sails to make arrange-
ments, in association with Pearson,
for the producing of the foreign ver-
sions.
Fox N. Y. Exchange Files
34 Suits Against Exhibs
(Continued from Page 1)
pulsory group arbitration illegal.
Seven of these have been settled out
of court while the remaining 27 are
awaiting trial with Percy Heiliger
of the home office legal department
in charge. Of this total, 13 are for
damaged or lost film with two cases
having already been settled; Nine are
for N. G. checks, three exhibitors
having cleared their accounts while
the last batch of 12 are for broken
contracts, two of which have been ad-
justed. All except one case which
will be tried in the Supreme Court,
due to the exhibitor operating up-
State, are scheduled to be heard in
the Municipal Court.
Don Eddy Arrives Tomorrow
Don Eddy, publicity director for
RKO on the Coast, arrives in New
York tomorrow for conferences with
Hy Daab regarding exploitation on
forthcoming pictures.
Warner Officials Due Back
Sam E. Morris and A. P. Wax-
man are due back from the Coast on
Tuesday.
Buys Akron House
Akron, O. — H. B. Keckler has
taken over the Ideal from Mrs. Park
Palmer,
f;^^
DAILV
Friday, March 21,
Fehr Recalls Experiences
as Exploiteer of Pictures
Personal experiences as an exploi-
teer were recalled by l^ouis Fehr of
the "New York American" who spoke
to the A.M. P. A. at its weekly lun-
cheon yesterday at the Blue Ribbon
Restaurant. He complimented the
publicity men on their excellent
copy. Carlton Fisher, cartoonist,
also spoke at the gathering, at which
Edward L. Klein presided.
Announcement was made of Don
Hancock's appointment as Editor
and Tom ^^'iley as business man-
ager of the A.M.P.A. magazine m
place of Edward MacNamee and
Michael Simmons, both of whom
were obliged to resign because of
other duties. A canvas is being taken
among the members to decide upon
a new meeting day.
3 Former Metropolitan
Exhibs Re-enter Field
(Continued from Page 1)
the Acme, on 14th St., N. Y. C,
while Ben Rossassy, former New
Jersev independent operator, has re-
opened the Adelphi in Brooklyn.
Charles Swazzo, former owner of
several Long Island houses, has
taken back the Palace, Coiona, which
he operated many years ago.
Bunn Calls Good Sound
Aid to the Community
(Continued from Pago 1)
general sales manager of Electrical
Research Products. As an illustra-
tion he cites the case of the Barron
Theater, Pratt, Kan., the owner of
which was forced to install the best
of equipment when pressure was
brought to bear upon hmi by the
merchants of the town, who held that
good entertainment at home would
give the citizens less cause for being
absent from town.
Wide Film Projectors
Set for April Delivery
(Continued from Page 1)
the gate. In the event that the 65
mm. devices are made standard, it
is understood that anyone now pur-
chasing the 70 mm apparatus will be
able to adapt them to 65 mm at
small cost.
At the Mitchell plant in CaHfor-
nia, 70 mm cameras now are avail-
able to anyone for immediate deliv-
ery, while 65 mm. cameras may be
obtained on order.
Richard Buys in Grand Ledge
Grand Ledge, Mich. — Normand
Richard of Lansing has acquired the
Grand from Ella Rice and her broth-
er. The name has been changed to
the state and sound equipment has
been installed.
Second House for Dancer, Jr.
Neodesha, Kan. • — Frank Dancer,
Jr., who operates the Booth, Indepen-
dence, has taken over management
of the Dickinson here.
Two Close at Cleveland
Cleveland — Poor business has
forced the Manhattan and Parkview
theaters to close.
'■.t re ft! in^ftilirin r- ;
ol Bell & HoudlS ruu-
Eiigineernig Research
Laboratories, daily en-
e.aged in solving today 's
cine industry problems
and planning neu de-
signs for the future
Bell & Howell
Accuracy Begins in
the Test Tub^
THE rigid specifications guiding every operation in tb
manufacture of Bell & Howell Cinemachinery ucgii
with inflexible chemical formulae. For the various kind
of metals used, specifications as to hardness, texture, an(
reaction to temperature are inviolable, and can be achieve*
only by exacting restrictions in their manufacture.
Scores of minute inspections follow every manufactu^
ing operation. Tolerances of one ten-thousandth of a|
inch are commonly demanded. Completed machines mu.
run a hard gauntlet before they are released. Bell & Howell]
first guarantee is to itself . , . that its Standard Studil
Cameras, Film Perforators, Printers and Splicers be maq
in such a way as to render the full measure of dependab
service the world has learned to expect of them.
From the "lot" to the projection booth, this insistenc
upon accuracy paves the way for better motion picture:
sound or silent. Every branch of the industry shares \\
these values, Bell & Howell's permanent contribution t
widespread economic advancement of the industry,
Bell& Howell Co
Dept. O, 1853 Larchmont Ave., Chicago, 111. ' New York, 11 W. 42nJ
Hollywood, 6324 Santa Monica Blvd. r London (B.&H.Co.,Ltd.) 320 Regeiij
Uttahlhhed 1907
I
I
iTifi
f^ NEWSPAPER
/^FILMDOM
lAHDWEEKLY
fiLH DIGEST
VOL. LI No. 69
Sunday, March 23, 1930
Price 25 Cents
pAUt CAVANAUCff
VV/llUAM BOYD
in Langdon McCormick^s
history-making stage melo-
drama. NOW greater than
ever as a smashing outdoor
talking thriller!
I N AUTHORITATIVE
URVEY OF THE
HORT SUBJECT FIELD
The Film Daily's
Short Subjects Quarterly
Out Next Sunday
REVIEWS AND INFOR-
MATION OF TREMEN-
DOUS VALUE TO THE
ENTIRE INDUSTRY
AGABOND
ADVENTURE
SERIES
with TOM TERRIS
the Vagabond Director
^^g^ Dramatic
ilirillsi iim sound!
ready
THE FIRST 3
most
senS£itionail
b.o. puller
short
subject
field
today!
THE GOLDEIM PAGODA'
Buddha and mystery! You travel with Tom Terrisj
into the quaint streets of Burma, see the native
beggars, emerald temples, huge golden temple
domes . . . and a thrilling trip into the forbidden
coves of the dead Kings v/here one misstepi
means horrible death! ,»»»»»»»
STREETS OF MYSTERY'
India! Land of magic and superstition — land o|
the savage tiger and royal elephant, of ancier
temples . . . The tense dramatic story of il
boy lured by the beauty of a bronzed savage*
swallowed up in the mysterious streets of Indiol
A super-thrilling episode! »»»»». iji
"THE LAIR OF CHAIVG-OW*
^F' ^^= China, oldest civilization in the world — jos
houses, queer temples, sinister poppy-fields
splendid silks, eternal rice, leering coolies . .
And a curdling evening and night in the Wong-hc
caves, the lair of the dreaded bandit chief
^ Chang-ow. Mysterious, exciting! » » »
produced by
TTe Van Beuren Corporation
released by
Pat HE
I
TAemfSPhPiJl
o/'FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
/OL. LI No. 69
Sunday, March 23, 1930
Price 25 Cents
^athe Cinema to Handle RC A Photophone in France
RKO 1930-31 PROGRAM HAS 30 |EATURES
Report R-K-O Negotiating for 7 Chicago Houses
Jird Amusement Co. Chain
Expected to Join
Big Circuit
Chicago — Negotiations are under-
ood to be under way whereby R-K-
may acquire seven houses now
ntrolled by the Bird Amusement
k)., which took over the theaters
^)m a receivership by paying $110,-
33 and assuming responsibility for
Dre than $4,500,000 in obligations.
lie group includes the Capitol, Ava-
: Ip and Stratford, ranked among the
Itding houses in the city, and the
Jffrey, West Englewood, Highland
' ad Cosmopolitan.
! [t is reported that R-K-O, in tak-
'' m over the theaters, will pay the
|, B-d Amusement Co. $150,000 in ad-
d|ion to accepting the outstanding
' iiebtedness. James Coston, agent
f« the houses, is said to be still
cliferring with B. B. Kahane, ol
\Fk:-0, on the deal.
^Y UNBREAKABLE
'iUTS SHIPPING PROBLEMS
|j i'^ith the object of manufacturing
in marketing what is termed an un-
'>r kable disc record, the Unbreak-
ibi Record Corp. has opened ad-
n^strative and sales offices at 1600
I^Biiadway, New York. The company
i {Continued on Page 7)
iNlgel and Brown to Make
fieSiorts Series for Tiffany
V\ Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
•' bs Angeles — Howard C. Brown
(,„in| Curtis F. Nagel will produce
'iijcal fantasies series of short sub-
' ■ 'c featuring Guiseppe Creatore and
(Continued on Page 12)
ElICT NOLTE HEAD OF
M.P.T.O^
Baltimore — Charles E. Nolte has
been elected president of the M. P.
T. O. of Maryland at the annual
meeting just held. Other new of-
ficers are Lauritz C. Carman, vice
president; Frank A. Horning, treas-
urer, and William E. Stumpf, secre-
tary. The following comprise the
new board of directors: Herman A.
Blum, Frank H. Durkee, J. Louis
Rome, William Kalb, Thomas D^
Goldberg, Samuel Soltz and Phillip
Miller.
IT COURT CASE
ADVANCED TO MARCH 24
At the request of Samuel Unter-
myer, attorney for William Fox,
Senior Judge Martin T. Manton, oi
the Circuit Court of Appeals, has
advanced the date, from April 7 to
March 24, for a full court hearing
on the writ obtained by H. L. Stuart
and J. E. Otterson requiring Fed-
eral Judge Frank J. Coleman to
show cause why he should not be
restrained from acting on the Fox
cases pending before him. Unter-
(Continued on Page 12)
Pathe Cinema-RCA Photophone
Deal Covers Five Year Period
Cudmore Joins Fulton Co.
as Electrical Dept. Head
Chicago— H. H. Cudmore has join-
ed the E. E. Fulton Co. where he
will have general supervision of elec-
trical departments which are to be
established in all branches of the
company. Cudmore for many years
has been associated with General
Electric Co., representing them in
the sales development of Mazda
lamps for projection purposes as
well as other G. E. equipment.
Under a deal just closed, Pathe
Cinema of France becomes the sole
distributor of RCA Photophone re-
cording and reproducing equipment
in France, Charles J. Ross, execu-
tive vice-president of RCA Photo-
phone, Inc., announces. The deal,
which covers a period of five years,
provides that Pathe Cinema im-
mediately establish a servicing or-
ganization to handle all sound repro-
ducing apparatus installed and op-
erated by RCA Photophone in the
{Continued on Page 12)
'alkers "in Person"
Bratislava, Czechoslovakia
By Cable) — A riot took place
local theater when "The
welve Robbers of the Volga,"
idely advertised as a sound
Im, turned out to be a silent
icture with the dialogue and
usic produced by artists hid-
m behind the screen.
Wide Film Steamrolling in
Enlarged Pictures Slowly Penetrating the Exhibition Field-
International Projector's Delivery Plans Indicate
Proximity of Wide Pictures
REGARDLE.SS of whether or not exhibitors feel in a receptive
mood, wide film is steamrolling into an actuality. And slather-
ing speed as it rolls further and further into the exhibition
picture.
Substantiating this trend. International Projector Co. breaks into
type with a statement that projectors for w^ide film will be ready for
delivery in April. It constitutes an indication that wide films are de-
stined to generally become an important factor in a close-by tomorrow.
The problem of standardization of widths is still suspended in a
state of uncertainty. There is every reason to believe that its
{Continued on Page 3)
Some Films on New Year
Schedule Will be
Made Abroad
RKO's feature output for the 1930-
1931 season will comprise 30 fea-
tures. This total is approximately
the same as that of its current pro-
gram.
Some features will be made abroad
but production plans have not as yet
been completed, it was stated Fri-
day. The short subject program has
now been determined. The RKO
policy, as in connection with the
1929-30 schedule, will provide for
the subjects being made by outside
units.
TEXAS EXHIBITOR ASS'N
WILL HANDLE^EPPMENT
Dallas — Arrangements to handle
the major items of theater equipment,
as well as plans for resuming the
order of district meetings conducted
during previous seasons, have been
made by Allied Theater Owners of
Te.xas. A sound screen and a projec-
{Continued on Page 12)
Atlanta House Bombing
Laid to Labor Troubles
Atlanta — Labor troubles are said
to be the cause of the bombing of a
downtown theater, the second in-
cident of its kind here in four months.
Damage is estimated at $500. The
house has been employing non-unon
labor, police state.
Latin Films Only
West Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Tom White, in-
dependent producer of foreign-
language films, has leased the
California for the exclusive
showing of Spanish-speaking
pictures. He will reopen the
house March 29 with his own
production, "La Rosa Del
Fuega" with Don Alvarado,
Rene Torres and Emanuel
Martinez in the cast.
DAiLV
i
Sunday, '"'arch 23, 19;
FILMDOH'S .^^m\
NEWSPAPER ^HrU
s9»i
Rm^ AND WEEKLY
Vol. LINo. 69 Sunday.March 23. 1930 Price 25Cents
JOHN W. ALIGOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wllk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolflsohn Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 22 22 22 400
Con. Fm. Ind. . 24 J^ 23^ 24 900
Con. Fm. Ind pfd. 24J4 24}^ 2454 1.300
East. Kodak 238 235 236 2,800
Fox Fm. "A" .. 30 265^ 29-^ 19,700
Fox Film "A" rts. 4J4 3% 4J4 10,900
Fox Film deb. rts. 'A Vi % 11,400
Gen. Thea. Equ. . 46 44-^ 45 18,800
-Keith A-O 36J4
do pfd 115J4 115 115J4 200
Loew's Inc 77}4 76^ 76i^ 4,400
do pfd. WW (.6yi).103'/2 103J4 103J^ 100
<lo pfd. xw (614) 92 92 92 100
•M-G-M pfd 25 54
Para. F-L 73^ 72 73}^ 35,500
Pathe Exch 534 S'A 5H 900
do "A" lO'A WYi lOH 100
R-K-0 36% 36 3654 15,500
•Univ. Pict. pfd 5554
Warner Bros 765^ 7354 7654 88,000
do pfd 675^ 655^ 675'^ 3,400
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ..35 35 35 100
Fox Thea. "A" . 654 654 65^ 1.400
*Intem. Proj 25
*Loew do deb. rts 42 ....
*Loew, Inc., war 13J4 •■•■
Nat. Scr. Ser. .. 2354 2'2^ 23"/2 200
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
*Univ. Pict 16 ....
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith AG 6s 46 90
Loew 6s 41ww ..120J4 120 120 J4 130
do 6s 41 x-war..l00j4 100 10054 l,35(i
Paramount 6s 47 .10354 10254 1025^ 60
Par. By. 554s 51.10154 101 101 40
Pathe 7s 37 66?4 63 63 50
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
'.-*♦.♦♦.♦♦>♦>♦>♦,••.♦♦,• v^.
New York Long Island City };
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. J{
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.:
*4
{.{
J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
M
:.t
Chicago Hollywood ;'{
1727 Indiana Ave. 6700 Santa Monica 5^
Blvd. 5{
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 i*
INDEX
PAGE
EDITORIAL— Wide Film Steamrolling in 1
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
NEWS-OF-THE-DAY .5
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast News by Telegraph 5
■■A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk 5
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 6
TIMELY TOPICS, Digest of Current Opinions ' ' 6
A FILM FACT A DAY ' 6
ALONG THE RIALTO, b\ Phil M. Daly, Jr 6
BIRTH DA Y GREETINGS ' (
EXPLOITETTES ' " (,
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily File (
THEATER EQUIPMENT, by William Ornstein ;
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Louis Pelegnne ' '" 8
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 9
SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS, by Harry N. Blair. 9
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES ' ■"10
PRESENTATIONS, by Don C. Gillette ""ll
THE WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of News ' ' ' p
REVIEWS
PAGE
BACK FROM SHANGHAI 10
CANYON OF MISSING MEN.. 10
DARK RED ROSES 10
LOVIN" THE LADIES Id
LUCKY LARKIN 10
STRANGE CASE OF DISTRICT
ATTORNEY M 1
WISE GIRLS 1
YOUNG EAGLES .1,
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND I!
Photo-Talker Planning
New Sound-on-Film Device
Dallas — Photo-Talker is under-
stood planning to announce shortly
a new sound-on-film device fully
licensed and protected from patent
infringements. Tests of the new
device are understood to have been
made at the company's laboratories
for the past several months and re-
sults are said to be satisfactory
enough to warrant immediate pro-
duction of the equipment.
S. S. Millard in New York
S. S. Millard, independent pro-
ducer, has arrived in New York from
the Coast. He is lining up talent
for a talker version of "The Yoke,"
old stage play, which he plans to film
in some Eastern studio.
Will Alexander in Chicago
Chicago — William Alexander, vice-
president of Congo Pictures, Ltd., is
in this city in connection with "In-
gagi," the African film being handled
by his company.
Third Week For "Cohens"
"The Cohen and Kellys in Scot-
land" is in its third week at the
Colony.
RCV Broadcasting Corp.
to Make Series of Shorts
RCV International Broadcasting
Systems, operated by Radio Cinema
Vision Corp. is preparing to make a
series of talking shorts in addition
to the 40 weekly feature programs
furnished to its affiliated 123 stations
in the U. S. and 14 in Canada. The
studios of the company are located
at 1600 Broadway, New York, and
its recently appointed advisory board
consists of Malcom Strauss, presi-
dent of Radio Cinema Vision Corp.-
Alfred J. McCosker of WOR; Wal-
ter S. Lemmon of Aviation Radio
Station WRNY; Donald Flamm of
WMCA; Herman Halstead, vice
president of Paul Block, Inc.; N.
Townsend Rice, general manager of
RCV Systems, and Manning Wake-
field, formerly of the Scripps-How-
ard group of newspapers, who has
been appointed director of sales.
Demonstrate RCA Portable
Hartford, Conn. — Governor Trum-
bull was guest of honor at the re-
cent demonstration of the new RCA
portable apparatus at the State.
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
Mar.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
May
May
June
25 Annual meeting of Projection i'
visory Council at Town H |
N. Y.
26 Premiere of "Mammy" at the W,
ner. N. Y. '
28 Opening of "The Man Ui
Blankey's" at Central, New Y^,
15 Premiers of "Journey's End** 'f
the Gaiety, New York. j
5-5-5 Conference will take place)
N. Y.
5 Second annual banquet and 1
of the Warner Club, Inc., at :
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-Statet.
P.T.O. at Memphis. i
5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at t
Wardman Park Hotel, Washji-
ton, D. C.
16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern nu^-
gers hold annual sales meetH
Atlantic City. ■
24-25-26-27 Paramount western mil-
gers will hold annual sales lit
at San Francisco. '
25 Pox annual sales cocvention c i
today.
2-7 International Cinema CongrMiii .
Brussels.
Reopen Arcadia House
Arcadia, La. — Len T. Langston
reopened the Dixie which was
cently damaged by fire.
Universal Changes Title
"Captain of the Guard" is the »)
title of "La Marseillaise", Univfaif
special.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE,
OP ERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
N PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE— MARYLAND %
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA— ''
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA 1
1700 SANSOM STREE1
Philadelphia.Pa.
THE
>unday, March 23, 1930
DAILY
Wide Film
Steamrolling In
(Continued from Page 1)
erplexities will reach an adjustment
efore the wide film tide sweeps into
idustry-wide proportions.
; Monday: With the b. o. dough
curing into at a speedway pace,
ox West Coast Theaters is getting
';t for further expansion. H. B.
Jranklin, who's known as one of the
'nartest of ace showmen, is author
,' that statement. Activities of this
lain always provide a worth-absorb-
(g example of theater operation....
'^arner Bros., which declines to
. and still and instead just keeps
; lining along, is reported negotiating
r the Harriscolor process. The
, lOry goes that the company's en-
jneers have okayed the system
I ^Tuesday; Kansas City provides
(e of interest. Talkers, at nickel-
,,(,eon prices, no less, are being served
f:ture-hungry audiences at Monday
ntinees in a l,4S0-seat house
btion pictures, which, until recent-
1, have not had so much recognition
' i official Equity circles, have now
"jjnped into an increasingly promin-
*iel; spot. A vice-president to repre-
s[it the film membership will soon
b, appointed
■x Wednesday: Columbia is expected
(net approximately $1,000,000 this
ifct'lr, figures "The Wall Street
"i^^^s." This outfit has made re-
nrkable strides during the past few
_-^rs which, any way you look at it,
31. concrete tribute to the men who
Stle its affairs. .. .Into an atmos-
Jijre charged with talk of wide film
j)cjies the announcement of the Na-
f 111 Vision head for projectors
^^ch enables them to show 56 mm
^i(ures. No doubt this will attract
ijife-spread trade attention....
mShursday : Forty-eight companies
'"Tl individuals, who are made de-
_^j!ants in the action brought by
^^li Abramson and the Graphic
'iji Corp., seeking damages, legally
^:^t that the petitioners are wholly
ji^rtg in their reply filed with the U.
i'jR Hstrict Court. Trial of the suit is
|S/ljEly motion picture moons off
^jsefge Arliss, whose "Disraeli,"
TJner Bros, offering, was acclaim-
,l|he best picture of 1929, is for-
^^%g the footlights for the incan-
(<^''|:^nts. Which ought to be red
EMI")%ood news for exhibitors whose
[SSPftmers like high-calibre stuff.
ylAtiU.,
^jl^-moay: Tiffany, another organi-
.rsAi which is steadily forging
iep, will have 30 features on its
3l31 menu. Company executives
?r e^nighty enthusiastic over "Jour-
^ End," in particular It
s^^in^voidable that someone would
'*t a device whereby the "smel-
.jS'jwould be born. A Los Angeles
jTR^'iditant has patented one for the
i.P*' .r|Tiission of odors appropriate to
■^0^ being displayed on the screen.
N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y
United States
Kinston, N. C. — The Grand The-
ater has been destroyed by tire with
losses estmiated at $80,000. Plans
are being made to rebuild as soon as
insurance adjustments are completed.
Bladenboro, N. C. — The Lyric has
been sold to 1. C. Lambden and U.
il. Young by the Amusement Op-
erating Co.
Charleston, N. C. — Recent DeFor-
est installations in the Carolinas
liave been made in the following
towns; Albemarle, Asheboro; Clin-
ton, Ldenton; Durham, Shelby; Wil-
iiamston, Charleston. RCA Photo-
phone has been installed in the En-
neld, Morehead; Roxboro, Weldon;
tSelton, Marion; Paris, Island; Moul-
tneviUe, Wadesboro.
Wallace, N. C. — ihe Wanoca has
been equipped with De Forest sound.
Wallace is said to be the smallest
town in the U. S. to boast a theater
wired for sound. It has a population
of 648.
Charlotte, N. C. — Announcement
of the engagement and approaching
marriage ot Hugh Smart, Manager
of the Imperial, to Miss Marjorie
Orme, of Montgomery Ala. has been
made.
Staples, Minn. — E. H. Hill has
purchased the theater here from Ray
O. Wilson. The house will be re-
modeled.
Flushing, O. — ^Williani Bethel has
reopened the Pastime which has
been closed on account of an acci-
dent to him.
Springfield, Mass. — Edward M.
Mullikin plans to reopen the Mul-
likin next week when decorations
now being made will be completed.
Morgantown, W. Va. — An electric
short circuit caused a fire at the
Metropolitan here resulting in a loss
of approximately $40,000, Manager
George Sallows, declares.
Detroit — Joe La Rose has suc-
ceeded Guy Wonders as manager of
the Fox theater. J. M. Joice, for-
merly in charge of publicity for the
Fox in Brooklyn, is now associated
with La Rose as publicity manager.
King City, Cal.— The Reel Joy will
open soon with RCA Photophone
sound equipment.
Sumner, Wash. — The Liberty the-
ater is being wired by RCA Photo-
phone.
Chandler, Ariz. — Western Electric
cquip^ment has been installed in the
Manhennet.
Grand Rapids, Minn. — Announce-
ment is made that the Grand is be-
ing wired for sound by RCA Photo-
pnone engineers.
New Egypt, N. J. — The Isis is be-
ing wired tor sound by RCA Photo-
phone.
Akron, O. — RCA Photophone en-
gineers are instalhng sound in the
^southern.
Newark, N. J. — Weequahic is in
the hands of RCA Photophone engi-
neers.
Deep River, Conn.— RCA Photo-
phone sound equipment is going into
the Pratt.
Windsor, Conn.— The Tunxis is
being wired for sound by RCA Pho-
tophone.
Foreign
London — H. D. Waley and W.
Vinton have formed Continuous Pro-
jectors, Ltd., to manufacture a con-
tinuous projector invented by Waley.
Berlin — Tauber Tonfilm Co. has
been formed by Richard Tauber,
Max Reichmann and Manfred Lieb-
enau. Plans are being made to pro-
duce five pictures starring Tauber.
Lyons, France — Tobis has wired
the Scala and Majestic here and the
Varieties at Vienna.
Wembley Park, England — Asso-
ciated Sound Film Industries, Ltd.,
will make the "City of Song" in
English and German.
New York
Jack Huber has resigned from Co-
lumbia exchange.
Melrose, Bronx, former Louis
Simon house, has been converted in-
to a public market.
Joe Fliesler, formerly managing
the S5th St. Playhouse, is now in
charge of the Film Guild in Newark.
Anita Stewart is making personal
appearances at the Loew's Grand,
Bronx.
R-K-O Bronx theaters are show-
ing "Kollegiate Kapers," neighbor-
hood musical stage revue.
The Luxor will open soon with
RCA Photophone sound equipment.
Corona, N. Y.— The Palace has
gone sound — RCA Photophone.
Rochester, N. Y.— The Grand
being wired by RCA Photophone.
^ Back to Silents
Pittsburgh — Silent pictures
have returned here with the
reopening of the Gayety under
this pohcy. The Cine-Music
Co. has leased the former bur-
lesque house and a feature of
the new regime is a 50-piece
orchestra.
Gets Sound Equipment
Eureka, S. D. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the State.
RCA for Iowa House
Belmond, la. — The Lyric is in-
stalling RCA sound equipment
RCA for Faulkton, S. D.
Faulkton, S. D. — Levi F. Roberts
will install RCA in the New.
Raising Fund for Sound
Midland, S. D. — Local business
men are raising $4,000 to buy sound
equipment for the new American
Legion hall here.
Leases Ipswich (S. D.) House
Turton, S. D. — E. J. Quinn has
leased the State at Ipswich and will
install sound.
Improving South Dakota House
Highmore, S. D. — Extensive im-
provements are being made at the
new Grand, including the installa-
tion of Western Electric equipment.
T. H. Tomter is owner.
FRED SCOTT
''If I only had a
larynx like that!''
(HE'S IN IT)
—^xn^
DAILY
Sunday, March 23, 1930
©
Exhibitors
Daily Remindtr
Keep bulbs in
electric signs
clean; you'll get
much better 11-
lumination for
your money.
Sunday, March 23, 1930
Magistrate Aroused Over
Sprinkler System Delays
Following testimony by Assistant
Fire Chief Joseph B. Martin that
191 orders requiring installation oi
sprinkler systems in various estab-
lishments, including film studios,
were tied up in the Board of Stand-
ards and Appeals last May, Chief
Magistrate McAdoo has ordered of-
ficials of the fire department to ap-
pear before him Monday in connec-
tion with his inquiry into the Palhe
studio fire. The adjourned hearing
of John C. Flinn and Henry Lally
before District Attorney Grain is to
be resumed in Homicide Court on
Tuesday.
Must Wire for Sunday Shows
Garner, la. — Although this town
has voted for Sunday movies, offi-
cials refuse to pass the ordinance
permitting sabbath shows until the
local house instals sound equipment.
New Iowa Talker House
Greston, la. — The Iowa has been
opened with Western Electric sound
equipment.
McLaren for Jackson House
Jackson, Mich. — W. S. McLaren
will manage the new Butterfield
which opens here in April. Bernard
Smith has succeeded McLaren at the
GapitoL
New Price Scale
Baltimore — Fred G. Schanberger,
Jr., has revised the price scale at the
Auditorium from 35 cents to $1.50,
to from 25 to 50 cents.
Fox House Helps the Deaf
St. Louis — Earphones for the hard
of hearing have been installed at
the Fox, Grand and Washington
Blvds.
Shine Joins RCA
D. S. Shine has been made a spe-
cial representative of RCA Photo-
phone Inc.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Ctianges
MINNESOTA
Changes in Ownership
itfcion LaK& — v_ujiaiiuuii>, 5uia tu i^, A. Kob-
ioii u> oeorge Juiiiibuii ; Oiivia — i\cvv biate,
svj-G n> xj. W. UucKley by t.d Buci^icy ,
ij^oeKa — iviemorial llail, sold to J. C
ijiUsmore by Arthur iiogAiia.
Closings
oertha — Movies; nouma.. — Priucess ; Janes-
vuio — jf rinccss — Keewatin — Uur ; Pine
Kiver — lUemonal Hall.
MISSISSIPPI
Changes in ownership
Fulton — j-'ijk.c, oi^ia lo ij. jc. i>cuow by J.
lU. iiiowu, xKiiueaDUig — Ulxic, som to
t.. V. I'iiJucii oc j:.. ii. irtwcii^oy ^vithui
l^eliniaii; i^oiiy opungs — i\.c-x, suiU to VV.
H. iiouets uy i«j.r. x^eeOc; itta jDena —
jUixie, sulci tu J allies C JJavis by Mrs. joe
I'aluso.
Closings
Fayette^iayette; i-uia — i.^ula liich High
acuool I iicatcr ; magee — meal ; MenUvn-
naii — xueuucuiiaii ; Morton — .rtinusu ; Uuion
— Amusu.
NEiV JERSEY
Changes in ownership
rSergen — ^^u^'^j, oo.u lo ocui^^ j.i. oiler by
i_uuicii 111. (.-oip.; li. riUuienoiQ — i<cx,
sold to t.. Oi. n. ^uiiusciueiit i^orp. i>y baxe ,
i^oai — ^Aincricaii, suiU to rauiiiie .u. liacile
tiy l^oui Aiii. 111. Col p.
Closings
Ampere — Ampere, rtiuiio,.un — Arlington;
jL>arnegat' — upeia House; Uayonne — Opera
House, btrauu ; Bloomnela — i-iiieolu , Bo-
gota— Kegeut; Boonion — j^yccum; iiound
Arook — idlace; Caldwell — Caldwell; Caii-
ton — iioio Hall; Clittside — Cliltside ; Clin-
ton— lUusic Hall; Cranberry — I'alace; Du-
mont — Uuinout; Dunneiien — Cameo; l!.asi
Oiange— l^jceuni, Uxlord ; Jiast Kuther-
iord — fark ; iihzabeth — Capitol ; Freehold —
liinbassy ; Hackensack — Lyric; Hamburg —
Idle Hour; Hillside=-Hollywood; Hoboken
— City, Eureka, Lyric, Manor ; Irvington —
Liberty; Jersey City — Comedy, Duncan,
Liberty, Lyric, Majestic, i'laza ; Keansburg
— Casino ; Kearney — Grand ; Keyport — I'al-
ace; Lavallette — Lavallette; Litua Fall*—
Oxlord; Little Ferry — isokol Hall; Lynd-
hurst— Star; Midvale — Community Club;
Newark — Columbia, Grand, Lewis, Lincoln,
Konsoii ; New Brunswick— Cozy Uijou ;
New Milford — Park; Nutley— Cameo ; Or-
ange— Colonial, Washington; Paterson —
American; Port Norris — Showboat; Raritan
— Empire ; Ridgewood — Opera House ; Ro-
selle — Roslyn ; Sayerville — Liberty ; South
Orange — Cameo ; Summit — Lyric ; Verona
— Verona; Washington — Opera House;
West New York — Unison; Woodbridga —
Woodbridge.
NEW YORK
Changes in Ownership
Albany — Hudson, sold to E. Rossi by R.
Currie; Altamont — Masonic Hall, sold to
Roy F. Pugh by D. Richmond; Antwerp —
Gateway, sold to H. J. Thompson by Mrs.
C. E. Taylor ; Binghamton — Cameo, sold to
H. B. Van Ness by W. J. Lavery; Grand,
»oId to Hackley & Compton by J. Sroka;
Buffalo — Allendale, sold to A. Michaels by
J. Wallingford ; Frontier, sold to A. Mi-
chaels by Wuttke Bros. ; Mobleskill — Park,
sold to J. C. Carpenter by Fox- Metropoli-
tan; Greenwich — Star, sold to Brandywine
Amusement Corp. by Mrs. D. S. Reagan ;
Ilion — Capitol, sold to Fox- Metropolitan
Playhouses, Inc., by Kalford Theater, Inc.;
Temple, sold to Fox-Metropolitan Play-
houses, Inc., by Kallord Theaters, Inc. ;
Little Falls — Oxford, sold to Church by
Stanley; Manchester— Pastime, sold to J.
Oilman by A. Vanderbrook; Ogdensburg —
Hippodrome, sold to H. S. Clothier by Eli
Rosenbaum ; Syracuse — Acme, sold to Slot-
mck & Pearlman by Metzger Bros. ;
Watertown— Liberty, sold to Fox-Metro-
politan Playhouses, Inc., by Charles Se-
sonske.
Closings
Albany — Hudson; Argyle — Community; Bed-
ford Hills— Community ; Belmont — Bel-
mont ; Binghamton — Cityline ; Canajoharie
—-Capitol; Central Valley— Fireman's Hall;
Chester — Opera House; Clinton — Clinton;
Dobbs Ferry— Washington ; Harriman —
Opera House; High Falls— Fall View;
Howells— Rustic ; Inlet— Gaiety ; Katonah
— Katonah ; Kingston — Auditorium ; May-
Diook — Sweeney's Hall; Middleburg — Rex;
Mt. Vernon — Embassy, I'layuousc; iMew-
bui'gh — iiar ; i\ev/ iiochelle — i\ortn Ave.,
UaKiield — Opera House; Ossimng — ParUic-
non; i-arishville — lown Hall; Pougnktepsie
— Uest, Piayliouse; baranack LaKe — iscw,
SloatsDiug — Henry Club; Utica — Carlton,
Windsor — Eaiiuly ; Vonkers — Hamilton,
Orpueum, i'ark, Riverdale.
Re-Openings
Troy — Astor.
NEW YORK CITY
Changes in Ownership
Alajor ,6oiu lo ivuawiu Corp.; oiitut, sold to
oouid by iioweltz ik Johnson.
Closings
Apollo, Atlas, Broux riaza. Canal, Central,
community Cinema An, Uaytona, Lcaucy,
f-iidicott, l:iist Ave., lorsytue, l-ugazy.
Golden Rule ;Rivington bt.^, Golden R.U1C
1,1 and Ave.j, Houston, Kelton, Lyric, iti.
& is. laiacc, majestic, iNovelty, Odeou,
Regent, Regun, Rocreck, Royal, rrcmoot,
Von Steuben, Waco, Walton, Webster,
\\ est End.
New Theaters
Plaza, owner — Leo Brcclier.
BROOKLYN
Changes in Ownership
Gem, sold to i> cisou & Reuuer by S. & S. ;
Globe, sold to Lila Amusement Corp. by
L & L Amusement Corp. ; Irving, sold to
Joe Udittner by Fox Met.; iNewsreel, sola
to Reel i\ews Corp.; Rige, sold to H & b
Amusement Co. by E. IVL Behrman; Still
well, sold to Rachmiel ; Van Bureii, sola
to Lighstone & Tabashnick by K & L
Amusement Corp.; Windsor, sold to Wind
»or Cir. Corp.
Closings
Amphion, Art, Atlantic, Court, Eagle. Elite,
Emanuel, Etude, Fifth Ave., Fuiton Audi
torium Gates, HendrLx, Huntington, Lib-
etry, Loew's Bijou, Monatuk, Nostrand.
Palace, Pearl Movies, Shetfield, Sheridan,
Sommers, Tip Top, Tompkins, Victory.
LONG ISLAND
Changes in Ownership
Northport — iNorihport, sold to Gladstone;
Ozone Park- -State, sold to G. H. Crockett;
Springfield Gardens — Garden, sold to G. H.
Crockett ; St. Albans — St. Albans, sold to
G. H. Crockett.
Closings
Arveme — Arverne; Astoria — Arcade, Frank-
lin, Meridan; Bayside — Bayside; Bridge-
hampton — Community ; Cedarhurst — Play-
house ; Central Park — Central Park ;
Corona — Colonial ; E. Quogue — Atlantic
Hall; Farmingdale — Dale; Floral Park-
Lily ; Flushing — Flushing ; Forest Hills —
Metropolis; Hicksville — Hicksville; Hunt-
ington— Park ; Hyde Park — Hyde Park ;
Kew Gardens — Kew Gardens ; Richmond
Hill— Garden, lOur Civic; Ronkonkoma —
Fireman's Hall.
STATEN ISLAND
Closings
South Beach — Strand; West New Brighton —
Capitol.
NEW MEXICO
Changes in Ownership
Hatch — Palace, sold to Ron Hopkins by J.
O. Tarver.
Closings
Magdalena — Casino ; Mountainair — Mountain-
air ; Terrerro — Terrcrro.
NORTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Burlington — Dixie, sold to C. W. Overman
by Y. D. Coble; Elk Park— Park, sold to
W. H. Tucker by M. G. Teaser; Forest
City — Romina, sold to Romina Theater,
Inc., by W. H. Haynes ; Rocky Mount —
Savoy, sold to Standard Amusement Co.
by Bumette & Stokes; Winston Salem —
Auditorium, sold to Publix-Saenger by
Winston Salem Theater Corp.
Closings
Baldenboro — Lyric ; Fairmont — Star ; High
Pt.— Eagle.
New Theaters
Asheboro — New, owner — ^J. F. Wliite, Jr.
"Are you getting out in the lobby
after each show and listening to the
comments of your patrons. Scraps
of conversation and direct statements
to you will help you gauge the tastes
of your customers."
PHIL.M.DALX
S£Z/
Film Folk Returning Eas
From Goetz-Mayer Attr
West Coast Bureau, JHb. tlLM UA.
Los Angeles — A group of 1
folk, who came here from the ^
to attend the wedding of Willi
Goetz and Edith Mayer, daughter
Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Mayer,
on their way home. The marri
was one of the finest events of
Kind in the film capital. Rabbi
gar Magnin performed the cerem
under a canopy of roped flowerij
the ballroom of the Biltmore He
Irene Mayer, the bride's sister,
maid of honor, and Benjamin Go
brother of the bridegroom, actecl
best man. The bridesmaids v|
Corinne Griffith, Marion Datf
May McAvoy, Bessie Love, Ca
Myers and Catherine Bennett.
NORTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Edgerley — Ins, sold to Maude Weaver
W. Henrickson ; Northwood — Grand,
to John Siehand by P. J. Songstad
— Bijou, sold to P. W. Goben.
Closings
Dunseith — -Athea; Michigan — Opera
Waterford — Lyric.
OHIO
Changes in Ownership
Cincinnati — Clitton, sold to The Clifti
Co. by J. F. Potts; Columbu
sold to Carl Kehlmeier by K. Rit
Empress, sold to Jackson & Williafi
H & K Circuit; Fifth Avenue, si
Frank Bouillion by H. Malcolm ; Daj
New Villa, sold to E. F. Morgan 1
H. Ritter; E. Columbus— Star, sc
Dollyana Amusement Co. by A. H.
terson; Higginsport — Higginsport, k
The Southern Ohio Motors Co. by 1
& Howard; Louisville — Louisville, >
Harold Sherer by E. C. Lair; Mt. \
Lyric, sold to H. V. Smoots by J. C.
Newcoraerstown — Grand, sold to
Brothers by G. M. Jordan; Ritz, s
Ortt Brothers by G. M. Jordan; P«f
Peebles, sold to George Dixon by K
Dixon ; Plymouth — Desiler, sold to
Silverstein by Sam Barck ; Portsmj
Strand, sold to R. O. Brady by
Sargeant; Smithfield— lona, sold to
Sharp by H. D. Wood; Toledo— 1
sold to Alfred Berger by J. Stable!
sold to Mrs. Rosa Bialonicki by A.
nicki; Yorkville — Yorkville, sold to
Urling by Mrs. M. I.. Bourg.
Closings
Basil— Audora ; Columbus — Wonder; '.
— Lyric ; Lynchburg — Lyric : Mt. W
ton — Tip Top ; SpencerviUe — Ohio.
New Theaters
Columbus — Roxey, owner — Ralph Johi
W
|. 4ii
lij.,
THE
nnday, March 23. 1930
-cM!!k
DAILY
60 Foreign Press Men Now at Coast
To Make "Big Fight" in Spanish— Fred Kohler in "Little Caesar" — Name Town After Cooper— Ralph
Wilk*s Notes and Other Wired Coast News
e REPRESENTATIIS OF
DREKN PAPERS AT COAST
ISixty representatives of impor-
tit European and Oriental publica-
bns are now stationed here
t-oughout the year, Joseph Polan-
£y, head of the foreign press de-
jrtment for M-G-M studios, states.
] crease in the demand for stories
t the foreign representatives is an-
cier indication of the great demand
i'- news about American stars and
prsonalities identified in the mak-
iijf of pictures. Not only does dis-
tjbution of news go to the foreign
nwspaper agents here but is also
8'U to more than 1,000 foreign-
liguage papers in this country,
Elansky declares. South America
is especially movie hungry due to
lik of domestic production; Japan
a;s not have a great deal of pro-
d:tion and therefore interested im-
nnsely in American stars.
jVlotion picture magazines have
tijCn the foreign countries by storm.
I Nippon more than fifty fan and
tJde publications have been organ-
iid in the last three years. These
pciodicals have steadily increased
tlir circulation and because of the
Ic/er cost of art work and printing
irthe Orient are published on the
hest quality paper, with a wealth
colored illustrations.
A Little from "Lots"
^i^mHi^^^^ By RALPH WILK ;;^^^^^^^^
iGibson Starts Seventh for "U"
The Concentratin' Kid," Hoot
Gison's seventh film for universal.
Is been placed in production under
:h direction of Arthur Rosson, with
K:hryn Crawford as leading lady.
D'er players are Duke R. Lee,
I;ies Mason and Robert E. Ho-
rns. The Gibson film slated for re-
ee April 27 has had its title
V iged from "Howdy Cowboy" to
'I aring Ranch."
Two Cast for Walsh Film
fat Pendleton and Tyrone Power
lae been added to the cast of Raoul
ilsh's next for Fox.
Helen Johnson Signed
Ifolumbus has signed H.elen John-
to a long term contract.
Hollywood
QEORGE O'BRIEN sings two
songs in his newest picture, ten-
tatively titled, "A Holy Terror," di-
rected by A. E. Erickson. The songs
are "The Song of the Lumberjack"
and "Nobody Knows," both written
by John Little and Eddie Burke.
it< >•> *
Walter DeLeon recently com-
pleted his original story, "Fire
Man," for Pathe. He also wrote
the continuity and dialogue. He is
now writing another original for
Pathe.
* * *
Do you remember when Sam
W. B. Cohn was publicity di-
rector of Associated Producers ;
when Tom Lennon was a law-
yer in San Francisco; when
Mauri Grashin was a reporter
on the old "Chicago Herald."
* * «
Rowland V. Lee, veteran Para-
mount director, has signed a new
contract with Paramount. He di-
rected two of George Bancroft's most
successful pictures, "The Wolf of
Wall Street" and "Ladies Love
Brutes." Lee was well prepared
when sound pictures came into be-
ing. Several years of stage experi-
ence had left him well founded in
the proper use of dialogue, while ad-
ditional years as a motion picture
actor increased his worth.
* 4i *
Colleen Moore was so interested
in the stage debut of her brother,
Cleve, that she traveled to St.
Louis to witness his performance
as the juvenile in "June Moon."
* * if
Tom Buckingham, who
wrote "Officer O'Brien," which
Tay Garnett directed for Pathe,
is at work on an original that
Garnett will also make for
Pathe.
* « *
Our Passing Show: Ruth Chatter-
ton, Sidney Olcott, Reginald Barker,
Ralph Forbes, Horace Jackson, Ber-
tram Millhauser, Waldemar Young,
Josiah Zuro, Wells Root, Norman
Burnstine, Keene Thompson, Victor
Potel at the German opera company
performance of "Tristan and Isolde";
Edward E. Griffith, A. A. Kline and
Horace Jackson dining in Culver
City.
Town of Gary
The Great Northern Railway
will rename the town of Sun-
nyside, Mont., to Gary, in
honor of Gary Cooper, who
owns a ranch near by and viho
was born in Montana.
Chesterfield Changes Title
Chesterfield has changed the title
of its second all-talker to "Ladies in
Love."
Radio Casts Jime Clyde
June Clyde has been added to the
cast of "Hawk Island" by Radio
Pictures. George B. Seitz will di-
rect.
laza
Completes Plans for
"Big Fight" in Spansh
Plans have been completed by
.Samuel Zierler of James Cruze Pro-
ductions for the making of "The Big
Fight" in Spanish. Ralph Ince has
been assigned to direct this version
and will be assisted by Andres de
Segurola, operatic and screen star
as well as author and linguist, who
will also translate the story into
the Spanish tongue.
Paramount Signs Taurog
Paramount has signed Norman
Taurog to direct forthcoming pro-
ductions for the company. His first
assignment will be at the Astoria
studios.
Added to "Fame" Cast
(arle Wallace and the Adagio
have been added to the cast of
^rners' "Fame."
Title Is Changed
inal title of the M-G-M picture
ltJ;tofore known as "The Circle,"
1 Catherine Dale Owen, Lewis
5tie and Ernest Torrence in the
"a, has been set as "Strictly Un-
:oirentional."
Wellman with Warners
, William Wellman has been signed
ny Warners to direct "College
Widow." /
Columbia Making Original
"The Man from Hell's River,"
which Columbia will produce, is not
by James Oliver Curwood but an
original, the company states.
Start Lillie Picture
Hamilton MacFadden has started
direction of Beatrice Lillie in "Are
You There?" for Fox.
Fred Kohler to Star in
"Little Caesar" for F. N.
Fred Kohler's first starring vehi-
cle for First National will be the
"Little Caesar," a story of the un-
derworld.
Gets Lead in Five Versions
Barbara Leonard, hailed as a
"find," will play the leading femin-
ine role in all five versions — English.
German, French, Italian and Spanish
— of M-G-M's "Monsieur Le Fox."
Two other players, Frank Lackteen
and Miss Nina Quartero, also wil;
be in all editions. Gilbert Roland will
act the male lead in the English and
Spanish editions, while Andre Lu-
guet will play the same role in the
French version and Jean de Briac in
the German and Italian. Arnold
Korf has a principal part in the Eng-
lish and German versions, George
Davis and Helmar Corin will appea;
in the French and German editions,
and Robert Elliott is in the English
cast.
7 Leading Men in Bow Film
Clara Bow has seven leading men
in her next, titled "'True to the
Navy," for Paramount: They are:
Frederic March, Eddie Dunn, Rex
Bell, Eddie Fetherston, Harry Sweet,
Ray Cooke and Charles Sullivan.
SCING T€
■iCLLrWOCD?
You will find a cordial welcome at
the charming and hospitable Holly-
wood Plaza Hotel... right in the heart
of movieland. Enjoy the ideal loca-
tion, and quiet homelike atmosphere
...the luxurious furnishings, faultless
service... and, noted guests. The din-
ing room is operated by the famous
Pig'n Whistle Caterers. Rates are
most reasonable.
The Plaza is only a few minutes from
the beaches, golf courses, studios,
downtown loop of Los Angeles, and
within a block of Holly wood's famous
fashion shops, theatres, cafes, etc.
Write or wire for reservations, or ask
for FREE illustrated booklet, and rates.
HOLLVWOOD
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.
^JXI^
DAILY
Sunday. March 23, l!)
^
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Color Should Be Mated
With Music, Berger Asserts
/^OLOR to the accompaniment
of music is a possibility and
has already been done numerous
times on such instruments as
color organs, but color alone is
probably impossible. I can easily
envision Debussy's "Le Cathed-
rale" set to color, because I be-
lieve the composer thought of
mass color when writing it. But
for one to offer an abstraction
alone is too much.
Ludwig Berger, director
* * *
Foreign Films Often Unjustly
Accused of Propaganda, Is View
TT is worth noting that any
screen drama, no matter how
unimportant it be, has at least
an iota of ideational quality. In
Hollywood's product we are of-
ten given the case of mother
love; or asked to believe in the
aching heart of the noble com-
edian; or presented an argument
for the innate nobility of the
gangster. But, curiously enough,
when we are presented a case
involving another nationality or
another race, and find ourselves
viewing an international problem
through foreign eyes, there arise
from some quarters frantic
shouts of "propaganda!"
i^ ^^ in
Talkers to Demand Highest
Literary Effort, Says Writer
TiY degrees the text of the talk-
ies must be not only accept-
able, it must be clever, convinc-
ing, really tragic in its effect.
The highest literary art will l)e
demanded and made possible. I
think that most of us have not
yet appreciated how great is the
opportunity with the new talkies.
They are a kind of living book.
Instead of reading about persons
whom we may imagine in the
leaves of a book, we can see
them before our eyes and hear
their very words. Languages lose
their binding effect, the text can
be duplicated without limit.
Jean Giraudwix, French author
A weekly movie attendance in
the U. S. is greater than the
ponulation of the country.
PopiUation as of July 1, 1929,
was 119,306,000, whUe weekly
attendance is about 120,000,000.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
W/'ITH Harry M. Warner and other officials of the Warner
firm due back from Hollywood on Tuesday, and represen-
tatives of the Tobis and Kuechenmeister talking picture com-
panies scheduled to arrive from abroad at about the same time,
that much talked of deal involving foreigfn talker patents is ex-
pected to be concluded • •
Hf tf if ^
npHE Paramount, ace Broadway house of the Publix chain, is
receiving its management nowadays from Stephen Barutio.
Steve formerly managed the Metropolitan in Boston and the
Rialto in this great big town. Incidentally, he helped open the
Paramount And what a capable and pleasant secretary
he has in Anne Rubin, who is on the job in a serious, consistent
way
* * ♦ *
Jy[IKE SIMMONS speaking in behalf of Sono Art-World
Wide. Sez his outfit will stage a 47-station radio hookup
Mar. 23 to plug the songs used in "Blaze O' Glory," in which
Mr. Dowling stars Bessie Mack, who publicizes the Cap-
itol with much gusto, is smiling, officially and personally, at the
way they're crowdin' in to hear Greta talk in "Anna Christie."
Getting into the Capitol these days is like trying to bust the
Notre Dame line or something
* * * *
JOHN BOLES, who is currently appearing in "Song of the
West," will be the guest star of Roxy and his gang at their
broadcast Monday evening over WJZ. He'll also make personal
appearance at the Roxy when "Captain of the Guard" begins a run
there next Friday .A.dd to the list of personal appearing
gentlemen Maurice Chevalier, who will start a series of them
at the Fulton Monday. For two weeks he will appear under the
direction of Charles Dillingham, through arrangement with Jesse
Lasky. Duke Ellington's band will entertain along with Clie-
valier
* ♦ * *
JIMMY QUIRK'S mag, "Photoplay," lists the following as the
best pictures o fthe current month :"Lummox," "Hell Har-
bor," "Only the Brave," "Montana Moon" and "Such Men Are
Dangerous." The Lambs Club has gone pictures. If you
don't believe it, eavesdrop on that spot some day and you'll get
the impression that the stage is a prehistoric institution
When Leo Brecher shows "Men Without Women" at the
Plaza, March 26, 27 and 28, the picture will be known as "Trap-
ped."
MARCH 22-23-MANY HAPPY lETORNS^
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Henry Hobart
Carmelita Geraghty
Peggy Prior
Joseph Schildkraut
Robert Ames
Joan Crawford
Emma Hill
EXPLOITETTEJ
A Clearing House for (
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas ^
€
Novel Typewriting Contest
Exploits "Marianne" in Eugene, (e.
JRANK CRABILL, manag.
of the Heilig theater, Eugen
Ore., listed a novel typewritir
contest, in his exploitation car
paign, to put over his showir
of the M-G-M production, "Maii
anne." He was assisted by an ft
G-M exploiteer. This contest w
conducted at the Eugene Hij
School, through the courtesy
Superintendent Johnson. Tl
students were instructed to tyj
one page of the following s^j
tence: "Marion Davies stars
the all-talking and musical coja|
edy film triumph, 'Mariant
coming to the Heilig thea|
Sunday." Passes to see the
ture were awarded on the ba^
of speed and accuracy.
—M-G-;i
Oriental Atmosphere is Emphasil
In Exploiting "Son of the Gods'
JN both Norfolk and Port)
mouth, Va., comprehensive a
vertising and exploitation cai
paigns were put through in co
nection with the showing
"Son of the Gods." The cai
paigns in the two cities we
practically the same. "Son of t
Gods" was played at the Ne'
port theater, Portsmouth, and t
Norfolk theater in Norfolk,
order to suggest the Oriental ;
mosphere suitable to this RJ
Beach story, Chinese lanter
were strung around the foyer wt
one larger lantern hanging i^i^
the center. Oriental perfume v
sprayed in the foyer. Chin'T
shawls, teapots, cups and sauc«
vases and other novelties W(j
introduced in the decorati
The week preceding the sh<
ings and during the engagemc
of the picture, the ushers w^
dressed in Chinese costumes
teaser campaign was conducji
in newspapers.
— First Natiem
TEN YEARS AGO TOD
IN
Universal holds first of three
meetings.
* * *
Woman's City Club Opposei
sorship.
* * *
Loew's Opens Nashville hous
THE
>3iiday. March 23. 1930
-:&^
DAILV
Theater Equipment
By WILLIAM ORNSTEIN
ICKLING AND BREATHING
EININATED0N56MM.HEAD
•Buckling" and "breathing" of
xi as it passes through the sprock-
•t into the upper magazine are
:Jmed eliminated through the Nat-
ail Vision Head which converts 35
XI. film to 56 mm. pictures. Elim-
ntion of these hazards not only
picludes any possibilities of fire
film these sources, it is said, but also
j^es film from being damaged. In
idition safety devices are attachable
ivh the new head as added assur-
-ace against fire. Other advantages
)ithe new wide film apparatus pro-
<fafrai visum projector head and staiidaid
j sovnd-box shmving two new rollers
e<or, Natural Vision claims, are:
hi complete changeover from the
iSnm. head and upper magazine lo
laliral vision can be made in 30
ni^jtes; heads and upper magazines
;a be purchased outright for ap-
irpmately $500; they can be at-
aticd to any standard projection
iiahine; pictures can be projected
slarge as 22 by 44 feet with a
tadard lense.
N new wide film heads will in
\\ probability be distributed by
ioJD Art-World Wide, inasmuch as
h< are now being exclusively maii-
if^tured for George W. Weeks,
■icj president of the company. The
lejce may also be rented to ex-
^ 3rs showing Sono Art pictures
lis width.
CINEMA
Write For Trial Sample
1\LKING NEEDLES
VS(LL-KANE NEEDLE MFG. CO., Inc
3? 14th Ave. Brooklyn, N. Y
Presto Products, Inc.
Opens Toronto Office
Toronto — Presto Machine Products
Corp. has opened offices here at SOS
Yonge St., where J. E. Rudell is in
charge. The Presto Pick-Up Unit,
now being marketed in Canada, is
claimed to have "definite features of
superiority" involving "increased out-
put— approaching the theoretical ideal
volt generation." "Extreme sensi-
tivity as the result of unique arma-
ture design and construction." "Vi-
bratory flexibility, increasing volume
and minimizing record wear." "Cla-
rion-like definition established by use
of highly specialized materials in
magnetic-circuit components." "Elim-
ination of sharp resonance peaks by
virtue of correct balance of oscillat-
ing member; freedom from excessive
needle scratch and other disturbing
noises without sacrifice of tone
quality."
Tri-State Will Handle
Stan-0-Phone in Ohio
Cleveland — Selling rights to Stan-
O-Phone, portable sound equipment,
for the state of Ohio, have been ac-
quired by Tri-State M. P. Co., of
which Jack Flanagan is president.
Sound Theater on Wheels
Shown Capital by ERPI
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Complete talking pic-
ture equipment mounted on a motor
truck was recently demonstrated b\
Electrical Research Products before
the President and other high gov-
ernment officials in connection will,
the annual dinner of the Whitt
House correspondents held at the
Hotel Willard. The device, which
is practically a theater on vvheel>
was later placed on public display.
The truck has a solid steel body ant'
is lined with lead. This new devel-
opment will permit the showing of
talking pictures in out-of-the-way
communities.
Chatmas Buy Air Washers
Dallas — Chatmas Bros, has pur-
chased Carrier Air Washers for their
respective houses.
EXCEPTIONAL
BARGAIN —
Slightly used 200-foot Universal cam-
era with automatic dissolving shutter,
2" F3.5 Carl Zeiss lens, 2" F1.9
Dallmeyer lens, five magazines, carry-
ing case. Universal tripod, all practi-
cally brand new —
$3S0.00
uiiuodTiHBys
WW \\0 U»»«> Vf'^'Zt N»«. Vhrfc NV •^
I Phone Penna. 0330
I Motion Picture Department
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie
SAY iBREAKABLE RECORD
CUTS SHIPPING PROBLEMS
{Continued from Page 1)
will make disc records using the
same process in the talking machine
industry, but will be out of the ordi-
nary in that they will reduce shipping
difficulties to a minimum. Records
can be made as high as 36" in
diameter and can be pressed in multi-
ples of from two to 10, according to
size. Recording studio will also be
located at the company's headquar-
ters.
Five qualities are claimed by the
company as important to the pro-
ducer and distributor. They are:
brilliant tone, durability, unbreak-
ability, economy in packing and
freight, and lightness (the 10" record
weigh 3j/2 ounces; the 16" less than
one pound). Arthur D. Little, Inc.,
of Cambridge, Mass., collaborated in
the development of the record and
is under exclusive contract to Un-
breakable Record for a long term of
years.
Edward N. Burns is president of
Unbreakable Record Corp., which
has on its board of directors the
following: Lewis L. Clarke, chair-
man of executive committee, Irving
Trust Co.. N. Y.; Frederick K. Rup-
perecht, president of Consolidated
Textile Corp., N. Y.; Walter L.
Eckhardt, former president of Music
Master Corp., Philadelphia; Col. the
Hon. Cuthbert James, C.B.E., mem-
ber of Parliament, and chairman
Metropolitan Cinema Investment
Corp., Ltd,; Sir Nicholas Grattan-
Doyle, D.L., member of Parliament
and director of Northern Counties
Newspaper Co., Ltd.; William D.
Burns, director of Cabanas Burns &
Co., N. Y. and Mexico; Edward N.
Burns, former vice-president of Co-
lumbia Graphophone Co., founder
and former president of Cameo
Recording Corp., and Major Cecil M.
Higgins.
All Netoco Houses to
Have Sarasone Screens
New London, Conn. — All theaters
in the Netoco chain will be supplied
with the Sarasone screen, invention
of Chester Harson of Boston, it is
announced here. The screen is said
to improve the appearance of the pic-
ture thrown upon it as well as am-
plifies and clarifies the accompanying
sounds. Each square foot of the
curtain contains some 12,000 ends of
tiny silvered coils of wire, which,
coming through the warp of the cloth
on front, act as tiny reflectors. Be-
cause of the hyper-reflecting quality
thus obtained, theaters using the
Sarasone screen are able to reduce
projection amperage with consequent
reduction in electric bills. Another
advantage is that the picture appears
as bright and as natural from any
seat in the house. No matter what
size, the screen is seamlessness. In-
stallations are now in the Rivoli and
State theaters, Roxbury, and the
Capitol, here.
Draperies
Decorations
Magnascope
Screens
340 W. 4 1 St St.
Settings
Acoustical
Treatments
Acoustical
Banners
New Yotlc City
FLAME PROOF
FILM CEMENT! §
IT JUST WONT NDD^i
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
TeL Chickering 4531
FIRE-PROOF
WATER-PROOF
Ruscus Trees, Hedges, Flame-Proof, also Water-Proof for indoor and outdoor
use. Artificial Flowers, Plants, Trees, Vines, Iron Wrought Decorated Stands
for Lobby, Theatre and Hall Decorations Illustrated in Our SEASONABLE
CATALOGUE No. 3. MAILED FREE ON APPLICATION.
Suggestions and Estimates Cheerfully Furnished.
FRANK NETSGHERT, Inc.
61 Barclay Street
New York, N. Y.
THE
j^E2
DAILY
Sunday. March 23. li
RAPID STRIDES ARE BEING
MADE IN THE FOREIGN
FIELD. KEEP POSTED
THROUGH "FOREIGN-
MARKETS"
Foreign Markets
NEWS FLASHES FROM FILM
CENTERS ALL OVER THE
GLOBE: MELBOURNE,
LONDON, BERLIN,
PARIS
By LOUIS PELEGRINE
Scots Wire 95
Edinburgh — There are 95
wired houses in Scotland, ac-
cording to the latest statistics
available. Western Electric
and RCA Photophone lead in
the number of installations,
the former claiming 42 and the
latter 24.
Press Austrian Gov't
to Help Sound Films
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Austrian sound film
interests are bending every effort to
get official aid in the development of
talking pictures in Austria, it is re-
ported to the M. P. Division of the
DepL of Commerce. The matter
soon wrill be placed before the gov-
ernment by the Austrian minister
of commerce.
32 Censored in Germany
in Jan.; 11 Made in U. S.
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Thirty-two feature
films, half of German and half of
foreign make, were censored in Ger-
many in January, according to sta-
tistics forwarded to the M. P. Divi-
sion of the Department of Com-
merce. Eleven of the foreign films
censored were produced in the United
States. There were 39 rejections in
December and 33 in November.
Sound Equipment Insurance
London — Insurance against break-
down in talking picture equipment
purchased from it has been taken
out by Syntok Talking Films, Ltd.
Opens Berlin Branch
Berlin — A distributing office has
been opened at 48 Friedrichstrasse
here by Defra, recently formed by
French and German interests to
produce multi-lingual films.
Foreign Service
Through the medium of
Trade Papers International, a
reciprocal news arrangement in
which this publication partici-
pates, spot news of all impor-
tant foreign developments is
brought to the readers of THE
FILM DAILY as rapidly as
modern news-gathering facili-
ties permit.
Trade Papers International
is represented in London by
Ernest W. Fredman, editor of
"The Daily Film Renter"; in
Berlin by Karl Wolffsohn, edi-
tor of "Lichtbildbuehne," and
in Paris by P. A. Harle, editor
of "La Cinematographic Fran-
caise."
High Quality at Moderate
Price Is Good-All Claim
Ogallala, Neb. — Features identical
with those to be found in high-priced
equipment are claimed for the latest
Good-All sound reproducer put out
by the Good-All Electric Manufac-
turing Co. of this city. It is said the
apparatus, which is of the disc type
and sells for $1,200, permits high
quality of reproduction, offers even-
ness and silence of operation and is
sturdily constructed. The reproducer
has a non-repeating tone arm.
Tobis-Klangfilm Offered
in France at Cut in Price
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Tobis-Klangfilm is
offering its sound equipment in
France at a heavy reduction in prices,
according to information in the hands
of the M. P. Division of the Dept. of
Commerce. Apparatus which pre-
viously sold as high as $13,800 is now
being offered at prices ranging from
$7,000 to $9,750.
Pathe-Cinema to Raise
Capital to $8,000,000
Paris — Authorization for an in-
crease in capital to $8,000,000 has
been obtained from the stockholders
of Pathe-Cinema. The company's
receipts in 1929 showed a 25 per
cent advance over those in 1928.
Advises Non-Flam Film
Glasgow — The Glasgow Ass'n of
the Educational Institute of Scotland
has passed a resolution urging the
Government to rule that non-in-
flammable film must be used for shows
where audiences are made up rnostly
of children.
Gleize to Direct
Paris — M. Maurice Gleize will di-
rect "Wedding Night," for Cossor-
tium International Cinematographi-
que.
Czecho-Slovakian Imports
Prague — Thirty-five French films
were imported by Czecho-Slovakia in
1929, against 34 in 1928. Great Brit-
ain sold 21 in 1929, against 15 in
1928.
Talker for Gwen Farrar
London — A talking picture com-
edy is being prepared for Gwen Far-
rar, the vaudeville comedienne.
London Legit Gets Sound
London — Talking picture equip-
ment has been installed at the Pal-
ace, legitimate house.
To Build in Liverpool
Liverpool — Famous-Lasky Film
Service, Ltd., is planning the erec-
tion of a house in this city. No site
has been selected yet.
Poland Won Over to Sound,
Declares P. L. Palmerton
That Poland has finally been won
to the view that the future of the
films depends on the audible picture
is the assertion of P. L. Palmerton,
export manager of Electrical Re-
search Products. "The indication,",
he says, "is that Poland will go all-
talkie in the near future." He adds
that "the natural antipathy to any-
thing foreign and the inherent belief
in Poland that synchronized pictures
represent an artificial art have gradu-
ally been overcome according to the
reports of our agents."
100% Rise in Film Duty
Expected in Australia
Sydney— Approximately $2,280,000
will be realized by the Australian
government from the film duty for
the year ending June 30, 1930, ac-
cording to estimates. This repre-
sents the highest figure since the
tariff on films went into effect in
1915 and compares with $424,000 in
1916. Last year the income from
this source was only half as great.
Natan Reported in Deal
for 52 Spanish Houses
Paris — Natan is reported to be ne-
gotiating for the control of the Ver-
daguer chain, the largest in Spain,
romprising 52 theaters. If the
houses pass into French hands they
will very likely be wired for audible
films.
To Start English Version
London — The English version of
"City of Song" will be placed in
production by Associated Sound Film
Industries at the end of this month
under the direction of Carmine Gal-
lone.
Australian Chain Expands
Sydney — Western Suburbs Cine-
mas, Ltd., has acquired eight the-
aters in the suburbs of this city. A
quarter of a million dollars is in-
volved in the transaction.
Gaumont Improving Theater
London — Gaumont has closed the
Avenue Pavilion to permit extensive
alteration, including the installation
of sound equipment.
"Show of Shows" in London
London — "Show of Shows" opens
for a season's run at the Tivoli on
Monday.
First French Multi-Lingual
Berlin — "Les Saltimbanques," the
first French multi-lingual film, has
been completed here by M. Lauzin.
The picture is in French, German,
English, Italian and Spanish.
START MOVE TO REVIVE]
ITALIAN FILM INDUS]!
Rome — A movement to revive
ian film production has been or;
ized by producers, distributors :
exhibitors in Italy as the resuU .
series of conferences held here
factors in the industry. As a nv ,
to this end the following propi :
have been made: the formatior i
a body with government affiliat :
to lend monetary aid to indepen \
producers, a 20 per cent cut in
film tax at all theaters showing
ian pictures, adoption of a q a
and the compulsory presentationi
domestic product in the coun i
film houses.
Elvey Joins Move to Aii
British Multi-Lingi
London — Maurice Elvey has ai
ciated himself with the World !•
dio Center in helping to promote (
production of multi-lingual film a
Great Britain as a means of plaj
the British industry in a stro ll
position. He has been made a n
ber of the managing committei
the company.
Pathe-Natan Completes
First Menjou Tail
Paris — "Mon Gosse de P
Pathe-Natan talker in which Adc
Menjou is starred, has been
pleted under the direction of
de Limur.
British Chain Wires 2 Moi
London— Standard Cinema Pr
ties, Ltd., has wired another tw
its houses, the New Adelphi, L,
pool, and the Regal, Bristol.
Montagu Sails for U. S.
London — Ivor Montagu has
for the United States, where b
study the film situation.
Complete Negotiations
Berlin — Negotiations between
Austrian Selenophone Co. an
German syndicate, for mutual u
apparatus have now been compl
Rleliiiiouht Plctu
723 7th Ave. Inc. New Yoi^k
D. J. MOUNTAM, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE, foreigv represent:
tives for Rayart Pi.tures Corpi
ration and- other eading ind
pendent producers and distribuior
Cable Address: RrCHPJCSOC. Par
Cable Address: DEEJAY. Londo
Cable Addrtss:, RICH PIC. N. 1
Ezpartiiig only i
iTTT?nwrT?TTTi^?TT,
THE
, March 23, 1930
s^E2S
DAILV
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
HO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
!ERN SOUND UNIT
FtLMING SEAL HUNT
Fst hand information on the mo-
,n|3icture unit which left here al-
3^ two months ago for the Labra-
r ce fields, to photograph a seal
n in sound, has just been brought
ci by Barney Haugh, assistant
m(-aman, who escorted Louise
uington, leading lady, back to
n York.
A;ording to Haugh, preliminary
)r has all been completed and the
itis now aboard one of the seal-
nng vessels, engaged in recording
E lost dangerous and exciting part
le entire expedition. When the
a' hunt is reached by the boat,
lii is usually 50 to 150 miles
r east of St. Johns, and sometimes
jr as 50 to 100 miles off shore,
» Dund apparatus will be loaded on
ic and hauled over the ice to the
til location of the seals.
G^rge Melford, assisted by Ed.
tis, is directing the picture for the
;;oundland-Labrador Film Co., of
lii Roy T. Gates is business man-
e It will be called "Vikings of
jJTorth" and was written by Gar-
tiVeston. Besides Miss Hunting-
ijthe cast includes Charles Ster-
tjlead; Arthur Vinton and Edgar
iftn. Alaurice Kellerman and
[]d Gondolfi are first cameramen,
tj Ashley Abell and Frank Kirby,
slants. The expedition, which is
* the management of Varick
ilell, 26-year old explorer, is ex-
:d back about May 1. Specially
iiructed Western Electric sound
jlment is being used.
; Mason with Vitaphone
Pmer Mason, author of numerous
Jl^ville sketches, as well as several
1 has joined the writing staf? at
aier's Eastern Vitaphone studio.
i)n was formerly a member of
team of Mason and Keeler,
jville headlincrs.
New Composing Team
rold Levey and Neville Fleeson
oUaborating on all original music
ations used in the various Vita-
3e short subjects now being pro-
:i at Warner Bros. Vitaphone
.'0.
Another Sheriff Crumpett
he Greater Law," one of the
^fif Crumpett series of short sub-
produced at the Audio Cinema
lies, has just been completed.
Rogers for "Heads Up"
arles "Buddy" Rogers will be
ed in "Heads Up" which will be
in technicolor at the Paramount
. studios.
SJiort Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
i.vipic^, WlidsC Cai iciOUb uU UCWd ailu
liASCUilCai OUUlllCS, JDCliCVC J.I. Ui
i.\OL, ctic b^nuicaieci la ^ou iicw^-
tja.^ci6 liiiouynuui uie i;ouaii>, uuij
...I.CI.1 icu vvuitv. ua lac ur&i ui iiis &c-
.ica ui vuapnone Vaneiics aov ci-
ties.
noourt lieruey lootc a "Ousnian'b
ii,o(,tauy uy su(,i.iby on one sniett/teb
•x/nue £jau,i,e ott^H'Or wenc mtouyii-
aia pavds in u arivrt su,uj eco cattau
j.nbai uncv, ' ai, tne raratnouni,
i^uiiy isLauO, siudxos. nenmy uiux
^aui^uf uie yreai jrivnctd, wni-on tx-
^oains wny jnemey, one oj utie ace
jeavure acieoiors oJ- tne tot, liap-
fjenea 10 oe on hand.
"ihe Cave Cmu, a one-reel com-
cay icaiuiuig Marjone i^eaca, .traan.
iienoi, maei Merman ana xiarnei
iuaiuauga, lias just Oeen coaipieieu
ut me Warner Vitaphone stuuioa.
Before begmyving i-ehearsaLs for
'1 00 iViucn Liuctc," ma,u.rive Lnt-
vulier has oeen kept busy recording
several new songs to be inserted in
'itie Hig i'ona," his Last picture,
■now being edited.
Rose Mortel, lyric soprano, now
appearing at the Paramount Long
island siudios in "Leave it to Les-
ter,' IS known over the radio as "ihe
V^iennese M ightingale." She speaks
ana sings in English, trench and
German which stood her in goou
stead while on a recent trip around
the world.
Trans-Atlantic showings of "The
Girt Scout Trail," a Visugraphi*
picture, were arranged on a recent
voyage of the S. S. Berengaria for
the entertainment of Baron ana
Lady Baden-Powell, passengers from
New York to Southa/mpton. Baron
Baden-l'owell is the founder of
the Boy Scout movement.
Don't hide your light under a
bushel is the slogan of 12-year-old
George Ofiferman, who appears in
the Vitaphone Variety "System."
While waiting in between scenes,
george produced a harmonica on
which he played several new tunes
so well that Arthur Hurley, the di-
rector, decided to let him do so in
the picture, thereby building up his
part.
Twenty extra people, in addition
to three principals, were required
for an elaborate garden set in
"Leave It to Lester," the four reel
Publix presentation film now being
made at the Long Island studios
under the direction of Frank Cam-
bria.
Ihe motion picture bubiaess niusi.
ue a hcailhy piolcssion juugaig uy
me youmiui appeaiaace oi iaciu> oiu
veiciaas wao Udve oeen woiKing
ttiouau lae siuUios ever since pic-
lUics rust siarieu. iranK /.uckci,
v.aiiaci aia<iii, is among mose wausw
looKs Licac me years he has ueca
worKiag ai me game, both here aau
on the coast.
Ray Voztne, wno is assisting
t'ranii i^ainoria witn tne airecnun
of "Lieaoa li, to Liester,' ctt c/te r'urct-
inount u. I. souaios, has also as-
tisiea sut/t weu Known airectora tta
xierOeri nrenon, /illan uwan, r reu
i'iewmbytir, ueorge /i.oOott and Mu-
lard vt k:uu, as weU as others.
What might be termed "phantom
laughicr has aeveiopea among tiic
various stuaio worKnien who aie re-
viuireu to Keep periectly still while
vvatciuiig the various sequences be-
iiig aidue. Anything tunny nevei
liius lo iate laughter — but oi the si-
icnt kaiu as one guttaw would aieau
lUUKiag tor another job.
Mort BlumentiCocK has completea
a very amusing short subject witn
opanish aialogae m which Mauricn
Lnevalier converses witn two lovely
Spanish senoritas, as a good-wui
uuiiaer in the Liaim speaking coun-
tries.
Irene Cody, who appears in Louis
Brock s 'Oil to i'eoria," spent hei
childhood in Cody, Wyo., wnere slit
became a great tavorite of Wm. i-.
^..ody, the tamous "iSutialo Bill." ii
was at the old Indian lighter's sug-
gestion that she took his name upon
eaiDarking on a stage career.
Jacques Bataille-Henri, who wrote
the trench script for "The Big
pond," has just returned to the
Long Island studios after one m.onth
spent in the hospital with a broken
arm, received in a taxicab accident.
Most of the action in "Married,"
the Vitaphone Variety featuring
Helen Flint, William Foran ana
Stanley Ridges, takes place in "Room
1300" of a large hotel. Quite by ac-
cident, Murray Roth directed the
comedy on March 13 and everybody
concerned was much relieved when
the action was finished without mis-
hap.
After several months away from
the sets, Emily Newman was glad to
leave her desk in the Paramount
Long Island studios to handle script
on "Leave It to Lester," in which
Evelyn Hoey and Lester Allen are
featured.
iSTALLADDITIONALSOUND
AT LI.
In order to relieve the pressure of
increased production at the ir'ara-
mount Long Island studios, two new
sound channels are now being in-
stalled. 1 he four sound channels now
being used are taxed to capacity,
with night work made necessary in
order to keep ahead of schedule.
According to C. A. i uttle, sound
supervisor, tests and short subjects
are being sandwiched in between
"takes" on regular teatures so as to
use present sound facilities to the
utmost advantage.
The famous one-armed paper-
hanger has nothiyig on Rube Welch,
who acts in Louis Brock's comedy
productions, as well as collaborating
with Mark Sandrich on the stones,
tiight now, Welch is busy giving his
cime to pi-eviews of "Barnum Was
Wrong," helping to cut "Off to
Peoria," while a third Nick and
Tony comedy takes definite shape
on paper.
Arthur Hurley has just completed
direction of "The Fight," a Vita-
phone Varieties, featuring Harry Mc-
iNaughton, Charles Lawrence, Hazel
Forbes and Lee Russell.
Olive Shea is appearing in a pic-
ture by proxy. Although not actu-
ally in "Leave It to Lester," Olive's
amtle decorates a hugh tooth-paste
ad decorating the subway scene
used in the picture. The setting is
comj)lete down to the regular turn-
stiles which were loaned to Para-
mount by the I.R.T.
One of the latest of Vitaphone
Varieties novelties is "Office Steps,"
in which an entire office staff dis-
cards old-fashioned ideas of office
work for new. The players include
Harry McNaughton, the Phelps
Twins of "The Sketch Book"; Billy
Reed and Lou Duthers, Jack Thomp-
son and Gertrude McDonald of "Fif-
ty Million Frenchmen," and a score
of charming girls.
Harold Fingerlin is celebrating
his appointment as monitor man on
"Queen High," that being the first
feature he has handled, although a
veteran on the short product.
"System" is the title of a just com-
pleted Vitaphone Varieties produc-
tion in which big business is satir-
ized. In the cast of popular Broad-
way players are Helen Goodhue,
Clement Dudley, Allen Wood and
George OfTerman, Jr.
xo
DAILV
Sunday, March 23,
Charles "Buddy" Rogers in
"Young Eagles"
icith Jean Arthur and Paul Lnkas
(All-Talker)
Parumoiint Time, 1 hr., 10 mitis.
SATISFACTORY P R O G R AM
OFFERING. COMEDY RELIEF
BY STUART ERWIN AND
JAMES FINLAYSON DOING
MUCH TO AID FAIR STORY.
Charles "Buddy" Rogers' fans will
1)0 satisfied with his latest picture.
Grover Jones and William Slavens
McMutt fashioned a script, which
treated air war fairly lightly. The
comedy relief was assigned to
Stuart Erwin and James Finlayson
and they ring up many laughs. The
story is also rather intriguing, with
Mary Gordon (Jean Arthur), the
hero's sweetheart being forced to
pose as a German spy for a few
reels. In the end, of course, she
proves to be an American spy, who
was brave enough to venture into
the enemy territory with Von Ba-
den, the German ace, capably play-
ed by Paul Lukas. The air scenes
were well done.
Cast: Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Jean
Arthur, Paul Lukas, Virginia Bruce, Stuart
Krwin, James Finlayson, Gordon DeMain,
Frank Ross, Jack Luden, Freeman Wood,
Xcwell Chase, George Irving, Stanley Bly-
stnjie, Lloyd Whitlock.
Director, William A. Wellman ; based on
"The One Who Was Clever" and "Sky
High", by Elliott White Springs; Adaptors,
(irover Jones and William Slavens McNutt ;
Dialoguers, Grover Jones. William Slavens
McXutt; Editor, not credited: Cameraman,
A. J. .Stout; Monitor Man, not listed.
Direction, fair. Photography, good.
Richard Dix in
"Lovin' the Ladies"
RKO Time, 1 hr., 5 mins.
SOPHISTICATED COMEDY
PROVIDING GOOD ENTER-
TAINMENT. FULL OF LIFE
AND HILARIOUS SITUATIONS.
CAST GOOD.
Adapted from William Le Baron's
play "I Love You," this production
proves good mature entertainment.
Chief among its assets is a fine strain
of humor. The film boasts any num-
ber of engaging situations and
brightly-turned Hnes. In its direc-
tion Melville Brown reveals a keen
understanding of comic values, and
he has kept the comedy consistently
fast and light in tempo. The pic-
ture also gains much by fine pho-
tography and splendid settings.
Heading a well-balanced cast, Rich-
ard Dix is engaging enough, though
his humor is at times too broad and
he sometimes overdoes the part. He
plays an electrician who is hired to
make love to a blase society girl. In-
stead he falls in love with a friend
of the lady he has been engaged to
woo and ends by marrying her.
Cast: Richard Dix, Lois Wilson, Allen
Kearns, Rita La Roy, Renee Macready,
Virginia Sale, Selmer Jackson, Anthony
Bushell, Henry Armetta.
Director. Melville Brown; Author, Wil-
liam Le Baron ; Cameraman. Eddie Cron-
jager; Monitor Man, L. E. Day.
Direction, fine. Photography, fine.
"Wise Girls"
(All-Talker)
M-G-M Time, 1 hr., 37 mins.
WHALE OF A DOMESTIC
COMEDY FULL OF REFRESH-
ING HUMOR AND HELPED
ALONG BY A STERLING CAST.
J. C. and Elliott Nugent's "Kem-
py " has been made into a film that
is really satisfying. There have come
to the screen few productions full ot
such provoking humor. What makes
Its comedy so delicious is its refresh-
mg quahty and the keen sense ol
human nature that it reveals. The
word "human" perhaps best describes
the picture. Every one of the char-
acters is extraordinarily true to life
and full of the warmth of life. There
is no trace of artificiality to destroy
Its humaneness. The film owes much
to its cast, which has among its play-
ers both the Nugents. They are a
pair of sterling actors. J. C. gives a
portrayal of a plaintive, irritable
small-town family man that is posi-
tively a gem. The story is about the
daughter who marries a penniless
youth with architectural ambitions
only to have the marriage later an-
nulled. The husband, who is really
in love with a younger sister, is tic-
kled at the idea.
Cast: Elliott Nugent, J. C. Nugent, Roland
Young, Norma Lee, Clara Blandick, Marion
Shilling, Leora Spellman, James Donlan.
Director, E. Mason Hopper; Authors, J. C.
and Elliott Nugent; Editor, Margaret Booth;
Cameraman* William Daniels.
Direction, fine. Photography, good.
Ken Maynard in
"Lucky Larkin"
(Synchronized)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 4 m
GOOD WESTERN CHO(
FUL OF EXCITEMENT A,
FAST AND THROBBING
PACE. FIRST-RATE ENTI
TAINMENT.
Ken Maynard is starred in a
ern that provides exciting entertJ
ment. For sheer blood-stirring qi
ity this picture can stand its grw
with the best of them. Few w
erns can boast of such consistencj
action and such heedlessness of p;
The result is a production of
mendous popular appeal. This
makes use of all the devices li
have been tried in the action fi
and found successful. Not satis:
with a thrilling fire and a ter?
hand-to-hand struggla, the produi
have devised as a climax a horse i
across the desert wastes that is !
of the finest things of its kind t;
on the screen. The story, whitt
laid in Arizona, has to do wit!
transplanted Kentucky horsebrc*
whose whole fortune depends i^
the outcome of the race. Of cob
Ken Maynard rides the colon
horse (Tarzan's his name) to victc
The cast is good.
Cast: Ken Maynard, Nora Lane, B
Todd, Charles Clary, Paul Hurst. James ^
ley. Blue Washington, Tarzan (horse).
Director. Harry J. Brown ; Author, lb
Jackson; Titler, Lesley Mason; E^tor, !,
Allen ; Cameraman, Ted McCord.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
"The Strange Case of Dis-
trict Attorney M"
( Synch ronized)
Unusual Photoplays
Time, 1 hr., 22 miw5.
POOR FOREIGN SCREEN
DRAMA CARRYING A LIMIT-
ED APPEAL AND PROVIDED
WITH A CAST THAT OVER-
ACTS BADLY.
With finer direction this Derussa
production might have turned cut
far better entertainment. The pic-
ture has been poorly put together,
with the consequence that it makes
for dullness. Not that the film is
wholly lacking in suspense and dra-
matic appeal. What it does lack con-
spicuously is the firmness whicli
should have gone into the handling
of its incidents. Also on the debit
side is a cast that in its earnestness
generally overacts. Marie Jacobeni is
particularly guilty of this fault. The
players represent a number of na-
tionalities. Furthermore, the lighting
is at times unusually harsh. The
central figure is the wife of a Russian
district attorney who kills her lover
by accident when she is threatened
with blackmail. The case is assign-
ed to her husband. When suspicion
points to his wife, he resigns his
post, at the same time ordering her
prosecution out of a sense of duty.
She is acquitted, and husband and
wife return to each other's arms.
Cast; Gregor Chmara, Warwick Ward,
Je.Tn ;\ngelo. "Marie Jacobeni.
Director. Rudolph Meinert; Titler, Don
Bartlett ; Cameramen, Farkas and Borsody.
Direction, f.iir. Photography, fair.
Tom Tyler in
"The Canyon of Missing
Men"
(Syn ch ronized)
Syndicate Time, 51 mins.
PASSABLY SATISFYING
WESTERN WITHOUT DIA-
LOGUE. BEST SUITED FOR A
DOUBLE-FEATURE PROGRAM.
Tom Tyler and Sheila Le Gay, an
unusually likable western love team,
are the center of interest in this
story of cattle rustlers and kidnap-
pers. Tyler plays the role of a mem-
ber of the gang who decides to go
straight after meeting the nice
daughter of a ranch owner. For re-
venge his former pals kidnap the girl,
obtain a ransom, then hold both the
girl and her father and are about to
engage in more dirty work when the
hero comes riding to the scene and
climaxes the action. Though it is
not so original, the story and its
handling should prove fairly satisfac-
tory for western fans, and the pic-
ture ought to get by all right as part
of a double bill.
Cast : Tom Tyler, Sheila Le Gay, Tom
Foreman, Bud Osborne, J. P. McGowan,
Cliff Lyons, Bobby Dunn, Arden Ellis.
Director, J. P. McGowan ; Author, George
H. Williams: Adaptor, Not Listed; Editor,
Not Listed; Cameraman, Hap Depew ; Title
Writer, Not Listed.
Direction, okay. Photography, good.
"Dark Red Roses"
(All-Talker)
Int. Photoplay Dist.
Time, 1 hr., 12 mins.
FAIRLY ENTERTAINING
BRITISH-MADE DRAMA OF
DOMESTIC COMPLICATIONS.
HAS SUCCESSFUL PLOT, HAN-
DLED TO SUIT AMERICAN
AUDIENCES.
As one of the first British sound
productions made in Wembley, thit;
is not a bad piece of entertainment,
even from the American standpoint.
It has a pretty good dramatic plot,
dealing with a jealous sculptor who
wants to get even with a musician
who he suspects of being involved
in a love afTair with the former's
wife. The sculptor arranges a ruse
whereby he plans to cut off the mu-
sician's hands on the pretext of mak
ing a plaster cast of them, but fails
to go through with it. There are a
few tense scenes, as well as some
pleasing lighter sequences in which
a couple of clever children take part,
and some musical interpolations that
are enjoyable. Also has a philo-
sophical touch that would find its
best appreciation among arty audi-
ences.
Cast: Stewart Rome, Frances Doble, Hugh
Eden, Kate Cutter, Sydney Morgan, Jack
Clayton, Jill Clayton.
Director, Sinclair Hill ; Author, Stacy
Aumonier ; Adaptor, Not Listed ; Editor, Not
Listed ; Cameraman, Not Listed ; Monitor
Man, Not Listed.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
"Back From Shanghai
General Pictures Corp.
Time, 50 rn
ROUTINE PRODUCTI
WITH ENOUGH EXCITEME!
TO REDEEM IT. LEONAJ
ST. LEO DOES GOOD WOM
If this production were not j|
tunate in having a generous mear'
of excitement, there would be !
to recommend it to audiences. 1
certain to make more of a hit '
young people than with adults, si
it contains many of the attrib;
that youngsters look for in films,
action involves gunplay, furl
villain-chasing, a fair amount of
pense and no end of personal
counters. Finally there is Leon
St. Leo, who is pretty successful
carrying on in the Douglas Fairba
style. His acrobatic ability will si
ly captivate young film-goers. Hai
capped by a thoroughly hack stc
the film has been treated with li
distinction. The plot concerns
sacred vase stolen from a Budd
temple by an American curio dea
who is trailed to America
threatened with death if he does
return it. When he cannot bu3
back from the man to whom he '
posed of it, he tries to steal it ;
is caught.
Cast: Leonard St. Leo. Vera Reym
Sojin, Joseph W. Girard, Henry Sedley.
Director, Noel Mason.
I Direction, routine. Photography, fair.
THE
S!
lay, March 23, 1930
-a^m
DAILY
New Theaters
L Angeles — Warners has taken a site
Mshire Blvd. rnd Western Ave.
L*chburg, Va. — Publix will build a house
•r(|
Enilton, O. — A building permit has beer
su to Paramount for a theater on Sec
id;t
lirrence, Mass. — Publix will build a houst
1 isex St.
Ikrrill, Neb. — George Luce will build
ea|r here.
tkimer, N. Y.— Robbins Bros. ha^
lei'J the Richmound. Western Electric
ument has been installed.
pit Fairfield, Md. — The Paramount will
: i|med April 2.
J.lin, Mo. — Joplin BIdg. Corp. will built
$10,000 house at Fifth St. and Virginii
ve
KUdsburg, Cal.— C. W. Koerner of Red
Doi Theaters has announced a new house
r le city.
C-diner, Me. — Russell Amusement C(
isipened the Gardiner.
Pittsburgh, N. Y. — A new house will be
iij to replace the Qinton wliich wa;
efyed by fire.
iii^erberg is Managing
|)etroit Pathe Exchange
I;troit — H. A. Silverberg has
E^ made manager of the local
ale Exchatige. He has been with
leliffany Cincinnati exchange.
ZNewspapers Carrying
"U" Newsreel Stories
Ijfty-two newspapers allied with
'ri-ersal Newspaper Newsreel are
ir/ing daily stories on Graham
[tfamee and the newsreel. Com-
!nl circulations reaches more than
»iO,000 persons.
^modeling Healdsburg House
Raldsburg, Cal.— T. & D. Junior
nrpnses is remodeling the Lib-
t'l which was recently taken over
' e company.
I Fire at Marshall
airshali, Tex. — Fire recently de-
red the Grand causing loss of
•5 00,
Remodel Ohio House
^tawa, O.— J. W. Spurlock has
iredeled the Rex and installed
»i|d equipment.
torgantown House Damaged
organtown, W. Va. — Fire re-
ly damaged the Metropolitan to
e^xtent of $40,000.
ilemodel at San Bernardino
'In Bernardino, Cal. — The Ritz
isbeen remodeled and had talking
Oire equipment installed.
^lay Reopen at Little Falls
J«le Falls, N. Y.— Nathan Rob-
ni is reported planning to reopen
aHippodrome.
])ls
Buys Poison House
ion, Mont. — Poison Develop-
t Co. has taken over the Liberty
Hans Jorgenson.
Short Subjects
SOUND
Pathe Audio Review No. 12
Time, 10 mins.
This should prove a fine bit of
entertainment, considering that it
possesses some good music and a
certain amount of really beautiful
color and presents an assortment of
highly interesting subjects. It is
also notable because it offers glimpses
from the past of figures historical
and otherwise. We see General
Jacob S. Coxey at the time he led
"Coxey's Army" in its march to
Washington; Eamon de Valera har-
anguing a Dublin crowd in the days
of Ireland's struggle for indepen-
dence, and Leon Trotsky in the hey-
day of his power in Russia. There
are also views of Evelyn Nesbit and
Mary Garden as they appeared some
half dozen years back and Ruth
Roland in a bit from an old Pathe
thriller. Other subjects are the Cat-
fish Band of Sapulpa, Okla., in ac-
tion and the artists' colony at Cape
Cod. The latter is done in delicate
tints.
Billy and Elsa Newell in
"Then and Now"
Vitaphone No. 937 Time, 14 mins.
A Courting Bit
Two scenes are shown contrasting
a courting scene of 30 years ago
with our jazz disciples of today. The
sensitive touches of the Crinoline
girl are revealed when the swain
kisses her hand and later tells her
that he has seen her ankle, but —
today modesty has been cast to the
four winds and it's short skirts up to
an inch or two above the knees and,
as for kissing, our modern lovers
have difTerent ideas. Billy comes in
for a guitar number, with both sing-
ing the vocal accompaniment.
"The Beauty Spot"
Pathe Time, 21 mins.
Good Comedy
An acceptable comedy with an ex-
tremely hilarious idea at bottom. We
have two young fellows just starting
out in the detective business but am-
bitious to get ahead. They are com-
missioned to locate the heiress to a
vast fortune. The only means of
identification is a strawberry birth-
mark well up on the girl's thigh.
They know the town in which she
may be found. But how to discover
which girl in the town has the tell-
tale mark? Well, they sponsor a
beauty contest — and find the mark.
One of the sleuths has been in love
with the heiress all along without
knowing it. Doris Dawson and
Bobby Carney do nicelv in the two
leading roles. Eddie Elkins and his
orchestra are also featured.
New Screen Can Show
Fihns in Lighted Room
Lifelike Screen Corp., of New
York, will hold a series of exhibitions
of a new screen, which, it is declared,
will effectively show pictures in a
fully lighted room. The screen can
show films with about one-quarter
of the light usually employed in pro-
jection, the company states, which
is particularly striking when screen-
ing colored pictures. The colors,
said to be dull on the ordinary
screen, live on the new life-like
screen. Exhibitions will be held from
March 25 to 28 at the Engineering
Societies Bldg., 29 W. 39th St.,
at 8:15.
Sunday Shows in Texas
Despite Court Actions
Ballinger, Tex. — Despite controv-
ersies, with local ministers, three
houses in Runnels county continue to
operate on Sundays. W. D. Scales
of the Palace was recently brought
into court and acquitted, while J.
Yates of Miles recently paid a fine.
J. H. Hodge of the Winters will have
his case tried in May. Regardless
of the outcome, all three exhibitors
intend to stand by their guns by
continuing to show pictures on the
Sabbath.
New Plastic Covering for
Houses Wired for Sound
Dallas — -King Studios, Inc. has per-
fected a new acoustic plaster espe-
cially for decorating walls in the-
aters equipped for sound. The
plaster, it is claimed, is composed
of special material combinations to
meet with acoustical requirements of
theaters.
Greenblatt Heads New
Jackson Publix Branch
Jackson, Miss. — C. W. Greenblatt
has been made manager of the new
Publix office here. A. H. McAdam
is publicity director, and E. Per-
kins art director.
Brazel Issues New Catalogue
Cincinnati — Brazel Novelty Manu-
facturing Co. of this city has issued
its new catalogue to aid exhibitors
in preparing for the children trade
during the Easter holiday season.
There is presented an unusually ex-
tensive and varied selection of de-
vices used in conjunction with film
exploitation.
Florence Buys Cooling System
Magnolia, Ark. — W. P. Florence,
owner of the theater here and the
one in Homer, La., has purchased a
Carrier Air Washer for his house
here. He has already installed the
same cooling system in the Louisiana
house.
Four Orders for Kipp Device
Dallas — Kipp Equipment has been
ordered for the following Texai^
houses. Palace, Brownsboro; Forney,
Forney: the house at Atlanta; Mon-
ahans, Monahans. The sound device
is being distributed here by Square
Deal Film Exchange. J. G" Tomlin,
manager.
Presentations
^y DON CARLE GILLETTE
a
PIANO FESTIVAL STAGED
BY KAi AT PARAMOUNT
About two-score pianos partici-
pated in the big windup scene of
"Dancing Keys," featuring Art
Kahn, currently occupying the stage
at the Paramount. Harry Gourfam
devised and staged the production,
which is designed primarily to ex-
ploit Kahn's abilities in manipulat-
ing the ivories. The surrounding ar-
tists, including Lucille Peterson,
Townsend and Bold, Nelson and
Knight, Al and Jim Johnston, and
the Six Maxellos, make up a nicely
balanced bill of glorified vaudeville,
with the Foster Girls coming in for
a share of the honors. Rubinoff re-
mains over for a second week and
conducts the Paramount Orchestra
in pleasing arrangement of Strauss
melodies, while Mr. and Mrs. Jesse
Crawford have an augmented reper-
toire of five numbers in their organ
program.
IS
ON ROXY STAGE PROGRAM
This week's stage offering at the
Roxy is pretty much of a dance fes-
tival. For the opening number,
"Ballet Classique," Patricia Bowman
and Leonide Massine indulge in some
artistic movements with the support
of the Roxy Ballet Corps. Then
comes the Russell E. Markert Roxy-
ettes in "Divertissement," a delight-
fully routined stepping affair. In
George W. Meyer's "My Song of
the Nile," Ellen Eckler and the Roxy
Ballet Corps put over a few more
terpsichorean fancy work, while Lu-
cille Fields and the Roxy Chorus
also featured in this elaborately
staged and colorfully costumed ex-
hibition. A final dancing treat is
presented by Miss Bowman in the
closing number, which also features
Percy Wenrich, Dolly Connolly and
Tom Cowan, with the entire Roxy
Ensemble participating in the vocal
climax.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
f Picture Theatres
Standard !
Vaudeville Acts !
i 1600 Broadway, New York City
I Phone Penn. 3S80
THE
-.^B^
DAILY
Sunday, March 23,
i. U(
Week's Headlines
Monday
West Coast Theaters plans further expansion.
Talkers pret 78 p .c. of former Little Theater
drama fans.
Dawson and Sper to produce 18 for Sono Art.
Tuesday
New Trinz firm plans 52 home talkers yearly.
.\gents to seek Academy recognition.
52 two-reel comedies from Pathe in 1930-31.
Wednesday
Actors' Equity spent $85,582 in fight on
(.'oast.
Legal delays complicate Fox situation.
Demonstrate projector head for 56 mm. films.
Thursday
Fo.K actions in Federal Court blocked 'till
April 7.
File denial in Abramson suit charges.
Arliss quits stage to make Warner talker
series.
Friday
Silver duty may cost films $10,000,000 yearly.
30 features from Tififany in 1930-31.
Wide film projectors set for April delivery.
Today
Fathe Cinema to Handle RCA Photophone
in France.
RKO 1930-31 Program Has 30 Features.
Report RKO Negotiating for 7 Chicago
Houses.
More Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Detroit — RCA Photophone equip-
ment is being installed in the Castle.
California, Mo. — The Finke will
open soon with RCA equipment.
The Verona is being equipped by
RCA Photophone.
Baypoint, Cal. — The Angeles has
been wired with RCA Photophone.
PATHE CINEMA TO HANDLE
PHOTOPHONE IN FRANCE
Tarkio, Mo. — The Tarkio is be-
ing wired by RCA Photophone.
Pearl River, N. Y.— RC.\ Photo-
phone is wiring the Pearl River.
Greenville, O. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Wayne. The house seats 460.
St. Johnsbury, Vt. — Western Elec-
tric has wired the Palace.
Selma, Calif. — The Selma has com-
pleted installation of Western Elec-
tric.
Anchorage, Alas. — Western Elec-
tric has gone into the Empress.
Idaho Falls, Ida. — Sound pictures
will be shown at the Rex over West-
ern Electric equipment.
Cheraw, S. C. — The Lyric is be-
ing wired by RCA Photophone.
Harvey, La. — RCA Photophone
sound equipment is going into the
Victory.
Trinity, Tex. — The Queen will
open soon with RCA Photophone
equipment.
Three New Jersey theaters, the
Liberty at Cape May, the Blakers
and the Regent at Wildwood are be-
ing wired for sound by RCA Photo-
phone.
(Continued from Page 1)
F"rench Republic. Pathe Cinema
will hereafter continue the develop-
ment program for RCA Photophone
and takes over all sound recording
equipment that has been under lease
at the Pathe studios, Ross states.
Negotiations have been conducted
liere and abroad for the past two
months and include, in addition to a
cash payment, extensive royalty pay-
ments to RCA Photophone, Ros.<;
says.
Philadelphia Rialto Will
Reopen with 'King of Jazz'
Philadelphia — "The King of Jazz"
will be the first picture to play the
Rialto when it reopens in April, ac-
cording to Andy Sharrick, manager
of the house.
Columbia, Tenn. -
trie apparatus has
Princess.
- Western Elec-
gone into the
Bowling Green, O. — The 7S8-seat
Cla-Zel has installed the Western
Electric.
San Bernardino, Calif. — The Ritz
has gone sound with the installation
of Western Electric apparatus.
Los Angeles, Calif. — The Banner
has installed Western Electric.
Eagle Grove, la. — Princess has
been wired for sound with Western
Electric.
Eldorado, Ark. — The Majestic is
carrying out its sound pictures policy
by installing Western Electric ap-
paratus.
Detroit — Sound pictures will be
shown at the Granada over Western
Electric apparatus.
Pine Bluff, Ark. — The Community
seating 600, has put in Western Elec-
tric equipment.
Toledo — The Palm has been wired
for sound by W. E.
Narberth, Pa. — Narberth has
stalled W. E. equipment.
To Build at Monroe
Monroe, Ga. — Robert Lee Nowell
ill build another house here.
To Rebuild at Mebane
Mebane, N. C— J. M. Coble will
rebuild the Majestic which was de-
.stroyed by fire.
Remodel Georgia House
West Point, Ga. — The Shawmutt
has been remodeled.
Open Ashboro House
Ashboro, N. C— J. E. White has
opened tlic Sunset. This makes two
houses in Asliboro for White.
Pittsburgh — The Brushton has
opened up with sound, via Western
Electric equipment.
De Ridder, La. — Talking pictures
are coming to the Realart, which has
installed Western Electric.
Corpus Christi, Tex. — The Agnes
has put in Western Electric equip-
ment.
Miles City, Mont. — The State has
gone talkie with the installation of
he Western Electric equipment.
FOX CIRCUIT COURT CA
ADVANCED TO MARCi I
(Continued from Page I)
myer has asked Judge Mantoi ,
either vacate the show cause or
or grant a full court hearing.
Following this special hearinE,!
Monday, the various receivership,
tions and the suit brought by j
against Stuart and Otterson ,
Fox's "B" stock are scheduled
come up Tuesday afternoon be-
Judge Coleman. The State Supr'
Court also has two postponed li
mgs on the calendar for Wed
day, one being the action by 0
son and Stuart on the Fox ma
and the other to restrain the 1
camerica refinancing plan from
ing put into effect.
Nagel and Brown to Mi
Short Series for Tiff^i
(Continued from Pape 1)
his band of 75 pieces. Claude F!
ing will direct these pictures for •
fany release.
Texas Exhibitor Ass'n
Will Handle Equipnw
(Continued from Page 1)
tion machine already have been
lected by the organization, and $2
has been subscribed by the direc
for use as capital.
Weymouth, Mass. — The Commer-
cial has been wired for sound by
Western Electric. The house seats
683.
Cicero, III. — Installation of West-
ern Electric has been completed at
the Palace.
Cleveland, Tenn. — Western Elec-
tric equipment has gone into the
Princess.
Dayton — The Federation has been
wired for sound by Western Elec-
tric.
To Remodel Macon House
Macon, Ga. — Fifteen thousand
lars will be spent in remodeling
Dreamland.
Glendale, Ariz. — Sound equipii
has been installed in the Glendale
Madison, Fla. — M. Blalock
wired the Madisonian for tali
pictures. i
Crookston, Minn. — Electrapl,
equipment has been installed in
Lyric.
Pratt, Kans. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Barron.
Shelbyville, Ky. — The Bon Ton
has been wired by Western Electric.
Louisville, Ky. — Western Electric
have completed wiring the S14-seat
Crescent.
Rush Springs, Okla. — The Gem
has gone talkie with the installation
of Western Electric apparatus.
Huntsville, Ala. — The Lyric has
installed Western Electric equipment.
Cincinnati — The Star has joined
the list of wired houses, installing
the Western Electric System.
Montizuma, Ga. — Western E
trie equipment has been installet
the Grand.
Bingham Canyon, U. — The
Princess has completed installation
of a Western Electric System.
Camden, N. J. — The Star has put
in Western Electric film and disc sys-
tem.
Western Electric Sound equipment
has gone into the Garden.
New Orleans — The Arcade has put
in Western Electric apparatus.
Lamar, Colo. — RCA Photop^
equipment is being installed in
Victory.
Monroe, N. C— The Strand
open soon with RCA equipment.
Tacoma, Wash. — RCA Photoph
is wiring the Park.
Los Angeles, Cal. — Bard's 1
Street is being wired by RCA Ph(
phone.
New Orleans — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Isis.
Sulphur Springs, Tex. — RCA P
tophone equipment is being insta
in the Mission.
Seattle, Wash.— The Society '
open soon with RCA equipment.
cratches Removed
from Negatives!
Positive and Negative Costs Reduced
With the RECONO TREATMENTS
AMERICAN RECONO, INC. now offers to the motion picture industry the sci-
entific film treatments evolved by J. J. F. Stock of Berlin, prominent among the
scientists active in the European field of photo-chemistry.
Three complete and distinct treatments are offered:
First — The scratch removing treatment for
negatives and positives (including
color) : actually removes scratches
and other abrasions from both cellu*
loid and emulsion sides of the film.
Second — The Impregnation yTreatment for
preserving new negatives and posi-
tives.
This process actually prolongs the
life of negatives or positives, render-
ing them impervious to scratches, to
absorption of oil and to other de-
teriorating conditions to which film
is subjected. Retards brittleness,
actually improves the projected
image, and clarifies the sound track.
Third — The Rejuvenation Treatment. This
treatment successfully restores dam-
aged or worn negatives and positives
(including color). The film is com-
pletely rejuvenated, eliminating
shrinkage and brittleness.
Each of the treatments attains its effects by
the impregnation into the film of a scientifi-
cally balanced solution of certain chemicals by
means of precision-gauged mechanical devices
entirely automatic in their operation.
No coatings or lacquers are used in any of
the treatments. The processes are covered
by basic patents which have been under suc-
cessful commercial operation in Berlin for the
past seven years.
During several months of trial demonstra-
tions in New York City, we have proven to
most of the major motion picture companies
our ability to treat negatives and positives
(including color) in line with the above claims.
Effective with this issue of Film Daily, our
new and specially constructed laboratory is
open for business at 245 W. 55th Street. We
have the most modern equipment, thus insur-
ing the proper treatment and handling of all
film. The actual work is performed by skilled
technicians who have had years of training in
the plant of the parent company in Berlin.
AMERICAN RECONO, Inc.
24S WEST SSth STREET
NEW YORK CITY
Telephone Cotumbus 6746
Q) C
,"<■ i^ "-^ c <■ o ^
o ."^ O -^ "^ ^
: ^ ^ .° ^ ^ S "^
^ o
?) A oJ ^/~ ••c
^ o .^
c* oT ^ c Q, ^ ^ ,
o
o
O i- i- *■
o 0» ^
i- -S^ -^ ^
P c 2? . c «> ^
•* o . ^ o S .
^ -^ ^'^'
c 1 —
^c5
° C O ^ O _
• ^ "^ ? / 1 /
o
^ ^ .0
-^ o > o O .c
Q)
•^ O 't
'' "<• <r •C'
iTHE
SfeNEWSPAPER
^/FILMDOH
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
OL. LI No. 70
Monday, March 24, 1930
Price 5 Cents
2, 700 Operators Are Attending 150 Sound Schools
yiBITRATION CLAUSEIN M-G-M CONTRACT
"Ian Another $2,000,000 Addition to RKO Studio
The Public
— must be catered to
^By JACK ALICOATE^^
)VER ONE MILLION cus-
jmers to be catered to each and
very week throughout the year
quite a considerable number
any league, yet, that's ap-
roximately the number that
pay as they enter" the picture
heaters of these United States
rem Saturday to Saturday. All
his theoretical talk of reform-
rs about what to give them in
he way of production and story
are is so much sliced liver-
mdding. If this great interna-
ioiial industry is to continue as
dominant force in the world's
tctivity and progress it must
ontinue to give its millions oi
)atrons what they demand ii.
|he way of story material anc
vhat the ever changing demand,-
f thought, demeanor and mor-
Is warrant.
' Modernism is not Smut
1j\' this we do not in any sense
jt ilie word mean dirt. Smut in
ny form has no place whatsoever
In tlie screen. Our thought rather
I that the progressive and modern
ieas of our younger thinkers must
f considered if we are not to let
lie parade pass us by. Public de-
[laiul cannot be sidetracked. If the
tear ladies wish to wear their hair
piig and their skirts short no power
[n earth can stop them. So with
picture story material. Keep a
nger on the public pulse. The
nswer is manifest. Give the dear
Id public what it wants and ninety-
ine percent of the home folks will
e satisfied.
Censors Must Live
Like normal minded inhabitants
ensors must be constantly doing
omething, whether right or wrong,
r they would be out of a job. They,
(.Continued on Page 2)
New Plant Improvements
Are Announced by
Le Baron
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles— Another $2,000,000
addition to the RKO production
plant, bringing the total studio build-
ing investment to $6,000,000, is an-
nounced by William Le Baron, stu-
dio chief. Although it had l^een in-
tended to postpone this latest pro-
ject until late fall, a change of plan.-
will cause the work to get under way
before the new season's schedule i;
started, and the new buildings arc
(Continued on Page 8)
PHILLY THEATER SECTOR
IS
Philadelphia — This city's aiiiu c-
nient section is gradually shifting to-
wards West Philadelphia Slatitm.
Its moving is being accompanied 1)\
■eports, confirmed and unconfirmed,
)f new theater projects.
R-K-O owns an option on a Mar-
ket St. site and as its lease on the
Erlanger expires soon, expectations
ire that the company will build. One
(Continued on Page 8)
Haralson Named Manager
of Texas Exhibitor Assn.
Dallas — R. H. Haralson has been
named manager of the Allied Theater
Owners of Texas, succeeding W. S.
Waid, resigned. Haralson for some
time lias been associated with H. A.
Cole as booker for Federated Theaters.
FRENCH INDEPENDENTS
PLAN 3,00«E CHAIN
Paris (By Cable) — A national cir-
cuit of 3,000 liouses is planned in
France by independent theater own-
ers, who are seeking to band to-
gether for the purpose of nmtual
protection and co-operative trading,
as well as to hold their own against
the big combines. The organization
known as the Circuit National is
expected to have an initial capital of
about $60,000, and enrollment of 600
lulependents will be aimed at in 1930.
Roach Plans to Resume
Studio Activity April 1
IfL-.t Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollv'wood — Production at the Hal
l^oach studios in Culver City is to be
resumed on April 1 after a month's
layoff during which the 1930-31 pro-
duction plans are being laid out.
Warren Doane, vice-president and
general manager, is due back from
New York, where he went to dis-
cuss the new season's program with
M-G-M officials.
Winter Garden to Start
New Policy on April 3
After extensive alterations the
Winter Garden will start its new
policy of continuous performances on
April 3 with "Under a Texas Moon"
as the first grind attraction at this
house.
Canavan Sees Recording and
Reproducing Much Improved
Approximately 2,700 operators are
improving their knowledge of sound
projection through attending 150
classes being held by projectionists'
unions throughout the country, esti-
mates William F. Canavan, president
of the I.A.T.S.E. & M.P.O.
"There is no comparison with the
Ijrand of recording put out 18
months ago," says Canavan in com-
mending the work of the studios.
"Intensive need of training projec-
tionists in operating equipment is
now past as they are doing uniform-
ly good work."
Deposits Required Under
New Agreement Now
Ready for Use
Both arbitration and deposit clauses
are embraced in the new M-G-M ex-
hibition contract, just printed and
now ready for use, THE FILM
DAILY exclusively learns.
Under the arbitration plan four
arbitrators are to be appointed in
event of dispute, two by each party.
This group will select a fifth arbitra-
tor from outside of the industry in
case it fails to agree and the case will
then be reheard. In event the original
four arbitrators cannot agree on the
picking of a fifth his appointment
will be made "by the presiding judge
of the highest court of the state
wherein the exchange of the dis-
tributor from which the exhibitor is
served is located."
(Continued on Page 8)
FIND 90 P. C. OE COAST
STUDIOS RECORD VIA W.E.
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Ninety per cent of
the studios at the Coast are record-
ing via Western Electric equipment,
according to a survey made by Fox.
Total of 70 studios use W. E. ap-
paratus exclusively.
Tom Mix May Return
to Pictures Next Fall
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAI Li
Los Angeles — Tom Mi.x is under-
stood to be negotiating for a return
to pictures next fall after he finishes
his season with the Sells-Floto Cir-
cus.
Carfare Plan
Lowell, Mass. — Managers of
local Publix houses have made
arrangements with the Eastern
Massachusetts Street Railway
Co. whereby persons living in
nearby communities will be
able to go to and from Publix
theaters at one-half the regular
street-car fare.
—^S&K,
PAILV
Monday, March 24, 1!
vol. LI No. 70 Monday, March 24, 1930 Prices Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Puolishei
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager.
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terras (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
0607. London — Ernest W. Fredraan, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
1 Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Fnedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Lour-des-Noues, 19.
F'" voRK ^TOCK MARKET
,,^, . _ , ■ AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sale,-
\n,. .S<:»l. . 2134 21J4 2154 lOli
I im. Fm la.:. . 24 23^2 24 800
Vm. in. liKi. pid. 24 J4 24K 24 H 300
Laa. ti.A^ ......237 232 234J4 3,10;)
Kox Fm. "A'' .'. 30H 2TH 27% 19,700
lien. Thea. Equ. .. ASyi 44 45 15,400
I'ox Film "A" rts.. 4M 4}4 4f4 9,000
l-ox Film deb. rts.. 'A Vi % 9.600
"Keith A-0 36H ••••
Mo pfd 115^4 ....
l-i.tw's, Inc 77'^ 75 75/8 2,500
do pfd. WW (6yi).\Qiy» 1035^ 103H lOU
•ilo pfd. xw (bVi) 92
.Vl-G-M pfd 25 !4 25 ^^ 25!^ 100
Para. F-L 73 J4 T^'A 72H 16,100
I'.ithe Exch 5H 5H 5/8 70i)
do "A" 10^ 10 10 400
K-K-0 36J4 35 35K 15,800
•Univ. Pict. pfd 55K
Warner Bros TbVi 74/8 74^ 39,70U
•do pfd 67 5/g
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 35^ 35J4 35!-5 100
Fox Thea. "A" ... 7 6-5^ 7 500
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb. rts.. 40 40 40 100
*Loew, Inc., war 1354 ••■•
Nat. Scr. Ser 23J^ 22^ 23^8 300
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
Univ. Pict 17 17 17 100
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
*Keith AG 6s 46 90
Loew 6s 41ww 120% 120 120^ 150
ilo 6s 41 x-war...l01 101 J4 101 40
I'.inimount 6s 47 .102J4 102-^ 1025-^ 50
I'ar. By. SJ^sSl ...101 101 101 20
Fathe 7s37 63
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
The Broadway Parade
A MONG the pictures to be presented on Broadway this week are "Mammy," in
-^ ^ which Al Jolson will be seen at the Warner on Wednesday, succeeding "Song
of the West," and "The Man From Blankley's," starring John Barrymore, which
will be shown at the Central on Friday, following "Disraeli".
Picture Distributor Theater Opening Date
"Disraeli" Warners Central Oct. 2
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M Astor Jan, 28
"Green Goddess" Warner Winter Garden. . . .Feb, 13
"Puttin' on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb. 14
"Vagabond King" Paramount Criterion Feb. 19
"Song of the West" Warner Warner Feb. 27
"Mamba" Tiffany Gaiety Mar. 10
"Song O" My Heart" Fox 44th St Mar. 1 1
"Lummox" United Artists. . . Rivoli Mar. 22
y
:.:
J.:
New York Long Island City tji
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. ♦.♦
BRYant 4712 STIIIwell 7940 5.t
Eastman Films |
J. E, Brulatoor, Inc, |j
Chicago Hollywood j'j
1727 Indiana Ave. 6700 Santa^Monica ^t
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ^t
f t't >V 1 - -I - -> f i*f i*f T*i-^ Wf^'f-t Vi'rt'f-t'r W \*t t'i I'^WcCTf t
The Public
—must be catered to
(Coittinued jram Page 1)
like the professional reformer ana
the hypocrite, will squawk as long a;
we have the weak minded to listen
to them and, like the melanciiol>
days of autumn, we must take them
as the bitter with the sweet. Which
leads us to a rather sprightl>
thought that covers a local censor-
ship argument as completely as a
Palm Beach coat of tan. When you
are next approached by the self-es-
teemed local censor and told how
much good he or she is doing by
cutting the very heart and life on.
of fine, splendid pictures, ask pouii
blank if his or her morals have, up
to this time, been impaired by seeing
so many salacious pictures in the
raw, and if not, why not.
Wilbanks with Atlanta
Ad- Vance Trailer Office
Atlanta — Jim Wilbanks is now with
the local Ad-Vance Trailer Oflict
covering Tennessee, Georgia, Florida
and Alabama.
Jack Rosenthal Dies
Philadelphia — Jack Rosenthal, di-
visional chain manager of the War-
ner-Equity houses, died recently.
Buys Independence House
Independence, Kan. — Mrs. Carl
Butler has taken over the Best from
the Fite Bros, interests.
Sell Oakfield House
Oakfield, N. Y.— The Goldberg in-
terests has sold the Opera House to
Samuel Bagilo.
Redecorating Boulder House
Boulder, Colo. — The Fox-Isis is
being renovated and redecorated, ac-
cording to George Paper, manager.
Leases Trenton House
Trenton, N. J. — Green Ave. Realty
Co. has leased the Gaiety.
Installs Ventilating System
Altoona, Pa. — Typhoon ventilating
equipment has been installed at the
State.
Fulton Co. Appoints
More Representatives
Chicago — C. H. Fulton, president
of E. E. Fulton Co., theater supply
house, announces the appointment ol
two mores sales and service repre-
sentatives, Bernard Faller for the
Cleveland territory and L. C. Mc-
Elroy in Kansas City. Additional
representatives will be named soon
in Detroit, Dallas and Minneapolis,
Fulton states, and when conditions
warrant the company will establish
branch offices in these key cities and
in Omaha, where Roy Willett has
been the firm's agent for two years.
Plans Spanish Talking
Films at Agua Caliente
Auga Caliente, Mexico — Wirt Bow-
man is planning to make a series of
Spanish talking pictures here. Mexi-
can players and scenarios will be
used.
The Industry's
Date Book
Mar.
lar.
Mar.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
May
May
May
25 Annual meeting of Projection .
visory Council at Town H
N. Y.
26 Premiere of "Mammy" at the W
ner, N, Y.
28 Opening of "The Man fr
Blankey's" at Central, New Yc
1 5-5-5 Conference will take place
N. Y.
5 Second annual banquet and I
of the Warner Club, Inc., at
Hotel Commodore. N. Y,
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State
P.T.O. at Memphis.
8 Premiere of "Journey's End" I
the Gaiety, New York,
5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at i
Wardraan Park Hotel. Washii
ton, D. C.
16-17-18-19 Far amount Eastern mai
gers hold annual sales meet :
Atlantic City.
24-25-26-27 Paramount western mai
gers will hold annual sales m
at San Francisco.
25 Fox annual sales convention stai
today.
2-7 International Cinema Congress :
Brussels.
United Artists Increases
Sales Force in Atlanl
.•\tlanta — Two additions have bei
made to the United Artists sal
force within the last week. Hora
Helinbold, until recently with t
Denver branch, has been transferr
to this office while Paul Harris(
joins the company as a new salesnia
W. B. Frank Returns
W. B. Frank, representative for
Mack Sennett, has returned from the
Coast.
Mrs. Butler Buys Best
Independence, Kan. — Mrs. \'iola
Butler has bought the Best here.
Lasswell Succeeds Brown
Tacoma, Wash. — Jerry Lasswell
has succeeded Bradley Brown as
manager of the Fox Colonial here.
Brown has been transferred to Med-
ford, Ore., where he will take charge
of one of the circuit's houses.
Riverside Corona Opens
Riverside, Cal. — The Corona ha^
been opened here* Manager Harper
provided an elaborate opening foi
the initial program.
Sound for Neb. House
\"erdigre, Neb. — A. V. Jecminek,
owner of the Empress, has purchased
sound apparatus, which will be in-
stalled within the next few weeks.
The house is being remodeled for
the installation.
FOR SALE
DUPLEX PRINTERS
in Excellent Working Condition
ERNEST STERN
245 W. S5th St., New York City
Telephone: Columbus 7585
THEATRE EQUIPMENT fj
FOR SALE Y
CHAIRS, SWITCHBOARD, PIC- 1
TURE SCREEN, PICTURE MA- ■
CHINES AND ALL KINDRED '
THEATRE EQUIPMENT.
Now in Columbia Theatre, 47th St, '
and 7th Ave., and can be seen at
anytime. All offers considered.
Equipment must be removed by
Monday, March 31st.
Apply M. J. JOYCE at
Columbia Theatre. Phone Bryant 0137
New Galion House
Galion, O. — W. E. Wisterman
plans to open the State in April.
TALKING
TRAILER
in
NATURAL
COLORS
MEi kO-GOLDWYN-MAYER'S
Stupendous Production
ROGUE SONG
Now Available
NATIONAL SCREEN SERVICE
Chicago — New York — Los Angeles
810 S. Wabash - 126 W. 46 - 1922 $. VirniHt
QOUmBSAt^
sk
y^^^j^jMT^ li^
iy
W wFeatuml
\
JUIICi
~i^^
^ The Man from Hell's River
^11 be ready in May-
A Big One Every Month Thereafter
PBOSFER u>//l COLUMBIA W
IRVING
BERLIN
"Vitaphone'' is the registered trade-mark ^
Vitaphone Corporotion designating its pr d
SREATESTI
\lkimer Bra<s, fxre^enk /VL
OISON
' H A M M Y
Mammy is a household name. Her favorite son,
AL JOLSON, is a box-ofiBce name. It's a com-
bination that can't be beat. Here is the world's
greatest entertainer at his inimitable best as the
I singing, jesting Mr. Bones of the minstrel troupe.
t It's what the public ordered and what the public
' ^^«^s- wxi}i
LOUISE DRESSER * LOIS MORAN
LOWELL SHERMAN < HOBART BOSWORTH
TULLY MARSHALL ^ MITCHELL LEWIS
•
! Story atidi s(yr\,g$ by IRVING BERLIN
Scyttn ^^'j by Gordon Rigby
i (xndi Joseph Jackson
I DiytcXzdi by MICHAEL CURTIZ
Scenes in Technicolor
•
Available To You Day and Date with Broadway
■
DAILY
Monday, March 24,
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Greed for Profits Held Cause
Of Most Box Office Failures
TN the face of its opportunities
it is really amazing how little
genuine experimentation goes on
in the picture studios. The box
office test is today the most for-
midable factor in determining the
value of a picture; and although
the desire of the producers to
make money out of a picture is
perfectly understandable, this ex-
clusive preoccupation with money
has probably been responsible
for more stupid, silly and un-
lucrative pictures than would
have been made if the aim of the
producers had been to experi-
ment with their materials and
take a healthy chance on the pub-
lic's liking the results.
Thornton Delehanty in
"Netv York Evening Post"
* * *
Asserts Sound Has Brought
Projectionists to the Fore
r^OMPETITION which took
place in the early days was
between houses wired and un-
wired. Now the competition is
between wired houses, and such
a spirit can only result in better
quality on the average. The
quality of the show is more de-
pendent now on the efficiency
and resource of the projectionists
than ever before, and where in
the case of silent films certain
tolerance might be allowed with
the quality of projection, the
same does not apply to sound.
K. C. Sinclair, Western Elec-
tric Co., Ltd., in "The Daily
Film Renter," London
* * *
Word "Super" Going Out of
Style in Hollywood, Says Quirk
"pEW picture concerns today
have the effrontery to adver-
tise their pictures as super-spe-
cials, super-productions, or super-
anything. The high, mighty and
useless office of supervisor has
been ridiculed out of existence,
and the public has hah-hahed
"super" off the billboards.
■James R. Quirk in
"Photoplay Magazine"
6,000 theaters in the world cater
to Spanish speaking audiences
according to an estimate from
Pathe. Of these 200 are wired
for talking pictures.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
JOSEPH R. FLIESLER has been appointed managing director
of the Fifth Ave. Playhouse. Joe, who has had a flock of
experience in managing houses around Manhattan Island, was
formerly with Ufa and before that with "The Morning Telegraph"
Warner Bros, go on the records as pleased with the way
play dates are pouring in, in connection with Sam E. Morris
Month
'"PRE spot where the Brill Bros, building stood until recently at
the corner of Broadway and 49th St. is not going to provide
a theater site, it seems. Warner Bros, at one time was interested
in the location, but owing to its inability to bu}- adjoining prop-
erty, dropped its plan for a house there
pAUL BURGER, assistant to Al Lichtman, has returned to
the U. A. home office from a visit to the southern exchanges.
George Arliss is on his way here from England. He's
aboard the Berengaria, due Friday Miss Yetta Brettler,
chief booker for Bell Pictures, is a missus now, having been
married yesterday. She is being treated to a southern honey-
moon. Yetta says she won't let marriage interfere with her
job Captain Billy Fawcett, publisher of "Screen Secrets,"
who has been on an African trip, will be the guest of AMPA at
its Thursday get-together Al Dubin and Joe Burke, who
wrote the score of "Hold Everything," which opens the Warner
Hollywood in April, are celebrating 15 years' partnership
gARNEY HUTCHISON says that the "Love Parade" was a
success at its showing at the Cine Astral in Buenos .'Mres.
.Argentina Louis .Simon, featured in Pathe's "Swing
High," has already applied for two seats for the opening of the
picture Dorothy Burgess feminine lead is Simon's dis-
covery
* * ♦ *
ATATHAN BURKAN is busy around the General Sessions
Court these days in conducting the defense end of the Mae
West trial Helen Kane is on the schedule for a series of
personal appearances at the Paramount when "Dangerous Nan
McGrew" has its initial Broadway showing in April Jack
Buchanan, now drawing salary in "Wake Up and Dream," which
the ticket brokers list as a hit, will return to the Coast in about
three weeks when the production expires. He's under contract
to Paramount
pj.\RRY CHARNAS is doubling between the Winter Garden
and the new Hollywood nowadays. He's supervising the
cdinpletion of the Hollyvi'ood and watching over the improve-
ments l)eing made at the Winter Garden
MARCH 24- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
Carrie Daumery
Judy King
J. A. Duffy
Mildred Claifano
EXPLOITETTE
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Idea:
€)—
Moving Wheels on Marquee
Dress House for "Sally"
y^ SPECTACULAR marqii
display helped draw busine
to the showing of "Sally" at t
California, San Francisco. T\
revolving wheels, ten feet
diameter were set each side
the marquee with colored ligh
pla>ed on them from the ba
made a kaleidescope effect
— First Nation
Viking Car Parade for
"Viking" Showing
A LLAX CUSHMAN. nianag
of the Hollywood, Portias
Ore., arranged with the loi'
Viking automobile agency for
street parade through the bw
ness district. Eight cars Wi
drivers dressed in viking C(
tunies and with door shiel
reading, "Hail, The Viking^
Great Car, A Great Pictui
Hollywood, Now," were dr
around town.
—M-G-'
Music Does It
In West Virginia
A. B. LV-M-W. managing
rector of the Keith-AU"
theater, Huntington, W. \
made use of the S.R.O. sign d*
ing the run of Pathe's "Gra
Parade." Lyman secured f
window displays in the leads
music stores in the city, in wh
title sheets of the theme sor
from the picture in attract
layouts were on view, a w '
prior to the opening, radio f,
tion WSAZ oifered to the f
the three song hits, "Mol
".Mone in the Rain," and "Mc
ill' for You" three times da
with an announcement of
forthcoming picture. The ;
part of the cainpaign was thei
t'-a'-tive caliope which parai
the streets during the entire r
—Pol
TEN YEARS AGO TO-I
IN
J(<>HEWSPAPEI! .^Btf Vnll^
J. A. Quinn forms new Assr
"Better Pictures."
* * *
Samuel Goldwyn hits incr
cost in production as responsiW
high rentals
* * *
Carmel Myers to be starre
Universal.
^^A real contribution to the Industry^^
Carl Laemmle —
"To say that I am delighted with the
Film Daily Year Book is putting it very
mildly. If there is anything I love it is a
work well done, and this is nothing short
of a masterpiece. You know the old say-
ing to the effect that genius is the capac-
ity for taking infinite pains. Well, you
and your staff have taken infinite pains
and have gone into infinite detail, so your
book really bears the stamp of genius.
You should be proud of it as a real contri-
bution to the industry. Thank you very
much for sending me a copy."
The 1930 Year Book contains everything
and anything anyone might care to know
about the Motion Picture Industry.
Free with a Year's Subscription to The Film Daily
■iLM Daily Service
includes
COMPLETE YEARLY SERVICE AT A $10.00
SUBSCRIPTION RATE INCLUDES
THE FILM DAILY
Kvery Day Except Saturday and Holidays
THE WEEKLY FILM DIGEST
Every Sunday
|ws, Reviews of All Features— Short Subjects, Presentations, Sound,
uipment. Eastern Studio Data, West Coast Productions, Etc.
DIRECTORS' ANNUAL AND PRODUCTION GUIDE
Every June — A Great Production Reference Hook
SHORT SUBJECTS QUARTERLY
All About Short Subjects
FILM DAILY YEAR BOOK
Filmdom's Recognized Book of Reference
1100 pages covering every branch of the industry
FOREIGN SUBSCRIPTION'S. $15.00 PER YEAR
Date.
To.
THE FILM DAILY,
1650 Broadway,
New York City.
Gentlemen:
Herewith my check for $10.00 — Start my yearly subscription
to Film Daily service immediately.
NAME
THE
-.SBg^
DAILV
Monday, March 24,
ARBITRATION CLAUSE
IN M-y CONTRACT
(Continued -from Page 1)
Provision is made for the entering
of judgments in connection with
awards.
Clause One of the contract, which
has been revised, now reads as fol-
lows:
••(a) The Distributor hereby grants
the iixhibitor, and the latter accepts,
a license, subject to the terms and
conditions hereinafter stated, and
those printed upon the reverse side
hereof which are made a part of this
contract to exhibit (during the period
of one year commencing with the
date fixed or determined as lierem-
atter provided for the exhibition in
the theater hereinafter designated ol
the first photoplay deliverable here-
under, unless otherwise in the Sched-
ule provided) IN SYNCHRONISM
WITH RECORDED SOUND each
of the photoplays designated in the
Schedule at said theater only for the
number of successive days in the said
Schedule provided. This license is
under the respective copyrights of
said photoplays and under any copy-
right which may be in force with re-
spect to any matter included in such
recorded sound.
"If more than one theater is here-
in'fter designated no photoplay is li-
censed hereunder for exhibition at
more than one of such theaters unless
otherwise specifically agreed upon in
the Schedule.
"(b) In case any of such photoplays
(except photoplays which shall be
roadshown) shall be generally re-
leased by Distributor for distribution
in the United States after the period
above specified, the Distributor shall
be obliged to deliver such photoplays
to the Exhibitor hereunder at such
later period and the exhibitor agrees
to accept, pay for and exhibit them,
as and when available for exhibition,
pursuant to the terms and provisions
hereof ; provided that if any such
photoplays are not so generally re-
leased by August 31, 1931, such
photoplays shall thereupon be except-
ed and excluded from this license
without any notice from either party
to the other, and the Distributor may
exhibit or license the exhibition of
such photoplays when and where de-
sired by Distributor, and all claims
or causes of action in respect thereof
are hereby expressly waived by the
exhibitor."
Plan Another $2,000,000
Addition to RKO Studio
(Continued from Page 1)
expected to be completed by mid-
summer.
Included among the proposed new
units will be two stages adjoining
the recently finished mammoth stage;
a four-story dressing room building,
a four-story building for property
and drapery departments; a three-
story building for camera,' still and
special effects departments, includ-
ing new portrait galleries and labora-
tory; $200,000 worth of new studio
lighting equipment and two giant
generators.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Raymond Griffith to
Appear in "AU Quiet"
Raymond Griffith has been cast
by Universal to play the part of
Gerard Duval, French soldier, in
"All Quiet on the Western Front."
Changes Novarro Title
Ramon Novarro's latest for M-G-
M known under the title of "The
House of Troy," will be released as
"Gay Madrid." Robert Z. Leonard
directed.
M-G-M Signs Jim TuUy
Jim Tully has been signed bv M-
G-M to collaborate with John How-
ard Lawson on "Trader Horn" on
added dialogue sequences.
Fairbanks, Jr. With Barthelmess
An important role has been given
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in "The
Dawn Patrol" by First National. The
picture will star Richard Barthel-
mess.
Philly Theater Sector
Is Gradually Shifting
(Continued from Page 1)
report has had Warner Bros, build-
ing a 6,000-seat house near West
Philadelphia Station. Spyros Skour-
as denied this to THE FILM
DAILY. In addition to the reported
R-K-0 project, two other houses are
understood to be scheduled for con-
struction on Market St. R-K-0 is
reported associated with Sam Sha-
piro in the building of the new Mid-
way at Kensington and Allegheny
Aves.
A Little
from
'Lots'
^^ By RALPH IV ILK ^^
Hollywood
THAN HERSHOLT, who did out-
•' standing work in "Mamba," has
been signed for the featured character
role in "Come Easy," which will be
made by Warner. His work in
"Viennese Nights" for Warner was
so well liked that he was immediately
signed for the new part. In "The
Case of Sergeant Grischa" and
"Mamba," the directors insisted that
Hersholt speak with a decided ac-
cent. As a direct consequence,
Hersholt has been kept busy in parts
requiring foreign dialects.
Do you remember when Jack
Toivnley was a "kid" actor with the
Edison company in 1914; when M.
A. Anderson oivned a commercial
laboratory in Washington, D. C;
when Donn McElwaine worked i)i
Indianapolis; when Earle Snell was
a college pi-ofessor?
Our Passing Show: Herbert
Brenon telephoning William
LeBaron from Stockholm; A.
P. Waxman introducing his
walking stick to Sunset Boule-
vard.
EXHIBITORS AND CRITICS UNANIMOUS
"One hundred per cent entertainment. The
best business in many weeks."
A. Goodside (owner)
Empire Theatre,
Portland, Me.
CLAXCY IX WALL STREET'
WITH
CHARLES MURRAY
"Well gagged comedy that will click. A
real laugh getter. Capably handled by
Murray and a good surrounding cast."
The Film Daily
NAT LEVINE, ARISTOCRAT PICTURES
1650 Broadway, New York
Now On Broadwa
Astor — "Rogue Song"
Beacon — "Wide Open" and "Lady
mere's Fan"
Cameo — "Case of Sergeant Grischa"
Capitol — "Anna Christie"
Carnegie — "The Kiss", first half;
Side Up", second half
Central — "Disraeli"
Colony— "Cohens and Kellys in Scotk
Criterion — "N'agabond King"
Earl Carroll — "Puttin' on the Ritz
Fifth Ave. — "Seven Days' Leave", firs;;a|
"Devil May Care", second half
Fifty-fMth St.— "Dich Hab Icli G',!
("Because I Loved You")
Film Guild — "Shanghai Lady"
Forty-fourth St. — "Song O' Mj
Gaiety — ' ' M aniba"
Globe — "J^ovin' the Ladies"
Hippodrome — "Phantom of the Open!
Little Picture House — "They Had
Paris"
Loew's New York — Monday,
Tuesday. "The Last Dance'
of the Trail"; Wednesday,
ble"; Thursday, "Let's Go
day, "Hit the Deck"; Saturdiay,
Comes Along"; Sunday.
Nights"
Paramount — "Young E.igles"
Rialto— "Be Yourself"
Rivoli — "Lummox"
Roxy — "Sky Hawk"
Strand — "Son of tlie Gods"
Warners — "Song of the West"
Winter Garden — "Green Goddess"
HeaJ
"Condenill
and "Jtt
'Trailin' I
Places"!
Brookfield House Opened
Brookfield, Mo. — A. E. Shard
leased the Duker and reopened
the Plaza. House will be wired
RC.\ equipment.
LITTLE BILLY and
WILLIAM LANGAR
I
Billy: "Just another wor
and I'll knock you f(
a row of ashcans!
(THEY'RE IN IT)
iTHE
/FILHDOM
ULTME NEWS
ALL THE TIME
L. LI No. 71
Tuesday, March 25, 1930
Price 5 Cents
■Joleman Not Restrained in Fox Receiver Actions
LAN OPTIONAL ARBITRATION
aramount to Offer 65 Features on '30-31 Program
The Mirror
-a column of comment
J
f\<^ OOD sound reproduction,
the kind that enables a
theater to give its customers
money's worth of under-
lable dialogue, is an asset to
Jijcommunity and, furthermore,
sis in building its business. C.
HBunn speaking these words of
ijnon-sense origin. The silent
Cjcr always has been a magnet
' itract trade into a town or city.
hi same house, made articulate
rjigh sound, voices a more
)tit ballyhoo for the community.
Iiijl theaters located in sparsely-
jttfd spots might do well to
nid this fact into their local
isiess men's organization. With
•ud pictures recognized as a
a(j stimulant of inestimable
J»|, local merchants no doubt in
ail instances will be ready to
) jito a huddle with exhibitors
\it!object of emerging with a co-
leltive plan helping them install
yle*iate reproducers.
* ♦ *
O'N MISSISSIPPI way a bill
iP'ing a 10 per cent tax on admis-
onhas cropped up in the Legisla-
reind now is receiving the atten-
«>nf)f the revenue committee. Ex-
bi|r forces are marshalling against
isimeasure which would add to
-ei> financial burdens. Under the
tegent guidance of their leaders
j, if^hkely that they will see to it
atihe proposal meets the sort of
,,aij? that the industry cheers over.
I * ♦ ♦
^C: WHITE'S celebrating his
'th anniversary as a producer of
Nimlies— good ones. One of the
'uiest producers in the industry,
'cl (he's 31 years old) has made
i^Pilximately 400 shorts. And Edu-
ticjal finds that audiences every-
nej get laughs out of them — con-
"Small Percentage of New
Product in Color,"
Lasky States
Paramount's 1930-31 releasing pro-
gram will offer 65 features, Jesse L.
Lasky told The Film Daily yester-
day upon his return to New York
from the South. This total is sim-
ilar to that of the current program.
"A small percentage of the product
will be made in color," said Lasky,
and pointed out that the matter of
costs is a problem in connection with
color production. He said Para-
{Continued on Page 11)
7 universaTpIctures
BOOKED jYjOXY, N. Y.
The Roxy, N. Y., has booked seven
Universal features and specials. This
is the most important deal the theater
has ever made with any company
except Fox. The pictures are:
{Continued on Page 10)
flinnandMcleared
or PAMJIRE CHARGES
John C. Flinn and Henry F. Lally
were cleared by the Grand Jury yes-
terday of charges of criminal negli-
gence in the Pathe studio fire in
New York in which 11 persons lost
(Continued on Page 10)
Distributors Will Offer Deposits Clause As
Alternative — To Revive Arbitration Boards
A national system of optional arbitration, working through the arbitration
boards conducted by the Film Boards of Trade, is expected to result from
the conference to be held in New York April 1 between representatives
of distributors, M. P. T. O. A. and Allied States Ass'n. The distributors,
it is understood, will submit a plan
giving exhibitors the option of sign-
ing a uniform contract with an arbi-
tration clause or one requiring de-
posits. The system will immediately
be put into operation following the
conference providing no major
obstacle arises.
Sponsors of the proposition are
convinced that a great majority of
theater operators realize the need for
an organized arbitration system.
Such a plan as they will propose will
not conflict with the Judge Thacher
decree as it will not compel exhibitors
to accept arbitration but instead al-
low them to choose between arbitra-
tion and deposits.
N. J. UNIT INDEFINinLY
TABLES PROTECTION SUET
Newark, N. J. — On the advice of
Abram F. Myers, president of AUied
States Assn., the M.P.T.O. of N. J.
at a meeting yesterday decided to
indefinitely postpone its suit involv-
ing the protection system. The mem-
bers unanimously consented to accept
the first offer of Sidney R. Kent to
Myers providing for regional confer-
ences. Likewise, the Jersey group
will then decide whether to press
the matter or drop it permanently.
At the same session Joseph R. Seider
was designated to represent the unit
on the board of directors of Allied
States and Charles Robinson of this
(Continued on Page 11)
Sound-on-Film Version
for Universal Newsreel
Universal Newsreel, with Graham
McNamee as its talking reporter, is
now being supplied to exhibitors in
a sound-on-film version\ as well as
sound-on-disc, it is announced by
Lou B. Metzger.
Appellate Court to Give Ruling
in Fox Trusteeship Case Only
SHEEHAN GOES TO COURT
IN OPPOSING FOX PLAN
Opposition of Winfield R. Shee-
han to the refinancing plan approved
by William Fox for his film and the-
ater companies has assumed legal
proportions with the announcement
In reserving decision on the mo-
tion by the Stuart-Otterson interests
to have Federal Judge Frank J. Cole-
man restrained from taking any steps
in actions pending before him with
regard to the Fox situation, the U.
S. Circuit Court of Appeals yester-
day promised that, if a ruling can-
not be handed down immediately, a
temporary injunction would be is-
sued to prevent Judge Coleman from
DiRECTORSOFM.P.T.O.A.
TO HOLD CONFAB MARCH3I
Bo^rd of directors of the M.P.T.
O.A. will hold its spring convention
Monday at the association's head-
quarters in New York. Reports will
be presented by M. A. Lightman,
president; M. J. O'Toole, secretary,
and Jay Emanuel, treasurer. A num-
ber of committees named at the
(Continued on Page 10)
SPECIAL SESSION CALLED
ON MISSISSIPPI TAX BILL
Jackson, Miss. — A special session
on taxation has been called in the
Mississippi legislature to consider
the revenue bill which would place
a levy of 10 per cent on admissions
to all places of amusement. The pro-
posed measure, which also would im-
pose a tax of 10 per cent on the re-
tail price of cigars and 20 per cent
on the retail price of cigarettes, j<;
I
fHC
Vol LI No. 71 ToBSday, March 25, 1930 PriceSCioU
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: FTlmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Pans— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
•Am. Seat 2m
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 24 2'3?i 24 800
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 25 J4 24^ 24 Vs 1,400
Con. Film rts. . . Va 'A 'A 4,700
East. Kodak 241 2325/j 241 6,200
Fox Fm. "A" .. 29^ 27M 29^ 15,000
Fox Film "A" rts. 4 3H ^'A 8,800
Fox Fm. deb. rts. % '/s % 8,400
Gen. Thea. "A" . 46 44/j 45/, 25,700
*Keith A-0 36J4
*do pfd 115^4 ••••
Loew's Inc 765i 74 75 3,500
do pfd. WW (6/2) 9154 91 J4 9154 100
♦do pfd. xw (6>4) 92
M-G-M pfd 25 J4 25^ 25 M 200
Para. F-L 74/, 72^8 74/2 37,700
Pathe Exch 5J4 SVs S% l,50r
do "A" 10% 10^ 1054 800
R-K-O 3654 355i 36 21,800
*TJniv. Pict. pfd SS%
Warner Bros. ... 78!4 74^ 77^ 91,000
do pfd 68 67 677i 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. .. 3654 35/2 36^^ 800
Columbia Pets. ..7% (>% (>% 700
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts 40 ...
Loew, Inc., war.. 12 12 12 100
Nat. Ser. Ser. ... 28 2iVi 28 2,20(
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Piet 17
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46. 90 90 90 100
Loew 6s 41ww... 12054 120 12054 •■•
do seller 7 II914 119/ 119/ 150
do 6s 41 x-war..l01 100/ 10054 200
Paramount 6s 47.. 10254 1025i 10254 20
Par. By. 5/s 51.10154 101 10154 50
Pathe 7s 37 60Ji 60 60 100
do seller 7 6054 60 60 60
"LAST PRICE QUOTED
5^* •♦'♦♦♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦♦••♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦ •♦♦^»
S3 *.*
g New York Long Island City }.t
M 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. *j(
g BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 :.t
^.^ ft
% Eastman Films ||
%, J. E, Brulatour, Inc. %
li ft
I — i
^t Chicago Hollywood »*{
M 1727 Indiana Ave. ^"^ Santa Monica i^
^ Qlvd. J{
it CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ft
l> «
DAILV
Tuesday, March 25, (i
Fineman to Join M-G-M
as Associate Producer
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — B. F. Fineman, for-
merly with Paramount, will join
Al-G-M as associate producer.
Fineman, who is now in New
York, is scheduled to leave for the
Coast tomorrow to take up his new
duties at the M-G-M studios.
Peekskill Resumes Fight
Over Sunday Pictures
Peekskill, N. Y. — With the naming
of a church group to oppose the
major parties at the election on April
8, the fight over Sunday picture
shows here has been resumed.
Traube Made District Manager
Cleveland — Rube Traube has been
appointed district manager of Tone-
O-Graph covering the central states.
Headquarters will be in this city.
Moskowitz Returns to N. Y.
Joe Moskowitz of the Joseph M.
Schenck Enterprises has returned to
New York from a trip to the Coast.
To Show Talker for Brazil
A Portuguese dialogue talker, de-
signed specially for showing in Bra-
zil, will be given a trade showing at
8 o'clock tonight at Lloyds, 729 Sev-
enth Ave.
Fourth Week for German Film
"Dich Hab Ich Geliebt" ("Because
I Loved You"), first German-made
talking and singing picture, is in its
fourth week at the 55th St. Play-
house.
Doric Patrons Avert Panic
Elkhart, Kan. — An audience quiet-
ly left the Doric recently when fire
swept the house and caused a dam-
age estimated at $1,500.
Princess Lincoln Damaged
Lincoln, Kan. — The Princess was
damaged by fire recently.
Poland to Serve 4 States
Kansas City, Mo. — James Poland,
newly appointed distributor for In-
dependent Film Exchange, announces
he will serve Oklahoma, Kansas,
western Missouri and western Ar-
kansas.
Al Jolson's First for U. A.
"Sons O' Guns," the New York
musical comedy hit in which Jack
Donahue and Lily Damita are ap-
pearing, will form the basis of the
first picture to be made by Al Jol-
son under the United Artists banner.
Jolson still has one production to
make for Warner before assuming
his U. A. contract.
Kooler->^ire
Summer Pre-Cooling
Winter Ventilating
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CORP.
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YORK
John Eberson Moving
to Larger Quarters
John Ebersou will move his New
York headquarters about April 15
from 200 West 57th St. to larger
quarters at 370 Lexington Ave., at
41st St., where he has leased the en-
tire 25th floor for 10 years.
F. Greenberg Managing
Electrical Prod. Branch
Dallas — Fred Greenberg has been
made manager of the new South-
western Electric Products Co. branch
at 115 W. 18th St. Company also
has branches at Memphis, Omaha,
New Orleans and Atlanta.
Paramount Buys "Skippy"
Paramount has acquired the screen
rights to "Skippy," Percy Crosby's
newspaper cartoon and will begin
production early in the summer at
the Astoria studios. Crosby will be
on hand to aid in casting the pro-
duction as well as aid in the devel-
opment under the direction of Mon-
ta BelL
Third Week for 'Anna Christie'
"Anna Christie," now in its second
week at the Capitol, will be held over
for a third week. Attendance for the
first week exceeded all previous rec-
ords by 16,000, the house manage-
ment states.
Adams Suffers Stroke
Boston — J. K. Adams, New Eng-
land representative for General Talk-
ing Pictures, is seriously ill and con-
fined to his suite at the Savoy Ho-
tel here. Adams suffered a stroke
at his office last week and has not
improved since.
Pathe Releases Claire
Pathe has released Ina Claire from
her contract which had five weeks
to run. Miss Claire's next picture
was to have been "Holiday."
Zukor Arrives From Coast
.'Kdolph Zukor, arrived yesterda\
in New York from the Coast where
he spent a month vacationing and
attending conferences at the studio.
ELMER PEARSON
Business Counsel and
Producers' Representative
17 EAST 4STH STREETT N. Y. C.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attraetiont for
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3SS0
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: Annual meeting of Projectio:
visory Council at Town
N. y.
Mar. 26 Premiere of "Mammy" at the
ner, N. Y.
Mar. 28 Opening of "The Man
Blankey's" at Central, New
Apr. 1 5-5-5 Conference will take nl
N. Y.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet anc
of the Warner Club. Inc., .
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-Sta
P.T.O. at Memphis.
Apr. 8 Premiere of "Journey's En
the Gaiety, New York.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting i
Wardman Park Hotel, Ws'
ton, D. C.
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern
gers hold annual sales mc
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western
gers will hold annual sales
at San Francisco.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention
today.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congri
Brussels.
Pathe Sales Contest
to Western Divift
Phil Reisman has announced i;
the Pathe Strafe sales contest j
won by the Western division, ;•
aged lay Herbert Alclntyre. «
four highest marks were set b;
Des Moines, Seattle, Milwaukee
Albany branches.
THEATRE EQUIPMENT
FOR SALE
Chairs, Swritchboard, Picture Sere
Picture Machines and all kindred T
atre equipment. Now in Columi
Theatre, 47th St. and 7th Ave., <
can be seen at anytime. All oft:
considered. Equipment must be i
moved by Monday, March 31st. Ap'
M. J. JOYCE at Columbia Thea«
Phone Bryant 0137.
Wanted Theaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolph Sof f ermairi
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 36t.
WE BUILD, Buy, LEASE
OPERATE OR MANAGf
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEV
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIR^NIA
1700 SANSOM STREH
PmLAI>ELPniA,IV%.
CjHow would
YOU
Ijlay this
VAWEVIES
& FOR VARIETY ^^ ^ ^ ^WVV
Vitaphonx" is tfie registered tro<i«-7naTk o\ The VitaJ>h(m« Corjxrrotion iesignating (its ^odttcts
one will want to see
and hear this sensa^
tional short length
feature. . . Another
example of how^
Vitaphone Varieties
maintain that lead
with live, up-to-the'
minute subjects of
diversified and tre-
mendous popular
appeal.
Ann Pennington m "Hello Baby'
A 2-reel Technicolor Musical Comedy
^^The Japanese Bowf
• Technicolor . . . Singing and Dancing
''Done in Oil''
Third of famous "The Potters" series
Giovanni Martinelli
in the prison scene from "Faust"
''Tiie Master Sweeper"
with Chester Conklin
''Tlie Pay Off wUh Henry B. Walthall
Joe Frisco in "The Benefit"
nnsast
and set it now
for Easter Week
55 other big theatres already have!
with a new and greater
ALICE
WHITE
more ravishingly beautiful in Technicolor. And
JACK MULHALL
Directed by Mervyii LcRoy
A FIRST NATIONAL -^M^W
"Vilopkont" it Hi* regidtred Irad* mark of Hit Vitaplisnt C*rp. dMl(MM I
CTURE ,„ T..XOLOR
Kerens your
Complete
Campaign
I
7
8
10
Double your playing time.
Triple your advertising
appropriation and bill it
like a circus.
'▼' •▼■
Tell them it shows ALL
about Hollywood and tells
0 wonderfuil love story
besides.
Tell them they'll see the
talkies in the making, from
the make-up to the projec-
tion room.
■▼• ■▼•
Tell them they'll see ALL
of Hollywood, the Montmor-
tre, Roosevelt Hotel, Holly-
wood Blvd. and homes of
the stars.
"▼■ ■▼■
Tell them they'll meet A!
Jolson and Ruby Keeler,
Noah Beery and Noah
Beery, Jr., Loretto Young,
Walter Pidgeon and scores
of other celebrities at a
brilliant world premiere.
yr -^
Tell them they'll see a new
and greater Alice White
photographed with the
ultimate in Technicolor
perfection.
Tell them about Jack Mul-
hall, Blanche Sweet, John
Miljan and the cast of stars.
"▼■ ■▼■
Tell them about the song
hits, "Hong On To A Rain-
bow" and "I've Got My Eye
On You" with the most
novel presentations any
songs ever had.
"▼- "▼■
Tell them it's one of the
finest screen ROMANCES,
with laughs, drama and
gripping suspense.
Tell them it's the story they
roared at when it ran for
fifteen weeks in Liberty
Magazine. Better than
"Show Girl", and what a
sensation THAT was.
] Clip this page
and file it. it
will come in
handy when
you play
''Show Girl in
TIFFANY presents
AT THE
tSH)-
TOP
WITW
JEAN WERJHOLT
RALPH FORBEJ*
ELEANOR BOARDMAN
DIRECTED 6y
AL ROGELL.
j^VNCHRONizEo ray
R.C.A. PHOTOPHONE
7
£e'
p/
TIFFANY PRODUCTION/ IN
729 TEVEMTM AVE.
NEN)^ VOPK, CITYl
Wild omm^
N8W TORE EVENING JOUBNAt
tWr;; att^*\.»#. BestTiftanyRk
**^r!^iS¥^
^S^^AT WARof
hibitors DAILY REVIEW
t
I
"MAMBA" A HIT
TUUbt*8 all Teclinicolor
4ruiift *Varaba,** had Its
premiere last nlg^bt before
an exeeptlonally apprecU'
tlve aadleaee at th^ Uolety
Theatre. SnperWy photO'
graphed Ln every sfrqaeace,
some of the scenes are mar<
reionslr beaotlfal Id their
aatnral presentation. Jean
Hersholt glfes an ontstaad-
ing^ performance In the title
rolef and is ably sapporie4
by Eleanor Boardman and
Balph Forbes. The dlrw
tlfB hj Al R4)K«11 is all that
eooid be de«lr«d. ''Mamba'*
noTcs sniftly. Is foU of
saspense, and above all Is
packed with essential no*
tioB, that qnallty so oftea
lacking In soand color pte*
tares. Tiffany la to be coB<
gratalated od "BUmba,**
which Is box ilBce from
•Terr aaitle.
To Date Has Its
N.Y. Premiere
B; ROSE PEL8WI0K.
li.lIAMBA,' > TlH»nJ UlMlwl
"1 picture, photogTBphed en-
tirely In Technicolor, opened »t
the 0«lety The»tre. iMt evening,
uid turned out to be not only ej-
Jectlve Illm drama but also and
easily the best picture that Til-
fany has produced uu tu the tto«i|
Mii| AMBA- has the benefit or »
^"competent cast, a veil but
and Interesting story, int."^
prbductloik
TO
AT GAIETY
Lift I -Mnh,' . _.- ^r IRENE THIRER
■tudioa, * ""*« •Parlclu,, i^' .y"" during Z,/' * "lorful.
^naps
-*' Rogell ,„j I
EsrsN^***
"^iTj^MBA" Al>nosP'''''tned out
' "luril hu?.."* W" water.
eras, p^^ '^^ .i^'-Wolor cm-
"«ic decorations OB <k. . * '*"-
terert. It xTu^. '/"«, •/ ta-
"■tK sUBclrat „„•"'' t<"^t<A,
*"'•'' -< «-.'viS7o°;u'»^ -
'^SjEW;YORKJlMES
THE SCREEN
B, l«)BDACI»TBMJ-_
sentS the ^^;Sirro»"„?o;ial ^
dxaWJ-- ind wn-
TO^i^^
'iie^ *■',o^.■.s:^^'^
Qu**^**
- » aalural «>■« """^1
BfEaat Africa, which «»
J«f'»'"'"i„^'','^..tho»gbl<
color .Moe.- , „.™vureocM l" I
!»»- ^ "". Sl^jIf'S :S?. It >t\
tlfouod in tbi. typ? /J* cboraetMl-i
S/o-^z-ith^^^Vl n»»»'
giiJ5i.«ai?Ra>»bI-"«-- I
L
riFFANY PRODUCTION/ INC
729 TEVENTM AVE.
N E>^ YOPK, CITY.
DAILY
Tuesday, March 25, 19:
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Sees Plight of Indies Due to
FaHtire to Adopt New Methods
TN many instances the theater
owner who has chain opposi-
tion has only himself to blame,
because he did not keep pace
with the times and make his
house of entertainment a mod-
ern, up-to-date place; because he
did not make it more inviting to
the public; because his theater
was in control of the local situ-
ation and he felt that any ex-
pense to improve it was unnec-
essary. Agitation — complaints
to the public — will not solve the
problems of the independent the-
ater owners, who have chain op-
position. When an exhibitor
tells his public, through the
press or otherwise, that chain
opposition has taken away from
him the best pictures, he admits
openly that his shows aren't
worth patronizing. Showmanship
— merchandising — that's the an-
swer to any kind of competition.
Ben Shlyen in "Movie Age"
Hays Calls Upon Business
To Help Film Development
TTHE motion picture industry
claims, by right of inherent
service to business and the com-
munity and in the light of a rec-
ord of consciously striving to
perform its higher phases of
duty, the full support of all busi-
ness men in securing freedom
for the medium's continuing de-
velopment. Every attempt to
shackle motion pictures is an at-
tempt to retard the mental de-
velopment of the race and throt-
tle the growth of American busi-
ness.
Will H. Hays
$4,000,000,000 are invested in
the world wide moving picture
business. Half of this is in-
vested in America and $350,-
000,000 in Great Britairu
S
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
A CAGED wild cat may be seen these days atop the ticket
booth outside the Globe. What's the idea? Well, it's just
Pathe's way of exploiting "A Feline Fighter," Grantland Rice
Sportlight, playing at that house in conjunction with Dix's
"Lovin' the Ladies." Don Hancock arranged the stunt with
the cooperation of Joe Rivkin of Pathe Charles Yarmy,
in charge of Warner realty transactions, is back from Oklahoma
City after completing negotiations for a new exchange building
in that city Fred Dowley, who owns the Fourth Avenue
Amusement Co. of Louisville, Ky., is pasrnig New York a visit.
jyjR. AND MRS. AL JOLSON arrived in town yesterday for
the opening of "Mammy" at the Warner tomorrow night.
Marilyn Miller says good-bye to New York Sunday.
She's going to the Coast to start her second picture for First
National. Upon her return to Broadway in the fall she will
be starred in a new Ziegfeld show Nils Asther is taking
time off from his work at M-G-M to embark on a 14-week
vaudeville tour. This is his first appearance on the stage in this
countrv
IT'LL be off for Hollywood soon for Otto Harbach and Jerome
Kern, who are luider contract to write tunes for Warner films.
They're now at Palm Beach taking it easy So that she
may screen to better advantage Vivienne Segal has placed her
nose in the hands of a plastic surgeon; on the Coast Lou
Guimond has joined the advertising and publicity staff of Co-
lumbia as editor of the company's new exhibitor house organ.
He has seen extensive service in the exhibition and distribution
branches of the industry. Everybody knows Lou
"PXCUSE US. We spoke about Marilyn Miller a while ago but
forgot to mention that when she leaves for the coast Sunday
there will be an engagement band on her finger. Her husband
to-be is Michael Farmer Lillian Roth is certainly keeping
her name on Broadway. Her work in "The Love Parade" and
"The Vagabond King" will be followed several weeks hence by
her appearance in "Honey" at the Paramount
MARCH 25-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the foUow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
El Brendel
Jackie Condon
Edward F. Hurley
Ray Enright
Kithnou
EXPLOITETTESi
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€
Most Popular Girl Named
Sally Used at Milwaukee
A LHAMBRA, Milwaukee, tied-
up with the Wisconsin News
to find the most popular girls
named Sally when that picture
recently played at Milwaukee.:
Contest was only part of thel
campaign which put the picture
over.
. — First National
Newspaper and Theater
Cooperate on Sportlights
"THE Capitol theater in Bing-
hamton has worked out a
sure-fire cooperative plan on thet
Pathe-Grantland Rice Sportlighv
reels with the press in that New
York state city. Through the
tie-up the Sportlight subjects are
presented by the sports depart--
nient of the paper and the thea-
ter, with the paper running a
special column review story in
Al Lamb's "Spinning the Sportsi
Top" column.
—Pathe
"Show of Shows" Exploited in
Los Angeles With Bike Race
"DECAUSE bicycle riding is
featured in one of the prin-i
cipal acts of the Vitaphone re-
vue, "Show of Shows," Warner
Bros. Downtown theater in Los
Angeles recently staged a bik,
race from Hollywood to th^
downtown district as a part c
its exploitation campaign. Thirty
five entrants competed for th
five prizes offered, four of the
participants riding on machine
of an ancient vintage such as are.
used in "Show of Shows." Jofi
E. Brown started the race from'
Warner Bros, theater in Holly-
wood to the Los Angeles house
— Warner Bros
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DA
IN
•/"FILHDOH
'iW5
AUTK
kiim
National Picture Theater membc
to hold convention in N. Y.
* * *
Hy-Art signs Ruby de Remer a:
Lillian Walker.
* * *
Jersey exhibitors meet on Sund
opening question.
THE WHOLE INDUSTRY
IS TALKING ABOUT
UNIVERSAL!
No. 684 Straight from the Shoulder Talk by Corl Laemm/e,
President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
THE NEWS HAS GOT AROUND THAT UNIVERSAL'S PAUL WHITEMAN PICTURE, "THE KING OF
azz" Is sensational!
j THE SMARTEST OF THE BUYERS FOR THE BIG CHAINS ARE TIPPING OFF THEIR FRIENDS THAT
Jniversal's "All Quiet On the Western Front" will astound the world!
I THE BEST THEATRES IN THE WORLD ARE RE-ARRANGING THEIR BOOKING TIME TO MAKE PLENTY
)f room for "Captain of the Guard" and its gorgeous music . . . The flaming romance inspired by "La
Aarseillaise!"
I THE UNPARALLELED HIT MADE BY UNIVERSAL'S GRAHAM McNAMEE TALKING NEWSREEL IS
liscussed excitedly wherever exhibitors meet!
THE SIGNING OF LUPE VELEZ TO PLAY IN "THE STORM" AND TO REMAIN A UNIVERSAL
tar thereafter is applauded everywhere!
I THE SIGNING OF THE FAMOUS TOD BROWNING TO DIRECT FOR UNIVERSAL IS BIG TIME
lews for the trade and for the fans!
I THE NEVER-ENDING STREAM OF TELEGRAMS, TELLING OF PACKED HOUSES WHEREVER "THE
!ohens and Kellys in Scotland" is showing, gives us more advertising than we can find space for!
THE FACT THAT THE SYNCHRONIZED VERSION OF "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA" IS MAKING
mint of money for exhibitors is another bit of trade excitement!
THE GROWING STACK OF CONTRACTS FOR "OSWALD, THE LUCKY RABBIT" PROVES THAT
is the most popular cartoon series in the business!
THE UNRESTRAINED RAVING OF THE CRITICS OVER "HELL'S HEROES" IS EQUALLED ONLY BY
ie favorable reaction of the movie fans!
THE REPEATED HITS MADE EVERYWHERE BY "NIGHT RIDE" ARE ADDING MORE LAURELS TO
'niversal's name and fame!
THE EXHIBITORS WHO KNOW OF UNIVERSAL'S FUTURE PLANS FOR THE INCOMPARABLE JOHN
oles are begging for a Boles franchise!
THE STORY IN LIBERTY MAGAZINE TO THE EFFECT THAT "MARY NOLAN IS TODAY THE
reatest single bet in pictures" has got Universal's friends all hopped up!
THE FORTHCOMING UNIVERSAL PICTURE "CZAR OF BROADWAY" IS STILL ANOTHER PEARL IN
ur string!
THE SIGNING OF GEORGE SIDNEY AND CHARLIE MURRAY FOR A SERIES OF TWO -REEL
pmedies is a ten-strike in shorts!
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW SERIES OF "LEATHER PUSHERS" IN SOUND HAS BROUGHT
yell of delight!
THE INAUGURATION OF AN ENTIRELY NEW ERA IN SOUND AND COLOR BY UNIVERSAL IS
sensation sQon to come!
THE WHOLE INDUSTRY IS TALKING ABOUT UNIVERSAL AND IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT THE FEVER
ouVe miles behind the times!
THE
-S&^
^im^
Tuesday, March 25, 1930
SHEEHAN GOES TO COURT
IN OPPOSING rOX PLAN
{.Contimied from Page 1)
by Sheehan that he has obtained an
order from Supreme Court Justice
Philip J. McCook ordering Fox and
others to appear on Friday before
Justice Ford, and show cause why
the Bancamerica group's refinancing
plan should not be restrained. Shee-
han, in a lengthy affidavit, also asks
the court to compel Fox to carry out
the conditions of the trust agree-
ment with H. L. Stuart and J. E.
Otterson. Up to last night, papers
in the case had not been served on
Fox. Harry Reichenbach is represent-
ing Sheehan in connection with pub-
licity in the matter.
Directors of M.P.T.O.A.
to Hold Confab March 31
(^Coiitinued from Page 1)
meeting following the Memphis con-
clave will also present reports. E.
M. Fay Enterprises is chairman of
the board.
Harriscolor is Ready
with Wide Film Service
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Harriscolor Films
now is prepared to give color ser-
vice on either the 70, 65 or 56 mil-
limeter film, it is announced by Joseph
B. Harris, Jr., president of the com-
pany. Harris also states that his
firm has perfected its red color sound
track, which, he claims, gives results
even better than the black and white
sound track.
Barron Redecorates Theater
Pratt, Kan. — Charles Barron's the-
ater here has been redecorated.
Staple Equipping Booth
Rockport, Me. — New projection
equipment is being installed at J. C.
Staple's house here.
Theater Permit Issued
Cincinnati, O. — A permit has been
issued to Paramount to build a $250,-
000 house here.
Dalgeville House Wired
Dalgeville, N. Y. — RCA equipment
has been installed at the Strand.
Vohs Leases Melvern Theater
Melvern, Kan. — Eugene Vohs has
leased the Happy Hour.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
start Taimadge Series
at universal Studios
Richard Talmadge Productions nas
started "Yankee Don" at Lniversal
studios. Location scenes arc bt'.ng
made at Nogales, Mexico. This is the
first of the series.
Feyder Tendered Dinner
Jacques Feyder, French director,
will be guest of honor tonight at a
dinner tendered him by the Holly-
wood Asso. of Foreign Correspon-
dents.
Ann Harding Assigned Lead
Ann Harding has been engaged by
First National to play the leading
role in the talker version of "The
Girl of the Golden West,'; the Bel-
asco play. She will be directed by
John Francis Dillon.
Chapman for "Practical Joker"
Edyth Chapman has been assigned
a role in "A Very Practical Joker"
for Fox.
Finish "Czar of B'way"
William Craft has finished work
on the "Czar of Broadwa\" for Uni-
versal. John Wray, Bettv Compson,
John Harron, Claud Allister, King
Baggot, Wilbur Mack and George
Bryon are in the cast.
LebedofF in Radio Film
Ivan Lebedoff has been added to
"Hawk Island," to be directed by
Geo. B. Seitz for Radio Pictures.
"Swing High" Completed
"Swing High," from an original
story by Joseph Stanley and James
Seymour, has been completed at the
Pathe studio.
Added to "Lincoln" Cast
Otto HofTman and Edward Deer-
ing have been added to the cast of
D. W. Griffith's "Abraham Lincoln"
now in work at the United .\rtists
studio.
Louis King to Direct
Louis King will direct the first
Buck Jones production for Columbia.
To Make "Eyes of World"
Inspiration will make "Eyes of the
World," Harold Bell Wright's novel
with Henry King as director.
"HOLD EVERYTHING"
{Directed by Roy Del Ruth)
Warner Brorhers and
First N&tion&l Vitaphonc Productions
Glenn E. Rominger
(Sound Ttchnlcian)
A Little
from ''Lots*'
^^^ By RALPH WILK ^^m,
Hollywood
pjARRY WEBER, artists' repre-
sentative, has a record of his
own, in that he has spent one day in
10 during the past 10 years aboard
trains. During the 10 years, Weber
has spent 13 months commuting East
and West, North and South, in the
interests of his various clients in the
theater. The distance covered is
practically four times around the
world.
* * *
Wilson B. Heller is all smiles
these days. T'other day he won a
pewter cup for winning his flight
at the California Golf Clitb.
* * *
Before becoming a writer,
Forrest Halsey was a portrait
painter of note. He drew por-
traits of Adeline Patti, the late
Alfred Vanderbilt,, Olga Neth-
ersole, Fritz Kreisler, Lily
Langtry, Eleanor Robson,
Henry Miller and other noted
figures of the theater and so-
ciety. One of his early plays,
"Eunice," was produced in
London, with Fanny Ward as
the star.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Frank Joyce,
Guthrie McClintic, Audrey Scotto,
Louis Loeffler, Helen Twelvetrees,
Oscar Levant Samuel Spewack at
"East of Suez": Ben Silvey busy as-
sisting Frank Lloyd on "The Right
of Way."
* * *
Bert Wheeler, who recently com-
pleted a co-starring role in "The
Cuckoos," for RKO, is a foi~mer
comedy star of the Ziegfeld "Fol-
lies." Several years ago Wheeler
■went abroad and toured the music
halls of England, Scotland and Ire-
land. Flo Ziegfeld heard of his
success abroad and brought him
back for a "Follies" revue.
"Road to Paradise" New Title
Title for the First National pic-
ture featuring Loretta Young and
Jack Mulhall has been changed from
"At Bay" to "The Road to Para-
dise." William Beaudine directed,
and release is scheduled for this
spring.
Two More for "Common Clay"
Beryl Mercer and Purnell B. Pratt
have been signed by Fox for parts
in "Common Clay."
Grace Moore on Coast
Grace Moore has arrived here from
New York to begin work on her
first M-G-M picture. Initial starring
vehicle will be a story suggested by
the life of Jenny Lind and to be di-
rected by Sidney Franklin.
FUNNANDLALLYCLEAe
OF PATHE m. CHARGES
(Continued from Page 1)
their lives last December. A separ-
ate inquiry into the fire will be con-
ducted by Chief Magistrate William
McAdoo, in an effort to fix the
blame for the disaster.
Special Session is Called
on Mississippi Tax Bill
(.Continued from Page 1)
the outcome of the state's urgent
need for revenue, and it is expected
that strenuous efforts will be made
to put it through.
7 Universal Pictures
Booked by Roxy, N. Y.
(Continued from Page 1)
"Captain of the Guard," which opens
Friday; "King of Jazz," starring Paul
Whiteman; "All Quiet on the West-
ern Front," "The Storm," "What
Men Want," "White Hell" and
"Czar of Broadway."
Seattle Exhib. Appeals
Order Banning Picture
Seattle — Joseph Danz, owner of
the Embassy, and F. A. Musgrave, J
who is handling "No More Children"
here have appealed from the decision
of Superior Court Judge Robert M.
Jones ordering the house closed
after only showing the picture two
days. The Seattle Board of Censors,
which barred the film here, registred .,
the complaint that followed with the :j
discontinuance of performances.
Lease Baldwin City House
Baldwin City, Kan. — A. L. Myers
has leased the Gem from J. L. Hitch-
cock.
Quinn at Fresno
Fresno, Cal. — James Quinn, for-
merly of Denver, has succeeded
George Weiss as manager of the
Warner Bros. Weiss has been trans-
ferred to Los Angeles.
Fiferlik Camera Editor
Lawrence Fiferlik has replaced Al '^
Ansbacher as editor of the monthly
bouse organ issued by Cameramen's
Local Union No. 644.
McCIure Gets Fox Appointment
'Topeka, Wash. — Harry McCIure
has been appointed manager for Fox
theaters here. He is president of the
Emporia Chamber of Commerce.
Kerr RCA Representative
Cincinnati — W. L. Kerr is now
southern Ohio and Kentucky sales
representatives for RCA Photophone.
Headquarters will be at the local of-
fice.
"Sally" Held Over
Washington — "Sally" has been
held over for a second week at the
Earle. This is the first time a pic-
ture has played two weeks at this
house.
Tuesday, March 25, IQ^O
^JXI^
OAltV
COLENAN NOT RESTRAINED
I IN rOXlEEIVER ACTIONS
{Continued from Page 1)
making disposition of the case over
the Fox-Stuart-Otterson trusteeship
\-ii Dec. 3 and the Fox "B" stock, but
i:hat the order would not block Judge
iColeman from acting on the three
jreceivership applications, which also
^re due to come up today.
Three Appellate judges. Martin T.
Manton, Learned Hand and Thomas
5wan, after listening to argument by
Richard E. Dwight and Joseph N.
Proskauer, representing the Stuart-
ptterson group; Samuel Untermyer
jand Robert P. Levis, attorneys for
!Fox, and U. S. Attorney C. H. Tut-
itle and Samuel C. Coleman, repre-
senting Judge Coleman, allowed time
for the filing of reply briefs, which
the attorneys said they could de-
liver by last night.
: In the Appellate Court hearing,
Dwight argued that Judge Coleman
had exceeded his authority by his in-
tervention in the question of whether
:Fox or Stuart and Otterson are en-
titled to vote the Fox "B" stock.
Untermyer replied that it was en-
tirely in order for the Fox interests
to enter suits in the federal and the
istate courts at the same time. Un-
termyer also contended that it was
improper for the Stuart-Otterson
group to seek an order in the Court
iof Appeals before the lower court
had been given a chance to hear the
tacts. He said the right procedure
would have been for the lower court
[to pass on the case, after which it
could be brought before the Court
of Appeals. The court replied that
this would seem to be the right
icourse, but that in the present case
;there were special conditions that
were different.
Planning Wheeling Opening
I Wheeling, W. Va. — Plans are be-
jing made for the opening of the new
theater just completed here. Name
for the house will be selected on the
opening night.
Pilkinton with U. A. in Dallas
Dallas — Spud Pilkinton has joined
the United Artists sales force here.
Wyse Joins Charlotte U. A.
Charlotte, N. C. — Nat Wyse, for-
merly with Universal in Memphis,
has been added to the local U. A.
sales staff.
i Koch Transferred to New Orleans
! New Orleans — Stanley Koch has
been transferred to the United Art-
ists exchange here from Oklahoma
City office where he handled sales
out of Kansas City.
Lamm at Milwaukee
Milwaukee — Louis Lamm has been
niade manager of the Mirth, succeed-
ing Edward Lauir who has been ap-
pointed manager of the Garfield.
Lamm was formerly director of sales
at the Chicago Educational exchange.
Beniii at Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wis.— Ed Benjii, former-
ly of Sheboygan, is now managing
the Strand and Oshkosh here.
"U" Buys U. S. Rights to
"White Hell of Piz-Palu"
Universal has purchased American
distribution rights to "The White
Hell of Piz-Palu," a German picture
concerning the Apline climbers of
Switzerland. Ernst Udet, war ace,
is in the film.
Master Art Productions
to Make All Color Films
West Coast Bureau. THE FILM PAIL)
Hollywood — Master Art Produc-
tions, headed by Ray Boswell, has
been launched with offices at the
Harriscolor Laborator)', with whom
the firm has contracted for 3,000,000
feet of Harriscolor within a year, and
plans to make a series of pictures
entirely in color, sound and dialogue,
using RCA recording. A group of
physical culture productions will be
placed in work shortly as the first
activity. Other plans include "Make
Believe," a fairy tale with the entire
cast composed of children under 12
years old, directed by Andrew Stone.
Boswell also is contracting for an-
other series of all-color pictures with
Gus Arnheim and his Orchestra.
THEATERPHONE SYSTEM
FOR ALL WARNER HOUSES
Following a tryout of the The-
aterphone, a device for the hard of
hearing, at the Warner in New York,
it is announced by Warner Bros, that
the system will be installed in all of
the company's houses. There will
be 300 seats equipped with the The-
aterphone in the Hollywood, new
Broadway house, due to open next
month.
Graham Made Sono Art
Manager at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh — Jack Graham has suc-
ceeded Joe Lefko as manager of the
local Sono Art exchange.
Franke Made Manager
Milwaukee — Emil Franke, former-
ly of the Dwoner, has been made
manager of the R-K-O Seventh St.
Williams Leaves San Antonio
San Antonio, Tex. — A. G. (Jack)
Williams will leave for Pittsburgh
shortly, having resigned as publicity
director and exploitation agent of
the Texas, local Publix house.
Installs Large Screen
Riverhead, N. Y. — Long Island
Theaters has installed a wide screen
in the Palchogue.
Cabol, Cabol, Mo., Closed
Cabol, Mo. — The Cabol is now
closed for alterations and installa-
tion of sound equipment.
Meyers in Fall River. Kan.
Fall River, Kan.— M. C. Meyers
has opened his new theater here.
Buys Whitewater House
Whitewater, Wis. — Jack Yoe has
taken over the Strand from Com-
munity Theaters.
Bell Made Warner Chain
Executive in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh — Earl Bell, until re-
cently short subject booker for War-
ner Bros, theaters, has been pro-
moted to assistant general zone man-
ager of the circuit's theaters here.
Talking Picture Epics
Completes 3 Features
Synchronization of music and
speech and insert sequences of three
new features have just been com-
pleted by Talking Picture Epics at
the Caravel studios, Long Island
City. The first to be released will
be "The Break-up," talker of Alas-
kan adventure and wild life, with ac-
companying dialog by Jack Robert-
son, who made the picture. This
will be followed by "Wild A'len oi
Kalihari," with Dr. Ernest Cadle,
leader of the Denver African Expedi-
tion and the Cadle-Cameron expedi-
tion to the Kalihari. The third pro-
duction is "Lost Gods," dealing with
excavations in ancient cities. Nat
Shilkret provided musical direction
for the three pictures.
PARAMOUNT TO OFEER 65
FEATURES FOR 1930-31
(Continued -from Page 1)
mount has not yet decided how much
of its new program will be made on
Magnafilm.
All shorts will be produced at the
Long Island studio and 16 features.
Warner-Stanley Bonus
Drive Now Under Way
Philadelphia — Seventy-five thou-
sand dollars in bonuses will be
awarded Warner - Stanley district
managers, house managers and zone
managers in a business drive which
ends August 1.
Marshall House Destroyed
Marshall, Tex. — Fire recently de-
stroyed the Grand, largest house in
town.
N*ame Hutchinson "House
Hutchinson, Kan. — The house be-
ing built on the site of the De Luxe
will be called the Strand.
Remodel at Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz — The Lobby of the
Santa Cruz will be remodeled.
Rialto, Whitestone, Sold
The Rialto, Whitestone, has again
changed hands and is now under the
management of Lillee Amusement
Corp., of which Abraham Drogin is
president.
Our Civic Changes Hands
Jack Clifford and J. Harris have
taken over the Our Civic in Brook-
lyn. The name will be changed to
New Civic.
Sangillos Take New Kirk, Bklyn.
M. and P. Sangillo are the new
operators of the New Kirk, Brook-
Ivn.
N. J. ilT INDEFINITELY
TABLES PROTECTION SUIT
(Continued from Page 1)
city was elected as alternate. A
change in the schedule for rates of
theater insurance is now in effect,
it was made known.
Annual convention of the Jersey
exhibitor organization is planned to
be held at Atlantic City in June. The
next regular session will take place
April 8.
Publix Remodeling 4
Tampa, Florida, Houses
Tampa, Fla. — Publix will spend
about $100,000 on remodeling the
Tampa, Victory, Strand, Franklin
and Seminole theaters.
Irving Berlin Casting Film
Irving Berlin has arrived in New
York from Hollywood and is cast-
ing "The Love Cottage." He will
leave for the Coast next week. Pro-
duction will begin at the U. A. stu-
dios on May 1.
Guild Breakfast Mar. 30
Tlie sixth annual breakfast of the
Catholic M. P. Guild will be held at
the Beverly Hills Hotel, March 30.
King City Lucille Reopens
King City, Mo. — The Lucille has
reopened after alterations.
DOROTHY BURGESS
The Lady
and the Tiger
(THEY'RE IN IT!)
WITHOUT PRE-PUSH ''HELL
HARBOR'' LIFTS LIBERTY
BUSINESS TO NEW HIGH
PATRONS ARE REQUESTED TO FAVOR THE COMPANY BY CRITICISM AND SUGGESTION CONCERNING ITS SERVICE
Class of service
This is a full-rate
Telegram or Cable-
gram unless its dcr
fcrred character is ir\-
dicated by a suitable
sign above or preced-
ing the address.
WESTERN
UNION
. C. WILLEVER. nnST ViCC-PltesibCMT
SIGNS
NM = Night Message
ML = Night Letter
UX> -> Deferred Cable
^aT = Cable Letter
WLT = Week-End Letter
The filing time aa ehowu in the d»tfi line on full-rate telegiBms and day lett«tB, and the time of receipt at destination Be ehown on all mttaacea, ia STANDABD TIME.
Received at Chamber of Commerce BIdg., Cor. 7th. Ave. & Smithfield St., Pittsburgh, Pa.
1930 U^tR 15 FM 11 42
ffHA354 37 1 EXTRA NLWHT3894 WHEELING WVIR 15
BERT STERN, MGR UNITED ARTISTS OORP
1014 FORBES ST PITTSBURSI PENN
OPENED UP TODAY WITH HELLS HARBOR WITHOUT ANY ADVANCED
ADVERTISING TO THE PUBLIC STOP BROKE ATTENDANCE RECORDS
PROHOUNOED BY THE AUDIENCE THE HIT OF THE YEAR RECORD IHG
PERFECT STOP HELLS HARBOR IS A BOX OFFICE ATTRACTION
LIBERTY THEATRE LOUIS VEUS MANAGER
THE QUICKEST, SUREST AND SAFEST WAY TO SEND MONEY IS BY TELEGRAPH OB CABLE
HE-MAN ROMANCE RIDES FOOTLOOSE
AND FREE IN THIS STIRRING KING-
VELEZ SENSATION
From Detroit to Miami— New York to the West
Coast, "Hell Harbor" (the people's choice for
entertainment) is dropping the coin of the
realm into showmen's pockets in huge wads.
You should thank Mr. Velas for this tip.
HENRY
KING
made it ^
UNIT
LUPE
VELEZ
glorifies it
JEAN
HERSHOLT
^^ gives it
E D
the wallop
ARTISTS
JOHN
HOLLAND
adds more
wallop
Gorgeous, dazzling
electric Lupe— Anita
in "Hell Horbor". A
pirate's daughter
for whose love men
forgot laws of life—
and took it at will.
Presented by
inspiration Pictures.lnc.
P I C
kAI i
Hr>
i St. John 1
Bfc;^-^
1 contributes
^n
the humor j
V
T U R
E
ifi^NEWSPAPER
9<FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALLTI4E TIME
(L. LI No. 73
Thursday, March 27, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Producers Will Adopt Code of Ethics for Talkers
\
ATHE TO FOX UNDER BLAIR PLAN
it
Mker Shorts Cut into Vaudeville 50 Per Cent
The Spring
— is inventory time
=By JACK ALICOATE -
^^»W THAT THIS stimulat-
[nj, conquering and sometimes
rmatic industry has just pass-
[cthrough the most hectic and
rsperous year of its magical
met we wonder how many of
:.'ibusy executives are taking
jite out these Spring days to
ji': for a minute beside the
itjam and pause in retrospect
r^all that has gone under the
rlge, both good and bad, dur-
i|the past twelfth-month. Now
lit the talkers are established
/jit about the future of wide-
,11, of television, of color, of
i; foreign situation, of perfect
pnd reproduction? This in-
,ttry is now geared to the
inest speed in its fantastic
liiory. It is floating upon an
(X;-emely high wave of univer-
11 popularity with all of its
rnches synchronized accord-
i;y. From our point of obser-
aon we can see nothing to
jto its irresistible progress but,
(5 he faster we travel the less
esee, it might not be entirely
Lij of order to suggest an oc-
ijonal slowing up at each
S^p, Look and Listen" sign,
'1; Spring is the time for clean-
1} house.
t Advertising Elementals
•Mvertisinn: fundamentals, learned
indergarten, are as follows: 1.
M;rtising must be seen. 2. Ad-
Irjsing must be read. 3. Advertis-
niust be believed. We have
gh industry publications to take
of Number One. About half of
■ publications are read, which
{Continued on Page 2)
Quality Shorts Preferred
to Inferior Acts,
Survey Shows
Short subjects, as a result of the
greatly widened scope and increased
entertainment value given them by
sound, have cut into vaudeville more
than 50 per cent in the last two
years, it is revealed by a survey just
completed under the direction of la-
bor authorities. Apparent purpose
{Continued on Page 10)
BECOMEUflW IN N. J.
Trenton — Despite the protests of
the M.P.T.O. of New Jersey and oi
advertising interests, Governor Lar-
son has signed the Jones Bill requir-
{Continucd on Page 10)
PlflN DRflSHVISION
IN BRITISH FILM ACT
By ERNEST W. FREDMAN
Editor, "The Daily Film Renter"
London (By Cable) — Drastic revis-
ions in the Film Act will be sub-
mitted at a meeting to be Jield April
1 between the Federation of British
(Continued ott Page 10)
Chicago Emerging
Chicago — With the city
emerging from the record-
breaking snowstorm which
early this week almost com-
pletely paralyzed theatrical
traffic and caused several
neighborhood houses to close
for lack of patronage, theaters
in this district expect to be
doing normal business again
in a day or so.
COOPER RE-ELECTED HEAD
OFCANADIANM.P.ASS'N
Toronto — Col. John A. Cooper has
Iseen re-elected president of the M.
P. Distributors and Exhibitors Ass'n
of Canada at the annual meeting held
here. Board of directors for the
{Conti:iued on Pacie 10)
NATIONALlCRl NET
INCREA8EH0 PERCENT
An increase of 60 per cent in net
earnings for 1929 against 1928 is
reported by National Screen Service
Corp. Net income for the year
{Continued on Page 10)
Adoption of Code of Ethics Set
as Highlight of Hays Meeting
Adoption of a code of ethics in
connection with the production of
talkers will be one of the highlights
of the annual meeting of the Hays
organization scheduled for Mar. 31
at New York. It will be similar
to the code adopted recently by the
Ass'n of M. P. Producers at the
Coast. One object of the plan, it is
understood, is to reduce pressure out-
side the industry for a Federal cen-
sorship law. It is understood to in-
clude a Hays office pre-release cen-
sorship provision.
Features of the proposed code in-
clude an agreement not to produce a
picture which will lower the liioral
standards of life and also th^Kstories
shall not ridicule the law. One
clause will be aimed at pictures
which give sympathy to criminals
and treat in detail the methods em-
ployed in committing their illegal
acts. Other bans and modifications
contemplated embrace such subjects
as the illegal drug traffic, white slav-
ery, obscenity in word, gesture, refer-
ence or song, complete nudity, or
undue exposure, ridicule of religion,
brutual and gruesome scenes.
$9,000,000 Deal Hinges on
Bancamerica-Blair
Refinancing
Acquisition of Pathe by Fox for
a sum in the neighborhood of $9,-
000,000 is contingent upon the suc-
cessful launching of the Bancamerica-
Blair group refinancing arrangement
for the Fox companies, THE FILM
DAILY learns. While no mention
of this deal has been made in the
announced plans, the independent
stockholders' committee represented
l)y Arthur Berenson, Boston attor-
ney, ill a letter being addressed to
William Fox, is asking for specific
information about this and other mat-
ters bearing on the Fox affairs.
Elisha Walker, of Blair & Co. is
understood to have about $7,000,000
in Pathe, and the Berenson group
claims to have information that Blair
is to buy Pathe in behalf of Fox for
iround $9,000,000 as part of the
Bancamerica arrangement.
In the event the Bancamerica re-
financing is not blocked by court
{Continued on Page 10)
Meador Joins Technicolor
in An Executive Capacity
West Coast Bureau, TPIE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Jack Meador has
joined Technicolor in an important
executive capacity. He was formerly
associated with M-G-M and other
major companies.
''Mammy"
This Vitaphone picture is Al
Jolson all the way through —
talker fare which his follow-
ers will especially find enter-
taining. Hit-the-buUseye ho-
kum is served generously. The
star delivers his usual quota of
son^s in his popular manner,
and is consistently the focal
point of interest rather than
the slight story. Getting away
from the sob stuff Jolson does
a blackface trouper who has
his ups and downs but sings
throughout this minstrel show
story. "Mammy" has all the
elements of popular aopeal
stuff. Eddy.
THE
DAILV
Thursday, March 2/, n
Yol.LINo.73 Thursday, March 2 7, 1930 PricedCents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Pdblisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolfisohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sale
*Am. Seat 201^
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 23% 23fi 23H 1.200
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 24M 2334 24 2,000
Con Film rts Vi 'A Vi 8,400
East. Kodak 242 238'4 238^ 5,300
Fox Fm. "A" ... 30 28^ 30 186,000
Fox Film "A" rts VA 3^ 3M 23.900
Fox Fim deb. rts. V% Vi Vi 22,40
Gen. Thea. Equ.... 44J^ 44 44S4,9.600
•Keith AG 36>4
♦do pfd 11554
Loew's Inc 75 74 74 2.800
do pfd. WW (6}4).103J4 103 103^ 100
do pfd. xw (6K) 92J4 92J^ 92J/2 100
*M-G-M pfd 25M
Para. FL 76 74"^ 74J4 24,200
Pathe Exch SJi 5 5 2,500
do "A" im 10^ \W^ 90
R-K-O 3SK 34J4 3434 19,70
*Univ. Pict. pfd 55J4
Warner Bros 77% 7634 76% 51. 7i)
do pfd 67K 67/2 67^4 401
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*BaI. & Katz 65
Columbia Pets. ... 39 J4 37 39>i 1,500
Fox TUea. "A" .. 6% 6}4 6->i 1,500
•Intern. Proj 25
*r^oew do deb. rts 40 ...
*Loew, Inc., war 12 ...
Nat. Scr. Ser... 2834 27-5^ 28J^ 5.20(
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
♦Univ. Pict 17
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith AG Cs 46 9U ....
Luew 6s 41ww ..119'/J 119 119/,
do 6s 41 x-war.l00j4 100J4 100/ 11:
do seller 7 119 119 119 1
Paramount 6s 47.. 102-% lOl-^i 101-54 2
*Par. Bv. SJ^s 51 101%
I'athe 7s 37 55 55 55 2
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
^* •* •.•♦.♦•.♦♦.♦•.♦♦.•♦.•♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.•♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦>*>*>**'**.*^
» New York Long Island City ^t
*.♦ 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. J.t
g BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 ;.♦
I Eastman Tilms |
%^ J, E. Brulatour, Inc. '%
% %
\% ix
J.t :'{
}{ Chicago Hollywood j'j
K 1727 Indiana Ave. ^700 Santa Monica i'
>» Blvd. ;;
Xj, CALumet 2&91 HOLlywood 4121 %
••♦ **
The spring
— is inventory time
{Continued from Page ■!)
takes care of Number Two. Nuni-
ijer 1 hree is strictly up to the adver-
tising copy writer. Personally, we
believe the words "Finest," "Great-
est" and "Best," in connection with
pictures, should have been buried
years ago. Only one picture can be
iiie rinest, greatest or best ever made,
and there have been over eleven
u.uusand features produced in tne
past fourteen years.
Lichtman, Gallup, Lusty
Leave Monday for Coast
.\1 Lichtman, vice-president and
general manager of distribution and
jjruce (jallup, advertising and pub-
licitN' director for United Artists,
leave Monday for the coast where
ciiev will confer with Joseph M.
Schenck, president, about sales plans
for the new season s product. Lou
Lusty, advertising and publicity di-
rector for Inspiration pictures, will
also accompany Lichtman and Gal-
lup.
Closer Accord Expected
in Northwest Territory
Aiinneapolis — Better co-operation
between the local Film Boards of
Trade and the Northwest Theater
(nvners' Ass'n is expected to follow
the action of W. A. Steffes, head ol
Uie exhibitors' body, in impressing
upon members of his association the
necessity of living up to contractual
obligations. At a special meeting
attended by film salesmen Tom
Burke, president of the Film Board
of Trade, declared that the action of
StefTes has brought exhibitors and
distributors into closer accord than
ever before.
Boyd Enterprises Start
Pennsylvania Expansion
Philadelphia— A. R. Boyd Enter-
prises has purchased the Embassy,
.A.llentown, and leased the Globe,
Bethlehem, on a long-term lease. The
company, which has headquarters in
this city, has also under considera-
tion plans to build a theater in Eas-
ton. The Globe will be closed this
summer and will reopen Labor Day
after complete renovation and the
installation of sound equipment.
Ballyhoo "Mammy"
Warner Bros, gave "Mammy" a
ballyhoo send-off last night wheti the
A] Jolson picture opened at the War-
ner Bros. A minstrel band paraded
o the theater and played outside the
lobby as the crowd came in.
Chosen for Stage Hands' Meet
Cleveland — Tommy Canton, Man-
us McCaffery and Oscar Scheck
have been chosen as delegates rep-
resenting the local stage hands at
the convention at Los .A.ngeles ip
Mav.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Theatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
8 New W. Va. Members
Join Exhibitor Assn.
Pittsburgh — At least eight new
members have joined the M. P. T. O.
of Eastern Pa., So. N. J. and Dela-
ware as a result of a personal visit
by Fred Herrington, secretary, to ex-
hibitors in West Virginia. Houses
to have been added to the member-
ship roster include those in Wierton,
Follansbee, Wellsburgh, Wheeling,
Moundsville, Sisterville, Parkersburg
and Clarksburg, all in W. Ya.
Steinberg Pittsburgh Mgr.
of Talking Picture Epics
Pittsburgh — Following his resigna-
tion from Tiffany, Sam Steinberg
has joined Talking Picture Epics as
manager for this district. Offices
of the company are located in the
local Columbia exchange.
Gold on Exchange Trip
Harry Gold, U. A. district man-
ager for New York, left last night on
a trip to several New England ex-
changes.
Schieger Made President
Hannibal, Mo. — Harry Schieger,
general manager of the Hannibal
Theater Co. has been elected presi-
dent of the Capital Chamber oi
Commerce.
Hollywood to Open April 17
Opening of Warner Bros'. Holly
wood, N. Y., is set for April 17.
WE BUILD, BUy, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — M ARYL AND i
—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia,Pa.
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: "Hell Harbor" opens at the Bt
N. Y.
Mar. 28 Opening of "The Man c
Blankey's" at Central, New «
Apr.
Apr.
Apr
1 5-5-5 Conference will take nl
N. Y.
3 Premiere of "Under a Texas loi(
at the Winter Garden, N. Y'
5 Second annual banquet ancdi
of the Warner Club. Inc.,
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-Sta I
P.T.O. at Memphis,
pr. 8 Premiere of "Journey's En
the Gaiety, New York.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting ; H
Wardman Park Hotel, Wa m
ton, D. C.
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern jii
gers hold annual sales m>
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western i
gers will hold annual sales «
at San Francisco.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention lui
today.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congri
Brussels.
ELMER PEARSON
Business Counsel and
Producers' Representative
17 EAST 45TH STREET N. Y.
FOR SALE
DUPLEX PRINTERS
in Excellent Working Condition
ERNEST STERN
245 W. 55th St., New York Cit>
Telephone: Columbus 7585
Illinois Avenue Overlooking Boardv,
and Ocean
"A Hotel Distinctiveiy Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONICS
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
Fireproof — Showers and Baths
Throughout
From $4.00 Daily.
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, Ir
EUGENE C. FETTER, Managi
ff
THANK YOr
95
"77/ Have Another Great Picture Next Week. And
Every Week. Vve Booked PARAMOUNT.
The Cream of Their Product Conies
Between Now and August.^^
APRIL
DENNIS KING "The Vagabond King"
"YOUNG EAGLES" Buddy Rogers
"BENSON MURDER CASE" William
Powell
GEORGE BANCROFT "Ladies Love
Brutes"
"THE LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS"
"PARAMOUNT ON PARADE"
MAY
MAURICE CHEVALIER "The Big Pond"
"THE TEXAN" Gary Cooper
"RETURN OF FU MANCHU"
"YOUNG MAN OF MANHATTAN" 1930's
best selling novel
NANCY CARROLL "Devil's Holiday"
CLARA BOW "True to the Navy"
JIJXE
JACK OAKlE "The Social Lion"
WILLIAM POWELL "Shadow of the Law"
"THE BORDER LEGION" Richard Arlen,
Jack Holt and Fay Wray
BUDDY ROGERS musical "Safety in
Numbers"
GEORGE BANCROFT "The Caveman"
JULY
HELEN KANE all-star "Dangerous Nan
McGrew"
GARY COOPER "Civilian Clothes"
JACK OAKIE "The Sap from Syracuse"
CLARA BOW
WILLIAM POWELL
SPECIAL EXTRA ATTRACTION!
'With Byrd at The South Pole"
6i^
PARAMOUNT
NEW SHOW WORLD
Like the Start of a New Season!
[ursday, March 27, 1930
DAILY
New Theaters
thol, Mass.— Garbose Bros, have "nder
■t truction a theater here costing $200, UUU
ollywood— Work on the new Fox-Bakers
will begin within the next few days.
m Francisco, Cal.— The new Ritz ha
II led here.
lacerville, Cal. — Plans have been com
■d for the construction of the new the
■ to go up on Main St. About $70,OOC
be spent on the project.
jrtland, N. Y. — Schine Enterprise plan
luild an 1,800-seat house here.
ilamanaca, N. Y. — Schine Theatrical Corp
erect an 1,800-seat theater in this en
ilJtly.
Dint Pleasant, N. J. — Construction ha
)tin on Harry May's new $150,000 thea.e
oiave a seating capacity of 1,100. Th
«;e is expected to be ready by July 1.
enia, O. — Plans are almost completed fi
. $125,000 theater James T. H.bbert i
ouild here on West Main St. Seating wi
)< 1,000.
ellefontaine, O. — The Chamber of Com
11 :e has already received a subscription o'.
"500 for the new theater planned here.
^rshall, Tex. — Work on the new Mar
itfi is being rushed for early opening. Thi
ter is being built at a cost of $200,00:
will seat 1,600.
latteville. Wis.— W. C. Tracy will builc
5,000 theater and store building here.
riswold, la. — P. G. Held and son ha\
l ed the Strand.
lack River Falls, Wis.— Earl Scoit li.
Dj !cd the Scott.
sceola. Wis.— Ernest Dodd is plann n
! (use here.
altimore--Edmondson Amusement Co. h.,
led the Bridge which cost about $2 7i\ .
I lot Replaces Hill as
/^arners' Seattle Manager
leattle — Arthur H. Huot is now
imager of the local Warner Bros.
hange succeeding Bob Hill, re-
s led. Huot was in charge of the
cipany's Portland branch.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
]^nnedy Resigns from
Apollo at Indianapolis
ndianapolis-^James D. Kennedy
resigned from the Apollo after
3iig with the house for eight years.
Ciorge Kelly Appointed
fewark District Manager
ieorge Kelly, city manager for
V' rner Bros, in Hackensack, has
3in elevated to the office of district
onager for the Newark theaters.
Kelly with ERPI in Cleveland
leveland — Electrical Research
P|)ducts, Inc., has added F. A. Kelly
tcits sales staff. He was formerly
exhibitor.
Marceline Hotise Opens May 1
larceline, Mo. — About May 1, A.
BCantwell will open his new houst
ALABAMA
Changes in Ownership
Hanceville — Palace, sold to J. G. Lee by
Herman Thomas; LaFayette — Ritz, sold
to Wni. R. Brown, Jr., by Ed. Willingham;
Warrior — Radio, sold to J. G. Lee by
Herman Thomas ; West Blocton — Theator-
ium, sold to J. P. Upchurch by T. C.
Tuggle.
Closings
Clio — Clio; Dozier — Dozier; Montgomery —
Dixie.
ARKANSAS
Closings
Ashdown — Palace ; Datto — Everybody's ;
Holly Grove — Royal; Huttig — Princess;
Marvel — Royal ; Olo — Ola ; Prescott — Park.
Openings
Foreman — Grand ; Norphlet — Strand.
CALIFORNIA
Changes in Ownership
Arbuckle— Star, sold to N. C. Steele by J.
H. Kainstock ; Arroyo Grande — Mission,
sold to Jas. W. Morris by C. E. Mosher;
Concord — Majestic, sold to R. Meinberger
& S. W. Elliott by H. Sturcke ; Eagle Rock
— Eagle Rock, sold to E. S. Calvi, F. Baffa
an<l O. Bofiino by L. Cohen; La JoUa —
(hanada, sold to F. L. Newman, Jr., by H.
L. Carey ; Los Angeles — Division, sold to
Walter Ferna by WakeiTnan & Hender-
son, Gloria, sold fo W. H. Swain by R.
L. Mosier, Home, sold to Swan & Fisher
by C. C. Porter, Hub, sold to Rebecca
Robbins by Hilda Singer, Meralta, sold
to Jack Berman by Robbins & Berman,
.Savoy, sold to Gore Bros. Inc., by Con-
solidated Theaters ; Los Gatos — Premier,
sold to Louis Zelinsky by A. J. Eschelbach
& A. Markowitz; San Bemadino — Ritz
(formerly Strand,) sold to Orange Belt
Theaters, Ltd. by Brockway & Elkins ;
San Diego — Logan Heights, sold to Mary
1. Willard by E. A. Edmonds, U. S. (now
Kay-O), sold to J. Keogh & E. A. Ed-
monds by O. C. Foster; San Francisco —
Lux, sold to Tony Lamuth by Rudolf
Schmidt, Regent, sold to Alex L. Arguello
and A. R. Arguello by A. Blanco.
Closings
Dunsmuir — Strand ; Oakley — Peterson ; Santa
Rosa — Elite.
Re-Openings
Venice — Venice (City Hall).
COLORADO
Changes in Ownership
Alamosa — -Isis, sold to Dave Hess by F. R.
Kelley ; Arvada — Arvada, sold to First Na-
tional Bank by C. W. Hatke; Denver
— Mission, sold to Ben Carter by Fox
West Coast; Flagler — Royal, sold to Harry
E. D. ShuU by Joseph Morgan; Littleton
— Palm, sold to E. K. Menagh by Kessey
Theaters, Inc. ; Springfield — Rex, sold to
H. F. Beebe by J. H. Johnson.
Closings
Denver — Electric, Granada; Marble —
Princess ; Ouray — Isis.
CONNECTICUT
Changes in Ownership
Hartford^ — Majestic, sold to E. M. Loew
Enterprises by H. Segal; WiUimantic —
Strand, sold to T. Foti by R. Hyde.
Shenker Closes Cleve. Family
Eleveland — The Family has been
>ed by Max Shenker.
Barron Opens Pratt House
'ratt, Kan. — The new 8S0-scat
se built by Charles Barron has
^n opened.
St. Louis Vista Wired
t. Louis — Sound equipment has
"n installed at the Vista.
DELAWARE
Changes in Ownership
Milford — Plaza, sold to Milford Playhouse,
Inc. by Milford Theater Co.; Wilmington
— Rialto, sold to Rialto Theater Co. by
Elias Wetstein.
Closings
Delmar — Elcora.
ILLINOIS
Changes in Ownership
Ava — Ava (Martin), sold to W. W. Millis
by J. H. Martin; Chicago — Drake, sold to
New Drake Theater Corp. by J. J. Cooney,
Garfield, sold to Garfield Amuse. Co. by
Simansky & Miller, Halsted, sold to Hal-
sted Bldg. Corp. by R. Israel, Waverly,
sold to Halkar Theater Corp. by R. Israel ;
ChilUcothe — Sunset, sold to Frank J. Rolan
by Elmer Sturm; Crystal Lake — El Tovar,
sold to Polka Brothers by Crystal Lake
Theater Bldg. Corp.; De Pue — Liberty,
sold to Mrs. A. Macheck by Dan Mc-
Nally; E. St. Louis — Washington, sold to
Noah Bloomer by V. P. Markuly, Waverly,
sold to Waverly Theater Corp. by Claussen-
Panghorst; El Paso — Grand, sold to A. C.
King by William Thurman-S. E. Pirtle ;
Hinsdale — Hinsdale, sold to G. W. Kruger
by Erahem Theater Corp. ; Ne\vman — Illi-
nois, sold to Tuscola Theater Co. by Ora
Bartlow ; Piano — Grand, sold to Gust Huth
by R. A. Shobe; Spring Valley — Liberty,
sold to Mrs. A. Macheck by Antonio &
Kukman.
Closings
Chicago — Austin, Garden, Kenwood, Mono-
gram, Prairie ; Chicago Heights — Liberty ;
Chrisman — Empire ; Earlville — Lyric ; Fair-
bury — Central O. H. ; Hamilton — Pictur-
play ; Hettick — Princess; Ipava — Garden;
Lovington — Photoplay ; Phrophetstown —
Auditorium; Riverton — Riverton; Sycamore
Fargo ; Valier — Palace ; Waukegan — Lib-
erty.
New Theaters
Bone Gap — Blue Front, owner — T. Smith.
Re-Openings
Marshall — Pythian.
INDIANA
Changes in Ownership
Anderson — -Fawn, sold to H. Mangas by R.
Sipe; Evansville — Fulton, sold to C. Swee-
ton by R. TafTel, Majestic, sold to I.
Skora by Mrs. M. Shields ; Frankfort —
Rialto. sold to C. South by R. Sipe &
M. Moore; Lawrenceburg — Gem, sold to
Taylor & Hagg by J. Warnford: Markle—
Pantheon, sold to E. Walters by E. M.
Vantes ; Morristown — Liberty, sold to E.
T. Arbuckle. L. V. Hauk, A. B. Gates
by H. R. Thalls; Rising Sun. — Columbia,
sold to William Binder by O Carter:
Spencer — Tivoli, sold to City Trust Co.
by E. M. Viquesney.
Closings
Butter — Crystal ; Fairroount — Royal, (clos-
ing every day except Saturday) ; Gas City
— Arcade; Grandview— Grandview ; Hagers-
tohum — Pictureland HiUsboro — Sunshine ;
Indianapolis — Broadripple ; Kendalville - —
Strand; Logansport — Paramount; New
Washington — ^Masonic ; North Manchester
— Strand ; Shirley — Shirley ; SomerviUe —
Home.
Catching 'Em Early
Further establishing itself as
the earliest-opening house on
Broadway, Loew's New York,
starting March 31, will begin
performances at 8:30 a.m. daily,
except Sunday. The house will
operate continuously until one
in the morning.
Judge Dismisses Suit
Against Fox Metropolitan
Suit of Sam Schwartz and Herbert
Muller against Fox Metropolitan
Playhouses, Inc., for "action for
specific performance of contract" has
been dismissed by Judge J. H. Hum-
phrey of the Supreme Court, Kings-
County, N. Y. in a decision handed
dowii Tuesday. The suit involved
leasing of the Roosevelt, Garden and
Oxford theaters.
Saul E. Rogers represented Fox
while Nathan Burkan and William
Chorosh were the attorneys for the
plaintiffs.
Blendess Sells Second House
Morris Blendess, who recently sold
the Tuxedo, Bronx, to Fox, has dis-
posed of the Carnesie, Brooklyn, to
the College Theater, Inc.
Reopen at Kansas City
Kansas City — Nugent J. Flynn has
reopened the Globe.
A SHOWMAN—
If there is any company looking for a man with real show-
manship background there is one available right now. who is
williiig to go to work in any of the various branches of this
business in which he is well experienced viz theatre manage-
ment (formerly a theatre owner) Exploitation man, exchange
manager or film salesman.
Apply Box mxz
c/o Film Daily, 1650 Broadway, N. Y.
C.
HELEN TWELVETREES
Beauty arid
the Beast
(THEY'RE IN IT)
WARNER
R R O S .
PRESENT
JDHN
i
DARRYMDRE
has achieved immortal fame in the creation of outstandi.
box-office values in these great Warner Bros, productio'
'Beau
BrMtinmel"
\In a BritUaui iJomedy Role
THE
BLANKLEY'S
John Barrymore
now brings to the screen
an amazing new charac-
terization. An uproari-
ous farce comedy of
English society that
reveals America's fore-
most actor as one of
the screen's greatest
co/nedians.
with
LORETTA YOUNG
Adapted by Harvey
Thew and Joseph
Jackson from the stage
success by F. Anstey.
Directed by Alfred E.
Green.
Vitaphone'' is the registered trade-mark of The
itaphone Corporation designating its products
Gala
Opening
CENTRAL
THEATRE
Friday
MARCH 28
^Jggg^
PAILV
Thursday, March 27, 1
Timely Topics
A Din est of
Current Upiniou
Percentage System Held
ivogical Method of Selling Films
T^O picture is worth a higher
percentage than another be-
forehand. Pictures should be
worth just what they earn at the
box-office. If a picture is good,
let it earn its reputation, like
stocks or bonds. Question of
adjustments would be greatly
eliminated by percentage play-
ing. Should the exhibitor pay
considerable overage, when he
suddenly strikes a good feature,
after playing a run of poor prod-
uct to loss? Exhibitors feel this
method unfair. It would seem
that the operating figure should
be arrived at after playing the
entire group. Any overage should
be paid at the time pictures are
played. If, at the end of the
season, the exhibitor is entitled
to a rebate, then he should re-
ceive it from the distributors.
Percentage is the only method of
selling pictures. But, it must be
done in a manner that will not
hurt the little fellow — and by
little fellow is meant those thea-
ters not controlled by the differ-
ent chains.
Jay Evmnuel in
"The National Exhibitor"
* * *
Feels Films Generally Ignore
Child's Psychological Make-Up
T BELIEVE the usual movie is
not for young children.
Children from ten to twelve and
younger are known to have a
dislike for scenes of cruelty and
physical suffering on the screen,
for love scenes and for too much
pathos. These are wholesome
reactions which parents do not
want changed, but frequent wit-
nessing of such scenes might do
just that. Until moving pictures
are written especially for chil-
dren, there will inevitably be
such scenes in almost every pic-
ture that comes to your neigh-
borhood theater.
Mary Allen Abbott,
Teachers College, N. Y. C.
20,000,000 people or almost a
fifth of the population of the
country have listened to the
musical programs at the Roxy,
during the three years it has
been open. During the last
year alone 1,584 performances
were given.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
pAULA GOULD has gone into the publicity business in New
York with offices at 321 E. 54th St. She will handle com-
mercial as well as theatrical accounts. Says her service will
be "local, national and international in scope." Fox has
signed Charles Winninger, the stage actor, to a long-term con-
tract through W. Herbert Hoey and Dennis DuFor of the Max
Hart offices. Winninger will be recalled as the Captain Andy
of Ziegf eld's "Show Boat."
W/'ALTER HUSTON plans to resume stage work in the fall
under Arthur Hopkins' management Patrons of the
Fifth Avenue Playhouse are in for a treat next week, when
"Not So Dumb," with Marion Davies, and "Show of Shows,"
with all the Warner players in it, will be shown at that the-
ater Jack Freulich, portrait photographer for Universal,
has arrived in town on his way to a two month vacation in
Poland, where he was born. He sails Saturday. His son, Henry,
a cameraman, is going with him
p^EINRICH KUCHENMEISTER and Dr. Sobernheim, who
arrived on the Europa the other day as representatives of
the European talker patents, will be seeing the town for the
next few days before they go into conference with Warner
Bros, on that Tobis-Klangfilm matter Grantland Rice
will speak on sports every Wednesday night on a radio pro-
gram sponsored by Coca-Cola. The feature will go on the air
over the National Broadcasting system
J^UTGERS NEILSON alleges that when Ben Turpin, fea-
tured player in "Swing High," was asked if he had ever
seen "The Cock- Eyed World," the comedian replied: "Why,
that's the only way I have been seeing it for 50 years!"
x^APTAIN BILLY FAWCETT, publisher of the "Screen
V Secrets" magazine will speak on his adventures in the
AWcan junglie at today's meeting of the A. M. P. A. Accompany-
ing Capt. Fawcett at today's A. M. P. A. luncheon, where he will
be the guest of honor, will be Claire Windsor and Bruce Reynolds,
author.
A FTER making one picture for Paramount, Jack Buchanan,
the English stage star now appearing in "Wake Up and
Dream" on Broadway, will make a series of pictures for M-G-M.
Nathan Golden, assistant chief of the M. P. Division
of the Dept. of Commerce, New Yorking these past few days,
returns to Washington tonight
MARCH 27- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congrratula- ^pWrVj^^k
tions are extended by THE x'^rl^H^S
FILM DAILY to the foUow- ^^-^d^M
ing members of the industry, ^^^M
who are celebrating their birth- ^m^
Andre Beranger Qtto Mattiesen \
Betty Balfour Gloria Swanson
Jameson Thomas
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
"Snow Bird" Signs Used at
Muskegon, Michigan
^HEN Pat he's "Gran
Parade" played a week i
the Ritz Theater, Muskegoi
Michigan, Manager H. M. Der
stepped out and did some fane
advertising. As the weather wa
cold and snowy Derr realize
that it was almost useless t
put out window cards becaus
the store windows were frost
and they would not be seen. S
he plastered the city with "sno-
birds" in the shape of brigh
yellow cards reading, "TH
GRAND PARADE IS AT TH
RITZ— YOU MUST SEE IT
— 500 of these cards were tacke
on sticks and stuck in snow pile
The Ritz, despite the fact that
IS on a side street and had fc
opposition several popular stai
in their latest pictures during th
week of "The Grand Parade
did the business of the town.
—Path
* * *
Library Distributes Book
Marks at Clevelcmd
A/f. A. MALANEY, manager (
Loew's Stillman, Clevelam
arranged a tie-up with the pul
He library as part of his can
paign to put over "Anna Chri'
tie." The library was furnishe
with 10,000 book marks whio"
were placed in every book take
out. The book marks were als;
placed in books sold by the M«|
Co. Department Store. Stiif
from the picture were placi
about the library and the sto4
Malaney also arranged a tie-^
with the Cleveland Press in col
nection with its serial "Rij
Head." A special party of r4
headed girls came to see the pij
ture at an invitation from Gre?^
Garbo. The Press gave th)
stunt stories for five days.
—M-G-'i
TEN YEARS AGO TOD
IN
Saenger under fire being chan
with operating a monopoly in
straint of trade.
* * *
Albany theater interests seek "■
admitting minors to theaters.
* *
Split looms between indie
changemen and indie producers i'
Chicago meet.
THE
Ri:
II III f—
rsday, March 27, 1930
■S&Hk
DAILY
Coast If ire Service
Hollywood Happenings
R,ytone Will Produce
Westerns, Melodramas
aytone Talking Pictures, Inc.,
iri produce a number of western
Eiures and a series of melodramas
orthe coming season. The first of
h' new program will be "Overland
knd" with Jack Perrin, AUene Ray
n* Wally Wales.
A Little
from
Lots'
By RALPH fVlLK
U. A. Song Writers on Coast
:/alter Donaldson and Gus Kahn,
d'.posers, have arrived here to write
ic^' numbers for the screen version
pf'Whoopee," Florenz Ziegfeld pro-
li>ion for U. A.
Buys "Inside the Lines"
inside the Lines," by Earl Derr
Jigers, has been purchased by Ra-
■iiPictures.
i'Bird of Paradise" for U. A.
jrthur Hammerstein will make a
aler version of "The Bird of Para-
i" for United Artists.
Gordon Opposite Garbo
i[-G-M has cast Gavin Gordon
ipjsite Greta Garbo in her next
tiring vehicle, "Romance."
Spanish Cast Selected
!i the Spanish version of "The
Iflson Murder Case," Paramount
a[ cast for leading roles Antonio
\\tno, Barry Norton and Andres
tjjergurola. Cyril Gardner and A.
Plihington Pezei will co-direct.
Dugan in "Top Speed"
^pm Dugan has been added to
1^ cast of First National's "Top
ppd." Mervyn Le Roy will direct.
^ Warners Sign Two
r.'e Young and Harry Warren have
eii signed by Warner Bros, to
TJ.' music for several productions.
jjry Lewis Enroute to N. Y.
Jary I^ewis, who recently signed
citract with Pathe, is on her wa\
I s'ew York. She will return to
[tiYwood soon to make her first
cire.
'h Color for "Kitty Bellairs"
'arner Bros, will make "Sweet
iv Bellairs" in black and white
n not in color.
Complete "King of Jazz"
•'looting of "King of Jazz," has
:i completed at Universal City.
>lj Murray Anderson is now cut-
ijthe picture.
j 400 For White
I Jack White, who is celebrat-
ig his 10th year as producer
If comedies, has made approxi-
liately 400 one and two reel
'lorts during this period of
Hollywood
Ji^ANSAS CITY, MO., recently
served as a national distributing
point of films, when, rather than mish
lelease dates with its first run ac-
counts, officials of the Fashion Fea-
ture studios had their Technicolor
prints of Fashion News rushed to
Kansas City for distribution. The
prints came from Boston to Kansas
City and were handled there by
Meredith E. Fulton, general produc-
tion manager of the Fashion Feature
studios, who had flown to Kansas
City.
* * *
Endre Bohem, scenarist, has been
permanently assigned to Al Rockett
units at Fox. Bohem was with Met-
ro before joining Fox.
Marie Harrell, known as the
"Personality plus" girl at
local studios, is filling a six
weeks' engagement as visiting
star with the Lane stock com-
pany, Dallas, Tex.
* * *
Neil Hamilton has moved his
make-up box to the First National
iStudio, where he is working in "The
Dawn Patrol."
Howard J. Green is the latest
^ox writer to pass out cigars. He
has just become the father of a
baby girl. Two weeks ago, John
Stone, veteran Fox writer, became
he father of a boy.
* * *
While en route to New York,
Sigmund Romberg was met in
Chicago by the entire company
and chorus of "Nina Rose,"
the composer's new operetta
now in its tenth week in the
Windy City. He is now com-
posing the score for his sec-
ond Warner Bros, operetta,
scheduled for production Aug-
ust 1.
* * *
Lewis R. Foster, who directed sev-
eral Harry Langdon and Laurel and
Hardy comedies for Hal Roach, has
iust completed "Eventually," an H.
C. Witwer-Larry Darmour comedy.
To Make "Mothers Cry"
First National will make "Mothers
Cry," which was written by Helen
Grace.
Agnew in Educational Short
Robert Agnew has been cast in
"French Kisses," Educational-Tux-
edo comedy now in production. Helen
Bolton, Monty Collins and Betty
Boyd are co-featured.
MORE THEATERS Wie
FOR TALKING PICTURES
East Brady, Pa. — The State has
gone sound, RCA Photophone hav-
ing been installed.
Cordova, Alaska — The Empress is
wired with Western Electric appa-
ratus.
Bird Island, Minn. — M. J. Huss
will wire his house here.
Bagley, Minn.— E. R. Wright has
wired the Family for talking pic-
tures.
Lake Benton, Minn. — Ameriphone
has been installed in O. J. Roscie's
house.
Andover, Mass. — Colonial has in-
stalled Western Electric.
Doland, S. D.— The Palace will
open with RCA Photophone appa-
ratus.
Dwatonna, Minn. — Mrs. Maud
Riggs has wired the Metropolitan
and installed a new screen.
Pasadena, Cal. — ^Western Electric
sound system installation has been
completed at the Washington.
Baltimore, Md. — The Lafayette is
being wired by RCA.
Short Shots from
New York Studios
_^ By HARRY N. BLAIR mi
gTANLEY RAUH, of Warner's
writing staff, is author of "Rah,
Rah, Rah," recently completed at the
Eastern Vitaphone studios, with a
cast of prominent Broadway players.
Murray Roth directed.
A complete motion picture record
of the launching of the new turbo-
electric Ward liner, "Morro Cas-
tle," at Newport, News, Va., was
made recently by Visugraphic.
Guests, officials and the camera
unit traveled on a special train to
the scene of the ceremony.
Among the Paramount studio force
enrolled in the •forthcoming Ping
Pong contest, to be held in the Hotel
Pennsylvania, are Frank Tours, mu-
sic director; George Folsey, chief
cameraman, and Harry Baldwin,
Monta Bell's assistant.
Rattlesnakes in Action
Rattlesnake farming in Brazil is a
feature of "Under the Southern
Cross," a South American scenic pic-
ture now being released by Visu-
graphic Pictures.
Second Annual
WARNER CLUB
FROLIC
BANQUET
AND BALL
Qrand Ball Room
Hotel Commodore
SATURDAY
APRIL
Dinner
at 8:30
Stars
Galore
MUSIC BY
Sam Lantiin^s Ipana Troubadors
10
— .%^
DAILY
Thursday. March 27. 1>
TALKER SHORTS CUT INTO
VAUDEVILLE50 PER CENT
(.Continued from Page 1)
of the investigation was to obtain
facts in support of the theory that
the pubhc would rather have per-
formers in the flesh than "canned"
acts, but the resuhs proved surpris-
ingly to the contrary.
More than 200 theaters reported
having dropped vaudeville entirely in
favor of shorts, while 150 said they
have reduced their act bookings from
25 to 80 per cent and expressions o.
regret over the change were prac-
tically nil. Number of acts on the
vaudeville circuits, the survey indi-
cates, has dropped in half within the
last five years.
In order to get an authentic line
on public sentiment, the investiga-
tion embraced layman sources as well
as theaters. Supporting the show-
njen's contention that shorts have
established themselves in popularity,
spokesmen for amusement patron:
declared the chief reason is that the
shorts bring to them a greater num-
ber of big names, representing the
cream of talent from all fields, at
lower prices than the average sec-
ond or third grade vaudeville show
Though admitting a difference be-
tween the personal element and the
mechanical reproduction, the fans
seem pretty well satisfied that the
shorts contain sufficient compensa-
tions to offset this.
Jolson and Grady Buy
Tenny Arcade' for Talker
Al Jolson and William Grady of
the William Morris booking offices
are understood to have purchased
talking picture rights to "Penny
Arcade," which they will produce
independently. Reported price is
$20,000, with production slated for
Hollywood soon.
Buys at Pierce City
Pierce City, Mo. — S. H. Yoffie ha;
taken over the Strand. Sound equip-
ment will be installed.
Weinberg Takes Bklyn. House
M. Weinberg of the St. Marks,
New York, is also operating the
Lakeland, Brooklyn.
Vero New Park Organist
Cleveland — Emil Koerpel has been
succeeded as organist at the Loew's
Park by Joe Vero.
Steinkritz at New Albany
I. Steinkritz is managing the New
Albany, Brooklyn, for the Harding
Realty Corp.
Test Newsreel Draw
St. Louis — Drawing power
of newsreels is being tested at
Skouras' Ambassador with
view of developing one of the
smaller downtown houses into
an exclusive newsreel theater.
Audience reaction from 10:30
to 11 a.m. and from 6 to 6:30
is being carefully watched.
Phonofilm is Invading
Department Store Field
Chicago — DeForest Phonofilm has
invaded the department store field,
with its first installation of this kind
being made here in the 500-seat tea
room at Mandel Bros. The talker
apparatus will be used to show style
pictures and give special perform-
ances for the purpose of creating
good will. Dr. Lee DeForest, of
General Talking Pictures, attended
the first demonstration, which
brought a favorable reaction from
the audience.
COOPER RE-ELECTED HEAD
OE CANADIAN M.P.ASS'N
(Continued from Page 1)
ensuing year comprise W. F. Hay-
nor, M. A. Milligan, J. O. Ologhlin,
H. M. Masters, B. F. Lyon, James
Travis, B. C. Taylor, R. S. Bell and
Clair Hague.
National Screen Net
Increased 60 Per Cent
(Continued from. Page 1)
ended Dec. 31, 1929, after provision
for Federal income taxes, is $475,625,
equal to $4.32 a share on the 110,000
shares of stock outstanding. This
compares with $2.72 earned in 1928.
Balance sheet of the corporation
shows current assets of $732,199 and
liahilities of $226,867.
30,000 More Shares
for F. P. Canadian
Montreal — An additional 30,000
shares of Famous Players Canadian
stock have been offered on the local
stock exchange in anticipation of
their purchase by the Royal Securi-
ties Corp., Ltd., which holds an op-
tion on them at $25 a share. The
option expires April 1. At present
market prices, the bankers are under-
stood to have a profit of more than
f;i, 000,000.
3 state Rights Sold on
"Clancy in Wall Street"
Three territorial distribution rights
to "Clancy in Wall .Street" have»been
sold by Nat Levine of Aristocrat
Pictures. Columbia Film Service of
Pittsburgh will handle the picture in
Western Pennsylvania; Fischer Film
Co., has acquired Ohio and Kentucky
rights while All Star Features Dis-
tributors, Inc. will distribute the fea-
ture in California.
Fox Gets Coast Site
Los Angeles — Fox West Coast has
taken a site at Pico Blvd. ard La
Vonia St.
Sindlinger Succeeds Mumaw
Cleveland— Loew's Park is now
being managed by Albert Sindlinger,
who succeeds Louis Mumaw.
Hodes Returns from Trip
Phil Hodes is back at the RKO
exchange after a trip to several ex-
changes.
Universal Promotes Three
More Exchange Managers
Universal has made three more
promotions in its sales force, Lou
B. Metzger, general manager, an-
nounces. Ralph Williams, until re-
cently manager of the Atlanta
branch, has been made second as-
sistant to Ted Schlanger, eastern
sales manager; T. O. Tuttle, who
was in charge of the Charlotte of-
fice, has taken over Williams' du-
ties in Atlanta, while Cowan Bain,
manager of the Jacksonville ex-
change, has assumed managership of
the exchange at Charlotte.
BILLBOAItiRiJlATION
BEC0ME8LAWINN.J.
(CoHluiued from Page 1)
ing a license for billboards and pro-
hibiting advertising equipment from
being placed on roads where it might
endanger traffic or where adjacent
property would be damaged.
Lnder the new law all billboards
are taxed three cents per square foot,
and the measure prohibits any bill
boards within 500 feet of a road in
tersection.
"Escape" Being Made in
England for RKO List
London — 'Escape," first Anglo-
American film to be made under the
Radio Pictures' banner, and known
as an Associated Radio picture, has
gone into production under direction
of Basil Dean. The following cast
has been as-embled for the John
Galsworthy play: Sir Gerald Du
Maurier, Mable Poulton. Ian Hunter,
George Curzon, Gordon Harker,
Raymond Massey, H. St. Barbe
West, Edna Best, Phyllis Konstam,
Horace Hodges, Ben Field, Lawrence
Hanray, Alargaret Varde, Jean
Cadell, Eric Cowley, Niel Bruce,
David Hawthorne, Xeil Porter,
Lawrence Bascombe, Lewis Casson,
Anna Casson, Madeline Carroll, Aus-
tin Trevor, Miles Malleson, Felix
Avlmer and Edward Fitzclarence.
$3,000,000 Project for
Site of Earl Carroll
Following completion of the run
of "Puttin' on the Ritz" Saturday
evening, work will be immediately
started on demolishing the Earl Car-
roll. The house will be replaced by
a 3,000 seat structure representing a
cost of $3,000,000. Additional proper-
ty has already been acquired to per-
mit for the increased seating capacity.
Completion of the project is expected
about Dec. 15 when an edition of
the "Vanities" will open the house.
Landlord Reopens Hastings
The landlord has reopened the
Hastings, Hastings-on-the-Hudson.
Carster Gets Crane, Mo., House
Crane, Mo. — The Electric has been
leased to Harold Jenkins from Oscar
Carster.
McKenna Gets Pawling House
Dutcher House, Pawling, has been
acquired by Albert MacKenna.
PATHE TO FOX UNDER
BANCAHEMCA-BLAIRPU
(Continued from Page 1)
actions now pending, the stockho
ers' committee intends to obtain
.njunction to stop the Pathe acqui
tion.
Postpone Clearance
on Fox Film Righ
Due to the legal entanglemei
that have thus far prevented i
Bancamerica refinancing plan fr(
going through, the New York Stc
Clearing Corp. states there will
no clearance tomorrow on the F
.'ights to be issued under the Bai
america arrangement. An extensi
of time will be allowed.
Plan Drastic Revision
in British FUm A
(Continued from Page 1)
Industries and the president of 1
Board of Trade. Suggested n
clauses include the elimination of '
requirement that the scenario ;
thor must be British, a
elimination of the provision that
per cent of the salaries must be p;
to British subjects. A new clai
will propose that further films :
quota purposes must cost not li
than $50,000.
It is quite likely that the Board
Trade will accept the revisions in;
much as feeling here is against Am
lean renters showing poor qual
quota films.
"Sally's" Berlin Opening
Beats "The Singing Foe
Berlin (By Cable)— "Sally," Fil
National talker starring Marilyn M
ler, opened here yesterday to a b
ger attendance than Al Jolson's ".
Singing Fool," which held the rec(,
for a film premiere in Berlin.
Radio Artists Score in CleveJ
Cleveland — When Gene and Gle
radio artists, appeared at the PalJ!
they broke the house record by $1
000, it is claimed.
Stella Re-equipped
Council Grove, Kan. — New s^
have been added to the Stella
well as other equipment.
Collins Gets Edina House
Edina, Mo.— William A. Coll
has acquired the Mainstreet.
Cohen at Monticello Rialto
Max Cohen is managing the 1
alto, Monticello. for Malo Theat
Corp., which recently took over '
house.
Perth Amboy House Wiring
Majestic, Perth Amboy. is inst;
ing wide screen. Jerry Buchbim
is operating the house.
Completing Cleve. Warner Bldg
Cleveland — The new Warner Bl
here is near completion.
Constant Source of Real Help
T DON'T KNOW OF ANYTHING
connected with the motion picture in-
dustry which is such a constant source of
real help as the Year Book. In Production
we consult it frequently and I know it
must be of equal assistance to people in
other branches of the business.
— Jesse L. Lasky
First V-P. Para. F-L. Corp.
The Year Book is part of the
FILM DAILY SERVICE which in-
cludes the Film Daily, every day; the
Year Book, every February; Direc-
tors' Annual and Production Guide,
every June; Short Subjects issues,
quarterly; Special numbers; infor-
mation service — all included in the
$10.00 a year subscription price and
certainly, "A Constant Source of
Real Help."
Clip this coupon!
Subscribers to
THE FILM DAILY
remain subscribers
Date.
To.
THE FILM DAILY,
1650 Broadway,
New York City.
Gentlemen:
Herewith my check for $10.00 — Start my yearly subscription
to Film Daily service immediately.
NAME
#- -^f
€//. ^^f # ^/
^M//^ /^/^
^
y>
%
;. ^>
» ^i'.
^/^
f
Every Move in
the Moviesr
section of the
Los Angeles Record
Edited by
Jimmy Starr
Thirty-Third Ye^r
LOS ANGELES, SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1930
Two Cents
THIS WEEK'S
EDITORIAL j
"T ADIES OF LEISURE'* is one of the veiy finest talk-,
ing pictures we have seen. It is packed with enter-
tainment value. No apparent effort has been made to put
it in the. sensational class, but it is there, nevertheless.
That is one reason why it is outstanding: !
CCLUIVIBIA
ATTI^ACTIOM
JJOT only does the production contain startling entertain-
ment, but it brings, to our ever- welcome eyes and^ears
a new star, a new luminary of charm and ability to gaze
upon.
The stellar light in question Is Barbara Stanwyck, former stage
actress, who came to Hollywood for a vacation but remained for work.
Miss Stanwyck's portrayal is not the only one. Ralph Graves. play«
ing the wealthy lad. quite bored with life in general, gives a splendid
account of himself. By far the best talking picture work he has Hoiie,
and probably the best of, his career.
Lowell Sherman, who can worry John Barrymore for honors, does
the constantly senii- intoxicated man -about -town in his usual sjiave
fashion. Sherman is one actor who never seems to be acting.
Marie Prevost does a slangy girl part, getting mucli out of a small
role. Marie, too, w'nia our printed plaudits. George Fawcett, Nance
O'Neil, Juliette Compton and Johnny Walker complete the well- selected
cast.^
Frank Capra, director of the film^ is also responsible for "Sub-
marine" and ••Flight." This is indeed a signal triumph for him as well
as the producers.
* * »
PERHAPS you remember the David Belasco-Milton Herbert Cropper
play, "Ladies of the Evening." This is the talking picture version
of that rather daring drama, and it is produced so that we honestly
believe it now carries more punch than ever before. Probably not iii
the manner of speech, but certainly in the construction of situations.
The adaptation and dialogue was prepared by Joe Swerljng. Excellently
done, by the way.
♦
^K
*
'T ADIES OP LEISURE'' can easily win a place in the
list of the "ten best pictures'* for this year.
It is a tripartite victory for Producer Harry Gohn,
Director Frank Capra and New Star Barbara Stanwyck!
Congratulations I
iTHE
Sf^NEWSPAPER
rFILMDOM
/ILL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIMi
C. LI No. 74
Friday, March 28, 1930
Price 5 Cents
^e Drastic Enforcement of N. Y. Theater Fire Laws
LAN NATIONAL DRIVE ON MUSIC^CKET
^lezv Judge Takes Over Fox Cases in Federal Court
The Mirror
-a coAuTfin of comment
5UMPTI0N OF national arbi-
in via a system acceptable to
theater-operating fraternity in
y corner of the country, is on the
s as a near-future certainty. The
ibutor - exhibitor get - together
wow slated for April 1 will start
arbitration ball a-rolling. The
e plans being prepared are con-
ing proof that the industry as a
le views organized arbitration as
icessity to the economic conduct
Is affairs. Since the Thacher de-
tossed a legal monkeywrench
1' the motion picture works there
a been a lot of costly chaos. It
fiarently can only be readjusted
bugh a smooth-running sit-down-
ir-talk-it-over-system — the variety
111 industry's going to have in oper-
tjn soon.
I ONG OTHER things worth
i:2ning to, Will H. Hays say that
eery attempt to shackle mot' pic-
v,;s is an attempt to ret: the
iital development of the .ace."
r;se words shed considerable illuni-
n:ion on a truth that might well
•< hammered into the heads of a
; on of <;o-'-ql!'»f1 reformprs. Their
if ped perspectives seldom allov
Vm to see the commendable char
(;:ristics of motion pictures such as
A Hays has pointed out. Mental
:fightment, as well as trade, fol-
□ s the motion picture.
MNA CHRISTIE" begins today
third week on Broadway. And
star, Greta Garbo, is one of the
I'jorted players who has success
ijy overcome the problem presented
>: dialogue. The picture should im-
) ss upon others that there are great
■sibilities for those who seriously
e up accent-removing voice train
Judge Coleman Withdraws
From Receivership
Proceedings
As a result of the affidavits of prej-
udice filed against him on Tuesday
by H. L. Stuart and Arthur Beren-
son. Federal Judge Frank J. Coleman
yesterday withdrew from the Fox re-
ceivership proceedings. The cases
thereupon were assigned to Federal
Judge John C. Knox, who held the
first hearing yesterday aiternoon.
After counsel for both sides had re-
cited their versions of the history ol
the litigation. Judge Knox adjourned
the cases till 4:30 p. m. Monday with
the promise that he would allow the
hearing to continue through Monday
evening, if necessary, in order to ex-
pedite a decision.
The jurisdiction of Judge Knox
(Continued on Page 4)
GENERAL THEATERS EQUIP.
SHOWS $2,71^09 PROFIT
Net profit of General Theaters
Equipment for the year ended Nov
30, 1929, after eliminating non-
recurring expenses and financial
charges of companies whose capital
(Continued on Page 8)
Rochester Houses Forced
to Cut Admission Prices
Rochester, N. Y. — Heavy compe-
tition among local theaters of this
sector has resulted in several of the
important first runs cutting admis-
(Continued on Page 8)
R-K-0 TO BUILD 2,300
SEAT BROADWAY HOUSE
With the erection of a 2,300 seat
house on the site of the Columbia
at Broadway and 47th St., R-K-O
will own its first Broadway picturt
house. The theater, designed bj
Thomas W. Lamb, will be of mod-
ernistic design.
Work of demolishing the Colum
bia will be started Monday and the
new house will be completed in No
vember. A radio broadcasting studio
will be embraced in the structure.
FIGimNG DAYLIGHT BILL
Baltimore — Exhibitors of this city
are waging a campaign against Day-
light Saving. Cards for a straw vote
are being distributed at various the-
aters throughout the city on which
patrons can cast their ballots, either
for or against. Women have also
joined the theater men by addressing
audiences in some of the theaters.
(Continued oh Page 8)
Forum, Philadelphia,
Added to Warner Chain
Outright purchase of the Forum,
Philadelphia, by Warner Bros, is an-
nounced by Spyros Skouras, man-
aging director of the Warner chain.
Exhib Attorneys to Meet Soon
on Fire Law Amendment Plan
Elect Mills and Mallard
Directors in R-K-0 Corp.
E. C. Mills and William Mallard
have been elected to the board of di-
rectors of R-K-O to fill the vacan-
cies caused by the death of E. F.
Albee and the resignation of Joseph
{Continued on Page 4)
Filing of complaint by the fire de
partment against the Mecca, at 14th
St. and Ave. A, and operated by the
14th St. Mecca Amusement Co. Inc ,
is understood to be the first step for
stringent enforcement of the fire laws
in New York City theaters. The
action is regarded as an outgrowth
{Continued on Page 4)
N. Y. State Passes Measure
to Curb Copyright
Violators
Gratified by the passage of a bill
making song sheet racketeers liable
to punishment for committing a mis
demeanor in New York state, the
Music Publishers' Protective Ass'n
intends to seek adoption of similar
legislations in other states, according
to John Gregg Paine, its chairman.
Public peddling of song sheets in
New York is made c r..;^.i-.'iicuiji..
as a result of the signing by Govci
nor Roosevelt of the bill introduced
by Assemblyman Alterman prohibu
ing the printing, publication or saL
of copyrighted musical compositions
without consent of the copyrigii
owners. Most of the owners who
have been affected by this evil are
(Continued on Page 8)
SAYCOLOftPHOfOGRAPHY
METHOD T«CE COST
A new method of color photog-
raphy, said to cost slightly more than
black and white, is being developed
by Essem Laboratories, New York.
The method is claimed to leave the
film the same thickness as present
black and white.
Another system being perfected
{Continued on Page 8)
THREE PROPOSATs TO BE
BASIS OF JW CONTRACT
Three standard exhibition contracts
will be submitted at the exhibitor-
distribution meeting scheduled for
April \. They will be offered by the
distributors, M.P.T.O.A. and Allied
{Continued on Page 8)
Sunday Shows Ballots
in Nebraska Towns
Lincoln, Neb. — Many Nebraska
towns are petitioning for a vote on
the Sunday show question and indi'-'
tions are that the election wi"
{Continued on Page
THE
o PAILV
lfoLLINo.74 Friday, March 28, 1930 PriceSCenb
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. .En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-o£Bce at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A. Harle,
La (jinematograpiiie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sale;
Am. Seat 205^ 20 20 200
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 23^ 23^ 23-54 300
Con. Fm, Ind. pfd. 24 23Ji 23Ji 700
Con. Film rts Vi Vz Vz 2,500
East. Kodak 239^^235^237 2,500
Fox Fm. "A" i\% 29J4 30i4 24,900
Fox Fm. "A" rts.. 5ji 3H '^Vz 52,900
Fox Film deb. rts. ^^ Vi % 32,400
Gen. Thea. Equ.. 44^ 43 43'/5
'Keith A-O 3654
*do pfd 115H
Loew's, Inc 74?^ 73Ji 73J4
do pfd. WW (e'A). 1031/2 imVi IQlVz
do pfd. xw (61/^). 92K 92 92
4,300
2,400
100
100
Harry Thomas Leaving
Today on Trip to Coast
Harry Thomas, vice-president anu
general sales manager of Sono Art-
World Wide, leaves today for the
Coast, en route to w^hich he vk-ih
visit exchanges at Pittsburgh, Cleve-
land, Detroit, St. Louis and Kansas
City. He will be at the studio aboui
tw^o weeks, arranging the releasing
schedules and making plans for the
company's convention, which will be
held at Los Angeles June 10, prob-
ably in conjunction with Education-
al. Before the start of the new sell-
ing season six Sono Art-World Wide
teatures will be ready, said Thoiiias
yesterday. They are: "Reno," "Cir-
cus Parade," "Once a Gentleman,"
Heart Strings" and an Eddie Dowi-
mg picture.
Byrd Radio Broadcast
Reproduced as Talker
First showing of Ceneral Jilectnc's
talking tihu ot the lO.UUO-mile radio
conversation between Admiral Byrd
and others, speaking between Dune-
diii, Aew Zealand, and Schenectady,
iSi. v., was held Wednesday night at
the Advertising Club of iSew York.
Darrow to be AM PA Guest
Clarence Darrow will be the gues,
of the A.M.P.A. at one of its meet
ings within the next 30 days, ilu
appearance of the noted attorney wa.
arranged by Arthur James. Capt.
liilly and Mrs. Fawcett were the
guests at yesterday's luncheon am.
both spoke on their recent trip to
Africa. Claire Windsor also at
tended.
Herbert Fischer Dies
Following Operation
Herbert Fischer, brother of .Abe
Fischer, manager of the Minneapolis
Tiffany exchange died recently at
the Mercy Hospital, No. Dak., fol-
lowing an emergency operation ac-
cording to word received in New
York yesterday. Herbert, who was
also associated with the local Tif-
fany office as a sales representative,
was 54. He is survived by a wife
and two children. Funeral was held
at Bradford Pa., his birthplace.
Meador Here in 2 Weeks
to Fill Technicolor Post
J. E. D. Meador will arrive fron.
the Coast in two weeks to take up
his duties as New York business
manager for Technicolor. He wih
maintain contact with the local of-
fices of producers using Technicoloi
and with studios in the city where
color films are produced. Meador
will work in cooperation with An
drew J. Callaghan, business managei
for the company in Hollywood, ano
Frank R. (!)ates, who serves in a
similar capacity in Boston.
The Industry's
Date Book
♦M-G-M pfd
25%
Para. F-L
747^
73%
74 5i
17,100
Pathe Exch
5 ■4
5
5
4,100
do "A"
10/2
lOJ^
IWi
IOC
R-K-O
35
34-4
34-/8
13,800
*Univ. Pict. pfd..
55-4
Warner Bros. . . .
77'/,
76
77^4123.000
do pfd
67
66-4
b(>%
300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & K.itz
65
Columbia Pets.
39V's
39'/,
39 y.
100
Fox Thea. "A"...
7'/,
6H
7
1,200
*Intern. Proj. . . .
25
Loew do deb. rts
38y4
38-4
38J4
ioo
Loew, Inc., war..
12*4
12%
12%
100
N'at. Scr. Ser. . . .
28^
28
28
3,500
'Nat. Thea. Sup...
25
'Univ. Pict
17
NEW YORK
BOND MARKET
'Keith A-O 6s 46.
90
Loew 6s 41 WW. . . .
120
118'/2
118/
150
do 6s 41 x-war. . .
lOOK
100/2
100/
320
Paramount 6s 47. .
102H
102/2
102/
240
*Par. By. 5Ks51..
lom
Pathe 7s37
55
55
55
60
♦LAST PRICE
QUOTED
Signs Marlene Dietrich
Paramount has signed Marlene
Dietrich, German stage and screen
star who recently appeared opposite
Emil Jannings in Ufa's "The Blue
Angel." She will leave for America
within a week.
"U" Promotes Joe Huff to
Salt Lake City Manager
Salt Lake City — Joe Huff, who
was formerly a salesman at the Uni-
versal exchange at San Francisco,
has been promoted to manager of the
company's local office.
Today: Opening of "The Man
Blankey's" at Central, New
Apr. 1 S-5-S Conference will take pi i
Apr. 3 Premiere of "Under a Texas '.■>
at the Winter Garden, N. Y
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet an( ji
of the Warner Club. Inc.,
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-St2 I
P.T.O. at Memphis,
pr. 8 Premiere of "Journey's En: i
the Gaiety, New York.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting
Wardman Park Hotel, Wsti
ton, D. C. ^
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern i|
gers hold annual sales mi i
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western
gers will hold annual sales 1
at San Francisco,
lay 25 Fox annual sales convention
today,
une 2-7 International Cinema Cong
Brussels.
Jensen to Join U. A. Party
limil Jensen of Inspiration will
join the Lichtman, Gallup, Lustj
party which leaves for the coasi
Monday.
♦.♦♦.♦♦,♦•.♦♦.♦•.•♦.♦♦,♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.•♦.♦♦,♦♦,♦♦,♦*,♦♦.♦♦.♦/
♦>♦♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦•♦♦>♦♦♦>•♦♦>♦♦♦♦♦'♦*♦*>••♦♦♦♦♦♦••♦',♦
New York Long Island City iji
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. *.t
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 y
J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
H oUywood
6700 Santa Monica
Blvd.
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
Breaks Ground for Para. Bldg.
Cleveland — Ground has been broken
for the new Paramount three-story
building on E. 23rd St.
Fischer Gets "Clancy" Rights
Cleveland — Fischer Film Exchange
will distribute "Clancy in Wall St."
in Ohio and Kentucky.
Professional M. P. Cameras
FOR SALE
Eymo-2 Bell & Howells, one
for silent, one for sound pro-
duction— Akeley camera com-
plete high speed attachment
for Akeley-2 synchronous mo-
tors for sound productions with
cables and clutches; prices on
request at bargains.
BROWNING
110 W. 40th St. New York
Phone: Penn 1258
"Paramount on Parade"
for Rialto Anniversary
"Paramount on Parade" will be
shown on the 15th anniversary pro-
gram of the Rialto beginning April
18.
Robbins Enlarges Office
The Robbins Music Corp. has
taken additional space in the build-
ing at 799 Seventh .Ave., for sound
proof studios.
Renee Adoree to Rest
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Renee Adoree has
entered a sanatorium in La Crescenta
to receive treatment for a bronchial
affection and to remain until August
for a complete rest. Her condition is
not regarded as serious.
Greenman Head of Pid
Com. of St. Louis C
St. Louis — Harry Greenman, :
aging director of the Fox, has
named chairman of the M. P. (
mittee of the St. Louis Chambi
Commerce. Other members ol
committee are: Arthur Frudeil
St. Louis theater; John McM i
Loew's State; Charles SkcJi
Skouras Bros. Enterprises
Pierce, St. Louis theater; Gt
Bowser, St. Louis Amusement
and Fred Wehrenberg, presidei
the M.P.T.O. of Eastern Mis
and southern Illinois.
Remodeling Lake Village Qi
^ Lake Village, Ark.— W. M.l
Caskill, owner and manager ol
Queen, is remodeling the house.l
seats are being installed and th^
ing is being raised five feet
i
Kooler-y^iri j
The SILENT j
Summer Attraction 1
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING CO I
1914 PARAMOUNT BUILDING NEW YO 1
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
of
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street (5/7poj-//« Post Office • Detroit
THE
rilay, March 28, 1930
I THEATERS WIRED
FOR TAW PICTURES
G-ndale, Cal.— Film and Ait
ujmcnt has been put in the Cosmo
iVcstern Electric engineers.
I
Eiirie de Chien, Wis. — M. Mit-
el has wired the Regent.
j^E22
DAILY
l^lmyra, Wis. — Butterfly has been
ri. by L. A. Hoch.
Kmouth, Ky. — Pacent equipment
s)een installed in the Falmouth.
Ciuba, Cal. — The Williams hat
jej wired by Western Electric.
A)emarle, Ga. — De Forest equip-
si has been installed at the Ala-
W and Columbia theaters.
kxcus Hook, Pa. — The Globe
I een wired for Western Electric.
Qveland — Columbia ha^ been
with Pacent equipment.
rberton, O. — Harold Maki
Frank Gaethka have installed
equipment in the Lyric.
Ll»dTille, Cal.— The Liberty Bell
joined the talkies. Western
ric equipment was installed re-
tr.
veland — Pacent equipment has
installed in the Columbus,
tal, Strand, Standard and
na.
Breda, S. D.— John B. Hoff and
icles Silver have installed sound
ament at the State.
fijhmore, S. D. — Western Elec-
Cequipment was installed while
J[. Tomter was remodeling the
a'd.
Clumbus, Neb. — "Grand Parade"
,^he first picture on talking pic-
;< policy at the Pawnee. J. F.
.iger and F. C. Luchsingcr op-
the house.
.roit — Century has been re-
eled and reopened as a talkie
_ Wing, Minn. — George W.
son will install Electrophone
iiment in his house.
%basha, Minn. — Princess has
5; wired by Harry Burkhardt,
.«ger.
Rillips, Wis. — DeForest equip-
I has been installed at the Idle
>ie.
Prk Falls, Wis.— John Esterl has
''■ the Rex for sound.
Ldysmith, Wis. — Unique has been
■t for sound.
Fjjlkton, S. D.— RCA Photophone
iiment has been installed at the
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
Pathe Has Completed
Six Talking Shorts
Six two-reel comedies have been
completed rU the Pathe studio, ac-
cording to Bill Woolfenden, in
charge of short subject production.
Comedies completed are "Hearts
and Hoofs," "Ranch House Blues,"
'Pick 'Em Young," "Live and
Learn," "The Red Heads," and "Car-
nival Revue."
New Name for Gibson Film
Hoot Gibson's latest production
for Universal has had its title
changed from "Howdy Cowboy' 'to
"Roaring Ranch."
A Little
from **Lots*
By RALPH WILK
Hollywood
pjELEN TWELVETREES, who is
quite handy at drawing with
crayons, has made crayon drawings
of Fred Scott, Dorothy Burgess,
George Fawcett, Bryant Washburn,
Nick Stuart, Daphne Pollard and Di-
rector Joseph Santley during lulls
between scenes of "Swing High,"
the forthcoming circus musical.
To Starf "D«vili^ Playground"
Work will be started this week on
Billie Dove's ne.xt for First National
titled "The Devil's Playground."
William Beaudine will direct.
\ Eddie Dunn is a familiar figure
m Clara Bow pictures. The elon-
, gated comedian, who is supporting
Clara in "True to the Navy," also
appeared in "The Fleet's In" and
^ "The Saturday Night Kid."
Ware in "Lincoln"
D. W. Griffith has signed Helen
Ware for a part in "Abraham Lin-
coln."
To Write "Paradise" Music
Rudolph Friml will write the music
for "Bird of Paradise," which Arthur
Hammerstein will produce for United
Artists.
Professor to Write for M-G-M
Gordon Davis, professor of dra-
matic art at Stamford University,
has been added to the M-G-M sce-
nario staff.
Washburn With Pathe
Bryant Washburn has been signed
foi a role in Pathe's "Swing High."
Ziegfeld Girl Gets Lead
Katherine Moylan, former Zieg-
feld beauty, now under contract to
M-G-M, will make her initial ap-
pearance before the camera and
"mike" as the feminine lead in Wil-
liam Haines' "Easy Going." Fred
Niblo is directing.
Marjorie Kane Signed
Columbia has signed Marjorie
"Babe" Kane for a role in "Ladies
in Love."
Two for Walsh Epic
David Rollins and El Brendel have
been added to an epic of the Oregon
Trail, as vet untitled, which Raoul
Walsh will direct.
Brown to Direct Lake
Melville Brown will direct Arthur
Lake in "Tommv," for Radio.
Luck for Lucille Browne
Fox has signed Lucille Browne to
long term contract.
Fred Guiol, for several years a Hal
Roach director, recently completed
"Lonesome Husbands" for Pathe. He
also directed "Rich Uncles" and
"Live and Learn" for Pathe.
* * *
Robert Woolsley has che'Wed thou-
sands of cigars to fragments — and
never smoked one. He says he
would rather appear on the stage
without his shoes than m,inus his
ffigar. In a scene in "The Cuckoos"
he appeared with a full-sized cigar.
In a closeup of the sam^e scene the
cigar was half chewed away. The
scenes, naturally, wouldn't have
matched on the screen. Now, a prop
wan with a tape measure and a box
of cigars follows the comedian
around on the "set."
* « *
Eleven new faces arrived in
Richard Dix's "family" recent-
ly. One of Dix's prize setters
demonstrated what she thought
of birth-control.
* « «
Douglas Dawson and Norman L.
Sper, who will produce the "Silver
King" series for Sono-Art, have
signed Lane Chandler to a long-term
contract.
Stein To Tour Europe
Upon completion of his present
assignment, "Bride 66" which Ar-
thur Hammerstein is producing for
United Artists, Paul L. Stein, direc-
tor, will leave for a tour of Austria
Paris, London and Berlin, seeing
plays and studying changes in for-
eign picture making technique.
New Contract for Hymer
Warren Hymer has had his con-
tract renewed by Fox.
M-G-M Signs Charles Drury
Charles Drury, orchestra leader,
has been placed under contract by
M-G-M.
Birth Notice
Richmond, Va. — The arrival
of several baby alligators in
the lobby pool of the Byrd
is proving a great attraction
for juvenile patrons.
Barney Rose New Mgr.
For "U" in Cleveland
Cleveland — With the resignation
of Jack Osserman as manager of the
local Universal exchange, Barney
Rose, until recently in charge of the
company's Indianapolis branch, is
here taking the former manager's
place. Osserman, who has been
with the company for nine years,
will take a vacation in Havana.
Tillman Appoints Pace
Columbia Denver Manager
Denver — Cecil E. Pace, formerly
with M-G-M, has been appointed
manager of the local Columbia
branch. The appointment was made
by L. E. Tillman, western district
manager.
Repairing Ark. House
Texarkana, Ark. — Work on repair-
ing the Gem will begin at once. Cost
will approximate $10,000.
Liberal (Kan.) House Planned
Liberal, Kan. — Plans are under
way by H. V. Tucker for the erec-
tion of a 600-seat house here.
STEPIN FETCHIT
'I craves youah reputa-
tion, big boy, but who
wants to be a camel!"
(THEY'RE IN IT)
THE
DAILY
Friday, March 28, IS
NEW JUDGE TAKES OVER
FOX FEDERALCOURT CASES
(Continued from Page 1)
will be to take action upon the three
receivership applications that are
pending. Samuel Untermyer en-
deavored to have the new judge also
take up the question of who is en-
titled to William Fox's "B" stock,
but Judge Knox replied that this was
not part of assignment turned over
to him.
Judge Coleman was to have passed
on the matter of the "B" stock, but
was restrained by the writ of prohibi-
tion obtained by the Stuart-Otterson
group. A decision on this writ, fol-
lowing the hearing held in the U.
S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Mon-
day, has been delayed due to the dis-
covery that the wife of Judge
Learned Hand, one of the three cir-
cuit judges who listened to the argu-
ment, is a holder of American Tele-
phone & Telegraph stock. Due to
the connection between A. T. & T.
and Electrical Research Products,
Judge Hand is disqualified from sit-
ting in the case, and a new setup of
judges will hold another hearing in
this matter on Monday.
In view of the switch in judges and
postponement of the receivership
hearings until late Monday, the Ira
M. Cast and Rudnick-Snider actions
also will be put over to next week.
The Winfield Sheehan suit against
Fox is supposed to come up in State
Supreme Court this morning, but up
to yesterday Fox had not been served
with papers either in this case or in
the action bv Stuart and Otterson
to enforce the Dec. 3 trusteeship
agreement.
Arthur Berenson, Boston attorney
representing a group of independent
stockholders, yesterday sent to Fox a
letter asking 12 questions on which
his clients seek information in order
to clarify the Fox affairs in their
minds.
Washington Film Board
Holding Golf Tournament
IVa'hinqton Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — The spring golf
tournament of the Washington Film
Board of Trade will be held on April
25 at the Beaver Dam Country Club.
Landover, Md. The committee for
the event is made up of Nate Sau-
ber. Universal, Harold Beaver, Edu-
cational. Harry Brown, Tiffany and
Harry Hunter, Paramount.
Elect Mills and Mallard
Directors in R-K-0 Corp.
(Cmiiinued from Paqe 1)
P. Kennedy. Other directors were
re-elected at the annual stockholders'
meeting. The special meeting to ap-
prove an increase in stock from
,■?, 500,000 to 4,000,000 shares has been
adjourned to April 8.
Film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
Morgan Declines Office Again
Albany, N. Y. — J. Howard Mor
gan, who has been president of th'
local Film Board of Trade for th
pRst three years, has made know
his refusal to run at the election
April 7.
FLORIDA
Changes in Ownership
Dania — Dania, sold to V. A. Reames by
Arthur L. Cameron ; Sulphur Springs —
Nebras'Ka, sold to Wm. E. Ford by M. C.
Moore.
IDAHO
Changes in Ownership
Homedale — Owyhee, sold to L W. Karr by
Arthur Mortenson.
Closings
Challi&— Dodge Hall; Potlatch— Peoples.
IOWA
Changes in Ownership
Boone — Strand, sold to L. H. Tillotson by
Roy Benson; Columbus Junction — Lyric,
sold to Kelly Bros, by C. R. Hickman;
Dexter — Princess, sold to Fred Lengeman
by H. E. Gronn ; Eldon — Opera House,
sold to L. M. Friscaln by Mrs. E. McKay;
Fort Dodge — Princess, sold to Bruno
Pierce by KicClurg & Binkley; Lowden —
Liberty, sold to H. Kreinberg; Murray —
Palace, sold to H. H. Martindale by H.
G. Shields; Richland— Strand, sold to Mr.
Mehaffey by E. E. Steel; Sanborn— Prin-
cess, sold to J. S. Sanders by McClurg &
Binkley ; Sioux City — Strand, sold to State
Theatre Corp. by H. Goldstein ; Traer —
Princess, sold to \V. Mansfield by E. O.
Weller ; Wall Lake — Opera House, sold
to L. E. Henry by City Fire Dept; Wal-
nut— Lyric, sold to Johnson & Duke by
Pruitt & King.
Closings
Eldon — Opera House; Clarence — Liberty;
Gradbrook — Rialto; Peterson — Opera
House ; Rockford — Rockford ; Strawberry
Pt. — Lyric ; Woden — Woden.
Openings
Rockford — Rockford.
KA1>JSAS
Changes in Ownership
Alexander — Cozy, sold to Fred W. Crandell
by C. L. Wardlow ; Alton — Pastime, sold
to James Gregory by Clair & Burck ;
CaldweU— Ritz (Watson), sold to W. F.
McDowell by C. S. Watson : Norton —
Cozy, sold to Central States Theater Co.
by JL F. Browne ; Towanda — Towanda,
sold to Johnson & Rader by C. N. Hawk ;
Wilson — Opera House, sold to Joseph E.
Soukup by Vernon Baker.
Closings
Cuba — Kalivoda ; Healy — Healy : Maple Hill
Legion; Oxford — Strand; Wichita — State.
KENTUCKY
Changes in Ownership
Burkesville — Kentucky, sold to Mike Brown ;
Dayton — Liberty, sold to George Bressler
by Sam Turk ; Ft. Thomas — Garden, sold
to Earl Jennings by I^. Wiethe: Harlan —
Margie Grand, sold to C. C. Bowling by
Margie Noe; Hellier — Joy, sold to Hall
Belcher by G. C. Sanders; Langley — Hol-
lie, sold to G. B. Hall by O. S. Osborn ;
Lexington — Dixie, sold to C. W. Hall. Jr.
&• Co. by John Kennedy; Lothair — Pau-
line, sold to M. W. Bryan by L. Davis:
Louisville— Walnut, sold tn G. Loffell by
Lehr & Mason; Vicoo — Pastime, sold to
W. Combs by Charles Cassinelli : Whites-
burg — Rex. sold to J. Fairchlld by Put-
nam & Gibson.
Closings
Bulan — Star ; Ft. Thomas — Garden ; Mt. Oli-
vet— Gem ; Sturgis — Princess ; Walton —
Uniqua.
Re-Openings
Catlettsburg — Hall.
LOUISIANA
Changes in Ownership
Columbia — -Columbia, sold to E. B. Cot-
tingham, Jr., by J. L. McCollum ; West
Monroe — Happy Hour, sold to C. W.
Parnell by T. Newell.
Closings
Farmerville — Palace ; Gilham — Rialto : Val-
verda — Valverda.
MARYLAND
Changes in Ownership
Baltimore — Aldine, sold to J. Friedlander by
Chas. Castoro, Preston, sold to C. H.
Lighthiser by J. L. McDonald, Princess,
sold to Klein Amuse. Co. by C. Major,
Takoma, sold to J. Friedlander by John
Wischusen ; Capitol Heights — Capitol
Heights, sold to Leo Garner by U. HoUings-
worth ; Clarksville — Palace, sold to S. B.
Whitten by Kirby Bros. ; Hampstead —
Leister, sold to C. E. Garsuch by Jessie
Garsuch.
MAINE
Changes in Ownership
Auburn — Park, sold to Ass'n Theaters, Inc.,
Antonio Romano by Picturetone Theaters
Corp.
MASSACHUSETTS
Closings
Chelsea — Chelsea.
Openings
Athol — Capital.
MICHIGAN
Changes in Ownership
Caro — Strand, sold to Ralph J. Elliott by
John E. Handy ; Coleman — Pastime, sold
to Mrs. Helen Weidman by H. E. Gris-
wold; Detroit — Arcade, sold to Wade Al-
len & Jack Susami by J. C. Sellers, Band-
box, sold to Frederick Weierman by Hy-
man Coffman, Dunbar, sold to E. B.
Dudley by J. C. Sellers, Forest, sold
.d'Wlth StiiUlOS lfi'~i\i<?- ^ea/s. Liberty,
b\or films are produced. Meadbr"
fill work in cooperation with An
rew J. Callaghan, business managei
br the company in Hollywood, and
^rank R. Oates, who serves in ;i
Inilar .caD.ar.'.^Vu^fa.Rosi-oji-
' "-rand Raoids — Our, sold to Allen John-
sou by Wilier & Boshoven : Hermansville
— Doris, sold to T. Vickers by C. G. Dex-
ter; Owosso — Lincoln, sold to J. JL Ter-
bush by H. H. Chase; Port Huron — Grand
Riviera, sold to Cas Staniak by M. J.
Chargot ; Stockbridge — Starland, sold to
V. B. Owen, Jr.. by L. H. Barker.
Closings
Detroit — Clairmont, Crown. Embassy; Grand
Rapids — Idle Hour, Savoy, Strand ; Ida —
Auditorium ; Ionia — Orpheum ; Millington
— Capitol ; Newaygo — Park
MINNESOTA
Changes in Ownership
Beaudette — Grand, sold to R. W. Long by
A. C. Peterson; Belle Plaine — State, sold
to Van Novak by Henry Wiecks ; Eagle
Bend — Red Eagle, sold to A. S. Abbott by
W. W. Oram ; Milaca — Casino, sold to E.
N. Hill by H. E. Simon.
Closings
Atwater — Grand; Canton — Alibott; Clarissa
— Rex : Menahga — -Photoplay ; Parkers Prai-
rie— Village; Seaforth — State
Re-Openings
St. Paul— Lux.
MISSISSIPPI
Closings
N. Carrollton — Liberty.
Openings
Bruce — Gem.
MISSOURI
Changes in Ownership
Edina — Main Street, sold to W. A. Collins
by Carl Muff; Green City— Royal, sold tn
D. M. Adams by E. K. Gillespie; Independ-
ence— New Lewis, sold to Dan C. Snider
by Floyd Taylor; Kansas City — Broad-
mour, sold to I. G. Fulton by Rialto The-
ater Corp.; Kennett — Liberty (Lyric),
sold to J. E. Whitten by L. P. Tatum ;
Keytesviile — American, sold to Elliott &
Crow by S. M. White; La Grange— Rex.
sold to E. H. Perry by Page and Goetz :
Memphis — -Majestic, sold to W. A. Collins
by Mrs. H. L. Bridgman; Nashua — Nas-
hua, sold to Community Theater Co. by
D, J. Maxwell ; St. Louis — Broadway,
sold to H. M. E. Pasmezoglu by Western
Photoplay Corp., Park (Knickerbocker),
sold to S. Goldman by Chas. Donovan :
Seneca — ^Colonial. sold to C. L. Higgin-
botham by Smith & Crouse ; Sheridan —
Royal, sold to Gray Harris by E. W.
Girling, Sr. ; Union Star — Waldo, sold to
Hansel & Griggs by C. E. Dickinson.
Closings
Appleton City — Gem ; Branson — Gaiety :
Brookfield — Plaza (Part Time) ; Concep-
tion Jet. — Mainstreet : Fairmount — Fair-
mount ; Grant City — Gem ; Kansas City —
Beaufort; New Franklin — Princess; St.
Joseph — Rialto; St. Louis — Princess.
SEE,DRASTICENFORCEM[
OFN.Y.THEATER FIRE LAI
(Ccmtinued from Page 1)
of the recent Pathe fire and is ba
on the violation of Article 20, secti
240,241,242 of the fire laws.
Unless this article is amended
fore the case is tried in the Munic
court April 7, a drastic move by
fire authorities is anticipated. Exl
itors storing more than an aggrej
of 5,000 feet, of five reels, or filn
theaters at any one time under
present law are subject to char
of violation of the fire laws.
Attorneys representing exhibit
are scheduled to meet within the r
few days to draft a proposed ame
ment to the law.
Article 20 in Section 240, regarding
mits, reads : No person shall store or
on hand any inflammable motion
films in quantities greater than five
aggregating more than 5,000 feet in leif
(Without a permit.
Section 241. Restrictions.
No permit for the storage of inflamn
motion picture films shall be issued for
buildmg.
(a) which is situated within 50 fet
the nearest wall of any building occupie
a school, theater, or other place of p
amusement or assembly;
(b) which is occupied as a tenement hi
dwelling or hotel ;
(c) which is artificially lighted by
means other than electricity ;
(d) which is of wooden structure;
(e) which is not equipped with an
proved system of automatic sprinklers;
(f) which does not contain one or
separate rooms used exclusively for
storage of such films (O.R. 517,518, ame
by ord. effective June 22, 1915.)
Section 242. Storage Rooms.
.\ room, vault or compartment for
storage of inflammable motion picture
shall not be artificially lighted excep'
electric lights, having artificial bulbs, g
or tubes incased in suitable wire cages'
fitted with keyless sockets (O.R. 519.52-
amended by ord. effective June 22. 191!
Rochester Exhibs' Suit
May Wait 3 Yrs. for T;
Rochester, N. Y. — Chances
that two or three years will pas
fore the suits of William St;'
and Elmer Loritz, former oper;
of the Monroe, against the
Board of Trade and six major
tributing companies, go to trial,
exhibitors allege they were force
sell their house through a consp!
in refusing to issue films to th'
Sunday Shows Ballots
in Nebraska To^
(Continued from Page 1)
in their favor. Several of the tc
voting or planning to vote killed
tions last year, but are again ra I
the question.
Burkan to Appeal Case
Nathan Burkan is underS|
planning to appeal the decisic
Judge J. H. Humphrey of the |
preme Court, Kings County, N
who recently dismissed the sui
Sam Schwartz and Herbert M;
against Fox Metropolitan Playho
The suit was for specific perf
ance of an alleged contract for
ing over the Roosevelt, Garden i
Oxford theaters.
These excerpts from five
letters — typical of the
hundreds we have received
during the past year, prove
without a doubt that the policy
of the New York State Exhibitor
has met with unqualified endorse-
ment. From our first issue it was
our intention to build up a "home
town" journal, filled with breezy, au-
thentic and unbiased news and interesting
departments. We are satisfied that we have
ssfuUy carried out our original intentions
THE EMANUEL-GOODWIN PUBLICA-
TIONS. PUBLISHERS OF THE NEW
YORK STATE EXHIBITOR, THE EX-
HIBITOR OF PHILADELPHIA AND THE
NATIONAL EXHIBITOR OF WASHING-
TON. ^1
THE ONLY REGIONAL
I N THE NEW YORK TERRITORY
READ AND ODOTED BY EVERY EXHIBITOR
EVERY ISSUE- CIRCULATION 1500
THE NEW YORK 6TATE
WBnUToR
CIRCULATING
IN NEW YORK
STATE AND NORTH-
ERN NEW JERSEY
Covering 'Yhree f ilm Zones
AN EMANUEL-GOODWIN PUBLICATION
219 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia 1600 Broadway, New York City
DAILY
Friday, March 28,
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— t) —
Thinks Cameraman Deserving
Of Greater Recognition
PVERY now and then some
picture company starts a move
to take screen credit away from
the cinematographers. It has
happened in Hollywood more
than once to the shame of the
companies who have done it.
What this writer cannot under-
stand is why a picture execu-
tive should wish to deprive a
cameraman of this small reward
for artistic endeavor. After all,
the cinematographer is the great-
est artist connected with the
making of a picture. It is he
who brings to the screen the
ideas and dreams of those who
can only wish for something. It
is the cameraman who by his
artistry frequently makes the
public forget that the story is
terrible as they gasp at the
beauty of the photography.
Then, why not give him a line
on the screen telling who did
the work? One would not dream
of removing the name of an old
Master from one of his paint-
ings. Aren't these men Masters
of an art? Don't they deserve,
at least, a meagre reward along
with many of those executives
who never have a thing to do
with the making of the picture?
Hal Hall, Editor,
"American Cinematographer"
Asserts Sound in Theater
Should Be "Easy to Listen To"
'T'HERE is a great deal more to
this matter of sound than sim-
ply making a program under-
stood. Public psychology de-
mands that it be "easy to listen
to." We can discuss this subject
in terms readily understood by
everyone, namely percentage. A
theater can be rated in the per-
centage of intelligibility of
speech which is the index of
"how easy to listen to" the pa-
trons find sound in that theater.
S. K. Wolf, Theater Acoustic
Engineer, Electrical Research
Products
"The Birth of a Nation" was
the first picture to be shown
with a $2.00 top. Picture open-
ed March 3, 1915.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM, Daly, Jr.
"CLORENZ ZIEGFELD, who is vacationing at Palm Beach, is
all set to leave for Hollsrwood to start work on the film version
of "Whoopee," which will be the first of a number of talkers he
virill make in co-operation with Samuel Goldwyn. Eddie Cantor
will star in it. Florenz will return to New York as soon as the
picture is done. Stanley Sharpe, the producer's general manager,
and Zeke Colvin, his stage director, have already left for the
Coast Hope Hampton will tour the Continent with the
Monte Carlo Opera Company this summer. Beniamino Gigli
of the Metropolitan will sing with her. That ought to be an
inspiration to her
pAULINE FREDERICK has left Hollywood and is headed for
New York with the announcement that she will say good-bye
to the films and the stage for some time J. E. Mclnerney
writes in to tell us that "The Vagabond King" has passed its
100th performance and that since its opening some six weeks ago
the picture has attracted 75,000 persons to the Criterion
A vocabulary of underworld terms has been prepared by Sam
Warshawsky so that those uninitiated in the language of the
criminal will be able to understand better the dialogue of "Alias
French Gertie"
A RTHUR ZELLNER, who represents Douglas Fairbanks and
Mary Pickford on the Coast, phones east that there's no truth
in the report that the stars are thinking of retiring from the
screen Bert Feldman, London sales agent for Wamer-
Witmark songs, is paying New York a visit Albert S.
Howson, Warner scenario editor, is becoming quite a talker. He
is to speak at the new George Washington Hotel on Sunday on
"The Opportunities of the Motion Picture." That's not all. On
May 20 he speaks at the Y. M. H. A., St. Nicholas Ave. and
159th St
T OU B. METZGER is all smiles over the fact that the "Cohens
and Kellys in Scotland" has been booked solid over the
R-K-O circuit J. J. Robbins, of the Robbins Music Corp.,
will start for Los Angeles April 4. He plans to visit the M-G-M
studios and to take a look at his own Coast office
JRENE THIRER, m. p. ed. of the "DaUy News" and as charm-
ing a lir fan news writer as the industry possesses, is battling
with the grippe
MARCH 28- MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are criebrating their birth-
days today.
Louis Wolheim
Pandro Berman
EXPLOITETTEil
A Clearing House for
Tablpid EMploitation Ideas
€)
J
^
Thorough Campaign Puts
"Sally" Over at Des Moines ^
'THE showing of "Sally" at tl
Paramount was well exploi
ed by M. L. Elewitz, managt
of the house. A lobby displa
a week in advance of the pictui
started the campaign and Elewi'
followed it up with posters, stre<
car cards, teaser trailers, and
heavy advertising campaig
which allowed more than tl
usual amount of publicity stori(
to get in the papers. The Tribur
ran a story telling that all blonc
Sallys would be admitted free h
tween certain hours and thi
brought big opening busines
Radio station WHO plugged tl
songs from the picture and tall
ing machines in the lobby of tl
house also helped. The who
campaign was so successful thi
the picture was switched to tl
Des Moines to continue the rur
— First Natiowi
Rainbow Dance at Prom ;
Builds "Chasing Rainbows" 1
A RAINBOW Dance numbf
at a University of Illino!
prom was used by H. Alge;
manager of the Park, Chan
paign. 111., to build up "Chasia
Rainbows." The university Oi
chestra featured song hits froJi
the picture and prizes of 25 pall
of tickets were offered to lucl^
number holders.
Alger also used a pot
pennies in the lobby of the hou
with a card which annoutict)
that the contents would be giv*
to the person guessing the nea^
est correct amount. Theater pp
grams carried inserts as guessiR
slips. „, n 1
— M-G-i
TEN YEARS AGO TO-Di
IN
Robertson-Cole to erect 10-81
building at 723 Seventh Ave.,
Y. C.
» « ♦
Broadwell to film Nick Ca
stories.
« * «
Saenger case attracting nationv
interest in New Orleans.
X ihe
^k com]
^^ few
The Year Book for 1930 has
been turned over to an industry that
has learned to lean on it annually as
an authoritative and encyclopedic refe-
rence work of the various and sundry in
motion pictures. A complete job and a
handsome job to boot. A staggering
compilation of facts and statistics which,
in addition to imparting important and
necessary information, tends to quicken
a fuller realization of how extensive the
ramifications of this business really are.
The Year Book makes a comfortable
companion by the right elbow — not for a
few days or a few weeks, but all through^
the year.
DAILV
Friday, March 28, IS
PLAN NATIONAL DRl
TO CURBMUSIC RACKET
{Continued from Page 1)
either motion picture companies o
music publishing houses affiliated with
film producers. Gene Buck, Jaci
Yellen and Harry Von Tilzer wer
among the music men who came ti
Albany and appeared before Cover
nor Roosevelt in connection with the
bill.
Rochester Houses Forced
to Cut Admission Prices
(Continued from Page 1)
sion prices. It is believed that in
some instances vaudeville will be
withdrawn from the programs as a
result of the lowering of admission
scale. Several houses are closed and
from all appearances will not open
until after the summer.
RCA Active in Cleve. Section
Cleveland— RCA Photophone has
been installed in the following
houses: Lyric, Barberton; McKinley,
Canton; Echoe, Detroit; Courtesy,
Detroit; Bijou, Mt. Clemens; Na-
tional, Carl and Cozy, Detroit;
Southern, Akron; Temple, Willard;
Royal, Columbus, and Forest, De-
troit.
Paramount Promotes Brooks
Bernard Brooks has been made as-
sistant booker in the Paramount
Brooklyn exchange.
Robbins Music Forms
New Foreign Department
J. J. Robbins, of the Robbins
Alusic Corp. has opened a foreign
department to cooperate with the 55
AI-G-M foreign branches in the sale
of music.
Say Color Photography
Method to Reduce Cost
(Continued from Page 1)
concerns a film cleaning solution
which, it is claimed, will rejuvenatt
films at a nominal cost. The labora
tory is also at work on non-flam or
acetate film which Essem has per
fected. Statement is made that th
process extends the life of acetate
film to equal that of present nitrate
film. A film developing process
using changed chemicals, is expecter
to double the speed of present run
ning time of machinery for develop
ing film, give added life and improvee
photography. A heat absorbing de-
vice is also being perfected.
Silent Films Held Over
Montreal — One house in this cit}
running exclusive silent programs i:
doing a tremendous business with
its policy, so much in fact, that threi
times in recent weeks a picture ha
been held for a second week. Tw
attractions have already chalked v.
a continuous run for three weeks at
the same house.
Delevan House Gets Sound
Delevan, Wis. — Sound equipment
is being installed in the Delevan by
Community Theaters, Inc.
$155,991 Loss in 1929
for Marks Bros. Houses
Chicago — Marks Bros. Theaters,
Publix-controlled, report a net loss
of $155,991 for the year ended Dec.
28, 1929, compared with net income
of $256,831 in the preceding year.
General Theaters Equip.
Shows $2,710,309 Profit
(Continued from Page 1)
stocks are to be acquired by the com-
pany, was $2,710,309, according to
the consolidated income account. Net
sales amounted to $10,701,087; costs
and expenses, including depreciation,
$7,633,070; operating profit, $3,068,-
017; other income, $570,769; total in-
come, $3,638,786; interest, $360,000;
federal taxes, $369,588; amortization
of discount and expenses, $41,667,
and other deductions, $157,222.
Baltimore Exhibitors Are
Fighting Daylight Bill
(Continued from Page 1)
A concert and protest meeting was
held recently at Keith's when several
prominent citizens spoke against the
Daylight measure.
New Warner for Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wis. — Final papers
have been signed here by which the
Tillema building has also been ac-
quired as a site for the new theater
to be erected at Second St. and Wis-
consin Ave. by Warner Bros.
THREE PROPOSALS TO e
E
(Continued from Page 1)
States. Delegates to the confere
will try to work out a contract
ceptable to all and based on the
ommendations provided. Provid
such an agreement is reached
contract will be submitted to
various exhibitor organizations i
their approval. As stated exclusi^
in THE FILM DAILY the conti
will contain provisions for a sys
of optional arbitration.
Representing the different grc
at the coming meeting will be:
tributors, Sidney R. Kent and (
riel Hess; M.P.T.O.A.. M. A. Li'
man and Frank Walker; A
States, Abram F. Myers and Nai
Yamins.
Major Perry as Film Authori
Major General Aylesworth Bd
Perry will act as technical dire
on a picture to be produced by
Great Outdoor Romance departi
of Fox Movietone. He is consid
an authority on Northwest Moi
Police.
Lead Belt Plans St. Louis He
St. Louis — Plans are being
pared by the Lead Belt Amuse
Co. for a new theater
building here.
and
fti
It^s Sweeping the Countryl
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
RKO Albee (2500; 15-60)— "Clancy in Wall Street" (Aristo-
crat). Vaude. Feature booked as world premiere and accom-
panied by plenty of ballyhoo. House reported second best
week of season, although vaude weak. $15,500; exceptional.
Variety.
CLANCY IN WALL STREET''
UTICA, N. Y.
Closed with Robbins for Colonial Theatre Utica on "Clancy
in Wall Street." It is one of leading first run theatres in town.
Exhibitors agree "Clancy" is great audience picture.
B. H. Mills,
Albany, N. Y.
NAT LEVINE, ARISTOCRAT PICTURES
1650 Broadway, New York City
eJlamirtqMusicalT^^ MARSEILLAISE ^^
1^ N AUTHORITATIVE
5URVEY OF THE
5H0RT SUBJECT FIELD
The Film Daily 's
Short Subjects Quarterly
Out Next Sunday
REVIEWS AND INFOR-
MATION OF TREMEN-
DOUS VALUE TO THE
ENTIRE INDUSTRY
rtlC??
>S rtLC«i
rHEi
KEXT
That's what MACK SEXNETT TALKING
COMEDIES are doing. Setting new Short
Feature records everywhere. Each one soar-
ing a little higher in entertainment value
and in box-office power — and in play dates
in the country's finest houses.
Look over the list of releases since the first of the year.
Then ask yourself if any other series of short comedies
has ever approached such a showing.
t^^O I f-^H . . . Six weeks on Broadway, New York. Exhibitors Herald- World
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^HHj says: "Probably the best Educational short subject thus far released . . .
SUGAR PLUM PAPA" . . . "One of Mack Sennett's funniest . . . You'll undoubtedly roari
at this," says Photoplay Magazine. "A wow of a comedy," says M. P. NewM
"A masterpiece," says Exhibitors Daily Review. Three weeks on Broadway,'
New York.
^'DUUUS AKD BEARS" ... "Another one of the Educational short-feature hits that willi
play in any house to a roaring audience. The industry is beginning toi:
wonder how Educational can be so consistently good in its comed^jj
productions." — The Billboard. '
'^MATCH PLAY" . . . short feature special with the golf champions WALTERI
HAGEN and LEO DIEGEL. The greatest box-office bet ever offered among|j
two-reel comedies. Now setting record bookings all over the countryyj
with unprecedented exploitation backing.
^^HE TRUMPED HER ACE" . . . Sennett's smartest. The Film Daily calls it "a sure ace . . .
a pip of a comedy." And Variety says: "Delightful comedy for de luxes.'*:
?e
AIVD IVOW.
. after this unbroken record of hits, is coming anotheill
that will challenge all altitude records: |
^^HONEYMOO]\
MARJORIE BEEBE **''"*
NICK STUART
ZEPPELIN'-
DAPHNE POLLARD
EDWARD EAKLE
" A comedy that has just a|)out everything that ^a she^rt feature
could have. A ^reat cast in a great story. Marvelous aetiotf, with;
a thrill for every laugh. And plenty of exploitation angles. (
MACK SENNETT
TALKING COMEDIES
EDUCATIONAL FILM EXCHANGES, Ine. E. W. MAMMONS, Pretldf
K
I
Memher. Motion Picture Froducfrs and Distributors of America. Inc.. Will H Havs, Pretident
iTHE
^/FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
OL. LI No. 75
Sunday, March 30, 1930
Price 25 Cents
jankers in New Effort to Compromise Over Fox
•XHIBS^rO SEEK CUT-IN SCORE ^CHARGES
^tage Depression Sends B 'way Producers to Films
pw TiPP-ifimafp Managers OAM'T OIIC l&ini\finilAI 0 n^^^^u ij/^w^^^w,,.. MP. TO. A. Dirprtnrs f.n
lew Legitimate Managers
Making Any Money
This Season
lOne of the chief factors behind the
jillingness of so many Broadway
<ige producers to invade the picture
Md, either upon invitation or at
|eir own solicitation, is due to a
jirly general depression in the legti-
mte field, according to information
(ftained from stage sources by THE
|[LM DAILY. It is stated that
ije number of producers who have
lien able to average a profit this
sason are very few. Most of them
I've made a little money on one or
fo shows and lost as much or more
others, thereby making their sea-
in's activities a net loss.
In line with this trend also is the
ijport that several Broadway legiti-
late theaters now housing weak
Reductions are anxious to switch
jer to a talker policy and are likely
\ make such arrangements in the
ear future.
^ Allied Delegates
I to Attend Meet Monday
ITwenty-five delegates representing
■'rious state exhibitor organizations
cihraced in Allied States Ass'n will
:tend the meeting to be held at the
lotel Warwick Monday, in connec-
^)n with AUied's deal with Sentry
'jifety Device. The following day
le delegates will go to Philadelphia
1 inspect the Sentry plant.
iary Nolan Stays with 'U'
as Differences are Ended
\est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
[Los Angeles — Mary Nolan has
lltched up her difference with Uni-
'irsal and will continue under her
•jntract with the company.
500 Replacements
Electrical Research is under-
stood to have made nearly 500
replacements, installing West-
em Electric in place of other
equipments.
'T8UE
AND UNIOIl COURT RULES
New Haven, L'onn. — Exhibitor^
can bring suit against either a union
or an individual in a union but not
against both, according to a ruling
by the Superior Court here. The
(Contiiuied on Fagc 14)
K. C. and Baxter Houses
Added to Midland Chain
Kansas City, Mo. — Two more
houses have been added to the Mid-
land Circuit. The latest addition is
(Continued on Page 14)
Confab Wednesday
The 2-2-2 conference, sche-
duled for Tuesday in New
York, has been postponed un-
til the following day. Propo-
sals towards a new standard
exhibition contract, incorpo-
rating an arbitration plan, will
be presented.
Chase Reported Leaving
Hal Roach to Free Lance
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Charley Chase is re-
ported leaving Hal Roach shortly. It
is understood he will free lance.
New Proposal Being Discussed
to Straighten Out Fox Affair
Another attempt to effect a com-
promise of the differences between
the Fox-Bancamerica group and the
Stuart-Otterson interests, with a view
to having a new and simpler propo-
sal to submit to Judge John C. Knox
on Tuesday afternoon as a way out
of the existing entanglement of Fox
affairs, is being made bv the inter-
ested banking factions, it is learned
by THE FILM DAILY.
The first intimation of this latest
step was given by Samuel Unter-
mver. Fox attornev, before Judge
Knox on Thursday, when Untermyer
suggested that, if the Judge would
allow an adjournment until Saturday
efforts would be made to work out
a new arrangement that would save
time and trouble for the court. Due
to inability of some of the lawyers
to attend on Saturday, however, the
Judge made the adjournment to
Monday afternoon, despite protesta-
tions from Untermyer that the situ-
ation has reached an acute stage and
quick action is necessary if a receiv-
ership is to be avoided.
Strict secrecy is being maintained
with regard to the conferences now
(^Continued on Page 14)
Product that Promises Much
Dialogue and Color Assets That Should Make New Season Product
the Greatest Ever — Self-imposed Picture Censorship
Highlight of Code of Ethics Planned
|RODUCTTON schedules
major organization, will
^et by 18 companies, including every
provide 521 features for exhibitors'
1930-,31 date l)Ooks. ,\nd, as the new selling season nears, this
total will be consi(lera])ly swelled by the announcements of various
independent companies.
There's every reason to believe that the new season product
will l)e the greatest ever. Increasing production skill, supplemented
by dialogue and color, promises pictures of high calibre. Every com-
pany is a part of the scramble for talent, stories and the most modern
(.Continued on Page 3)
to
M.P.T. O.A. Directors
Ask Rescinding of
Tax on Music
Resolutions asking producers to re-
duce score charges and appealing to
music publishers to rescind the mu-
sic tax will be adopted by the M.P.
T.O.A. directors at their semi-annual
meeting Monday in New York. Cut-
ting of the score charges is under-
stood within immediate prospects.
Exhibitor officials will stress the bur-
den this assessment is placing on the
small town theater owners in appeal-
ing for this relief. Complete removal
of the charge is understood to be
likely within two years. In connec-
tion with the music tax, exhibitor
officials estimate that one-half of the
nnisic is owned by three producers.
The directors will prepare recom-
mendations for submission at the
2-2-2 conference discussion of a
standard exhibition contract Monday.
Frank Walker will report on the
5-5-5 sessions held in December.
President M. A. Lightman will pre-
side.
CONSOLIDATED riLN BUYS
RIGHTS TO VITA-COLOR
Negotiations for the purchase of
exclusive rights to Vita-Color proc-
ess have been completed by Consoli-
dated Film Industries, Inc., H. J.
Yates, president of the latter, an-
nounced Friday. A new plant will be
immediately built in Hollywood by
Consolidated for the production of
color films under the new process.
Sees All Wired
Chicago — Every motion pic-
ture theater in the country will
be wired for sound in another
year. Dr. Lee DeForest, de-
clared in an address at the 7th
anniversary of Mandel Bros.
Moreover, he predicted, tele-
vision will supplement many
sound devices during the pres-
ent year.
^=%;Bg^
DAILV
Sunday, March 30, 19
Vil. II Ns. 75 SoRday, March 30. 1930 Price 25 Cents
IMN N. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PU8USHEI
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. j. W. Alicoate, President.
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau.
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Creater New
York $10 00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday.
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne.
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Salt?
Am. Seat 20/^ 20^ 20'A 100
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 24 liVt, 24 1,900
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. 24 23!^ 24 2,800
Con. Film rts ■% H Vz 6,500
East. Kodak 237^235 235 5,000
Fox F"m. "A" ... I'.Vt, 31 325^ 44,000
Fox Film ".\" rts.. 5% 4H 4J4 24,200
Fox Film deb. rts. Vs 'A 'A 5,100
Gen. Thea. Equ. .. Ai'/z A2'A 427A 16,400
•Keith A-O 3654
*do pfd 115 J4
Loew's, Inc 7b'A 74 75-^ 7,600
do pfd. WW (6}4).103^ 103 J4 103J4 100
'do pfd. xw (6KO 92
M-G-M pfd 25->4 25H 25.^ 200
Para. F-L 76'/8 74J4 76'A 47,700
Pathe Exch 5>A 4% 5 2,400
do "A" 10^4 10^ 10J4 600
R-K-G 36^8 34H 36 33,200
•Univ. Pict. pfd 55 54
Warner Bros 80 54 78 SO'A 11,400
do pfd 7054 6854 7054 5,200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Hal. & Katz 79% 79H 79fS 100
Columbia Pets. . . . 3954 38^4 39 200
Fox Thea. "A" ... 754 ^'A 7% 2,300
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts.. 3954 35 i9A 300
Loew, Inc., war. . 125^ 10 125^ 1,200
Nat. Scr. Ser 30^ 2854 30 25,500
"Nat. Thea. Sup 25
•Univ. Pict 17
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
^Keitli A-O 6s 46 90
Loew 6s 41 WW ..120 1195^ 120 220
di 6s 41 x-war ..1005^ 1005i 1005^ 60
ilo seller 7 11954 1185^ 11954 20
ParamoiMit 6s 47 ..102^ 102 102^^ 220
•Par. By 554s51 10154
•Pathe 7s37 55
*1.AST PRICE QUOTED
*•«,♦•.»♦>•,••,♦•,••,*♦>*♦♦>♦*♦♦♦♦♦♦♦>♦♦♦♦♦>•.♦•♦♦,♦♦*♦>♦>,
S5 *>
M New York Long Island City t.t
g 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. >.t
g BRYant 4712 STIIlwell 7940 >.?
II Eastman Films |
I J. E. Brulatour, Inc. |
— I
M it
fX Chicago Hollywood :'{
§ 1T27 Indiana Ave. 6700 Santa Monica g
9 Blvd. tt
tt CALumet 2681 HOLlywood 4121 g
INDEX
PAGF
EDITORIAL, Product I hat Promises Much 1
FINANCIAL. Daily Market Activities 2
THEATER EQ UIPMENT. by lVilHam Ornstein 4
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST 6
■■SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS." by Harry N. Blair 6
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast News by Telegraph ;
■A LITTLE FROM LOTS." by Ralph Wilk ;
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE
TIM EL y TOPICS, Diycst of Current Opinions
A FILM FACT A DAY
ALONG THE RIAI.TO, by Phil M. Daly, Jr
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
EXPLOITETTES
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY, Culled from Film Daily Files'. .'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Louis Pelegrine
PRESENTATIONS, bv Don C. Gillette
WEEK'S HEADLINES. Resume of Nc-.i-s
REVIEWS
PAGE
BROADWAY HOOFER 8
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD 8
DAMES AHOY 11
FRAMED 11
HOLD EVERYTHING R
HONEY 11
KING OF JAZZ II
SHORT SUBJECTS
SOUND 1
LIGHT OF WESTERN STARS 8
MAMMY g
ONE ROMANTIC NIGIlf •
PLAYING AROUND "'li
TRAILING TROUBLE ... " \\
WIDE OPEN ' s
WHAT A MAN s
Independent Buys Shorts
for Ohio and Kentucky
Cleveland — Twelve two-reel Kiddy
Trouper all-talking comedies and a
group of 14 one-reel westerns featur-
ing Te.xas Guinan have been pur-
chased by M. L. Weiner, president of
Independent Pictures, Inc., for dis-
tribution in Ohio and Kentuckv.
Dashkin Buys Interest
in Savoy at Jamaica
Irving Dasiikin has ac(|uired an
interest in the Savo> , Jamaica, and
v\'ill ininiediate]\- take over the man-
agement and supervision of the house.
He was formerly manager of the
.Arena for Consolidated .Amusements
Enterprises.
Boles, La Plante Get Big Hand
John Boles and Laura La Plante,
making a personal appearance at the
Roxy for the world premiere of "The
Captain of the Guard," in which thev
play the leading roles, were given a
rousing reception bv a packed house.
Boles made a short speech.
Takes Flat Rock House
Flat Rock. Mich.— The Flat Rock
has been taken over bv L. R. Knight
and Harrv Peterson.
Robbins Offering Prizes
for "Rogue Song" Displays
Robbins Music Corp.. is offering
three cash prizes and 10 awards of
25 copies each of "The Rogue Song"
music to dealers showing the best
window display on this subject. The
publisher is furnishing streamers and
title pages to aid those interested in
the contest. Judges will .select win-
ners from photos of window displavs.
Wilson on Tour of Five
Mid-Western Exchanges
Frank R. Wilson, president of
Talking Picture Epics, is now on a
tour of the company's Mid-Western
exchanges. His itinerary includes
the following branches: Omaha, Chi-
cago, Indianapolis, Kansas City and
St. Louis.
Invitation Shows for Hollywood
The first two davs of the new
Warner Hollywood will be given
over to invitation performances with
the first public showing to take place
on Saturday, April 19. The house
will have a two-a-day policy.
Let IJs Solve Your Problems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
The Industry's
Date Book
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
May
«May
May
lay
une
2-2-2 Conference will take place .
Premiere of "Under a Texas Mo< •
at the Winter Garden, N. Y.
Second annual banquet and 1 1
of the Warner Club. Inc., at ti
Hotel Commodore, N. Y. j
Spring convention of Tri-State <"
P.T.O. at Memphis.
Premiere of "Journey's End" t
the Gaiety, New York.
S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at ;
Wardman Park Hotel, Washi[-
ton, D. C. '
16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern m».
gers hold annual sales meet it
Atlantic City.
24-25-26-27 Paramount western m&-
gers will hold annual sales nt
at San Francisco.
2S Fox annual sales convention stts
today.
2-7 International Cinema Congress- 1
Brussels.
5-8
RCA Equipment for
Rome and Turin Studfis
Negotiations have been complei 1
between E. O. Hevl. general mi-
ager of the foreign department if
RCA Photophone and a delege
manager of Societa Anonima Pif-
luga for the installation of R-V
Photophone apparatus at the prod -
ing companv's studios at Turin id
Rome. Recording equipment n
trucks for location purposes is j'o
included in the deal. Societa Am'.-
ma Pittaluga will make ten soi'd
pictures during the coming: year. ■■
McCormack Coast Premier;
Wcsl Coast Bureau. THE FILM DA.V
Hollywood — "Song O' Mv He»"
will have its coast premiere at e
Grauman's Chinese when the J'Jr
McCormack film opens .'\pril 18. .
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHEN you GO TO BUY
ITSliryTSG
&0-WNS AND UKIFORM
i"iO 25.0OO COSTUMCS ro OEN
WE BUILD, BUy, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
ilN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
THE
Sunday, March 30, 1930
■<sti
DAILV
Vroduci That
Promises Much
(Continued from Page 1)
1
quipment. Production competition
Is at the highest pitch in the history
|if the industry. The business is on
ts collective toes — ready to go lick-
ty-split.
In an effort to ward off legislative
!)ressures, the Hays organization is
t)repared to adopt a code of ethics
[governing talking pictures. Self-im-
bosed censorship is the plan. Story
fnaterial will be scrutinized with
(ibject of banning those subjects
Ivhich might be considered offensive
ind detrimental to standards of life.
\ Monday: An improved brand of
l.ound recording and reproduction is
;.een by William F. Canavan, who
)ught to know, as president of the
litage hands' and operators' national
'irganization. But there are still some
l)ad reproduction spots in houses
here and there The RKO pro-
jluction machine, all steamed up for
Its new production schedule, needs
imother $2,000,000 addition in its
Coast workshop. And Bill Le Baron
jays its going to get it
Tuesday: Optional arbitration,
served in a national package, is ex-
pected to emerge from the exhib-
iistrib confab scheduled for April 1.
This ought to make 'em cheer every-
livhere Jesse Lasky, although
paly officially speaking in behalf of
Paramount, probably voices the feel-
ing of more than his own outfit when
he points out that the matter oi
costs is a problem to be reckoned
with in color production
Wednesday: Looks like a break
down Washington-way for newsreels.
The tariff bill under consideration
would let into the country free Amer-
jican film exposed abroad for these
newspapers of the screen And
speaking of newsreels Universal
jNewsreel Syndicate has increased its
jnumber of newspaper associates to
S6.
; Thursday: Vaudeville, which has
Ibeen finding the going rocky for
some years past, is meeting with in-
creased competition through the
r)opularity of sound short subjects.
Many vaude acts have gone short
subject, as a matter of fact
Modifications to the British Film Act
are in the wind. They will ease the
situation for whatever American
production talent that aspires to work
in British studios
Friday: Legislative guns are to
be trained on the song sheet rack-
eteering gangs which ignore copy-
rights. New York State leads the
enforcement parade against these
illegally-inclined gentlemen The
daylight saving battle is on in Balti-
more, with patron support helping
'he offensive R-K-O is set to
enter the Broadway exhibition sec-
tion as a permanent resident. Their
new house will eliminate the Main
.Stem's lone burlesque house.
More Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Cleveland, O. — Within the past
two weeks RCA Photophone appa-
ratus has been installed in the fol-
lowing theaters in this territory: Re-
gent, Youngstown; Hollywood, Co-
lumbus; Lyric and Park, Barberton;
McKinley, Canton; Southern, Akron;
Lyric, Massilon; Temple, Willard;
and Royal, Columbus. In Detroit
the same company installed its equip-
ment in the Echo, Courtesy, Cozy,
Forest, Fredro and Midwest.
Dallas, Tex. — The Queen has been
wired by Western Electric.
San Francisco — The Lyceum is
being equipped with Western Elec-
tric apparatus.
Wabasso, Minn. — Western Electric
equipment will be installed at the
Opera House.
Chicago — The Austin is having
Western Electric equipment installed.
Chicago — The New Wonderland
has been wired for sound by the
Western Electric Company.
Chicago, 111. — Engineers for W^est-
ern Electric have completed wiring
the Mid-City.
Eagle Grove, la. — Western Elec-
tric equipment has been installed at
the Princess.
Bagley, Minn. — Sound equipment
has been installed at the Family.
Halstead, Minn. — C. T. Estenson
has wired his house with Western
Electric equipment.
Fairbanks, Alaska — The Empress
has been wired by Western Electric.
It seats 657.
Miles City, Mont. — The Liberty
has completed installation of a West-
ern Electric system.
Half Moon Bay, Cal. — Western
Electric equipment has gone into the
Half Moon Bay.
Carnegie, Pa. — The Liberty has
been wired by Western Electric.
Richford, Vt. — The Park has in-
stalled Western Electric.
Ruston, La. — Engineers are instal-
ling Western Electric equipment in
the Strand.
So. Charleston, W. Va. — The
Mound recently inaugurated sound
pictures with a Western Electric in-
stallation.
The Alhambra, seating 1375, has
been wired by Western Electric.
Millvale, Pa.- — The Grant is having
Western Electric equipment installed.
La Porte, Tex. — The Broadway is
now using Western Electric equip-
ment.
Frankfort, Ky. — State has been
wired with RCA equipment.
South St. Paul, Minn. — M. J.
O'Toole has installed De Forest
equipment at the Ideal.
Tonopah, Nev. — Western Electric
sound system is in the Butler.
Tulsa, Okla. — Western Electric ap-
paratus has been installed at the Cir-
cle here.
Los Angeles, Cal. — The Triangle
has put in Western Electric equip-
ment.
San Francisco, Cal. — Installation of
the Western Electric device is now
being undertaken at the New Ly-
ceum.
E. Weymouth, Mass. — The Jack-
son has put in Western Electric
sound machinery.
Hayden, Ariz. — The Rex has in-
stalled Western Electric apparatus.
New Bedford, Mass. — Western
Electric equipment has been installed
in the Casino.
Wilhamstown, Mass. — The Walden
has been wired for sound by Western
Electric.
Chicago, 111. — Western Electric
Sound equipment has made its debut
at the Vista.
Green River, Wyo. — The Isis has
gone talker with the installation of
Western Electric system.
Fort Worth, Tex.— The Poly has
installed Western Electric equipment.
Tulsa, Okla. — The Lyric has gone
talkie with the installation of the
Western Electric system.
Grass Valley, Cal.— The Strand has
been wired for sound by Western
Electric.
San Francisco, Cal. — The West
Portal is now listed among the wired
houses installing Western Electric
equipment.
Tuolumne, Cal. — Western Electric
apparatus has gone into Fireman's
Hall.
Detroit, Mich.— The Palace will
open with sound using Western Elec-
tric equipment.
Chadron, Neb. — The Pace has been
wired by Western Electric.
Bethlehem, Pa. — Talking pictures
are coming to the College, which has
installed Western Electric.
Marlin, Tex. — Western Electric
equipment has been installed in the
Strand.
Danish, Swedish Exhibs
Protest Sound Rentals
Copenhagen — Advent of sound has
brought protests from Swedish and
Danish exhibitors because of high
rentals of talkers being distributed
by American companies. Unless
prices are reduced theater owners
threaten concerted action "by other
means." Exhibitors of both coun-
tries contend that the English lan-
guage is not understood by the ma-
jority of moviegoers and declare that
since box-office receipts have not in-
creased there is no justification for
such "ruinous" high rentals.
Stanley Stockholders to
Examine Books, Records
Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAILY
Washington — Stanley Co. of Amer-
ica, through its attorney, has in-
formed the Superior Court that An-
drew L. Logan, Joseph Halpern and
William Goodis, the three stock-
holders who started legal proceed-
ings against the company, can ex-
amine all its books and records so
that they might learn the actual
value of the stock they refused to
exchange for Warner Bros, stock
when Stanley was absorbed by War-
ners.
Coplan Leases Detroit House
Detroit — G. G. Coplan has leased
the Colony here for 10 years. He
is now having the house remodeled.
Western Electric equipment is now
being installed.
ROBERT EDESON and
GEORGE FAWCETT
they're always good.
(THEY'RE IN IT)
THE
a^Ktattm
<xm.
DAILV
U'
Sunday, March 30, 193*
Theater Equipment
,Bv WILLIAM ORNSTEIN,
R-K-O Sign
An electrical sign 100 feet
high by 145 feet wide is plan-
ned for the R-K-O which will
be built on the site of the
Columbia, Broadway. In ad-
dition, the entire front of the
house will be illuminated.
R-K-O estimates it will cost
$250 a day to operate this dis-
play.
Window Cards and Posters
Build Community Spirit
Building up community good-will
by the exhibitor and keeping business
within the neighborhood through the
medium of window cards and stickers
is suggested in a special announce-
ment Uthographed in various colors
by Berkshire Poster Co., of New
York. The window card is litho-
graphed in five colors while the
sticker is done in four shades. The
card and sticker read: SUPPORT
YOUR COMMUNITY — SHOP
WHERE YOU LIVE. Under the
last line space is left for printing of
the name of the theater co-operating
in the drive. Chambers of Com-
merce, Boards of Trade and Business
Men's Associations have in many in-
stances given their co-operation to
this movement and cards have been
displayed in banks and store win-
dows where ordinarily no one would
put a theatrical advertisement.
Talkie Installation
and Servicing for S. W.
Dallas — Southwestern Electrical
Products has announced an installa-
tion and servicing department for
sound equipment. Service men will
operate from the Kansas City, Mem-
phis, Omaha, New Orleans, Atlanta,
and Dallas offices of the conipanj'.
FLAME PROOF
:2»'i;
guaranteed/
TiLM CEMENTi
ITJUSTWOMTBURN
HEWES-GOTHAM CO.
520 West 47th St., New York
Tel. Chickering 4531
Department of Commerce Issues
Circular on Theater Acoustics
Principles of acoustics that need
to be considered by theater builders
are dealt with in a circular just is-
sued by the Bureau of Standards,
Department of Commerce.
The circular points out that the usual
acoustical defects of auditoriums are echo,
dead spots, and reverberation. Reverbera-
tion, including echo, which is a particular
kind of reverberation, is a serious defect since
the prolongation of one sound such as a mu
sical note or spoken syllable, may interfere
with the next sound, producing hopeless con-
fusion.
This is likewise a difficult defect to re
move, and should be prevented by foresight
in construction. Avoid circular hails and
smooth, hard finished walls. Surfaces, such
as the ceiling and even proscenium arch in
theaters, should be broken up into irregular
areas which will scatter the reflected sound.
Dead spots and sound foci result as m
consequence of reverberation-producing condi
Claim Exclusive Feature
on Ilex Projection Lens
Exact adjustment of the focal
length of the individual screen size
of the theater in which it is installed
is claimed as an exclusive feature of
the New Ilex F:2.5 projection lens,
iiiaiuitactured by the Ilex Optical Co.,
of Rochester, N. Y. This adjusti-
bility arrangement overcomes un-
sightly slopover or incomplete cover-
ing of the screen, and it is not neces-
sary to specify "plus" or "minus"
with the focal length ordered nor to
make selection from several lenses
before obtaining one which renders
the exact screen covering desired.
The Ilex F:2.5 maintains its un-
usual speed throughout all focal
lengths, it is said, and among other
improvements ascribed to this new
lens are: maximum contrast, jet
white and black projections, freedom
from gray yellowish tint, elimination
of chromatic aberration, freedom
from coma, absence of distortion and
perfect projection effects.
Reopen Fredric Auditorium
Fredric, Wis. — The Fredric audi-
torium was opened recently after
being remodeled and new sound
equipment installed.
rOCAOTE
Sffiurad.: .S-creen
\'ocalite combines a distinct, clear
transmission of sound with sharp
brilliant pictures. It enables better
projection because of its mechani-
cal, scientific and optical features,
ihe result of painstaking study on
the iiart of the laboratory staff of
thf Beaded Screen Co.
It Is 100', Perfect for Light,
Sound, Co'or and Third Dimension.
.,rfv, lH„.,n,r, m AfPliuiiwr,
BtArfD SCftECN CORP.
4*8 WEST 37 T" STREET NY.
FACTORY ROOSEVELT. M.Y.
tioiis and may be treated in the same \\a\
Balconies often require special treatment, am
if low and deep are almost certain to lie un
satisfactory.
A certain amount of reverberation, or pro
longation of a sound is desirable provided
'.he reverl.)eration does not last long enough
to interfere with the ne.xt succeeding sound.
.A. table of acceptable limits of reverberatioi
time for rooms of dift'erent volumes, and for
mulas for calculating the reverberation tim>
are given. Values are given for the sound
absorbing powers of different materials based
on an open window as a perfect absorber.
Practical general directions for desiguini.'
an auditorium are included, and it is pointei
out that rooms of certain sizes are best foi
certain purposes. Thus a theater should 1
of moderate size, while an auditorium fo
mu.sical numbers may be much larger. 1
case an orchestra is reinforced by an orgai
due allowance must be made. Great can
should be taken in selecting the interior fin
ish so as to reduce the reverberation time t
a proper value. Many sound-absorbing m:i
terials are now available commerciallv.
Cleaner Is Added to
Film Inspection Machines
.\ wiping or cleaning attachment,
which has been designed to effec-
tively wipe oft' the oil and grit while
the film is being rewound and in-
spected without any loss of time or
speed, is now being added to the two
models put out by the Film Inspec-
tion Machine Co. of New York. The
two styles are the 1 heater Model
Film Inspection and Rewinding Ma-
chine, designed for u^e in theaters,
and the Duo Model, which handles
two reels of film simultaneously and
is intended for tlie use of exchanges.
Flameproof Film Cement
Approved by Fire Chiefs
Flameproof "2-in-r' Film Cement
has been approved by the fire mar-
shals of Michigan and Arkansas and
by the Bureau of Standards of the
State of Pennsylvania, Dep't of In-
dustry and Labor. This cement can
be used for every type of film, ac-
cording to the makers.
Several Chains Sign for
Outdoor Advertising Plan
Oft'ering of its plan for maintain-
ing and posting three-sheets for the
price of a one-sheet, Outdoor Adver-
tising Service has signed several
chains for this service. All locations
of poster boards are subject to ap-
proval by the company. The service
covers a period of 36 months and
provides for weekly changes in post-
ers provided by the advertiser.
Organize Equipment Company
Milwaukee, Wis. • — The Theater
Seating and E(|uipment compan_v has
been organized here with 30 shares
of common stock at $100 each. The
new company will deal in all kinds
of theater equipment. The organizers
of the company were S. Levinsohn,
E. Patterson and R. Levinsohn.
MAGNETIC COLOR CONTR(|
FOR KlIEGUPOT M
Four or more color frames and:
group of spotlights can be controllij
from any remote point by use of \
electro-magnetic control and a m]
spotlight manufactured by Klieij
This makes it unnecessary to hai'
a_ group of lights for each color c
sired. Two or more color fran
may also be used at one time, c^
taining a blending of colors, thj
further extending the range of ava'
able colors, it is claimed. Lights a|
colors are controlled instantaneou.i!
through the medium of a selecti'
control board with master switch
it is declared.
See Increasing Demand
for Marquee Equipmei
.\u increasing demand for marqi
e(|uipment that allows for attract
advertising displays, in addition
serving in a practical capacity, is
ported by the Covington Metal Pre •
ucts Co., which recently took o\ ■
the -Architectural Metal Products, '
Covington, Ky. As a result of 1 ■
growing popularity of the marqu ,
the company decided to specialize i
the manufacture of this product. I,-
gineering and architectural draftiij;
departments are maintained to asFt
theater owners and architects w i
sug.tjestions and details.
The trend in the marquee line,
is declared, is in the direction i
dp-;igns that conform with mod i
electrical outdoor advertising and
architecturally in harmony with
buildings on which they are to i;
used. One of the chief aims isti)
obtain impressive effects in the n4|t
dignified and artistic manner possii'
Remodeling Texarkana House
TexarkaTia. Tex. — C. T. Thonip'
manager of the Gem, which recei .
was damaged by fire, is remodel ;
the house and will reopen it in
other week or so with talkers.
Claremont (N. H.) House Soli
Claremont. N. H. — ^Herbert ■
Dalev, pioneer local exhibitor, s
sold the Tremont to the Tremit
Theater Co. 1
One-Sheet for Trailer
Electrical Research is distribute
a one-sheet on the talking tra-r
"Finding His Voice," which is gi in
to houses installing Western EleCjC
equipment. i
Port Huron House Sold
Port Huron. Mich.— C. Stan;|l<
has acquired the Riviera, ha\|S
taken the house over from M. )■
Chargot. I
Exploits Installation
I Maryville, Tenn.— When the
Palace signed up for a Western
t Electric installation, arrange-
\ ments were made to have a
banner attached to the freight
car carrying the parts which
read, "Western Electric Sound
System for the Palace Theater,
Maryville, Tenn." The train
hauling the equipment passed
through four states on the way
to Maryville.
icoustical Science Book
; Aid for Sound Problems
' Chicago — Western Felt Works
as issued a book dealing with sound
toustics for theaters and studios,
ital problems of acoustical science,
ow to determine varying needs for
3und treatment in audience rooms;
ow to calculate the time of rever-
eration; percentage of sound ab-
orbed by common building mate-
lals; how much material to use and
/here and how to place it are ex-
lained in this volume. Illustrations
re also included. Westfelt, an ab-
orbent for sound houses, requires
o architectural changes, presents no
iiechanical problem and is easily
nade to harmonize with the scheme
•i any decoration, the company de-
,Wes.
Vlatisse Bros. Specialize
on Spherical Reflectors
Spherical glass reflectors are a
pecialty with Matisse Bros. Re-
lectors having outside radii of 2^/2
o 6 inches and utilizing any solid
ingle of light up to 180 degrees can
»e furnished, according to the com-
pany.
I Okays Syracuse Amphitheater
Syracuse, N. Y. — Mayor Marvin,
Commissioner of Parks Frank M.
'Vestcott, Clarence E. Howard of
^he Planning, Parks and Recreations
pommittee and Alderman Max Ro-
ienbloom have approved plans for
:he building of the new open air am-
phitheater to cost $20,000.
Installs Heating Plant
I White Plains, N. Y.— The Callahan
Automatic Sprinkler Co. has installed
;i heating plant in the new Pick-
vick.
Installing Cooler
i Vicksburg, Miss. — An air cooling
kystem is being installed in the Saen-
?er.
! Reseat 2 Detroit Houses
' Detroit — The Heywood-Wakefield
Po. has finished reseating the Cen-
ury, formerly the La Salle Garden,
md the Alhambra, both Publix
louses.
UNIT DRIVE m PERMITS
LOW SPEED VENTILATION
A noiseless fan with a unit drive
has been developed by Typhoon Fan
for the express use in sound theaters.
The new ventilating fan, known as
the "Kool-N-Vent" has various im-
provements incorporated in it, state
its makers, that enable great vol-
umes of air circulation at extremely
low speeds. One of the principal
factors working towards the elim-
ination of noise at this low speed is
a fan-wheel design. The number of
blades as much above the average,
giving a blade-area several times that
of the usual type fan wheel. Back
lash (return of air at the fan center)
is held to a minimum by a very large
center disc.
Practically all other makes of fans
up to 48 in. in diameter are equipped
with the motors connected directly
to fan-shafts. In such an arrange-
ment the fan must operate at the
same high speed as the motor. Low-
speed motors are expensive and in-
efficient. To equip a fan with a
motor operating at a speed so low as
to assure silence means a motor ex-
orbitant in cost, it is said.
The Typhoon Unit-Drive fan dis-
penses with the direct-connected
motor entirely, using instead a stand-
ard-speed motor and a silent and
highly efficient new V-shape belt-
drive running on V-groove pulleys.
Newman Mfg. Co. Showing
Line of Metal Frames
Cincinnati — A complete line of
metal frames for display in lobbies
of theaters, as well as the front of
the house, is now being distributed
by the Newman Mfg. Co. The frames
can be had in various types and sizes
with designs to meet the demand of
tlie exhibitor.
Weber Sound-on-Film
Rochester N. Y.— The Weber Ma-
chine Corp. recently demonstrated
its new sound-on-film reproducing
device here. An exciter lamp throw-
ing light on an optical system under
the film is said to be a new depar-
ture.
EXCEPTIONAL
BARGAIN —
Slightly Used
200-ft. Universal Camera
with automatic dissolving shutter. 2"
F3.5 Carl Zeiss lens, 2" F1.9 Dall-
meyer lens, five magazines, carrying
case. Universal tripod, all practically
brand new —
$3SO.OO
WILLOUGHBYS
110 West 32nd St., New York, N. Y.
U. S. and Canada Agents for Debrie
NEW COLOR MIXER SIGN
EOR DECORATIVE LIGHTING
When the Warner Hollywood
opens April 17, something new in the
way of signs will be seen on the rout
of the house. The sign, which takes
in the entire block on Broadway, will
combine animated colors and designs
in decorative lighting. These colors,
heretofore projected only through
the medium of paint, are the direct
result of a new electrical color-mix-
ing process known as Color Control.
The development is the propert}-
of Kirk Color Control, Inc., from
which Warner Bros, have purchased
the rights. It makes possible the
actual mixing of electrical colors to
the same degree of accuracy and
perfection which are now obtained
in paint. Just as the artist mixes
two primary colors to create a de-
sired shade, so does the electrical
engineers now "mix" primary elec-
trical colors to achieve a shade ef-
fect. A cellular steel face, studded
with invisible lamps is the giant can-
vas used for the creation of perfect
pictures in light and for the projec-
tion of thousands of subtle shades
never known to electricity before.
30 P. C. Discount for
Allied in Sentry Deal
Allied States Ass'n will receive a
30 per cent discount on Sentry safety
control equipment under an agree-
ment just made. Matters in connec-
tion with the contract will be dis-
cussed at a meeting to be held in
New York tomorrow, attended by
delegates representing the various
states comprising Allied.
Southwestern Electrical
to Distribute Portable
Dallas — The new Powers Cine-
phone portable projector and sound
equipment will be handled in this
territory by Southwestern Electrical
Products.
Moves Detroit Office
Detroit — The Strong Lamp Co. has
moved its offices to the Film Bldg.
1 7 in One House
Patrons of the Paramount,
New York, have such a liking
for candy that there are now
17 automatic vending machines
in the de luxe house. Only
nationally advertised brands of
candy in original wrappers are
placed in these machines.
Chicago Cinema Selling
Cabinet for Trailers
Chicago — A fire-proof cabinet for
trailers is being manufactured by
Chicago Cinema Equipment Co. The
cabinet is built of galvanized sheet
iron and has seven curved shelves
for holding film. A feature of this
box provides for suspension against
a wall. It also has self-closing doors,
mounted on spring hinges which
keep the doors closed and prevent
sagging, the company claims.
Bel-Sunlite Exit Lights
Manufactured by Belson
Chicago — Exit signs made of red
and white marble art glass construc-
tion called Bel-Sunlite are being
made by the Belson Manufacturing
Co. Each sign is mounted on a steel
box containing one or more G. E.
sockets as ordered. Cleaning and
renewal is very easy, according to
Belson.
Three Film Treatments
Used by Amer. Recono
Three film treatments, evolved by
J. J. F. Stock of Berlin, are being
used by the American Recono, Inc.,
at its new laboratory at 245 W. 55th
St. The treatments are the scratch-
removing treatment, the impregna-
tion treatment and the rejuvenation
treatment.
CINEMA
. Write For Trial Sample
TALKING NEEDLES
WALL-KANE NEEDLE MFG. CO., Inc
3922 :4th Ave. Brooklyn, N. Y
FIRE-PROOF
WATER-PROOF
Ruscus Trees. Hedges, Flame-Proof, also Water-Proof for indoor and outdoor
use. Artificial Flowers, Plants, Trees, Vines. Iron Wrought Decorated Stands
for Lobby, Theatre and Hall Decorations Illustrated in Our SEASONABLE
CATALOGUE No. 3. MAILED FREE ON APPLICATION.
Suggestions and Estimates Cheerfully Furnished.
FRANK NETSGHERT, Inc.
61 Barclay Street
New York, N. Y.
—JX/^
DAILY
Sunday, March 30, 19 1
PRODUCTION IN THE EAST
WHO'S WHO AND WHAT'S WHAT IN GREATER NEW YORK STUDIOS
P-f-L LONG ISLAND PLANT
NOW AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
With over 25 per cent of the Para-
iHount product set for the Long
Island studios, production schedules
have been completed for wrell into
the summer months.
"Queen High," now in production,
is expected to be finished by April
15, at which time "Too Much Luck,"
Chevalier's next starring vehicle, will
be started. This was originally set
for April 1, but was postponed owing
to the French star's stage appearance
in New York, as a "one man show,"
during the coming week.
"The Sap From Syracuse," Jack
Oakie's second starring picture, will
also be started around April 15, with
Edward Sutherland directing. Fol-
lowing this, Harry D'Arrast will di-
rect his own story which is a high
society melodrama, with a sophisti-
cated angle. "Heads Up," starring
Buddy Rogers, will also be started
sometime in May.
R-V Gramercy Studios
to be Ready Before June
The Radio-Victor Gramercy stu-
dios, now under re-construction, will
be ready for occupancy not later
than June 1, at which time three ful-
ly equipped stages will be available
for rental.
Great Arts Pictures to
Make 13 for Wm. Pizor
' Great Arts Pictures has contracted
to make 13 Great Arts Novelties for
release through Wm. M. Pizor.
English Director Here
Colonel Stanley Bell, formerlv
stage director for Sir Herbert Beer-
bohm-Tree in England, is spending
some time at the Paramount Long
Island studios observing methods of
American film production. Bell, who
directed the eight road companies of
"Journey's End," also designed the
sets for "Dishonored Lady," the cur-
rent Broadway drama.
More "Blimps" Coming
Camera booths for excluding sound
having proven obsolete, five camera
"blimps" are now en route from Hol-
lywood for use at the Paramount
Long Island studios. Camera "blimps"
are both compact and easily moved
and relieve the cameraman of the
necessity of closing himself up in an
airtight booth while scenes are being
filmed.
Paramount Signs Composer
Adolph Deutch, formerly with
Publix music department, has joined
the present staff at the Paramount
Long Island studios, as musical ad-
visor.
Producers, Cameramen to
Discuss New Agreement
Producers will meet with represen-
tatives of Cameramen's Local No.
644, on April 2, at 100 E. 45th St.,
to finally draw up a new agreement
covering working conditions in the
studios.
The present agreement expired
January 31, and new arrangements
had been held up owing to the ill-
ness of Guy F. Currier, who repre-
sents the producers. Francis E.
Zeisse will act on behalf of the cam-
eramen.
Former Sound Studio Men
With Pathe-Nathan Abroad
Several former employees at the
Pathe studio in New York are now
abroad working at the Pathe-Nathan
studios in Paris, under Robert Kane.
Among these are Harry Stradling,
Ted Pahle and Phil Tannura. Strad-
ling is directing and photographing
a series of shorts, the first of which
was recently shown at the Para-
mount theater, Paris.
Ted Pahle is engaged as first cam-
eraman and Tannura, formerly a di-
rector here, has been placed in charge
of Pathe-Nathan's cutting depart-
ment. ..J
Short Shots from New York Studios
By HARRY N. BLAIR
(^HARLES RUGGLES, Helen
Carrington and Nina Olivette,
now appearing in "Queen High," at
the Paramount Long Island studios,
all play the same roles as in the
original stage production. Ruggles,
who played his part for 92 weeks
straight says that the lines are al-
most second nature to him by this
time and that he knows every role
in the play by heart.
Three Broadway fuvorites are
featured in "The Collegiate Model/'
which Murray Roth recently direct-
ed at the Warner Bros. Eastern stu-
dio. Ona Munson has the feminine
lead, opposite Roger Pryor, while
Harry Rosenthal {plus his cigar)
has the leading comedy role. Thirty
other players appear in the support-
ing cast.
George Hinners, second camera-
man on "Leave It to Lester," has
been with the Paramount organiza-
tion for 14 years. Hinners started
in the business at the Pathe studio
in Jersey City, during the filming
of that famous serial, "The Perils of
Pauline."
AN example of the pressure under
which the Paramount Long Island
studio staff is operating may be gath-
ered from the fact that Ernest Zator-
sky, monitor man, worked straight
through from 8 A. M. Monday until
6 P. M. Tuesday, finishing up sound
effects for "Young Man of Manhat-
tan."
Syd Nevnnan, who was recently
employed at the Paramount Long
Island studio offices, has just re-
turned from a honeymoon trip to
the West Indies having become the
bride of Mitchell Fenberg, New
York artist.
Ray Cozine was associate director
with Frank Cambria on "Leave It
to Lester," the first Publix film
presentation, and not "assistant di-
rector."
Ray Foster, cameraman at the
Warner Vitaphoyie studios, is start-
ing to wash the dishes and clean
house, having heard that his wife is
returning home after a month's
vacation in the South.
Stayiley Ridges, Hobart Cava-
naiigh, Natalie Schafer and George
Blackwood are featured in the corrv-
edy sketch, "Poor Fish," which vms
just completed at the Warner Vita-
phoyie studios. The first three men-
tioned players have all appeared in
previous Vitaphone Varieties.
"Skippy," a feature production
built around the famous juvenile car-
toon character, will get under way
in June, with Monta Bell directing.
Hazel Forbes, one of Ziegfeld's
glorified beauties, is high-hatting
her sister chorines in "Simple Si-
mon," since being given five lines
to speak in "Roimd One," a Vita-
phone short, just completed here.
Harry Rosenthal, the sensation of
"June Moon," one of Broadway's
most successful stage comedies, lends
his quiet humor to "Rah, Rah, Rah,''
a Warner Vitaphone Varieties, m
which he plays the role of a good-
natured Jewish storekeeper.
Edwin Phillips, the 16 year old
sensation of "Those We Love," one
of Broadway's leading stage attrac-
tions, made his camera debut by
playing a bit in "The Collegiate
Model," at the Warner Vitaphone
studios. Phillips is one of the busi-
est lad^ in town, sandwiching in his
acting work between studios, at the
George Washington High School.
Mort Blunienstock holds the speed
record for turning out two reel shorts
at the Paramount Long Island stu-
dios. His latest, "Accidents Will
Happen," featuring Smith and Dale,
was completed in record time, con-
sidering that several sets were used.
FIRST SCREEN OPERA
IS COMPLETED IN EAI
"I Pagliacci," first screen opl'a
made in the East, has been compl-
ed at the Edison studios in i>w
York, with Audio Cinema and Ir-
tune Gallo as joint producers.
The opera is sung entirely in II i-
an, with Fernando Bertini, gr.d
opera tenor, in the title role, /a
Novella, dramatic soprano,, is i-
tured opposite him. i
Carlo Peroni conducted the orcl«-
tra and Leon Leonidoff acted as Vl-
let master. Fortune Gallo was op 'a
supervisor, with Joe E. Coffman i-
recting. 115 people, exclusive of le
orchestra, were used. Settings -re
by Alex. Hall and Al. Wilson, \Jh
Nick Rogalli and Charles Hai;|n
officiating at the camera.
How to Hide 'Mike" Big
Problem with Sound Mn
The necessity of taking many ■:-
treme long shots in "Queen Hij'."
now being made at the Paramoit
East coast studios, in Astoria, L.-.,
has put the sound men at their v's
end to place the microphones wK'e
they will be out of sight. ;
In an office scene, one "mike" is
hidden in the waste-paper basket tid
another in an inkwell. A soloiy
Ginger Rogers was caught by cuttg
a hole in a restaurant table andii-
serting the "mike" behind a sisjir
bowl. According to sound expCis,
the solution to this problem wiliie
a more sensitive microphone- v/ifh
can be adjusted in much the s -e
way as the present day motion -
ture camera.
Ona Munson in Talkies
Ona Munson, musical coiiuy
favorite, and wife of Eddie Buzfl,
stage and screen comedian, ma|s
her talker debut in "Rah, Rah, Ri"
a two-reel comedy of college \i,
recently completed by Murray R'J,
at the E. Vitaphone studios. Hay
Rosenthal and Roger Pryor are ;«
in the cast.
Author Adapting Oakie's Next
John O'Connell, author of the si 't
story on which John Wray based s
play, "The Sap From Syracuse,' s
now working at the Paramount L g
Island studio, collaborating on e
screen adaptation. Jack Oakie H
star in the picture.
PHIL ARMAND
Chief Cameraman
Ten years writh Christy Cabannc
Lately with Warner Vitaphone
Interoational Photographers, Local 64^
233 W. 42nd St.. Tel. Wisconsin 346.''
THE
>£
nday, March 30, 1930
DAILY
RKO Building Program Now Under Way
Pathe Has New Method for Handling Scripts — Fox Building Two Stages at Movietone City — National Play-
ers Making Western Series — M-G-M Signs Four More Song Writers — Wilk's Notes and Other Wired News
iCRAM NOW UNDER WAY
(Radio Pictures is at work on its
iidio expansion program. Among
je improvements to be made are
; four-story dressing room building,
, four-story property building, a
,ree-story camera and special ef-
cts building and several additions
j the electrical and equipment de-
irtments of the studio. Fire-proof-
g and sprinkler systems vtrill be in-
lalled throughout the plant. En-
,e program will cost nearly $6,000,-
*0 according to RKO.
A Little from ''Lots"
By RALPH WILK
lathe Evolves Method
)f Handling Story Matter
E. B. Derr, executive vice presi-
'nt in charge of production for
lathe has evolved a system of han-
ing story material which makes it
inecessary to make any changes in
iript after a story has been started,
ates Pathe. Each story goes
irough the hands of a narrative
riter, a playwright, a scenario
riter, a director and a technician.
s a final step the story is okeyed
l^ Eugene Walter, dialogue editor,
|ho is the last authority on all
iripts.
Ruben Working on "Tommy"
Radio Pictures has assigned J.
j^alter Ruben to do the adaptation
W dialogue treatment on "Tommy,"
hich will star Arthur Lake. Allene
unce will have the feminine lead.
Columbia Adds Delaney
fCharles E. Delaney has been added
< the cast of Columbia's "Around
te Corner."
{ Stone in "The Big House"
Lewis Stone has been given a fea-
'red role in "The Big House,"
'hich Robert Hill is directing for
■-G-M.
I Goldstone Signs Pert Kelton
iPert Kelton has been signed by
Jiil Goldstone to appear in Tiffany
[joductions for the next three years.
Reunited
Joan Crawford, Anita Page
and Dorothy Sebastian, who
played in "Our Dancing Daugh-
ters" and "Our Modem Maid-
ens" have been united for the
third time in M-G-M's "Our
Blushing Brides."
Hollywood
p^ARVEY THEW is writing the
dialogue and screen play for
Oscar Straus' operetta, "Danube
Love Song," which will be made in
Technicolor. Thew also wrote the
screen play and dialogue for "Play
Boy" and "Dumbbells in Ermine."
Walter Lang has completed the
direction of "The Big Pight," which
is his eighteenth picture. He has
been associated with James Cruze
for several years.
Our Passing Show: Darryl
Zanuck, Michael Curtiz, Ernst
Lubitsch, Harvey Thew, Emo
Rapee, Robert Crawford, Alex-
ander Gray, Bernice Claire at
Oscar Straus' party; Frederick
Y. Smith and Tom Flahiff in a
spirited tennis match.
Freddie Fleck, who assisted Luther
Reed on "Rio Rita" and "Hit the
Deck," is also assisting Reed on
"Dixianna." Freddie was at one
time casting director at the Para-
mount Long Island studio.
Ziegfeld stars are beginning to
clutter up Hollywood boxdevards.
Among Flo's proteges now here are
Eddie Cantor and Leon Erroll, with
Ed Wynn scheduled to come later in
the year. Bert Wheeler, Robert
Woolsey, Sam Hardy and Harry
Gribbon are among the former
Ziegfeld favorites active in pictures,
while his feminine contingent now
on the Coast is almost too numerous
to mention.
* * *
Do you remember when
Hugh Bennett worked at the
Whitman Bennet studios in
Yonkers, N. Y.; when Bill
Rezac was in the cigar busi-
ness; when Charles F. "Chuck"
Reisner was a welterweight
boxer?
* * *
John Sheehan, who plays a fea-
tured role in "Swing High," is right
at home on the Pathe lot. He was
graduated from a California college
— St. Mary's — and was connected at
the start of his career with a Califor-
nia theatrical organization — the Lib-
erty stock company in Oakland.
James Gleason and Walter Catlett
were among his fellow players then.
* * *
Leslie Mason, who vrrote
the dialogue and titles for
"The Fighting Legion," has
finished work on the next Ken
Maynard production, "Moun-
tain Justice," a talker with a
backwoods story.
National Players Making
Talking Western Series
A series of all-talking westerns is
being made by National Players, Ltd.,
according to John R. Freulsi", presi-
dent of the company. The Big Four
Film Corp. will release the series,
first of which will be ready in June.
Starts "Sorcerer's Apprentice"
Work has started on United Ar-
tists fourth featurette, "The Sor-
cerer's Apprentice," under the di-
rection of William Cameron Menzies
and Dr. Hugo Reisenfeld. Fritz
Feld, Josef Swickard and Greta
Granstedt are in the cast.
Starts on "Black Joe" Series
Work has started at the Tiffany
studios on the first of a series of six
two-reelers to feature the Forbes
Randolph Kentucky Singers, colored
musicians. Five of these will be titled
"Old Black Joe."
Bow as Singer and Dancer
When Clara Bow appears in a se-
quence of "Paramount on Parade"
she will sing as well as dance.
"U" Re-Signs Robertson
Universal has signed John S.
Robertson to a new contract as di-
rector.
Four More Song Writers
Signed by Metro-Goldwyn
Harry Woods, McHugh and Fields
and Joseph Meyer have been signed
by Aletro to write music and lyrics
Violinist in M-G-M Film
Duke de Kerejarko, the Hungarian
violinist, has been added to the cast
of "The March of Time," which
M-G-M is producing.
Radio Signs Archainbaud
George Archainbaud has signed a
long term contract with Radio Pic-
tures.
"'Sea Wolf" Sill's Next
Milton Sills will play in "The Sea
Wolf," when "A Very Practical
Joke," is completed.
Kohler for "Right of Way"
Fred Kohler has been assigned an
important role in "The Right of
Way." Clarence Badger will direct
for First National.
Ayres in "Common Clay"
Lew Ayres will have a part
Fox's "Common Clay."
Craft to Direct for Tiffany
William James Craft has been
signed to direct for Tiffany.
Building Two More
Stages at Movietone City
Two additional stages are to be
built to help handle the $20,000,000
production schedule at the Fox stu-
dio. The new stages will be 212 x
140 feet and when they are completed
there will be 14 stages in active use
at Movietone City.
McHugh in "Top Speed"
Frank McHugh has been signed by
First National for a featured role in
"Top Speed," which Mervyn LeRoy
will direct.
Dressier in Haines Film
Marie Dressier will appear in "The
Girl Said No," starring WiMiauj
Haines.
PLAIA
Going t€
You will find a cordial welcome at
the charming and hospitable Holly-
wood Plaz^ Hotel... right in the hemt
of movieland. Enjoy tue ideal Joca-'
tton, and quiet homelike atmosphere
...the luxurious furnishings, faultless
service... and, noted guests. The din-
ing room is operated by the famous
Pig'n Whistle Caterers. Rates are
most reasonable.
The Plaza is only a few minutes from
the beaches, golf courses, studios,
downtown loop of Los Angeles, and
within a block of Hollywood's famous
fashion shops, theatres, cafes, etc.
Write or wire for reservations, or ask
for FREE illustrated booklet, and rates,
HO_LLV>VOOD
rr-55-
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.
DAILY
Sunday, March 30, 19301
Lillian Gish in
"One Romantic Night"
(All-Talker)
United Artists Time, 1 hr., .15 mins.
AMUSING ROMANTIC COM-
EDY DRAMA PRODUCED
WITH NAMES FOR THE MAR-
QUEE LIGHTS. LILLIAN GISH
COMES THROUGH OKAY IN
HER FIRST TALKER.
Based on Molnar's play, "The
Swan," and filmed silently several
years ago. The star's voice records
well and her performance has more-
than usual animation. The story con-
cerns a philandering prince who is
ordered to participate in a marriage-
of-state. He approaches the matter
without enthusiasm but surprises
himself by falling for the princess. A
tutor is also in love with the girl and
he finally departs from the picture
owing to his realization of the im-
possibility of his wedding her. The
girl decides that it's the prince whom
she really loves and they elope. The
cast is expert and Marie Dressier
and Conrad Nagel are seen in par-
ticularly advantageous parts. The
production has been made in good
taste. Its main weakness lies in the
story.
Cast: Lillian Gish, Rod La Rocque, Con-
rad Nagel, Marie Dressier, O. P. Heggie,
Albert Conti, Edgar Norton, Billie Bennett,
Phillippe De Lacy, Byron Sage and Barbara
Leonard.
Director, Paul Stein; Author, Ferenc Mol-
liar; Adaptor, Melville Baker; Dialoguer,
Not listed; Editor, James Smith; Camera-
man, Karl Struss; Monitor Man. Not listed.
Direction, excellent. Photography, splendid.
"Hold Everything"
(All-Talker)
Warner Bros. Time, 1 hr., 14 mins.
BOX-OFFICE WINNER.
SURE TO ELEVATE JOE E.
BROWN TO STARDOM. HE
AND WINNIE LIGHTNER
SEND OVER LAUGHS AND
GUFFAWS. EXCELLENT DI-
RECTION.
This one is a sure cure for the box-
office blues. Joe E. Brown is given
the best opportunity since he entered
the talkers — and how he delivers.
His fight scene is a howl and a riot
and will probably provoke more
hearty laughter than any talker com-
edy sequence yet screened. Winnie
Lightner is an able teammate for
Brown and she sends over her songs
to good results. Bert Roach is an-
other who helps in the funmaking,
while Jack Curtis, as Brown's train-
er, is also an able comedian. Georges
Carpentier, the former fight idol,
sings his songs adequately and
his bout with Bob Morgan, "the
champeen" (Tony Stabeneau), is real-
istic. Sally O'Neil, Edmund Breese
and Dorothy Revier round out a
good cast. The entire picture is in
Technicolor. Robert Lord adapted.
Cast: Joe E. Brown, Winnie Lightner,
Georges Carpentier, Sally O'Neil, Edmund
Breese, Bert Roach, Dorothy Revier, Jack
Curtis, Tony Stabeneau, Lew Harvey, Jim-
mie Quinn.
Director, Roy Del Ruth; Authors, B. G.
De Sylva, John McGowan ; Music by Ray
Henderson, Lew Brown; additional numbers
by Al Dubin, Joe Burke; Dance Numbers,
Larry Ccballos; Adaptor, Robert Lord; Dia-
loguer, Not credited; Editor, William
Holmes; Cameraman, Dev Jennings; Monitor
Man, Not listed.
"Captain of the Guard"
with John Boles, Laura La Plante
(All-Talker)
Universal Time, 1 hr., 23 mins.
STIRRING ROMANCE O F
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.
GREAT PERFORMANCES BY
JOHN BOLES AND LAURA LA
PLANTE.
It takes a stupendous production
like this every once in a while to
not only swell the box-office receipts,
but also to keep the public reminded
of the amazing entertainment possi-
bilities of the screen. A beautiful
and effectively directed romantic
story, appropriate musical frame-
work, awe-inspiring mob scenes,
thrills, hcRrtbeats, and a stirring
climax brought on to the tune of
"La Marseillaise." The plot, aside
from its revolutonary angle, con-
cerns a lovely innkeepers' daughter,
who develops into something of a
Joan of Arc, and her sweetheart, a
captain of the King's hussars, who
joins the revolutionists to save his
girl from the gallows. John Boles
gives a glamorous performance as
the captain and Laura La Plante is
at her charming best in the role of
the girl.
Cast: John Boles, Laura La Plante, Sam
De Grasse, James Marcus, Harry Cording,
Lionel Belmoi^e, Otis Harlan, Murdock Mc-
Quarrie, Claude Fleming, Ervin Renard,
George Hackathome, Richard Cramer.
Director. John S. Robertson; Author,
Houston W. Branch ; Adaptor, Arthur Rip-
Ity ; Dialoguer, George Maiiker Watters :
Eiditor, Milton Carnith ; Cameraman, Gil-
bert Warrenton ; Monitor Man, C. Roy
Hunter.
Direction, gre.it. Photography, excellent.
"The Light of Western
Stars"
with Richard Arlen, Mary Brian
and Harry Green
(All-Talker)
Paramount Time, 1 hr., 10 mins
SATISFYING PROGRAM
WESTERN. PLENTY ACTION
AND THRILLS. WELL DI-
RECTED AND ACTED. HARRY
GREEN FURNISHING MUCH
EXCELLENT COMEDY.
Thi.-; is a pleasing Western, with
Grover Jones and William Slavens
McNutt having fashioned a script
that provides all the ingredients of
box-ofiice appeal. Richard Arlen and
Mary Brian are popular leads, while
Harry Green, as "Pie-Pan" Plotz,
the cowboy-peddler, furnishes the
comedy — and how. His comedy re-
lief is injected at the proper mo-
ments and does much to keep the
picture entertaining. Fred Kohler
is his usual capable self as the
menace, who murdered the heroine's
brother. Many thrills are provided,
with the fight between Arlen and
Kohler being the highlight. During
the fight, Arlen forces a confession
from his opponent. The picture is
based on Zane Grey's novel and
should be especially popular fare in
the smaller towns and cities.
Ccist: Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, Harry
Green. Fred Kohler, Regis Toomey, Wil-
liam LeMaire, George Chandler, Sid Saylot,
(!uy Oliver, Gus Saville.
Directors, Otto Brower, Edwin Knopf;
Author, Zane Grey ; Adaptors, Grover Jones,
William Slavens McNutt ; Dialoguers, Grover
Jones. William Slavens McNutt; Editor,
Jane I,oring ; Cameraman. Charles Lang.
Direction, excellent. Photography, good'.
Edward Everett Horton in
"Wide Open"
(All-Talker)
Warner Time, 1 hr., 9 mins.
AMUSING COMEDY OF WO
MAN -SHY BACHELOR WHO
FINALLY FALLS. EDWARE
EVERETT HORTON GIVES A
GOOD PERFORMANCE.
Edward Bateman Morris' novel
has been turned into a screen come-
edy that abounds in farcial situa-
tions. While it is too much to ask
a person to believe some of the in-
cidents as within the realm of possi-
bility, yet there can be no question
that they command enough laughter
to outweigh their implausibility. The
film proves pleasant entertainment
chiefly through the presence of Ed-
ward Everett Horton in the cast.
This actor plays one of those pain-
fully-embarrassed bachelor types in
a fashion that is most amusing.
Horton is completely at home in the
part. T. Roy Barnes portrays a
high-powered salesman to good ef-
fect. The rest of the cast does com-
mendable work. The story centers
around a chap who, for all his diffi-
dence toward women, falls in love
with a strange young woman who
happens into his home. As a pro-
gram picture this one ought not find
it difficult in making the grade.
Cast: Edward Everett Horton, Patsy Ruth
Miller, T. Roy Barnes, Louis Fazenda, Edna
Murphy.
Director, Archie Mayo ; Author, Edward
Rateman Morris; Adaptors. James A. Starr,
Arthur Caesar,
Direction, pood. Photography, good.
Marie Saxon in
"Broadway Hoofer"
(All-Talker)
Columbia Time, 1 hr., 2 mins.
FAIR COMEDY THAT MAN-
AGES GENERALLY TO BE EN-
TERTAINING IN SPITE OF
HACKNEYED PLOT. MARIE
SAXON SPLENDID.
This comedy has a rubber-stamp
plot. That the film is not as dull as
the story it unwinds we should thank
principally Marie Saxon, who dances
her way through the picture in a
fashion completely captivating. She
gives a most appealing performance
and reveals a warm, ingratiating per-
sonality. Perhaps the only other
really important attribute the picture
can boast of is a breezy humor that
succeeds pretty well in reaching its
mark. The film again tells us the
tale of the Broadway dancer with the
broken heart. We have a musical
comedy star going to the country, for
a rest. Strange circumstances cause
her to join a burlesque troupe. She
falls in love with the star of the
show, from whom she hides her iden-
tity. When he discovers the truth,
he feels she has been making a fool
of him. He leaves her, but in the
end everything ends happily on
Broadway'.
Cast : Marie Saxon, Jack Egan, Louise
Fazenda, Howard Hickman, Ernest Hilliard,
Gertrude Short, Eileen Tercy, Charlotte Mei-
rian. Fred MacKaye. Billy Franey.
Director, George Archainbaud ; Adaptor,
Gladys Lehman ; Dialoguer, Gladys Lehman ;
Editor, Maurice Wright ; Cameraman, Joe
Walker; Monitor Man, John Livadary.
Direction, f.iir. Photography, fair.
Reginald Denny in
"What A Man!"
(All-Talker)
Sono Art-World Wide
Time, 1 hr., 10 jtiins.
AMUSING FARCE COMEDY
WITH DENNY SHINING. GOOD
ENTERTAINMENT FARE FOR
DE LUXE HOUSES AND
DOWN THE LINE.
.\ trim, neat piece of screen-fare
in Reginald Denny's first talker for
Sono Art-World Wide, It gains mo-
mentum all the while and ends with
a pair of reels which have plenty of
laughs. Denny does a chap who
turns hobo in order to get a fresh
start in life. He lands a job as
chauffeur and gradually wins his way
into the confidence and heart of his
employer's family, especially the
heart of the elder daughter and
there's the love interest. The wind-
up of the story is that Reg is not a
crook or hobo, as per all indications,
but a former British army officer
who has been down on his luck.
The supporting cast is splendid, with
young Miss Anita Louise a real at-
traction as the younger sister who
collects $5 bills. Harvev Clark, play-
ing her dad, turns in a fine perform-
ance.
Cast : Reginald Denny, Miriam Seegar,
Harvey Clark, Lucille, Ward, Carlyle Moore.
Anita Louise, Norma Drew, Christine Yves,
Charles Coleman and Greta Grandstedt.
Director, George J. Crone ; Author, E. J.
Rath; Adaptor, Harvey H. Gates; Dialoguer,
A. A. Kline; Editor, Not listed; Camera-
man, .\rthur Todd ; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, good. Photography, satisfactory.
Al Jolson in
"Mammy"
(All-Talker)
Warner Bros. Time, 1 hr., 24 mins.
JOLSON CLICKS WITH HIS
SURE-FIRE PERSONALITY
AND SINGING IN A MINSTREl
MAN ROLE. MOSTLY HOKUM
ENTERTAINMENT THAT
WILL SUIT THE TASTE OF
JOLSON FANS.
Based on an original story by Irv-
ing Berlin, who also did the music.
Sob stuff which' has predominated in
previous Jolson stories has been left
out of this story,_ which is familiar
and principally is used as a medium
for the star's unbeatable line of en-
tertainment. Jolson plays a minstrel
man who is apparently hopelessly in
love with his pal's girl. Framed by
the heavy, Jolson accidentally shoots
his friend during a performance,
makes his getaway when the evi-
dence proves against him and is final-
ly exonerated by the heavy's confes-
sion. In the meantime the girl has
fallen in love with him. The support-
ing cast does well enough with the ac-
tion assigned it. There is nothing
particularly tuneful about the music.
The picture sets out to be a Jolson
vehicle and succeeds.
Cast: Al Jolson, Lois Moran. Louise
Dresser. Lowell Sherman, Hobart Bosworth,
Titlly Marshall, Mitchell Lewis, Stanley
Fields, Jack Curtis, Ray Cooke.
Director, Michael Curtiz; Author, Irving
Berlin ; Adaptor, L. G. Rigby : Dialoguer,
Joseph Jackson ; Editor, Not listed ; Camera-
man, Not listed ; Monitor Man, Not listed.
Direction, satisfactory. Photography, good.
when it means
Box-office at $2
it means
Box -Office to YOU
New friends... new followers... new fans on all the Broadways
of America are demanding TECHNICOLOR! More of them every
day ask, "Is it in Technicolor?" Showmen tell 'em — and tell 'em
big! There's money in it. Technicolor pictures, week after week,
town after town, outpull strongest opposition. Technicolor
pictures are the pictures they rave about. Technicolor pictures
are the pictures they read about in four-color triples, doubles
and singles in the Saturday Evening Post and fan magazines.
1^ Techn\co\or /s a j6oj^'0^\
7ce name
Z
ADVERTISE
I T
• • •
2
STARRING NOW ON ALL BROADWAYS
The mob talks about Technicolor. Gasps at it. Remembers it. Raves about it. Pines for more . . . Cut
yourself in on the winnings! Go heavy on the Technicolor slant when you play these hits:
BRIDE OF THE REGIMENT, with Vivienne Segal (First National)^ BRIGHT
LIGHTS, witti Dorothy Mockaill (First National); CHASING RAINBOWS, with
Bessie Love and Charles King (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Technicolor Sequences,-
DEVIL MAY CARE, starring Ramon Novarro (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Tech-
nicolor Sequences; DIXIANA, with Bebe Daniels (Radio Pictures) Technicolor
Sequences; FOOT-LIGHTS AND FOOLS, starring Colleen Moore (First National)
Technicolor Sequences; GLORIFYING THE AMERICAN GIRL, with Mary Eaton,
Eddie Cantor, F^elen Morgan and Rudy Vallee in revue scenes (Paramount)
Technicolor Sequences; GOLDEN DAWN, with Walter Woolf and Vivienne
Segal (Warner Bros.); GOLD DIGGERS OF BROADWAY, with Winnie Lightner,
Conway Tearle, Ann Pennington and Nick Lucas (Warner Bros); HELL'S
ANGELS, with Ben Lyon, Jean Marlow, James Hall, Jane Winton and Thelma
Todd (Caddo) Technicolor Sequences; HIT THE DECK, with Jack Oakie and
Polly Walker (Radio) Technicolor Sequences; HOLD EVERYTHING, with
Winnie Lightner and Joe E. Erown (Warner Bros.); HOLLYWOOD REVUE OF
1929, IMatro-Goldwyn-Mayer); IT'S A GREAT LIFE, starring the Duncan Sisters
(Mefro-Goldwyn-Mayer) Technicolor Sequences; John Barrymore in GENERAL
CRACK (Warner Bros.) Technicolor Sequences; MAMBA, with Eleanor Boardman,
Ralph Forbes and Jean Hersholt (Tiffany); MAMMY, starring Al Jolson (Warner
Bros.) Technicolor Sequences; THE MARCH OF TIME, all-star cast (Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer) Technicolor Sequences; NO, NO, NANETTE, with Bernice Claire
and Alexander Gray IFirst Nationall Technicolor Sequences; ON WITH THE
SHOW, with Betty Compson, Joe E. Brown, Louise Fazenda (Warner Bros.),
PARIS, starring Irene Bordoni (First National) Technicolor Sequences; PUTTIN'
ON THE RITZ, with Harry Richman (United Artists) Technicolor Sequence';
POINTED HEELS, with William Powell and Helen Kane (Paramount) Technicolor
TECHNICOLOR Inc.
NEW YORK BOSTON HOLLYWOOD
THE VAGABOND KING
DENNIS KING, famous Ziegfeld singing star, in Paro-
mount's vivid All-Technicolor production of this spec-
tacular song romance. With JEANETTE MocDONALD.
A Ludwig Berger Production.
Sequences; RADIO RAMBLERS, with Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, and Dorothy lee (Radio)
Technicolor Sequences; RIO RITA, with Bebe Daniels, John Boles, BertWheeler and Robert
Woolsey (Radio); PARAMOUNT ON PARADE, all-star revue (Paramount) Technicolor
Sequences; THE ROGUE SONG, with Lawrence Tibbetf and Catherine Dale Owen (Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer); SALLY; starring Marilyn Miller (First National); SHOW OF SHOWS, with
n stars (Warner Bros.); SHOW GIRL IN HOLLYWOOD, with Alice White (First Notional) Tech-
nicolor Sequences; SONG OF THE WEST, with John Boles and Vivienne Segol (Warner Bros.);
THE DANCE OF LIFE, with Hal Skellyand Nancy Carroll (Paramount) Technicolor Sequences
THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND, with Lionel Barrymore, Lloyd Hughes and Jane Daly (Metro-Gold-
wyn-Mayer); THE VAGABOND KING, starring Dennis King (Paramount; THE VIKING, with
Pauline Starke, Donald Crisp and leroy Mason (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer); UNDER A TEXAS
MOON, oll-slar cast (Warner Bros I
Tech nfco lor /> a hox-off/ce name
ADVERTISE
I T
THE
day, March 30, 1930
■a^!si
PAILV
11
Fanl Whiteman in
I "King of Jazz"
I (All-Talker)
Piversal Time, 1 hr., 45 mins.
ijORGEOUS MUSICAL RE-
\JE EXTRAVAGANZA CER-
'JN TO CLICK EVERY-
WHERE. WHITEMAN, JOHN
lURRAY ANDERSON AND
/DES FURNISH FEAST FOR
IfE AND EAR.
'King of Jazz" is the most lavish
rue to come from Hollywood stu-
(is and should be a hit with fans
crywhere. Paul Whiteman and his
ihestra are much in evidence, with
• hapsody in Blue" the highliRht of
t'ir offerinRS. John Murray An-
(son gives the picture fine direction.
I h n Boles and Jeanette Lof?
.re. The Russell Markert dancers
popular recruits to the screen.
illiani Kent, "Sisters G," Brox
teis, Grace Hayes, Glenn Tryon,
•inley Smith and Charles Irwin,
;• among the numerous principals.
;ast: John Boles, Laura La Plante, G!enn
,111 leannette Loff, Merna Kennedy.
■,ll^^ Smith, "SUm" Summerville, Otis
Irian William Kent, Rythm Boys, Sisters
" iirox Sisters, George Chiles, Jacciues
1 tRv Frank Leslie, Oiarles Irwin, Al
inian, Grace Hayes, Paul Howard, Marian
■tlti Don Rose, Tommy Atkins Sextette.
'I O'Day, Wilbur Hall, John, Fultoii.
Kliyin Crawford, Jeanie Lang, Russell
'. rlicrf Dancers.
)irector, John Murray Anderson; 'Sketches,
,rr>- Ruskin; Songs, George Gershwm.
bel Wavne, Milton Ager. Jack Yellen ;
isical Score, Ferde Grofe; Arranger. James
•trich ; Dance Director. Russell E. Mar-
t • Settings and Costume Designer. Her
n Rosse: Cameramen. Hal Mohr. Jerome
11, Ray Rennahan ; Editor, Robert Carlisle :
tist. Wm. Holcomb; Production Manager
ber't Ross. Direction, good. Photog.. O.K.
Nancy Carroll in
"Honey"
(All-Talker)
Paramonnt Time, 1 hr., 15 mins.
GENERALLY ENTERTAIN-
ING FARCE COMEDY WITH
ENOUGH GENUINE FUN TO
MAKE IT A GOOD BOXOFFICE
BET.
The Alice Duer Miller and A. E.
1 homas musical farce comedy of
some years back, "Come Out of the
Kitchen," reaches the screen as a
generally agreeable bit of entertain-
ment. The story lacks plausibility,
but this is to be expected in a piece
of its kind. Whatever may be the
shortcomings of the film, there is no
denying the irresistabilty of its comic
spirit. Nancy Carroll proves disap-
pointing. 1 he shining lights in the
cast are Harry Green, Skeets Gal-
lagher and Mitzi Green. When these
three are absent, "Honey" often sink^
to dullness. 1 liis Green child is de-
cidedly a hit. A brother and sister
are forced by a shortage of servants
to pose as butler and cook in the
home which they have leased to a
woman of wealth. The brother falls
in love with her daughter and the
sister with the woman's prospective
son-in-law. In the end their identity
is revealed and love carries the da> .
Cast: Nancy Carroll, Stanley Smith, Skeets
Gallagher, Lillian Roth, Harry Green, Mitzi
Green, ZaSu Pitts, lobyna Howland, Charles
Sellon.
Director, Wesley Ruggles ; Authors, ,\lice
Duer Miller, A. K. Thomas; Adaptor, Her-
man J. Mankiewicz; Cameraman, Henry Ger-
rard.
Direction, good. Photography, good.
Evelyn Brent in
"Framed"
RKO Time, 1 hr., 2 mins.
CROOK MELODRAMA THAT
RISES ABOVE ITS ROUTINE
STORY TO BECOME TENSE
ENTERTAINMENT. CAST
GOOD.
Thanks to a good cast and com-
petent direction, "Framed" succeeds
in overcoming the handicap of a rou-
tine story that asks one to take too
much for granted. That the film
comes through with more than
enough to spare is due to the tense
manner in which George Archainbaud
has directed and the ease with which
the cast carries out the melodramatic
pattern of the thing. While Evelyn
Brent offers a fine performance, she
loses in acting honors to Rail
Harolde, who plays a vindictive rack-
eteer with surprising realism. The
story concerns a night club hostess
who is out to even matters with a
police inspector for the death of her
father. She falls in love with his
son. She tries to revenge herself on
the father through the son, but can-
not bring herself to do it. When
her employer, an underworld figure,
seeks to break up the affair out of
jealousy, he is shot by the youth
But everything is all right in the end.
Cast: Evelyn Brent, Regis Toomey, Ralf
Harolde, Maurice Black, William Holden,
Robert Emniett O'Connor, Eddie Kane.
Director, George Archainbaud ; Author,
Paul Schofield ; Dialoguer, Wallace Smith ;
Editor, Jack Kitchin ; Cameraman, Leo
Tover ; Monitor Man, Clem Portman.
Direction, fine. Photography, good.
Short Subjects
SOUND
"Gentlemen of the Evening"
Pathe Time, 20 mins.
Hah! Hah! Hah!
There is plenty of fun in this
comedy to make a sure-fire bet with
audiences. At times it rises to a
hilarity that causes your sides to
ache with laughing. The late George
Le Maire and Lew Hearn are almost
wholly responsible for this. The
latter, affecting a nasal tone, is a
positive scream as a good-time fel-
lOw who happens into a blond
mamma's room and there makes
whoopee with her while attending
an inventors' convention in the big
Ijurg. The real fun comes in when
.he hotel detective discovers him in
the gal's room. But a little bribe
settles matters.
Hoot Gibson in
"Trailing Trouble"
niversal
Time, 1 hr.
ACTION SPREAD THICK
ITH HOKUM BUT MIGHTY
XCITING, THANKS PRIMAR
Y TO THE WORK OF HOOT
IBSON.
All the hokum that was the ban
picture-goers in years gone by ha
len resorted to by Universal in a
'^ort to make this film exciting. Th
suit is a melodramatic concoctio
ich as was common in the earl
.ys of the screen. In this respect
le could swear the thing was pro-
iced in the cradle period of the in-
istry. This is not to say, however,
at the followers of Hoot Gibson
ill not find it to their liking. Rath-
the contrary is true. There is
lough thrilling action and sheer ex-
tement in the film to make the
ding star's fans happv. and it has
;en produced with a keen eve to
)x-office values. A ranch employee
love with his boss's daughter is
nt to Kansas City to collect for a
lipment of cattle. A rival, seeking
put him in bad with the girl, gets
gang of thugs to steal the money
cm him. But Hoot puts them to
)ute and gets the girl after all.
Cast : Hoot Gibson, Margaret Quimby. Wil-
McCall, Pete Morrison. Boli Perry,
live Young.
Director, .\rt1uir Rosson ; Dialoguer, Har-
1 Tarshis ; Editor, Gilmore Walker ; Cam-
flaman, Harry Newmann.
Direction, all right. Photography, good.
"Playing Around"
(All-Talker)
First National Time, 1 hr., 6 mins.
GOOD PROGRAMMER WITH
ALICE WHITE GIVING A
SATISFACTORY PERFORM-
ANCE IN THE STELLAR ROLE.
STORY MOVES SMOOTHLY
AND DIRECTION IS WELL
HANDLED.
-Mthough there is nothing excep-
Uonal about the story of this film
to lift it out of the "average pro-
,.am" class, it does however, hold
enough general entertainment value
lo please. Despite the lightness of
the script handed her, Alice White
manages to turn out a pleasing per-
formance as the daughter of a cigar
store manager, whose craving for the
highlife leads her to turn down her
soda clerk boy friend for the atten-
tions of a "polished" crook. She is
taken on a tour of the "bright way,"
but is brought back to realism when
the crook shoots her father in a hold-
up. The usual happy ending forms
the climax. Good work is done b}
the supporting cast headed by Ches-
ter Morris. Direction and photog-
raphy well done and recording is
good. Suitable as programmer any-
where.
Cast: Alice White, Chester Morris, Wil-
liam Bakewell, Richard Carlyle, Marion By-
ron, Maurice Black, Lionel Belmore, Shep
Camp, Ann Brody, Nellie V. Nichols.
Director, Mervyn LeRoy ; Author, Vin,-
Delmar; Adaptor, Adele Commaiidini i Titter
Not listed ; Editor. Not listed ; Dialoguer
Humphrey Pearson; Cameraman, Sol Polito
Director, good. Photography, good.
Glenn Tryon in
"Dames Ahoy"
(All-Talker)
Universal
TiTue, 1 hr.
ENTERTAINING, CLEAN
COMEDY WITH GLENN TRY-
ON ACES. DELIGHTFUL
STORY NOT SUBMERGED BY
CONTINUOUS ANTICS OF GOB
TRIO. NICELY DIRECTED
AND WELL ACTED.
Glenn Tryon's latest effort goes
for the making of a nice clean
wholesome comedy which is as enter-
taining as it is funny. Tryon gives
a straight performance in this picture
and Eddie Gribbon and Otis Harlan
are depended on to show their com-
edy wares which they succeed in
putting over in fine fashion. Three
sailors about to leave on a week's
furlough agree to lay off women and
nail the alleged wife of Otis Harlan,
who is getting a fifty per cent allow-
ance of his salary. At a dance hall
contest Tryon meets the heroine and
together they win the cash prize of
$500 and bungalow with the stipula-
tion that they marry a week later
in the same hall. They do, and as
for the finis you don't have to guess
twice.
Cast: Glenn Tryon, Otis Harlan, Eddie
Gribbon, Helen Wright, Gertrude Astor.
Director, William James Craft ; Author,
Sherman Lowe; Adaptor, Matt Taylor; Di-
aloguer, Albert DeMond ; Cameraman, C.
Allan Jones.
Direction, fine. Photography, good.
Oswald in
"Tramping Tramps"
Universal Time, 6 mins.
Fine Animated Cartoon
This Oswald cartoon is on the same
high plane as those that have gone
before. Unquestionably it is a filler
of remarkably fine caliber, revealing
no small measure of ingenuity. We
now find Oswald turned tramp — not
an ordinary tramp, but one with a
.ecided musical flare. He's such a
good musician in fact that he gets
a pie from a housewife as a token of
gratitude for his splendid playing on
a variety of instruments.
Al Trahan in
"The Musicale"
Vitaphone No. 936 Time, 8 mins.
Fair Novelty Number
Assisted by Lady Yukona Cam-
eron, who is supposed to entertain
at an affair, Al Trahan as the pian-
ist is responsible for putting over
this bit of nonsense. He can tickle
those keys when he wants to, but
most of the time is either dusting or
shooting at them. The star has a
good voice which records very well.
His leading assistant does one num-
ber and the rest is just fair comerly
"Chinese Blues"
Universal Time, 20 mins.
Good Fun
This is among the most entertain-
ing of the Sporting Youth series of
shorts. It contains some nice fun
and a certain amount of excitement.
This time Judy undertakes to save
her Chinese cook from deportation
by locating the racketeer who stole
his passport. She does so by dis-
guising herself as an Oriental and
securing employment at the Chinese
restaurant frequented by the traf-
ficker in passports. When her trick-
ery is discovered a terrific fight re-
sults between the diners and the
members of the passport ring. It
ends with the arrest of the latter and
the recovery of the stolen passport.
THE
12
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
— €—
Use of Too Much Color
in Pictures Held Unwise
A FTER seeing several all-color
features we've come to the
conclusion that, without further
iniprovement, the public will lit-
tle by little taboo them. We
like color in pictures. It en-
hances their pictorial value, if it
is properly used and not over-
done. Making an entire feature
in color is like making an entire
meal of a fruit jello, because it
looks nice and we like its flav-
orings. Too, the value of color
is lost when there is no con-
trast for relief. Even after pho-
to color is perfected to eliminate
distortions in long shots, we
think the public will like it bet-
ter, if it appears here and there
in a feature rather than through-
out its entire length.
Ben Shlyen,
Editor Associated Publications
Pomeroy Calls Cameraman
The Director's Greatest Aid
A SERIES of motion pictures
projected on a screen is the
ultimate result of all the talent,
time and effort expended in tlie
production of a motion picture.
If the photograph does not ade-
quately convey the exact inten-
tion of the director the produc-
tion may lose the entire charm
and sense of sponteneity by rea-
son of inadequate portrayal of
character and scene. It is ab-
surd to imagine that an audience
can superimpose on an incorrect-
ly photographed scene the emo-
tions and ideas visualized by the
director. A director is entirely
dependent upon his cameraman.
This dependence can be carried
to too great a degree if the direc-
tor is unfamiliar with the simple
rules of photography.
Roy Pomeroy, Director
■c^ai
DAILV
Sunday, March 30, 193N
There are more than 600 ex-
changes located in 52 cities
in the United States and Can-
ada.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
ISIDORE WITMARK, executive president and senior partner
of M. Witmark & Sons, who publish tunes used in Warner and
First National pictures, is now ensconced in a new office in the
Warner Bros. Building. It's one of those luxurious affairs
Pauline Garon is headed for New York, pleasure bent
Jetta Goudal is clearing her affairs on the Coast nrp^- --tory to
her sailing for a two-year stay in Europe. ,. shovmg _
from New York the early part of the coming month . .
Another prospective , aveler is Beulah Livingstone. She'll ^
away a year
"DEATRICE L^ 'IN, who has been coloratura at the Roxy
for three years, leaves aboard the New Amsterdam on April 4
for Berlin, where she will make her debut on the concert stage.
Dave Bader was among those snowbound in Chicago
this week. He writes that he had to shovel snow out of his
bathroom before he could take his matutinal plunge. At last
reports Dave was heading for Oshkosh, then home
A/f ARY LEWIS arrived in New York Friday to fulfill her
operatic engagements here. Following her last appearance
she will leave for the Pathe coast studios where she will enact
her own life story on the screen Frances McCoy, known
on the stage as Miss Syncopation, leaves for the coast Saturday
to fulfill a long term Fox contract Bernard Prager, sales
mgr. for the Robbins Music bunch, is on a trip to points between
N. Y. and Chicago. He will be back in about two weeks
/^TTO H.-VRBACH, musical comedy librettist and lyric-writer,
who has been Palm Beaching while collaborating with Jerome
Kern on the first of a series of musical screen plays for First
National, is now on the briny deep bound from Havana to L.
A. Kern bag and baggages to the Coast in about two weeks. . . .
....The Havana jottings also include a note concerning J. P.
McEvoy, author of "Show Girl in Hollywood," etc., who is now
New Vorking once more after inhaling Cuban ozone.
MARCH 29-30-MANY HAPPY RETORNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today.
mfi^
Warner Baxter
Joseph Cawthorn
Arthur Caesar
Mary Maberry
John Edmund Otterson
Wheezer
Frank Merlin
Grover Laube
Anna Q. Niisson
Dicky Brandon
Elsie Duane
Henry Lehrman
George Lederer
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
(T
V
Chinese Atmosphere for
"Son of the Gods"
"gON OF THE GODS" was
exploited at the New York
Strand with a Chinese atmo-
>phere. The front of the house
was dressed with lanterns and a
Buddha was placed on top of the
box office. Boys dressed in
Chinese costumes distributed ad-
vertisements that looked like
laundry tickets. A showing was
arranged for the Major of China-
town and the Chinese Consul
who came to the theater in a
sight seeing bus adorned with
banners carrying advertising on
the picture.
— Fi7'st National
War Trophies Feature
"Hit the Deck"
p^AROLD KITZMILLER,
manager of the Colonial,
Richmond, Va., featured a dis-
play of war trophies for the
showing of "Hit the Deck." Lob-
by of the house was decorated
with guns, torpedoes, etc., bor-
rowed from the local army and
navv posts.
—RKO
Value of Slogan Title
in Exploitation
EXPLOITATION value of a
slogan title was proved by
Cullen Espey, manager of the
Indianapolis, in his campaign on
"Oh, Yeah!" Espey designed
auto stickers as attractive teas-
ers on wind-shields and had hun-
dreds of car owners doing ex-
ploitation. Si. Latta, of the
Skouras-Publix thought so well
of the stickers that he plastered
them all over his town car and
drove it as the "Oh, Yeah!" car
in a local parade.
— Pathe
I
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
•yniMDOH
IaLLTME TIM
Independent exchanges form Fed-
erated Film Exchanges of America
with $100,000 as capital.
* * *
Members of Exhibitors Defense
Committee of F. N. arrives for series
of meetings.
THE
iinday, March 30, 1930
iSSuSZlfi^
DAILY
13
ICKINSON CHAIN ErFECTSl
T
Kansas City, Mo. — The Dickinson
ircuit has transferred several of its
fanagers in four cities. C. A. Smith,
irnierly nianaginK the Hubbel and
[oyal at Trenton, Mo., has been
iansferred to Hiawatha, where he
ill take charge of one of the chain's
l)uses. Dick Curry will manage the
jrenton houses in addition to the
i;rand and Empire at Chillicothe.
arry W'areham has returned to Man-
littan where he is now managing the
l/areham and Marshall. He suc-
jseds L. O. Gill, who has been
hunted to the Varsity Lawrence. L
L Turner, formerly M-G-M bookei
<\ this city, has been added to the
lanagerial stafT and will work under
iVareham in managing the Manhat-
iin theaters. Frank Dancer, Jr., who
|as been operating the Booth at In-
dependence has succeeded E. J.
iireen as manager of the Dickinson
t Neodesha, Kansas.
bobbins Music Company
Makes Personnel Changes
Robbins Music Corp. has made
several changes in personnel, accord
ng to Bernard Prager, sales man
iger. Nelson Ingham has been
jlaced in charge of the Eastern Can
ida territory, and will supervise ac
ivities in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa
Toronto, Hamilton and London
Ont., making his headquarters at the
Hotel Windsor, in Montreal. Phil
Julius will cover Pittsburgh and
Cleveland and New York State, with
headquarters at the Hotel Stock-
bridge, Cleveland. Eddie Van ha^
been added to the stafT of the Lo
Angeles office, and will work under
Sig Bosley, manager for that sector
Dick Arnold has been transferred U
San Francisco from Minneapolis, an(
is making his temporary offices a'
the Hotel Ambassador in that city.
Tollotson Buys Boone Strand
Boone, la. — L. A. Tollotson o'
Osceola has purchased the Stranr'
from Roy E. Benson. New equip
nient is being installed and reopen
ing is expected within the next few
weeks.
Greening at Detroit Hippodrome
Detroit — Gus Greening is now
managing the Hippodrome. The
house has been reopened after clos-
ing for alterations.
Last Show for Savoy, Syracuse
Syracuse, N. Y. — One of the earli-
est houses in the business district,
the Savoy, is to be converted into a
commercial building.
Sheriff Sells Shamokin House
Shamokin, Pa. — C. K. Morganroth,
of the Arcadia Theater Corp., has
bought the Capitol, a $350,000 prop-
erty, for $261.30 costs and subject to
a mortgage of $221,500. The Arcadia
Corp. holds obligations of $92,000
against the property and was the
plaintiff in the writ.
A DIRECT NEWS SERVICB
COVERING DEVELOPMENTS
IN AMERICA'S IMPORTANT
OVERSEAS MARKETS
Foreign
Markets
FILM DAILY CORRESPON-
DENTS IN WORLD CAPITALS
FLASH OVERSEAS NEWS BY
RADIO AND CABLE
i^ By LOUIS PELEGRINE .^
Spanish Government Asks
Protection for Musicians
Madrid — The Spanish Government
has asked the Ministers of Labor and
of Public Instruction to work out
protection measures for home musi-
cians. It is planned to increase
taxes on , w'!'"'''>>«tises and orches-
tra; ,io ^aHii o J "'..'iT .iiusicians.
"' i^i-Klangfilm Has
New Sound Reproducer
Paris — The French Tobis-Flang-
film is distributing a new sound de-
vice for sound-on-film ana disc re-
production. Three sizes of machines
cover all sized houses.
Planning Motion Picture
Club for London Exhibs
London — The formation of a Mo-
tion Picture Club, modeled after the
N. Y. M. P. Club, is being consid-
ered by a group of local exhibitors.
To Test Silents
Brussels — When "Bulldog Drum-
niond" plays here it will be shown
in its all-talker form once a day
and silently for the balance of the
showings.
Camberwell 3,000 Seater
Camberwell, England — Loughbor-
ough Playhouses will build a 3,000
seat house to be known as the Em
pire.
W. E. in Portugal
Libson — The first Western Elec-
tric installation in this country was
made at the Royal Cinema here.
Pro Patria Distributing
Paris — Pro Patria will distribute
"Stampede," "Warning" and the first
12 of the "Secrets of Nature" series
in France.
To Dupe Great Gabbo"
Berlin — Feltner & Somlo will syn-
chronize German dialogue with the
"The Great Gabbo." Hans Peple
will speak the lines in the leadin;
part.
Holland Towns Hurt
Amsterdam — Houses not wired in
the smaller Holland towns are ex-
periencing bad business. Business is
good in Amsterdam where most of
the houses are showing talking pic-
tures.
73 Ernemann Projectors
Paris — Seventy-three houses in
France and Algeria have installed
Ernemann projectors, according to
L. Robouts, agents of the machines.
SAY WIDE m WILL BE
COMMON IN TWO YEARS
London — Wide film will be in com-
mon use within two years, according
to the technical committee of the
G. E. A. It is stated that approxi-
mately this much time will l^e re-
quired to'cttange over, and that the
cost to the exhibitor in replacement
or modification of p'-ojectors will be
reasonably sma'V
Fewer C ..an Features
Passed by Censor Board
Berlin — Seven domestic pictures
were passed by the German censors
in February against 12 from foreign
countries. Five of the foreign pic-
tures were from America and seven
from other countries.
Six Shanghai Houses Wired
Shanghai — Six of the 30 local
houses are wired for sound pictures.
Wiring Bombay Houses
Bombay, India — Talking pictures
have been so successful at the one
house wired for sound that three
more will be wired soon.
4 Versions for French Film
Paris — Pierre Colombier, Rene Jn-
iol and Maurice Yvain are making
English, German, Spanish and French
versions of "Radieux - Concert."
French version will be made in color
and in black and white.
Increase Prices for Sound
Prague, Czechoslovakia — Wired
houses here and in Vienna have in-
creased admission prices from 30 to
50 per cent since they have been
showing sound pictures.
Nine Theaters at Hankow
Hankow, China — Of the nine the
aters here, two are foreign owned
and seven owned bv local interests.
One of the houses is using portable
sound apparatus.
Making P. D. C. Shorts
London — Steplien Fitzgibbm
merly at the Sound Studios, is
ing a series of shorts for P.
together with Gordon Bostock.
duction is going on at the British
International studios at Elstree
Must Insure Fleet
When a British producer,
who wanted to use part of the
navy for scenes in a picture,
asked permission from the Ad-
miralty, it was suggested that
the producer insure that part
of the fleet against possible
damage.
German Firm to Inspect
W. E. Device in London
London — A court order has been
obtained by Siemens-Halska, the
German company which is bringing
action against Western Electric for
alleged infringement of patents,
whereby the technical experts of the
former company are permitted to ex-
amine the W. E. equipment at the
Empire here.
Pathetone Weekly to
Start on March 31
London — First issue of the Pathe-
tone Weekly will be distributed to-
morrow.
Norwegian Imports
Oslo, Norway — Of the pictures im-
ported to Norway in 1929, 62.46 per
cent were American, 13.96 per cent
German and 5.8 per cent British.
German Color Talker
Berlin — The first German talker to
he made in color will be "The Sun
of Heilgenworth," which will fea-
ture Liane Haid and be written and
directed by Rolf Raffe.
First Swedish Talker
Stockholm — "Say It with Music,"
jjroduced by the Swedish Film In-
dustry Co., is the first talking pic-
ture to be made in Sweden.
Would Increase Australian Tax
Sydney — A deputation represent-
ng the Actors' Federation has advo-
ated a higher tax on imported pic-
ures as one of several means of re-
ducing number of players now out
of work.
Paris to Have Enelish Talkers
Paris — M. Pierre Braunherger is
installing Western Electric equin-
nient at the Cinema du Pantheon and
will show all Knelisli talkers when
house is reopened.
New British Cinenhone Model
London — British Cinephorip i^; dis-
tributing a new model sound fibn and
discmodel to sell for about $5,700,
prehensive action oruuKnt-
Federal Court. These two hear-
ings expected to be put over
to Wednesday.
Rlchmount Pictures
723 7th Ave. |nc. New York City
D. J. MOUNTAM, Pres.
EXCLUSIVE foreign represents
lives for Rayart Pictures Corpo-
ration and other eading inde-
pendent producers and distributors.
Cable Address: RICHPICSOC. Paris
Cable Address: DEEJAY. London
Cable Address: RICHPIC. N. V.
Exporting only the
best in Motion Picturet
14
DAILV
Sunday, March 30, 1,
Monday
2,700 operators are attending 150 sound
schools.
Arbitration clause in M-F-M contract.
Plan another $2,000,000 addition to RKO
studio.
Tuesday
Coleman not restrained in Fox receiver ac-
tions.
Plan optional arbitration.
Paramount to offer 6.S features on 1930-31
program.
Wednesday
T. C. Barrows lieads Projection Advisory
Council.
521 features set for 1930-31.
Seek Removal of Judge Coleman from Fo.\
case.
Thursday
Producers vi'tW adopt code of ethics for talkers.
Pathe to Fox under Blair plan.
Talker shorts cut into vaudeville 50 per cent.
Friday
See drastic enforcement of N. V. theater
fire laws.
Plant national drive on music racket.
New judge takes over Fox cases in Federal
Court.
Today
Exhibs to seek cut in score charges.
Bankers in new effort to compromise over
Fox.
Stage depression sends Broadway producers
to films.
BANKERS IN NEW EEfORT
TO mmmi over eox
(Continued from Page 1)
being held. Similar attempts to
reach some sort of a compromise
were made by the opposing factions
a few weeks ago, but failed. With
legal complications piling up, judg-
ments about to be executed, more
obligations soon falling due and the
court machinery pretty well worn
from the perplexities of the proceed-
ings, it is considered that the present
efforts toward a reconciliation will
have better success.
Probably forecasting this favorable
development, the Fox Film stock ad-
vanced several points on Friday to
34K, its highest figure in some time.
Friday's scheduled hearing in the
State Court on the action brought by
Winfield Sheehan against William
Fox has been postponed to April 2.
Spends $3,000 for Improvements
Baltimore — E. A. Mathews has
spent $3,000 for remoHelinor on/i -
Roy Pomeroy, Director
Early Entries
Advance stories of the na-
tionwide search for a "Miss
Columbia," to replace the fig-
ure used as a leader to all
Columbia pictures, is bringing
a flock of early entries in the
contest, which does not of-
ficially open till April. A trip
to Hollywood and a week's
film contract at $250 will be
among the rewards of the win-
ner.
Can't Sue Individuals
and Union, Court Rules
[Continued frotn Pane 1)
Johnson Robbins Co., operators of
the Strand, brought suit against tlit-
local operators union and five pick-
etec^.■^ Ijelonging to the union fo.
picketing in front of the house which
did not have a union operator. Af-
ter the ruling the case was brough,
against the union only and a jury ir.
Superior Court recently brought a
verdict of $1.00 damages in favor o
the Johnson Robbins Co. Judgt
Carl Foster now has the law in the
case under consideration.
2 Paramount Employes
Entertain Lobby Crowds
Two employes of the Paramount
organization have made good as pro-
fessional entertainers. After an au-
dition by Steve Barutio, manager of
the Paramount, New York, Bernard
Brooks, assistant booker for thi.
Paramount Brooklyn exchange, and
William Kettle, an usher, were sign-
ed to entertain lobby standees waiting
for shows. Brooks does the singing
while Kettle assists him at the piano.
They have already appeared at the
house for three weeks and have two
more to go. Entertainment consists
of plugging songs from the picture
showing each week and repeating
numljers played by Jesse Crawford
on the console. The act goes on
every evening and .Saturday and Sun-
'lav afternoons.
K. C. and Baxter Houses
Added to Midland Chain
(Cotititiued from Pane I )
the Warwick, which was purcliascfl
last week through the chain's sub-
sidiary. City Theaters, Inc., from the
Warwick Amusement Co. The house
is now closed for alterations and will
be reopened in about two weeks with
E. W. Werner as house manager.
Recently, the chain acquired the
Baxter, Baxter, Kansas, now closed
for installation of Western Electric
equipment. When the house re-
opens Harr\- Paugh will he in charge
Glenn Replaces Jennings
as Akron Palace Manager
.\kron, O.- — Allen Glenn, fornie-l\
handling publicity for Warners, ha-
lieen appointed manager of the
Keith-.\lbee Palace here, succeeding
Herb Jennings, resigned. Prior to
his association with Warners, Glenn
was managing director of the Circle.
Indianapolis.
Completes Altering 4 Houses
Detroit— Over $200,000 has been
spent by Publix for remodeling ?n '
redecorating four houses here. Th'
Alhambra, last of the group has licer
completed and reopened.
Hill Gets Staples Theater
Staples. Minn.— E. H. Hill hn
houeht f'-om Ray C. Wilson the the
ater liere.
Leases Detroit Universal
Detroit — The Universal has bee
kvnsed bv Ray Lapham to Mane
and Mills.
C Presentations f) u
Bv DON' CARLE GILLETTE
GENEROOSSHOWOFTALENT
ONTHEPARAMOUNT STAGE
.A.t the Paramount this week there
is on display more talent than one
would expect to find on a single stage
at one time. This explains why there
may be found currently at that house
one of the finest stage presentations
that has come to it in a very long
while. This show is chiefly notable
for its music and its dancing and
youthful life that has been injected
into it. George Dewey Washington
sings a couple of numbers in beau-
tiful fashion. Then there is a child
dancer named Darlean Walder. In
the short while she is on the stage
she reveals herself as a really re-
markable little dancer. Ina Williams
and Jere Delaney, a comedy team on
the Mary Hay-Clifton Webb order,
prove excruciatingly funny. Miss
Williams carries on in so nonsensical
a manner as to bring the house down.
.\nother fine act is M. Duval & Co.
Duval palms off some black magic
that makes you wonder as you never
wondered before. Helen Lewis and
lier band, stunningly uniformed, are
also on the program. Paul Ash ap-
pears as master of ceremonies. Ef-
fective lighting adds to the enjoy-
ment of the show, which is called
"Magic Melodies."
"MARSEILLAISE" NUMBER
TOPS PROGRAM AT ROXY
A stirring revolutionarv tableau,
with Jose Santiago leading the Rox\
Ensemble in a rousing rendition of
"La Marseillaise," is the outstand-
ing item on the Ro.xv stage program
this week. It is an impressive mu-
sical number, specially arranged as
an introduction to the ciuTent film,
"Captain of the Guard," which deals
with the French revolution. In con-
trast to this offering of serious as-
pect, is a delightful festive affair en-
titled "In Holland," in which Doro-
thy Miller sings, Patricia Bowman
and Leonide Massine dance, while
the ballet corps, the chorus and the
Ro-wettes disport themselves in
various forms in front of a huge
windmill setting. Of particular in-
terest in this number are the clever
costumes, which take the form of
huge tulips that totally conceal the
wearers. Erna Ruliinstein, Hungari-
an violinist of note, makes her Roxy
debut with a pleasing selection that
draws a generous hand. A snappy
dance routine, under the heading of
"Whirligig," brings forth the Roxy-
ettes in some neat drill work that is
enhanced bv striking red costumes
against a dark background of drapes.
INCREASE DESPITE SOi
II est Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAJY
Los -Angeles — Despite the comp( -
tion offered vaudeville by sound j-
tures, Fanchon and Marco were a;e
to add 15 weeks to its bookings i
1^20. it is revealed by "Mike" Mar ,
1 ead of the organization. Marco -
serts the loss in patronage suffei 1
by vaudeville is not only tempor;
but is due to causes other than (
advent of talking films, adding tl
"sound came in simultaneously w
viiion troubles in many spots."
"The new vaudeville, as a mat
of fact, gained 43 additional wee
in 1929," says Marco. "Furthermo
union stage conditions, making t
plaving of vaudeville prohibitive
some spots, are fairly in the way
being adjusted by the union offici;
1 emselves. These men cannot affo
1;) see vaudeville disappear, and 1
f )re many months elapse we expc
to get a helping hand from the
which will bring more theaters in
Ihe vaudeville or presentation fok
.Marco characterizes the cheap
grade of vaudeville as "the only kii|
hich sound can permanently suij
plant." "The Talkies," he remark
have brought the first-grade yaud
ville talent into the films, and tl'
' ery fact makes them better attra
I ons on the vaudeville stage. Sounj
1 erefore will not hurt good vaud:
' ille, but help it. Nothing can ci'
the public of the desire to see pi
formers in the flesh except bad vaud
ville. That the large circuits a
gradually eliminating, and sound h
nothing to do with it."
Peerless, No. Abington Wired
\d Abington, Mass.- — The Pee
less is being wired by RCA Phot,
phone.
RCA for Grenada, Webster City
Webster City, Iowa.— RCA Phot.
phone engineers are wiring tb
Grenada.
Wire Ritz, Charitan, Iowa
(haritan, Iowa. — The Ritz has in
stalled RC.\ Photophone.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for i
Picture Tlieatres j
Standard |
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
iTHE
v/^FILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALLTUE TIME
,VOL. LI No. 76
Monday, March 31, 1930
Price 5 Cents
General Adoption of Color in Newsreels Soon
SEE BIGDEMAND FORSINGLE REELSUBJECTS
5 Outdoor Films Among First National Releases
An Argument
— of smiles vs, tragedy
— By JACK ALICOATE ^^
VRE PICTURES becoming
00 high-brow for our great
;inety per cent? Here is a fair
uestion, occasionally brought
ip, regarding the present swing
oward too much sorrow and
ragcdy in pictures and too
iiany so called intellectual or
ligh-brow productions. We are
lOw having a blizzard of un-
lappy ending pictures and more
re on the way. Personally, we
lislike unhappiness, in large
doses, on the screen. Like a
dash of angostura bitters in an
old fashioned cocktail one or
two tears goes a long way with
Mr. and Mrs. Customer seeking
amusement and entertainment
in the modern picture house. No
one will deny that this inspira-
tional industry was built upon
a firm and solid foundation of
laughter. Take away the mil-
lions of chuckles from our pi'.-
tures of the past fifteen years
and the business would still be
centered around the store show.
The talkers have opened the
way to universal presentation
of the great tragedy master-
pieces of the world. A certain
percentage of paying theater
guests will rave over them of
course. Many more, with a
flare for the unusual, will be sat-
isfied, but, it is our modest and
fleeting guess that the great
majority of the picture loving
public will take them only when
seasoned with a proper propor-
tion of legitimate laughs. Shake-
speare came pretty near knock-
(Cantinued on Page 2)
Number of Westerns to Be
Included in Company's
Schedule
IV est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Five talking films of
the out-of-doors type are listed among
First National's future releases. In-
dications are that a number of West-
erns will be included in the schedule.
Among them will be the "The Girl
of the Golden West," made from the
Belasco play, with Ann Harding,
James Rennie, Harry Bannister, Ar-
thur Housman, Richard Carlyle, Nor-
man McNeil and Fred Warren in the
cast. The film will be entirely in
'i'echnicolor.
The other four are "Under Western
Skies,'-' based on a story by Howard
Estabrook, with Lila Lee, Fred
Kohler, Sidney Blackmer and Ray-
mond Hatton in the principal roles;
(Continued on Page 8)
CONSTRUClllNDER
WAV ON jJOR WARNER
Construction has been started un-
der the supervision of Norman L.
Maier, chief engineer, on eight
houses for the Warner chain. The
new houses are located in Youngs-
town, Erie, Milwaukee, Wilkinsburg,
Pa., West Chester, I'a., Torrington,
Conn., Morganstown, W. Va., and
Ridgewood, N. J.
PRICE REDUCTION ON
DE FOREST PHONOEHN
Reductions jn the prices of De-
Forest Phonofilm has been announced
by General Talking Pictures. The
prices now are $2,500 for houses up
to 750 seats, $3,500 up to 1,200 seats
and $4,250 for houses seating more
than 1,200.
B. S. Moss Gets Option
on Site at Pasadena
I^asadena, Cal. — Agents for B. S.
Moss have taken an option on a site
on Green St. A 2,000-seat house is
expected to be built there.
German Producer, Banker
Sail Wednesday for U. S.
London — Dr. Ludovic Klitsch, head
of Ufa, and Herr S. Rachman, Berlin
financier, sail for the United States
Wednesday. L'pon their arrival they
will complete arrangements for fu-
ture European sound-film produc-
tions and distribution.
Both U. A. and Tiffany
to Make "Resurrection"
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Both United Artists
and Tiffany will make dialogue ver-
sions of "Resurrection." Tiffany's
(Cotitinued on Page 8)
Steps Being Taken Towards
Use of Color in Newsreels
BELL-HOWELL EXPANDING
IN EUROPEAN TERRITORY
As part of the foreign e-xpansion
program being undertaken. Bell &
Howell Co., Chicago camera and
equipment house, has established two
new European ofifices with the forma-
(Continued on Page 8)
With Pathe already using color in
its sound news when it fits in with
scenes, general adoption of color in
newsreels is in prospect for the near
future. Paramount is doing research
work in connection with a somewhat
similar plan and it is understood that
the company has in mind an all-color
newsreel.
"Very favorable" is the way Terry
Ramsaye, editor-in-chief at Pathe,
describes exhibitor reaction to the
{Continued on Page 8)
Warners Convinced 75 P.C.
of Exhibitors Want
One-Reel Shorts
Convinced that approximately 75
per cent of exhibitors have a pref-
erence for single-reel subjects, War-
ner Bros, plan to make the bulk of
its 1930-31 Vitaphone short subject
program in this length. More than
iContinued on Page 8)
313 NEW MEMBERS ADDED
TO 8. M. P. E. LAST YEAR
Increasing importance of the S.M.
P.E. is indicated in the rapid growth
in membership of the organization.
During the last year, the Society
added 313 new members to its list
{Continued on Page 8)
Fox Hearings
Today, 10 a. m., before Judge
Manton, U. S. Circuit Court of
Appeals, on order to orohibit
Judge Coleman from acting in
any Fox cases.
Today. 10 a. m., before Jus-
tice Ford, State Suoreme Court,
E. C. Krebs vs. Fox, also mo-
tion by Fox to withdraw his
suit against Stuart and Otter-
son from the State Supreme
Court in view of more com-
prehensive action brought in
Federal Court. These two hear-
ings expected to be put over
to Wednesday.
Today, 4:30 p. m., before
Judge Knox in U. S. District
Court, on three receivership
applications and on show cause
order to restrain Winfield Shee-
han suit against Fox in State
Supreme Court.
Wednesday, 10 a. m., in State
Court, Sheehan vs. Fox.
Pending: in State Court, Stu-
art-Otterson vs. Fox; in Fed-
eral Court. Fox vs. Stuart-Ot-
terson, over Fox "B" stock;
in Brooklyn Supreme Court,
Weiss-Otto vs. Fox Theaters.
YHC
■s^ai
DAILY
Monday, March 31, 193(
ilLLTHE HEW!
ALL THE TIME
iroLllNo.78 Konday, March 31, 1930 Prices Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE : Editor and Publishei
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Exlitor. En-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free^ United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
N«w York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter. 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle^
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
The Broadway Parade
/^NLY one important opening is scheduled for this week, "Under a Texas Moon,"
^-^ which follows "The Green Goddess" at the Winter Garden on Thursday.
Theater Opening Date
Astor Jan. 28
Picture Distributor
"The Rogue Song" M-G-M
"Green Goddess" Warner Winter Garden. , , ,Feb, 13
"Puttin' on the Ritz" United Artists. . . . Earl Carroll Feb, 14
"Vagabond King". . , ,' Paramount Criterion .Feb. 19
"Mamba" Tiffany Gaiety Mar. 1 0
"Song O' My Heart" Fox 44th St Mar. 11
"Lummox" United Artists, . . Rivoli Mar, 22
"Mammy" Warner Warner , , Mar. 26
"Hell Harbor" United Artists. , , , Rialto Mar. 27
"Man from Blankley's" Warner Central Mar, 28
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF SATURDAY)
High Low Close Sale^
*Am. Seat 20/2
Con. Fm. Ind 2454 23}^ 24 2,300
Con .Fm. Ind. pfd. 24^ 24^ 245^ 1,000
Con. Fm, rts 5^ Yz Vz 2,200
East, Kodak 239 236^4 238M 3,100
Fox Fm, "A" 3354 32^ 33}4 2,100
Fox Fra. "A" rts. 5K 4M '^Vi 3.400
Fox Fm. deb. rts. , ^ yk 'A 600
*Keith A-O 36!4
do pfd 115 .115 115 100
Loew's, Inc 76^ TSyk TSVa 1,700
*do pfd. WW (654) 10354
•do pfd. xw (6/2) 92
♦M-G-M pfd 25J4
Para. F-L 765/^ 75J^ 76/^ 15,700
Pathe Exch 5 4J4 4^ 2',000
do "A" 10J4 105/g lOM 800
R-K-0 i7 3554 36/2 2,700
♦Univ. Pict, pfd 55 54 •
Warner Bros 8054 79 7954 34,600
do pfd 7054 6954 6954 500
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Keith AC 6s 46 90
Loew 6s 41ww,..119 119 119 30
♦do 6s 41 x-war 1005^
Paramount 6s 37.. 1015^ 10154 lOl'/^ 50
Par, By. 554s51 , . .101^ IOI.54 1015/^ 20
Pathe 7s37 56 56 56 30
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 79^
Columbia Pet 38 38 38 200
Fox Thea. ''A"... 7Ji 754 TVi 400
♦Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb. rts 3954 .,,.
*Loew, Inc, war 1254 ....
Nat. Scr. Ser 29^^ 2854 29^ 5,700
♦Nat. Thea, Sup 25
Univ. Pict 18 18 18 100
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
♦ft'J*''*'
'♦.♦♦.♦♦.•♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦.
9
is-
)^
if
^^
if
tf
11
}l
if
if
New York
1540 Broadway
BRYant 4712
J. E. Brulatour, Inc*
Chicago
1727 Indiana Ave.
CALumet 2691
»>♦>•.♦♦>•.♦♦.♦♦.♦♦>♦>♦>♦.•♦,•(
•••♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦>♦♦♦>♦ ♦♦ ♦♦<,♦
Long Island City *J
154 Crescent St. m
STIllwell 7940 J.t
if
if
if
if
if
if
if
if
if
if
if
Hollywood j{
6700 Santa Monica ;*{
Blvd. J":
HOLlywood 4121 ft
if
An Argument
— of smiles vs. tragedy
(Continued from Page 1)
ing one over when he opined :
"I had rather have a fool to
make me merry, than experi-
ence to make me sad."
The Byrd Picture
Being a picture fan of several years
standing we are rather enthused with
the coming Byrd-South Pole picture.
This feature will be released about
the middle of June. It has prob-
ably had more advertising and pub-
licity than any other picture ever re-
leased and it is our thought that it
will not only live up to the optimistic
expectations of its sponsors, the
Paramount outfit, but be a compel-
ling and inspiring knock-out whenever
shown. We are willing to place a
little wager, say anything between
twenty-five and fifty cents, that the
scenes of Commander Byrd flying
over the South Pole will bring forth
more spontaneous applause than any
production climax of the season.
Los Angeles Premieres
for Two Universal Films
ll'cst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — World premieres of
Universal's "King of Jazz" and "All
Quiet on the Western Front" will
be held here. The former will open
at the Criterion on April 19, while
the latter will make its bow at the
Carthay Circle, on April 24,
The Industry's
Date Book
Apr.
Apr.
Apr.
Apr,
May
May
May
lay
1 2-2-2 Conference will take place
N. Y.
3 Premiere of "Under a Texas Moor
at the Winter Garden, N. Y.
5 Second annual banquet and ba
of the Warner Club. Inc., at th
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State H
P.T.O, at Memphis.
8 Premiere of "Journey's End" i
the Gaiety, New York.
5-8 S,M.P,E. Spring Meeting at th
Wardman Park Hotel, Washing
ton. D. C.
16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern man.
gers hold annual sales meet 9
Atlantic City.
24-25-26-27 Paramount western manz
gers will hold annual sales me<
at San Francisco.
25 Fox annual sales convention start
today.
2-7 International Cinema Congress a
Brussels.
Fox to Build 1,500-Seat
House at Salamanca, N. Y.
Salamanca, N. Y. — Fox Metropoli-
tan Playhouses has purchased a site
here for the erection of a 1,500-seat
house. Plans have been drafted and
call for the completion of the house
by Sept, 1, Sound and Grandeur
equipment will be installed.
14,755 Playdates So Far in
Sam E. Morris Campaign
A total of 14,755 playdates, repre-
senting all parts of the U. S. and
Canada, have been booked by War-
ner Bros, so far in the Sam E. Mor-
ris month in May campaign. At the
same stage of the campaign last
year the number of playdates was
14,000. L. E. Goldhammer, manager
of the Minneapolis branch, leads the
sales drive with the biggest showing
to date, while Charles Gilmour and
Otto Rohde were cited last week for
outstanding work.
Hannah Kass Columbia
Foreign Department Mgr
Hannah Kass has been appointee-
manager of Columbia's New Yorl
foreign department. She was for
merly executive secretary to Jacl
Cohn and Joe Brandt, Negotiation;
are also on the way to secure ;
Mexican and South American repre
sentative for the company.
Betty Balfour Organizes
British Producing Unii
London (By Cable)— Betty Bah
four, stage and screen star, has or^
ganized her own picture producing
unit under the name of Betty Balfour
Pictures, Ltd,, with a nominal capi
tal of $.S00, and is now assembling ;
technical and directorial staff.
R. B. Ripley Resigns
from Post with Netoco
Boston — Rupert B. Ripley, for the
past two and one-half years publicity
and advertising director for Netoco
theaters of New England has re-
signed.
Warners Buy Site
Morgantown, W. Va. — Site for the
proposed 2,000-seat Warner Bros.
theater here has been purchased from
the D. H. Courtney estate on High
St., for $110,000.
Del Rio for Premiere
Dolores Del Rio will be the guest
of honor at the opening of United
Artists' "The Bad One" in May in
New York.
To Rebuild at Kinston
Kinston, N. C— A. B. Huff will
rebuild the Grand which was de-
stroyed by fire.
Cleveland Poster Exchange
Cleveland — Max Shenker, Nat
Barach and Charles Beckerman have
opened the Cleveland Poster Ex-
change in the Hazard Hotel Bldg.
Price, Jr., Golf Champion
Baltimore — Frank Price, Jr., man-
ager of the Rivoli, has been appoint-
ed chairman of the golf committee
of the Advertising Club of this city.
Moline House Burned
Moline, la, — Fire recently de-
stroyed the Palace causing losses of
about $100,000.
Chicago House Helps Deaf
Chicago— The RKO State Lake is
installing equipment to enable deaf
persons to hear sound pictures.
Denies Sale of Interest ,
D. M, Sohmer, general manager o':
the Coy Operating Co., denies tha,
Irving Dashkin has purchased an inj
terest in the Savoy at Jamaica. Dash)
kin is house manager for the hous,
which is operated by the Coy Co. ot
which L. L. Alterman is president'
he states.
Mack to Brooklyn Studio
If est Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILV
Hollywood — Roy Mack, Vitaphone
director, is being transferred to th«
Warner studios in Brooklyn.
Professional M. P. Cameras
FOR SALE
Eymo-2 Bell & Howells, one
for silent, one for sound pro-
duction— Akeley camera com-
plete high speed attachment
for Akeley-2 ssmchronous mo-
tors for sound productions with
cables and clutches; prices on
request at bargains.
BROWNING
110 W. 40th St. New York
Phone: Penn 1258
THE PICTURE THAT
WILL LIFT YOU TO
THE HEIGHTS!
No. 685 Straight from the Shoulder Talk by Carl Laemmie,
President of the Universal Pictures Corporation
FEW STAGE OR SCREEN PRODUCTIONS CARRY THE EMOTIONAL THRILL OR SOUL-UPLIFT
that you will get when you see and hear "Captain of the Guard."
THIS IS THE PICTURE WE ORIGINALLY CALLED "LA MARSEILLAISE." I CHANGED THE TITLE
because of the difficulty so many people had in pronouncing the French title.
THE SMARTEST EXHIBITORS IN THE WORLD LIKED THE ORIGINAL TITLE FOR SENTIMENTAL
reasons, but when it came to box-office reasons they unanimously preferred "Caprain of the
Guard."
BUT WHATEVER THE TITLE, THE TALE IS SUGGESTED BY THE WORLD-FAMOUS SONG "LA
Marseillaise."
AND — MARK MY WORD -- WHEN JOHN BOLES COMES MARCHING OVER THE COBBLED
streets of Paris at the head of the patriots singing that glorious song, you are going to get a
tingling up and down your spinal column such as you have not had for many a year.
THIS, OF COURSE, IS BUT ONE OF THE MANY HIGH SPOTS IN A MASTER PRODUCTION
directed by John Robertson.
REMEMBER, TOO, THAT THE MUSIC FOR "CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD" WAS WRITTEN BY
Charles Wakefield Cadman, who has composed some deathless songs of the past.
YOU NEVER SAW NOR HEARD THE REAL JOHN BOLES BEFORE. YOU NEVER KNEW
the richness and range of his magnificent voice as you will know it in "Captain of the Guard."
IN PRODUCING "CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD" WE PAID, FRANKLY, BUT LITTLE ATTENTION TO
historical accuracy. Our aim was to make a great entertainment and at the same time give a hand-
some setting to the glorious song which stirs the souls of men, no matter what their nationality.
THAT WE HAVE SUCCEEDED HAS ALREADY BEEN DEMONSTRATED, FOR "CAPTAIN OF THE
Guard" is one of those very rare pictures such as you get only when those responsible for its making
are at least temporarily inspired.
FORJT IS AN INSPIRATION AND IT WILL LIFT YOU TO NEW EMOTIONAL HEIGHTS-AND
keep you there !
Don't Fail To Read Complete Details in Universal Weekly
Monday, March 31, 193i
Short Shots from
New York Studios
^ By HARRY N. BLAIR .— i
/^HARLES RUGGLES, Paramount
^ featured player and handball
champion, is donating a perpetual
cup called the "Ruggles Handball
Trophy," to be awarded durmg the
handball tournament scheduled for
next month, at the New York Ath-
letic Club.
Louis Brock's Next
"Tell It to the Judge" is the title
of Louis Brock's next comedy, fea-
turing the Italian comic team of Nick
and Tony, which starts this week, at
the Ideal studios, under the direc-
tion of Mark Sandrich. Supporting
cast includes Rube Welch, who col-
laborated on the story, Douglas Bur-
ley, Jean Newcombe, Frank Dufrane
and Shirley Grey.
Vitaphone Engineer To Speak
On April 2, Porter H. Evans, ch:ef
engineer of the Eastern Vitaphone
Studios, will present a paper on
"From Broadcasting to Audible Pic-
tures" before a joint meeting of the
Institute of Radio Engineers and the
S. of M. P. E. Evans will compare
the conditions surrounding the mak-
ing of talkies with those in radio
broadcasting.
DAPHNE POLLARD
and
MICKEY BENNETT
Big laughs in small
packages.
(THEY'RE IN IT)
Coast Wire Service
Latest Hollywood Happenings
Four Players and Writer
Signed by Radio Pictures
Sue Carrol, Tom Kennedy, Helen
Ware and William Presley Burt have
been signed for parts in Radio pic-
tures. Allen Fagan has also been
signed as a stage and dialogue di-
rector.
Begins "Moby Dick"
Production work has begun on
"Moby Dick" at the Warner studios.
John Barrymore plays the leading
part in the talker version of "The
Sea Beast," and will have Joan Ben-
nett opposite him. Others in the
cast are Hobart Bosworth, Lloyd
Hughes, Migel de Brulier, Noble
Johnson and May Boley. Lloyc!
Bacon is directing.
Hale in Bancroft Film
Alan Hale, after a short absence
from the screen, will appear in
George Bancroft's "The Caveman"
for Paramount. Doris Kenyon will
play the feminine lead with Victor
Schertzinger directing.
To Start "Fall Guy"
Radio will start work on "The
Fall Guy" next week. Jack Mulhall,
Mae Clark, Wvnne Gibson, Pat
O'Malley and Thomas Jackson are
in the cast.
Added to "Soldiers and Women"
Walter McGrail and Helen John-
son have been placed under contract
b>' Columbia to appear in "Soldiers
and Women." . Edward Sloman will
handle the direction.
Power on Coast
Tyrone Power has arrived at the
Fox studios and will shortly start
work in a Raoul Walsh production.
O'Connor in "Jack Riley"
Robert Emmctt O'Connor will
nlav an important role in "Jack
Rilev," which Walter Lang is di-
recting for Sono Art under the per-
sonal supervision of Jaines Cruze.
Cast for Fox Film
Fo.x has siorned Pat Somerset and
Robert McWade for featured part?
in "The Fatal Weddine." Edmund
Lowe and Marguerite Churchill have
the leads.
Start "Right of Way"
Work has been started on "The
Ric^ht of Way" at the First National
studio.
Two for "Billy the Kid"
Lucille Powers and Russell Simp
<;nn have been given narts in Kinc
\''idor's storv of the life of Billv the
Kid, for M-G-M.
Toomev for "Fatal Wedding"
Regis Toomev has been given r
part in "The Fatal Wedding" for
Fox.
Little
from
Lots'
^^^^^ By RALPH WILK ^^f
JOHNNY VAN EYCK, who played
J in "Stand Too," produced in the
East, for RKO, has arrived in Holly-
wood and has become an ardent
Coast booster. He became so inter-
ested in Hollywood that he opened
the London Club Cafe, on Sunset
Boulevard. Although he operates
the Cafe, he will devote most of his
time to acting.
* * *
George. Amy, who edited "Those
Who Dance," for First National,
will edit "The Girl of the Golden
West," which is being directed by
John Francis Dillon.
* * *
Do you remember when Wil-
liam S. Gill "scooped" the
world on the Titanic sinking;
when LeRoy Stone edited the
William S. Hart pictures; when
Ben Stoloff was the crack
short on the Hurley, New
Mexico team in the old Copper
league?
* * +
Ben Silvey, veteran assistant di-
ector, is assisting Frank Llovd on
•The Right of Way" at First Na-
ional.
* •+ *
C. Edgar Schoenbainn, ace cam-
ranutn, has finished the Technicolor
vork on "Under Western Skies,"
which Clarence Badger directed,
ijchoenbaum also handled the Tech-
nicolor work on "Sally," "The Rogue
Song," "Bright Skies," and "Bride
of the Regiment."
* * *
Howard Estabrook, who
wrote the screen play and dia-
logue for "Under Western
Skies," is writing the screen
play and dialogue for "The Bad
Man," which will be a First
National special, with Walter
Huston as the star.
Three in "Blushing Brides"
Joan Crawford, Anita Page and
Dorothy Sebastian have been cast
for M-G-M's "Our Blushing Brides.''
Harry Beaumont will direct from an
original by Bess Meredyth and John
Howard Lawson.
Corday in "Hawk Island"
Marcelle Corday has been cast in
"Hawk Island," for Radio.
Columbia Completes Cast
Cast for "Prince of Diamonds" has
been completed by Columbia with
the addition of E. Alyn Warren, Gil-
bert Emery and Frederick .Sullivan.
A. H. Van Buren and Karl Brown
1 are co-directing.
"Unholy Three" Chaney's
First Talker for M-G-I
Lon Chaney's first talking pictut
for M-G-M will be a re-make of "Tl
LInholv Three."
Announce Engagement
Announcement is made of the ei
gagenient of Irene Mayer, daughts
of Mr. and Mrs. Louis B. Alaye
to David O. Selznick.
New Title for M-G-M Film
The title of the film being mad
by M-G-M from Somerset Mauf
ham's play, "The Circle," has bee
changed to "Strictly Unconvei
tional."
Fox Signs Lynn Starling
Lynn Starling, playwright, lia
)een engaged by Fox.
Tiffany to Remake Silent
Tiffany will remake "Undc
Montana Skies" as an all-talker, fe;
turing Kenneth Harlan and Slii
Summerville. As a silent the picttir
was known as "Montana Bill."
Carle for "Rich Uncles"
Pathe has sigrned Richard Carle t
head the cast of "Rich Uncles," twc
reel Checker comedv. Fred Giioil
directing-.
Making One-Act Thrillers
"Murder De Luxe" is the first
a series of one-act thrillers being prj;
duced by James Brown. Darmoi;'
RKO cinematouraplier.
To Broadcast "Cuckoos"
On April 8, fronn the recordii
room, stage four of the new Rad
Pictures sound studio, the enti
score and dialogue of "The Cuckoo;
will be broadcast nationallv ov'
N. B. C.
Maurel in "Dixiana"
Ra\inond Maurel has been given
part in Radio's "Dixiana."
Fox Signs Blackface Team
The blackface team composed i
John Swor and Robert Burns h:
been signed by Fox under a lor
term contract. Thev will be know
on the screen as "Black & Blue."
Added to "Call of West"
Tom O'Brien and Vic Potel lia\
been signed bv Columbia for roles
"Call of the West." .Mbert Ray
directing.
Cruze Signs Lola Lane
Lola Lane has been placed und<
a five-year contract by James Cru;
Productions.
"U" Signs Rose Hobart
Rose Hobart, stage actress, _h;
been signed by Universal to play in
picture to be announced.
THE
"'Bftnday, March 31. 1930
■^^
^film Boards of Trade Report
Additional Theater Changes
i I MONTANA
' Changes in Ownership
Ifl i\aoa — Liberty, sold to Mcllney & Blott by
' 'iV. H. Jorgenson ; Terry — Rialto, sold to
•f, [Stanley Guy by George Khan.
NEBRASKA
Changes in Ownership
,iseImo — Community, sold to Community
Club by Rolli & Lacher; Big Springs—
ISeaman, sold to Winchell & Shultz by
iSeaman & Reed : Hayes Center — Hayes
[Center, sold to D. A. Gillispie by Ross
iPeters, White, sold to D, A. Gillispie by
. [Ross Peters; Morrill — Ideal, sold to G. A.
I (Parberry by George Luce; St. Paul — Elite,
sold to W. N. Youngclaus by Roy E.
iMason ; Sargent — Sun, sold to R. W. Hicks
by John Cosner; Table Rock — Table Rock,
sold to \Vm. Hale by L. M. Greene.
Closings
i^oca — Town Hall; Chester — Gem; Marion
■Crescent ; Seneca — Idle Hour ; Wilcox —
(Auditorium.
) Openings
lentral City— State.
I NEW JERSEY
Changes in Ownership
. Orange — Brighton, sold to John G. Reh-
ikopf by F. W. Packer; Landisville — Lan-
' disvil!e, sold to U. Cavoli by J. Kinkel-
stein ; Laurel Springs — Laurel, sold to
Abraham Adelman by Byron Gosh ; Mill-
bum — Millburn, soldto T. Gorman by
Stanley Fabian; Newark — Grand, sold to
Mr. Greene; Paterson — Lyceum, sold to
Van Houten Ams. Co. Inc.: Rahway —
Empire, sold to Pollak & Bratter by Fox
Metropolitan ; Swedesboro — Embassy, sold
to A. Frank by Francis A. Case; Tenafly—
Bergen, sold to T. Gorman by R. A.
Church, Bergen, sold to R. A. Church by
G. Holler; Westwood — Westwood, sold to
Goldwood Theater, Inc. by Westwood
Theater, Inc.; Woodcliffe — Broadway,
I sold to Bway. Woodcliffe Theater Corp.
I by 991 Bway. Theater Corp.
I Closings
Audubon — New Century ; Fairvifew — Fair-
! view; Fort Lee — Fort Lee; Highland
Park — Park; Iselin — Iselin; Jersey City —
i Comedy; MerchantviUe — Park; New Bruns-
wick— Cozy Bijou, Opera House; Pater-
son— American; Tensifly — Bergen; West
New York — Wilson.
NEW YORK
Changes in Ownership
[Andover — ^Auditorium, sold to John Kar-
canes by Calhoun & Snyder; Canisteo —
; Boiler, sold to Elias M. Panos by Chas.
I Tarbox ; Dover Plains — Best, sold to F.
I C. Adams by Mclntyre & Ferguson; E.
Syracuse — Roxie, sold to L. Steele by M.
Albanese ; Hamniondsport — Park, sold by
Mr. & Mrs. Grimaldi; Marlboro— Ad-
vance, sold to Odd Fellows Ass'n by
Faust & Duryea ; Mohawk — Bates, sold
to Olin G. Hinman by F. M. Bates: Mont-
gomery— Senior Hall, sold to M. Halper;
North Creek — Happy Hour, sold to J.
Solomon by Fred Baroudi ; Nyack — Rock-
land, sold to Fox Metropolitan Theaters ;
Glean — Havens, sold to N, Dipson by Af-
filiated Theaters of Olean, Inc.; Roches-
ter— Empire, sold to S. D. Joseph by J.
J. Greenstone, Lyndy, sold to Lyndhurst
Amuse, Co. by J. Fenyvessy ; Schenectady
— Lincoln, sold to Harold J. & Mrs. Cath-
erine D. Farrell by Brandywine Amuse.
Corp. ; Syracuse — Roxie (formerly Savoy)
sold to Joe Soloman by Thos. Phillips;
Wappinger Falls — Park, sold to Louis
Baracca by F. S. Angel; Waterloo — State,
sold to Ross McVoy, Seneca Falls Theater
Co. by B. B. Gutstadt; Windsor — Wind-
sor, sold to A. J. Hackley & A. B. Comp-
ton by W. Cawse; Yonkers — Warburton,
sold to W. Farley.
Closings
Athens — Opera House ; Binghamton — City-
line ; Germantown — Grange Hall ; Hancock
Opera House ; Liverpool — Liverpool ; New
Paltz — lOpera House ; Pleasantville — Strand ;
Rochester — Plaza ; Scotia — Ritz ; Troy —
King.
Re-Openings
Herkimer — Richmond.
NEW YORK CITY
Changes in Ownership
Bedford — sold to Bedford Theater Corp. by
Hirsh & Geller, Daytona, sold to Boris
& Stern by Al Harsten, Orient, sold to
Al Gould by Mecca Ent. Inc., Park Lane,
sold to U. S. Bank by 10 Court St. Corp.,
Savoy-Grant; Yorke (Morrie Park Ave.),
sold to Yorke Theater Corp. by Bronx
Morsan Corp.
Closings
Casino C144 Second Avenue), Garden (St.
Nicholas Avenue), Globe Photoplay (149th
St. & 8th Avenue), Melrose (161st St.),
Monroe (Westchester Ave.).
BROOKLYN
Changes in Ownership
City Line, sold to Mr. Kleinfeld by Fox
Metropolitan Theaters, Inc., Crystal, sold
to Reelnews Corp. by Zelda Amuse. Corp.,
Globe (Sumnter St.), sold to Lila Ams.
Corp. by Small & Strausberg, Lee, sold
to G. & R. Ams. Corp., Momart, sold to
J. Springer, Momart Ams. Corp., New
Gates, sold to Gordon Akns. Co. (F.
Jones) by 852 Gates Ave. Corp., Rugby,
sold to Elbee Corp. (D. Rosenzweig) by
Parkway Ent. Inc.
Closings
Century (Monroe St.), Elton (New Utrecht
Avenue), Globe (Sumnter St.), Scenic.
LONG ISLAND
Changes in Ownership
Cedarhurst — Playhouse, sold to Michael
Mindlin by S. Pollack; Roslyn — Tower,
sold to E. T. Rinas by R. Calderone.
Closings
Bellmore — Bellmore; Northport — Northport ;
Richmond Hill— State.
NEVADA
Changes in Ownership
Reno — State, sold to Louis Rosasco & C.
C. Mottino by Rork & Murray.
NEW MEXICO
Changes in Ownership
Hagerman — Hagerman, sold to S. B. Brock
& Son by R. P. Morrison; Mountainair —
Mountainair, sold to S. B. Brock & Son
by Tabet Mercantile Co.; Portales — For-
tola, sold to Rose and Emmett Green by
Portola Theater Co.
NORTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Albemarle — Columbia, sold to Stanley Amuse.
Co. by Reynolds & Hushes; Dunn— Caro-
lina, sold to A. B. Huff by W. E. Huff;
Hieh Point— Eagle, sold to C. N. Bam-
ballis by J Dillard; Tryan-Strand, sold to
C. Nessmith by Jackson-Jackson; Wendell
— Star, sold to C. A. Biggs bv G. H.
Wright. Jr. ; W. Jefferson^Carolina, sold
to P. T. McNeil by Chas. O. Parsons.
Closinsrs
Kelford — Paramount; Newport — Strand;
Statesville — Crescent ; Wendell— Star.
NORTH DAKOTA
Closings
Linton — Willows ; Marmath — Johnson.
RHODE ISLAND
Changes in Ownership
Mt. Pleasant — Castle, sold to Ass'n Theaters,
Inc.. Antonio Romano, by Piehiretone
Theaters Corp.; Providence — Uptown, sold
to Henrv F. Annotti by Anthonv Romano :
Woonsocket — Strand, sold to Woonsocket
Theaters bv Red Seal Film Corp.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Changes in Ownership
Beaufort — Ritz. sold to Mrs. W. A. Murphy
by J. U. McCormick; Inman — Amuzu, sold
to Regan & Campe by J. C. Crowe ;
Landrum — Blueridge. sold to C. Nessmith
bv T. O. Bishop; Ridgeland — Ritz. sold to
Mrs. W. A. Murrhy by J. U. McCormick.
Closings
Inman — Amuzu.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Changes in Ownership
Conde — Commercial, sold to Business Men's
Club by R. L. Lenz ; Ipswich — State, sold
to Ed. Quinn bv T. A. Strom.
Closings
Delmont — Hall ; Edmond — Rex ; Kadoka —
Scenic.
ACADEMYTOMAKEAWARDS
AT BANQUET IN APRIL
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — The Academy of Mo-
tion Picture Arts and Sciences will
hold its annual banquet at the Am-
bassador Hotel, Thursday, April 3.
William de Alille, president of the
Academy will preside at the meeting.
Seven gold-bronze statuettes will
be awarded for the outstanding
achievements in the fields of actor,
actress, director, writer, cinema-
tographer, art director and producer.
The awards are for the period of one
year ending July 13, 1929.
To Build at Elmwood
Elmwood, O. — The recently form-
ed Elmwood Theater Co. will build
a $100,000 house at 405 Main St.
Installs Large Screen
Galveston, Tex. — M. Martini has
installed a large screen at the Mar-
tini.
New House for Jackson
Jackson, O.- — E. D. Jenkins
building a $60,000 house here.
To Build at San Pedro
San Pedro, Cal. — Fox West Coast
will build a house at Pacific and
Third Streets.
To Alter at Canajoharie
Canajoharie, X. Y. — Jack V'asill
will remodel the Strand this sununer.
COLOR EOR ONE OE
N-G-M FILMS IN WORK
Out of 11 features in work and
four in preparation at the M-G-M
studios, only one production will
make use of color. This is Cecil B.
De Mille's "Madame Satan," which
is to have some color sequences.
M-G-M has an additional 12 produc-
tions completed and awaiting release.
This dozen also includes only one in
color. "The Rogue Song," all-Tech-
nicolor. Among the finished pic-
tures due for early release is "Re-
demption," John Gilbert's second
talker.
Loew Gets Window Cards
Loew circuit has purchased win-
dow cards in color for all its houses,
the cards being the product of Berk-
shire Poster Co. The cards were
designed by I.oew's.
Warner at Huntington
Huntington Park, Cal. — Warner
will build a house here.
To Wire Onset House
Onset, Mass.^ — William E. C. \\'arr
will install talking picture equipment
at the Temple.
San Mateo Opening
San Mateo, Cal. — The Broadway
has been opened. House was built
by the Broadway Development Ass'n.
Announcing
Wf R 5 QUALITY
ECONOMY
World Right Synchronizing Co.
The Most Efficient Staff
in Neiu York
AVAILABLE TO DO MUSIC SCORING
For
The Foreign and Domestic
Film Industry
Phone LONgacre 8158
Suite 1006
ADDRESS 55 W. 42nd ST.
N. B. ALL MUSIC
Cleared for World Rights Thru the E. R. P. I. Agreement
THE
■eStl
DAILY
Monday, March 31, 193(
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Screen Writer Sees Stage
and Screen Inseparably United
/^NE cannot he in Hollywood
and not do a good deal of
thinking ahout the American
theater. For certainly since the
screen found a tongue — even a
hrass tongue — the cinema is in
the theater. There may be mo-
tion picture producers who are
still hiding the fact from them-
selves, but they will have to take
off their blinders eventually. I
am using the term theater very
loosely. What I mean is the
stage. Stage and screen have
been married and there is no
Reno on the horizon.
Dudley Nichols, Screen Writer
♦ * *
Sees Increase in Receipts
Outweighed by Production Costs
TT is rather less than two years
since the sound panic. The net
result of that panic is that pro-
duction costs have been increased
from 50 to 100 per cent and
business is up possibly 15 per
cent. The ratio is disproportion-
ate. Wide screen might add an-
other 50 per cent to the cost
and not put ten per cent on the
business — so what's the use?
It is very true that picture audi-
ences were on the wane, and
that business was slipping below
normal, but even at that the to-
tal gain is probably not 25 per
cent.
Epes W. Sargent in
"Zit's"
Holds Hollywood Influence
Would Aid British Industry
'THERE are signs that Holly-
wood is preparing to take an
active hand in British produc-
tion. If her decision serves mere-
ly to arouse an imitative instinct
among her British comp'etitors,
our studios mav soon find room
for more executives who are
really big enough to take on big
jobs.
"The Bioscope," London
In 1929 the number of pictures
made in France dropped 44
per cent from the number
made in 1928.
Along The Rialto
with
Phil M. Daly, Jr.
(^EORGE ARLISS has arrived from London on his way to the
Coast to appear in the talker version of "Old English," the
John Galsworthy play in which he appeared on the stage some
seasons ago. Mrs. Arliss is with him "Disraeli," which
was forced to quit the Central lasv week to make way for "The
Man from Blankley's," starts a popular-price run at the Strand
on Friday
"psJO wonder M. A. Lightman is the strong man of the M.P.T.
O.A. outfit. He regularly toys with one of these here
elastic exercisers and dares all his friends to compete with
him Clifford Brooke, who did the dialogue direction on
"Devil May Care" for M-G-M,.is in Washington for a few weeks,
directing stock. His last piece of stage direction, "House Afire,"
is now current on Broadway Henrietta Kay, who has
beautified a number of pictures in these parts, is back in town
following a tour with Earl Carroll's "\'^anities."
"T^ICH Hab Ich GeHebt" ("Because I Loved You"), the first
German all-talker to come to this country, is now in its fifth
week at the Fifty-fifth Street Playhouse. Never before has a
picture run as long at that theater Harry Richman will
appear in person on the Rivoli stage when "Puttin' on the Ritz"
is transferred to that theater in the near future Henry
Ginsberg, president of Windsor Picture Plays, Inc., is back in
the city after a visit to some of his firm's exchanges in the North-
west and Middle West George Gatts has left New York
for Richmond to make arrangements for the premiere today of
the company's "Her Unborn Child" at the Bijou in that city
(^NE of the best sellers in the m. p. business probably will be
"George Eastman," a biography by Carl W. Ackerman.
There's a lot of mighty interesting material in it, chorus the book
reviewers \'ictor .Mberti, head of Victor Alberti, Inc.,
Clerman music publishers and Central European representatives
for the Robbins Music Corp., is visiting in this country
'T'HE use of talking films as legal evidence is upheld by Judge
James Gordon, Jr., in Philadelphia following his refusal to
grant a new trial to a youth who was convicted through a con-
fession recorded on film John McAloon, "Bill" Raynor,
"Eddie" McAvoy and "Bob" Wolfe of Pathe journeyed down to
Atlantic City for the week-end to enjoy a golf foursome
Percy Marmont, who gangplanked the other day, is seeing
shows and pictures prior to leaving for the Coast. He's at the
Lambs Club Mary Duncan left the Main Stem on Friday
for a visit with her folks in old Virginny
MARCH 31-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
John Harron
Eddie Quillan
Lou Baum
Doris Hill
Victor Varcone
Clifford Brooke
C. W. Larsen
Stanley Rauh
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
t)
Balloon Attracts Attention
To "Navy Blues"
A BALLOON was- the feature
of the exploitation campaign
at the Norva, Norfolk, Va., when
"Navy Blues" played there. Guide
lines decorated with pennants on
the picture held the balloon about
75 feet above the street where
it could be seen for some dis-
tance. Searchlights illuminated
the display at night.
—M-G-M
* ♦ *
Inserts Ads in 45,000
Loaves of Bread
QENE FOX, pubHcity direc-
tor for the State, Minneapo-
lis, arranged with the Purity
Baking Co. to have 45,000 ads
for "Devil May Care" placed in
loaves of bread. The baking
company also made a birthday
cake for the house which was
celebrating its ninth anniversarv.
—M-G-M
* * *
Cut-Out Puzzle Draws
For "Unholy Night"
A LBERT KAUFMAN, man-
ager of the Fox Great Lakes,
Buffalo, used a cut-out puzzle for
the showing of the "Unholv
Night." The "Buffalo Times" co-
operated with Kaufman in run-
ning the puzzle with this cap-
tion under it, "Who is this well
known actor who appears in
the 'Unholy Night?' " Fifty
tickets were offered as prizes and
winners were announced in the
"Times" during the run of the
picture. — M-G-M
* * +
Give Out Honey for
"Honey" Showing
WAHILE "Honey" is playing
at the New York and
Brooklyn Paramount theaters a
jar of Golden Blossom Hcney
will be given to the first 1,000
women who attend the daily
matinees. — Paramount
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
dim Vn^^ALLTHE HEV
JfrKWSPAPEe
•yPILMDOH I
Kansas Exhibitors Assn. votes
against percentage at annual con-
vention.
* * *
Richard Rowland declares Loew-
Metro will have SO specials.
tf * *
Selznick plans nationalizing all of
the company's product.
I
aJVnday, March 31. 1930
Z<^^
DAILY
'^•fm'.
llore Sound Installations
Made in Theaters of the U. S.
Miiladelphia — The Montgomery
^vl open soon with RCA Photo-
«f |>ne.
.ivingston, Mont. — The Orpheuni
now using the Western Electric
ind system.
fvVashington — The Empress and
Criterion are being wired by RCA
otophone.
ian Leandro, Cal. — The 1227-seat
lace has installed Western Elec-
: equipment.
liankin, Pa. — RCA Photophone en-
leers are installing equipment in
! Palace.
Richmond Hill, N. Y.— The Civic
been wired by Western Electric
mpany.
Palmer, Mass. — The Cameo wil
on open with RCA Photophone.
Detroit, Mich. — The Strand has
mpleted installation of a Western
ectric system.
New Orleans, La. — The Lincoln is
ing wired by RCA Photophone.
The Dalles, Ore. — The Columbia
s opened with Western Electric
uipment.
Pittsburgh — RCA Photophone re-
oducing equipment is going into
e Grand:
Findlay, O. — The Marvin is in the
knds of Western Electric engineers,
ho are installing equipment.
.'Vnisterdam, N. Y. — The Orpheum
in the hands of RCA Photophone
nmd engineers.
Dorchester, Mass. — The Magnet is
;ing equipped by Western Electric.
Kansas City, Mo.— The 12th Street
ill open soon with RCA Photophone
(|uipment.
ethlehem. Pa. — The State has
een wired by Western Electric.
Davenport, Iowa — RCA Photo-
hone engineers are installing equip-
lent in the Uptown.
Farmington, Me. — The Broadway
as opened with talking pictures, re-
roduced over the Western Electric
pnaratus.
Los Angeles — Two more local the-
ters, the Glassel and Washington
re being wired by RCA Photophone.
Rosedale, Miss. — The Talisman has
nstalled Western Electric film and
lisc equipment.
Fremont, Ind. — RCA Photophone
engineers are wiring the Star.
Saulte Ste. Marie, Mich. — Talking
pictures are coming to the Soo, which
has installed Western Electric ap-
paratus.
The Grand, Brooklyn wilt soon
open with RCA Photophone.
Rockport, Mo. — The Victor has
opened with Western Electric equip-
ment.
Hazlehurst, Miss.— The Best has
.;one sound. RCA Photophone was
installed.
Flushing, L. I. — Sound pictures
will be shown at the Janice over the
Western Electric system.
St. Paul, Minn. — RCA Photophone
e(|uipment is going into the Mounds.
Alhambra, Cal. — The Granada has
installed Western Electric apparauts.
San Francisco — RCA Photophone
engineers are wiring the Edison.
Detroit — The Alhambra, seating
1456, has put in a Western Electric
film and disc equipment.
Pittsfield, Mass. — RCA Photo-
phone equipment is being installed in
the Union Square.
Baltimore, Md. — Film and disc
equipment has been installed in the
Bridge by Western Electric.
Springville, N. Y.— Goddard Hall
is being wired by RCA Photophone.
Bridgeville, Pa. — The Rankin re-
cently inaugurated sound pictures
with a Western Electric installation.
New Bethlehem, Pa. — The An-
drews has been wired by Western
Electric.
Provo, Utah. — The Gem is being
wired by RCA Photophone.
Louisville, Ky. — RCA Photophone
equipment is being installed in the
Lincoln.
Waterbury, Conn. — The Belmont
will open shortly with RCA. Photo-
phone.
Port Clinton, Ohio. — The Colonial
; being wired by RCA Photophone.
Rifle, Col. — The Rex is being wired
by RCA Photophone.
Denver, Col. — RCA Photophone
engineers are wiring the Granada.
Glassboro, N. J. — RCA Photo-
phone equipment is being installed in
the Glassboro.
Hays Tells Radio Fans
About Pictures' Aims
In a radio address that Vi'as one of
the "New Business World" series
conducted by Merle Thorpe, editor of
"The Nation's Business," Will H.
Hays told radio listeners last night
of the part placed by pictures in
creating a demand for American man-
ufactured products, and concluded
with the following statement:
"The industry knows its responsi-
bilitj' and is entirely sensitive to its
accountability to you. You tell us
what to do. The demand we hear is
for entertainment, real entertainment,
clean and wholesome entertainment.
You are getting it. You will continue
to get it. The pictures today are a
vast advance over five years ago, over
one year ago. This year and next
they will be better."
U. A. Milwaukee Staff Set
Milwaukee, Wis. — In addition to T.
R. Thompson, manager of the U. A.
exchange here, the staf¥ of the new
exchange consists of E. C. Krofta,
formerly of Exhibitors .Service Ex-
change, who is office manager and
booker; F. G. Felzman and Alfred
Kent, salesmen, and Mabel Ficken,
cashier.
Beloit House Planned
Beloit, Wis. — A group of local
business men headed by Lawrence
Cunningham will build a picture and
vaudeville house here to cost approx-
imately $350,000.
Five Color Usages
Five usages of color on the
screen are outlined by Techni-
color as follows: (1) for real-
ism or naturalness, (2) for
beauty, (3) for dramatic or
psychological reaction, (for
symbolism), and (5) to pro-
duce illusion, involving such
considerations as stereoscopic
effect and perspective.
Pittsburgh Olympic Goes
Pittsburgh — The Olympic is now
closed and will be converted into a
store. With the passing of this house
and the announced closing of the
Arcadia, the Warner will be the only
house on its street.
Stark Buys Partner's Interest
Mora, Minn. — ^H. E. Simon has
sold his half-interest in the New
Mora to Arvid Stark, who now be-
comes sole owner of the house.
Sunday Shows for Gamer, la.
Garner, la. — The city council here
will enact an ordinance legalizing
Sunday shows here as soon as sound
equipment is installed in the local
house.
Jorgenson Sells Poison House
Poison, Montana — Poison Develop-
ment Co. has purchased the Liberty
from Hans Jorgenson, who has op-
erated the house for many years. E.
E. McGilvra is the new manager.
For A List Of All
Features Released
Siiiee 1913
LOOK INSIDE
IDE ^
0
— Subscribers to the
FILM DAILY are
now taking advantage
of this valuable infor-
mation in the latest
edition of the indus-
try's guide.
fj^ESS
DAILY
Monday, March 31, 1930
5 OUTDOOR FILMS AMONG
FIRST NATIONAL RELEASES
(Coiillnued from Pauc 1)
"Heart of the North," adapted from
a tale by WilUani Byron Mowrey,
with Loretta Young among the play-
ers; "God's Country and the Wom-
an," by James Oliver Curwood, and
"The Bad Man," based on the Porter
l'"merson Browne play in which Hol-
brook Blinn was starred. Walter
Huston will have the name role in
"The Bad Man," others in the cast
being Dorothy Mackaill, O. P. Reg-
gie and Marion "Peanuts" Byron.
313 New Members Added
to S.M.P.E. Last Year
(Continued frotn Page 1)
making the total of 611 with 25 ap-
plications now pending. The mem-
bership distributed over the U. S. and
foreign countries is as follows:
New York and East, 303; Chicago
and Mid- West, 82; Pacific Coast, 74;
British Isles, 90; Canada, 15; France,
14; Germany, 15; India, 6; Italy, 3:
Russia, 2; Australia, 2; Japan 2;
Switzerland, 1 ; Sweden, 1 ; Hol-
land, 1.
See Big Demand for
Single Reel Subjects
(Continued from Page 1)
200 of the approximately 300 sub-
jects scheduled will be made in single
reels. Fifty-two shorts will be
made in two-reel lengths. At least
25 shorts will be made in color.
Production will be both in the
!-"ast and at the Coast.
Switch Pa. Managers
Bethlehem, Pa. — United Chain
Theaters has appointed Philip Wolf-
son as manager of the Colonial to
succeed George Sobel who will man-
age the College. Samuel Mellits, for-
mer College manager, will succeed
I'Vank Pursley at the Savoy.
Presentations at Burbank
Burbank, Cal. — Stage presentations
are being shown at the Burbank.
Sono Art Makes Additions,
Promotions to Sales Staff
Six additions and several promo-
tions in the sales force of S»no Art-
World Wide exchanges have been
made throughout the country. New
additions are Thomas McDermott at
Pittsburgh; M. Edwards, BufTalo; C.
A. Anderson, Charlotte; J. McBride,
Omaha; Harry Flarity, Washington,
and Frank Leonard, Philadelphia.
The following promotions have been
made: Jack Graham to feature sales
manager of the Pittsburgh branch;
Russell Wherle in addition to feature
sales manager of Philadelphia, has
been elevated to district feature man-
ager embracing the Philadelphia,
Washington, Charlotte and Atlanta
exchanges. Andy Dietz of the St.
Louis branch, in addition to being
feature sales manager, has been ap-
pointed district manager covering
Dallas, Kansas City, New Orleans.
Des Moines and Omaha.
Bell-Howell Expanding
in European Territory
(Continued from Page 1)
tion of the Filmo Co. of Holland,
located in Amsterdam, and the Film
Co. of Central Europe, in Zurich, it
is announced by J. H. McNabb, pres-
ident of the firm, on his return from
a two months' trip abroad.
Both U. A. and Tiffany
to Make "Resurrection"
(Continued from Page 1)
production will be made as a musical
while United Artists will make the
picture as a straight talker.
Buy Marcus House
Marcus, la. — S. D. Robinson and
O. G. Lehman have taken over the
Rainbow from W. Kleinhesselink.
Leases Bucyrus House
Bucyrus, O. — The recently organ-
ized Central Ohio Theater Corp. has
leased the house being built here.
Tracy Plans New Home
Platteville, Wis.— W. C. Tracey,
owner of the Gem, announces that a
new structure will be built to house
the theater.
''CLANCY IN WALL STREET''
splendid entertainment....
As fine a production as
we have seen in many a
day. Will please custom-
ers and roll up money
at the box office
Arthur James
The Daily Review
Nat Levine, Aristocrat Pictures
16S0 Broadway New York
GENERAL COLOR ADOPTION
IN NEWSREELS SEEN SOON
(Continued from Page 1)
Mardi Gras scenes in color used in a
recent issue of that company's news-
reel. Pathe is employing a process
known as Coloratura and, Ramsaye
states, at a cost of approximately six
cents per foot. This production cost
can be considerably reduced, he says,
providing the output reaches 500,000
feet weekly.
Costly Wiring May Close
Half of German Houses
London (By Cable) — Unless a
cheaper reproducing equipment is
made available in Germany, 50 per
cent of the theaters in that country
will be obliged to close up, it was
stated by an exhibitor at a meeting
of the German C.E.A. here. Another
speaker declared that the Klangfilm
monopoly in Germany has been
broken by the court victory of the
new Lorenz Co. device, known as
Kinoton. A strong attack was made
on the electric trust domination of
the German film industrv.
Wiring at Livingston Manor
Livingston Manor, N. Y. — Anthony
F. Fontana is installing sound equip-
ment at the Opera House.
Detroit Large Screen
Detroit— Publix has installed a
wide screen at the Ramona.
Now On Broadway
Astor — "Rognie Song"
Beacon— "Isle of f:scape" and "The Bettt
'Ole"
Cameo — ^"The Case of Sergeant Grischa"
Capitol — "Anna Christie"
Carnegie — "Cameo Kirby," first hall; "Xe'
York Xights," second half
Central — "The Man from Blankley's"
Colony — "Dames Ahoy"
Criterion— "The Vagabond King"
Earl Carroll— "Puttin' on the Ritz"
Fifth Ave.— "No So Dumb," first lialf : "Shci
of Shows," .second lialf
Fifty-fifth St.— "Dich Hab Ich Geliebt
("Because I Loved You")
Film Guild — "White Cargo"
Forty-fourth St. — "Song O' My Heart"
Gaiety — "Mamba"
Globe — "Framed"
Hippodrome — "Cohens and Kellys in Scoi
land-
Little Picture House — -"Seven Days' Leave
Loew's Nev? York — Monday, "A Lady t
Love"; Tuesday, "Fighting Legion"; Wedi
nesday. "Sally" ; Thursday, "The Cit
Girl"; Friday. "Uanies Ahoy"; Saturday
"The Locked Door"; Sunday, "Swc
Head"
Ptiramount — "Honey"
Rialto — "Hell Harbor"
Rivoli — "Lummox"
Roxy — "Captain of the Guard"
Strand — "Playing Around"
Warner — "Mammy"
Winter Garden — "Green Goddess"
Uglow Back at Wis. House
Burlington, Wis. — William Uglow
has taken over the management o
the Crystal, which he formerly op
crated, and is installing sound ap
paratus .
A ]\EW THEATRE
FOR THE OLO 0]VE!
^^^^^^^^T^ ^
"•"^'^^^^
P^fe^^3^
[:|lj|
I
REDECORATE m REFURNISH
At moderate cost and
in quick time
Atmosplier ic —Modern — Formal
Scliemes
The MICHEL ANGELO STUDIOS, Inc.
200 West 57lh Street, New York
I
iTHE
»/'FILMDOM
ilLLTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
/OL. LII No. 1
Tuesday, April 1, 1930
Price 5 Cents
Judge Knox Balks at Mediating in Fox Tangle
EXHIBSTO WAR ON SHORT LENGTH FEATURES
Hays is Re-Elected President of M. P. P. D. A.
The yiirror
— a column of comment
IT WON'T be long now before
newsreels will put on more "clog"
through the use of color. Although
one company is understood to be
experimenting with object of issuing
an all-color reel the chances are that
there will be no panic towards the
this plan on the part of contemporary
organizations — for the time being, at
least. Each issue ordinarily contains
scenes which lend themselves to color
and these will pioneer in the news-
reel's color adventure. One item, that
of production cost, will probably
make color-in-newsreel enthusiasm
somewhat sluggish. But that's an
obstruction which seems certain of
removal tomorrow — or the next day.
THE LOBBY entertainment idea is
spreading. It's a swell way to keep
the customers in good humor while
the S. R. O. pennant flutters in the
breeze around ye box-office. Further-
more, the arrangement afiords an op-
portunity to plug songs used in com-
ing attractions and to slip the
standees other announcements of a
business-building character.
TALKING equipment firms continue
with their price-slashing campaigns.
And these companies in mind are
I ones whose apparatus are tried and
true. They don't fall into the fly-by-
night category. They will be oper-
ating next year and some years after,
too, and providing for the service
needs of exhibitors. Which is some-
thing worth considering when you
ate scrutinizing the sound equipment
market.
Other Officers Named to
Succeed Themselves at
Annual Meeting
Will H. Hays was unanimously re-
elected president of the M.P.P.D.A.,
Inc., at its annual meeting yesterday
at 469 Fifth Ave. ptjiers re-elected
were Carl E. Milliken, secretary;
Fred L. Herron, treasurer and
George Borthwick. assistant treas-
urer.
Annual reports of the organization
were presented and approved at the
meeting.
20 produIsIatify
NEW COD[ or ETHICS
Formal ratification yesterday of a
new code of ethics for the guidance
of producers was characterized by
V/ill H. Hays as the latest and great-
est step taken by the industry in the
direction of self-government. Twenty
companies, including members of the
Hays office as well as producers not
affihated with the organization, have
subscribed to the code to date. These
compjnies are:
Art Cinema Corp. (United Artists),
(Continued on Page 8)
Fox West Coast to Operate
New Pantages, Hollywood
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Fox West Coast will
operate the new Pantages here,
which opens during the middle of this
month.
$15,544,544 NET PROfllS
FOR PARAMT IN '29
Net profit of $15,544,544.35 for 1929
and $5,812,661.11 for the three months
ended Dec. 28, 1929, after all charges
and reserves for Federal income and
other taxes, was reported yesterday
by Paramount. The net for the year
is equal to $6.36 per share and the
profit for the fourth quarter equals
$2.16 per share on the average num-
ber of shares outstanding during the
year and the total outstanding at the
end of the quarter, respectively.
Net for 1929 compares with $8,-
(Continued on Page 8)
eastmanIoITearns
$10.26 share for 1929
Net profit for Eastman Kodak in
1929 set a new high record for the
company with $22,004,915 for the
twelve-month period. Earnings per
share for last year amounted to
$10.26 which is compared with $9.60
on $20,110,440 earned in 1928. Af-
(Continued on Page 8)
Brock in Charge of RKO
Eastern Short Production
Louis Brock has been placed in
charge of production of RKO all-
talking comedies to be made under
his supervision at the Radio-Victor
(Continued on Page 6)
Will Try to Consolidate
Fox Actions in One Court
$1.58 ON COMMON EARNED
BY RADIO CORP. IN 1929
Totat gross income of $182,137,739,
with a net of $15,892,562, is reported
by the Radio Corp. of America for
the year ended Dec. 31, 1929. Prof-
(Continued on Page 6)
A flat refusal to act as mediator in
the Fox legal controversy was made
yesterday by Federal Judge Knox
after Samuel Untermyer, Fox attor-
ney, suggested that tjie tangled af-
fairs could be simplified if the judge
would consent to preside at a con-
ference between the lawyers. The
judge said he would do everything in
his power from the bench in open
(Continued on Page 8)
Tri-State Theater Men to
Ask Congress to
Fix Lengths
Philadelphia — Congressional action
to standardize the length of feature
productions will be sought by the
M.P.T.O. of Eastern Pennsylvania,
Southern New Jersey and Delaware,
if the producers do not heed a formal
request now being made upon them
by the exhibitors' organization for
relief in this matter. It is planned
to have a Pennsylvania congressman
introduce the measure, which will call
for regulation of the length of pic-
tures by the Bureau of Standards in
the same manner as other materials
and products are standardized by the
bureau.
The following have been determ-
ined by the organization as the min-
iiiumi length: Single reels, 900 feet;
(Continued on Page 8)
M.P.T.0.IiGESE]{HIB8
TO AID rV. A. DRIVE
Endorsement of the campaign of
the National Vaudeville Ass'n to pro-
vide funds for its work at Saranac
Lake, N. Y., was made by the M.P.
T.O.A. directors at their Spring
(Continued on Page 6)
ALLIED STATESTOTES
TO mCOJtPORATE BODY
Allied States Ass'n directors meet-
ing in New York yesterday, voted to
incorporate their organization and in-
structed President Abram F. Myers
to proceed in the matter. Recom-
(Continued on Page 8)
Twenty-two
Twenty-two attorneys, from
Samuel Untermyer and Na-
than Burkan down to a group
of unknowns, were counted at
yesterday's Fox hearing.
—/Xf^
DAILV
Tuesday, April 1, 1930
VaL III No. 1 Tuesday, APRIL 1, 1930 Price 5 CenU
JOHN W. ALICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 191H,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; J
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY. 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematograpihie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
5,197 World Installations
Made by Western Electric
Total miniber of world wide instal-
lations of Western Electric sound
equipment as of March 22, is 5,197.
Of this number 1,461 installations
have been made in the foreign field
while the remainder represents those
in U. S.
"Anna Christie" Gets
$92,105 in Second Week
Getting $92,105 in its second week
at the Capitol, N. Y., "Anna Chris-
tie" established a new two-weeks'
record for the house. The first
week's take was $109,286, making a
gross of $210,391 for the two weeks.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
*Ani. Seat 2O/2
Con. Fm. Ind. .. lAH 24'A 24!4 3,300
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd. . 24>i 24"4 24.H 1,000
Con. Film rts Va V2 Va 7,200
East. Kodak 243 236}4 236J4 6,200
Fox Fm. "A" ... 34^ iZ'/a 345/g 33,100
Fox Film "A" rts.. S'A 5 5 5,800
Fox Film deb rts... 'A H 'A 8,400
Gen. Thea. Equ... 44/. 44 44'^ 5,800
•Keith A-O 36^4
do pfd 115 115 115 100
Loew's, Inc 7S'A 74J4 74^ 1,500
do pfd. WW (6^).103J4 102/2 103^ 200
•do pfd. dw (6J-J) 92
M-G-M pfd 25J4 25/2 2554 5,800
Para. FL 77-4 76^ 76^4 32,900
Pathe Exch SH 47/8 S./g 11,300
do "A" 12 10/2 11/2 6,800
R-K-lO 36^ 35-/8 35/8 21,700
Warner Bros 79/8 78/2 78/2 45,000
do pfd 6954 69'A 69J4 500
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
•Hal. & Katz 79/8 •■■•
Columbia Pets. .. 39/, 38 39/8 1,300
Fox Thea. "A" ..7^4 7!4 7ii 1,700
•Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb rts 39}6 ....
♦Loew, Inc., war 12!/4 •■••
Nat. Scr. Ser 29/8 285^ 29S/J 6,500
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-O 6c 46 90
Loew 6s 41ww ....119/2 119 119 200
do 6s 41 x-war.... 100/2 100 100 30
l>ar.imount 6s 47.. 102 IOI/2 102 20
I'ar. By. 5/2s51 . . lOls^ lOlS/i 101-5^ 30
I'atlie 7s37 58/ 56 58/2 80
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
»]t New York Long Island City §
ht 1S40 Broadway 154 Crescent St. «
if BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 J.t
ti if
f} if
I Eastman Films |
I J. E. Brulatoiir, Inc. ||
ft if
if g
\{ Chicago HoUywood ^
••f ..«- T J. « 6700 Santa Monica »{
M 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j K
••{ CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 i}
l*j if
"Family Day" Programs
for St. Louis Territory
St. Louis — "Family Day" will be
observed by exhibitors who are mem-
bers of the M.P.T.O. of Eastern Mo.
and Southern 111. They will book
pictures suitable for children, thus
making an efTojt to stimulate family
trade. Each exhibitor will select his
own date for the observance.
St. Louis Exhibs Fight
Daylight Saving Plan
St. Louis — Exhibitors here have
a dayli&ht saving fight on their
hands, with Fred Wehrenberg, who
is in New York, leading their forces.
Chauncey Krueger plans to intro-
duce an ordinance to the Board of
Aldermen legalizing daylight time.
Byrd Film on Way
I'ictures taken on the Byrd Ant-
arctic Expedition by Willard \'an
Der Veer and Joseph T. Rucker,
Paramount cameramen are being
rushed to N. Y. by airplane. They
are expected today.
Arliss to Return to Stage
George Arliss plans to return to
the stage in the Fall upon comple-
tion of "Old English" for Warner
Bros., the star stated in denying he
would devote all his time to talking
pictures.
Mrs. Pearl Smith Dies
Mrs. Pearl Smith, wife of Cresson
E. Smith, United Artists' middle west
division sales manager, died Sunday
at the Memorial Hospital. Funeral
services will be held todav at Donora,
Pa.
2 Spokane Policies Changed
Seattle — Policies of the Majestic
and Empress at Spokane have been
changed by Will Starkey. The Em-
press now shows first and second fea-
tures while the Majestic adheres to
its silent policy, but with four
changes a week.
Craddock Switches to Warners
Seattle — Warner Bros, e.xchange
here has added G. C. Craddock to its
sales force. He was last with Uni-
versal in this territory.
Kooler-y^ire
co>^^'^v^i'
KOOLER-AIRE CNGINEERING CORP.
1914 Paramount BUILDING new york
Benton Building House
at Plattsburgh, N. Y.
Pittsburgh, N. Y.— William E.
Benton is adding the 11th house to
his chain. It is the Champlain, 1,000-
seat theater, construction of which
starts in about three weeks. The
house will play talkers. Benton op-
erates the Strand here.
Moss Closes Deal with
Max Gabel for Republic
B. S. Moss is understood to have
closed a deal with Max Gabel where-
by he wijl take over the Publix the-
ater, now playing Jewish attractions.
The house will be remodeled and
provided with sound equipment.
"Ladies of Leisure" Premiere
San Francisco — The world pre-
miere of Columbia's "Ladies of
Leisure" was held here recently.
Harry Cohn, Ralph Graves, and
Barbara Stanwyck attended the
opening.
The Industry's
Date Book
Joe Franklin to Hospital
Ottawa — Joe Franklin, manager of
B. F. Keith's here has been taken
to a local hospital for an operation.
During his absence Harvey Hunt, his
assistant, is in charge.
Marshall House Burned
Marshall, Tex. — The Publix Grand
was recentlv damaged to the extent
of $75,000.
Southwest Publix Changes
Dallas — James O. Cherry has suc-
ceeded Jack Jackson as district man-
ager of de luxe houses in Texas.
Cherry has been manager for non de
luxe houses.
Cambridge House Destroyed
Cambridge, N. Y. — Fire recently
destroyed the Cambridge, owned by
Louis Fisher.
AMALGAMATED
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for
Picture Tlieatres
Standard
Vaudeville Acts
1600 Broadway, New York City
Phone Penn. 3580
Today: 2-2-2 Conference will take place in
N. Y.
Apr. 3 Premiere of "Under a Texas Moon"
at the Winter Garden, N. Y.
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and ball
of the Warner Club, Inc., at the
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State M.
P.T.O. at Memphis,
pr. 8 Premiere of "Journey's End" at
the Gaiety, New York.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at the^
Wardman Park Hotel, Washing-^
ton, D. C.
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern mana-i
gers hold annual sales meet at;
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western mana-i
gers will hold annual sales meet:
at San Francisco,
lay 25 Fox annual sales convention startsi
today,
une 2-7 International Cinema Congress at
Brussels.
Hays Organization Denies
Claims Made by Andrews
Carl E. Milliken, secretary of the
Hays Organization, yesterday issued
a denial which denounced as "wholly
untrue" the claim made by George
Reid Andrews, that the Producers
Ass'n had offered him improper em-
ployment. Andrews made the as-
sertion at the Lafayette Friends'
Meeting House in Brooklyn Sunday
night.
Ennis House Robbed
Ennis, Tex. — The safe of the
Grand was recently robbed of about
$4,000.
Wanted Theaters
For Sale or Lease
Adolph Sof f erman
1560 Broadway — New York
Established 1900 Tel. Bryant 36
WE BUILD, BUy, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND]
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia.Pa.
•
THE
Tuesday, April 1, 1930
J^
DAILY
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
Weekly attendance in moving
picture theaters has increased
from 40,000,000 in 1922 to 120,-
000,000 at the end of 1929.
British Organ Hits Church
Opposition to Films in U. S.
A MERICA has a kill-jo\' prob-
lem besides which (jur own
troubles look insignificant. The
Hays organization has had to
consider legal action against a
church newspaper which can see
nothing in the fihn industry but
a "sordid money-making combi-
nation" and which talks gUbly of
producers as "selling crime and
shame." It is impossible to con-
ceive of even the most virulent
British opponent of the films
seeking to make capital out of
the fact that various leaders of
tlie trade were Jews, Baptists or
Presbyterians.
"The Daily Film Renter,"
London
* * *
Don't Spend Money on
Worthless Ballyhoo, Is Advice
"T^ON'T confuse ballyhoo with
exploitation. There is a vast
difference. Exploitation is free,
with the exception of effort —
ballyhoo is costing this circuit
thousands upon thousands of
dollars every year. An attractive
store window, a tie-up with a
merchant, a good lobby- — that's
exploitation. Use your bean.
Would you spend the money on
that ballyhoo stunt if the theater
were your own? If the money
was coming out of your own
pocket? Let that be the test!
Fhis isn't intended as a wet
l>lanket on your energy and en-
thusiasm; it is just an effort to
make you think — to make you
plan a better idea — a more orig-
inal and novel ballyhoo, one that
IS sure-fire, a ticket seller, an at-
tention-attracting ballyhoo that
IS worth the money you put into
it and will help to sell you, your
ideas, your progress as well as
\ our showmanship. Ballyhoo is
showmanship — ticket-selling
showmanship. Show your cal-
ibre, your showmanship — by the
type of advertising you do, the
ballyhoo that you originate.
Frank Whitbeck in "Now"
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
CERVICES of Will Rogers have been secured for a series of
14 brief talks over the radio. The comedian will be paid
$72,000 for the job, or at the rate of $350 per minute. Will's
talks will be broadcast over the Columbia network Sunday eve-
nings Bayard Veiller, the author of the "Trial of Mary
Dugan," has entered into an agreement with Charles Dillingham
by which he will be associated with the producer in the presenta-
tion of any future plays he may write A number of Holly-
wood celebrities, disguised under fictitious names, are supposed
to be represented among the characters in "Seven Suspects," the
Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements mystery novel brought
out by the D. Appleton Co.
T ORD ARMSTRONG, British Consul in New York, and Lady
Armstrong, William Fox, Irvin S. Cobb, Major Edward
Bowes, Jesse L. Lasky, Carl Laemmle, Conde Nast, Harry War-
ner, Oswald Villard, Walter Wanger and Mr. and Mrs. S. W.
Reyburn will attend the premiere of "Journey's End" at the
Gaiety next Tuesday, sez Al Selig. On Wednesday, the 77th
Division Ass'n has bought out the house
Jyf. E. COiMERFORD will speak from radio station WGBI at
Scranton, Pa., Tuesday evening, next week, to boost the
airport planned for Schultzville, suburb of that city.
C. CHARLES EINFELD left for the coast yesterday. Charley
will visit the First National studios to get some new adver-
tising thoughts on the coming product Current issue of
Hearst Metrotone News is featuring shots of the Antarctic made
by Captain Sir Hubert Wilkins
W^HEELER DRYDEN, who directed Sydney Chaplin's last
film made in England, is now directing a New York stage
play "Oh! Professor!" which will star Giuseppi Sterni, who ap-
peared on Broadway in several Italian plays last season, includ-
ing the Italian translation of "By Candlelight." In addition to
staging the new Sterni vehicle, Dryden will also play the leading
role One of yesterday's trains leaving for the coast had
on its passenger list Al Lichtman, Bruce Gallup and Lou Lusty
Bert Lytell was interviewed over station WPCH last
evening by Radie Harris Pauline Garon is again in town
looking over Broadway and its bright lights
APRIL 1-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Wallace Beery
Lon Chaney
Jack Chefee
Jack Cunningham
Laon Ramon
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
f)
Signal Lights Stop
Crowds for "Navy Blues"
'P'HE Chicago at Chicago ar-
ranged to borrow two signal
lights from the local naval train-
ing station. Lights were placed
on the marquee of the house and
operated with alternating green
and red signals. Cut-outs of
Anita Page and William Haines
were placed behind the lights.
The house also arranged to place
one-sheets on the naval recruit-
ing boards throughout the city.
—M-G-M
* * *
"Sally" Is Exploited
From Varied Angles
'T'HE exploitation of "Sally"
was approached from a vari-
ety of angles for the engagement
at the Warner Strand in Brook-
lyn. Children belonging to Elsie
Jean's Happy Times Club, num-
bering 250 were guests of the
"Brooklyn Times" at a Thurs-
day matinee at the Strand. Ten
thousand heralds were distributed
at the employees' entrance of
the big department stores in
Brooklyn at closing hours. The
McCrory Company placed 50,000
circulars in packages. McCrory's
also devoted a full window to a
"Sally" display and featured
"Sally songs on their music
counter. In return for this co-
operation, 200 passes were issued
bv the theater. Over Station
WLTH (the voice of Brooklyn)
"Sally" announcements were
broadcast. Posters for music
store tie-ups were furnished by
Witmark, free of charge. "Sally"
souvenir programs were given to
each woman attending a matinee
performance a week before the
opening. Cards were used on
cars on the surface lines passing
near the theater. A calliope,
was an important feature of the
street exploitation.
— First National
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Pearl White en route to Europe
where she plans to make several pic-
tures.
* * *
Joe Brandt of National Film Corp.
calls a meeting of the independent
producers and exchange managers to
complete business left unfinished at
the Chicago sessions.
m
1
3
1
1
u
I
1
■
■
Q
D
■
I
▲
Outstanding
Ladies oS Leisure
ivill be remembered.
It should stay indef-
initely.
Ada Hanfin
S. F. Examiner
A Columbia Picture
A strangely
beautiful
and moving
picture.
George E. Warren
S. F. Chronicle
A Columbia Picture
Classic
It Triumphs ! Rare
comedy • • Wholesome
charm. Ladies of
Leisure is not to be
missed*
Fred Johnson
S. F. Call-Bulletin
A Columbia Picture
Highest Rating
Clean and decent ••
not a dull moment
any^^here. Smiles • •
Tears . • . Heart grip-
ping.
Curran D. Swint
S. F. News
A Columbia Picture
THE
-<S^
DAILV
Tuesday, April 1,
Brock in Charge of RKO
Eastern Short Production
(Continued from Paiie 1)
and other local studios. For his di-
rectorial staff, Brock has lined up
Monte Brice, formerly of Para-
niount's Long Island studios, who
will make one of the series while
Mark Sandrich, who made eight
comedies for Brock during the past
year, is being retained to direct an-
other series.
$1.58 on Common Earned
by Radio Corp. in 1929
{Continued from Pago 1)
its last year were equivalent to $1.58
a share on the common stock of the
company, compared with net earn-
ings in '1928 of 19,339,799. Current
assets total $90,809,150, with total
current liabilities listed as $38,137,585.
Von Stroheim Reported
Producing Independently
ll'rst Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Eric Von Stroheim
will produce independently, with
backing by the American Finance
Co. it is understood. His first will
he an original by John Farrow titled
"Mitzie."
Improve Canta Cruz House
.Santa Cruz, Cal. — Golden State
Theaters will remodel the lobby of
the Santa Cruz.
Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
WEH TO MAKE EIGHT
EEATURES, 52 SHORTS
Jesse Weil Productions will make
eight features and 52 shorts for the
next season at the Tec-Art studio.
The first to go into production will
be "Mr. Alulligan and Mr. Garrity,"
which Ralph Spence will direct for
release by Columbia. Following
this, a series will be made for Co-
lumbia and six films for Sono Art
release. Walter Heirs has been
signed for a short subject series to
be called "Talkie Topics." Jimmy
Starr will write scenarios and dia-
logue for this series.
Two More for Armstrong
Pathc has signed Robert Arm-
strong for two pictures, the first as-
sigJnient being "Beyond Victory."
John Robertson is directing.
Role for Genevieve Blinn
Fox has signed Genevieve Blinn
for a role in "Common Clay." in
which Constance Bennett and Tully
Marshall will play the leading roles.
Most Complete and Pretentious
WITHOUT a doubt this is the most
complete and most pretentious of all
the Year Books you have ever put out. It
completely covers every branch of the in-
dustry and will be a great help to anyone
who desires information and knowledge of
the business or anyone connected with it.
— Jules Brulatour.
Tho YEAR BOOK is
given jree to nil sub-
scribers to the FILM
DAILY
A Little
from
'Lots*
^_ By RALPH WILK ^^
Hollywood
£DWARD BROPHY, veteran unit
manager, will enact an important
role in "Our Blushing Brides^" which
Harry Beaumont is directing for
M-G-M. Edward's previous appear-
ance was as a comedy assistant di-
rector in "The Cameraman."
Our Passing Show: Jim
Keefe and Richard Carle
watching the Pittsburgh Pir-
ates nose ost a victory over
the Chicago Cubs; Allen Mc-
Neil motoring to the United
Artists studio.
Paul Page lost no time in secur-
ing engagements following the com-
pletion of his contract at Fox. He
is completing the leading role oppo-
site Alice White in "Man Crazy" at
First National. Among his former
pictures are "Speakeasy," "Born
Reckless,' "The Girl fr&m Havana"
and "Men Without Womeri."
* * *
The Paramount studio looks
the same again now that Stuart
Edwin has returned from the
East. The young comedian
has made a rapid rise in the
past year. He attracted much
attention in "Sweetie," "Young
Eagles" and "This Thing
Called Love."
Change Maynard Title
"Mountain Justice" is the new title
of Ken Maynard's next for Universal,
i'icture was formerly known as "Ket-
tle Creek."
W. L. Griffith with White
W. L. Griffith, for many years with
Hector Turnbull as assistant director
for Paramount, is now associated
with Tom White in the production
and exhibition of all-Spanish films.
White will open the California on
March 29 with "La Rosa de Fuego."
M.P.T.O.A. Urges Exhil
to Aid N. V. A. Dr
(Continued from Pafje-l)
meeting in New York yestei
when it was decided to urge all
aters in the U. S. and Canada to
operate from April 27 to Maj
Screen trailer, lobby displays
other forms of publicity and exp
tation as well as suggestions for r
ing funds will be provided by
M.P.T.O.A. or National Vaude^.
offices at 1600 Broadway.
Arbitration and contract, la
problems, music taXj theater s(
icing and protection were among:
subjects discussed. Chairman E.'.
Fay, President M. A. Lightman, J
retary M. J. O'Toole and Treasi
Jay Emanuel presented reports
the activities of the organization.
Casey of the N.V.A. explained
work being done to make natid
vaudeville a success. Other mt
bers of the board of directors in
tendance were: William E. JBent
Saratoga Springs; Fred Wehn
berg, St. Louis; Jack Miller, C
cago; Moe Silver, Los Angel
Charles Levine, Major L. E. Thor
son. New York and M. E. Coin
ford, ■ Scranton.
The contract and arbitration co
mittee will resume its session tod
preliminary to submitting its p
posals to the 2-2-2 conference to
held tomorrow.
Tiffany to Hold New Yoi
Regional Meet Tomorrc
Second of two regional conventic
in conjunction with plans for "Jo
ney's End," will be held in New Yc
tomorrow by Tiffany. The first cc
clave was held Sunday in Detrl
where the following home office
ecutivcs and branch managers w-
in attendance: Grant L. Cook, Os
Hanson, Carl J. Goe, William Sl-
piro, Carl Shallitt, of Detroit; A
Moritz, of Cleveland; Mark Goldni
of Cincinnati; Joe Lefko, PittsburtJ
Oscar Kushner, Lidianapolis: Het
Ellman, Chicago; Jack O'Tolle, M
waukee; Harold Pfaff, Toronto, n
tending tomorrow's meeting will '
Phil Meyer, New York; Ralph M<
row. southern division manager; .
A. Brown, western division nianag'
H. J. Goldman, Boston: Ben Lc
rie. New Haven; Harry Brow
Washington; Al Blofson, Philadi
phia: Ed Haves, Albany; Basil Brad
Buffalo; William C. Gehring, eastc
division manager.
'
HOLD
{Dine
EVERYTHING"
■tec/ by Roy Del Ruth)
First
Warner Broihers and
National Vitaphonc Productions
Glenn E. Rominger
(Sound Ttchnician)
II
I Give Them What They Want
EXHIBITORS know better than anyone what their
patrons want in the way of shorts. THE FILM
DAILY circularized a selected list of exhibitors
and has analyzed the 650 replies which came back. (*)
These are the questions put to and answered by the
men who come in close contact with the pubHc and who
know what their patrons want:
1 On the whole, do you consider that short features
mean more as entertainment and as box-office at-
tractions now, than they did before the advent of
sound, and if so, how much more?
9 ^ Have you increased your bookings of short features
since the advent of sound?
(a) To what extent?
'2 ^ To what extent have short film features replaced
vaudeville or stage presentations?
A ^ (a) What type of short feature in sound do you
*" consider most popular and most important to your
program?
(b) In what order of importance would you rate
the following types of short feature: slapstick
comedy, satire, straight farce comedy, scenic,
operetta, novelty reel, cartoon, newsreel?
C ^ Are good comedies or the vaudeville act type of
short subject most successful?
/i ^ In the field of sound comedies, what type do you
think most popular with the public?
(a) Is slapstick as popular as formerly?
(b) Does the situation comedy appeal more than
slapstick?
(c) What type of comedy appeals most to women?
7-
8-
What length comedies are better suited for your
house: one-reel or two-reel?
Is the story in a comedy the important factor, or
are the gags the main thing?
9-
10-
11-
12-
13-
14-
15-
16-
17-
What is the reaction of your patrons to the new
sophisticated comedy made possible only by the
advent of sound; that is, the smart type of playlet
depending largely on its clever dialogue for its
entertainment?
Do your patrons comment on the comedy on leav-
ing the theatre more than they did in the past?
Is a comedy a necessary part of the show, regard-
less of the length of the feature or whether there
is any stage show?
Do your patrons prefer the popular screen comedi-
ans to the stage comedians who are not so well
known to them?
(a) In general, what has the biggest value in the
short feature, the performer's name, the series name
or the producer's name?
Do you advertise your short features in all of your
ad lay-outs?
(a) Have you increased the amount of advertising
on the short features since the advent of sound?
Would general advertising on comedies in your
local newspapers be of value to you?
What are the most important accessories on short
features and do you need any that are not now fur-
nished by the distributors?
Of what value to you is the comedy press sheet and
do you have any suggestions to make on how these
could be made more valuable to you?
Has the interest of local newspaper critics in short
features increased since the advent of sound?
(a) What do you do, if anything, toward influenc-
ing them to review short subjects more generally?
See THE FILM DAILY
SHORT SUBJECT ISSUE
for a consensus of the industry's exhibitors' opinion on short subjects
Out Sunday, April 6th
(*) These 650 replies represent answers from individual exhibitors- and chain executives who operate more than one
house. The questions therefore represent considerably more than 650 houses.
fUt
JUDGE KNOX BALKS AT
MEDIATING IN FOXTANGLE
(Continued from Page 1)
court, but positively would not act
as a negotiator in any other way.
Yesterday's hearing before Judge
Knox centered on the pos_sibility of
enjoining the Winfield Sheehan and
the Krebs-Rudnick-Snider and othe*-
actions in the State Supreme Court
and consolidating the various suits in
the Federal court exclusively so as
to expedite dispositions of the minor
litigation and get to the major mat-
ters. To this end, a motion was filed
to enjoin the Krebs-Rudnick-Snider
action, and Judge Knox said he ex-
pected to hand down his decision on
this today. Should the ruling be
against Krebs-Rudnick-Snider, the
other suits in the State Court will be
automatically shifted to the Federal
Court.
Untermyer argued that the deter-
mining point at issue now is the
question of the validity of the trus-
teeship of Dec. 3 and that if this
point could be settled all other angles
of the litigation would be disposed of
or simplified, also that unless this
question is settled it is of no avail
to proceed with any other suits. Un-
termyer said he had been in confer-
ence with counsel from the other
side for^'the last three days in an
effort to work out a simpler course
of procedure and that a proposition
is expected to be ready in another
day or so. Further conferences are
to be held today and tomorrow in
the hope of presenting the plan at
the next hearing, at 4:30 p.m. to-
morrow.
In the Court of Appeals yesterday
morning the hearing on the act of
prohibition directed against Judge
Coleman was indefinitely postponed
and probably will not come up again.
The Krebs and the Stuart-Otterson
suits in the State Court also were put
over, and the Sheehan action has
lieen postponed to Thursda\'.
Change Rockport Name
Rockport, Tex. — The Rockport
h-as been renanied the Peoples.
Install New Screen
Cheyenne, Wyo. — A new screen
has been installed in the Fox Lin-
coln while alterations were being
made.
Taylor Wins Prize
Hillsboro, Tex.— C. W. Taylor,
manager of the R & R here, won
second prize in the company contest
for increased business.
To Copyright 'Sunkist'
IVest Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Beverly Hills, Cal. — In
changing the name of the
Coast to Sunkist theater, Har-
old B. Franklin, president and
general manager of Fox West
Coast Theaters, plans to copy-
right the new name for ex-
clusive use for the circuit's
houses.
-^^
DAILY
I
Tuesday, April 1. 19
Eastman Kodak Earns
$10.26 Share for 1929
{Continued from Page 1)
ter preferred and common dividends
there was a balance of |4, 786, 861
added to surplus bringing that
amount to $82,780,537 on December
28, 1929. Capital assets at the end
of the year were $68,930,454, with
good will and patents carried at nil.
Current assets amounted to $93,746,-
138 at the end of the year. Current
liabilities were $15,134,401. Stock-
holders of the company increased
during the year to 31,350, the report
shows.
$15,544,544 NET PROFITS
FOR PARAMOUNT IN '29
(Continued from Page 1)
713,000 for 1928 and $8,058,000 for
1927. Total assets of $66,000,000 are
revealed by the balance sheet. In
addition to the mentioned profits the
report, which includes earnings of
subsidiary companies, indicates the
organization realized a non-recurring
profit of approximately $3,000,000 on
the sale of certain Canadian invest-
ments.
The company during the year paid
out in dividends approximately 47
per cent of its net income and its
earned surplus account increased
from $18,549,000 at the end of 1928
to $26,764,000 at the end of 1929.
Cash at the end of 1929 was ap-
proximately $1,800,000 in excess of
the amount on hand at the end of
1928 and notwithstanding the expan-
sion program which the Company
went through in 1929, its working
capital ratio, as revealed by the
balance sheet, is 2.47 to 1.
Comparative balance sheets for the
years 1929 and 1928 follows:
Dec. 28, 1929 Dec. 29, 1928
Cash $ 7,971,133 $ 6,155,119
Other Current
Assets 29,082,263 29,157,603
I-nvestments .. 16,473,110 10,399,129
Fixed Assets... 177,800,276 119,886,036
Deferred
Charges 5,383,625 5,033,817
Total Assets . $236,710,407 $170,631,704
Current Liabil-
ities $ 14,960.683 $ 11,646,906
Funded Debt,
Mtgs., etc. .. 79.130,130 63,786,944
Approp. Surplus,
Reserves, etc. 10.147.979 2.774,196
Total Liabil-
ities $104,238,792 $78,208,046
Minority Inter-
est 6,728,415 5.686,624
Capital Stock.. 98,979,175 68,187,331
Surplus 26,764,025 18,549,703
Tnt.-il $236,710,407 $170,631,704
Redecorate Chicago House
Chicago — Bland Bros, has redec-
orated the 1,000 seat Armitage.
Brown at Salem
Salem, Ore. — Brady H. Brown has
succeeded Verne E. Mclntyre as
manager of the Fox Elsinore.
Gambrill at Springfield
Springfield, 111. — George Gambrill
is now managing the RKO Orpheum.
Allied States Votes
to Incorporate Body
(Continued from Page 1)
mendations for the standard exhibi-
tion contract, including arbitration,
were discussed, preliminarj' to the
convening of the 2-2-2 conference to-
morrow. The directors, representing
each state organization, were photo-
graphed in group.
The directors inspect the Sentry
Safety Control plant at Philadelphia
today. Their deal with this company
was discussed yesterdaj-.
20 PRODUCERS RATIFY
NEW CODE OF ETHICS
(Continued from Page 1)
Christie Film Co., Columbia, Cecil
B. deMille, Educational, First Na-
tional, Fox Film Corp., Gloria Pro-
ductions, Inc., Samuel Goldwyn, In-
spiration Pictures, Harold Lloyd,
Corp., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Para-
mount, Pathe, RKO, Hal Roach,
Mack Sennett, Tiffany, Universal and
Warner Bros.
Provisions of the new code are as
follows:
Every effort sliall be made to reflect in
drama and entertainment the better stand-
ards of life.
Law, natural or human, shall not be
ridiculed.
Sympathy shall not be created for the
violation of the law.
Crimes against law shall never be presented
in such a way as to throw sympathy with
the crime as against law and justice.
Acts of murder or brutality shall be
presented only in such a way as will not
inspire imitation.
Methods of crime shall not be presented in
expli ;it detail on the screen.
Revenge in modern times shall not be
justified as a motive.
The use of liquor in American life shall
be restricted to the actual re<iuirements of
characterization or plot.
The sanctity of the institution of marriage
and the home shall be upheld.
^vdultery shall not be explicitly treated or
justified.
Scenes of passion shall not he introduced
when not essential to the plot. Sex per-
version or any inference of it is forbidden on
the screen.
The subject of white slavery shall not
be treated on the screen.
Good taste and a proper regard for the
sensibilities of the audience must regulate
the treatment of low, unpleasant, although
not necessarily evil, subjects.
No film or episode may throw ridicule on
any religious faith.
Ministers of religion in their character of
ministers of religion should not be used as
comic characters or as villains.
The use of the Flag shall be consistently
respectful.
The history, institutions, promment people
and citizenry of other nations shall be repre-
sented fairly.
Pointed profanity is forbidden.
Obscenity in word, gesture, reference, song,
oke, or by suggestion, is forbidden.
Dances which emphasize indecent move-
ments are to be regarded as obscene.
Indescent or undue exposure is forbidden.
Such subjects as hangings or electrocu-
tions, third-degree methods, brutality, ap-
arent cruelty to children or animals, must he
reated, the Code provides, within the care-
ul limits of good taste.
Closes Washington Park
Cleveland — Stanley Kartecek has
closed the Washington Park.
Brady House Opened
Brady, Tex. — The Lyric has been
reopened.
EXHIBITORS TO WAR ON I
SHORT LENCTH FEATIij
(Continued from Page 1)
two-reelers, 1,800 feet; features,
000 feet.
Exhibitors contend that many
the subjects now being delivered i
much below the required footaf
with the result that theaters are co
pelled to add to their expense burde
by booking additional product to
their programs.
A resolution to act in the matt
has been passed at a meeting of t
exhibitors' body and copies ot I
resolution are being sent to the H^
office, to all exhibitor units and >
trade papers.
Other results from the meetme
eluded a plan whereby all indepeti:
ent theaters will group their advert
ing in newspapers under one co-op
ative heading as "Members of I
M.P.T.O.E. Pa., S.N.J, and De
and an official condemnation of !
practice of exchanges in charging
scores when pictures are played
percentage. The latter will be fon
to an immediate decision, as it affe
nearly 85 per cent of the exhibit'
in this territory.
To Install Coolers
Magnolia, Ark. — W. P. Floret;
will install Carrier Air Washers
his house here and at his Horn
La. house.
SALLY STARR
and
NICK STUART
k
Juveniles with pep >
and "W"
(THEY'RE IN IT) »
iTHE
feHEWSPAPER
rFILMDOM
ALL THE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
'C. LII No. 2
Wednesday, April 2, 1930
Price 5 Cents
fox Refuses Bancatnerica Offer To Step Aside
MVERSAL CUTS imsi FEATURES" TO 20
Leport Warners Dickering for Harris Circuit
The yiirroY
a column of comment
r E DAYLIGHT saving appari-
i' is starting to walk once more,
r s perennial and uninvited guest is
;t king around the land armed to
I a wide sward in evening grosses
r(.\ iding exhibs don't scare him
ri\. As one exhibitor organization
iiiial wisely pointed out yesterday
1 one sure way of defeating a pro-
) al of this sort is to take off your
■' t and go to work seriouslj' in an
I i-iiassage campaign. The legis-
. ii\-, or aldermen who are scheduled
. consider the measure are apt to
) antagonistic to your cause unless
rfir reasons are directly and forci-
ly brought to their attention.
SDvements harmful to this or any
^her industry aren't ordinarily
ished through long-distance offen-
CTURE HOUSES throughout the
rt^nitry will get behind the N. V. A.
live for funds needed for its human-
rian work at Saranac Lake. The
mmendable idea, sponsored by the
. P. T. O. A., represents the first
lie organized exhibilois have given
sir aid in a national campaign to
1 vaudevillians in need. It is a
3ve which no doubt will receive
t thorough co-operation of the in-
strv.
iDUCED 1930-31 releasing sched-
;s of major companies provide in-
pendent producers with an unusual
iportunity for enterprise. Com-
mies of this classification which
n in the drive towards better en-
tainnient product are likely to have
profitable season ahead.
20 Theaters Involved in
Deal Now Being
Arranged
Pittsburgh — Negotiations have
been practically completed in a deal
under which Warner Bros, will take
over the Harris Amusement Co.
chain of approximately 20 houses
located in Pa., Ohio and Delaware.
D. A. Harris, president, is represent-
ing his company in the dickering.
Harry M. Warner in N. Y. yester-
day denied his company is negotiat-
ing for the Harris chain.
526FEATii8Pl{0DUCED
IN 19 COUNTRIES IN 1929
IVaihimjion Bureau of THE FILM DAH
Washington — Approximately 526
pictures were produced in Europe
during 1929, a compilation of figures
by C. J. North, chief of the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce
indicates. Of this number 110 were
listed as sound pictures coming un-
der the heading of either talkers or
synchronized features.
Germany leads the list of coun-
(Continucd on Page 8)
Fritz Williams, Lambs'
Shepherd, Drops Dead
Fritz Williams, veteran stage actor
and shepherd of the Lambs, dropped
dead at the club late yesterday af-
ternoon. He had been attending a
(.Co:it:::::cd on Pane 8)
Claim Newsreel Name
Claiming exclusive right to
the exclusive use of the word
"newsreel" from the fact that
the International Film Ser-
vice, incorporated in 1914,
changed its name to Interna-
tional Newsreel Corp., the Fox-
Hearst Corp. has obtained a
Supreme Court injunction per-
manently restraining the
Brookband Theaters, of Brook-
lyn from using the title Brook-
lyn Newsreel Theater in con-
nection with the house for-
merly known as Werba's.
Publix Reported Taking
Over Four Conn. Houses
Norwalk, Conn. — Publix is report-
ed taking over the Empress and Re-
gent here and the Palace and Strand
at Stamford.
Position of Censor Label
Now Optional in No. Ohio
Cleveland — Following complaint of
local exhibitors that censorship lead-
ers placed at beginning of sound pic-
tures often disturbed synchroniza-
tion, J. J. Clifton, head of the state
censor board, has made the tacking
on of censorship labels optional. Let-
ters offering the choice of place, but
emphasizing the necessity of inclu-
sion, were sent to all theater owners
in northern ohio by the local Film
Board of Trade.
Fox Actions in State Court
Must Stay There, Knox Rules
Musicians, Stagehands
Plan House for Jobless
Denver — In an effort to relieve dis-
tress among musicians and stage-
hands thrown out of work by the
talkers, the local branches of these
union.s plan to lease the Denham and
open it about April 20 with a stock
conxpany financed and operated en-
tirely by union groups.
On top of a decision by Federal
Judge Knox yesterday denying the
motion of Ira M. Gast to enjoin the
Krebs-R.udnick-Snider proceedings in
the State Supreme Court, regarded
as a victory for the Fox opposition
forces, William Fox is understood to
have turned down a joint proposal
by Bancamerica-Blair, Lehman Bros,
and Dillon, Read, whereby these
(Continued on Page 8)
Adoption of Big Films
Policy Announced
by Laemmle
Adopting a new policy of big pic-
tures, Universal announces that it
will make only 20 features next sea-
son, instead of the usual program of
around 50 productions, and a propor-
tionately smaller number of shorts.
The newly formulated plans also call
for concentration on short subjects
like the George Sidney-Charlie Mur-
ray series and others along the lines
of the Collegians and Leather Pusher
{Continued on Page 8)
54
PLANTS FOR WARNERS
Seven refrigerating and air con-
ditioning plants are now being in-
stalled in Warner theaters in New
Jersey and Philadelphia with 47 more
houses throughout the country to be
equipped before the summer season
begins. New Jersey houses now in-
stalling cooling systems are: Mon-
tauk, Passaic; Regun. Elizabeth, and
Cameo, Bridgeton. Cooling plants
will be ready for operating in three
weeks at the following Philadelphia
theaters: Stanton, Victoria, Palace
and Logan. Miner-Woodling Heat-
ing and Ventilating Co. of New York
is making the installations.
National Screen Service
Dividend on a $2 Basis
National Screen Service Corp. has
increased its annual dividend rate
from $1.60 to $2 per share. The
first quarterly payment under the
new rate will be made J„ y 1.
10:30 A.M. Start
The 2-2-2 conference to dis-
cuss a new standard exhibition
contract will meet at 10:30
o'clock this morning at the
Union League Club, N. Y. Its
duration is cbntentioned upon
progress made.
fj^E^S
DAILV
Wednesday, April 2, I9
ifrHEWSPtfEB ^^XfllMAi^
Vol Lll No. 2 Wednesday, April 2, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur \V. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the postoiiice at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
N»w York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London— Ernest W. Fredman, The
Kim Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematograpihie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 20/^
Con. Fm. Ind. ... 25/3 24Ji 25'A 3,700
Con. Fni. Ind. pfd. 25 H 24}^ 25 3,700
Con. Film its M Vi Vs 3,800
East. Kwlak 237J4 233-^ 237M 5,000
Fox Fm. "A" ... 347/^ 33/8 3454 17,700
Fox Film "A" rts. SVi 5 SVa- 4,700
Fox Film deb rts.. K H 54 100
Gen. Thea. Equ.... 44 43 J4 44 3,400
*Keith A-iQ 36"4
Mo pfd 115
Loew's. Inc 80 74'A 79 6,500
*do pfd. WW (6J4) 103J4
*do pfd. xw (6/2) 92 ....
M-G-M pfd 25^ 25/2 25J4 300
Para. F-L 76^ 75^i 76/2 14,500
Pathe Exch 5J4 SJ'g 5^8 2,800
do "A" 12 im 11 J4 500
R-K-O 36^ 35 SeVi 11,800
Warner Bros 79^/8 77-^ 79;4 43,000
do pfd 69 69 69 200
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
♦Bal. & Katz 79^, ....
Columbia Pets. ... 43/8 40H 42}4 2,400
Fox Thea. "A"... 7/2 7 7!4 700
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts... 45 40'/4 44 J4 200
*Loew. Inc., war 12^ ....
Nat. Scr. Ser 30H 29'A 29/2 4,200
♦Nat. Thea. Sup 25
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
♦Keith A-O 6s 46 90 . . . .
Loew 6s 41WW....130 118/ 120 630
do 6.? 41 x-war...l00/ 100 100 60
do Seller 7 120 119 120 200
Paramount 6s 47... 102 1015^ lOlS/g 50
♦Par. By. 5/2s51 lOIs/s ■ ■ • •
Pathe 7s37 60 59/60 30
♦LAST PRICE QUOTED
8 New York Long Island City it
♦.♦ 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. W
|.j BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
i} i}
I Eastman Films g
II 1. E. Brulatour, Inc. t^
ff li
if S
A Chicago Hollywood }'{
It ,,0., T J- „- A„- 6700 Santa Monica •{
^•^ 1727 Indiana Ave. g,^j .-J
ft CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 it
i^ ^^^^ ^,^^,.,,^,,^^^^'1
Defer Hearing
licit Coast Bui: THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Hearing of the
case brought by the Govern-
ment against West Coast The-
aters and 10 producer-distribu-
tor organizations on trust
charges has been postponed
again, this time to June 17. The
case was to have been heard
yesterday following a postpone-
ment from Feb. 5.
Damage, Injunction Suit
Against Vallee Dismissed
Justice McGoldrick of the Supreme.
Court has dismissed the $500,000
damage and injunction suit brought
by Will Osborne against Rudy Yallee
oil the ground that Vallee libeled
him in the book "Vagabond Dreams
Come True."
Steinberg, Rosenthal Get
States Cinema Picture
Nat Steinberg and Barney Rosen-
thal will distribute State Cinema's
"The Woman Who Was Forgotten"
in Eastern Mississippi and Southern
Illinois.
Mabel Normand Left $94,000
iVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Probate of the will
of Mabel Normand reveals an estate
of $94,000. Her mother is n-nmed
sole beneficiary.
$1,000,000 Stamford House
Stamford, Conn. — Theater Realty
Co. of Stamford has purchased a site
on Rippowam square for a 2,500-seat
theatre to cost $1,000,000. The house
will be known as the Davenport.
Frank Zukor with Brock
Frank Zukor is chief cameraman
for Louis Brock who is producing
a series of shorts at the Ideal stu-
dios in New Jersey.
Witmark Detroit Office
Detroit — M. Witmark & Sons,
music publishers, have opened an of-
fice here.
Albee Left $2,000,000
An estate exceeding $2,000,000 in
value was left by the late Edward
F. Albee, it was indicated by his will,
which was filed for probate in the
Surrogate's Court at White Plains
yesterday.
Thieves Get $3,430 Loot
From 2 Brooklyn Houses
Theft of $3,-130 has been reported
to the police by two Brooklyn the-
aters, the Kingsway, Coney Island
Ave. and Kings Highway, and the
Fox Ambassador, 776 Saratoga Ave.
At the former a safe containing $1,-
500 was taken while the Fox house
lost a strong box in which were
$1,930.
"Monte Carlo Night" for
M.P. Club Members Apr. 9
"Monte Carlo Night" will be ob-
served by the M. P. Club April 9
when members and their friends will
be offered a variety of diversions.
Artliur W. Stebbins is chairman for
the occasion which will be featured
by a buffet supper and a dance or-
chestra. No charge is to be made
and each member may bring his
wife and two additional guests.
The Industry's
Date Book
Two Michigan Houses
Damaged by Bombers
(irand Rapids, Alich. — The Weal-
thy Street here and the Regent at
Muskegon were recently damaged by
bombs. Two men are being held in
connection with the Wealthy Street
incident.
WANTED
Secretary — Stenographer
Preferably Foreign Experience. Write
Stating Age, Qualifications. Box No.
199.
FILM DAILY
1650 Broadway N. Y. C.
Professional M. P. Cameras
FOR SALE
Eymo-2 Bell & HoweUs, one
for silent, one for sound pro-
duction— Akeley camera com-
plete high speed attachment
for Akeley-2 synchronous mo-
tors for sound productions with
cables and clutches; prices on
request at bargains.
BROWNING
110 W. 40th St. New York
Phone: Penn 1258
Let Us Solve Your Problems !
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCORPORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
Today: 2-2-2 Conference will take place
N. Y.
Apr. 3 Premiere of "Under a Texas Moo
at the Winter Garden, N. Y.
Apr, S Second annual banquet and b
of the Warner Club, Inc., at i
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State )
P.T.O. at Memphis.
Apr. 8 Premiere of "Journey's End"
the Gaiety, New York.
Apr. IS Annual meeting of Fox stockholdi
at N. Y.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at t
Wardman Park Hotel, Washin
ton, D. C.
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern man
gers hold annual sales meet
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western man
gers will hold annual sales me
at San Francisco.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention stu
today.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
CINEMA
Write For Trial Sample
TALKING NEEDLE
WALL-KANE NEEDLE MFG. CO., Inc
392Z14th Ave. Brooklyn, N. Y
AD-VANCE-AD
"We sure have enjoyed your service.
Think it fine. Have recommended it
to others."
TEMPLE THEATRE,
Blissficld, Mich.
"WE NEVER DISAPPOINT"
^^Congratulations Leo^ you^ve
made my dreams come trueV^
( v)
ATTENTION
who invented
PICTURES!
to the guy
TALKING
S NORMA \
HEARER
makes your dreams come true
in the Talkie of Talkies -
ELECTRIFYING
THE INDUSTRY!
Qreta Qarho
3rd BIG WEEK at
the Capitol, N.Y. "Anna
'"* Christie" has broken
Licry record ever
known at the
Capitol/
with Chester Morris,
Conrad Nagel, Robert
Montgomery. Based
on a story by Ursula
Parrott. Directed by
Robert Z. Leonard.
THE DIVORCEE
the pride of
METRO-GOLDWYtxTMAYER
Smashing Screen Triumph of SONG-
HUMOR -PATHOS and SPECTACL
a
PUTTIN
to satisfy nation-wide demand for view of thi
United Artists hit with
simultaneous showings on or aboi"
APRIL 26th backed by stupen
dous newspaper and exploitatioi
campaign.
After
SIX
record weeks
at the
Earl Carroll
Theatre, N. Y.
at $2.00
moves to
Rivoli Theatre
for indefinite
run at popular
prices.
Directed
by
EDWARD
SLOMAN
Presented by Joseph M. Schenck
T
:i!
Cities
vhere "Ritz"
be seen on
Two of the most startling song numbers ever produced
April 26th
jkRON
||H,TOONA
l^'LANTA
iLTIMORE
iRMlNGHAM
STON
'JFFALO
ARLOTTE
HICAGO
EVELAND
LUMBUS
ARKSBURG
d\LLAS
IWENPORT
ENVER
^S MOINES
(etroit
f^STON, PA.
]pNSVILLE
Wrand rapids
IARRISBURG
Iartford
lOUSTON
|l )WA CITY
Ndianapolis
ansas city
Memphis
iiinneapolis
EWARK
Iew haven
liEW ORLEANS
JEW YORK
)MAHA
pKLAHOMA CITY
miLADELPHIA
Httsburgh
portland, ore.
portland, me.
providence
Richmond
READING
ROCHESTER
^OCK ISLAND
kT. PAUL
3T. LOUIS
^ALT LAKE CITY
SAN ANTONIO
SEATTLE
SIOUX CITY
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
STAMFORD
TOLEDO
WASHINGTON, D. C.
WHEELING
WORCHESTER
YOUNGSTOWN
Puffin on fhe Rifz
Alice in Wonderland
The never-to-be forgotten voice
of Broadv/ay's great songster
HARRY
RICHMAN
The beauty and charm of that
popular young star
JOAN BENNETT
The irresistible humor of
James Gleason and
Lilyan Tashman .jl,^,^.
The words and lyrics of that
master of song
IRVING BERLIN
//
Puttin' on the Ritz'' is a showman's SONG HITS
d. "Wifh You"
ream come true
^ " Puttin' on the Ritz"
UNITED <2> ARTISTS
The Royal Family of the Screen
"There's Danger in
Your Eyes, Cherie"
"Singing a
Vagabond Song"
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
Deplores Ignoring Needs
Of the Silent Film House
'T'HE talking film having by
now established itself, the
tendency to forget the silent
picture is understandable.
Whether it is forgivable is an-
other matter. It must not be
forgotten that there are still
thousands of cinemas where the
new film has not yet arrived.
The silent exhibitor who is apt
to be forgotten in the present
"talkie" enthusiasm has had to
complain that he is being left
in the cold. In concentrating
all their energies on meeting the
"talkie" boom, renters may have
devoted less thought to the silent
man than might have been.
Even the most ambitious houses,
apart from the all silent inde-
pendents, have room for the fine
art and craftsmanship of the si-
lent film.
"To-Day's Cinema," London
Believes Talking Films
Can Give New Life to Opera
A/fANY a humbler person has
been convinced for a long
time that grand opera stopped
with Richard Wagner, unless
Debussy in "Pelleas et Meli-
sande" is admitted to have gone
another step forward, though in
practically the same direction. If
an art stops growing it may not
therefore belong in the tomb,
out of sight and forgotten but it
does emphatically belong in a
museum, and museums are what
opera houses have become. If
the soundies can "break into them
and bring out what is still capa-
ble of having the breath of life
breathed into it they will do
what nothing else has been able
to do for generations. It will
be the best thing that this coun-
try has ever done for grand opera
as an art.
"Cinema," New York
Foreign consumption of United
States pictures increased from
about 125,000,000 feet in 1922
to over 250,000,000 feet in 1929.
DAILV
Wednesday, April 2, 193
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
'TpOMORROW will be a great day for Paul Gulick, Mason, as
his Right Worshipful will be invested by Pacific Lodge as
Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Colorado near the
Grand Lodge of the State of New York. The ceremony wall
take place at the Pacific meeting rooms in Masonic Hall, 50 W.
24th St. Paul was Master of the lodge before he became its
treasurer. Other motion picture men who have served as its
Master are Samuel Eckman, Jr., and George Balsdon
I. Silverman, one of the directors of Warner's real estate activi-
ties, is back in New York after a 12-day trip to Havana
PARAMOUNT has started going after exhibitors anent "Para-
mount on Parade" with the distribution of broadsides an-
nouncing the release of the production in the near future. Credit
for the job goes to Russell Holman, Paramount advertising
manager Just received word that Bert Lytell and Grace
Menken have said "I do" in Philadelphia. The two have been
appearing together in the play "Brothers." H. E. Rosen-
quest, Vitaphone Central sales -manager, has returned from a
four week trip to Kansas City, St. Louis, Chicago and De-
troit
* * * *
A/f ANY persons prominent in the amusement world are taking
an active part in making arrangements for the benefit to be
held at Carnegie Hall Sunday evening in aid of the Jewish Com-
munity Center and Social Service Fund. Among them are S. L.
Rothafel, Eddie Cantor, George Jessel, David L. Loew, Nathan
Burkan, A. J. Balaban, Sophie Tucker and Belle Baker
Sound experts have given their okay to the acoustics of the
Warner Hollywood, of which Thomas W. Lamb is the architect.
The theater opens April 17 "Swing High," the Pathe
circus film, has been the means of reuniting George Fawcett and
Bryant Washburn after twenty-three years. Bryant made his
stage debut in 1907 in a play in which George was being starred
in Chicago at the time
(^US EDWARDS is taking a brief respite from picture work
to make a vaudeville tour of R-K-G theaters. He plays
the Palace in New York the week of April 12. Among those
in his companj' is Armida, she who played opposite Jack Barry-
more in "General Crack." Dolly Tree, the well-known
theatrical designer, left New York yesterday for the Coast. She
has been engaged by Fox to assist Sophie Wachner in design-
ing clothes for the company's stars Westell Gordon will
be the featured artist on the program to be broadcast by Major
Bowes' Capitol Family on Sunday
QEORGE E. BRADLEY has
and advertising for the new
houses.
become director of publicity
B. S. Moss circuit of talker
pAUL L. STEIN, who directed Lillian Gish's first talking pic-
ture, "One Romantic Night," arrives in New York this morn-
ing preparatory to sailing for Europe. He's at the Biltmore
APRIL 2-NANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Charles P. Payne
Arthur Hirsch
Jack Buchanan
Joseph W. Girard
EXPLOITETTES
A. Clearing House for
\Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
"The Grand Parade" Exploited
At Philadelphia Showing
A MOST successful campaign
was put over in Philadelphia
during the showing of "The
Grand Parade," at the R-K-O.
Through an arrangement made
with the Health-O-Meter Co.,
15 stores were made possible to
use the Health-O-Meter display
sheets and cards. Forty-five min-
utes were devoted to a "Grand
Parade" contest over the "mike"
of Station WPEN. One hun-
dred and fifty window displays
were secured through the co-
operation of the Victor dealers.
Feature stories were used in the
Sunday editions and publicity
readers in the dailies.
— Pathe
Novel Contest Exploits
"Dynamite" at Nampa
A NOVEL contest was used
by Herman Brown, manager
of the Majestic, Nampa, la., as
tjie basis for his campaign to
put over "Dynamite." Four days
prior to the playdate, the "Con-
rad Nagle Measurements Con-
test" was announced in the Idaho
"Free Press." The contestants
were requested to guess the
physical proportions of the star,
who later wi^ed the information.
This wire was displayed in a
window of the "Press" located
on the main street, and tickets
were awanded for the nearest
correct estimates.
—M-G-M
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
William Gibbs McAdoo retires
general counsel of United Artists.
Mary Pickford to make "The
"Duchess of Suds" as her next pro-
duction.
Mnesday. April 2, 1930
III
hs
— Coast Wire Service
Hollywood Happenings
10 PICTURES IN WORK
AT FIRST NATIONAL LOT
Hollywood — Ten pictures are now
various stages of production at
he First National studio and seven
more are in the cutting room. Three
of the pictures in work are with
color. First National expects to
maintain this 10-picture schedule for
some time.
5 Vocal Characterizations
Five different vocal characteriza-
tions will be presented by Lon
Chancy in "The Unholy Three,"
which will be his first for M-G-M
under his new contract. Jack Con-
way has been assigned direction ol
the talker picture.
Russell To Adapt
John Russell will write the adap-
tion of the "Painted Lady" for Fox.
Downey With Nancy Carroll
Supporting Nancy Carroll in "The
Devil's Holiday" will be Morton
Downey. Edmund Goulding is di-
recting for Paramount.
"Reno Started
George Crone has started direc-
tion of "Reno," which features Ruth
Roland, for Sono Art.
Completes 2 Song Sketches
Two song sketches, "The Voice of
the Sea" and "Deep South" have
been completed by Oscar Lund, di-
rector. The subjects were made in
Florida for the Van Beuren Corp.
for release through Pathe.
Back From Location
"The Dawn Patrol" company hav-
ing made exteriors at Triunfo, Cal.,
has returned from location to con-
tinue work at the First National stu-
dios.
Fort to Write Comedy Series
The series of two-reel comedies to
be made by Universal with George
Sidney and Charlie Murray in the
cast will be written by Garrett Fort.
The films will be directed by Nat
Ross.
"On Your Back" Lead for Rich
Irene Rich has been selected to
play the leading role in Fox's "On
Your Back," adapted from a story
by Rita Weiman.
Hollywood's Best Seller
The dictionary is the best
seller in Hollywood avers Leo
McCarey, who is now prepar-
ing to direct "Roadjiouse" for
Fox. Correct pronunciation of
words is chiefly responsible for
its popularity.
Little
from '*Lots"
iBiMi By RALPH WILK ^^
Hollywood
WTILLIAM KERNELL, who is
still drawing roj'alties on his
song "Sally of My Dreams" has writ-
ten the words and music for nine
numbers in "Hell's Belles," which
Alexander Korda is directing for Fox.
Kernell also wrote the lyrics and
music for "A Pair of Blue Eyes,"
which John McCormack personally
selected for his "Song O' My Heart."
4: * *
Several years ago Kenneth
Harlan made his screen debut
at 4500 Sunset Boulevard,
which was then the home of
the Fine Arts Studio. He play-
ed opposite Constance Tal-
madge in "Betsy's Burglar."
Now he is making his talking
screen debut at the same ad-
dress, but it is now the Tiffany
studio and the picture is "Un-
der Montana Skies," which is
being directed by Richard
Thorpe.
* * *
Joseph Walker, ace cameraman,
recently moved his camera a few
blocks south on Gower to the RKO
studio, where he is photographing
"Hawk Island," which is being di-
rected by George B. Seitz. Walker
was with Columbia for several years
and did the cam-era work on
"Flight" and "Ladies of Leisure."
* * *
Do you remember when Harry
Cohn was in the music business;
when Harry Lee was a merchant in
Tacoma Wash.; when Jack Schulze
was a director; when Alvin Wyc-
kofif was an actor; when S. Charles
Einfeld was an actor; when Leigh
Jason and Mark Sandrich attended
Columbia; when Phil Goldstone lived
in Omaha; when Waldemar Young
and Walter Anthony were dramatic
critics in San Francisco; when Rich-
ard "Skeets" Gallagher attended
school in Terre Haute; when Delight
Evans and Rose Pelswick lived in
Fort Wayne?
Two Signed for "Fame"
Earle Wallace and the Adagio Five
have been signed for featured roles
in "Fame." Belle Bennett and John
Halliday will play the leading parts.
Cast For Dove's Next
Sidney Blackmer and Conway
Tearle will be Billie Dove's leading
men in "The Devil's Playground."
Robinson In "U" Film
■■• Edward G. Robinson will play a
role in the "Little Buddha," which
Tod Browning will direct for Uni-
versal.
WARNERS TO COMPLETE
MUSICBLDCINONOS.
Completion of the new Warner
Bros, building now under construc-
tion at 54th and 55th Sts., between
11th and 12th Aves. is expected in
six months. All music affiliations of
the company will be quartered in
the new structure which will provide
adequate means for conducting their
businesses. Some of the companies
are now housed in the Warner home
office building on W. 44th St. and
others nearby.
Prominent Men Endorse
M.P.P.D.A. Ethics Code
Receipt of communications from
prominent Americans in every branch
of endeavor in endorsement of its
adoption of a production code of
ethics was announced yesterday by
the M. P. P. D. A. Among those
who have sent messages are i honias
A. Edison; Glenn Frank, president
of the University of Wisconsin; Dan
Moody, governor of Texas; Harvey
Parnell, governor of Arkansas; Clyde
L. King, professor of economics at
the University of Pennsylvania, and
George M. Cohan.
Among those who expressed dis-
favor with the code were Arthur
Garfield Hayes, national director of
tlie Civil Liberties Union; Morris L.
Ernst, well-known attorney; John
Haynes Holmes, minister of the Com-
munity Church, and Forrest Bailey
of the Civil Liberties Union.
Royal Buys 30,000 Shares
of F.P. Canadian Stock
Montreal — Further working capital
of $750,000 for Famous Players Can-
adian Corp. has been secured by the
exercising of an option by Royal
Securities Corp. of this city for 30,-
000 shares of common stock at $25.
The purchase of the block of stock
follows an agreement for refinancing
of the company entered into two
years ago. L W. Killam, president
of Royal Securities, is also a director
of Famous Players Canadian.
Rockford House Closed
Rockford, 111. — The Capitol has
been closed.
Buys Chicago House
Chicago — Harry Goldwin lias
taken over the Ideal from Ben Na-
than.
Warner In Morgantown
Morgantown, \V. \'a. — Warners
will build a 2,000 seat house here.
Pittsburgh Price Cut
Pittsburgh — • Admission prices at
the Warner have been cut. From 10
a. 111. to 1 p. ni. admission will be 25c.
To Install Carrier
Mission, Tex. — R. N. Smith will
install a Carrier Air Washer at the
Nu-Art.
every one
a popular
favorite—
every one
a box office
name of
sure-fire
caliber!
CHESTER CONKLIN
BEN TURPIN
DOROTHY BURGESS
HELEN
TWELVETREES
NICK STUART
FRED SCOTT
ROBERT EDESON
STEPIN FETCHIT
DAPHNE POLLARD
SALLY STARR
JOHN SHEEHAN
MICKEY BENNETT
GEORGE FAWCETT
BRYANT WASHBURN
LITTLE BILLY
WILLIAM LANGAN
the greatest
cast ever
assembled
since the
inception of
talking
pictures!
PATHE
THE
■eStk
DAILV
Wednesday, April 2. 1930
Eastman's 50th Year
Marking the 50th anniver-
sary of the company this year,
Eastman Kodak will celebrate
its half century birthday with
a series of radio programs to
be inaugurated April 11 over
the N.B.C. network.
526 Features Produced
in 19 Countries in 1929
(Continued from Page 1)
tries with 192 silent and 90 sound
pictures for the year. ^France is
next with a total of 52 films, 48 of
which were silent and 4 sound.
Great Britain takes third place with
40 silent and 10 sound feature pro-
ductions. Finland produced 30 pic-
tures ' all silent; Cz_echoslovakia, 25
silents: Austria, 19 silents; Spain, 17
silents and 3 synchronized; Poland,
12 silents; Belgium, 5 siknts and
one sound; Italy, Estonia, Rumania
and Hungary made foiy silents each;
Norway and Portugal, 3 silents each
and Netherlands, Denmark and Lat-
via, 2 silents. Active production
took place only in 19 countries, the
report shows.
Wilmer & Vincent to Build
$1,000,000 Reading House
Reading, Pa. — Theater costing
$1,000,000 will be constructed on a
Penn St. site here by the Wilmer
& Vincent chain. The property has
been acquired on a fifty-year lease
for a total consideration of $2,500,000.
The theater is scheduled for com-
pletion Thanksgiving Day.
Watson Leaves Cleveland
Cleveland— William Watson has
resigned as manage_r of the Hippo-
drome and returned to Mississippi.
Arthur Black With Huebner
Detroit — Arthur D. Black, former-
ly assistant maiKiger of the Lincoln
Square is now connected with George
J. Huebner & Co.
Buys Natick House
Natick, Mass.- — The George A.
Giles Co. has taken over the Natick
and will operate it as a combination
house.
New House For Harwich
Harwich, Mass. — Another house is
being built on the lot adjoining the
Cape Playhouse.
2 New England Houses to Close
New Haven — Fox New England
Theaters plans to close the Plaza,
Worcester and the Lyric, Bridgeport
shortly. The houses will be reopened
about Sept. 1.
For Mother's Day
For Mother's Day programs,
during the first week in May,
Van Beuren has produced for
Pathe release "Songs of
Mother," containing five songs
that are appropriate to the oc-
casion. Pathe Audio Review
No. 11, entitled "Home Sweet
Home," also will be suited to
Mother's Day bills.
FOX RErOSES BANKERS
OFFER TO STEP ASIDE
(Continued from Page 1)
bankers offered to step aside if Fox
desired to accept another plan of
refinancing for his companies.
In submitting their joint letter to
Fox, the bankers state that they
merely were reiterating one of the
terms of their contract which allov^^s
Fox the privilege of considering
other arrangements. The Baiic-
america group's withdrawal was
made contingent upon Fox reim-
bursing the bankers for expenses in-
curred thus far, amounting to around
$975,000. Refusal of Fox to accept
the proposal leaves the refinancing
situation just where it stood before,
with the Bancamerica group holding
a contract to refinance the Fox com-
panies according to the plan approv-
ed by Fox and the stockholders.
Although dejiying the motion for
an order to restrain suits in tlie Su-
preme Court designed to prevent the
consummation of the Bancamerica
plan, Judge Knox granted Gast the
right to intervene as co-plaintiff with
Krebs-Rudnick-Snider in their Fed-
eral court action for a receivership.
Judge Knox's action also is under-
stood to make it unnecessary for the
Stuart-Otterson group to press its
application in the Cij[cuit Court of
Appeals for an injunction restraining
the Federal court from interfering
with actions before State Courts.
Prompt action of Judge Knox in
settling this point was in line with
his declaration Monday that he would
make every effort to straighten out
the legal complications with the
least possible dejay.
As a result of the continued dead-
lock, the Fox note for $12,000,000
held by Halsey, Stuart, due \ester-
day, was not acted upon.
Buys Allentown House
Allentown, Pa.— A. R. Boyd En-
terprises has taken over the Em-
bassy from James K. Bowen.
To Rebuild at Kinston
Kinston, N. C. — A new house will
be built to replace the Grand which
was recently destroyed by fire. A.
B. Huff will manage the house.
Ralph Hibbler Resigns
Detroit— Ralph Hibbler has re-
signed as booker at the local Uni-
versal exchange.
EXniBIK5R
of Pliiladelphia
of Washington
of New York. .-M-
bany and Buffalo
"The Pride of
the East Coast"
The "Home Town
Papers" of 4.600 the-
atre owners. The
most intensively read
journals in the in-
d u s t r y — Keeping
everlastingly at it for
the 12th successive
year.
100% coverage of
a 35% territory!
EMANUEL-GOODWIN PUBLICATIONS
> New York — Philadelphia — Washington <■
Main Office, 219 N. BROAD ST., PHILA.
UNIVERSAL CUTS 1930-31
FEATURE PICTURES TO 20
(Continued from Page I)
series; elimination of brands and
brand names, leaving it up to each
production to stand on its own
merits; individual handling of indi-
vidual units in the studios, with E.
M. Asher and Alfred De Mond al-
ready heading two such units.
"There will be no more Universal
hcrse operas, no more five-reelers,"
Carl Laemmle states. Elaborate
plans are being made for John Boles,
whose next vehicles will include an
original music drama by Konrad
Bercovici and a current Broadway
stage hit. Universal also intends to
remake "The Hunchback of Notre
Dame" and produce three or four
big outdoor pictures like "The
Oregon Trail."
Among the plays and books al-
ready bought are: "The Little Acci-
dent," by Floyd Dell; John Erskine's
"Sincerity"; "East Is West"; G. B.
.Stern's "For Husbands Only," and
"Outside the Law," which Tod
Browning will make, with Edward
G. Robinson and Jackie Coogan's
little brother already selected.
Repairing Fox Alcazar
Great Falls, Mont. — Fox Alcazar,
recently damaged by fire, has been
temporarily closed for repairs and
renqjation.s. The house will be en-
larged.
1^'ewsreels Click ^
New Haven — Policy of Fox
Poll Bijou showing 30 minutes
of newsreels in addition to a
talking short at every show
has met with general approval
here, it is indicated by the in-
crease in patronage.
Fritz Williams, Lambs'
Shepherd, Drops Deau_.
(Continued from Page I) Iv
meeting in connection with the forth-"'
coming public Lambs Gambol. Wil-
liams was 64 years of age and had
been appearing on the stage for then
past forty years. He was playing in
"Berkeley Square" at the time of hisi
death. He had also appeared in such
successes as "Rain" and years before
as a member of the Lyceum Stock
Company.
Buys Pawtucket House *
Pawtucket, R. I. — William J.I
Lynch has taken over the Star which I
is lOO^ears old.
Texas House Closed
Brackettville, Tex. — The Star has
been closed temporarily.
Reopen Eureka House
Eureka, Cal.— The Liberty, for
merly called the Orpheus, has been i
reopened.
Covington House Reopened
Covington, Ga.— Mrs. Irvin Dietz
has remodeled and reopened the Star.
Should Be On the Desk
of Every Executive
MAY I extend to you, my sincerest
congratulations on the 1930 YEAR
BOOK! It should be on the desk of every
Executive of the Motion Picture Industry,
for it is practically the Motion Picture
Industry in itself! A splendid piece of
work !
— William Brandt
Gen. Mgr.
Fox Metropolitan Playhouses
The YEAR BOOK is
given free to all sub-
scribers to the FILM
DAILY
iTHE
^MEWSPAPER
y/FILMDOM
ilLLTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIMi
VOL. LII No. 3
Thursday, April 3, 1930
Price 5 Cents
{Winning Fight Against Regulation of Booths
F. N. TOIpEND $17,50M00 ON 40 FEATURES
Fox Trusteeship Validity to be Argued Next Week
The Mirror
—a column of comment
WESTERNS, of which there has
been a scarcity are apparently de-
stined for increased popularity. New
eason production schedules verify
this. Such pictures with b. o. trim-
mings as "In Old Arizona" have
-egistered well enough to encourage
the making of more out-of-doors
product. Dialogue has been the
stimulating tonic — and color. Good
Westerns, with believable stories and
acting, are likely to click with both
adult and juvenile trade.
NEVER before has such a compre-
liensive survey of the short subject
field, revolutionized by sound, as the
one which will be presented in the
FILM DAILY SHORT SUBJECT
QUARTERLY, issued next Sunday.
The opinions, compiled through a na-
tional canvass of selected theater
owners and managers, accurately re-
flects prevailing conditions and needs
in this increasingly-important division
of the film industry. Results of these
questionnaires tell with illuminating
detail what exhibitors want in short
entertainment.
SIXTY newspapers have now allied
themselves with Universal in the
conduct of that producing company's
talking newsreel, with Graham Mc-
Xainee as the unseen but heard news-
paperman. A lot of attention has
been attracted by this innovation in
newsreel presentation. It's selling
like hot cakes, say all reports which
reach our ears.
Hearing of All Suits in
Federal Court is Put
Over to Monday
Validity of the Fox trusteeship
agreement of Dec. 3, regarded as the
chief stumbling block to a settle-
ment of the Fox financial crisis, is
expected to come up for argument
next week, following an agreement
yesterday before Judge Knox to put
over all Federal court actions until
4:30 p. m. Monday. The lawyers
meanwhile will work out means of
clearing the way for hearing of the
trusteeship issue. Absence of Sam-
uel Unterniycr, who was tied up in
the State Supreme Court on another
Fox matter, was partly the cause of
the other attorneys asking a post-
ponement.
The State Court actions argued
yesterday before Justice Ford were
the application by Untermyer to dis-
continue the State Court suit by Fox
against Stuart-Otterson over the
(Continued on Page 8)
FIREPROOyMlN EDICT
HITS FOMH. HOUSES
•A-ashinyton Bureau of THE FILM DAIL
Washington — Four local neighbor-
hood houses have been given to April
10 to install fireproof^ curtains. The
theaters, all of which play stage
shows, are: Strand, Gayety, Howard
and Lincoln. The notices were served
bv the district fire commissioners.
Cost $12,000,000
Universal will spend $12,-
000,000 on the production of
its 20 features for the next
SCHEDULED FOR TODAY
Owing to the fact that Allied
States delegates had not completed
their draft for a new standard exhibi-
tion contract, the 2-2-2 conference,
scheduled for yesterday at New York,
was postponed until today. M. P. T.
O. A. was ready with its recommen-
dations yesterday. The session will
be held at the Union League Club,
starting at 10:30 a. m.
Elect Oscar Apple Head
Baltimore Musicians Local
Baltimore — Oscar Apple has been
installed as President of Local No.
40, of the American Federation of
Musicians. Other officers elected
were Emil S. Odenhall, vice-presi-
{Contitmed on Page 8)
Newsreel Firms Seeking
to Sign Floyd Gibbons
Floyd Gibbons, noted war corres-
pond.ent and now recognized as an
ace radio feature, has been approach-
ed by several companies in regard
(Continued on Page 8)
Mass. Bill Would Give State
Jurisdiction Over Booths
FEEDERIC PIERCE NAMED
FEDERAL THEATERS HEAD
Chicago — Frederic Pierce, of Phil-
adelphia, has been elected president
of Federal Theaters Co., recently
formed to take over eight houses of
(Cofitinued on Page 8)
Boston — Indications are that ex-
hibitors are winning their fight to
prevent state regulation of projec-
tion booths. An adverse report has
been made on a bill which would re-
quire that operators be present in
their booths at all times when their
projectors are running. The meas-
ure was introduced to enforce safety
rules drafted by the state depart-
ment of public safety.
At Least 10 Will be All-
Color Pictures, States
Jack Warner
IVest Coast Bureau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Expenditure of $17,-
500,000 on 40 First National pic- ■
tures planned for 1930-31 is announc-
ed by Jack L. Warner. This is the
biggest outlay and program in the
company's history, and will neces-
sitate the continuance of activity at
the Burbank studios without the
usual summer letdown.
At least 10 of the features will be
all-color specials, Warner states, and
special attention will be given to mus-
ical productions.
An innovation is the erection of a
$250,000 Music Arts Hall, which is
now nearing completion. This build-
ing will furnish facilities for com-
posers and lyric writers. It will also
house a large and small theater, and
a library of 250,000 musical scores,
published and in manuscript. Am
(Continuea on Page 8)
MOSS getsWmore
SITES INJREATERN.Y.
Two more sites have been secured
by B. S. Moss in Greater New York
for sound houses to be built for his
chain now being organized. They are
at 207th St. and Broadway, Man-
hattan, and in Elmhurst. Negotia-
{Cotitinued on Page 8)
Sunday Pictures Again
Defeated at Evanston
Evanston, 111. — ^For the third time
in five years, a bill to permit Sun-
day moving pictures has been de-
feated. M. P. Murphy, former Pub-
(Coiitiinied on Page 8)
Merger Note
Latest big deal whispered
along the Rialto is merger of
Warner Brothers and National
Biscuit Company for the man-
ufacture and distribution of
talking animal crackers.
DAILY
Thursday, April 3, 1 -^
Vol. Lll No. 3 Thursday, April 3, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE : : Editor and Publishei
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. Ca-
tered as second class matter, May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmdaj,
N«w York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granitr
5607. London — Ernest W. Fredraan, Tht
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W
I. Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildhuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A Harle
La (Cinematographic Francalse, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
High Low Close Sales
.\ni. Stat 22 21 22 300
(on. hrn. Ind 25^ 25 25iX 1,600
( jii. Fm. Ind. pfd. 25 24J4 24Ji 600
Con. Film rts % Vn Vt 2,600
East. Kodak 237/^ 231/2 233 1,400
Fox Fm. "A" .. 34^ 33'A 33}4 16,600
Fox Film "A" rts.. SH SH 5'A 2,000
Fox Film deb rts.. Ji 3-16 J4 600
Gen. Thca, Equ.... 45^ 44 44^ 16,500
♦Keith AG 36'A
*do pfd 115
Loew's, Inc 805^ 78 78 26,600
do pfd. WW (byi) .10254 102!4 102^ 200
do pfd. xw (6/2). . 91 91 91 100
♦M-G-M pfd 25M
Para. FL 77 74% y^'A 15,500
Pathe E.xch 5H 5'4 i'A 1.800
do "A" 11 J4 UA UK 1.300
R-K-O 39>i 37 371^106,000
Warner Bros 80^ 77/8 77/ 43.500
do pfd 70li 69li 70/8 1.500
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 79^ ....
Columbia Pets. .. AAVt 4^A 43}^ 200
Fox Thea. "A"... 7/8 6/8 7 300
* Intern. Proj 25 ....
*Loew do deb rts 44 J4
Loew, Inc., war.. Hys 12/ 145^8 20U
Nat. Scr. Ser. . . . 28% 28 28 200
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
•Keith A-O 6s 46 90
Loew 6s 41WW...122 121 121 240
do 6s 41xwar....l00 99^ 99}4 320
Paramount 6s 47.. 101/ 101 101 100
Par. By 5/s51...102 iOiVt 102 80
Pathe 7s37 60 59 59/ 120
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
New York Long Island City }|t
1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St. t}
BRYant 4712 STIllwell 7940 «
Eastman Films |
J. E, Brolatour, Inc. ^
I
Chicago Hollywood H
1727 Indiana Ave. "00 Sa^ta^ Monica |^
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121 ft
Marlene Dietrich Sails
To Act for Paramount
Berlin — Following the preniit-re of
Ufa's "The Blue Angel," in which
she appe_ars as leading woman oppo-
site Emil Jannings, Marlene Diet-
rich has embarked on the Bremen
for New York and upon her arrival
there will go to Hollywood to ap-
pear in Paramount pictures. L. D.
Blumenthal of Paramount and Direc-
tor General Klitsch of Ufa also are
sailing on the Bremen to discuss
matters pertaining to co-operation
between Ufa and Paramount. An
English version of "'The Blue An-
gel," which scored a hit at the pre-
miere, is being sent to New York on
the same boat.
Goldwyn Sees 50% Cut
in Next Season's Product
IVesI Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Within a year there
will be 50 per cent less films made,
predicts Samuel Goldwyn, who is
producing four pictures for United
Artists next season's program. Gold-
wyn declares that "It is ridiculous
for studios to attempt to turn out
15 to 20 musical productions a year.
The best shovvmen on Broadway
with years of experience in the field
are only able to do one or two."
In addition to producing two Ron-
ald Colnian pictures, tlie producer
will make "Whoopee" with Eddie
Cantor and an operetta with Evelyn
Laye before the end of the year.
Warners Stop 3 Songs
From Radio Broadcasting
"Signature songs" of three com-
panies broadcasting over the radio
have been discontinued because of
withdrawal of these numbers by
Warner Bros., which through sub-
sidiary niusic coinpanies, owns ex-
clusive rights to them. Warners are
understood to have withdrawn the
three compositions in question under
terms of the original agreement its
publishing houses made with the
Society.
Hays Congratulates Institute
A congratulatory message sent by
Will H. Hays to Dr. de Feo was read
yesterday at the inauguration of
Western Electric equipment at the
International Educational Cinemato-
graphic Institute in Rome. Dr. de
Feo is a director of the institute.
AMALGAMATED I
VAUDEVILLE
AGENCY
Attractions for \
Picture Tlieatres |
Standard j
Vaudeville Acts j
1600 Broadway, New York City |
Phnne Penn. 3580 \
Lose Case Against Wis.
Exchanges, Film Board
Milwaukee — Complaint of Leo and
Joseph Atanasoff against the local
Film Board of Trade and exchanges
has been decided in favor of the de-
fendants by the Dept. of Agricul-
ture and Markets. The operators of
the New York in this cjty filed a
complaint under provisions of Chap-
ter 99 of the Wisconsin States Stat-
ues relating to methods of competi-
tion and trade practices. They al-
leged they had not been able to ob-
tain film except on unreasonable
terms.
Fritz Williams Funeral
to be Held Tomorrow
Funeral services for Fritz Wil-
liams, shepherd of the Lambs, who
died Tuesday, will be held at St.
Malachay's Roman Catholic Church,
239 W. 49th St., tomorrow at 11
o'clock. Burial will be at Woodlawn
Cemetery.
Lloyd Begins Work on
"Feet First" on April 10
IVcst Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Actual shooting on
the next Harold Lloyd all-talker,
"Feet First," will begin April 10.
The production will be released by
Paramount in the fall.
"U" Feature Roxy Hold-Over
Universal's "Captain of the Guard,"
which opened at the Roxy last Fri-
day, will be held over for a second
week. John Boles and Laura La
Plante, stars of the picture will con-
tinue their personal appearances.
Eberson To Plan Warner House
John Eberson has been selected by
Warners to design plans for a 1,-
800-seat houae at W'lkinsburg, Pa.
The house will be of the de luxe
type and equipped with Theaterphone
for the hard-of-hearing.
Paramount Revue Rialto's Next
"Paramount on Parade" follows
"Hell Harbor" at the Rialto. The
picture will celebrate the ISth anni-
versary of that theater.
WE BUILD, BUY, LEASE.
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
N PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND I
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philadelphia, Pa.
The Industry's
Date Book
Todiy:
Apr.
Apr,
Apr,
May 5-8
15
Premiere of "Under a Texas Mi
at the Winter Garden, N. Y.
Second annusd banquet and
of the Warner Club, Inc., at i
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State.
P.T.O. at Memphis.
Premiere of "Journey's End"
the Gaiety, New York. '
Annual meeting of Fox stockhol
at N. Y.
S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at
Wardman Park Hotel, Wash
ton. D. C.
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern
gers hold annual sales meet!
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western
gers will hold annual sales
at San Francisco.
Fox annual sales convention sfe
today.
International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
May 25
June 2-7
RCA Theater Rumors Reviv
Rumors of a television and co
talking picture theater being ph
ned by RCA for the Rockefeller s
on Fifth Ave. at 48th St., were i
vived yesterday. Although the <
gineers and others mentioned in t
reports would not give out any i
formation, it was hinted that impc
tant disclosures might be forthcoi
ing next week.
Loew Books W. E. Short
"Business in Great Waters," We
ern Electric talking-sound sh(
which shows the laying of the cal
between Newfoundland and t
Azores Islands, has been booked ov
the Loew Circuit.
Second Week for "Honey"
"Honey" will be held over fori!
second week at the Paramount.
QTimADlSOh
Illinois Avenue Overlooking Boardwalk
and Ocean
"A Hotel Distinctively Different"
UNEXCELLED COLONIAL
HOSPITALITY
JUST COMPLETED IN
ATLANTIC CITY
Now Ready for YOU!
Fireproof — Showers and Baths
Throughout
From $4.00 Daily,
European Plan
From $7.00 Daily.
American Plan
FETTER & HOLLINGER, Inc.
EUGENE C. FETTER, Managing-
Director
irsday, April 3, 1930
DAILY
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
€
:urn of Western Will Be
loon to Exhibitors, Is View
,, jpHE western is coming back —
and witii a vengeance, accord-
'' iig to announcements by several
''' iroducers. What welcome news
t Lliat is to the small town houses,
»« [rhose Saturday night business
was much dependent on the out-
s' poor action picture. The mas-
[ery of sound recording outside
" [he studio is no doubt responsible
„ jor the sudden rush back to the
irania of the great outdoors. Too,
Woducers by this time undoubt-
,1 idly realize that the great movie
. !)ublic wants more than dialogue
' knd songs in its picture fare.
.', [\ction is the thing that gave
|)ictures what the stage couldn't
|md made them the entertain-
jnent of the masses. The public
Is becoming fed up on the same-
jiess of picture after picture no
[natter who the producer.
"Motion Picture Digest"
/serts Quality of Film
/Ivertising Needs Improvement
piLM advertising all over the
world certainly compares
very unfavorably with the
methods employed by ordinary
national advertisers. Old show-
iman methods die hard, and it will
probably be some time yet before
film chiefs realize that improved
(advertising will mean improved
^business to them. It is difficult
;for them to see this when they
lare as prosperous as they are at
Ithe moment, but I do believe that
the present prosperity can be
(greatly increased if methods of
(publicity progress. Vast strides
ihave been made in the quality of
jfilm production, and in the com-
jfort and construction of build-
iings ia which films are shown.
Yet advertising has shown little
or no improvement during the
last ten years.
Herbert Thompson in
"Film Weekly," London
A quarter of the silver used in
this country is consumed by
the motion picture industry.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
A NTHONY BUSHELL, English actor who plays an important
role in "Journey's End," is due in New York this week from
Hollywood and will remain for the premiere of the picture, after
which he sails for a holiday in England Sid Davidson,
recently wdth Universal, has got himself a job as publicity man
for the Branf ord, Newark, a Warner house Irene Day,
recently signed to play in Fox pictures, is bound for Hollywood.
She has sung on the concert stage and over the radio as well as
in vaudeville. She was a featured performer in "A Wonderful
Night," the Shubert show
YV^ILL HAYS speaks on motion picture progress in the latest
issue of Hearst Metrotone News Police Commission-
er Grover Whalen may be seen and heard on the screen of the
Embassy this week in a special release of Fox Movietone News.
The Commissioner discusses the work of preventing crime among
the youth of the city A series of special lithograph posters
have been executed by Hap Hadley for use in conjunction with
the exploitation of "Clancy in Wall Street" by Aristocrat Pic-
tures. Advertising drawings have been prepared by Robert Grif-
fith, while Charles Reed Jones is responsible for the press book. .
r^ONRAD VEIDT will be heard from the screen for the first
time when the German version of "Bride 68" has its American
premiere Saturday at the Fifty-fifth Street Playhouse
"LJERMAN G. WEINBERG, manager of the Little, Baltimore,
is in New York to meet Marlene Dietrich, the German film
star recently signed by Paramount. The two are personal
friends
JOHNNY DOWNS, a member of "Our Gang," will head the
-' vaudeville bill the first half of the week at the RKO 58th
Street. On the program the second half of the week at the same
theater will be Alma Rubens in impersonations of well known
performers
APItlL 3-MANY HAPPY RETURNS
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Vivian M. Moses
Sally Rand
Maurice D. Kann
Duncan Renaldo
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
t)
Window Displays Feature
"Lady to Love" Campaign
"^INDOW displays formed
the basis for the campaign
used by H. M. Addison, man-
ager of Loew's Rochester, Roch-
ester, to help put over his show-
ing of "A Lady to Love." The
displays were arra_nged with the
David's Peoples store, Small's
Jewelry store. The Kathryn
Baker Co., the Misbaum Furrier
store and the flower shop in the
Seneca Hotel. Each display car-
ried advertising copy for the
store and the picture.
—M-G-M
Tap Dancing Contests
Are Aids to Better Business
A NOTHER thing that may net
some real results is a tap
dancing contest. If you'll bother
to check up a bit, you'll learn
that tap dancing is on the boom
throughout the United States.
Put on a contest. Get merchants
to donate prizes on the strength
of the advertising you give them
on the screen, display in the
foyer and newspaper advertising
and publicity. Tap dancing will
click better than either the
Charleston or Blackbottom.
— Now
Audition Contest Boosts
"Rogue Song," at Louisville
WTALTER D. MacDOWELL,
manager of Loew's State,
Louisville, Ky., tied up the
Courier-Journal Radio station
WHAS, Majestic Radio distrib-
utors and the Cooper-Louisville
Co. Each dealer ran a separate
contest and the winners from
each took part in the finals over
the radio station. A Majestic
Radio and a silver cup awarded
by Lawrence Tibbett were the
prizes.
—M-G-M
TEN YEARS AGO TO-DAY
IN
Oscar Price reported about to re-
sign from United Artists.
* * *
Attendance record at Rivoli broken
as 34,439 people see "Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde" in four days.
ie biggest
SURPRISE
OF THE YEAR
? f »
♦ ♦ ♦
WARNER BROS, present
//
UNDER A
TEXAS MOON
Ik
H ^BHE ''inside'' from Coast pre-
^M H views is that this is one of
H|_^| those naturals that come
along once in a blue moon. The
public is going to rave about it.
•
Frank Fay in the dashing role of a
gay caballero is the ansv/er to the
maiden's prayer. He's an all around
bad hombre, who ies his way into
feminine hearts and laughs and
fights his way out of danger.
•
"Under a Texas Moon" wi 1 be
hai ed as one of the season's great-
est—a glamorous entertainment-
replete with thrills and laughs — the
lure of fair women — the melody of
Spanish guitars and the picturesque
beauty of o d Mexico in dazzling
hues of Technico or. (Al Outdoors.)
"Vitaphone' is the registered trode-mork of The
Vitaphone Corpofotion designating its products
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^1
with FRANK FAY ^ RAQUEL TORRES
MYRNA LOY ^ NOAH BEERY ^ FRED
KOHLER ^ ARMIDA ^ TULLY MARSHALL
Based on the story by Stewart Edward White.
^ ^ Scenario by Gordon Rigby ^ ^
A ▲ Directed by Michael Curtiz ^ ^
Song Hit
UnderATexasMoon"
What
UKEWMTE
SHOWS YOU HOW TO
CRASH THE OATC
SHOW GIRL
HOLLYWOOD
OLYMPIA
WASHINGTON STREET
UPTOWN
WliyiHiENED
id For Bo/ton-
can do For YOU/
CUUciLlDfutr
A DARING EXPOSE
OF HOLLYWOOD
AT THE
OLYMPIA
WASHINGTON STREET
AND
UPTOWN
HIMTniGTON IT MASS. AVE.
SrilllliFRLMIUI.28
CAN YOU KEEP
A SECRET?
SHOW GIRL
IN
HOLLYWOOD
OLYMPIA
UPTOWN
rRIDAY
MAR. 28
[ATIONAL and
•PICTURE
mfma^
''America's Girl Friend''
^set for Easter Week ex-
tended runs in the country's
biggest theatres.
^the exploitation natural
of the age!
—exposes the high road
and low road to stardom.
—tells why girls leave home
for Hollywood.
—introduces stars galore at
play, in the studios, and
famous Hollywood rendez-
vous.
— you don't know the half
of "it" 'til you've seen Alice
in Technicolor.
— from the sensational best
seller which ran for fifteen
weeks in Liberty Magazine.
Get Behind it
for a Goldmine
Cleanup!
JACK MULHALL
BLANCHE SWEET
FORD STERLING
JOHN MILJAN
Bai.d on th. itory by J. P. McEvoy
DIRECTED ST M E It V T N I E It O Y
bv Torhnl>«l.i
THE
$17,500,000 TO BE SPENT
BY F.N. ON 40 FEATURES
(,Co-)itinued from Page 1)
additional feature will be a complete
recording and "play-back" equipment
in each of the various studios.
To uphold the dramatic end, First
National ha_s 20 famous authors and
playwrights represente_d on its pro-
duction list.
New Disc-Making Method
in Use at Universal City
West Coast Bmeau. THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — A new method of
making discs, said to assure maxi-
mum efficiency in reproduction with
all types of apparatus has been de-
veloped by G. Roy Hunter, Univer-
sal sound expert.
STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP,
MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC.,
REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CON-
GRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912.
OF "THE FILM DAILY," published daily
except Saturday at New York, N. Y., for
April 1, 1930.
State of New York, )
County of New York, J ^s- •
Before me, a notary public, in and for the
State and County aforesaid, personally ap-
peared Donald M. Mersereau, who, having
been duly sworn according to law, deposes
and says that he is the aeneral Manager of
"THE FILM DAILY," and that the fol-
lowing is, to the best of his knowledge and
belief, a true statemern of the ownership,
management (and if a daily paper, the cir-
culation), etc., of the aforesaid publication
for the date shown in the above caption, re-
quired by the Act of August 24th, 1912, em-
bodied in Section 411 Postal Laws and Reg-
ulations, printed on the reverse of this form,
to wit:
1. That the names and addresses of the
publisher, editor, managing editor, and busi-
ness manager are:
Publisher: John W. Alicoate, 1650 Broad-
way, New York, N. V.; Exiitor, John W.
Alicoate, 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y.;
Managing Editor, Arthur W. Eddy, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. ; Business Man-
ager, Donald M. Mersereau, 1650 Broadway,
New York, N. Y.
2. That the owners are: "Wid's Films
& Film Folk," Inc., 1650 Broadway, New
York, N. Y.; John W. Alicoate, 1650 Broad-
way, New York, N. Y.; Pearl Dannenberg,
1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y.; Addie
Dannenberg, 1650 Broadway, New York,
N. Y. ; Edna Sussman, 1650 Broadway, New
York, N. Y.
3. That the known bondholders, mortga-
gees and other security holders owning or
holding 1 per cent or more of total amount
of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are:
None.
4. That the two paragraphs next above,
giving the names of the owners, stockholders,
security holders, if any, contain not only the
list of stockholders ana security holders as
they appear upon the books of the company,
but also in cases where the stockholder or
security holder appears upon the books of the
company as trustee or in any other fiduciary
relation, the name of the person or corpora-
tion for whom such trustee is acting, is given,
also that the said two paragraphs contain
statements embracing affiant's full knowledge
and belief as to the circumstances and con-
ditions under which stockholders and security
holders who do not appear upon the books
of the company as trustees, hold stock and
securities in a capacity other than that of a
bona fide owner; and this affiant has no rea-
son to believe that any other person, associa-
tion or corporation has any interest direct or
indirect in the said stock, bonds or other
securities than as so stated by him.
5. That the average number of copies
of eaich issue of this publication sold or
distributed, through the mails or otherwise, to
paid subscribers during the six months pre-
ceding the date shown above is 5.400.
D. M. MERSEREAU,
General Manager,
Sworn to amd subscribed before me this
1st day of April, 1930.
(Seal) Abraham S. Lang.
■<2^
DAILY
Thursday, April 3, 19;|
Technicolor Expanding
Without New Financing
Expansion program of Techni-
color, which includes additions to the
Boston and Hollywood laboratories
and purchase of plants in England
and on the Continent, will not neces-
sitate any new financing by the com-
pany, states Judge William Travers
Jeroiiie, chairman of the Technicolor
board, on his return from Holly-
wood. "Negotiations for plants in
England and on the Continent are
progressing on terms satisfactory to
us and we believe will be consum-
mated at an early date. Management
and stock contxol of the foreign
companies will of course be with
Technicolor, Inc."
Receivership for Shamokin
Circuit Expires Friday
Shamokin, Pa. — The receivership
appointed for the Chamberlain
Amusement Enterprises following
reported difficulties between its offi-
cers and stockholders, expires Fri-
day. Lou Herman, who has been
dickering for the circuit which is
centralized in Penna., is understood
to have dropped negotiations.
Frederic Pierce Named
Federal Theaters Head
(Continued from Page 1)
the former National Theater Corp.,
of Chicago. Other officers named,
all residents of Chicago, include
James E. Coston, executive vice-
president; Robert O. Farrell and T.
J. Corbett, vice-presidents, and Paul
King, treasurer.
Cameramen Will Record
Warner Club Festivities
Festivities of the Warner Club's
second annual banquet and ball, to
be held Saturday evening, April 5,
will be recorded by a battery of
cameramen and still photographers.
Films and photos will be shown
members at the first meeting follow-
ing the banquet.
Sunday Pictures Again
Defeated at Evanston
(Continued from Page 1)
lix manager, now a resident of the
city, will ask for a recount of the
votes which were figured as 8,953 to
8,903.
Elect Oscar Apple Head
Baltimore Musicians Local
(Continued from Page 1)
dent; J. Elmer Martin, recording sec-
retary; J. Joseph Bennick, financial
secretary; Paul T. Grossi, treasurer
and Alvin Kirst, sergeant-at-arms.
Alfred E. Green Signed
to Direct Pathe Specials
iVest Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Pathe has signed Alfred E. Green
to direct several special productions,
E. B. Derr, vice-presidenj in charge
of production, announces.
FOX TRUSTEESHIP VALIDITY
TO BEARGUED NEXT WEEK
(Continued from Page 1)
trusteeship, in order to bring a more
comprehensive suit along the same
lines in the Federal Court, and the
Stuart-Otterson action against Fox
to restrain the Bancamerica group
refinancing plan. Attorneys were
given until 4 p. m. today to file
briefs in these cases, Justice Ford
meanwhile reserving decision until
he has had opporttinity to go over
ail the papers.
An appeal from the recent decision
of Justice Dike, in Brooklyn Su-
preme Court, also was heard yes-
terday in the Brooklyn Court of Ap-
peals, with Robert P. Levis present-
ing argument on behalf of Fox, who
IS seeKiiig to deteat the injunction to
interfere with further Fox financing.
Decision was reserved.
W'infield Sheehan's suit against
Fox and the Bancamerica plan is on
the calendar for today in the State
Supreme Court, but, due to the Fed-
eral court postponements, probabl\
will be put over to next \\'ednesday.
Another suit was added to the lone
list of Fox litigation yesterday when
a committee representing holders of
$4,b68,000 worth of the $12,000,000
issue of Fox notes issued through
Halsey, Stuart & Co., and due April
1, filed suit against the film corpo-
ration in the State Supreme Court
asking payment. At the same time
the committee issued a call for more
deposits, while William Fox inserted
advertisements in the newspapers
blaming Halsey, Stuart for the fact
that the notes were defaulted and
urging the holijers of notes to not
deposit them with any committee
nanied by this banking house.
Moss Gets Two More
Sites in Greater N. Y.
(Continued from Page 1)
tions are under wa}' for a site in
Greenwich Village. Tliese houses,
like others in the chain, will approxi-
mate 2,500 seats each. Plans call for
round construction at corners and
mezzanines, but no galleries.
Newsreel Firms Seeking
to Sign Floyd Gibbons
(Continued from Page 1)
to talking for newsreel;-- similar to
the style employed by Universal in
its talking issue He has also re-
ceived propositions to speak from the
stage of the Roxy and other the-
atersj it is understood.
U. S. District Court Gets
$250,000 Gotham Suit
Suit brought by the Gotiiam Pho-
to-Plays Corp. to recover $250,000
damages from the William H. Bris-
tol Talking Pictures Corp., makers
of Bristolphone sound equipment,
was transferred yesterday from New
York Supreme Court for trial in the
United States District Court. The
Gotham firm alleges it suffered loss
on two pictures as a result of in-
efficient recording equipment.
COMING!
the world's
greatest
show on
the audible
screen » »'»
16 stars in
an amazing
spectacular
musical
romance
it's bigger
and better!
Ik
PATHE
iTHE
hTfilmdom
ULTHE NEWS
ALL THE TIME
I(L. LII No. 4
Friday, April 4, 1930
Price S Cents
n.cademy Picks Pickford, Baxter as Best '29 Players
£.2-2 GETS AWAYTO GOODSTART
I — — - —
vniversal Buys Interest in Music Publishing Firm
Inquires Half Share in
I Handman, Kent and
I Goodman
Iniversal has joined the ranks of
,)r film companies with music
ishing affihations by purchasing
If interest in the firm of Hand-
, Goodman & Co. The deal will
Universal control of the world
ts to the songs and incidental
c used in its productions,
ank Goodman, president and
ral manager of the music house,
■ns to Universal City from New
■c tomorrow to enlarge upon the
(Continued on Page 10)
f TODAY TAKES CHARGE
fEOX DELUXE HOUSES
,)e Leo, president of Fox Metro-
otan Playhouses, today takes
hige of all the Fox de luxe the-
tfs formerly under the direction of
oil Zanft. The houses, included
Hiocated in Brooklyn, Philadelphia
t'l), Washington, St. Louis and
)< oit.
ihis promotion places Leo in
i:ge of all Fox theaters with the
iciption of the West Coast chain.
lilAN m TO BUILD
rWO HOUSES FOR R-K-0
: Fabian, former New Jersey the-
W chain operator and now head of
i| Fabian Investment Co., of New
<|k, is understood to have conclud-
{C mtinued on Page 10)
No Wampas Stars
^Veit Coast Bur. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — The Wampas
lave decided not to name any
3aby stars this year since there
will be no frolic as in other
)ast years.
Clauses for Exhibition Contract
Adopted as 2-2-2 Conference Opens
Sound must be delivered on disc or film as specified in the
schedule or the exhibitor may cancel pictures involved.
Exhibitors must pay for each picture foiur days in advance of
date of shipment unless credit arrangements are made.
Daily statements in connection with percentage bookings must
bear two signatures representing the theater.
Under percentage arrangements producers are allowed four
months, instead of 60 days, for examination of "all book entries"
relating to the pictures.
Checkers must be a regular employee of a distributor or an
accountant.
Sixty-five per cent fixed as penalty, based on last day's gross,
when theater fails to play picture as booked, under percentage deal.
Prints must be delivered in good physical condition "capable
of clearly reproducing sound in synchronism."
P-E-L IS
WITH CHECKING SYSTEM
Paramount is experimenting in
Boston with a new si;;.stem of check-
ing under which professional accoun-
tants are employed, stated Sidney R.
Kent at the 2-2-2 conference yester-
day when checking came into the dis-
cussions. Providing the plan proves
successful it will b^ adopted nation-
ally by Paramount, he said, and
stressed the need of "effective ma-
chinery" for this work.
EXHI6 SERVICE PLAN
SCHEDULED BY ALLIED
A service plan for its members will
be efifected by Allied States Ass'n
within 60 days. President Abram F.
Myers said during a discussion of the
condition of sound prints at the ini-
tial session of the 2-2-2 conference
yesterday. Features of the project
will include instruction in operation
of reproducers and other showman-
ship aids, he stated.
Call Lloyd Best Director
in Annual Academy Awards
M-G-M Will Distribute
"Rookery Nook" in U. S.
Charles Wilcox has arranged with
M-G-M for the American distribution
of "Rookery Nook," British produc-
tion, which recently set the London
box office record for talking pictures.
The picture was made by British Do-
minion in association with His Mas-
ter's Voice Gramaphone.
IVest Coast Btneau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Mary Pickford is
named as the best actress and War-
ner Baxter as the best actor in the
1929 awards of the Academy of M.
P. Arts and Sciences. Frank Lloyd
has been voted the best director for
his production of "The Divine Lady,"
Cedric Gibbons wins the honor of
the best art director, Clyde Devinna
IContinued on Pag* 10)
Agreements Reached on
Over Seven Points
at First Meet
A pronounced get-together spirit
marked the inaugural day of the 2-2-2
conference yesterday at the Union
Club when agreements were reached
on seven important and near-impor-
tant clauses to be incorporated in
the new standard exhibition contract.
The day's session ended with a live-
ly discussion of the availability
clause which will be resumed when
the conference reconvenes this morn-
ing at 10:30, this time at the Bar
Ass'n BIdg. on West 44th St.
Sidney R. Kent presided and the
following delegates were present: M.
(.Continued on Page 9)
See Need of Two Pact?/
One with Arbitration
In submitting its contract propo-
sals to the Chairman Sidney R. Kent
of the 2-2-2 conference c_pmmittee,
the committee comprising M. A.
Lightman and Frank C. Walker, rep-
resenting the M.P.T.O.A. had the
following to say, in a letter: "Our
organization is iii favor of a fair sys-
Lcm but thinks that two forms of
contract should be offered the e.\-
hibitor, viz., one containing provis-
ions for arbitration and an alternate
form excluding it."
'Under a Tt^xa.s Dioon'
A swell all-around job has
been done on this glorified
Western in Technicolor. It
has a border story rich in hu-
mor, unfolded with leizurely
romantic charm. Chief interest
centers around Frank Fay as a
dashing caballero in a role that
amounts to the Don Juan
championship of the screen.
Dialogue is ideal, direction is
imaginative, outdoor scenes are
beautiful, color is among the
best to date, and altogether it
is an unusually delightful en-
tertainment that should get the
money anywhere.
Gillette
—JX0^
DAILY
Friday, April 4, 19
ALL THE HEWS
ALL TUE TIME
ipiji^HByiiwiiiiiwn
Vol. Lll No. 4 Friday, April 4, 1930 Price 5 Cents
JIIHN W. A.ICOATE
Editor and Publisher
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President.
Exiitor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; i
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I. Berlin— Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris — P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographie Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 21 21 21 100
Con. Fm. Ind 2SYt 24 Ji 25Ji 1,500
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd.. 25"4 24}^ 25 4,800
Con. Film rts ^ ^ fi 8,000
East. Kodak 234!4 231!4 233 2,500
Fox Fm. "A" 39?i iiH 39 18,100
Fox Film "A" rts.. TVt S 7 5,300
Fox Film deb rts. . . Y^ Y^ J4 3,000
Gen. Thea. Equ... 49 44^i 49 44,100
Keith A-O 40 37 40 100
do pfd 125 122 124^ 200
Loew's, Inc 83?^ 78^ 83% 55,100
do pfd. WW (6 J-^).. 10454 103 104!^ 500
do pfd. xw (6V2).. 92 90 92 500
•^ n ^1 pfd 2SJ4 25J4 25J4 100
Para. "F-L 76}4 74^ 76J4 27,300
Pathe Exch 6}4 SY^ 6]4 3,500
do "A" 13 J4 11!4 13 2,500
R-K-O 40-4 38>4 40^102,600
Warner Bros 79i^ 77!^ 78Ya 67,500
do pfd 69;^ 69^ 69^ 300
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 79Ys ....
Columbia Pets. ..43% 42-4 42 J4 1,300
Fox Thea. "A" 8% 6H 8Ji 4,500
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts... 49 46 49 300
Loew, Inc., war... 15 12-^ 15 lOO
Nat. Scr. Ser 2SYa 27 Y2 28}4 1,000
*Nat. Thea. Sup 25
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46... 86 87 87 20
Loew 6s 41WW...123 119i^ 123 550
do 6s 41 x-war 99% 98^ 98i4 220
Paramount 6s 47... 101% 101 "4 101 1^ 80
♦Par. By 5'4s51 102
•Pathe 7s37 5954
*LAST PRICE QUOTED
55»v#* ♦♦♦♦♦♦>♦ ♦♦vv#v#v#v#*v^vv#v#* ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦ ♦<>
W New York Long Island City
it 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
j-j BRYant 4712 STIIlwell 7940
I Eastman Filims
:•: J. E. Brulatoor, Inc.
J.:
^t
y Chicago Hollywood
tj 1727 Indiana Ave. "00 Sama^Monica
H CALuraet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
iu
Big Little Featureji
Short subjects have taken on
a definite added importance
with the coming ot sound.
A crystallization ot the thoughts
of several hundred representa-
tive exhibitors on the practical
side ot "What's What" in short
features will be presented in in-
teresting form in the coming
Short Subjects Quarterly edi-
tion of The FUm DaUy.— The
questions submitted were im-
portant. The answers are doub-
ly so. No one in production
should miss reading this un-
usual questionnaire edition.
Out Tomorrow
Quebec Sunday Shows in
Danger as Funds Give Out
Montreal — ^Sunday shows may be
halted here as a result of the Pro-
vince of Quebec Exhibitors Assn.
having depleted its fund of $60,00U
in a campaign opposing restrictive
legislation. The (juebec Provincial
Government is continuing its fight to
stop Sunday amusements.
Richmond House to Get
Hard-of-Hearing Device
Richmond, Va. — Manager S. B.
Tucker of the Byrd has ordered the
special Western Electric apparatus
for the hard-of-hearmg.
W. E. World Installations
Now Reaches 6,267 Mark
Increase in world wide installation
of Western Electric equipment has
brought the total up to 6,267. In
the United States there are now 3,-
764 devices installed while the figure
for installations abroad has reached
the 1,503 mark.
F. N. Honors Marilyn Miller
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Marilyn Miller is to
be the guest of honor today at a tea
given in her honor by First National.
The star will begin work in "The
Good Bad Girl" shortly.
Byrd Films Shown in N. Y.
Pictures of the arrival of Rear
Admiral Richard Byrd and party
at Dunedin, New Zealand, were
shown in New York theaters yester-
day in a special and exclusive portion
of the current Paramount sound
news. The films were rushed to the
U. S. by steamer, speed-boat, sea-
plane and airplane.
"Guilty" for Cameo
With Columbia's "Guilty?" slated
for the Cameo for week of April 14,
the foreign picture policy of the R-
K-O house will be temporarily
abandoned.
Flinn, Lally Indicted
Indictments for manslaughter were
voted against John C. Flinn and
Henry S. Lally by the regular Grand
Jury yesterday as the outcome of the
Pathe studio fire.
Skouras Bros. Planning
New $3,000,000 Project
St. Louis — Skouras Bros, are un-
derstood planning a 37-story office
building and theate_r at Ninth and
Locust to cost approximately $3,000,-
000. The Board of Education owns
the seven-story building on the pro-
posed site and is now considering
the offer made by the Skouras en-
terprises.
Davey is Now Supervisor
of 20 Fox L. I. Theaters
Long Island City — Harry Davey
has been appointed assistant division
manager and district supervisor of
the 20 Fox theaters in Queens, Nas-
sau and Suffolk counties, succeeding
Jack L. Hobby. Prior to his affi-
liation with Fox, Davey was in charge
of eight Calderone houses in this
territory, which were taken over by
Fox Metropolitan Playhouses.
Gov. Pinchot to Describe
South Sea Trip for Epics
Former Governor of Pennsylvania,
Gift'or Pinchot, Mrs. Pinchot and
their son, Giffor, jr., will appear in
a talker, "South Seas," for Talking
Picture Epics. The picture has to
do with the recent trip to the South
Sea Islands by the family under the
auspices of the National Museum,
Washington and the Philadelphia
.^cadeniv of Science.
4 Directors Re-elected
by Eastman Kodak Co.
Jersey City — Lewis B. Jones,
James S. Watson, George W. Todd
and Thomas J. Hargrave have been
renamed directors of the Eastman
Kodak Co.
Royle Succeeds Williams
as Lambs Club Shepherd
Fritz WilliamSj who died Tuesday
of a heart attack, has been succeeded
as acting Shepherd of the Lambs
Club by Edwin Milton Royle, the
playwright, who will continue in the
offce until the October elections.
Warren En Route to Coast
Ruth Warren is en route to the
Coast where she will appear in a
number of Fox pictures.
The Industry's
Date Book
Apr. 5 Second annual banquet and I
of the Warner Club, Inc., at i
Hotel Commodore, N. Y.
Apr. 6-7 Spring convention of Tri-State
P.T.O. at Memphis.
Apr. 8 Premiere of "Journey's End"
the Gaiety, New York.
Apr. IS Annual meeting of Fox stockhold
at N. Y.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at
Wardman Park Hotel, Washii
ton, D, C.
May 16-17-18-19 Paramount Eastern mai
gers hold annual sales meet
Atlantic City.
J^ay 24-25-26-27 Paramount western ma'
gers will hold annual sales ir
at San Francisco.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention sti
today.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress
Brussels.
Publix Drops Deal for
Four Conn. Buono Hous
.Stamford, Conn. — The Publix d
to acquire the four houses in tl
city and Norwalk owned by Char;
and Mary Buono has fallen throuf
Publix rgjsed the question over le;
ing rights of the Strand and Pal:
here which are under lease to i
Buonos who own the Regent a
Princess in Norwalk outright.
Plan 3 Openings in One
Week for 'Journey's Er
Three premieres in one week ,
planned by Tiffany for "Journe
End." The first will take place
the Gaiety, New York, on April
the second two days later at
Mayan in Los Angeles and the I
at the London Tivoli on April 14.
Designing Two for Warnei
Thomas W. Lamb will draw pi
for two new Warner houses in 1;
rington. Conn., and Ridgewood, M
|^ooler-)\ir(
KOOLER-AIRE ENGINEERING COrT
PARAMOUNT BUILDING
The Executor oj the Last Will and Testament
oj
JAMES OLIVER CURWOOD
will take appropriate action against unauthor-
ized use of his books, stories, and scenarios.
Detroit AND Security Trust Company
Fort Street opposite Post Office • Detroit
THE NEW YORK__TTMgg_
THURSDAY. APRliTi. 1930.
BYRD FILMS ARRIVE
AFTER FAST FLIGHT
Continued from Page 1, Column 5.
Times, the'CParamount I^gwiiand The
Associated T'reirtlTSTOrTr^e taken
this means of speeding to New York
the remarkable pictures of the Byrd
expedition."
T^Ko fiimq fnr Thr Times were
the
oi'l
ven
her
O
are
ing
FIRST
AGAIN!
This Time a Big Scoop
with First Pictures of
REAR ADMIRAL
BYRD'S RETURN
TO CIVILIZATION
Scenes of arrival at Dunedin, New Zealand.
On screen at PARAMOUNT THEATRE, NEW YORK
At 12:30 P. M., Thursday, April 3rd.
PARAMOUNT
SOUND NEWS
TWO ilRIITOCRilT
A MERICA'S foremost actor mokes
/\ new box-office history in
the most brilliant comedy hit of
the year. An amazing standout
attraction at the Central Theatre,
New York $2.00 top. Available
to you Day and Dote with
Broadway.
WARNER BROS, present
JOii
II
tcith
LORETTA YOrXG
Adopted by HARVEY THEW and JOSEPH
JACKSON from the ploy by F. Anstey
Directed by ALFRED E. GREEN
"Vitaphone" is the registered trade-mark of
The Vitaphone Corporation designating its deducts
TOP
Hold Everything tor
^HOLD EVERYTHING"
DF THE ICREEN ! i
J OLSON'S greatest! The King
of Entertainers takes New
York by storm in a merry mel-
ange of minstrelsy. Packing
them in at $2.00 Warner Bros.
Theatre. Will be S.R.O. at popu-
lar prices. Available to you Day
and Date with Broadway.
WARNER BROS, present
4L
JOLSOH
with LOUISE DRESSER - LOIS MORAN -
LOWELL SHERMAN — HOBART BOSWORTH —
TULLY MARSHALL - MITCHELL LEWIS
Story and Songs by
IRVING BEHLIN
Screen play by GORDON RIGBY and JOSEPH
JACKSON. Directed by MICHAEL CURTIZ
Sequences in Technicolor
TTRilCTlONI !
'^OLD EVERYTHING"
has Everything
DAILY
II
Friday, April 4, 19'
Timely Topics
A Digest of
Current Opinion
—€)—
Asks Silent Houses to
Realize It Is Time to Wire
A BSURD as it may seem, there
are still exhibitors who refuse
to believe that Hollywood is sin-
cere about sound films. This
steadfast attitude of suspicion has
its basis, one feels, more in af-
fectation than in conviction.
Whether the demand for silent
films is or is not dead, the fact
remains that save for — at most—
a few very poor unrecorded pic-
tures, the supply has already al-
most dried up. From now on-
wards, through the next six
months, the position of the un-
wired exhibitor — as affected by
bookings — must grow steadily
worse and worse. Even if, as is
likely, a few more silent films are
put into production, these are
unlikely to stand up to first fea-
ture rank, or to avoid ludicrous
comparisons with the most ordi-
nary "talkies" showing in opposi-
tion. The reason is clear. It is
not commercial conspiracy. It
is commercial economy.
"The Bioscope," London
* * *
Sees Films Supreme in
Influencing Mode of Conduct
'THE motion pictures and the
talkies ofifer the substance
out of which modern standards
of conduct are chiefly made. I
think they have surpassed the
school or even the church in ac-
tually influencing day-to-day
conduct standards. The motion
picture is at once the expres-
sion of our culture and the mak-
ing of it.
Clyde L. King, Professor of
Economics. Univ. of Penn.
Cohan Calls Self Rule
Essential to Screen's Existence
T BELIEVE that business self
government along with clean,
decent pictures will mean the
life of the industry.
George M. Cohan
The St. Louis, Cincinnati and
Minneapolis districts lead U. S.
territories in number of thea-
ter accounts.
Along The Rialto
with
PhilM. Daly, Jr.
■QERT ADLER has left for Buffalo, where he will represent
Fanchon and Marco in selecting the winners in the Buffalo
Times- Lafayette Theater beauty contest there Dr. Lee
DeForest, S. L. Rothafel and Grant Cook of Tiffany will speak
over the radio tomorrow at a luncheon to be given in honor of
Police Commissioner Whalen by the Athene Club at the Park
Central Hotel. Colonel E. P. Hawkins of General Talking Pic-
tures will act as toastmaster at the luncheon and as master of
ceremonies during the broadcasting
ThDWARD AUGER, assistant general sales manager of RCA
Photophone, is back in town after a three-month tour of the
company's branches. Says business conditions in the west look
better Dave Bader simply can't keep out of difficulty.
The lad writes in to tell us he got caught in a blizzard in Osh-
kosh. Wis., no sooner after he had dug himself out of one in
Chicago. Dave suspects they're trying to freeze him out
Yasha Bunchuk is finally going to face his public. During the
week starting today Yasha will try out the idea of conducting
the Capitol orchestra with his face to the audience. Believes that
in this way the audience will get a better understanding of his
work
/^AUGHT at the Mansfield, where "The Green Pastures" is
playing: Laura LaPlante, Pauline Garon, Mrs. John Boles,
Laurette Taylor, Rita Weiman, Fulton Oursler, Texas Guinan
and Irving Berlin and the missus Paul L. Stein, Pathe
director, has sailed aboard the Albert Ballin on a vacation in
Europe. He will visit his home city, Vienna, before travelling
about the Continent James F. Lundy says he is leaving
the trade paper field to do exploitation for United Artists
Larry Darmour, short subject producer whose pictures are being
released by RKO, left for the Coast yesterday
JERRY SAFRON, RKO short subject sales manager, is con-
fined to his home with pneumonia The annual tourna-
ment of the RKO Golf Club will be held this year on May 8 and 9
on the links of the Westchester Country Club at Rye, N. Y.
Entries close April 30 Mike Simmons has arranged a tie-
up between Sono Art-World Wide and the Mobo Auto Polish
people on "What A Man!" Reginald Denny picture
APRIL 4- MANY HAPPY RET0RN8
Best wishes and congratula-
tions are extended by THE
FILM DAILY to the follow-
ing members of the industry,
who are celebrating their birth-
days today:
Harold B. Franklin
Carmel Myers
EXPLOITETTES
A Clearing House for
Tabloid Exploitation Ideas
€)
Concealed Name Contest
for "Devil May Care"
A LEC SAYLES, manager of
the Harmanus Bleeker, Al-
bany, used the concealed name
contest in the classified ad pages
of a newspaper as one of his
stunts for "Devil May Care."
Sayles also used two pages of co-
operative advertising in which
local advertisers tied up their
product with the name of the pic-
ture. Music store tie-ups and a
heavy bill poster campaign fin-;,
ished off the exploitation.
—it'G'M !
* * *
Cracker Eating Contest
For Children Matinees
ARE you looking around for
a few interest stimulating
gags? All right. Try a cracker
eating contest on Saturday after-
noon for the kiddies. This can
be done regularly and you can
tie up with the Pacific Coast
Biscuit Company. They furnish
all the displays, crackers, hand-
some prizes and do all the adver-
tising. You may be able to in-
crease your business materially
and it won't cost you anything.
• — Now
Use Baby Photo Stunt
To Bring Women to House
"DABIES' photos are featured by. J
a newspaper every day. _
These are secured from local i
photographers, and by a news-
paper photographer snapping the
babies along the street. Upon
•publication of photo, the mother
calls at the newspaper office and
receives a ticket to the show.
The photographers will feature
displays of baby photos on this
tie-up. It also gives a chance
for a special lobby display. ^
— Film Daily Year Book r
5S^B?^"aO!K"
■»S^"^^kMJ-Ji*JJiiP^~i
TEN YEARS AGO TO-PAY
IN
D. W. Griffith announces patents
protecting his "process of producing
colored pictures on an opaqfae screen
which consists of throwing* pictures
by a projector onto one surface of
said screen and simultaneously elim-
inating the screen writh diffused col-
ored lights."
**♦'-,
Mark Klaw forms film producing
unit.
*
LEADERSHIP
TITAN
GOAL^
igantic symbol of genius
and courage, the Radio Titan
sweeps to magnificent heights
in the most spectacular era
ShowBusiness has ever known •
Radio Pictures will be satisfied
with nothing short of LEADER-
SHIP • • • absolute and supreme
• • • earned and justified by
S H O W M A N L Y
NEW AND GREATER ACHIEVEMENT and
PAGEANT Of THE PERFORMANCEonthe
TITANS IS COMING screens of the world.
SHOWMANSHIP
NEW . . . FAR-FLUNG . . .VITAL!
Day of Days • • •
Night of Nights
Hour of Hours**.
GRAND NATIONAL
CUCKOOS
BROADCAST . . . April 8th
Direct from Radio Pictures Lot
On the night of April 8th there will be
broadcast from Radio Pictures Hollywood
Studio THE FIRST GRAND-SCALE RADIO HOUR
EVER SENT DIREa FROM A MOTION PICTURE
LOT I This is the greatest single stroke of
show salesmanship/ in advance of an attrac-
tion, ever accomplished.
The "Cuckoos" Hour will herald Radio's
mighty new fun show, featuring the world's
greatest team of comedians, Bert Wheeler
and Robert Woolsey, whose gay lunacy
enlivened "Rio Rita." It will mark the be-
ginning of Radio's new and aggressive
campaign on the air and send the Titan
spirit thundering across the land.
Fday, April 4, 1930
z^<
DAILY
SL
'xhibitors Protest Against Music Tax
n CONFERENCE GETS
, AWAY TO GOOD START
I
Tl {Continued from Page 1 )
ir.O.A., M. A. Lightman and
lank Walker: Allied States Ass'ii,
i)ram F. Myers and Nathan Yan;
i;; affiliated theaters, E. A. Schil-
1-; distributors, Kent and Gabriel
^sss.
The conference agreed that the
St procedure would be to draw
ii a master contract. Both distrib-
ors and Allied States submitted
•impletely-drafted agreements for
(insideration and the M.P.T.O.A
presentatives ofTered proposals on
ajor issues.
^Licensing of pictures was the first
<iuse to receive consideration and
'is led to a warm discussion of the
:x on copyright music. Yamins de-
ired that exhibitors are now coni-
lled to pay on a basis on all seats
their house instead on an average
seats in house, as before sound
ctures. Hess said that under theii
easing agreements with makers of
luipment, distributors cannot sell to
eaters not licensed by the Society
f Composers, Authors and Pub-
liers. Myers spoke of the prob-
)ility of starting a test case to deter-
!ne whether or not exhibitors must
a.\ the tax. Final action on the
ause was postponed until later in
le session.
Tlie conference approved a clause
hich provides that sound must be
elivered on disc or film, as specified
1 the schedule, with the exhibitor
iven the privilege of cancelling upon
lilure of the distributor to do so.
Vhen the payment clause was
eached Allied proposed that pay-
lent be made at least three days in
ivance of the date of shipment from
le exchange. The distributors asked
ayment seven days in advance.
less, in attacking payment by check,
eclared that in 1929, approximately
100,000 was lost by distributors
hrough "rubber" checks. He said
referred payment would be allowed
egardless of the wording of the con-
ract but exhibitor delegates insisted
hat definite provision be made for
redit when accounts justified this
onsideration. Finally the clause was
idopted with the requirement that
)avment be made four days in ad-
Want Percentage
"The real demand for per-
centage is coming more from
exhiDitors than from distribu-
tors today," declared Sidney R.
Kent at the 2-2-2 conference's
opening session yesterday.
van^e, unless credit arrangements
have been made.
Wording of tlie clause which requires
daily repoits on grosses when ijictures are
flayed on percentage was clarified. Accord
was quickly reached on the distributors' pro-
posal that daily statements in comiection with
percientage bookings caiTy two signatures
representing the theater.
A discussion involving prospects of check-
ers learning about a theater's business, out-
side of the account he is authorized to ex-
amine, arose when Hess asked for provision
whereby distributors _ would have access to
figures for four months. Hess pointed out
that local checkers are frequently used as
an economic measure. This practice was
criticized by the exhibitors who asserted
that this system is often embarrassing to
them. Eventually it was agreed that check-
ers must be regular employees of the dis-
tributor or an accountant.
The percentage to be paid by a theater
Jailing to play a picture all the days booked
came up next for consideration. Ihe M. P.
T. O. A. proposed 50 per cent. Allied 75
per cent and an agreement finally resulted
at 65 per cent.
At this point the matter oi score charges
stepped into the deliberations. Hess mam-
tained that the committee was not in a
position to discuss the topic and that it was
a matter of individual policy for each com-
pany to settle. The exhibitor delegates were
united in declaring that the subject was
pertinent to the conference. Kent said that
Hess and himself could not bind the dis-
tributors in any promises and, at the recom-
mendation of Lightman, it was agreed to take
up the matter after the contract is set.
Delivery of sound prints was next on the
schedule of discussions. Both Myers and
Lightman wanted them delivered five hours
ahead of a show in which they are to be
used in order to permit rehearsals. Hess
expressed the opinion that one hour is suf-
ficient margin and Kent said that the exhibi-
tor proposal would entail the making of
many additional prints. At his suggesion
action on the matter was postponed until he
has an opportunity to discuss the matter with
his exchangemen. Condition of the prints
was the following subject and the conference
agreed that they must be delivered in good
physicial condition "capable of clearly re-
producing sound in synchronism." Walker
said that second run houses in particular
are complaining about prints.
The concluding number on the program
concerned availability. Walker submitted the
following proposals :
"Public exhibition of any photoplay at
popular prices for more than one day in
any zone shall be construed as a general
release of the photoplay in that zone and
will be available for general exhibition.
"Where an exhibitor buys a group of pic-
tures from a distributor having its own or
an affiliated or a franchised first run outlet
the exhibitor shall not be required to play
any picture in the group which has not re-
To Propose Score Charge
Relief for Small Exhibs
With object of providing relief for
small theaters in connection with
the score charge, the M.P.T.O.A.
delegates attending the 2-2-2 con-
ference will propose the following
clause for inclusion in the standard
exhibition contract: "Where the
average film rentals do not exceed
$50 per picture for a given block of
pictures the score charge per picture
shall not exceed 10 percent of the
film rental."
2-2-2 Sidelights
Wiring Two Lowell Houses
Lowell, Mass. — Western Electric
equipment is being installed in the
Capitol and the Victory.
ceived its first run within 60 days after
tie picture has been generally released.
"A photoplay shall become available to a
subsequent run subject to terms of protection
60 days after the date of availability to the
firs run.
"The exhibitor shall have the right to
play pictures that are available in any order
provided: (a) that he is not behind in his
playing arrangement. Cb) that all pictures
released prior to the exhibition of any photo-
play, which the exhibitor is required to play,
will be dated within 60 days of date of said
exhibition of said photoplay."
Adjournment came at 6 :05 P. M. and
further discussion of the topic was deferred
until today.
JUST how long the delegates are
going to gather around the con-
ference table is a subject for a guess-
ing contest. Some figure 10 days
and others envision a long hard cam-
paign ahead.
Sid Kent, officiating as chairman
and representing distributors along
with Gabe Hess, is proving a tact-
ful and fair-minded, as per his repu-
tation, at past exhib-distrib pow-
wows.
A number of exhibitors made a per-
sonal appearance at the Union Club
yesterday, expecting to sit in on the
deliberations, but were Jbarred as
the chairman felt that the confer-
ence could work more effectively in
a small group of authorized dele-
gates.
It's a serious-minded confab, this
2-2-2 affair. And, from, all indica-
tions, it's going somewhere.
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
dj ZOO ROOMS
iv- ^fTH BATH
f ?r RUNNING ICEWATEIU
ir-i'^B^ SINGLE „/,
Bromberg Succeeds Rice
as Fox Brooklyn Manager
David L. Bromberg, formerly in
charge of the Academy of Music,
has been appointed manager of the
|Fox Brooklyn, succeeding H. J. Rice.
He has been with the Fox organiza-
tion for five years, having managed
the Japanese Gardens and other
houses in the chain.
Two More Houses Planned
for Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pa. — Two more houses are
planned for here according to re-
ports. Loew's is understood plan-
ning a 4,000 seat house on an un-
determined site and Warners will
soon start work on a 4,250 seater
bounded by State, French, Eight and
Ninth streets.
DOUBLE^ 1 a
11 a
ih
I: 9
HO^ SUITES
Excellent Restaurant
and the Nationally
Famous PARAMOUNT
GRILL
PARAMOUNT HOTEL
46^" ST WEST OF BROADWAY
'/N THE HEART OF T/MES SQUARE"
THC
<^^
DAILV
Friday, April 4, 1
Fox Stock Spurts
A spurt of more than six
points in Fox Film stock to
39^, its high for this year,
created reports in Wall St. that
some settlement of the Fox af-
fairs is near at hand. Bankers
interested in the situation de-
nied knowledge of any new de-
velopments, however, and said
matters are practically at a
standstill until the court hear-
ings next week, when it is ex-
pected that the trusteeship con-
troversy will be acted upon.
iee Record Net in P-F-L
Earnings for Quarter
Theater receipts and domestic film
entals for Paramount during the
rst quarter are understood well
bove the figure of a year ago for
le same period, the Wall St. Journal
tates. Expectations are that net
arnings of the company for the
eriod will show a substantial in-
rease over the record earnings en-
oyed in the corresponding period
1st year, the publication continues.
Stockholders of Paramount Fa-
nous Lasky Corp. at their annual
neeting to be held on April 15 will
le asked to approve the recommenda-
tion of directors to increase the
authorized common stock of the com-
pany from 3,000,000 to 4,000,000
shares of no par value, and also a
change in the name of the corpora-
tion from the present one to Para-
mount Publix Corp.
Fabian Firm To Build
Two Houses for R-K-0
{Continued from Paqe 1)
ed arrangements to build two the-
aters for R-K-0, one in Albany and
the other in Schenectady. Work will
begin immediately, it is said.
Publix to Remodel House
Charlotte, N. C. — Plans for remod-
eling the Alhambra have been an-
nounced by Warren Irvin, Carolinas
manager for Publix
Universal Buys Interest
in Music Publishing Firm
(Continued from Page 1)
music writing staff which he has been
operating on the Universal lot for
the last two months. Lou Handman,
the other active member of the pub-
lishing firm, is locating permanently
in Universal City as chief staff writer
and contact man with David Broel<-
man, music director of Universal. In
addition to Bernie Grossman, Sam
A. Perry and Heinz Roemheld, who
already have supplied musical ma-
terial for Universal productions,
Goodman plans to put on four or
five other song writers.
Rogell Becomes Feature
Producer for Tiffany
West Coast Bii-reaii. THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Albert Rogell has
formed his own company here under
the name of Rogell Productions Ltd.
and will make a number of pictures
for release through Tiffany. First
year's output will include "April
Showers," "Rich Men's Wives,"
"Daughter's of the Rich" and "White
Shoulders."
Academy Picks Pickford,
Baxter as Best Players
(Continued from Page 1)
is selected as the outstanding camera-
man for his work on "Broadway
Melody," and Hans Kraly is cited
in authorship for writing "The
Patriot."
Schenck's Far Call
Nicholas M. Schenck receiv-
ed the first commercial tele-
phone call made between Bue-
nos Aires and New York upon
the opening of the long distance
service yesterday. Carl Sonin,
general director of M-G-M in
South America, called the com-
pany's chief following the in-
augural ceremonies in which
President Hoover spoke.
**CLANCY IN WALL STREET"
Best Business in many weeks.
One hundred per cent entertain-
ment. Every indication that
you have a box oflfice winner.
A. Goodside, (owner)
Empire Theatre, Portland, Me.
Nat Levine,
16SO Broadway
Aristocrat
Pictures
New York
FILM CENTER BLDG.
44^» ST.
9TH AVENUE
45™ ST.
Designed for
the film Indus-
try
74 windows to
a floor
3 street front-
ages
Near "L" and
subway sta-
tions
Fireproof
vaults
Projection and
Inspection
Rooms
Unequalled
shipping facili-
ties
Exceptional-
ly low insur-
ance rates
MANY
MORE AT-
TRACTIVE
FEATURES
AT NO
MORE
RENTAL
90% RENTED
To
100% TENANTS
The owners of this build-
ing are proud of their struc-
ture— proud of the splendid
renting record — and proud
of the names that appear on
the building directory.
If you belong with the
leaders of the industry — or
expect to belong there —
make your application now
while space is still to be had.
Call at the building or send for illuitrated booklet
GROSS & BROWN COMPANY
AGENT
270 MADISON AVE. Tel. Caledonia 7000
FILM CENTER, Inc.
Owners and Builders
ABE, N. ADELSON, President
ANDWEEKLY
iiLK DIGEST
VOL. Lll No. 5
Sunday, April 6, 1930
ir'nce Ji Ccfiiii
m
world can play L
or Disc
Tvlih
GRAHAM 4
Cb-sJce as the TALHI/S/O REPORTER
NIVERSAL '"ALKINC VEWSREEL
SPRING — 1930 EDITION — OF THE FILM DAILY
SHORT SUBJECT QUARTERLY
Covering the Big Little Features from an Entirely New Angle
,
^^___-- .. The famous overture by the Russian
|q|2 composer Tschaikowsky. Known and
played all over the world. United
Artists brings It to the screen accompanied by a
marvelous visual interpretation ofthe meaning of the
composition — the invasion of Russia by Napoleon.
9 i
9 fl
I 1
I 1
R «
■ f
I «
R 1
'IRISH FANTASY'
Victor Herbert at
his best. In this
composition he
depicted the eviction of the I rish patriots from their
homes, their fight for freedom and their victory.
Donald Novis, the Irish tenor who sang in "Bulldog
Drummond" is the principal singer. A great Big
little Featurette.
"GLORIOUS VAMPS" ^PJ^^
all the real
vamps of history before you : Eve, Salome, Cleopatra,
Delilah, Uucretia Borgia, Madame Pompadour,
Carmen and to top it off the modern jazz girl.
'SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
Goethe's most celebrated poem is the theme for a
thrilling musical drama depicting the attempts of a
sorcerer's apprentice to imitate the magic arts of his
absent master. Brooms, chairs, tables come to life in
the weird settings designed by Wm. Cameron Menzies.
Told to the fascinating music of the noted French
composer Dukas.
R I
I I
I
i I
»
• 1
t .
f 1
r <
« I
I f
UNITED |V|
APPETIZER OF
YOUR PROGRAM
Given high praise by leading exhibitors wherever they have
been shown, this series of smart featurettes was produced
with one idea in mind — to give the public something different.
Every short tells a complete story to an accompaniment of
the world's greatest music played by Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld's
famed seventy-piece orchestra. Songs, dialogue and dra-
matic sound effects are also included.
Comment on the first featurette — Exhibitor's Daily Review:
"A gem in every sense."
ARTISTS
iTHE
TAeHVlfSPkm
ff/^FILMDOM
ANDWEEKLY
FILH DIGEST
TOL. LII No. 5
Sunday, April 6, 1930
Price 25 Cents
Warner Deal for Brunswick-Balke is Definitely Set
AVAILABIUn CUUSE ADOPTED
Patrons Demand Shorts, National Survey Shows
Short Subjects Discussed
From All Angles by
Exhibitors
Short subjects of all kinds, and
comedies in particular, have under-
gone such improvement since sound
came along that they now constitute
an indispensable part of the program
and actually are being demanded by
patrons. This is the consensus
gleaned from approximately 650 ques-
tionnaires, some filled out by ex-
ecutives speaking for chains of the-
aters, in a nation-wide survey con-
ducted by THE FILM DAILY.
Besides citing the marked improve-
ment made by short subjects in the
ast few years, numerous exhibitors
{Continued on Page 4)
tUROPEAN TALKER UNITS
MAY JOIN RCA MERGER
London — One or more European
talking picture companies are likely
io be induded in the proposed mer-
ger of RCA's European subsidiary,
Grarnophone Co., Ltd., with Colum-
bia Gramophone Co., Ltd. Negotia-
tions for the deal, under way last
spring and subsequently put o&, are
repor_ted to have been revived, with
prospects that something will be
done by the middle of the year.
TECHNICOLOR REDUCES
COST TO PRODUCERS
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — A saving of more
than $1,000,000 is expected to be ef-
fected by producers using Techni-
color as a result of a reduction in
cost of the process lust announced by
Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president of
the company. Improved plant equip-
ment and increased efficiency has en-
abled the firm to lower its prices,
Dr. Kalmas said.
SUGGESTSACADEMYAWARD
FORBESTSOiDENGINEER
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Recommendation for
an annual award by the Academy of
M. P. Arts and Sciences to the sound
engineer furnishing the best quality
of recording was made by H. G.
Knox, vice-president of Electrical
Resjearch Products at the Academy's
banquet where the annual awards
{Continued on Page 42)
Omaha Musicians Not
Against "Canned" Music
Omaha — Stand has been taken by
the Omaha Musicians' Ass'n that it
has no objection to "canned" music,
L. H. Henderson, secretary of the
association, declared here recently.
Three Days' Run of Film at Popular Prices Will
Constitute General Release in Zone
Highlights of Friday's session of the 2-2-2 conference on a new standard
contract were:
Adoption of an availability clause providing that a picture which plays
three days at popular prices be construed as a regular release in the zone in
which it plays. Distributor must send notice of availability to exhibitor at
least 15 days prior to "available date."
Product automatically becomes available for subsequent run houses 90
days after date of availability for first runs, except in cases of long run
theaters.
Availability was the initial clause to
receive consideration. The distribu-
tors and Allied both proposed that
'Vithin a reasonable time after a
print is at an exchange, the exchange
must mail a notice that the picture is
available for exhibition." Such notice,
they specified, must be mailed to a
theater at least 15 days before the
"available date." The M. P. T. O. A.
{Continued on Page 35)
SAYS EXtilBS FURNISH
LEADS TO HOLD OVERS
Forty to 50 per cent of the leads
given to the Copyright Bureau in its
campaign to eradicate holding over
of prints illegally come from exhibi-
{Continued on Page 35)
Announcement Due Next Week
On Warner-Brunswick Merger
Harry Langdon Reported
as Joining Fox Roster
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — Reports are current
here that Harry Langdon may sign
a long term contract with Fox.
Although Harry M. Warner stated
that no formal announcement or de-
tails could be given out till next week,
when papers are expected to be
signed, the deal for the acquisition
of the phonograph and talking-rec-
{Continucd on Page 42)
Shorts Come Into Their Own
A New Attitude Springs Up Among Exhibitors and Public Toward
Small Features — Producers Must Prepare To Meet the
Changing Situation
AS THE MAIN FEATURE of this edition of the Short Sub-
jects Quarterly, there is presented in this issue the analyzed
results of a nationwide survey of the shorts field conducted
by THE FILM DAILY.
The survey has handsomely fulfilled its intended purpose of
bringing to light just where the exhibitor stands in the matter of
short subjects, what he wants, how he wants it, wherein the producers
or distributors are not meeting his requirements, etc., so that the
production and distribution fields may be guided accordingly.
In its revelation of exhibitors and public attitude, the survey is
(Continued on Page 42)
SUBSTITUTIONS LIVE
TOPIC Jin-2-2 MEET
Substitutions were decried by ex-
hibitor delegates and defended by
distributor representatives during ^
lively discussion at the 2-2-2 confer-
ence Friday. Allied submitted a con-
tract clause calculated to reduce this
problem from the exhibitor stand-
{Continued on Page 35)
Publix Appoints Hamlin
Coast Advertising Head
West Coast Bureau, THE FILM DAILY
Los Angeles — Fred Hamlin, pub-
licity director for the New York
Strand about five years ago, has been
appointed West Coast advertising
director for Publix.
To Confer on Plan
A zoning and clearance plan
for every territory, now in prep-
aration, will eventually be
submitted to a conference for
ratification. This was indicated
by Gabriel Hess in discussing
clearnance at the 2-2-2 con-
ference Friday.
fi^^
PAILV
Sunday, April 6, 193t
NEWSPAPER ^^l***^^
AHDWEEKLY
FILM DIGEST
Vol. Lll No. 5 Sundair, April 6. 1930 Prico 25Cents
JOHN W. ALICOATE
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER
Published daily except Saturday and holidays
at 1650 Broadway, New York, N. Y., and
copyright (1930) by Wid's Films and Film
Folks, Inc. J. W. Alicoate, President,
Editor and Publisher; Donald M. Mersereau,
Secretary-Treasurer and General Manager;
Arthur W. Eddy, Managing Editor. En-
tered as second class matter. May 21, 1918,
at the post-office at New York, N. Y., under
the act of March 3, 1879. Terms (Postage
free) United States outside of Greater New
York $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3
months, $3.00. Foreign, $15.00. Subscribers
should remit with order. Address all com-
munications to THE FILM DAILY, 1650
Broadway, New York, N. Y. Phone Circle
4736-4737-4738-4739. Cable address: Filmday,
New York. Hollywood, California — Ralph
Wilk, 6425 Hollywood Blvd. Phone Granite
6607. London — Ernest W. Fredman, The
Film Renter, 89-91 Wardour St., W.
I Berlin — Karl Wolffsohn, Lichtbildbuehne,
Friedrichstrasse, 225. Paris— P. A. Harle,
La Cinematographic Francaise, Rue de la
Cour-des-Noues, 19.
Financial
NEW YORK STOCK MARKET
(QUOTATIONS AS OF FRIDAY)
High Low Close Sales
Am. Seat 21/. 21 21/. 200
Con. Fm. Ind. .. 25/. 25% 25% 1,000
Con. Fm. Ind. pfd.. 25^ 24^ 25 3,200
Con. Film rts H Vs Vi 2,500
East. Kodak 233^ 232/ 233/ 2,300
Fox Fm. "A".... 4m 37/8 39^4141,000
Fox ''A" rts 7% 6/ 7V4 22,300
Fox deb rts Vs 'A Vs 19,000
Gen. Thea. Equ. . . . 50 477^ 48 J^ 83,100
*Keith A-O 40
do pfd 126 123 Ji 124 700
Loew's, Inc 85 81 81^ 57,600
do pfd. WW (6/) ..1077/s 104/8 1047/i 200
♦do pfd. xw (6/) 92 ....
•M-G-M pfd 25?4
Para. F-L 76 73 J4 74^25,700
Pathe Exch 6^4 SVs 5/ 22,300
do "A" 13^ nVs un 5,300
R-K-O 40J4 38/ 39!4112,200
Warner Bros. ... 78% 74'^ 75-4 12,200
*do pfd 69/
NEW YORK CURB MARKET
*Bal. & Katz 79Vs
Columbia Pets. .. 44Ji 42j4 44?^ 2,800
Fox Thea. "A"... 9% 754 W 24,300
*Intern. Proj 25 ....
Loew do deb rts... SO 50 50 100
Loew, Inc., war.. 15/ 14 14 900
Nat. Scr. Ser 28/ 28 28 700
•Nat. Thea. Sup 25
NEW YORK BOND MARKET
Keith A-O 6s 46... 88/ 9,8% 8S% 10
Loew 6s 41ww...l24>4 122/ 122/ 120
do 6s 41 x-war... 98/ 98/ 98/ 20
Paramount 6s 47... 102 101 101 90
Par. By. 5/s51 102 101?^ 102 60
Pathe 7s37 63/ 60 60 90
•LAST PRICE QUOTED
j> New York Long Island City
it 1540 Broadway 154 Crescent St.
j'j BRVant 4712 STIUweU 7940
if
t
I Eastman Films
li J. E. Brulatour, Inc.
j.t
y
i.i
Chicago Hollywood
1727 Indiana Ave. "00 Santa^Monica
CALumet 2691 HOLlywood 4121
<»»v»v*v*w#v»v*v»*w
INDEX
PAGE
EDITORIAL, Shorts Cotne to 7 heir Own 1
FINANCIAL, Daily Market Activities 2
AN ANALYSIS OF THE FILM DAILY'S SHORT SUBJECT QUES-
TIONNAIRE 4
SHORT SUBJECT EXPLOITATION 11
HOLLYWOOD HAPPENINGS, Coast Ne^vs by Telegraph 13
-A LITTLE FROM LOTS," by Ralph Wilk 13
EXECUTIVE'S OPINIONS ON SHORT SUBJECTS 17-19
SHORT SUBJECT REVIEWS 32-33-34
THEA TER EQ UIPMENT, by William Ornstein 36-37
PROD UCTION IN THE EAST 38
"SHORT SHOTS FROM N. Y. STUDIOS," by Harry N. Blair 38
FILM DAILY'S FEATURE PAGE 39
TIMELY TOPICS, Diaest of Current Opinions 39
A FILM FACT A DAY 39
ALONG THE RIALTO, by Phil M. Daly, Jr 39
BIRTH DA Y GREETINGS 39
EXPLOITETTES 39
TEN YEARS AGO TODAY. Culled from Film Daily Files 39
REVIEWS OF NEWEST RELEASES 40
PRESENTATIONS, by Doti C. Gillette 41
FOREIGN MARKETS, by Louis Pelcnrine 41
WEEK'S HEADLINES, Resume of News 42
REVl
PAOE
40
E W S
CITY GIRL
PAGE
THE LAST DANCE 40
THE MAN FROM BLANKLEY'S.W
THE MAN HUNTER 40
UNDER A TEXAS MOON 40
IN THE NEXT ROOM.
ISLE OF ESCAPE
THE GIRL SAID NO.
40
40
40
Alexander, Welsh Plan
Taking Over Coast Studio
West Coast Bweau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood ■ — A. H. Alexander,
president, and Robert Welsh, vice
president and general manager of-
the American M. P. Corp., are con-
sidering taking over the Flying A
studio at Santa Barbara. John Lynch
will be scenario editor.
R. F. Woodhull Attending
Tri-State M.P.T.O. Meets
Little Rock, Ark.— R. F. Wood-
hull, vice-president of General Talk-
ing Pictures Corp., has arrived here
to attend the Tri-State M.P.T.O.
meetings being held April 6 and 7.
Exhibitors of Mississippi, Arkansas
and Tennessee are attending. M. A.
Lightman, president of the M.P.T.O.
A. is expected to be presented at the
conferences.
Weeks Arranging for U. S.
Distribution of B. I. P.
London — George Weeks, vice-
president of Sono Art-World Wide,
has arrived here for negotiations
with John Maxwell over a contract
between World Wide and British In-
ternational for U. S. distribution.
Forms Author's Radio,
Motion Picture Bureau
An authors' motion picture and ra-
dio bureau has been formed in New
York by George T. Bye. Interested
in the new enterprise is John Ham-
mell of Paramount, he states. Of-
fices will be opened at 535 Fifth Ave.
iMay. 1.
Congo Pictures to Show
"Ingagi" Around Country
Congo Pictures is planning show-
ings of "Ingagi" in large cities around
the country. Ben Westland is ar-
ranging for showings in the north-
west, Lee Grove is handling the pic-
ture in Denver and Hop Hadley is
aking care of Chicago runs.
Foreign Talkers Feature
of Baltimore Theater
Baltimore — Foreign talkies will
feature the presentations of the Lit-
tle Theater, which is now undergo-
ing an installation of Western Elec-
tric equipment. The fact that the
German speaking population of Bal-
timore is large, is responsible for
adoption of the above policy.
Let IJs Solve Your Problems I
Over 20 Years of Experience Qualifies Us as Specialists in
MOTION PICTURE INSURANCE
Stebbins, Leterman & Gates
INCOBFORATED
1540 B'WAY N.Y.C. TELEPHONE BRYANT 3040
^
The Industry's
Date Book
Today: First of two-day Spring convei
tion of Tri-State M.P.T.O. :
Memphis.
Apr. S Premiere of "Journey's End" a
the Gaiety, New York.
Apr. 15 Annual meeting of Fox stockholdc
at N. Y.
May 5-8 S.M.P.E. Spring Meeting at th
Wardman Park Hotel, Washing
ton. D. C.
May 16-1 7-18-19 Paramount Eastern mana
gers hold annual sales meet a
Atlantic City.
May 24-25-26-27 Paramount western mana
gers will hold annual sales mec
at San Francisco.
May 25 Fox annual sales convention start
today.
June 2-7 International Cinema Congress a
Brussels.
Roxy Books Sono Art Film
"Cock O' the Walk," starring Jol
seph Schildkraut and Myrna Loy ant
produced by James Cruze for release
through Sono Art-World Wide, hai
been booked for the Roxy for week
beginning April 11.
Actress Appears With Film
Omaha — Mitzi Green, child actress
in "Honey," at the World, is making
a personal appearance in conjunction!
with the picture.
Changes Policy
Beginning Friday, April 11, the
policy of the Little Picture House
at 15_1 East 50th St., will be changed
to continuous performances. The
house will open at 1 p. m. and close
at midnight.
Donovan at Chelsea
Chelsea, Mass.- — Albert T. Dono-
van has been transferred from Bos-i
ton to manage the Publix Olympia. i
iim
THE NAME YOU GO BY
WHgN VOU GO TO BUY
iJSTim
GO-WNS AMD UMIF-OR.MS
WE BUILD, Buy, LEASE,
OPERATE OR MANAGE
MOTION PICTURE THEATRES
IN PENNA.-NEW JERSEY
DELAWARE — MARYLAND
— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-
VIRGINIA AND W. VIRGINIA
1700 SANSOM STREET
Philaoelphia,Pa.
NO
STAGE
SHOW
COULD
EQUAL
THESE!
No theatre presentation could possibly afford the
talentf the spectacle, the de Luxe showmanship of
Metro'Goldwyn-Mayer^s
COLORTONE
/ ^ ^ ^
REVUES
Count on M'G'M's box- office -tested
shorts for show insurance! Hal Roach
Comedies (two reels each) and Hearst
Metrotone News (twice each week) are
bringing in, every day in the week,
that EXTRA BUSINESSI
(2 Reels Each)
In Technicolor throughout. 12
miniature musical comedies.
Inspired by Broadway's $6.60
successes and produced by the
masters of stage-craft responsi-
ble for many of Broadway's
greatest hits! Featuring stars
and choruses from The Gireat
White Way! A flash for any
showthat excels by far the finest
unit stage presentation ever
created.
Laurel-Hardy
Our Gang
Harry Langdon
Charley Chase
The Hearst-Wilkins South
Polar Expedition in
HEARST METROTONE NEWS
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAY
Long On Shord
Sunday, April 6, 1!')
Patrons Now Demanding Short Subjects^ Survey Shou:^
(Continued from Page 1)
went so far as to declare that their
talking comedies and other novelties
frequently were responsible for sav-
ing the show when the feature hap-
pened to be weak. Il is also apparent
from the answers to various questions
that the reason more exhibitors have
not enjoyed an increase in the box-
office value of their shorts is be-
cause of lack of exploitation.
Comedy, novelty and variety shorts
are to a film program what the des-
sert is to a dinner, more than a hun-
dred exhibitors pointed out, and when
the "dessert" is left out for any rea-
son the patrons, particularly the
children, complain about it. Sound
shorts have created more comment
by patrons than ever was aroused by
either shorts or features in the silent
era, and the remarks heard now about
the talking comedies, cartoons and
some other subjects even exceed the
comments elicited by talking fea-
tures, several exhibitors declare.
The big producing companies, who
in the past have looked upon short
subjects as nothing more than fillers,
already have begun to wake up to the
new importance of shorts and are
preparing to give them more careful
attention. Keen competition is com-
ing into the field and this is expected
to result in continual improvement
of quality of the short product.
With the public displaying a strong
appetite for shorts, one of the com-
plaints from exhibitors at present
is that the features often are too
long or cost too much to permit of
anything else on the program except
perhaps a newsreel. In order to
adjust this situation, theater opera-
tors suggest that features be made
uniformly shorter, thereby allowing
for the shorts that are necessary to
round out the show and at the same
time, by the inclusion of some good
comedies and novelties, insure sup-
port for the accasional bad feature.
This arrangement, it is pointed out,
works equally to the advantage of
the feature producers and consequent-
ly merits their co-operation.
Small towns, which will provide
one of the best consistent markets
for shorts after all the theaters in
the country have been wired, are not
using more of these subjects at pres-
ent because they cost too much, some
exhibitors state. Another complaint
from this field is that producers are
not making enough Western talking
shorts, which are needed to build up
small town grosses.
Theater men are quite generally in
accord on the point that shorts can
draw more patrons if properly ex-
ploited, and negligence of some dis-
tributing companies in supplying
press sheets and accessories is cited
by quite a few exhibitors as the rea-
son they are not doing more of this
exploitation.
By far the most popular form of
talking short is the comedy, the sur-
vey shows, with slapstick and farce
heading the field in this category.
Satire and sophisticated humor are
reported as having only a mild ap-
peal, one of the chief reasons being
that the masses are not quite up to
this class of entertainment, and in
addition it is considered that the
features already contain enough
sophistication to satisfy picture audi-
ences.
There is a growing trend among
exhibitors to build up their programs
along the lines of a vaudeville show,
and this is reported to be working
out very successfully. Talker sub-
jects have replaced vaudeville al
traveling shows in a great number j
houses and this replacement is c-
pected to continue and remain in -
feet so long as the quality of i-
shorts are kept at a level that satisf,
the public. Generally speaking, »
hibitors feel that the pictures ha;
the edge because they can bring 1'
best talent of the stage, screi.
musical field, etc., to every little tov
while theatrical stars for the m(
part are expected to favor appeari
in talkers because it eliminates tra
and other inconveniences, places thr
before tremendous audiences ir
short time, and means more i^omi
sation for less work.
Producers of shorts, tliti--' ■ '
a wonderful opportunity to c-ir^
their product from the "taken
granted" class and place it practica
on a level with the features. Num
ous suggestions that should be
guidance in this respect, as well as
assortment bf interesting and i
formative statistics that have a vi
bearing on the subject, are contain:
in the accompanying analysis
THE FILM DAILY'S short su
ject questionnaire.
o
Analysis of Short Subjects Questionnaire
Question 1
On the whole, do
you
consider that short
fea-
tares mean more as
en-
tertainment and as
box-
office attractions
now
than they did before the
advent of sound, and if
so, how much?
Answers
Yes 422
No 129
Noncommittal 99
Estimates of the increased value
ran all the way from 5 to 300 per
cent. More than 150 exhibitors
stated that sound has boosted the
box-office standing of shorts, while
95 said that sound has made no dif-
ference. Consensus of opinion on
this point, however, is that lack of
exploitation is responsible for the
failure to realize more substantially
on the value of talking shorts.
Remarks
Sound shorts now are as important
as our feature pictures. — Saenger,
Vicksburg, Miss.
Because patrons can see and hear
all the big stars of both stage and
screen, sound shorts are 100 per cent
more valuable to the box-office. —
Strand, Altoona, Pa.
Our patrons are beginning to like
the Broadway stars in shorts, and
ask for them Strand, Covington, Va.
In many instances the sound shorts
actually are responsible for the suc-
cess of the feature. — M. Solomon,
Publix City Manager, Macon, Ga.
Talking shorts must be good be-
cause they are mdre critically received
than the silents. — Cathum, State Col-
lege, Pa.
Question 2
Have you increased
your bookings of short
features since the advent
of sound, and to what
extent?
Answers
Yes
No
327
233
Only 218 replies specified the per-
centage of increase in bookings. Of
this number, 84 said their increase
amounted to from 10 to 50 per cent,
71 from 50 to 100 per cent, and 63
from 100 to 300 per cent. In several
instances exhibitors stated that the
length of features did not permit
them to balance their programs with
shorts. A good deal of opinion seems
to be in favor of shorter features to
allow for more short subjects.
Remarks
Buying and booking arrangements
on short sound subjects are not yet
what they should be, so it is not al-
ways possible to fill out and properly
balance a program. The type and
length of a feature picture should de-
cide the nature of the shorts to strike
an agreeable balance. — A. R. Nininger,
Sunset, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Question 3
To what extent have
short film features re-
placed vaudeville or stage
presentations?
Answers
100 per cent 218
5 to 75 per cent 87
Included in the replies were 107
that stated neither vaudeville nor
stage shows had ever been used by
the theaters concerned.
Remarks
We get better acts via talking pic-
tures which I think is an advantage
for the small towns that used to get
poor vaudeville. — F. D. Walters, C
phcum, Hartford City, hid.
The public now can see big tir
acts at small neighborhood houses
small admissions. — Louis Levey, Dye
man, Nezv York City.
Question 4 (a)
What type of short fea-
ture in sound do you con-
sider most popular and]
most important to your]
program?
Answers
Comedies 341
Newsreel 107
Cartoons 87
Musical 47
Novelties 39
Color 19
Sketches 12
Dancing 5
The foregoing are the only class
ifications that received five or mor
mentions. Travelogues, orchestn
acts, and a few other types of short ;
were specified less than this numbe j
of times.
Remarks |
The idea is not pick out any om
kind of short or comedy for all times
but to pick your shorts to improv(
Sunday, April 6, 1930
f) Slapstick Is Voted Favorite Brand of Comedy C)
DAILV
3ur programs as a whole. The best
matures can be shown to better ad-
jntage by intelligent bookings of
lorts. — Earl S. Tyson, Belnord, Bal-
more.
Question 4{b)
In what order of impor-
tance would you rate the
following types of short
features: slapstick, come-
dy, satire, straight farce
comedy, scenic, operetta,
novelty reel , cartoon,
newsreel?
Answers
1st 2nd 3rd
Slapstick ...209 95 37
Newsreel ...143 78 83
Farce 115 108 72
Cartoon .... 29 83 93
Operetta ... 14 29 36
Novelty .... 12 58 71
Satire 7 27 34
Scenic 2 4 10
Only the first, second and third
lace designations are listed here,
lasmuch as these are 'Sufficient to
anstitute an indicator of majority
references.
Question 5
Are good comedies or
the vaudeville act type of
short subject most suc-
cessful?
Answers
Good Comedies .
Vaudeville Acts
Neutral
439
67
144
Several exhibitors expressed the
pinion that sound short producers
hould hold to a technique and
aethod of their own and strive for
individuality instead of attempting to
Slapstick for Relaxation
Give us the well-directed slapstick comedies. People, lowbrov?
and highbrow, want to laugh, belly laughs, and lots of them. They
have enough worries. The highbrows spend a lot of time maintaining
a highbrow attitude and they like to laugh it off at times. The talk-
ing slapstick comedy is needed. — HOWELL, Coleman, Texas.
Want Low Comedy
Sound, or no sound, has no
bearing on the absolute neces-
sity of good old-fashioned com-
edy with real "belly" laughs.
Our patrons yell more and
more for true low comedy.
People are still kids. — J. M.,
Hollywood, Los Angeles, CaL
imitate the class of turns presented
on the vaudeville stage.
Remarks
Vaudeville acts on the screen may
completely replace the stage vaudeville
and be used in the average theaters
to furnish variety, and the standard
of these acts can be maintained bet-
ter in the average towns than stage
acts. — A. R. Nininger, Sunset, Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla.
It's the same old story; quality
counts. — Alan Bachrach, Colonial,
Hagerstown, Md.
Question 6
In the field of sound
comedies, what type do
you think most popular
with the public?
Answers
Slapstick 239
Farce 128
Situation Comedy . 81
Cartoon 43
Musical 27
Novelties 11
Besides the foregoing, there was
a scattered mention of about a dozen
other types, none of which was listed
in more than three cases.
Remarks
I personally believe that the quality
of the subject is most important.
Slapstick, satire or any other type is
all right if the comedy is good. Other-
'wise it is just more film. — Roy P.
Drachman, Rialto, Tucson, Ariz.
Question 6(a)
Is slapstick as popular
as formerly?
Answers
Yes
No
373
217
that the matter had not yet received
a fair test in their houses, but that
the odds appeared in favor of con-
tinued popularity.
Remarks
My reason for favoring slapstick is
that you can relax and are not com-
pelled to remember one situation to
be able to enjoy another. With farce,
a climactic situation may depend en-
tirely upon the first situation, and if
you arrive late it doesn't mean a
thing. — George S. Otte, Capitol,
11' heeling, IV. Va.
Question 6(b)
Does the situation com-
edy appeal more than
slapstick?
Answers
Yes
No
258
254
Of the 70 who were noncommittal
on this subject, nearly a third stated
This neck-and-neck standing of
situation comedy and slapstick does
not jibe very well with the respec-
tive ratings given to these two types
of short under Question 6, where slap-
stick is credited as being a 3-to-l
favorite over situation comedy in
public favor. However, the counts
are given as they appear on the
records. General remarks as to a
comparison of the two types are in
agreement that standard of produc-
tion is about the first consideration.
Question 6(c)
What type of comedy
appeals most to women?
Answers
Situation Comedy . 157
Farce 118
Slapstick 81
Satire 26
Domestic 14
Kiddie 14
Musical 13
Sophisticated 6
An unusually large number of re-
plies expressed inability to fathom
the desires of feminine film patrons.
Several intimated, in different ways,
that women as a rule prefer comedy
of the more refined type.
Question 7
What length comedies
are better suited for your
house — one-reel or two-
reel?
Answers
Two-reel 485
One-reel 81
Neutral 84
In many of the replies the answer
to this question was qualified with
the statement that comedies register
according to their entertainment
value, not their length, and the great-
er popularity of two-reels is due prin-
cipally to the fact that these subjects
are of better quality than the ma-
jority of one-reel issues.
It was generally contended, how-
ever, that two reels is sufficient
length for a comedy because, in the
first place, of the difficulty in main-
taining a comedy plot at a satisfac-
tory entertainment level for a longer
period, and secvondly, on account of
the tiring effect it would have on
the audience, as well as the interfer-
ence with the feature.
Remarks
It puzzles me why shorts must be
one or two reels. As long as features
vary from six to ten reels, it would
be possible to arrange a much more
interesting program with occasional
three or four reel shorts. — A. Bends-
len. Community, IVcllesley Hills, Mass.
Two-reel comedies are more satis-
factory where a comedy situation is
worked out, as it is hard to crowd
too much into one reel. — A. R. Ninin-
ger, Sunset, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Silents Passe
A silent comedy is very flat
now. In fact, for the last two
years my audiences seldom
laughed out loud at a silent.
But they have to now. Some
producers have been making
talking comedies very cheap.
Four or five actors, and some-
times only two, yet they are
sold as comedies whereas they
are nothing more than acts. —
H. E. HOAG, Momence, Mo-
mence. 111.
THE
■c&m
DAILY
Sunday, April 6, I'.i
C* Gags Considered More Important Than Story f
Question 8
Is the story in a come-
dy the important factor,
or are the gags the main
thing?
Answers
Gags 395
Story 97
Both 115
On account of the average picture
audience not being able to grasp di-
alogue rapidly, a considerable num-
ber of exhibitors stated that, while
gags evoke the biggest response, the
full kick of a gag frequently is lost
unless its meaning is made clear to
the audience through the medium of
a story, plot or theme.
Remarks
Good gags and funny situations al-
ways are sure-fire. — /. E. Murdoch,
Alhambra, Canton, 0.
Question 9
What is the reaction of
your patrons to the new
sophisticated comedy
nvade possible only by
the advent of sound: that
is, the smart type of play-
let depending largely on
its clever dialogue for its
entertainment?
Answers
Poor 217
Good 151
Fair 103
Very Good 97
General sentiment seems to be that
film audiences are not yet ready for
this class of material. This applies
particularly in the large number of
second and third class houses. It
is also pointed out by several exhibi-
tors that the features already contain
a sufficient dose of sophistication.
The Proper Setup
It takes properly balanced
variety to put over your show.
News — comedy — novelty —
organ — feature. This consti-
tutes the ideal setup for a pro-
gram. Whenever you eliminate
any part of this, you weaken
your show. — DALE A. LIEB-
HEIT, De Kalb, De Kalb, 111.
Getting the Shorts Habit
People are getting the shorts habit and want them on the pro-
gram, consequently the short subject has become an indispensable
part of the bill, and in addition is valuable in building up a weak
or average program. — R. J. BOYLE, Park, Rockland, Me.
Remarks
Sophisticated comedy depends on
the booking situation. The type of
your feature should determine entire-
ly the style of comedy to be used. —
Roosevelt, Union City, N. J.
About 90 per cent of our patrons sit
through the sophisticated shorts and
then ask why we did not show a
comedy. — Dielil Mero, Orpheum, Ot-
taiva, III.
Sophisticated comedies and clever
dialogue always have left a favorable
impression at this theater. — Rivoli,
Baltimore.
Question 10
Do your patrons com-
ment on the comedy upon
leaving the theater, more
than they did in the past?
Answers
Yes
No
457
151
In many instances the "yes" was
made very emphatic, with some ex-
hibitors declaring that the comedies,
occasionally create more comment
than the features. A great many re-
marks also are heard in favor of the
cartoon comedies.
Remarks
Good shorts cause more comment
than the average feature. — Fo.r World,
McCook, Nebr.
Patrons are evidencing keen inter-
est in the "surrounding program" in
many instances the shorts build a
weak program to nearer perfection
than formerly. — Irivin R. JVaite,
Queen, Galveston.
The short subjects on the show in
this community is an essential thing
and when we have a long feature that
will not warrant much shorts the
patrons talk about it and ask me why.
— Jack Albertson, Indiana, Indiana
Harbor, Ind.
Unless we have a short subject that
about kills them from laughing, they
don't say a word. — R. F. Kehrberg,
loiva, Sheldon, la.
Question 11
Is a comedy a neces-
sary part of the show, re-
gardless of the length of
the feature or whether
there is any stage show?
Answers
Yes
No
443
169
Except when the feature itself hap-
pens to be a strong co^nedy, the
absence of a short along this line in-
variably arouses complaints from pa-
trons, and proves a fjisappointment
to children especially, according to a
.score of replies. Length and charac-
ter of feature are cited as determin-
ing factors, but opinion is practically
unanimous that comedy shorts should
lie used wherever necessary to give
a program proper balance.
Remarks
No show is complete without a good
short bill to start things off. — E. M.
Mather, Avalon, Belliitghani, Wash.
The comedy is missed by many if
it is cut out. Customers feel that there
is something wrong with the show if
there are no shorts. — Pinegrove, Port
IIuro)i, Mich.
Question 12
Do your patrons prefer
the popular screen come-
dians to the stage come-
dians who are not so well
known to them?
Answers
Yes 389
No 107
Neutral 118
Preference for the screen person-
alities is not only on account of
their established name popularity, but
also because their style of funm'aking
is more suitable for the screen me-
dium, several of the replies state.
The penchant for Broadway wise-
cracking, so prevalent among stage
comedians, is not entirely liked
picture audiences.
Remarks
At first the patrons did not like
stage stars, but now we have ini
ries as to when we are going to si
well-known stage artists. — Strc
Covington, Va.
A new face has as good a cha
as the old one. It's the show
counts. — Edivin B. Rivers, Gran
Lezviston, Ida.
Question 12(a)
In general, what hoi,
the biggest value in the
short feature, the per-
former's name, the series
name or the producer's
name?
Answers
Performer 478
Producer 85
Series 66
Quality of production was m«
tioned in more than 50 replies as t
ing one of the chief factors in estj
lishing a steady following for a
series of comedies.
Remarks j
The biggest value is in the ent«'
tainment angle, regardless of who aij
in the picture or who makes itii
Avon, Boonville, N. Y. '
The public will accept anythij
that's good entertainment, no mat'
who puts it on. — Neiv, Hoosick Fa\
N. Y. \
Question 13
Do you advertise your\
short features in all of^
your ad layouts?
Answers
Yes
No
489
77
About 20 replies stated that short
were advertised onlv when the name
Local Newsreels
We find that the biggest
drawing card in short subjects
is our ovm local newsreel. Our
operator shoots from 500 to 1,-
000 feet of local pictures each
week.— EDWIN B. RIVERS,
Granada, Lewiston, Me.
KEEP YOUR E YE!$ PEELED
FOR THE PARAMOUNT
UHRI!$TIE!$,'' says Film Pun
^ Liberty Magazine (2,300,000 readers) breaks rule of reviewing
features only and names a PARAMOUNT-CHRISTIE Talking Play high
up among the best of the month ! ^ Photoplay Magazine (650,000
readers) two months in a row ranks PARAMOUNT - CHRISTIES
among the first ten films in merit, features and all ! ^ No wonder the
public's "keeping its eyes peeled" for PARAMOUNT-CHRISTIES. No
wonder exhibitors are feeling at the box office the mighty nation-wide
interest in these sparkling two-reelers !
Current
Hits
Released by
PARAMOUNT
EDDIE CANTOR
in
"Getting
A Ticket"
ON THE STAGE
Eddie Cantor, always
a smash hit, com-
mands capacitycrowds
at $5.50 per seat.
NOW YOU GET
the same cyclonic,
singing comedy star in
PARAMOUNT TALKESG
ACTS at pop. prices.
EDDIE
CANTOR
and the public by the mil-
lions is at the box office
Ticket" *
BOTH are
EDDIE CANTOR is one of the biggest
names in show business. Owing to the
nearness of Paramount's Long Island
studio to Broadway, you get this type
of super -star continually in PARA-
MOUNT TALKING ACTS.
* Electrifying Eddie's latest and funniest PARAMOUNT TALKING
ACT, i f / ^ Packed with Cantor jokes and songs. Just released.
There is a whole Cantor series on Paramounfs shorts program.
Typical of the Real Stars in
PARAMOUNT TALKING ACTS
THE
Sunday, April 6, 1930
PAILV
f) Better Exploitation Urged for Shorts Subjects f)
Block Selling
Block selling of shorts is
poor business. High - class
vaudeville acts command big
salaries, and there are "hams"
who never play the big time.
So why put a "ham" talker in
a first-class house? Producers
should price their shorts ac-
cording to quality, not sell
them for $5 each in series of 26.
_F. W. ZIMMERMAN, Pal-
ace, San Marcos, Tex.
onnected with them had box-office
value.
Remarks
A carefully written special one-
sheet, similar to vaudeville lobby bill-
ing, would be fitting for this wonder-
ful new type of entertainment. — F. W.
Zimmerman, Palace, San Marcos,
Tex.
We advertise our shorts if they are
good. Talking comedies, good fea-
tures and novelties, if exploited, will
bring in 10 to 20 per cent more trade.
— Family, Detroit.
Question 13 {a)
Have you increased the
amount of advertising on
the short features since
the advent of sound?
Answers
Yes
No
391
217
Inability to obtain lobby material
iwas cited by a great many exhibitors
'is the chief reason for not devoting
'part of the displays in this section of
the house to the advertising of short
[Subjects.
I Remarks
You cannot expect small-town ex-
hibitors with weekly newspapers to
.'employ high-class artists to advertise
(the comedies, and that's why shorts
'do not receive their proper mention.
jThe small-town's newspaper is the
Circular urging tie-ups on Pathe pictures
Vimiiiiismn Of stiii /uTb stiicMos i
See and Hear the Famous Champions
WALTER LEO
HAGEN ana DIEGEL
m MACK SENNETT'S
Great Short Feature Talking Comedy on Golf
"MATCH PLAY"
with ANDY CLYDE, MARJORIE BEEBE and BUD JAMISON
ASK YOUR FAVORITE THEATRE WHEN THIS
PICTURE WILL BE SHOWN
Window card for EducationaFs "Match Play"
lobby of the theater, and if no high-
class ad matter is available there will
be no publicity on the shorts. — F. W.
Zimmerman, Palace, San Marcos, Tex.
Question 14
Would general adver-
tising on comedies in
your local newspapers be
of value to you?
Answers
Yes
No
352
217
Among the exhibitors claiming that
general exploitation is advisable be-
cause it would familiarize the public
with comedies, a few expressed the
opinion that the fan magazine would
be a good place for some of this ad-
vertising. On the other hand, some
of those who are opposed or indif-
ferent to this class of publicity de-
clare that comedies are taken for
granted and expected, and therefore
do not lend themselves to general
exploitation.
Remarks
Every bit of advertising that is
done will always help the theater. —
Hollywood, Chicago.
Question 15
What are the most im-
portant accessories on
short features and do you
need any that are not
now furnished by the
distributors?
Answers
One-sheets 137
Photos 109
11 X 14 61
Press Sheets 46
Mats 48
Midget Mats 18
Three-sheets 17
In addition to the foregoing, from
one to four exhibitors mentioned a
wide assortment of articles including
corner blocks, thumbnail lines, cor-
ner ad cuts, release bulletins, music,
novelties, slides, trailers, more star
photos, etc., while US stated that no
other accessories were needed. Sug-
gestion also was made that acces-
sories should be marked "Sound" or
"All-talking" more emphatically, and
earlier delivery of this material was
urged by many. Difficulty or in-
ability to obtain accessories was cited
Shorts Draw SRO
I booked a short starring
Eddie Cantor, another with
Clark and McCullough, and a
Disney cartoon on the same bill
with Clara Bow. I featured
Cantor, Clark & McCullough
and Miss Bow on the marquee,
and had to stop selling tickets
five times. In the past it was
pretty difficult to get such
names on one program. —
ROBERT SOFFER, Holly-
wood, New York City.
by 26 exhibitors. In this connection,
the Educational offices advise that
they supply one-sheets on all one and
two-reel subjects and newsreel, and
Pathe also furnishes one-sheets on
practically all shorts, while Para-
mount supplies one-sheets only on
two-reel subjects.
Remarks
Film exchanges should have a syn-
opsis of each act so we can tell what
it is and thus be able to balance our
program. — Dan C. Stearns, M'^illoby,
Willoughby, 0.
Good shorts don't need accessories
to put them over. — Strand, Providence.
As comedies are dated, press mat-
ter should be mailed or sent by motor
delivery to exhibitors. — Lansdale,
Lansdale, Pa.
Too little information is easily ac-
cessible to the exhibitor. The pro-
ducer dishes out to us by numbers
and it is a task for the exhibitor who
really is interested and wants to cap-
italize on the merit of his shorts to
try and find detail and description. A
compact press-sheet containing short,
humorous descriptions, cleverly illus-
trated with small layouts, would be
invaluable. Technical information.
Type of write-ups Pathe is getting
THE
10
■cS^
DAILV
Sunday, April 6, Ho^
C) Eochihitors Make Suggestions on Press Sheets f
Continuity Needed
Some plan must be worked
out, with the co-operation of
producers, whereby programs
can be arranged and knitted
together. Present bills lack
continuity and the short sub-
jects in the average house just
amount to something thrown in.
— E. K. RELLAKA, Auditor-
ium, Crockett, Tex.
Question 17
Has the interest of lo-
cal newspaper critics in
short features increased
since the advent of
sound?
such as running time, part or all-talk-
ing, sound effects, etc., should be given
in each instance. We are in a small
town, yet we have had splendid re-
sults whenever we were fortunate in
getting advance information on the
angles of unusual short subjects. —
Frank Vesley, Tulare, Tulare, Cal.
lOuesiion 16
Of what value to you is
the comedy press sheet
and do you have any sug-
gestions to make on how
these could be made more
valuable to you?
Only 92 exhibitors reported that
they were using press books, while
152 stated they did not use them
and 37 declared that press sheets were
not available. Several expressed the
opinion that press sheets on good
comedies are just as valuable as they
are on features, that they are useful
in writing ads and arranging exploi-
tation, and that they help in elevating
the shorts from fillers, as formerly,
to added attractions and featurettes.
Among the recommendations on
how these press sheets could be made
of greater value were the following:
More attention to ad angles of sub-
jects, stars and directors.
Catch lines.
Casts.
Synopsis, nature of story, exact
running time.
Clever illustrated ad copy.
Short, snappy, humorous stories.
Gag advance stories.
Performer personality notes.
Truthful information about kind of
entertainment.
Advance information about type
and appeal.
More exploitation suggestions.
Straight ad layouts.
Better and larger mats.
Place in exhibitors' hands automat-
ically.
Mats with sales talks.
Exact running time.
Wider variety of human interest
exploitation stunts for general appeal
in different kinds of communities.
Answers
No
Yes
253
147
Majority of the replies stated that
reviewers as a rule are interested
only in the features, but that when
special request is made they invari-
ably give attention to the shorts as
well. Critics are just beginning to
recognize the importance of short
subjects to the program, according
to various opinions expressed, and
with the improving quality of these
shorts it is considered quite likely
that the time is not far off when more
critics will be reviewing the sur-
rounding program regularly.
Question 17 (a)
What do you do, if any-
thing, toward influencing
critics to review short
subjects more generally?
Most of the exhibitors answering
this question said they did nothing,
leaving it to the shorts to gain atten-
tion on their own merits, but a fair
number offered the following sug-
gestions:
Give shorts a better position on the
program.
Arouse the interest of critics in the
value of shorts to the bill.
Make personal request.
Preview screening the entire pro-
gram.
Do more advertising.
Supply gag and personality stories
and readers.
Request reviews when the shorts are
of special merit or contain some im-
portant star.
FIVE SERIES FOR PATHE
Amedee J. Van Beuren is now pro-
ducing five series of single reels for
Pathe release, as follows: Aesop's
Fables, Talking Topics of the Day,
Grantland Rice Sportlights, Song
Sketches and \'agabond Adventure
Pictures.
The Sportlight production staff
with the Van Beuren sound truck
has just returned from an extensive
trip through eastern Florida, during
which time three new Sportlights
were made, according to Jack Eaton,
director.
"The Voice of the Sea," and "Deep
South" the two latest Song Sketches,
have been completed by Oscar Lund,
the director.
The Aesop's Sound Fables depart-
ment has just completed "Dixie
Days," a cartoon burlesque on "Uncle
Tom's Cabin."
The latest Topics of the Day, "The
Van Beuren News," will be followed
up by an altogether different layout
which has been made on the West
Coast and which is now en route to
the New York Van Beuren offices.
With "The Golden Pagoda," the
first of the Vagabond Adventure
Series, already playing pre-release
runs, the second release, "Streets of
Mystery," made in India, will soon
bring another screen trip with Tom
Terris, the Vagabond Director. "The
Lair of Chong-Ou," third subject,
provides thrills in China.
Westerns, Air Thriller
on Educational Schedule
Two Western comedies and an air
thriller that is said to be the most
ambitious comedy produced by Mack
Sennett are included in the current
month's release schedule of Educa-
tional. There are four two-reel sub-
jects and two Terry-Toons in the
list. "Honeymoon Zeppelin" is the
title of the Sennett air picture, in
which the famous Los Angeles blimp
plays a part. Marjorie Beebe and
Daphne Pollard are co-featured with
Nick Stuart and Edward Earle in
this comedy. Nena Quartero also
is in the cast. "Western Knights," a
Mermaid talker directed by Stephen
Roberts, features Eddie Lambert.
"Indian Pudding," the other Western
subject, is a Terry-Toon. "Roman
Punch" will have Italian music and
locale.
Ideal Family Shou,
In our opinion the ideal shov
for a neighborhood house cater
ing to family trade is as fol
lows:
A feature of 1 hr., 15 mins.
Two-reel comedy, 20 mins.
Sound newsreel, 10 mins.
Novelty, 10 mins.
Trailer, about 5 mins.
— L. L. BEACH, Chimes.
Oakland, Calif.
Building Up Bills
Utmost care should be exercised in arranging the shorts to fill
your bill. Sometimes results are far more satisfactory if the position
of an act is changed or svntched from first to second position. Do
not have your acts too much alike. Get variety and novelty. Don't
walk mto an exchange and say you need three acts to fill your pro-
gram. Pick your acts. If you use a two-reel slapstick comedy get
a contrasting act to fill. But above all— arrange your proera'm.—
HARRY E. BROWN, New Stanford, Palto Alto, Calif.
15 SNORTS STILL TO CME'
ON m% 1930 SCHEDU:
Out of 52 short subjects scheduii
by RKO for 1930, 15 are still to cori.
The future releases include "T'
Guest" and "Good Time Kennet
in the one-reel RCA Marc Conne
group of seven; "Palooka Flyi
School" and an untitled subject, i
the six one-reel RCA Novelties; f
of the 13 two-reel Mickey McGu
series; one Larry Darmour two-r
comedy in the group of 13, and "Ge
eral Ginsburg," "Hot Bridge" a
three untitled subjects, in the ser:
of 13 RCA two-reel shorts.
Completed releases on the 1930 1
include "The Burglar," "St. Lot
Blues," "Two Gun Ginsburg," "Hu
the Tiger," "Black and Tan," "Gu
boat Ginsburg," "Old Bill's Chri:
mas" and "Campus Sweetheart?
RCA two-reelers; "As You Mike li
"Meet the Quince," "Love's Labi
Found," "They Shall Not Pass Oui
"The Captain of His Roll," "1
Sleeping Cutie," "Lost and Founi
ered," "Old Vamps for New," "T
Setting Son," "The Dear Slayei
"Cash and Marry," and "Land
Sky Blue Daughters," in the Reco.
Breakers Series; Mickey McGuin
"Midnite Follies," "Surprise," "Mi
LTp," "Big Moment," "Strategy
"Champg," "Master Mind" ar
"Luck"; "Headwork," Godfrey Lu.
low and NBC Orchestra, "The Fa
Deceiver" and "The Strange Inte
view," RCA one-reel novelties; "Th
Traveler," "The Uncle," "The Suitor,
"The Bridegroom" and "The Mag
nate," one-reel Marc Connelly sut
jects.
Four Short Subjects
Are Announced by U. ^
United Artists announces fou
short subjects for 1930 release. The
are "Overture of 1812," synchronized
"Irish Fantasy," all-talking; "Glor
ious Vamps," all-talking, and "Th'
Sorcerer's Apprentice," all-talking.
Bell Doing "The Roundup"
"The Roundup," a two-reel talkeil
with music, has been placed on th(
1930 production schedule by Bil
Pictures.
1
day, April 6. 1930
fr<^E^
DAILY
11
^ Short Subject Exploitation f
Blimp Ride
Mack Sennett recently gave
syndicate writers a ride in a
Goodyear blimp which was be-
ing used on location for the
final shots of the "Honeymoon
Zeppelin." Picture got some
nice write ups as a result.
■M
^3
PIECE^GANG' DISPLAY
rfiiU-G-M is distributing a three-piece
'*!ur Gang" display for ice cream
.iires. The center piece portrays
iu(lj entire gang and provides a blank
"littl board for the imprint of the
'bjind name of the ice cream manu-
p/turer's product. Individual side
(,.pnels show Mary Ann and Farina,
Jffh eating an ice cream cone. The
i\lolf Co. of Philadelphia is manu-
'"ffturing the display and will make
ti-'m available to only one ice cream
"nnufacturer in each territory. The
rfiimufacturer in turn will distribute
%m with his ow.n imprint to the
"railers selling his product. The dis-
'piys have been lithographed in nine
'jclors and mounted on heavy board
|vth double re-inforced easels. The
"^cnter panel measures 31^ by 235^
';ithes and the two side panels are
ech 283^ inches high. The display
,y be obtained for lobby use
ough the Wolf Co.
his Krasy Kat costume can be used to bally^
yo the cartoon series or to dress ushers for
special children's matinees.
IVindtnv display at Alex Taylor & Co., sporting goods store, which attracted much
attention to Educational's golf short, "Match Play."
UNIIRSAL ISSUES PRESS
SHEET ON EVERY SERIES
A complete press sheet is issued
for every series of Universal shorts
released and for their serials and
news reels. Each book contains a
complete exploitation campaign and
illustrations of accessories available
to exhibitors. Banners and pennants
in colors are also to be had. In
addition to the regular two color one-
sheet issued on each newsreel re-
lease, Universal has prepared a star
stock one sheet in color playing up
Graham McNamee's newscasting. For
this purpose there is also a 22 by 28
inch lobby card, a set of special 8
by 10 lobby cards and a large cutout
head of McNamee.
MANY GOLF TIE-UPS FOR
EDUCATIONAL'S SHORT
Educational has arranged many
tie-ups for the Mack Sennett golf
short, "Match Play," which stars
Walter Hagen and Leo Diegel. Every
golf club in the country is being
circularized and cards for bulletin
boards distributed; three photo ser-
vices are distributing stills from the
picture; manufacturers of golf prod-
ucts and local dealers are tying up
with exhibitors for window displays
on the picture. A special eight page
press sheet which contains many
ideas, is a valuable accessory.
The latest window display tie-up
to be made is with 31 of the Dav-
ega sporting goods stores in New
York .
MICKEY MOUSE CLUBS TO
BOOST MATINEE BUSINESS
"Alickey Mouse Clubs," such as
the one formed by Harry Woodin
of the Dome, Ocean Park, are boost-
ing matinee attendance for houses
plaj'ing these Columbia Disney car-
toons.
To start the club, Woodin made
tie-ups with several merchants where-
by they became official Mickey
Mouse stores, distributing applica-
tion cards for membership. Th^se
cards admitted the children to the
first matinee for Sc instead of the
regular 10c price. Stores appealing
to children cooperated in this and
carried announcements of the club in
their advertising.
The club now holds regular week-
ly meetings in the theater, which open
with one of the cartoons and after
club formalities, a serial and a west-
tern or a feature are shown.
.special three-piece "Ou
Gang" display which M-G-M
dealers and house managers.
distributing to ice cream
NEWSPAPERS TIE UP WITH
PATHESPORTLIGHT SERIES
Newspapers throughout the coun-
try which run the syndicated Grant-
land Rice sports articles are glad
to tie-up with exhibitors when they
play Pathe's "Sportlights." Many
exhibitors make special contacts for
each picture, depending upon the sub-
ject, and some papers are willing to
go in for cooperative advertising
stunts.
w^MW^^m^
H
fflBr^^-?!^
'fisa^.
»,;■■.' ' ■' '■
gnnMp'7r.««
__ 1
' f'***ll!iR^'T'
1 fV
i
|?I/^^ :-A
B^«liii£H^
K
I
m
Onc-sUccts, such as this one, displayed in
front of the Arcade. La Grande, Ore., art
developing a special clientele that is regular
in attendance on "news days."
The reason why
Mack Sennett
Talking Comedies
play the highest number of
theatres in all the comedy
field — highest by a big mar-
gin— is because they are the
supreme laugh makers in all
the history of entertainment
A Mack Sennett
Sound Comedy
is a standardized product of demon-
strated box office drawing power
Not guessMTork— Just performance!
unday, April 6, 1930
DAILY
13
Roach Studio Working on Next Program
Hoffman, Bischoff, Barsky Join Columbia — Lucas Advising on Dialects — Barbara Stanwyck Signed for
Four — Ralph Wilk's Notes and Other Wired News
OACH STUDIO WORKING
ON 1930-31 PRODUCT
Work has been started at the Hal
Loach studio on the 1930-1931 shorts
be released by M-G-M. All but
wo have been delivered by Roach
the current program; they are
ne each from the Laurel-Hardy and
Charley Chase units. Programs of
he Harry Langdon and Our Gang
inits have been finished and ma-
erial for the Laurel-Hardy and
Iharley Chase units is now in prep-
ration for the new season.
A Little from ''Lots''
By RALPH WILK
iVilfred Lucas to Advise
on Dialects in F. N. Films
Wilfred Lucas, actor-director, has
een engaged by First National as
consulting dialectician." His first
ssignment is on the filming of Sir
jilbert Parker's novel "The Right
if Way."
Barbara Stanwyck Signed
for Four Columbia Films
Columbia has placed Barbara Stan-
vyck under contract to appear in
our pictures. Signing of the actress
ollows her work in "Ladies of
eisure," in which she is seen as the
eminine lead.
U. A. Title Change
United Artists has changed the
itle of the short, "The Sorcerer's
Apprentice" to "The Wizard's Ap-
)rentice."
Claire Back on F. N. Lot
Bernice Claire has returned to the
7irst National studios after a short
/acation. She begins work immedi-
'.tely in "Top Speed," in which Joe
Z. Brown, Jack Whiting, Laura Lee
ind Frank McHugh are featured.
Vfervyn Le Roy is directing.
Fox Signs Marie Saxon
Marie Saxon has signed a contract
vith Fox.
William Howard's Next
William K. Howard is directing
'The Well Dressed Man" for Fox.
Picture is based on the stage play
i'The Fatal Wedding."
I Wheeler, Woolsey in Radio Film
' Production will begin within the
'next 30 days on "Half Shot At Sun-
jrise," which will star Robert Wool-
jsey and Bert Wheeler. Radio Pic-
jtures will produce it from an original
ion which^James Ashmore Creelman,
Jr. and Cyrus Wood are collaborat-
iing.
Kennedy Reported Joining P-F-L
Madge Keqnedy is -eported join-
ing Paramount.
Hollywood
np'OTHER day Douglas Fairbanks
and Mary Pickford celebrated
their tenth anniversary. Mary
pulled a little joke on her husband
by having an old delapidated auto
driven to the United Artists studio
and announcing to Doug that it was
her present to him. A few minutes
later a brand new car was driven
to the studioj Mary's real gift to
Doug. Doug ^so gave Mary an au-
tomobile as an anniversary present.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Joe E.
Brown and Max Shagrin chat-
ting in front of the Warner
Brothers HoUjrwood theater ;
Pete Shamroy visiting the
United Artists studio on busi-
ness.
* * *
Fred Niblo is busy directing "Easy
Going," which stars William Haines.
It is Niblo's first comedy in seven
years.
* * *
Do you remember when William
S. Gill "scooped" the world on the
sinking of the Titanic; when Bill
Wright lived in Lawrenceburg, Ind.;
ivhen Adolphe Menjou and Jack
Meador attended the Culver Mili-
tary Academy in Indiana?
* * *
Sidney Franklin was rehears-
ing Fred Kerr in "The High
Road" and suddenly noticed
that the actor's voice was get-
ting tired. "We'll rehearse in
whispers," he said. "Until I
get this scene shot your voice
is more precious to me than
Grace Moore's."
* * =f;
Donn Hayes, who edited "The
Lost Zeppelin" for Tiffany, is cut-
ting "The Bad One," starring Do-
lores Del Rio.
* * *
Al Goodnmn, of Schwab & Man-
del, is engaged as musical advisor
on "Queen High," as well as direct-
ing the orchestra on all musical
numbers.
* * *
William Saulter, head of the art
department at the Paramount Long
Island studios, has returned from a
trip to the West Indies, entirely re-
covered from his recent nervous
lireakdown.
* ♦ *
Do you remember when
Frank Tuttle worked on "Van-
ity Fair"; when Otto Brower
lived in Grand Rapids, Mich.:
when Percy Heath was a press
agent?
TN line with the present craze for
prison plays, Edmund Joseph direct-
ed "Strong Arm," a two reel melo-
drama, at the Warner Vitaphone
studio. In this, the entire action
takes place in the death house of a
prison. Henry O'Neill, John Har-
rington, E. L. Fernandez, Paul Har-
vey and Norvale Keedwell are in the
cast.
* * *
No f'cwer than ten elaborate sets
were used in "Leave It to Lester,"
the first Publix film presentation,
all of which were designed by Ern-
est Fegte of Paramount's art staff.
* * *
.Although Sid Blumenstock, pay-
master at the Paramount Long Is-
land studios enjoys great popularity,
he is always sure of a special "glad
hand" every Wednesday, which hap-
pens to be the day on which pay
checks are handed out.
* « *
"Queen High," now being trans-
ferred to the screen by Paramount,
under the direction of Fred New-
meyer, %vill be a farce comedy with
music, rather than a musical com-
edy, as it was originally. This is the
first of the Schwab and Mandel
stage successes to be filmed under
their contract with Paramount.
* * ♦
Alfred L. Werker, recently com-
pleted the direction of "Double
Crossroads" for Fox, has been as-
signed to direct "Alcatraz," a west-
ern. He was with the Mary Pick-
ford and Fred Thomson units be-
fore joining Fox.
* * *
On the results of the show-
ing being made by "Ingagi,"
Congo Pictures, Ltd., is said
to have turned down an offer
of 12,000 pounds for the United
Kingdom rights to the film and
is holding out for 20,000
pounds.
The striking modernistic sets used
in "Queen High" were designed by
Chick Kirk, who was art director
for D. W. Griffith for several years.
* * *
Our Passing Show: Ernst Lubitsch
and Lothar Mendes motoring to Bev-
erly Hills; George Amy, Clark Mur-
ray and Bob Bischoff playing tennis
at the Palomar Club.
* * *
Denison Clift, who wrote "Scot-
land Yard," "The Woman Disputed"
and other ploys, is writing "Rolling
Down to Rio," a sea story for George
Bancroft.
Hoffman, Bischoff, Barsky
Join Columbia Pictures
Milton Hoffman, former M-G-M
and Paramount executive, has joined
Columbia as business manager. Co-
lumbia has also made Sam Bischoff
and Bud Barsky associate producers.
Harry Langdon Reported
Leaving Hal Roach Fold
Harry Langdon has secured his
release from Hal Roach, it is re-
ported.
"Follow Thru" Started
Paramount has started production
on "Follow Thru," which reunites
Nancy Carroll and Charles "Buddy"
Rogers.
PLAZA
Going t€
H€LLy>V€€i:)?
You will find a cordial welcome at
the charming and hospitable Holly-
wood Plaza Hotel... right in the heart
of movieland. Enjoy the ideal loca-
tion, and quiet homelike atmosphere
...the luxurious furnishings, faultless
service... and, noted guests. The din-
ing room is operated by the famous
Pig'n Whistle Caterers. Rates are
most reasonable.
The Plaza is only a few minutes from
the beaches, golf courses, studios,
downtown loop of Los Angeles, and
within a block of Hollywood's famous
fashion shops, theatres, cafes, etc.
Write or wire for reservations, or ask
for FREE illustrated booklet, and rates.
HOLILVWOOD
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.
1!
Question No. 1 in our own private qnestionnair;
WOULD YOU TRY TO WIN \
Ansiiver • • • NO !
Question No. 2:
If you set out on a cross-country journc/,
would you go part way by airplane aiJ
the rest by slow freight?
Ansiki^er: NC!
Question No. 3:
What do you think of the exhibitor wb;
books an excellent feature and exploits
well, and then carelessly throws in an
kind of short subjects and forgets all abov
them?
Ansvrer: You
better answer this one yourself. You
answer won't have to go into print.
EdiicationaVs
Talking Comedies
will speed up the tempo of the best o
shows. Showmen who have followed th
tremendous strides of the moderi
Short Feature in sound know this
Which explains why this independem
9
STEEPLECHASE ON A BURRO;
product is on display in practically every first run
ituation in the country every week*
ti
These new comedies offer big names and
snappy ideas for your exploitation — and in
excellent entertainment they will back up
every promise you make.
"HE TRUMPED HER ACE"
—MACK SENNETT
An ace among comedies, with Marjorie Beebe and
Johnny Burke in a bright farce that is delighting audi-
ences in the finest theatres.
"MATCH PLAY"
—MACK SENNETT SPECIAL
Featuring the golf champions, Walter Hagen and Leo
Diegel, and backed by the greatest nation-wide publicity
ever given a short comedy.
"DAD KNOWS BEST"— JACK WHITE
Even a smart drawing room farce moves at high speed
when made by Jack White — and this is the smartest
thing he has done. Featuring Taylor Holmes and
Helen Bolton.
"HONEYMOON ZEPPELIN"
—MACK SENNETT
A peach of a story; hair-raising stunts high in the air;
a comedy that stands right at the top of all Sennett's
effort!^. With Marjorie Beebe, Daphne Pollard, Nick
Stuart, Edward Earle.
"WESTERN KNIGHTS"— ME/JMA/D
Jack White combined Eddie Lambert's funny Yiddish
chatter and Al St. John's acrobatics into one of the
funniest burlesques of the year. Its premiere on
Broadway was a laugh riot.
"FOLLOW THE SWALLOW"
—LLOYD HAMILTON
Follow Lloyd for a big day at Coney Island, with his
finest work made still more enjoyable by the most
amusing kid you ever saw, Billy Barty.
"BITTER FRlElSiDS"— TUXEDO
Schlemmer and Schwartz, dealers in collapsible trousers,
oi! vot a buzniss! Eddie Lambert's screamingly funny
Hebe stuff again. A Jack White production that will
make warm friends for you.
"INDIAN PVBDING"— TERRY-TOONS
The funny side of an Indian scalping party, in sound
cartoons. And "ROMAN PUNCH" takes you back to
the land of the Caesars and to some of their pleasant
little parties.
^^^^^ff^^
EDUCATIOXAL FILM EX€HAI\GES, Inc., E. W. HAMMONS, President
Member Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Tnc. — Will H, Hays, President
f
For Sure - Fire Laughs I
JACK WHITE
TALKING PICTURES
Lead The Short Feature Field
(LT^
They Are Built For Your Patrons
^j^
DISTRIBUTED BY
EDUCATIONAL PICTURES
(S^lux^atloruxl (j-tctuAJU-^
THE SPICE OF THE PROGRAM"
S^
k- h-
THE FAMOUS DISNEY
Joins the
COIUMBIA
SHORT SUBJia
FAMILY
o
r
HE $IN6$ T
HE DANCES!
Columbia VICTOR GEMS
SUPER short
features that
are the real
doss of the morkef. The greoteit recording
ortistj of the day, oil-outstanding box-office
nomes in a variety of enfertoinmenr
KRAZY KAT
WHO now talks
the language
of the box-office.
Not just a short, but
the program feature
^
COLOR
Sensations
AMAZING single ^<^<^^
' real novelties, ^
not only in sound, but with 100%
natural colors added for the full
value of entertainment.
Screen SNAPSHOTS
IET your audience see
• and hear Hollywood's
favorite stars at work and
atplay. It is the magazine
of filmdom, and the only
one of its kind ... a true
box-office sensation.
^
Disney Silly Symphonies
vj«7 The outstandins sensation of the short subject output.
1^ These cartoons are playins and replaying the best theat-
j^ res in the country. They are featured on the marquees
as the day's attraction.
COLtlMBIA HAS THE SHORTS
BOOK THEM NOW T
Most SensationcI
Industry's
lAblest Producing
Minds To Supervise
New Titan Shorts
World's Finest
Short Product
To Match the
Titan Trademark
Ennd Revolutionary Short
j>roduct Policy Of All Time
rom Radio in 30-31 • • • •
Radio Titan Will Make Gigantic Strides in
the Short Product Arena Next Season . • •
Daring Plans Are Now Sweeping to Com-
pletion . • • Fabulous Resources Are Being
Marshalled • • . For the Presentation of
to Grace the Screens of the World in Short
Subjects . • •
Leadership • . • absolute and supreme • • •
in the Short Feature Field is the Titan Goal
for 30-31.
RECOGNIZED
as
The Industry's Reference Book
Here are a fei^ of the High Spoil
in the Informative and Complete
1930 FILM YEAR BOOK
1. The Ten Best Pictures of 1929.
2. A complete list of Sound Houses in the U.S.A.
3. A Showman's Manual full of exploitation hints.
4. The Foreign Situation thoroughly surveyed.
5. A complete list of Theater Chains.
6. The famous Judge Thacher decisions.
7. What motion picture stocks did during 1929.
8. The complete personnel of all studios.
9. A Technical Text Book covering the industry.
10. The sound situation comprehensively covered.
11. The use of Color and Wide-Film.
12. Complete and accurate production charts. ,
13. The work of Directors, Stars, Writers, etc.
14. Views of leaders of the Industry.
15. A complete buying and accessory guide.
16. Activities of all prominent organizations.
17. Personnel of all industry organizations.
18. Financial statements of all companies.
19. Short Subjects and Players and Directors.
20. Activities of Hays organization.
21. Comprehensive lists of all exchanges.
22. Activities of Academy of M. P. A. & S.
23. Covering of all home office personnel.
24. Re-Equipment section by John Eberson.
and hundreds of other vitalli
interesting tactH.^Jk..^.^.^.^.^j^jk.A
Date.
THE FILM DAILY,
1650 B'way, N. Y. C.
Gentlemen :
Herewith my check for $10.00. Please start
my yearly subscription to The Film Daily Ser-
vice immediately.
Name
Theatre
Street
City State
The FILM YEAR BOOi
IS given
TO ALL YEARL^
SUBSCRIBERS TO THJ
FREE
THE FILM DAILT
Send Your Subscription
NOW
THE
unday, AEril 6, 1930
j2^
DAILY
f) Producing Executives Express Views on Shorts
Comedies Growing
More High-Glass
1 By MACK SENNETT,
(Producer, Mack Sennett Comedies
j More sophistication and less slap-
|:ick, more humor and less horse-
rtJ!ay, and more real comedy and less
Ipugh clowning, are the outstanding
jifferences between the talking short
iltatures and the old-time silent
jiughmakers.
^ Eighteen months of production of
1-talking short features has accom-
lished more for the comedy pro-
ucer and for the exhibitor than 18
ears of effort in making silent com-
dics. It has added to the exhibitor's
atronage a steady clientele of adult
omedy lovers, created a real box
ffice following of ticket-buying pa-
-ons who have learned to look for
leir favorite brands of comedies and
as given the exhibitor another real
nd money-making attraction for his
ill.
To the producer it has made pos-
ible the employment of players of
higher class, the choice of better
tories and the production of real
eature comedies.
ilolor and Wide Screen
in Gartoon Field
By WALT DISNEY,
Producer, "Mickey Mouse"
I believe that the inclusion of color
a cartoon comedies offers great pos-
ibilities for pictorial effects, but
/ould add very little so far as com-
dy is concerned. There are many
roblems in sound yet to be worked
)Ut, and I should like to see this
angle perfected before considering
olor. After all, in a cartoon com-
dy it is laughs and personality that
ount. Color alone will not sustain
ublic interest unless the cartoon it-
^ elf is exceptionally clever and unique
—a good, clever black and white
artoon should hold its own for some
ime to come.
As for the wide screen, its possibil-
ties and advantages are unlimited for
the feature picture, but as yet, _ I
an see no special advantage for its
ise in the production of cartoon corn-
dies.
Featuring Shorts
On two or three occasions recently, when we had poor drawing
synchronized features, we centered our boolong and advertising on
the comedies and did business on the strength of the shorts regard-
less of the mediocre feature.— GEORGE T. SHARP, Garden, Cleve-
land.
Better Technique
In many instances we have
found short subjects far supe-
rior than main features in tech-
nique and general subject con-
tinuity, and we hope the ex-
ample set by the shorts pro-
ducers will stimulate the efforts
of feature makers. — GEORGE
SALLOWS, Metropolitan,
Morgantown, W. Va.
Short Subjects Supply
Demands for Variety
By PHIL REISMAN,
General Sales Manager, Pathe
Through the judicious booking of
short subjects, the successful show-
man secures a variety of screen en-
tertainment that makes a well-
balanced bill. The wise exhibitor
should ask himself: "What am I do-
ing to provide a program that will
entertain the majority of my pa-
trons?" Then he should make a
thorough survey of the available
short product and select his subjects
so that his programs have variety.
Applying the principle to our own
product, Pathe is releasing the great-
est diversity of single reel subjects
in its history. Three kinds of News
are being provided: Sound News,
Disc News and the pioneer silent
Pathe News. To make the newsreel
better entertainment Pathe is offer-
ing new realism through the Color-
tura process.
Pathe is offering six short subject
series and eight different kinds of
two-reel comedies. The single reel-
ers, Pathe Review (Audio, disc and
silent), Talking Topics of the Day,
the Vagabond Adventures, Grant-
land Rice Sportlights, Aesop's Fables
(sound and silent) and Song Sketches,
fit into practically any program.
When the feature is a drama, P'ables
and Topics offer a comedy element;
while the Review, Sportlights and
Vagabond Adventures subjects bal-
ance a comedy feature. Song Sketches
balance any program lacking singing
numbers. Two-reel comedies are al-
ways the complement that makes a
good, balanced bill.
Talker Shorts Attract
Stage Names
By SAM SAX,
In Charge Eastern Vitaphone Studio
The successful short comedy needs
a real story and can no longer depend
upon a loosely strung series of gags,
in the opinion of Sam Sax, in charge
of the Eastern Vitaphone studios.
The talkers have attracted many
stage and feature production favorites
to the short subject field because they
have a greater opportunity to display
their histrionic talents than in the
old silent days, when looks counted
more than ability.
These new faces come as a wel-
come change and the public welcomes
them. The proximity of the Eastern
Vitaphone studios to Broadway has
enabled us to use some of the biggest
stage names m our Vitaphone Varie-
ties. During the past two months
such players as Chester Conklin,
Kuth Etting, Dons Dawson, Joe
l^risco, lieri Lahr, Jack Norworth,
Una ivlunson, James Rennie, Mayo
Methot, James Barton, Eddie Foy,
Jr., Olive Shea, Eddie Buzzell, Fred
Allen, Anna Seymour, Harry Rosen-
thal, Humphrey Bogart, Mary Phil-
lips, Hugh U'Conneil, iom Douglas,
Helen Broderick, Roger Pryor, Spen-
cer iracy, Jean Dixon, Kitty Kelly,
Frank Urth and Ann Codec, Russell
C. Hardy, Josephine Hutchinson and
Jack Osterman, have all appeared in
Vitaphone short subjects.
Most of these pertormers w^re en-
gaged in a Broadway production at
the same time and could spare time
for a two reel picture where it would
have been impossible for them to do
a feature picture. Those appearing
in Vitaphone Varieties are chosen
because they are best fitted to the
part to be hlled and the wide selec-
tion available in New York makes
it an ideal producing center.
Talkers Develop New
Type Director
By MARK SANDRICH,
RKO Director
Among the major changes which
have taken place in the making of
pictures, since the coming of sound,
has been the method of directing.
The old system of calling out direc-
tions now being impossible, a situa-
tion has developed whereby players
and director must be tuned to such
a high pitch of co-ordination that the
slightest gesture will be properly in-
terpreted.
Directors now must have greater
sensitiveness. They must be able
to inspire the best efforts of the play-
ers who, once the cameras start
grinding, are almost entirely on their
own responsibility. No matter how
much time is spent on rehearsal, the
unstudied, natural style of acting
which the screen has always de-
manded, is possible only when the
players feel the presence of a direc-
tor sufficiently to almost anticipate
his direction, and respond perfectly.
It may sound far fetched, but I
sometimes feel that a sort of mental
telepathy has been developed between
director and players as the result of
talkies that will result in much bet-
ter results than could ever have been
possible over the stereotyped system
which formerly prevailed.
Suggestions for Short
Subject Theaters
By E. W. HAMMONS,
President, Educational Pictures
A short subjects program that
should satisfy the diversified tastes
of an audience and provide the es-
sential variety, would consist of com-
edies, newsreels and novelties, with
the time emphasis on the comedies
and newsreels. In the classification
of novelties may be included cartoons,
scenics, short musical acts, etc.
An hour and fifteen minutes of
running time seems the ideal length
for such a program. It is perfect
for the "drop in" trade, consisting of
people who want to spend a little
time pleasantly between appoint-
ments, or who, for other reasons, re-
fuse to sit two hours or more in a
theater. This time also allows for
a good turnover which would make
the sliding scale of 20 to 35 cents
admission permissible. This admis-
sion schedule would be an attractive
one to the patron, and a profitable
one to the exhibitor.
Patrons Like All Kinds,
If They Are Good
By JACK WHITE,
Producer, Jack White Comedies
In our attempt to learn what pa-
trons want in the talking field, we
have made a wide variety of com-
edies, and after studying numerous
reports that we have received, we are
convinced that the public does not
discriminate in favor of any particular
type of comedy, but will support any
pictures that furnish a full quota of
entertainment.
Jack White Talking Comedies have
introduced many innovations in the
shorts field. "Zip Boom Bang" was
the first wild animal comedy pro-
duced in sound and dialog, "Cold
Shivers" the first spook comedy,
"Look Out Below" the initial high
and dizzy sound comedy attempted,
"Hunting the Hunter" the first two-
reel farce comedy in sound and dia-
logue, "Lovers' Delight" the first
domestic comedy, "Hot and How"
the first modernistic farce, and "Dad
Knows Best," a marked departure
for us, was the first sophisticated
drawing room farce we attempted.
Films and Vaude.
I have tried two sound fea-
tures and a silent comedy, and
my patrons complained. I then
changed, and since September
I am running a single feature
with two sound comedies and
a sound news weekly and three
small-time vaudeville acts. My
business has doubled since I
inaugurated this policy. —
JACOB CONN, Conn's, Ol-
neyville, R. I.
"MICKEY'S LUCK"
"This is unquestionably one of the
best kid comedies ever made, and
certainly the best turned out in talker
form should appeal to adults as
well as children of high produc-
tion value, suitable for first run
houses."
Hollywood Daily Screen World
"THEY SHALL NOT PASS OUT"
....Okay for any house. .. .Clicks
from start to finish Handled in
very original manner....
— Variety
"OLD VAMPS FOR NEW"
Class A for any house No ex-
hibitor should hesitate about book-
ing this. ...
— Film Spectator
...can play any house..
-Herald World
....Larry Darmour puts production
values in his RKO two-reelers. . . .As
smooth running and sumptuously
staged a short subject as has been
made this season Not a dull sec-
ond in it.
— Daily Review
lots of laughs and just enough
music to balance things.
— M. P. News
.... audience in near spasm state of
laughter most of time....
— Inside Facts
"MICKEY'S BIG MOMENT"
....kind of comedy young patrons
will hail with delight. .. .plenty to
amuse adults. .. .proved by reactions
of night audience at Globe, New York,
where it is clicking nicely in a two-
a-day spot. . . .
— M. P. News
The printed praise of
filmdom's leading re-
viewers proves the ex-
ceptional quality of
RKO-DARMOUR
COMEDIES
Mickey (Himself) McGuire
Series
H. C. Witwer
Record Breaker Series
LARRY DARMOUR
PRODUCTIONS for
STANDARD CINEMA
CORP.
....created a great deal of merri-
ment... .acted by a clever cast of
youngsters. . . .
—Mordaunt Hall, N. Y. Times
And Photoplay, The National Fan
Magazine, selects "The Setting Son,"
an RKO-Darmour Comedy, for hon-
orable mention in its April issue.
April 6.
'MICKEY'S BIG MOMENT"
. .. .lots of laughs plus a few screams
....Will please anywhere....
— Film Daily
....amusing all the way with enough
laughs for anywhere....
— Variety
"MICKEY'S MASTER MIND"
....a natural for any house. .. .proof
of excellent standard set by Darmour
in the comedy field....
—Herald World
....sure fire on any bill.... an out-
standing juvenile series....
— Film Mercury
"THE SETTING SON"
....a clever fast moving situation
comedy. . . .
— Mercury
....a click comedy short. .. .sure bet
on any screen. . . .
— Variety
"THE SLEEPING CUTIE"
. . . .It's laugli compelling. . . .audience
was laugliing loud and consistently. . .
— Billboard
....one of the best two reel talkers
we have seen. . . .
— Daily Review
Packed with robust laughter....
—Film Daily
Sunday. April 6. 1930
fj^^
DAILY
19
^ Pertinent Sidelights from the Production End ^
Public Develops Taste
for Fact Films
By TERRY RAMSAYE,
Editor-in-Chief Pathe News and
Review
Nearly everyone admits the im-
)ortance of the newsreel and topical
picture. This importance has been
ncreasing year by year and now has
jeen given a great impetus by the
oming of sound.
Looking at certain trends in the
omewhat related art of publication
if the printed word — the book and
iiagazine business— we will discover
,ome interesting parallel evidences,
vhich even more clearly define the
trend because the customer has a
bigger and more direct individual
ote at the book counter than he has
it the box office. In the last five
,'ears the dominant best sellers of
he world have been, and continue
:o be, non-fiction books.
The public has developed a start-
ingly strong taste for facts — enter-
aining facts, of course, but facts just
he same. This is significant of an
qually strong public demand for a
imilar line of screen product,
vhether we call it merchandise or
irt.
Of course, it is good business for
the exhibitor to cash in on such
rends. Never before in the history
if his business of purveying screen
ntertainment has there been so good
line of non-fiction product on the
narket.
Utilizing Color in
Short Subjects
By WILLIAM HOYT PECK,
Vice-President, Colorcraft
The possibilities of color in short
ubjects are tremendous. You can
Jill the theater with a program that
will be astounding. An opening re-
vue with a charming scintillating
Lolor lighting effect, a comedy with
futuristic color lighting, a scenic
ivith sound and color as the master
painted it himself, a lovely Corot
ighting for a delicate triangle situa-
ion, and for the piece de resistance
I stirring Indian or Army story of
apid fire action that will hold them
o their seats with the very vividness
3f its color, the flashing costumes
he charging streaks of color action.
Tabloid Talker House Clicks
Chicago — After a trial period of two months, the Adams, present-
ing all-talker short subject programs under the copyrighted billing
of "Tabloid Talkies," is declared an unmistakable success by M. O.
Wells, manager of the house. Since the new policy was put into
effect on Feb. 10 without a line of newspaper or other advertising,
except a lobby display on the opening day, business has been steadily
on the upgrade and receipts now are twice what they were under
the old policy. The theater caters to office workers, salesmen,
shoppers, etc., who have only an hour or so to kill, and to persons
who have become tired of long features.
A typical program consists of: cartoon, comedy, vaudeville act,
musical comedy, color subject, review, dramatic playlet and news.
and the grandeur of the great out-
doors for a setting — a Remington.
We are building a special instru-
ment which will be known as a re-
cording spectrometer or color an-
alyzer. We found it necessary to de-
velop a special photo-electric cell
with high sensitivity in the visible
part of the spectrum. This cell is
also sensitive in both the infra-red
and ultra-violet regions. For instance,
it will be possible to compare dif-
ferent dyed fabrics so as to select
the proper fabrics that will transmit
the ultra-violet and healing rays of
the sun and at the same time reflect
any of the beautiful colors selected
for next season's fashions.
This instrument will make it pos-
sible for us to check the color values
of al] objects in picture sets when
they are being photographed in color,
enabling us to check our illumination,
establish definite standards in ad-
vance, so all our colored motion pic-
tures will properly photograph and
bring out the original colors of the
sets and costumes.
Short Features in the
World Market
By T. H. SEIDELMAN,
Asst. Gen. Mgr., Foreign Dept.,
Paramount
Animated Cartoons
Rise to New Heights
By CHARLES B. MINTZ,
Producer of "Krazy Kat"
The animated cartoon has under-
gone a metamorphosis. From having
been just a lowly filler or a chaser,
this 600 feet of concentrated film
fun has become an almost indispens-
able part of the program in the finer
theaters today. The only theater,
since the advent of sound, that
doesn't exhibit an animated cartoon
now is the theater that can't get one!
The animated cartoon has particu-
larly adapted itself to music and
sound and, in some instances, even to
talk and song. The study of the car-
ton, which has gone from the stage
of a novelty to a sure-fire comedy,
has given us undreamed-of opportun-
ities for making an audience laugh.
Of course, the work and, there-
fore, the cost of production has in-
creased threefold. Where we form-
erly were able to make an animated
cartoon subject in two weeks with
12 artists working, we must now
keep stepping in order to turn out
that same length picture in four
weeks with 18 artists at work.
Real Wildcat
Don Hancock and Joe Riv-
kin of Pathe pulled a good one
when they found an honest-to-
goodness wildcat and put it in
the lobby of the Globe, New
York when the Grantland Rice
sportlight, "A Feline Fighter,"
was shown there. Extra cops
kept the traffic moving.
The most active demand for short
features from abroad at present is
for subjects of a musical nature.
Selections from the operas, classical
compositions and popular music
always possess an international ap-
peal and are finding an important
place in the programs of the leading
theaters throughout the world. Para-
mount has made many of these short
features in recent months and their
demonstrated universal box-office ap-
peal will keep them on the short fea-
tures program permanently.
There is, of course, a tremendous
interest in short sound and talking
pictures made in the more important
languages, such as Spanish. French,
Portuguese, German. Swedish, Ital-
ian, and, while this market is more
local in character, it is an important
one. As an illustration, Soanish is
spoken in 21 countries, while all of
the more important languages are
spoken or understood by many mil-
lions of people, and these various
markets represent important items in
the export trade.
Action Is Essence
of Comedies
By MONTE BRICE,
RKO Director
The very essence of short comedies
being action, too much attention to
story is apt to retard the pace. A
properly constructed series of gags
can put over a story just as tellingly
as a set form and, more often, with
greater effect. After people have
concentrated on a feature picture for
an hour or more, they instinctively
look to the short subject for re-
laxation. They are tired of living
over someone else's problems and
want to sit on the sidelines and
laugh. Anvwav, noted psvchologists
sav that 25 minutes is the limit of
concentration and, after that time,
there is bound to be a letdown.
That is where the short comedy
serves its most important function
in refreshing the minds of the audi-
ence so that they will not be too
tired to concentrate on the story told
bv the feature attraction.
Shorts Are Climbing
Toward Top
By GRANT L. COOK,
Executive Vice-Pres., Tiffany
With the ever-increasing popularity
of talking and sound pictures, the
short subject is rapidly climbing to-
ward the top of the ladder of impor-
tance. Should anyone by inclined to
belittle short subjects, let him answer
this question: "Where would we be
without them?"
Douglas Fairbanks got his start on
the screen- in short subjects. So did
Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Gloria Swan-
son and many others. In the field of
talking pictures, the short subject is
to the screen what the vaudeville
sketch or playlet is to the stage, or
the short story to literature.
Therefore, with dialogue and mu-
sic, the short subject is absolutely
indispensable. Tifl^any at present is
interested in several series of short
subjects, including Color Symphonies,
one-reel talking and musical num-
bers; The Voice of Hollywood, one-
reel subjects giving fans an informal
glimpse of film players; Forbes Ran-
dolph Kentucky Singers, two-reelers
filled with folk singing, dancing and
comedy, and other shorts yet to be
announced.
Short subjects should not be turned
out with the idea that they are to be
program fillers, but to furnish a high
grade of entertainment. Put the
shorts in the de luxe class and they
will bring de luxe returns. We have
faith in short subjects and we are
ready to back up that faith with
action.
L
Expense No Object
An example of the enormous
expense incurred by newsreel
companies to score a scoop on
news shots was indicated last
Thursday when Paramount
had special pictures of the ar-
rival of Rear Admiral Richard
E. Byrd and his party in New
Zealand rushed to New York
for immediate showing in
Broadway houses. Returning
to civilization after IS months
in the polar regions. Para-
mount's sound news camera-
men with the Byrd party
dashed aboard a steamer for
the Pacific side of the Panama
Canal. Then the pictures
were rushed to the Atlantic
side of the Canal at Colon by
seaplane. From there the
prints were rushed by plane on
the 3,000-mile trip to their U.
S. destination. "They arrived
at Newark, N. J. at 3 p. m.
Wednesday afternoon and were
shown in the theaters Thurs-
day.
In the Of ring
AM Exhibitor's
^«» ««» 4«a»
E^HCy SJEMOUSJLY
TU1RMS TO TBOUeHTS
OF
1D
WTHE
spring is here! And with it lazy reflections on the exhibitor's hard life. Poor feller, he has to pick a short subject program. But are
Pathe's customers unhappy over the prospect? Well, look at the exhibitor above. He knows that he's getting 52 ALL-TALKING
COMEDIES; steady old PAT Hi SOUND NEWS, produced also on disc and in silent; that unique screen ivhimsy, PATHE AUDIO
REVIEW, available too on disc and silent; the one and only GRANTLAND RICE SPORTLIGHTS, (on disc too), more popular than
ever; the brand-new VAGABOND ADVENTURE SERIES, (on disc too), dramatically enacted in quaint foreign lands, the ultra-
successful %QH(9 SKETCHES, (on disc too) , dramatized musical favorites ; that uproarious cartoon, AESOP'S SOUND FABLES,
also on disc and silent : and the new wit-and-humor of the screen, TALKING TOPICS OF THE DAY, (on disc too). Yes sir. no wonder
the old boy's grinning. That's a program to lick your chops over on a balmy Spring day, ivith the Rooster crowmg. "It's all Pathi'''
SHORT SUBJECT
THE
22
-e&^
DAILV
wmmmimmtmmmm
Sunday, April 6, 1930
AUDIO n IS ACTIVE
IN EASTERN SHORTS FIELD
Audio Cinema, one of the newer
companies engaged in Eastern shorts
production, has its studio in Long
Island City now operating at full ca-
pacity. In addition to a series of
comedy-dramas built around the
cliaracter of "Sheriff Crumpett" and
another series featuring, the Bruce
Bairnsfather character, "Old Bill,"
and 26 "Terry-Toon Cartoon Novel-
ties," are being made for release by
Educational.
All prodtiction is under the super-
vision of Joe E. Coffman, president.
Frank Goldman, secretary-treasurer,
is head of the industrial production
department, turning out short sub-
jects for the major advertisers. The
cartoon department is in charge of
Paul Terry, while Montrose Newman
acts as business manager.
Hearst Metrotone News
Has 65 Recording Units
More than 65 recording units lo-
cated throughout the world now are
gathering material for Hearst Met-
rotone News, the M-G-M office
states. Since it was established
seven months ago, this twice weekly
newsreel service has shown pictures
from 24 foreign countries in addition
to Canada and the U. S.
Newsreels Draw
Drawing power of the news-
reel theater is indicated by the
reported attendance figures of
the Embassy in New York,
which is understood to be ad-
mitting about 40,000 customers
a week, or a daily average of
nearly 6,000. Programs for this
house are specially edited and
include a number of local
events each week. More than
135 shows are given weekly.
Fowler Varieties Booked
For Colony, New York
Fowler Varieties, one reel talker
shorts consisting of diversified en-
tertainment of the vaudeville type,
have been booked by the Colony,
New York, with the first subject
being shown on the current week's
bill. These shorts are made at the
Fowler Studios in Hollywood. Ted
Toddy is territorial representative in
New York and New Jersey, with
headquarters in New York City.
Makes Grandstand Play
for St. Louis Kid Patronage
St. Louis — A grandstand play for
kid attendance at the Sunday after-
noon shows is being made by the
owner of the Southampton. Chil-
dren attending these performances
are given yoyo tops free and the
give-away idea is ffoing over in a big
wav with the minors.
QUALITY SHORTS NEEDED
TOR TABLOID THEATERS
Success of the tabloid picture the-
ater depends primarily on the sup-
ply of quality shorts, according to
William Stoermer, of Colorcraft, who
has given long and careful thought
to the subject. "A few years ago, in
conversation with one of the big ex-
ploitation men of the industry, I ad-
vanced the thought that sooner or
later somebody would start a theater
solely for short subjects," Stoermer
says. "This has now come about.
The public for vears has supported
the bright, snappy, varied tabloid
productions in vaudeville, conse-
([uently there must be a clientele for
tabloid pictures as well.
"The audience in the newsreel
theaters are just as enthusiastic as
those who .go to the feature and just
as critical and thirsty for entertain-
ment. But — and there is a but in
this — we must make real shorts
Shorts that are attractions, shorts
that are varied in entertainment form
■ — drama, comedy, scenic — above all
varied entertainment. Not photo-
graphs of vaudeville acts that lose
through their method of presentation.
Not hastily thrown togeher imitation
revues and so-called comedies of the
vintage of 1910 with sound and bad
voices and worse music thrown in
so as to get by as sound pictures.
"Nothing of this kind will satisfy
the venturous spirit who opens and
Stripes and Tastes
Baltimore — Good film sub-
jects are desired by patrons in-
side of prisons as well as those
outside, states Patrick J.
Brady, warden of the Maryland
Penitentiary. His observations
of the inmates when viewing
underworld films are that the
honest person is given more
applause than the crook in the
same cast.
conducts a picture variety house for
tabloids. He will want sufficient va-
riety of entertainment shorts to be
able to balance his program just as
the high-class manager of vaudeville
balances his bill. And, in order to
get such variety, he will have to call
on the producer of this type of at-
traction to produce for him high-
class productions using all the artist-
ry, al the effects, all the tools of the
full length feature. He will have to
have well written stories, well cast
players and well photographed pic-
tures. He will have to resort to
everything to sell his wares that the
so-called big producer uses to sell
his. By that I mean fine natural
color and excellent lighting effects,
with good prints that dont hurt the
eyes of his auditors and spectators.
He must not go on the theory that
it is just a short and anything will
do. If the print is out of registra-
tion or too dense or the color badly
reproduced, it won't get by just be-
cause it is color."
MASTER ART PRODUCTIONS
Announces a Series of Short Subjects
to be produced exclusively in the
HARRISCOLOR PROCESS
MASTER ART PRODUCTIONS
RAY BOSWELL, President
1040-McCADDEN PLACE
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA
I
THE
Sunday, April 6. 1930
DAILV
23
"Flip's'* Debut
"Flip the Frog," the new
cartoon creation produced per-
sonally by UB. Iwerks for dis-
tribution through Celebrity, is
due to make its debut in April.
The series will consist of 12
synchronized sound cartoons,
to be released at the rate of one
a month. "Fiddlesticks" is the
title of the first subject.
OVERTURE SERIES ADDED
TO EITZPATRICK LINEyP
A new group of shorts, known as
he International Overture Series,
las been added to the diversified list
3f product being put out by FitzPat-
-ick Pictures. The latest series will
:omprise six releases in 1930. In
;onjunction with the six Music Mas-
er Series this will make a total of
12 musical films. All of the Over-
;ures will be sound-on-film and
^ound-on-disc with orchestral and
vocal music. The Music Masters
ilso have sound on both film and disc,
ind are available in silent editions.
FitzPatrick also is producing a
special one-reel all-Technicolor pic-
ure, "Mary's Little Lamb," based
)n the popular childhood fable, with
I cast that includes a small commun-
ty of children frolicking to a medley
if familiar nursery tunes. This will
)e sound-on-disc only. In the Amer-
can Holiday Series for the rest of
his year are "Mother's Day," "Me-
'uorial Day," "Independence Day,"
'Labor Day," "Christopher Colum-
)us," "Armistice Day," "Thanksgiv-
ng" and "The Origin of Christmas."
These are sound-on-disc only, except
'Labor Day," which is both disc and
film.
A monthly issue of the Movie
Horoscope Series also will be con-
dnued through the year. All of these
eleases have sound on both film and
disc, and the group is all-talking
with the exception of the August
ssue, which has part dialogue and
Technicolor scenes.
New- releases in the Traveltalk
Series are in course of production by
James FitzPatrick, who is making
in extended tour of the globe. These
subjects have sound on film and disc.
With a voice and musical background.
10 More Newspapers Join
Universal Newsreel List
With the addition of 10 new pub-
'lications, total newspapers in the
jUniversal newspaper Talking News-
reel combine is now 60. Latest addi-
jtions are: "Times-Picayune," New
Orleans; "Arkansas Gazette," Little
!Rock; "Raleight News and Obser-
jver," the "Tampa Tribune," The
"Miami Daily News," The "Durham
Herald," the "Durham Sun," the
"Chattanooga News," the "Knoxville
JournaT' and the "Asheville Citizen."
22 Educationals on the Way
To Complete Current Lineup
To complete the current schedule,
running to about the middle of July,
Educational has 22 comedies on the
way. In the group are "Honeymoon
Zeppelin," "Radio Kisses" and eight
untitled Mack Sennett talking com-
edies; four Lloyd Hamilton talking
comedies, "Follow the Swallow,"
"Good Morning Sheriff," "Honk
Your Horn" and an untitled pic-
ture; one Jack White talking com-
edy, "Hail the Princess"; three Mer-
maid talking comedies, "Western
Knights," "Peace and Harmony" and
"How's My Baby?"; two Tuxedo
talking comedies, "Bitter Friends"
and "French Kisses," and 10 Terry-
Toons, "Indian Pudding," "Roman
Punch" and eight not yet titled.
All of the subjects will have sound
on disc and on film. The Terry-
Toons are one-reelers and all the
others are in two reels.
Other Educationals since January
include four Sennet talkers, "Scotch,"
"Sugar Plum Papa," "Bulls and
Bears" and "He Trumped Her Ace";
a Sennett special, "Match I'lay" two
Lloyd Hamiltons, "Camera Shy" and
"Polished Ivory"; three Jack White
talkers, "Hot and How," "Oh Dar-
ling!" and "Dad Knows Best"; one
Mermaid, "The Big Jewel Case"; two
Tuxedos, "Drumming It In" and
"Trouble for Two," and three Terry-
Toons, "Caviar," "Hot Turkey" and
"Pretzels."
135 Shorts in Seven Groups
Are Coming from Columbia
Seven groups of shorts, represent-
ing 135 single-reel novelties, each of
which is either all-talking or syn-
chronized, are scheduled for release
by Columbia during the year. The
diversified program, selected with a
view to presenting outstanding ex-
amples of the various forms of screen
entertainment, covers practically the
entire range of novelties in vogue to-
day. A tabulation of the subjects
shows the following lineup:
Columbia-\''ictor Gems (sound) 26
Phgtocolor Sen^tions (sound) 26
Screen Snapshots (sound) 26
Kiazy Kat (sound) 13
Disney Silly Symphonies (sound)... 13
Mickey Mouse (sound) 15
Curiosities (sound) 13
The "Screen Snapshots" are re-
leased bi-weekly and have been in
existence 10 years. They form the
newspaper of film land and are com-
parable to newsreels except that they
deal only with events pertaining to
screen players.
As a companion release Columbia
has selected "Curiosities," which are
released at the rate of one a month.
This is midway between a screen
magazine and a revue. They present
a wide variety of subjects of unusual
character and are elaborated with a
facetious talk explaining the various
sequences.
The new development in entertain-
ment is the Columbia-Victor Gems,
released bi-weekly. These present the
stars of musical comedy, vaudeville
and the concert hall in their foremost
features. In addition the long list of
Vctor talking machne artists also are
presented in the Columbia-Victor
Gems. Each release is different from
the preceding in nature and presenta-
tion. They include miniature musical
comedies, revues, dramatic sketches,
marionettes, dancing acts, vaudeville
teams and variety programs. The
latest are Tony Sarg's "Marionettes,"
"Spike Speaks," "Hawaiians," and
"Stage Door Knights" with Buddy
Doyle.
In natural colors Columbia is pre-
senting the Photocolor Sensations, a
series of musical comedies photo-
graphed in natural colors by the
Photocolor method. Twenty-six of
these are being released during the
year, the most recent being "Alpine
Love Call" and "South Sea Inter-
lude."
A series of fantasies in pen and ink
is entitled "Disney i Silly Sympho-
nies." There are 13 of these scheduled.
"Autumn" and "Cannibal Capers"
are the latest.
The "Krazy Kat Kartoons," pro-
duced by the Winkler Studios, from
another series of 13 animated car-
toons. These are released alternately
with the "Silly Symphonies." "Desert
Sunk" and "An Old Flame" are
now ready for release.
Columbia recently added another
series of cartoons, the "Mickey
Mouse" releases, also produced by
the Walter Disney Studio. Eighteen
of the "Mickey Mouse" novelties are
scheduled for the year.
Shorts Oust Road Shows
Because the ability of the performers in shorts usually is so far
ahead of the small traveling shows and we can give the public so
much more variety with film novelties, we have been able to get
along without road attractions this year by booking short subjects.
—EDWARDS, East Hampton, N. Y.
Trailers on Coolers
A series of trailers designed
to exploit the cooling systems
in theaters as a hot weather
drawing card has been prepar-
ed by the Acme Film Co. In
order to put the message across
effectively, the trailers have
been made entertaining as well
as educational.
FEWER, BETTER SHORTS
INEW UNIVERSAL POUCY
Although the exact number of
short subjects to be produced by Uni-
versal for 1930-31 has not been de-
termined, the company has decided
upon a new policy of fewer and bet-
ter pictures, in line with a similar
policy adopted on feature produc-
tions. Among the plans already set
is the George Sidney-Charlie Murray
series, to be done along the lines of
the "Collegians" and "Leather Push-
er" seres. It is Universal's intention
to produce its pictures on a scale that
will make them attractive for first-
run houses.
Mack Sennett's Contract
Extended by Educational
Mack Sennett's producing-distrib-
uting arrangement with Educational
Pictures has been extended for a
long term, it is announced by E. W.
Hammons. The first of the original
series of 20 Sennett all-talking com-
edies was released in December, 1928,
and this marked Educational's entry
itito the sound field. Following the
big success of the pictures, the orig-
inal number was increased from 20
to 30. Sennett personally has been
at the helm of his production outfit
and is directly responsible for the di-
rection of the greater number of his
comedies. He recently acquired the
services of A. Leslie Pearce, who will
continue to work with him through-
out the year.
3 Series Already Set
by Advance Trailer
Among the product already set by
Advance Trailer Service for 1930 re-
lease are the following three series:
Synchro Song Films, 52 subjects, re-
leased weekly on film and disc;
Master of Ceremonies, 52 subjects,
released weekly on film and disc, and
Master of Ceremonies Jubilee Show,
12 subjects, released monthly on film
and disc.
Photocolor Is Making
Three Series of Shorts
In addition to the "Sensations" for
release by Columbia, Photocolor is
making a series known as "Presenta-
tions" and a cartoon series, all with
sound on both film and disc.
THE
24
■c&ai
DAILY
Sunday, April 6, 1931
Idea Copyrighted
Chicago — A copyright on
"Tabloid Talkies" has been ob-
tained by M. O. Wells, man-
ager of the Adams, short sub-
jects theater which was open-
ed Feb. 10 and reports doing
about double its former busi-
ness under the new policy.
SENNEn CITES CHANGES
IN PRODUCTION SYSTEM
A striking example of the extent
to which sound has changed the sys-
tem of short comedy producing is
cited by Mack Sennett in connection
with "Honeymoon Zeppelin," Edu-
cational-Sennett talker. Ten weeks
of preparation and two weeks of ac-
tual shooting and editing were nec-
essary to complete this short feature.
"We used to take a company into
the park, or down to the beac^, and
make up our stories as we went
along. Now it takes us from six
weeks to two months to perfect a
story," says Sennett. "In the old
days we would get an idea for a
'beach' story, or a 'park' story,
scratch a few words of the plot on
a piece of paper, go to the chosen
location, and make up our comedy
as we went along. Today, with talk-
ing pictures, that procedure would
be impossible. A staff of writers is
regularly employed at the Sennett
Studios. Their sole business is to
write comedy stories. After a plot
is finally selected^ dialogue must be
written. This is far from a simple
task, for the dialogue must tell the
story, quickly, concisely, and the dia-
logue itself must be funny. The dia-
logue must be 'measured' so that
there is not much room nor too lit-
tle for the footage desired in the fin-
ished picture, because of the diffi-
culty in cutting a modern talking
picture.
"Occasionally we have a subject
that presents even more than the av-
erage problems. For example, in the
special comedy, 'Match Play,' in
which two of the world's golf
champs, Leo Diegel and Walter Ha-
gen, were co-starred, certain of their
shots had to be explained before
they were made.
"When the story and dialogue are
finally in shape, the complete scenario
is typed in multiple and each player
gets a copy. Then we rehearse for
at least a week before shooting starts.
These rehearsals are held on the
completed sets, and a careful check
is taken on the running time of each
scene. If there is too much time
for the desired length of the picture,
dialogue and action are changed to
give us exactly the screen running
time desired.
"Every word of the dialogue is
considered before it is accepted. Is it
a word that everyone will under-
stand? Does it entirely fit the sit-
uation? Is there a shorter word?
Sentences also undergo the same in-
spection. When everything is sat-
isfactory, actual shooting starts."
Both Vitaphone Studios
Working At Full Speed
Both East and West Coast studios
of Warner Bros, are working full
steam ahead on the production of
Vitaphone Varieties for the coming
montlis. An average ot eight of these
short reel productions a week is con-
sistently maintained.
A leature of the luture productions
lb the series of 20 musical Vitaphone
Varieties in technicolor, a number
ot wiiich have already been made
under the direction ot Roy Mack,
Jack Haskell and Larry Ceballos.
Among these will be "Girls We Re-
member," with the College Quartette,
the De Marcos, the Aherns, Mazie
Maylair and a chorus of 50 girls and
boys, and Lotti Loder, "the girl from
Vienna," in "Lonely Gigolo," with
a large cast. 1 welve of the one-reel
technicolor musical productions will
feature the Vitaphone Kiddies, who
already have been seen in "A Holiday
in Storyland," "Bubbles" and other
natural color short reel pictures.
I he series of Potters comedies,
from J. P. McEvoy's newspaper syn-
dicated stories, will be continued until
12 have been produced. Coming num-
bers in this series, directed by Bryan
Foy, are The Potters in "Pa Gets
a Vacation," the Potters in "Big
Money" and The Potters in "Out
For Game."
Robert L. Ripley, whose cartoons
of queer news events and oddities
of all kinds "Believe It Or Not," are
syndicated in 250 daily newspapers
throughout the country, will make a
series of Vitaphone Varieties under
the title he has already made famous
in his syndicated drawing and in his
books. Photography on the first of
the series has just been completed
under the direction of Murray Roth.
A contract has been signed with
the famous musical comedy star and
producer, Lew Fields, for a series of
Vitaphone Varieties having a musical
setting. Preparation for the first
of these is now under way.
A series of Vitaphone Varieties
told in rhyme and in dance will be
made under the direction of George
Hale, stager of musical comedy and
dramatic productions, of which
"Strike Up the Band" and "Heads
Up" are recent examples, will be
made. The first of the series has
just been filmed under the title "Of-
hce Steps," with a cast including
tlarry McNaughton, the Phelps
twins, Billy Reed and Lou Duthers,
jacK ihonipson and Gertrude Mc-
uonald, with a score ot charming
chorus beauties.
Eddie Buzzell is also making a
series of Vitaphone Varieties com-
edies, supported by popular players
recruited trom the Broadway stage,
une ot these, "Hello ihar,' has al-
ready been shown. "Keeping Com-
pany" and "The Royal Fourtlusher'
are the second and third productions
ui the series.
Bert Lahr, comedian of "Hold
l:,verythmg" on the stage, has been
engaged lor a series of short reel
pictures, the first of which is "Faint
Heart" in which he is supported by
Bobbe Arnst, also of the musical
comedy stage.
Stories recently have been pur-
chased from three famous authors for
future Vitaphone Varieties. These
authors are Ring Lardner, Porter
Emerson Browne and Guy Bolton.
Among other forthcoming Vita-
phone Varieties are "The Eternal
iriangle" with Lillian Rich, Wynd-
liam Standing and Armand Kaliz;
Bobby Vernon in "Cry Baby"; Lit-
tle Billy in "No Questions Asked";
"Bridal Night" with Johnny Arthur
and Charlotte Merriani; "Modern
Business" in technicolor, with music
and lyrics by M. K. Jerome and
Harold Berg; "Her Relatives" with
Neeley Edwards; Eddie Foy, Jr., in
a two-reel musical comedy, "A Good
Mixer"; "Poor Fish,'i with Stanley
Ridges, Hobart Cavanaugh, Natalie
Schafer and others, and "The Col-
legiate Alodel" with Ona Munson,
Roger Pryor and Harry Rosenthal.
Cutting *Em Short
Windsor, Ont. — The Can-
adian Gov't has been asked by
the Canadian Legion to cancel
licenses of theaters where
Communists are permitted to
conduct meetings in the Do-
minion.
Stanley Houses in N. J.
Book Pathe Sound News
Eight of the Stanley houses in New
Jersey have booked the Pathe Sound
News. The theaters are: Rialto,
Newark; Fabian, Fabian, Paterson;
Regent, Elizabeth; Claridge, Mont-
clair; Capitol, Belleville; Montauk,
Passaic; Union. Union, and Castle,
Irvington.
The silent news goes into the Lin-
coln, Union City; Central, Jersey
City, and Stanley, Jersey City.
42 SHORTS ALREADY SET
BY TIEEANY EOR I93t
Forty-two subjects have been se
for Tiffany's 1930 program of shorts
with others expected to be addec
lated. The list as it now stands in-
cludes 26 issues of "The Voice o:
Hollywood"; 12 "Color Symphonies,'
and six of the Forbes Randolph Ken-
tucky Singers issues in two reels
"The Voice of Hollywood," one-
reeler, in which a master of cere-
monies introduces filni celebrities,
has been booked on the Loew ano
Publi.x circuits and is being shown
at the Gaiety in New York. This
short has a fan angle in that film
patrons may write in to Louif
Lewyn, producer of the series, and
name any players they desire to see
and hear in these pictures. Lewyn
then arranges for the appearance of
the actors.
Sees Comeback of Drama Shorts
Short subjects with a strong flavor of drama are due for a great
revival, in the opinion of Bradley Barker, director. "This is primarily
due to the flood of singing and dancing features brought in by sound,
thereby crowding out dramatic features, which were formerly in
the majority.
"Exhibitors need shorts that will contribute the element of drama
so necessary to a well balanced program which is bound to result
in a demand for dramatic one and two reelers of which there are
not nearly enough now being made to meet the market which exists."
Installing Coloratura
in Jersey City Lab
New installations of the Colora^
tura process printing and developingi
machines, for making Pathe Soundi
News in natural color at the same
speed achieved with black and whitei
films, are being made at the Jersey
City laboratories of Pathe, under th<.i
supervision of Charles De Moos.
This process is made possible bj
some sppcial developments in both
negative and positive raw stock, ai 1
achievement of the Dupont-Pathe;
film laboratories working in coopera-'
tion with the Pathe camera experts.,
All special filtering devices and com-i
plexities of prisms in the optical sys-:
tern which so complicate some proc-:
esses have been eliminated, fitting!
the new Coloratura cameras for the
hit-and-run methods and hasty op-
erations necessary to the picturing of
news.
The Coloratura process was
brought to a standard of practicality
under the supervision of Stuart W.
Webb and Terry Ramsaye, of the
Pathe executive staff. Pathe now
has a big battery of new Coloratura
cameras in process of cojistruction,
according to Ramsaye, with certain
modifications suggested by the ex-
perience of the units now in the
field. The Coloratura process works
in synchronism with the standard
RCA Photophone recorders.
Clown Exploitation Stunt
Syracuse — "Smilin' Mack," radio
and night club entertainer is doing a
series of clown and mechanical man
stunts for the Syracuse.
RCAniotophffl
To introduce the curved gate
Insuring smooth reproduction, elim-
inating scratches, gear and sprocket
tooth flutter and stoppage due to
buckling of film.
To adopt change-over switch
For instantaneous changing froi
one projector to another. •• ■>
To employ Caesium photo-electric cell
Insuring long life and dependability,
quiet in operation and requiring no photo-
electric cell amplifier mounted on
projector.
To utilize dynamic cone loud speaker,
with dirmctlonal baffles. Establishing unsurpassed
fidelity of sound reproduction and insuring
effective sound distribution to all parts of the
theatre. Also eliminating stage batteries for
loud speaker field excitation.
To offer motor generator operation for
small theatres
Eliminating all storage batteries and battery
charging equipment.
^#' \ To abandon variable speed control
Thereby decreasing cost, simplifying operation
and insuring projection at proper speed. • '
To utilize standard Radiotron tubes
A tube superior to all at a low cost.
to make it possible for the small theatre
owner to install the finest sound equipment
at a price he can aflTord to pay.
Ixm B oik: Office
^^lUime Because It
SatisfiicUonI
Today, more than ever before, the patron of the
motion picture theatre demands "sound satisfac-
tion," and the installation of RCA Photophone sound
reproducing equipment is the exhibitor's best guar-
antee of sound reproduction of the highest quality*
The trend nationally and internationally is toMard
RCA Photophone!
Back of every installation made by RCA Photo-
phone, Inc, lies the unmatched prestige of the
world^s foremost electrical engineering organiza-
tions and their strength and stability are reflected
in the performance of RCA Photophone sound re-
producing equipmenL
SMALL THEATRE TYPE A. C EQVIPMENT
FOR SIMPLEX PROJECTORS
SOUND ON FILM AND DISC
FOR THEATRES UP TO l.OOO CAPACiTV
*2995°°
(Deferred Payment Plan for best
equipment available)
RCA PHOTOPHONE, INC.
Elxecutive and Commercial Office*
41 1 Fifth Avenue, New York City
Installation and Service Department
438 W. 37th Street, New York City
United States Branch Offices
Albuy, N. Y Sute and Eaflo Sis.
AlUnM, Ca 101 Muietu Si.
Bovlon, MsM Room 706 Sutler Office BIdg., 20 ProTidrnce Si.
CUc««n, III 100 W. Monror St.
aeveUnd. Ohio Suite 203 FUni BIdg.
Dallu, Texa* Room 824 I TOO rommrrre St.
Deaver. Colo Rootn 1014 V. S. National Bank BIdg.
Detroit. Mich Suite 603 Fox Theatre BIdg.
Kaiuaa City. Mo 1717 W)-andotte St.
Los Angele*, Calif. 81 1 Hollpvood Bank BIdg.
Philadelphia, Pa. 261 North Bruad St.
Pittsburgh, Pa. William Prnn Hotel
San I'raueiseo. Calif. .... Room 2012 Russ BIdg., 23S Montgomery Si.
Seattle, Wash. . Suite 506 Orpheum Theatre BIdg.
Waahlugton, D. C 1910 K St. N.W.
Sunday, April 6, 1930
—JXI^
DAILV
27
Sounds New, But —
Ottawa — A local neighbor-
hood exhibitor who plans the
installation of enlarged pic-
tures has displayed a notice
that a "microscopic screen"
will be installed in his theater.
Another proprietor has the fol-
lowing sign in the front of his
house: "Home of silent, sooth-
ing pictures."
NTERNAT'L PHOTO PUY
ANNOUNCES 18 SUBJECTS
Eighteen subjects of varied descrip-
ion are announced by Internatonal
'hoto Play Distributors for release
n the remainder of 1930. In the
roup are three of the one-reel Ma-
ionette series; Teddy Brown and
His Band, one reel; "A Night in
Dixie," with Abbie Mitchell and
ohnny Hudgins, two reels; "Mr.
imith Wakes Up," with Moore Mar-
tett and Barbara Gott, two reels;
adio Franks and Four Bachelors,
>ne-reel song subject; "The Miser,"
vith Bransby Williams, one reel; Nora
Blaney in two one-reel song offer-
ngs; "Acci-Dental Treatment," two
eels, Clyde Doerr and His Saxo-
jhone Sextette, one reel; Sissle and
Blake and Abbie Mitchell, one reel
singing sketch; "Hoak," with Fraw-
iey and Smith, one reel; "Feed the
Brute," animal picture in sound, one
eel; "When the Clock Struck 12,"
vith Niles Welch, two reels; "Jus-
;ice," two reels, and "Little Journeys
n Songland," novelty song series, one
eel.
Evelyn Knapp for Features
Evelyn Knapp, who has appeared
n a number of Vitaphone Varieties,
soon will play a part in a feature
production, it is announced by the
Warner offices.
13 "Curiosities"
Walter A. Futter announces that
he will make 13 "Curiosities" in
sound for his 1930 program.
Cooperative ad on Pathg's "Sportlights"
Pathe Launches Activity
On Its Biggest Program
Pathe has started work on the big-
gest shorts program in its long career.
I'he lineup includes 322 short sub-
jects, in addition to 256 newsreel
issues, making a total of 578 issues
of wide variety for release in the
1930-31 season. In the list are the
following:
Two reel comedies (52), in the fol-
lowing eight brands: Checker Com-
edies, which proved popular last sea-
son; Manhattan Comedies, a more
sophisticated type of farce; Melody
Comedies, in which music will be
featured; Campus Comedies, treating
on college life; Follies Comedies,
which are planned as short, snappy
revues; Rodeo Comedies, which will
be western in idea and background;
Rainbow Comedies, to be made en-
tirely in color, and Whoopee Com-
edies, which are to be musical and
novelty features in miniature.
Newsreels (250) : Pathe Sound
News, 104 issues; Pathe Disc News,
52 issues; Pathe News, 104 issues.
Coloratura natural color process is
being used for the Sound News
stories.
Novelty reels with dialogue, spe-
cial music and color (156): Pathe
Audio Review, 52 issues, and Pathe
Disc Review, 52 issues; Silent nov-
elty reel, Pathe Review, 52 issues.
Pathechrome process is used for
color stories in these subjects.
Animated cartoon comedies (52) :
Aesop's Sound Fables, 26 issues;
Aesop's Silent Fables, 26 issues. Pro-
duced by the Van Beuren Corpora-
tion.
Personal travel pictures (26) : re-
leased in the Vagabond Adventure
series, featuring Tom Terris as the
Vagabond director, produced by Van
Beuren.
Sports reels: 26 releases of the
Grantland Rice Sportlights produced
by Jack Eaton for the Van Beuren
Corporation.
Song subjects: six releases of the
Song Sketches directed by Oscar
Lund for the Van Beuren Corpora-
tion.
Press humor: 26 issues of Talking
Topics of the Day offering drama-
tized humor selected from the press
of the world.
All of the 52 two-reel comedies
planned by Pathe for 1930-31 will be
made at the West Coast Studios, it
is announced by E. B. Derr. Facili-
ties for this purpose are now being
rushed to completion.
William Woolfenden is supervisor
of scenarios and Josiah Zuro is super-
vising the music. Fve directors are
now at work. They are Arch Heath,
Robert De Lacy, Fred Guiol, Wal-
lace Fox and Monte Carter. Carter
is to direct two-reel musical comedies.
Robert Fellows and Al Smiley are
the assistant directors. Charles
Younger is in charge of sound re-
cording and John Mescall is chief
cameraman.
Writers include George O'Neil,
John Cantwell, Luther Jantis, Dan
Kusell, Sam Lewis, Ray Hodgdon,
Hugh Cummings, Guy Voyer, Walter
De Leon, J. Keirn Brennon, Betty
Scott and Frank Davis. Song writ-
ers who are contributing numbers to
the short feature comedies are Ted
Snyder, Henry Sullivan, Mack Gor-
don, Abner Silver, George Green and
Mort Harris.
The general studio staff includes
Harvey Leavitt, studio superintend-
ent; Charles Sullivan, studio mana-
ger; John Rohlfs, studio executive;
L. E. Clark, chief sound engineer;
Carrol Clark, art director, and Ted
Dickson, set dressing and properties.
FitzPatrick Hits China
in World Travelog Tour
James A. FitzPatrick, who started
out in January on a travelog tour
around the world on the S. S. Colum-
bus, has cabled his arrival in China,
where he will obtain views of the
country's high spots. FitzPatrick to
date has visited the Madeira Islands,
Gibraltar, Algeria, Italy, Egypt,
India, Ceylon, Java, Singapore, Siam
and the Philippines. His scheduled
itinerary also includes Korea, Japan,
the Hawaiian Islands, California,
Panama and Havana, before return-
ing to New York about the middle of
May. The material being acquired
will be included in future releases of
the Traveltalk Series of short sub-
jects which was started by FitzPat-
rick with four films on Spain.
Teaching Workers
Teaching mass production methods to workmen in for-
eign lands by means of commercial films is working out
with marked success for the General Motors Corp. accord-
ing to James D. Mooney, president of the export division
of the company, in a statement to Visugraphic Pictures.
Through the instructional medium of these pictures it is
possible for the turbaned mechanic in Bombay to fasten a
bolt through chassis frame and body with the same ma-
chine, the same speed, and the same precision as the work-
man in Berlin or Detroit, Mooney says. He adds that the
possibilities of commercial pictures, particularly for the in-
filtration of the desire for better things in people shut off
from; the advanced sections of the world, have hardly been
touched upon.
Stylish
Thirty-nine releases, 13 deal-
ing vTith dresses, 13 on furs and
13 on hats, are on the 1930 re-
lease schedule of Fashion Fea-
ture Studios, of Hollywood.
All of the productions are in
sound and the different sub-
jects are released alternately on
Thursdays.
PARAMOUNT'S APRIL LIST
CONTAINSONIYI-REELERS
Five subjects, all one-reelers, are
on the April release schedule of
Paramount. The number includes
two Bruce pictures, "The Wander-
lust" and "Voices of Lonely Men";
Herman Timberg in "I Came First,"
Lee Morse in "A Million Me's," and
two song numbers, "La Paloma" and
"'Yes, We Have No Bananas." In
March the Paramount short subject
releases include five two-reelers, five
one-reelers, while four two-reelers
and four one-reelers were on the Feb-
ruary schedule.
Future plans of Paramount with
regard to shorts are now in forma-
tion, with a likelihood that the com-
pany will decide upon increased activ-
ity in high-class subjects featuring
big names of the stage and screen.
Complete First Six
on New Pathe Schedule
Bill Woolfenden, of the recently
organized comedy production depart-
ment at the Pathe Etudios on the
coast, has completed the first six
wo-reelers of the new schedule. They
are:
"Hearts and Hoofs," directed by Wallace
Fox, with Mona Rico, Cornelius Keefe, Fred
Warren. George Rigas, Hector Sarno and
Zeila Conan.
"Ranch House Blues," directed by Robert
De Lacy, with Mildred Harris, Harry Woods,
Don Douglas, Nick Cogley, Billie Burt, the
Kmpire Comedy Four and Tom Mahoney.
"Pick 'Em Young," directed by Monte
Carter, with Robert Agnew, Mary Hutchin-
son, Mona Ray, Carmelita Geraghty, Fanchon
Frankel, Vera Marsh and Charles Hall.
"Live and Learn," directed by Fred Guiol,
with Ed Deering, Addie McPhail, Maurice
Black, Gertrude Astor, George Towne Hall
and David Durand.
"The Red Heads," directed by Frank
Davis, with Nat Carr, Charles Kaley, Joan
Gaylord, Katherine Wallace, Mona Ray,
Bessie Hill and Ethel Davis.
"Carnival Revue," directed by Wallace
Fox. with T. Roy Barnes, Ruth Hiatt, Ray
Hughes, Frank Sabini and Eddie Clark.
Only 6 Fox N. E. Theaters
Now Playing Stage Shows
New Haven — Only six of the 14
houses operated by Fox New Eng-
land Theaters are novv playing stage
shows. These houses are: Fox Poli
in this city. Fox Poli, Bridgeport;
Capitol, Hartford; Elrn, Worcester:
Palace, Waterbury; Fox Poli, Spring-
field. The other houses are featu"--
Mig all-talking policies.
I
THE
28
i^^
DAILV
VITAPHONE MAPS OUT
EXPLOITATION STUNTS
A long list of exploitation stunts,
designed primarily for Vitaphone
Varieties, but incidentally containing
a great deal of material adaptable for
other occasions, has been mapped out
by the Vitaphone publicity depart-
ment. Some of the highlights of the
collection are given herewith:
979. Milton C. Work, international bridge
authority. Tie-up with book dealers on
strength of Mr. Work's books on bridge;
and with department stores and other dealers
in cards, the Work Play-a-Hand bridge game
(now sweeping the country), newspapers and
bridge clubs.
3898. "Bubbles." Good for window or
counter display in music shops, dealers in
phonograph records and piano rolls.
963-4. Eddie Bu^zell in "Keeping Com-
pany." Attractive lobby card and stills for
pet store windows.
3972. Johnny Arthur in "Paper Hanging."
A natural for a window display in stores
selling wall paper.
967. "The Bubble Party." Should be easy
to get a window in toy shops.
3676. " And Wife." Try for win-
dows in telephone exchanges and in hotel
lobbies.
3740. "Christmas Knight." Tie-up with
gift shops, insurers against theft and banks.
3190. William Boyd in "The Frame."
Good display for police station windows,
for Y.M.C.A.'s and good citizenship clubs.
Boy Scouts.
985. "Footnotes" should gam you easy
access to dance schools, dealers in sheet music,
records and rolls for window displays.
978. "Find the Woman" with Hugi
O'Connell. As this is a newspaper story, try
for a newspaper tie-up; also get lobby card
in police station windows.
Popularity — and Why
For popularity of performers, as brought out by THE FILM
DAILY'S Short Subjects Survey, by far the greatest number of
mentions were for Laurel and Hardy. Many exhibitors declared
they consider this the best advertised team appearing in short com-
edies. Producers receiving widest comment on their comedy prod-
uct included Mack Sennett, Hal Roach, Al Christie and Larry
Darmour.
3568. "The Window Cleaners." Good foi
tie-up with window cleaners locals, dealers
in brushes, soaps, etc.
3942-43. "Reno or Bust." Tie-up with
gift shops, women's wear shops, jewelry stores
and the like on the idea that if husbands re-
member their wives with occasional gfifts
they'll have no hankering for Reno.
974. Giovanni Martinelli in the prison
scene from "Faust." A natural for window
displays in dealers in phonograph records and
sheet music, music clubs.
3829. "The South Sea Pearl" with Gaston
Glass. Try sheet music and record stores,
schools of the dance, etc.
3899. "The Japanese Bowl" in technicolor.
Good for displays in the windows of florist
shops, gift shops and music stores.
969. Chester Conklin in "The Master
Sweeper." Tie up with street cleaners union;
get window display in hardware stores with
a layout of brooms and shovels.
■~3798."" Henry B. Walthall in "The Pay
Off." Tieups on this should prove easy with
y^.M.C.A.'s. Boy Scouts organizations, and
police stations.
968. Lobo, the Dog of Dogs. Pet shops
will give you a window display on this dog
act.
960. Ruth Etting in "Broadway's Like
That." Displays in sheet music ,phoBograpb
record and piano roll shops.
3895-96. "Evolution of the Dance".
Schools of the dance should prove easy on
this; also sheet music and record shops.
966. Sylvia Clark in "Seeing Sarah Off."
Railroad ticket offices, schools of elocution.
965. "Gym-Jams" with Lew Mayor.
Good for displays in Y.M.C.A.'s, Boy Scouts
and athletic organizations.
961. Mason & Keeler in "Money, Money.
Money." Good for bank and brokerage tie-
ups.
972.
Songs.'
3529.
962.
Belles
Correspondence sckools.
Hoyt & Coots in "A BaWery of
Music and record shops.
"Danger." Recruiting ofBces.
Howard & Newton in "Wedding
Florist and women's wear shops.
Dealers in sheet music and phonograph rec-
ords.
3824. "A Holiday in Storyland." Dealers
in children's books, toys, sheet music aad
records.
3825. "Letters."
typewriting schools.
949. Buddy Traps in "Sound EfTects."
Dealers in musical instruments and hard-
ware and china stores
939. Joe Frisco in "The Benefit." Tie-
up with organizations giving benefit per-
formances, music dealers.
3641-42. Ann Pennington in "Hello
Baby." Tie-up with with dealers in sheet
music, records and rolls, dancing ichools and
dealers in dancing costumes.
943. Frances Alda singing the "Ave Ma-
ria" from "Othello." A natural for dealers
in phonograph records and sheet music.
3761. George Carpentier in "Naughty But
■^■■■■■■■NPMP"M'«aiM
Sunday, April 6, 1930
PUBLICITY POSSIBILITIES
EOR VARIED^OCCASIONS
Nice." Try dealers in sheet music and rec-
ords; athletic clubs, dancing schools, etc.
970. Betty and Jerry Browne in "Let's
Elope." Music and record shop displays.
3849. "What a Lifel" Try dancing
schools, music and record shops.
3883. "Surprise." Try all sorts of gift
shops on this, on the idea of keeping the
wife in good humor with presents.
3881-82. The Potters in "Done in Oil"
Good for tie-ups with fraternal organizations,
brokerage windows, etc.
3827-28. The Potters in "At Home." Try
women's clubs, Y. W. C. A.'s on this.
3753. "Contrary Mary" in Technicolor, i
Tie-up with music and record shops and
schools of the dance.
955. Herman Timberg in "The Love
Boat" Excellent for sheet music and pho-
nograph store windows. Also dancing schools.
950. Jack Osterman in "Talking It Over."
Dealers in sheet music and phonograph rec-
ords.
3850. "The Sultan's Jester" in Techni-
color. Good lobby card and stills for win
dow displays in sheet music and record
stores. Tie-up with dancing school.
3799. "Vengeance." Try Y. M. and Y.
W. C. A.'s, Boy and Girl Scouts.
3800-01. The Potters in "Getting a Raise."
Local unions and fraternal organizations.
959. Ruth Breton, violinist. Dealers in
musical instruments, violin teachers, record
shops.
952. Will and Gladys Ahem in "On the
Rancho." Schools of the dance; with rope
display in hardware store window music
shops.
3931. Lotti Loder in "Lonely Gigolo" in
Technicolor. Tie-up with music and rec-
ord dealers; schools of dance and elocution.
930-31. Eddie Buzzell in "Hello Thar."
Dealers in winter and sports clothing, sleds
and pet stores, music shops.
AUDIO^CINEMA, Incorporated
(W estern 'Electric LicenseesJ
JUST COMPLETED
"OLD BILL ARRIVES," first
of a series of 12 two-reel comedies
based on the famous Bruce
Bairnsfather character. To wit-
ness Old Bill's experiences in
America is to enjoy a breath of
clean humor, fast moving
action and sparkling dia-
logue. They're different!
Story and direction by
Bruce Bairnsfather.
€
Now producing a series of 26
^^Terrytoons," released through
Educational Exchanges.
** Green Mountain Justice"
First of a series of 12 two-reel hu-
man interest sketches by William
Dudley Pelley. No sex problems —
no cabaret scenes— just the quaint,
rural philosophy of the lovable
"Sheriff Crumpett,"
weaving its way through
the simple homespun
doings of the folks "back
home."
Completely Equipped Studio and Western Electric Recording Apparatus
Available to Producers at Mo<lerate Rates
161-179 HARRIS AVE., LONG ISLAND CITY, N. Y.
{Telephone: Stillwell 3076)
THE
I I
Sunday, April 6, 1930
29
3 HAL ROACH COMEDIES
AMONG APRIL RELEASES
Three Hal Roach comedies are in-
cluded in the Rroup of four short
features scheduled for release by M-
1 G-M this month. These are Our
i Gang in "When The Wind Blows,"
Charley Chase in "All Teed Up,"
! and Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy
■ in "Below Zero."
"Babies a la Mode" is the fourth
j release of the month. This Is one
( of the series of 12 M-G-M Colortone
' Revues in Technicolor. Gus Ed-
I wards and Sammy Lee both have
' had a hand in Ihe direction of these
miniature musical comedies.
; It is expected that all Hal Roach
' comedies for the next year will be
produced in five languages — French,
Spanish, German, Italian and Eng-
' lish.
i Marc Connelly Urges
I Copyright Protection
' Washington Bureau of THE FILM DAV
I Washington — Additional copyright
I protection both in this country and
I abroad is urged by Marc Connelly,
1 playwright and actor, who appeared
before the House Patents Committee
, as one of a group of authors and
I publishers' representatives on behalf
' of the Authors' League of America
; to urge immediate action on the Ves-
\ tal bill which would permit entry of
the International Copyright Union in
; the U. S.
Music House Organ
"Broadway Melodies" is the name
of the new house organ which the
Robbins Music Corp. will distribute
to music dealers.
Typical M-G-M One-Sheet
Adapting Sound to New Uses
By DAL CLAWSON, Cameraman, Fox Film
Short subject producers are adapting sound to new uses which
will soon be copied by feature producers. An example of this is the
"Black and Tan Fantasy," a short subject produced by Radio last
fall. In this two-reeler photography was so synchronized with the
musical accompaniment that it was possible to create a picture of
what was actually taking place in the character's mind. It was an
entirely new technique that is sure to be adopted as the relation of
the camera to sound becomes better known.
More Diversified Programs Bring
New Standards of Value
LARRY DARMOUR LINES OP
DELUXE COMEDY SERIES
Arrangements have been completed
by Larrv Darmour for the produc-
tion of a new series of short com-
edies, described as de luxe produc-
tions with casts composed of big
screen names, for release through
RKO. Darmour, who is now on his
way back to the West Coast after
conferring with RKO executives in
New York, also will continue his
Mickey McGuire series.
By PIERRE de ROHAN,
Motion Picture Editor,
"The Morning Telegraph"
CHOWMEN are offering more di-
versified programs than in the
past. The advent of the musical
prologue, enacted by living players
in theaters in the larger cities, has
inspired the exhibitor in smaller
towns to approximate these presen-
tations within the limits of his field.
To do this he turns to the short
subject makers and demands more
and better supplementary films. The
result is a program as varied and
often as impressive as those of the
huge Broadway showplaces.
This tendency has brought about
another condition which is having
and is due to have in still greater
measure^ a marked influence on pro-
duction. Feature films are being
made shorter and shorter to allow
for the showing of prologue material.
This, in turn, increases the cost of
program building, for quite naturally
the feature film producer charges
just as much for a S,000-foot picture
as he does for yne running 8,000 feet.
His story, cast and so on cost him
just as much; the only saving is in
film stock for positive prints^ too
slight a matter to cause a variation
in rental.
All of these tendencies toward di-
versification are bringing about a
new standard of values in the cinema.
The wise exhibitor should begin soon
to analyze his program costs and to
take up with those from whom he
buys, the question of equitable rent-
als. Having introduced variety to
his patrons, he can never go back
to the showing of a single feature
film. But. having saddled upon his
overhead operating expense the rent-
al of short subjects he cannot sell
his programs for the same price un-
less the producers themselves will
help him by readjusting production
costs, and therefore sales costs.
The solution seems to be a reduc-
tion in the rental of features to al-
low for the addition of short sub-
jects. After all., the rent money all
goes into the same pocket, and the
more reels a distributor has in cir-
culation, whether long or short, the
more money he has to show for his
investment at the end of the year.
Increased Distribution
of U. S. Shorts Abroad
IVashington Bureau of THE FILM DAI I.
Washington — Distribution of Amer-
ican shorts abroad is increasing, it
is indicated in a report to the M. P.
Division of the Dept. of Commerce.
Short subjects, such as comedies, nov-
elties and musical revues are in great
demand. While the majority of for-
eign countries do not have many the-
aters wired for sound, those that do
find that the synchronized short is
favored by audiences; the reason
being that foreigners are not familiar
with the Ameri'can language and
rather than be made uncomfortable
listening to a tongue that is not un-
derstood they prefer synchronized
pictures instead. There is very little
production abroad on this type of pic-
ture, hence most of the shorts are
imported from American companies.
To Start Photophone Building
West Coast Bwreau, THE FILM DAILY
Hollywood — RCA Photophone has
awarded contracts for the erection
of a new general office building at
Santa Monica Boulevard and Orange
Drive. Construction will begin im-
mediately.
Buys Texas House
Dallas — Griffith Amusement Co.
has bought the rights of Ray Stin-
nett in the Capitol and to the Palace
and Rex at Cleburne.
No. Baltimore Virginia Reopened
No. Baltimore, O. — The Virginia
has been reopened by William Gib-
son. It was formerly under the man-
agement of R. E. Bishop.
8 American Producers
Using RCA Photophone
Eight producing organizations in
the United States are using the RCA
system of recording, according to the
annual statement just made public by
the Radio Corp. of America. The
company has in addition installed
Photophone equipment in 13 sound
trucks used in recording news events.
The RCA Photophone statement fol-
lows, in part:
"R.C.A. Photophone, Inc., has now
established an important position in
the motion-picture industry. Its ap-
paratus is in demand by leading ex-
hibitors and producers, not only in
the United States, but a good market
has also been developed abroad. The
addition during the past year of
acoustic and recording facilities de-
veloped by fhe Victor Company has
greatly widened its scope.
"The reproduction of sound re-
cords, whether from film or disc, has
required extensive research and de-
velopment in such fields as radio,
acoustics, optics and chemistry. The
technical achievements of our asso-
ciated companies are embodied in
R. C. A. Photophone equipment.
"Indications are that synchroniza-
tion of sound with motion-pictures
will make even greater progress n
1930.
"The Photophone Company is
entering on a wider program of re-
search and development work. Dur-
ing the coming year, through its asso-
ciation with the R. C. A. Victor Com-
panv, it will make available sound
records to motion-picture exhibitors,
including overture and exit music.
During the year the Photophone
Company has developed portable ap-
paratus of outstanding merit which
has been made available to the indus-
trial and educational fields."
DAL CLAWSON
Cinematographer
In charge of photographing all tests
made by
FOX MOVIETONE IN NEW YORK
THE
30
DAiur
Sunday, April 6, 193(
WALTER StRENGE
CiNEMATOGRAPHER
Announcement: to
EXHIBITORS
Differentiating from the old silent short, the
most important factor today is dialogue and
story . . .
Your assurance of consistent originality and
entertainment value is on the title . .
BY
STANLEY RAUH
Since January 1st, \'^
{Under supervision Murray Roth)
1. Broadway Is Like That {Ruth Etting) Released
2. *The Master Sweeper {Chester Conklin) Released
3. Absent-Minded (ra//r For(f) Released
4. *Keeping Company {Eddie Buzzell) Released
5. The No-Account {Russell Hardie)
6. The Head Man
7. Nile Green {Helen Broderick)
8. System
9. The Collegiate Model {Ona Munson, Harry -, -
Rosenthal, Roger Prjor)
10. Devil's Parade (Music- Lyrics by Fleeson and Levey)
'Co-Authored
VlTAPHONi
Out of Range
The sophisticated type of
short comedy is all right, but
it doesn't go over so well with
the folks up in the balcony.
Inasmuch as the balcony sec-
tion forms a considerable part
of the seating capacity in many
houses, the producers should
take this into account in plan-
ning their material for effec-
tiveness. — William Benton,
Congress, Saratoga Springs,
N. Y.
Importance of Makeup
Is Cited by Fred Ryle
The question of makeup is of more
importance with short subjects play-
ers than with the actors in features,
in the opinion of Fred Ryle, make-
up chief at the Fox studios in New
York.
"The most common defect of the
average makeup is that it is too light,
which gives the face a white, mask-
like character. It is also a mistake
to use liquid makeup since the ne-
cessity of standing under hot lights
hour after hour is bound to result
in moisture that will remove liquid
makeup, while not affecting grease.
"So far the makeup in most color
pictures has been of very poor qual-
ity, but as we become more familiar
with the requirements of the color
camera, better results may be ex-
pected."
LEWIS R. FOSTER
Director
Talking Comedies
for Hal Roach
Starring Harry Langdon
and Laurel and Hardy
Current Releases
H. C. Witwer-Darmour Series
for RKO
"The Sleeping Cutie"
"The Setting Son"
"Cash and Marry"
"Land of the Sky Blue
Daughters"
"Eventually"
VISUGRAPtHC BUSY j
IN INDUSTRIAL FIELI
The growing importance of indus
trial short subjects is shown by th'
growth of Visugraphic Pictures, Inc.
who during the 12 years of existenc
have increased their production t(
the point where a complete produc
tion staff is kept busy.
During that time they have turn
ed out institutional advertisinj
shorts for some of the country':
largest advertisers including thi
Aluminum Co. of America, Ameri
can Sugar Refiners, Eastman Kodak
American Writing Paper Co., Qtn
eral Electric and Radio Corporation
as well as numerous newspapers anc
pubUc utihties. Their busjness dur
ing 1929 showed an increase of 8(
per cent over the preceding year anc
the present sales force is being aug
mented to make new records.
Edward F. Stevenson is president
of Visugraphic, other executives be-J
ing Perry Arnold, general sales man-r
ager; Frederic F. Stevenson, advis^
ory counselor, and Jack Gardineri|
director of publicity.
In addition to producing industriail
shorts, Visugraphic supply a com4j
plete theatrical and non-theatrical
distribution service as well as com-
plete exploitation for use of ex-
hibitors.
Shorts Being Reviewed
Like Former Vaudeville
With the substitution of short sub-
jects for vaudeville in many theaters)
around the country, some newspapers!
are beginning to review the shortsj
bills along the same lines formerljj
followed in writing up vaudeville
programs.^ In giving critical esti-;
mate of the shorts, reviewers fre-i
quently express surprise over thej
quality of the subjects as compared
to the standards of the average
vaudeville bill. A typical instance is
quoted from a review appearing in
"The Daily Leader," of Mt. Clemens,
Mich., reading in part:
"Five acts of Vitaphone vaudeville,-,
acts which, in the days of not so >
long ago would have headlined indi-
vidually and which today are the :
'talk of the town' were shown at the
Macomb theater last night, on the •
occasion of the first showing of '
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pick-
fordj co-starring in their first all-
talking picture, 'The Taming of the
Shrew.'
"The five acts, we firmly believe
are worth the highest praise and
commendation. To see them, and
see nothing else at the show, would
be a treat of rare proportions. They
are exemplary of the gigantic up-,
heaval which has taken place on the
stage during the past few years. In
other days even the management
could not be held wholly responsible
for the variable quality of vaude-
ville, and too often it was disap-
pointingly amateurish and feeble."
THE
Sunday, April 6, 1930
-<^^
DAILV
31
SENI-SLAPS FOR RKO
With the opening of the Radio-
Victor Gramercy studios next month,
RKO expect to get under way on
iuJ 'several different series of short corn-
dies of the semi-slapstick variety, un-
der the supervision of Louis Brock.
iijjr W. C. Fields has been engaged
ry'.tto star in a series of six shorts, the
tli!;first of which will be directed by
« Monte Brice. Brock is also negotiat-
iil ing with several of Broadway's lead-
''• ing comedians, who will also be
™istarred.
*[ The comic team of "Nick and
f Tony" has completed its third corn-
am; edy for Brock. All of these were
ii( directed by Mark Sandrich and three
more are planned under the present
(,, I schedule. These will probably be
Ij^made at the Ideal studios, pending
a,, i completion of the Gramercy studios,
ifnow under reconstruction.
Vernon Finishes "Cry Baby"
* Bobby Vernon has completed the
"i jVitaphone Variety, "Cry Baby," a
, comedy written by Herman Ruby.
,j Mary Louise Treen appears in sup-
port of Vernon and much of the ac-
tion takes place in a theater where
"Romeo and Juliet" is being played.
A Sweet Tie-up
Atlantic City — As an advance
exploitation stunt for Nancy
Carroll in "Honey," patrons of
the Warner, upon leaving the
theater, are being presented
with a paper bag of Glen Lo-
gan Macaroons, the product of
a leading macaroon shop on
the boardwalk. The bags are
stamped with the message that
their contents are as sweet as
Miss Carroll in the forthcom-
ing attraction.
British Firm Will Make
Sound Cartoon Shorts
London — John Maxwell, of Brit-
ish International Pictures, is nego-
tiating with the Noble Bros., artists,
to make a series of cartoons on the
style of Mickey and Felix. The
shorts will be made at the Elstree
studios and will be synchronized with
noises familiar to the animals.
3 Weeks in Los Angeles
for Aesop Sound Fable
"Good Old School Days," a Pathe
Aesop Sound Fable now being shown
at the Globe and the State on Broad-
way, has been booked for a run of
three weeks at the Fox Metropolitan
in Los Angeles.
The Grantland Rice Sportlight, "A
Feline Fighter," recently at the Globe
in New York, has opened for an in-
definite run at the Cameo on 42nd St.
HOMER MASON
WRITING STAFF
WARNER BROS. EASTERN VITAPHONE STUDIO
(Under supervision Murray Roth)
Completed Since Jan. 1:
"ROOM 909"
Featuring Robert Emmett Keane and Claire Whitney
"MONEY, MONEY, MONEY"
Featuring Homer Mason and Marguerite Keeler
"AT YOUR SERVICE"
Featuring Jessie Royce Landis and Wm. Halligan
"M 
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11